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Government bailout does not mean EV mandates for GM, Chrysler

GM and Chrysler may have gotten government help totaling almost $40 billion, but that money does not come with strings attached demanding that the two companies build electric or high-mpg cars. Government task force head Ron Bloom told Reuters that, "We obviously would be very happy if Chrysler and GM were making lots and lots of high mileage cars. It's not a prerequisite. It's not an obligation." While the U.S. as a whole would benefit if the cars on the road were more efficient, the government's stance is understandably self-serving. ... Read more →

Tesla CEO will refund money if there's an "Armageddon scenario" Sebastian Blanco

Here's Elon Musk, speaking in March (and just published in Car and Driver): Even in the worst case of an Armageddon scenario, I'll personally refund people [their money] if need be. While the ...

GM to gov't: $2.6 billion for more Volt hybrid models, please Sebastian Blanco

GM's updated business plan, released yesterday, says that the company hopes to build three new hybrid models, including two Chevy Volt spin-offs, using $2.6 billion in loans from the U.S. government. ...

At Witz' End: Other Views on Detroit Gary Witzenburg

"I hope GM goes bankrupt," said the young California man in the Japanese restaurant. Really? Why? "Because I hate the UAW," he responded, ignorantly equating America's largest automaker to its most ...

Will 2009 see an ethanol bailout? Sebastian Blanco

Ethanol may be the worst type of renewable energy, but that won't stop the industry from attempting to participate in the new bailout culture of the United States. A story in the Wall Street Journal ...

ZAP execs say bailout money should go to electric startups 1 year ago on Autoblog Green

Tesla isn't the only electric-car company angling for some of the "bailout" billions. A couple of newly-hired execs over at ZAP! have opinions about who should get some of the money (Yeah, it came as a shock to us too) that Washington seems willing to dish out to Detroit auto makers. Rodger L. ...

Think's request for help going unanswered, not all orders guaranteed to ship 1 year ago on Autoblog Green

We learned earlier today that Norwegian electric automaker Th!nk had requested a handout from the Norwegian government. We've now heard that the government is not likely to give the EV maker any money. According to a translation of a piece in the Norwegian news source Dagbladet by AutoblogGreen ...

Tesla says federal loans needed for Model S sedan 1 year ago on Autoblog Green

After yesterday's good news regarding delivery of the 100th Tesla Roadster, it's back to number-crunching reality. Tesla CEO Elon Musk told the Detroit Free Press that if the electric car maker doesn't get a $350 million loan from the government, then the Model S will be delayed and San Jose plant ...

GM's death list axes gas guzzlers, but which models get to live? 1 year ago on Autoblog Green

You don't need to be a market analyst or have a Ph.D. in economics to understand that GM could benefit from axing its gas guzzlers. However, finding the right models to put on the death list isn't an easy task. There is speculation that GM's compact pick-ups, the Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyon, will ...

Ford's business plan for Congress includes electric van in 2010, sedan in 2011 1 year ago on Autoblog Green

Ford has submitted its proposed turn around plan to Congress and, along with outlining all the pay freezes and headcount reductions that have already been announced, there is a major acceleration of electrification plans. At the Detroit Auto Show next month, Ford plans to detail some of those ...

Congressional plan for green Detroit could be financially fatal 1 year ago on Autoblog Green

We're from the government and we're here to help. Those words strike fear into the hearts of conservatives anywhere. Right now those words probably should be terrorizing those hoping for a loan deal for the Detroit automakers as well. Before and after Congress declined to provide quick passage to ...

Bill Ford to turn automaker into "Green Oval"? 1 year ago on Autoblog Green

Bill Ford, great-grandson of Henry Ford himself, is reportedly hedging his bets on green technology for the automaker that bears his name. Ford has spoken directly with President-elect Barack Obama about energy, especially as it relates to the automotive industry, and the Blue Oval exec likes what ...

Malcolm Bricklin on the bailout opinions: green, not cost-cutting 1 year ago on Autoblog Green

Malcolm Bricklin surely has an interesting view of the American automotive industry after having successfully launched the Subaru brand in the United States. Bricklin then went on to create his own car company, one that manufactured less than 3,000 Bricklin SV-1 automobiles. Although this ...

Auto industry responses to the bailout bill; what do you think? 1 year ago on Autoblog Green

When the U.S. Congress passed H.R. 1424 and President Bush signed it into law today, not everyone was paying attention to the part about plug-in vehicles. Sure, this got a little play - and green car sites like ours were on it - but what's a few $7,500 tax credits in a $700 billion bill? Still, ...

Is the Volt nothing more than bailout bait? 1 year ago on Autoblog Green

The Wall Street Journal has been known to be a bit cynical when it comes to the Chevy Volt but does it really think GM is using a whole program just to angle cash out of Washington? That seems to be the what Holman W. Jenkins, Jr. is arguing in his article, "What Is GM Thinking?" According to the ...

McCain in favor of national CO₂ limits 1 year ago on Autoblog Green

U.S. Presidential hopeful John McCain says he opposes the notion that individual states should be able to set their own carbon dioxide emissions regulations. Still, it sounds as if automakers could be in for a shocker if the Republican were to be elected, as he says, "My goal would be to see a ...

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