AutoblogGreen http://green.autoblog.com AutoblogGreen http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif AutoblogGreen http://green.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Chris Shunk, Sam Abuelsamid and Dan RothThe podcast by the people who obsessively cover the auto industry.<![CDATA[A123 Systems, now B456, wins court approval to exit bankruptcy]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/22/a123-systems-now-b456-wins-court-approval-to-exit-bankruptcy/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/22/a123-systems-now-b456-wins-court-approval-to-exit-bankruptcy/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/22/a123-systems-now-b456-wins-court-approval-to-exit-bankruptcy/#commentsFiled under: , ,



It's official: A123 Systems Inc. is passing through its final phase. The bankrupt lithium ion battery maker, now going by the name B456 Systems Inc., has won court approval for its plan to exit bankruptcy that pays off creditors from proceeds gained by selling off virtually all of its assets.

Objections previously made by creditors had been resolved prior to the hearing where US Bankruptcy Judge Kevin Carey approved the company's plan. Creditors had voted "overwhelmingly in favor of the plan," Caroline Reckler, a lawyer for B456 Systems, told the Washington Post.

Now that the plan has been court approved, B456 expects to exit court protection in about three to four weeks. This will complete bankruptcy proceedings started by A123 last October, and which was the source of political jabs by then-presidential candidate Mitt Romney. The Republican candidate had condemned the Obama administration for failed attempts at financially supporting alternative-energy industries.

The A123 name was removed in bankruptcy proceedings, which was required by the court in order to be purchased by Chinese company Wanxiang. The changeover to the B456 corporate identity was made in March as part of a filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission when the company declared that its old assets were liquidated. The good parts of the old A123 live on under Wanxiang's new A123 Venture Technologies division.

As the recovery plan was being executed, plug-in hybrid carmaker and former partner Fisker Automotive came to a settlement with former A123. Fisker agreed to reduce about $140 million in claims by 89 percent to $15 million.

A123 Systems, now B456, wins court approval to exit bankruptcy originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 22 May 2013 14:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a123a123 systemsb456bankruptcyfiskerli-ionlithium ionWed, 22 May 2013 14:03:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20578981/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20578981/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/22/a123-systems-now-b456-wins-court-approval-to-exit-bankruptcy/20578981/article-detail.xml 20578981 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/a123-systems_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/a123-systems.jpg <![CDATA[Another study shows young people not so keen on driving]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/18/another-study-shows-young-people-not-so-keen-on-driving/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/18/another-study-shows-young-people-not-so-keen-on-driving/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/18/another-study-shows-young-people-not-so-keen-on-driving/#commentsFiled under: , ,



The automotive industry is getting more evidence that it's time to expand product offerings or switch over to another business. A new study by the US Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) says the "driving boom" is over. While Baby Boomers loved their cars, their kids - aka Gen Y or Millennials - have different idea.

From 2004 until 2012, the total miles traveled remained about the same, but the amount, per capita, decreased by one percent each year.

The numbers tell the story, and the total miles driven, per capita, in the US has been declining. While gasoline price spikes and the Great Recession play a role, the numbers have been dropping gradually since 2004. That marks the end of a 40-year driving boom that started up in 1964, according to the PIRG report. The number of miles driven by Americans increased each year an average of 2.5 percent per capita and 3.8 percent total during that time. From 2004 until 2012, the total miles traveled remained about the same, but the amount, per capita, decreased by one percent each year.

Urbanization appears to be causing some of the trend, and use of mass transit and carsharing has been increasing. On top of that, boomers are aging and will be driving less and Millenials don't like to drive as much. Automaker executives have been voicing concern that young people are much less interested in driving and owning cars then their predecessors. The PIRG report's authors are concerned that highway system authorities have been too focused on expanding the nation's roads rather than accurately gauging the landscape.

Another study shows young people not so keen on driving originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sat, 18 May 2013 08:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>baby boomerscar shoppersgenymillennialsyoung consumersSat, 18 May 2013 08:49:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20573135/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20573135/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/18/another-study-shows-young-people-not-so-keen-on-driving/20573135/article-detail.xml 20573135 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/young-motorists_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/young-motorists.jpg <![CDATA[BIg Oil's favorite anti-clean energy study knocked down by review panel]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/13/big-oils-favorite-anti-clean-energy-study-knocked-down-by-revie/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/13/big-oils-favorite-anti-clean-energy-study-knocked-down-by-revie/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/13/big-oils-favorite-anti-clean-energy-study-knocked-down-by-revie/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Oil companies and other supporters of the fossil fuel status quo have been using a study by Boston Consulting Group (BCG) to attack California's landmark clean energy bill AB32, particularly the bill's Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS). Oil companies have been particularly irate that the LCFS requires them to reduce carbon pollution from gasoline and diesel 10 percent by 2020. But when the BCG report was roundly criticized, the Big Oil tried to come to the rescue. Now, an independent panel of scientists and academics has determined that the BCG study, the ammo being used to attack California's clean energy efforts, is packed with erroneous findings.

Oil companies have been particularly irate that the Low Carbon Fuel Standard requires them to reduce carbon pollution from gasoline and diesel 10 percent by 2020.

The BCG study had been under enough criticism and scrutiny that industry groups contracted with the UC Davis Policy Institute to assemble an expert independent review panel. The Western States Petroleum Association (WSPA, which originally funded the BCG report), the Rockefeller Brothers Fund and the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers requested the BCG report evaluation. Instead of supporting Big Oil, the reviewers found the study flawed on a number of fronts. For example, the BCG report missed "positive effects on the health and welfare of the citizens of California that could result from the implementation of AB32." The review panel also said the BCG study understated the benefits of AB32 on the economy; overstated the cost of industry compliance; and overstated harmful impact on California's oil refining industry. You can read a more detailed break-down on the situation over at the Natural Resources Defense Council.

The California Air Resources Board created the Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) to comply with AB32. CARB wants to reduce the amount of carbon in transportation fuels as a way to reduce the resulting greenhouse gas emissions. The BCG study and the resulting fallout isn't the first time oil companies have attempted to block LCFS and AB32. They also attempted to pass the Proposition 23 ballot initiative, which failed win voter approval in November 2010.

BIg Oil's favorite anti-clean energy study knocked down by review panel originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 13 May 2013 10:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ab32big oilcaliforniagreenhouse gaslow carbon fuel standardoil companiesvehicle emissionsMon, 13 May 2013 10:19:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20565683/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20565683/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/13/big-oils-favorite-anti-clean-energy-study-knocked-down-by-revie/20565683/article-detail.xml 20565683 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/transportation-emissions_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/transportation-emissions.jpg <![CDATA[Mitsubishi will double Outlander PHEV production after finding fire cause]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/12/mitsubishi-will-double-outlander-phev-production-after-finding-f/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/12/mitsubishi-will-double-outlander-phev-production-after-finding-f/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/12/mitsubishi-will-double-outlander-phev-production-after-finding-f/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

Mitsubishi is looking to make up for lost ground from some fire-related issues by doubling production of its Outlander Plug-in Hybrid vehicle (PHEV) in Japan, Green Car Reports says.

The Japanese automaker will ramp up to 4,000 Outlander PHEVs a month, up from the 2,000-unit target it set last September. Mitsubishi will consolidate the Outlander PHEV motor and battery installation operations to help speed things up.

The company plans to start selling the Outlander PHEV in the US next year. In March, the company halted Outlander PHEV production because of a melted battery at a Yokohama dealership. Mitsubishi since discovered that the batteries, which are produced by Lithium Energy Japan, are short circuiting from a screening process (since discontinued) that infected the batteries with contaminants.

Lithium Energy Japan is a Mitsubishi joint-venture with GS Yuasa, which makes batteries for the Boeing Dreamliner. That airline model was recently affected by a number of fires recently.

Mitsubishi will double Outlander PHEV production after finding fire cause originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sun, 12 May 2013 16:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>batteryfiregs yuasalithium energy japanmitsubishioutlanderoutlander phevoutlander plug-in hybridSun, 12 May 2013 16:34:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20565385/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20565385/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/12/mitsubishi-will-double-outlander-phev-production-after-finding-f/20565385/article-detail.xml 20565385 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/outlanderphev-1366843281_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/outlanderphev-1366843281.jpg <![CDATA[Hyundai's 50-acre rooftop solar-panel system will be South Korea's largest]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/11/hyundai-50-acre-rooftop-solar-panel-system-south-korea-largest/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/11/hyundai-50-acre-rooftop-solar-panel-system-south-korea-largest/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/11/hyundai-50-acre-rooftop-solar-panel-system-south-korea-largest/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Hyundai's rooftop solar-panel system at its Asan factory

Hyundai's green-cred future's so bright, its factory roof's gotta wear shades. The South Korean automaker will install that country's largest solar-panel system when it deploys about 40,000 solar voltaic panels on the roof of its Asan plant later this year.

The system will cover about 2.2 million square feet, or about 50 acres, of rooftop and will supply 11.5 million kilowatt hours, or the equivalent the power consumed by about 3,200 households. Hyundai makes the Sonata Hybrid at the plant, further bolstering the car's treehugging credentials.

Hyundai says the solar system will eliminate about 5,600 tons worth of CO2 emissions. Korea Electric Power Corp. (KEPCO) will purchase the electricity and redistribute it throughout the factory. Check out Hyundai's press release below.

Continue reading Hyundai's 50-acre rooftop solar-panel system will be South Korea's largest

Hyundai's 50-acre rooftop solar-panel system will be South Korea's largest originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sat, 11 May 2013 09:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>asanfactoryhyundaihyundai sonata hybridsolarSat, 11 May 2013 09:03:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20564994/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20564994/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/11/hyundai-50-acre-rooftop-solar-panel-system-south-korea-largest/20564994/article-detail.xml 20564994 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/hyundairoof_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/hyundairoof.jpg <![CDATA[LG Chem's Michigan battery plant starting production in July, will deliver Chevy Volt batteries by end of summer]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/08/lg-chem-battery-plant-starting-production-chevy-volt-batteries/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/08/lg-chem-battery-plant-starting-production-chevy-volt-batteries/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/08/lg-chem-battery-plant-starting-production-chevy-volt-batteries/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

LG Chem

It looks like the last hand's been played at those reputed card games that not-so-busy employees at LG Chem's lithium-ion battery factory in Michigan were playing. The South Korean company is planning to start production of batteries for the Chevrolet Volt extended-range plug-in in July, with the first batteries rolling off the factory's three assembly lines by end of summer, the Detroit Free Press reports. US Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-MI) is using the announcement to call the partially government-backed factory a "flawed program," MLive says.

And the gentleman has a point. The factory broke ground in 2010 and about half of its $300-million cost was bankrolled by the US government. Volt battery orders came in slower than expected, though, so by last fall, many of the workers were being paid not to work, and production was at a standstill, according to a February audit by the US Department of Energy. LG Chem was ordered to repay the Feds $842,000 in funds reputedly used to pay workers who weren't doing anything productive. LG Chem admitted that the plant is taking longer than expected to actually, you know, make a battery, releasing a statement six months ago that said, "taxpayer money has not been wasted, because when the market demand justifies production, the facility will be utilized." It appears that time is almost here.

LG Chem's Michigan battery plant starting production in July, will deliver Chevy Volt batteries by end of summer originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 08 May 2013 16:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>batterychevychevy voltdepartment of energyelectric vehiclefactorylg chemlithium-ionmichiganplug-in hybridWed, 08 May 2013 16:04:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20561339/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20561339/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/08/lg-chem-battery-plant-starting-production-chevy-volt-batteries/20561339/article-detail.xml 20561339 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/lgchem_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/lgchem.jpg <![CDATA[Ford increasing Lincoln MKX Hybrid production mix to 30%]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/07/ford-increasing-lincoln-mkx-hybrid-production-mix-to-30/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/07/ford-increasing-lincoln-mkx-hybrid-production-mix-to-30/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/07/ford-increasing-lincoln-mkx-hybrid-production-mix-to-30/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Demand for the Lincoln MKZ Hybrid is strong enough that Ford will change the production mix from 20 percent to 30 percent hybrids for the 2014 model year.

It's part of an overall MKZs comeback, which saw sales increase in April sales now that the car is no longer quite as slow to roll of the line. MKZ sales more than doubled last month, hitting the 4,000 units sold mark for the first time and setting an all-time monthly sales record for the Lincoln brand.

Ford is targeting younger customers for the MKZ. The MKZ is doing especially well in the coastal areas. Los Angeles is the fastest growth market where retail sales more than tripled, lead by the MKZ hybrid, said Ken Czubay, Ford vice president of US marketing, sales and service. In LA, the hybrid made up about 60 percent of MKZ retail sales.

With the exception of the Lincoln Navigator, the other members of the Lincoln family had a very poor sales month. The MKS plummeted 44 percent, the MKX dipped eight percent and the MKT dropped 31 percent.

The Ford brand did much better in April, with the F-Series pickup, Fusion sedan and Escape crossover each seeing impressive gains - and the Ford models sell much higher unit volumes than Lincolns do. The Taurus sedan, Flex crossover and Transit Connect were the only Ford models that dropped in sales during the month.

Back in October of last year, the Lincoln MKZ Hybrid was given a combined 45 miles per gallon rating. At that time, it was behind the Ford Fusion Hybrid's 47 mpg estimate. These days, that 45 mpg rating for the MKZ Hybrid is looking pretty darn good.

Ford increasing Lincoln MKX Hybrid production mix to 30% originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 07 May 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ford hybridhybridhybrid saleslincoln mkz hybridTue, 07 May 2013 08:00:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20557066/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20557066/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/07/ford-increasing-lincoln-mkx-hybrid-production-mix-to-30/20557066/article-detail.xml 20557066 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/lincoln-mkz-hybrid_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/lincoln-mkz-hybrid.jpg <![CDATA[Nissan Leaf time-lapse shows the EV being built]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/29/nissan-leaf-time-lapse-shows-the-ev-being-built/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/29/nissan-leaf-time-lapse-shows-the-ev-being-built/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/29/nissan-leaf-time-lapse-shows-the-ev-being-built/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

nissan leaf smyrna factory

The 2013 Nissan Leaf was improved thanks to customer input and, earlier this year, Nissan started building the all-electric car in Tennessee (and, of course, now also in the UK). These two changes helped the world's best-selling EV reach its the best month of US sales ever in March - we look forward to seeing what the April numbers are, which we should be getting in the very near future. We know domestic production reduced costs, since Nissan was happy to tout that angle, but it wasn't until recently that media representatives were allowed inside to see how the company is building the car and battery pack.

We will have a detailed write-up on Nissan's moves in Smyrna, TN for you soon. Until then, you can see the Leaf being built in the time-lapse video below, courtesy of local newspaper, The Tennessean. The audio is not worth listening to, but the images are somehow mesmerizing.

Continue reading Nissan Leaf time-lapse shows the EV being built

Nissan Leaf time-lapse shows the EV being built originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 29 Apr 2013 20:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric vehiclenissannissan leaftime-lapsevideoMon, 29 Apr 2013 20:03:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20552443/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20552443/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/29/nissan-leaf-time-lapse-shows-the-ev-being-built/20552443/article-detail.xml 20552443 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/nissan-leaf-smyrna-factory_thumbnail.png http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/nissan-leaf-smyrna-factory.png <![CDATA[Bob Lutz: GM deserved federal money, but Fisker, well, who knows?]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/29/bob-lutz-gm-deserved-federal-money-but-fisker-well-who-knows/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/29/bob-lutz-gm-deserved-federal-money-but-fisker-well-who-knows/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/29/bob-lutz-gm-deserved-federal-money-but-fisker-well-who-knows/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Two days after a Congressional hearing about a US Department of Energy loan to Fisker Automotive, Bob Lutz wrote a column pondering what should be done to stop the financial hemorrhaging at the company that builds - well, used to build - the Karma extended-range sports car. When Lutz was vice chairman at General Motors, a federal bailout kept that company's factories open and helped bring the Chevrolet Volt to market. So, should the same sort of logic be applied here and Fisker given access to more money? Lutz wrote, "After all, the feds bailed out GM! What's the difference? Ah, there is one! GM was a product powerhouse, preparing the best line of cars and trucks in the last 50 years."

Lutz had good things to say about the Fisker Karma plug-in hybrid itself, calling it "quite possibly the most beautiful four-door sedan ever" and that the powertrain technology was ground-breaking (while acknowledging that it is similar to what the Volt uses). But there were a host of problems: battery pack issues, the A123 bankruptcy, losing 800 Karmas in New Jersey following the hurricane and producing a very small volume of cars for sale all worked together to place Fisker in world of trouble, Lutz wrote.

The Fisker Karma is "quite possibly the most beautiful four-door sedan ever" - Bob Lutz.

GM, on the other hand, was dragged down by "overwhelming legacy costs." Lutz didn't elaborate, but these are usually considered to come from GM's labor union contracts and the massive costs of manufacturing too many cars through too many brands. In short, Lutz is basically saying GM was too big to fail but an ambitious start-up like Fisker is not a good investment. But he did forgot to mention Tesla Motors, another DOE automotive loan recipient that seems to be working out pretty well.

Lutz wants to see Fisker survive, if for no other reason than to support his investment in VL Destino which he designed with industrialist Gilbert Villereal. This performance sedan is built using a Karma body with with a Corvette drivetrain and Lutz says demand is strong for the VL Destino while electric Karmas are just languishing on dealer lots. He also wrote, "The green craze is, frankly, ebbing, and interest in conventional cars remains strong."

In the end, Lutz waffles on the question he poses, saying that whether or not Fisker should be given more federal money is, "A tough call. Glad I don't have to make it!" Click through to read the full Forbes article.

Bob Lutz: GM deserved federal money, but Fisker, well, who knows? originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 29 Apr 2013 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bob lutzchevy voltcongressional hearingdestinofederal bailoutfisker karmagm bailoutMon, 29 Apr 2013 16:30:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20552048/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20552048/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/29/bob-lutz-gm-deserved-federal-money-but-fisker-well-who-knows/20552048/article-detail.xml 20552048 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/fisker-automotive-congress-hearing_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/fisker-automotive-congress-hearing.jpg <![CDATA[GreenTech Automotive makes EV deal with JAC; founder McAuliffe in political hot water]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/29/greentech-automotive-makes-ev-deal-with-jac-founder-mcauliffe-i/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/29/greentech-automotive-makes-ev-deal-with-jac-founder-mcauliffe-i/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/29/greentech-automotive-makes-ev-deal-with-jac-founder-mcauliffe-i/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


GreenTech Automotive may have lost its founder, but it has renewed an integral growth strategy - partnerships with Chinese automakers.

The Mississippi-based electric car company has made an agreement with Chinese automaker JAC (Jianghuai Automobile Co.) to bring 2,000 battery electric vehicles to the US market. The vehicles, based on JAC's Rejoice vehicle platform, will be assembled in Mississippi. After the first 2,000, GreenTech says it "plans to establish another assembly facility for the sedan." It's the third-generation version of JAC's EV featuring upgraded driver modules; improved battery capacity and range; and performance improvements for speed, climbing and stability. The battery power has improved in the third generation - it has increased from 15 to 19 kWh, which helped the driving range extend from 62 to 81 miles.

JAC brings a lot of automotive experience to the table - more than 40 years building vehicles such as light-, medium- and heavy-duty trucks, sedans, buses and more. The company now produces more than 700,000 vehicles a year and 500,000 engines, and is one the 10 largest Chinese automakers.

GreenTech unveiled its first offering, a $15,500 tiny NEV called the MyCar (pictured), in the US market last year. GreenTech founder Terry McAuliffe had bought the rights to MyCar by acquiring its original maker, EuAuto Technology, a Hong Kong-based company, for $20 million. It's being built now at GreenTech Automotive's Horn Lake, MS, factory. The two-seat, low speed MyCar can go about 115 miles on a charge.

The problem is that McAuliffe and his GreenTech partners (well, ex-partners, since he resigned last year) are being questioned on whether the plant was actually "a 'visa-for-sale scheme' for Chinese investors," as The New York Times put it. The story has some calling it "Coda Redux" and we expect we'll hear much more about it as long as McAuliffe (D) keeps running for governor of Virginia. His Republican opponent, Kenneth Cuccinelli II, the state attorney general, is using the GreenTech story to attack McAuliffe's business credentials and a strategist said the saga shows, "The central premise of Terry McAuliffe's candidacy has been undermined. Why would we not talk about it?"

Continue reading GreenTech Automotive makes EV deal with JAC; founder McAuliffe in political hot water

GreenTech Automotive makes EV deal with JAC; founder McAuliffe in political hot water originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 29 Apr 2013 12:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chinachinese automakerelectric vehiclesevsexportsgreentech automotiveimportsjacmcauliffemississippimycarvirginiaMon, 29 Apr 2013 12:01:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20546303/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20546303/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/29/greentech-automotive-makes-ev-deal-with-jac-founder-mcauliffe-i/20546303/article-detail.xml 20546303 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/greentech-mycar2_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/greentech-mycar2.jpg <![CDATA[VW sustaniability report shows emissions, production progress]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/28/vw-sustaniability-report-shows-emissions-production-progress/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/28/vw-sustaniability-report-shows-emissions-production-progress/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/28/vw-sustaniability-report-shows-emissions-production-progress/#commentsFiled under: , ,


The most recent companywide sustainability report from Volkswagen comes in at a tidy 168 pages. Here's hoping not too many folks took out trees by printing the whole thing out.

Europe's biggest automaker said it has reduced the amount of both energy and water required to make each vehicle by 10 percent during the past two years. Additionally, average new-car emissions on Volkswagen's European fleet has dropped about seven percent during that time.

VW, which so far has turned more to diesel than to electric-drive for fuel-efficiency gains, is looking to boost its environmental credibility, even going as far as making nice with Greenpeace after a couple years of salvos, mostly from Greenpeace. Last month, Volkswagen Chairman Martin Winterkorn and Greenpeace Chief Executive Director Brigitte Behrens met for the first time to pledge collective support of Europe's tightening emissions standards.

Read VW's press release below and get access to the link to the report here.

Continue reading VW sustaniability report shows emissions, production progress

VW sustaniability report shows emissions, production progress originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sun, 28 Apr 2013 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Astute readers and Tesla Motors took issue with a line from a General Motors press release yesterday that claimed the start of electric motor production for the Chevy Spark EV made GM the "first domestic automaker to build electric motors and drive units in United States." The question was whether or not Tesla, which builds the Model S in California, isn't already doing exactly that.

So we asked GM, which told AutoblogGreen that, "from our understanding Tesla does not 'wind' their own motors. 'Wind' is a verb that has a broad meaning synonymous with 'build' since the winding processes are the most capital- and process-intensive part of motor making, whether it is round wire (like theirs) or square wire like ours ('winding' for us means all the wire forming, wire insertion, twist, and welding are done at the same facility)."

In response, Tesla told AutoblogGreen: "We manufacture all parts of Model S motors here at the factory in Fremont, California. We have a winding line at the factory where we wind our own stators off of spools. We also manufacture the rotors and other components to the unit."

This all might be a bit of a semantic disagreement, but it is nice to see automakers fighting over the rights to say they were first in this particular aspect of electric vehicle manufacturing. It also makes us smile that the two companies involved both have "Motors" in their names, so maybe it's a point of pride. Now, if anyone wants to look into the history books and see how EV motors were made in the early 20th Century, we assume neither GM and Tesla could lay claim to being "first."

Tesla questions if Chevy is first OEM building electric vehicle motors in US? originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 17 Apr 2013 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Wed, 17 Apr 2013 19:29:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20543943/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20543943/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/17/tesla-questions-chevy-first-oem-building-electric-ev-motors-us/20543943/article-detail.xml 20543943 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/chevy-spark-copper-wire_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/chevy-spark-copper-wire.jpg <![CDATA[Chevy starts Spark EV motor production in Baltimore]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/16/chevy-starts-spark-ev-motor-production-in-baltimore/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/16/chevy-starts-spark-ev-motor-production-in-baltimore/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/16/chevy-starts-spark-ev-motor-production-in-baltimore/#commentsFiled under: , ,

chevy spark ev motor production

While the Chevy Spark EV will be made in Korea, two important parts -motor and battery pack - are built in the US. Today, General Motors proudly highlighted the start of motor production at its White Marsh plant outside of Baltimore, MD. GM says this move makes it the first domestic automaker to build electric motors and drive units in US.

The compact, lightweight 100-kW motor offers 130 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque, which is enough to move the electric Spark to 60 miles per hour in under eight seconds. GM isn't saying what the annual Spark EV motor capacity of the Baltimore plant is, just that it will be able to build them to suit customer demand.

Aside from the motor, A123 (now owned by Wanxiang Group) is making Spark EV cells and battery packs in Livonia, MI. The two components are shipped to Korea for installation and the finished cars will then be exported back to the Western US (the Spark EV's initial US markets are California and Oregon) starting this summer, with shipments to Canada, Europe and South Korea taking place later.

Continue reading Chevy starts Spark EV motor production in Baltimore

Chevy starts Spark EV motor production in Baltimore originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 16 Apr 2013 18:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The mystery of potentially dangerous lithium ion batteries continues to hang over sales of vehicles using this technology. Experts who recently testifyied before the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said that failure of the technology has slowed development of electric cars and other applications of the batteries.

The crisis faced by Boeing in January over its 787 Dreamliner jet was also a major theme during the hearings. NTSB is investigating a battery fire that occurred on board one of the Dreamliners.

About 25 percent of a typical li-ion battery cell is flammable.

Analysts have not taken the reliability factor seriously enough in their sales forecasts - projections "were off by more than a factor of 10" when compared to the actual market size in 2011, said Yet-Ming Chiang, a professor of materials science and engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, to NTSB. The market has been very stressful for battery makers as many of them have gone out of business when the li-ion market failed to materialize.

Chiang said that about 25 percent of a typical li-ion battery cell is flammable. The batteries do need to become safer, but not at the cost of losing performance, said Glen Bowing, vice president of sales at Saft Specialty Battery Group. Thus, battery companies are exploring other technologies outside of li-ion in the hope of finding a safer, less costly solution. Boeing's crisis prompted rival jetmaker Airbus to drop li-ion batteries from its upcoming A350 jet. Tesla Motors and SpaceX chief Elon Musk said the lithium cobalt oxide cells used in the 787 Dreamliner are "fundamentaly unsafe" and packed too close together; if one cell catches fire, the entire battery pack could ignite in a chain-reaction scenario.

Fisker Automotive had its own notorious episodes with li-ion battery technology. Other automakers had their share of woes, too. Last year, Chrysler had the batteries in three of it Ram 1500 pickups overheat. Last month, Mitsubishi stopped production of its Outlander plug-in hybrid and a version of the all-electric i-MiEV. Two separate incidents - both in Japan - involved plug-in vehicle battery-pack fires that prompted investigation and suspension of the production lines.

Expert: Unsafe lithium-ion batteries mean EV sales predictions were off by "more than a factor of 10" originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sat, 13 Apr 2013 08:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>787 dreamilnerbatterybattery fireboeingelectric vehiclesevsjetsli-ionlithium ionSat, 13 Apr 2013 08:51:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20538363/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20538363/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/13/unsafe-lithium-ion-batteries-ev-sales/20538363/article-detail.xml 20538363 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/li-on-battery_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/li-on-battery.jpg <![CDATA[Elon Musk hints a Texas plant could build Tesla pickup]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/12/elon-musk-texas-plant-build-tesla-electric-pickup/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/12/elon-musk-texas-plant-build-tesla-electric-pickup/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/12/elon-musk-texas-plant-build-tesla-electric-pickup/#commentsFiled under: , ,

tesla model x

Tesla CEO Elon Musk was in Texas this week, fighting for his company's right to sell electric cars directly to consumers. He also hinted that Tesla might have big plans for Texas, if this one little law just goes his way.

"I have this idea for a really advanced electric truck that has the performance of a sports car but actually more towing power and more carrying capacity than a gasoline or diesel truck of comparable size," Musk told Automotive News. "That could be really cool, and I think that would probably make sense to do that at a new plant."

This is not the first time Tesla has floated the idea of a pickup EV. Last July, Tesla's chief designer, Franz von Holzhausen, said, "There will be a time and place for us to develop something around a pickup. That's a market for which the torque of an electric motor would be ideally suited."

The possibility of a new plant in Texas - Tesla's first outside of California - is the carrot that Musk is dangling in front of lawmakers when he's discussing the EV sales law. That law would allow Tesla to sell directly to customers instead of requiring dealerships to be franchised, and Musk says Tesla could sell as many as 2,000 vehicles a year if the company was allowed to sell its EVs this way. Should such an exemption be granted, Tesla may invest tens of millions of dollars in stores and service centers, Musk says.

Texas might not be at the front of anyone's mind when it comes to EVs, but, as of the end of last month, the Lone Star State actually had the second-most publicly accessible charging stations in the US, 432, behind California's 1,207.

Elon Musk hints a Texas plant could build Tesla pickup originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 12 Apr 2013 11:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric vehicleelon muskevfranceteslatesla model stesla pickuptexasFri, 12 Apr 2013 11:49:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20538421/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20538421/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/12/elon-musk-texas-plant-build-tesla-electric-pickup/20538421/article-detail.xml 20538421 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/tesla-model-x-detroit-2013-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/tesla-model-x-detroit-2013-628.jpg <![CDATA[Terry McAuliffe leaves MyCar EV startup]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/10/terry-mcauliffe-leaves-mycar-ev-startup/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/10/terry-mcauliffe-leaves-mycar-ev-startup/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/10/terry-mcauliffe-leaves-mycar-ev-startup/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Being one of the founders of an electric car company can be a bittersweet experience, as top executives at Aptera, Tesla and Fisker have found out. We can now add another name to the list: Terry McAuliffe, founder of GreenTech Automotive, quietly stepped out of the picture late last year.

This happened sometime before Dec. 1, 2012, which is the date of a letter from GreenTech's CEO Charles Wang accepting McAuliffe's resignation as chairman. Wang's letter was recently forwarded to The Washington Post by a company official, but reasons for his departure were not revealed in the letter or by the anonymous source.

McAuliffe has his eyes on the gubernatorial job in Virginia, which will be decided by voters in November. The former chairman of the Democratic Party finished second in a three-way primary contest for governor in 2009. He invested $20 million in EuAuto Technology, a Hong Kong-based company making a tiny electric car called MyCar. McAuliffe, a businessman and entrepreneur, promoted GreenTech Automotive as an example of his skillset and commitment to Virginia's economy.

Last year, the company unveiled its two-seat low-speed MyCar that can go about 115 miles on a charge and will sell for about $15,500. It's being built in Horn Lake, MS, at a plant that could create up to 426 new jobs. Visits by former President Bill Clinton (D) and Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour (R) drew some kudos, but there have been jabs thrown by an opponent asking if GreenTech will be bringing jobs to Virginia.

Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli II, the Republican candidate for governor, has written an editorial against McAuliffe's EV work and told The Washington Post, "McAuliffe believes his business acumen qualifies him to be governor of the Commonwealth and this revelation [that he stepped down] completely invalidates the central premise of his candidacy."

McAuliffe's campaign spokesman Josh Schwerin did acknowledge by email that McAuliffe "verbally" announced his intention to resign from GreenTech before filing to run for governor. "Terry was about to start running for Governor and knows that it is a full time job doing so. This is the same reason Virginian Attorney Generals traditionally resign when running for Governor," Schwerin wrote.

Starting up an EV car company just ain't what it used to be.

Terry McAuliffe leaves MyCar EV startup originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 10 Apr 2013 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Renault and Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn continues to be evangelical about electric vehicles. The problem is, he's preaching to the choir.

Ghosn believes - still - that by the end of this decade, one in 10 cars his companies sell will be electric. While 70,000 customers are happy with their EVs (the Nissan Leaf and more recently the Renault Zoe), they're nowhere near 10 percent of the global automaker's sales. Denmark has been one of the markets where EV adoption was expected to take hold. Three years after introduction, only 73 Leafs have been sold there.

Back in 2009, Ghosn's companies invested $5 billion in EVs in an effort to lead the revolution of this new technology. Today, his strategy remains the same: have EVs on the market waiting for customers to buy them. To that end, Ghosn recently placed his COO Toshiyuki Shiga in charge of EVs, reinforcing the message that Nissan is deeply committed to electrification. The Leaf is now being produced in the US and the UK and the company has made arrangements to build an EV in China as well. That plant will be able to produce 50,000 units a year by 2015, as many as Nissan makes at its Leaf factory in Japan today.

The public still remains skeptical. While the MSRP for the 2013 Leaf dropped by $6,400 and government incentives are available, the price is still too high for many car shoppers. Range anxiety is still there, with charging stations few and far between. Nissan was only about to hit half of its original US sales target in 2012.

"As long as Ghosn meets profit targets, investors won't fret."

Investors are being a bit skeptical as well, disappointed with Nissan's EV sales so far. "When we see this situation of Nissan missing targets in several markets, the atmosphere of trust has begun to deteriorate a little," said Takashi Aoki, a Tokyo-based fund manager at Mizuho Asset Management Co. "As long as Ghosn meets profit targets, investors won't fret."

Investors not running, yet, from Carlos Ghosn's EV bet originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sun, 07 Apr 2013 08:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carlos ghosnchinaelectric vehiclesevsleafnissanrenaultzoeSun, 07 Apr 2013 08:51:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20526747/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20526747/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/07/investors-not-running-yet-from-carlos-ghosns-ev-bet/20526747/article-detail.xml 20526747 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/carlos-ghosn-the-evangelist_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/carlos-ghosn-the-evangelist.jpg <![CDATA[Fisker, A123 settle $140m supply claims for just $15 million]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/04/fisker-a123-settle-supply-claims/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/04/fisker-a123-settle-supply-claims/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/04/fisker-a123-settle-supply-claims/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The former A123 Systems

Any self-respecting dealer would refuse to sell a Fisker Karma extended-range plug-in for a mere $12,000, but Fisker Automotive may be taking that approach with former battery supplier A123 Systems by settling for about 11 cents on the dollar in a bankruptcy-court claim.

The California-based automaker settled with A123 Systems (which renamed its old assets to be liquidated B456 Systems) for $15 million, down from what had been $140 million in claims stemming from warranty breaches and resulting production delays caused by defective batteries, Bloomberg News reports, citing bankruptcy court records. A123 filed for bankruptcy in October, and US courts approved China-based Wanxiang to buy A123 for about $256.6 million in late January

Last month, Fisker furloughed its US employees and hired a law firm for possible bankruptcy proceedings. The company's co-founder and namesake Henrik Fisker stepped down as the company's executive chairman in March.

Fisker, A123 settle $140m supply claims for just $15 million originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 04 Apr 2013 15:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a123b456bankruptcyelectric vehiclefiskerkarmaplug-in hybridwanxiangThu, 04 Apr 2013 15:56:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20529562/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20529562/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/04/fisker-a123-settle-supply-claims/20529562/article-detail.xml 20529562 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/a123b456_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/a123b456.jpg <![CDATA[Ford reduces water use in vehicle assembly by 10.6 billion gallons]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/28/ford-reduces-water-use-vehicle-assembly-10-billion-gallons/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/28/ford-reduces-water-use-vehicle-assembly-10-billion-gallons/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/28/ford-reduces-water-use-vehicle-assembly-10-billion-gallons/#commentsFiled under: ,



Ford is reducing its water use much faster than expected, and touting the achievement with another infographic. During 2012, the global automaker achieved an 8.5 percent reduction in the amount of water used to make its vehicles, putting Ford more than halfway toward its target of using an average of four cubic meters per vehicle globally by 2015.

Ford has been working on water conservation since 2000, and so far has reduced the amount of water used for vehicle production by 10.6 billion gallons, or 62 percent. Its annual water usage has dropped from 64 million cubic meters to 24 million cubic meters during that time. Ford compares the reduction to the amount of water that could fill 16,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools or the water used by about 99,000 US homes in a year.

The methods used to reduce water use vary by plant and address everything from cooling towers to parts washing to plant operations. At its Chennai Assembly plant in India, Ford installed a new system that allows the plant to recycle all of its water. At its two assembly plants in Chongqing, China, the automaker added advanced water treatment equipment to improve recycling. The first assembly plant recycles an average of 100,000 gallons of water daily and the second plant averages 65,000 gallons daily.

Ford says that its water strategy complements the company's overall Code of Human Rights, Basic Working Conditions and Corporate Responsibilities. The water strategy also lines up with Ford's "Blueprint for Sustainability," which was started up to reduce its energy use, CO2 emissions and landfill waste.

Continue reading Ford reduces water use in vehicle assembly by 10.6 billion gallons

Ford reduces water use in vehicle assembly by 10.6 billion gallons originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 28 Mar 2013 16:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>conservationenergy savingsfordsustainabilityvehicle manufacturingwaterwater useThu, 28 Mar 2013 16:09:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20518394/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20518394/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/28/ford-reduces-water-use-vehicle-assembly-10-billion-gallons/20518394/article-detail.xml 20518394 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/ford-water-conservation_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/ford-water-conservation.jpg <![CDATA[Jeep unveils 9-speed transmission for Cherokee]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/28/jeep-unveils-9-speed-transmission-for-cherokee/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/28/jeep-unveils-9-speed-transmission-for-cherokee/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/28/jeep-unveils-9-speed-transmission-for-cherokee/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

2014 jeep cherokee

More gears equals less fuel use in Chrysler's trademark Jeep Cherokee, as the US automaker will make a nine-speed automatic transmission standard on its 2014 Cherokee.

The transmission, the world's first nine-speed automatic transmission for passenger vehicles with a front-wheel-drive layout, was developed by ZF and will be assembled, along with the rest of the new Cherokee, at Chrysler's plant in Kokomo, IN. Last year, ZF said that nine speeds is the "natural limit" for transmissions, given the law of diminishing returns.

Chrysler says the new Cherokee gets "up to 31 mpg," which is certainly better than the 19 miles per gallon combined that the six-speed, two-wheel-drive 2013 Cherokee gets, per the EPA.

Earlier Wednesday, Chrysler took the wraps off the 2014 Cherokee at the New York Auto Show, complete with a simulation of a "trip" through Moab in the Trailhawk version. The model will have both front- and all-wheel-driver versions ranging from 184 to 271 horsepower and is based on a platform developed by Chrysler's sister company Alfa Romeo. Check out Chrysler's press release below.

Continue reading Jeep unveils 9-speed transmission for Cherokee

Jeep unveils 9-speed transmission for Cherokee originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 28 Mar 2013 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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