Click above for high-res gallery of the Fisker Karma S
Developing and building cars costs money, a lot of it. The only people who think otherwise have never actually tried to do it. Any startup business is tough to get going, but one as capital intensive as manufacturing durable goods like cars is even more difficult. In recent years, many so-called “experts” have advocated out-sourcing most of the manufacturing and focusing just on developing the unique bits that make a product special. The problem with this strategy is that it takes away even more control over the end product from the company that originated it. That company also becomes highly dependent on the financial health of those suppliers.
When those suppliers are also selling to other automakers they become susceptible to whatever ailments their customers may pick up. It’s like a day-care, one kid comes in sick and the next thing you know, everyone in the family of all the other kids is sick too.
When even the strongest automakers like Toyota and Honda don’t have immunity to current economic virus, it becomes increasingly difficult for startups to get a foothold. Peppercom cleantech analyst Darryl Siry takes a look at the example of Fisker Automotive and its partner/supplier Quantum Technologies. Quantum’s main revenue producing business of high pressure gas storage tanks is suffering because of the ills in Detroit. It’s unclear how all this might end up affecting Fisker as it plans to move ahead with production of the Karma. Fisker is also at a disadvantage in getting DOE loans for its product development because it has out-sourced assembly to Valmet in Finland. Quantum is apparently applying for loans which will presumably be used to fund development and manufacturing of Fisker drivetrain parts in the U.S. It’s a tough world out there, everyone is hurting.
[Source: Darryl Siry]
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Fisker
Can EV startups survive mainstream auto collapse? originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sun, 15 Mar 2009 19:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Can EV startups survive mainstream auto collapse? – Green Cars
Posted on March 16th, 2009 under Car and Van Info.
Late last year, Daimler AG announced that it would partner with Evonik for the development and manufacturing of automotive lithium ion batteries. Daimler bought half of Evonik’s LiTec battery unit at that time. Now, Daimler is looking to bring in another partner for the project. At this time, its not clear if that would be a partner on the battery side to bring in more technology, or a partner to consume batteries and help spread the development costs.
At the Detroit Auto Show, Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced that his company would supply battery packs and chargers to Daimler for the test fleet of electric Smart ForTwos. If Tesla were to hook up with Daimler and Evonik, it could potentially provide them a lower cost supply of batteries for the Model S and other future vehicles. At the same time, Tesla could contribute some of its battery management knowledge to the project.
More likely, Daimler will be looking for a larger partner that could provide economies of scale to the battery manufacturing.
[Source: Automotive News - sub req'd]
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Daimler
Daimler looking for an extra partner in its lithium battery venture originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sun, 15 Mar 2009 15:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Daimler looking for an extra partner in its lithium battery venture – Green Cars
Posted on March 15th, 2009 under Car and Van Info.
Late last year, Ford shelved plans to introduce a new 4.4-liter diesel V8 into its light duty F150 pickup trucks and full-size Expedition SUV. Ford has apparently continued to work on a larger diesel V8 that it has developed to replace the troublesome 6.4-liter Power-Stroke in its Super-Duty trucks. The Power-Stroke is supplied to Ford by Navistar and has caused the automaker no end of grief, in spite of its good performance.
The new 6.7-liter Scorpion has been spotted being tested in a prototype Super Duty pickup and reportedly incorporates some of the same ideas in the recently-shelved General Motors 4.5-liter Duramax diesel. Like the Duramax, the Scorpion uses a reverse flow layout for intake and exhaust. A pair of turbochargers lie in the valley of the V8 where they are fed by very short exhaust manifolds coming from the inboard side of the heads. This has multiple advantages. The short exhaust runs mean better response and reduced turbo lag as well as more energy available to drive the turbos since the exhaust doesn’t cool. The intakes are on the outboard side of the heads although its not clear if they feed through the top like the GM engine or from the outside.
According to PickupTrucks.com, the new engine should yield more power than than the Navistar engine as well as a 3 mpg improvement in efficiency. In the big trucks, where mileage ratings are often in the single digits, that’s a significant jump.
[Source: PickupTrucks.com]
Filed under: Diesel, Ford
Spy Shots: New Ford-developed Scorpion heavy duty diesel V8 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sat, 14 Mar 2009 11:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Spy Shots: New Ford-developed Scorpion heavy duty diesel V8 – Green Cars
Posted on March 14th, 2009 under Car and Van Info.
Honda will start airing TV commercials for it’s new Insight hybrid on Monday. As part of Honda’s attempt to outsell the Prius, these commercials will use the tagline “the hybrid for everyone” and mention the Insight’s low price (compared to the Prius) and green credentials. We don’t know exactly how much the new Prius will cost when it goes on sale later this spring, but Automotive News (subs req’d) says the Insight’s $20,470 price tag will be about $2,000 less. The idea of a mass-market hybrid, not a niche ride for greenies, is the right message to send right now, Honda brand national advertising senior manage Tom Peyton told AN. The first commercial is called “Beach,” and two more will be broadcast in late April. What’s that? Is a cheaper Prius on the way?
[Source: Automotive News (subs req'd)]
Filed under: Hybrid, Honda, Green Daily
Honda ads call Insight the “hybrid for everyone,” highlight low price originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 13 Mar 2009 19:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Honda ads call Insight the “hybrid for everyone,” highlight low price – Green Cars
Posted on March 14th, 2009 under Car and Van Info.
Click above for a high-res image gallery of the EVA Track-T800CDI diesel motorcycle
Remember the EVA Track-T800CDI Diesel motorcycle? It turns out that the machine does not feature 2-wheel drive (it may be offered in the future) as we had previously believed, but that hasn’t dampened our interest in the machine after reading that it’s powered by a 45-horsepower 3 cylinder diesel engine taken from the smart fortwo in Europe. More importantly, the mill’s 81 lb-ft of torque, funneled through a CVT transmission, should keep things moving nicely under just about any set of circumstances.
Best of all, the unique drivetrain manages an impressive 112 miles per gallon at 55 miles per hour. Unfortunately, it’s not currently certified for use with biodiesel. The Daimler-built engine is held in a custom tubular steel trellis frame and supported by top-shelf WP suspenders front and rear. Sales have already begun in The Netherlands and will filter to other European countries in 2010. U.S. and Canadian sales may begin sometime in 2010, depending on a number of factors.
[Source: Hell For Leather]
Filed under: Diesel, MPG, SMART, On Two Wheels, Green Daily, Europe/EU
EVA Track T-800CDI diesel motorcycle launched, equipped with fortwo engine from smart originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 13 Mar 2009 18:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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EVA Track T-800CDI diesel motorcycle launched, equipped with fortwo engine from smart – Green Cars
Posted on March 13th, 2009 under Car and Van Info.
Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2010 Toyota Prius
The success that Honda has had with its new Insight has surely caught the attention of Toyota, its chief rival in the hybrid vehicle games. In its home market of Japan, Honda sold 18,000 Insight hybrids in its first month on sale. This figure beat the automaker’s predictions, and a good deal of these early adopters likely chose the Insight over the Prius due to its low price, which undercuts its competitor by a few thousand dollars (or a few million yen, depending on your location).
To properly combat the Insight, rumors are swirling that Toyota is hard at work developing a new low-cost hybrid vehicle that would be priced well under that of the standard Prius. The new model would use similar hybrid technology but would cost 20-30 percent less than its big brother. True or not, Toyota has confirmed that they will continue to sell the previous-generation Prius in Japan for at least the 2010 model year at a price point that should be close to that of the Insight. Toyota told AutoblogGreen that American buyers will not be able to chose a new older Prius once the new model goes on sale.
[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]
Filed under: Hybrid, Toyota, Japan
Enter the Rumormill: cheaper Prius on the way? originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 13 Mar 2009 13:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Enter the Rumormill: cheaper Prius on the way? – Green Cars
Posted on March 13th, 2009 under Car and Van Info.
Nissan will be showing off the second-generation version of its electric Cube this weekend at the Kanagawa EV Festa 2009. Nissan showed a concept called the Denki Cube at last year’s New York Auto Show and then showed the EV-02 (right) later in the year. The festival this weekend will be the first time that Nissan offers public rides in the prototype EV.
Nissan has committed to introducing an electric vehicle next year, but it has also said that the production version will not be based on the Cube. The current version of the prototype is propelled by an 80 kW electric motor and matching inverter. Nissan has a joint venture with NEC to produce lithium ion batteries. The flat prismatic cells are arranged into a pack that is mounted under the floor. If you happen to be in the vicinity of Yokohama Akarenga Park in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan it might be worth checking out the festival.
[Source: Nissan]
Continue reading Nissan to demo EV Cube at Kanagawa Electric Vehicle (EV) Festa 2009
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Nissan
Nissan to demo EV Cube at Kanagawa Electric Vehicle (EV) Festa 2009 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 13 Mar 2009 11:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Nissan to demo EV Cube at Kanagawa Electric Vehicle (EV) Festa 2009 – Green Cars
Posted on March 13th, 2009 under Car and Van Info.
Click to enlarge
We’re waiting not so patiently for the March 26th unveiling of the Tesla Model S (teased above). One thing we can confirm about the new car is that it will have 440V charging capability. CNET notes that there aren’t any public 440-volt fast charging stations (although there are some located at private locations, i.e., airports, run by ECOtality). About other details about the powerplant, Tesla spokesperson Rachel Konrad told AutoblogGreen that, “We aren’t discussing details of amperage or charge time until after the March 26 launch event.” Bummer.
As for the delayed Tesla headquarters move, the Silicon Valley / San Jose Business Jornal is quoting “a source with knowledge of the negotiations” and reports that Tesla HQ will be moving to either Santa Clara or Fremont. Also, manufacturing for the Model S could take place at another location in California. Konrad would only confirm to AutoblogGreen that, “We will be moving the HQ to another location in the San Francisco Bay Area but haven’t finalized a deal yet, and I can’t comment until that point.”
[Source: Tesla Motors, CNET, Business Jornal]
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Tesla Motors, Green Daily
Tesla rumor roundup: HQ move; 440 volt charging in Model S originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 12 Mar 2009 17:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Tesla rumor roundup: HQ move; 440 volt charging in Model S – Green Cars
Posted on March 12th, 2009 under Car and Van Info.
2008 saw the biggest drop ever in CO2 emissions from new vehicles sold in the UK, with a year over year reduction of 4.2 percent. Wtih a fleetwide average of just 158 g/km, cars amount to just 11.5 percent of total UK carbon dioxide emissions. The combination of rapid escalation in fuel prices in 2008 and congestion charges in cities like London undoubtedly pushed many car buyers to some of the low emissions specials like the VW Polo BlueMotion, Smart ForTwo CDi and Ford Fiesta ecoNetic. Automakers will have to continue driving down the fleet average by 2.5 percent annually to meet the EU mandated 130 g/km average required in 2015. That will likely require the deployment of significant numbers of zero emissions vehicles as well as hybridized versions of larger cars.
[Source: Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders]
Continue reading UK new car CO2 emissions plummet faster than ever
Filed under: UK
UK new car CO2 emissions plummet faster than ever originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 12 Mar 2009 14:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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UK new car CO2 emissions plummet faster than ever – Green Cars
Posted on March 12th, 2009 under Car and Van Info.
Click above for a high-res image gallery of the 2009 Nissan Sentra FE+ 2.0 SR
These days, many have seen their discretionary income fall faster than a ZR1’s fuel gauge at full gallop. Recognizing this fact, Nissan has responded with a new iteration of the Sentra for 2009 called, rather cryptically, the FE+ 2.0 SR. On the surface, the new SR looks like the high-spec SE-R model – which itself has given up a bit of performance in the name of comfort and convenience over the last few years – with sporty front and rear fascias, a rear spoiler, smoked head- and tail-lamps and 16-inch alloy rims.
Despite its sporty appearance, this model’s main purpose in life is to save on fuel bills. Under the hood lies the standard Sentra’s 140-horsepower 2.0-liter four-banger, as opposed to the SE-R’s enlarged 2.5-liter mill. When mated to the standard CVT transmission, Nissan is estimating that the SR will return 26 mpg in the city and 34 on the highway, which is a slight improvement over last year’s 25/33 with the same powertrain combination.
The new SR will carry an MSRP of $17,760 (all prices plus $695 destination fee), which matches the price of the carry-over S model. Also available will be a base FE+ for $16,730, an up-level SL for $19,660 and the SE-R for $20,660. The top-rung SE-R Spec V will go for $21,160 and will be available solely with a 200-horsepower 2.5L mated to a manual transmission. Head past the break for the full press release.
[Source: Nissan]
Continue reading Nissan ekes a bit more mileage from the 2009 Sentra FE+ 2.0 SR
Filed under: MPG, Nissan
Nissan ekes a bit more mileage from the 2009 Sentra FE+ 2.0 SR originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 12 Mar 2009 10:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Nissan ekes a bit more mileage from the 2009 Sentra FE+ 2.0 SR – Green Cars
Posted on March 12th, 2009 under Car and Van Info.
