GM and Bright Automotive Announce Strategic Relationship
Bright Automotive and General Motors Co. announced Tuesday they have agreed to pursue a strategic relationship and that GM has provided funding to the Indiana automaker, the first funding action by the newly formed General Motors Ventures LLC.
The funding will help accelerate Bright’s production of the IDEA, a revolutionary plug-in hybrid commercial vehicle.
“This relationship is an important step forward for Bright, and a strong endorsement of our highly experienced automotive team and our incredible vehicle,” said Reuben Munger, Bright Automotive Chairman and CEO. “With this deal, Bright gets financial support that puts us on the fast track toward mass production of the IDEA. And perhaps just as importantly, we gain a strategic partner that is a world leader in electrification.”
The companies signed a memorandum of understanding in July. GM Ventures provided funding to Bright this week, and the two companies intend to complete the formal agreements later this year. Upon completion of the agreements and other terms, General Motors Ventures would have a minority stake in Bright Automotive and Bright would have access to GM technologies, and advanced engine and transmission systems, for its vehicle. Read more
The green advantages of fleets and changes in Ford purchasing
Automotive News Enterprise Editor Dave Guilford’s story reveals that fleet managers are prime customers for green vehicles. Many fleets have a built-in advantage over individual users. Their vehicles roll out from a central depot in the morning and rack up predictable mileage. Then they roll back into the depot, where they can be refueled or recharged overnight.
That means fleet buyers, unlike individual consumers, don’t have to wait to see when — or whether — a fueling infrastructure appears. Also, fleet managers are under pressure to cut their carbon footprint and fuel costs.
Fleets offer a sharp contrast to the retail market, where automakers selling green vehicles must overcome serious obstacles, such as enormous fueling infrastructure needs and ingrained consumer habits.
In a second story, Automotive News Contributor David Sedgwick reports that Tony Brown, Ford Motor Co.’s purchasing chief, is splitting duties of his top two lieutenants so as to provide “a single point of contact” for suppliers.
Birgit Behrendt has been appointed executive director of Ford’s global programs and Americas purchasing. Burt Jordan has been named executive director of global vehicle and powertrain purchasing. Both report directly to Brown; their assignments took effect July 1.
Brown, 54, said the reorganization will simplify his purchasing operation, which should be a plus for suppliers. “It will be easier for suppliers to communicate with us because it will be clearer who is responsible for what,” Brown told Automotive News. Suppliers, he said, “will have a single point of contact.”
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Ten Ways to Cut Fuel Costs- Ask The Fuel Expert
Remember the good old days…about a year and a half ago? Prices at the pumps were hovering below one dollar per litre and they stayed the same for weeks. Well the good old days are gone forever and today we live in a world where fuel prices seem to go up by the hour. Now pundits speculate on living with oil prices running up to $200 US per barrel.
As consumers many of us have adjusted our lifestyles. We try to drive less. Some have chosen to car pool, while others get rid of their gas-guzzlers and opt for more fuel-efficient vehicles including hybrids.
For companies, the good old days meant fuel up and go. Little attention was paid to managing fuel. But in the past year the price of oil has doubled cutting deeper than ever into profits causing owners and managers to adopt a new fuel consciousness. Fuel Management is a necessity.
You can’t control the price of fuel, but you can control your fuel consumption. The answer is Fuel Management.
Any company can improve their fuel efficiencies. It takes work and commitment from the head office to your people on the road and at the job sites. More and more companies are making changes in their operating practices to cut costs now and to be prepared for even higher costs in the future.
To help you adjust, here are Ten Ways to Cut Fuel Costs: Read more
The Best 3 Environmental Automotive Advancements
Green cars are now hitting production lines, and the waves are hitting the marketplace. Every major manufacturer is developing electric cars, most are looking at hybrids in some form. If you’re a driver, this could be the best thing to happen to your wallet since customizable car insurance.
Ideas are now the big issue in auto technology. The old petrol monsters are definitely on the way out, and the race is now to see which technology triumphs. The main criteria are range, performance, battery efficiency and recharging.
The new species of cars are providing a running commentary on the transport of the future:
Peugeot iOn: electric car
This is a full size family car, with a CO2 output of 0. Created in partnership with Mitsubishi, the iOn is a suburban runabout, with a range of 100km, or to the local mall and back 20 times, on one charge. Recharge of lithium batteries is a 3 point pin system, and takes 6 hours. Top speed is said to be 110kmh.
What’s important about this design is that it’s clearly a purpose built design working on an obvious market segment. This is the family workhorse, the shopping cart and kid’s taxi. Functional designs like this are always successful, and form a huge part of the retail market.
Nissan LEAF electric car
In the same demographic, but with extras and expected to be expensive, the LEAF is a high response vehicle which behaves like a “normal” car. It has a quick charge capability which means it can be 80% recharged in half an hour.
Range and performance are similar to the iOn, and design factors indicate it’s targeted to the same market. The technology has been ramped up a lot, to include the performance factors. The LEAF will be the suburban showcase type of electric car when it hits the market.
(It will be noted that “features” and “extras” are already creating a dichotomy in high and low range electric cars. This is a typical branding approach to vehicles, and you can expect a lot more of these additions in future.)
Audi 1- First full conversion from diesel to electric?
The Audi 1 is a new diesel car which is being realistically touted as the basis of an electric version. This is a particularly important design technology issue for electric cars. The Audi 1 is a direct challenger to the new Mini. Its frame is therefore very well suited for conversion to both electric and hybrid designs. That also minimizes retooling for manufacturing purposes, reducing cost to produce.
That’s a particularly relevant issue in the production of green cars, reducing the need for outlay on specialized production. Car manufacturers have been understandably unenthusiastic about the possible costs of tooling up to produce the new electric cars, and this is definitely one of the solutions. Don’t be surprised to find Audi 1 electric and hybrid models coming onstream soon, because this car is an obvious prototype for future production.
AutoMD.com’s Top Fives for Fuel-Efficient Summer Drives
As the summer driving season approaches and summer gas prices are projected to average $3 a gallon, AutoMD.com, the most comprehensive and unbiased free online auto repair resource, has released its Top Fives for Fuel-Efficient Summer Drives, a series of ‘Top Five’ things that any car owner can do to make his/her summer driving more fuel efficient. The tips include Top Five Easiest Mechanical Fixes and Top Five Driving Habit Changes, as well as some tips for dedicated DIYers and those who are willing to go the extra mile to make their engine sip rather than guzzle.
“With gas prices at $3 this summer, and the oil spill in the gulf creating more uncertainty just as the summer driving season starts, AutoMD.com has released its Top Fives for Fuel-efficient Summer Drives to help every car owner save money at the gas pump – while also reducing emissions,” said AutoMD.com President Shane Evangelist. “Converting your engine to a plug-in or driving on vegetable oil is not for everyone – and, whether it is tightening the gas cap, easing up on that lead foot or removing a ski rack, our team of mechanics has provided a series of simple, tried and true tips to help anyone start driving more cost-efficiently!” Read more
Maryland Governor Signs Two Bills Intended to Quicken Consumer Acceptance of Electric Vehicles
Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley (D) today signed two bills into law that will support advanced vehicle propulsion technology and help spur early consumer acceptance of electric vehicles like the Chevrolet Volt.
The Maryland legislation includes two important consumer incentives:
1) Access for plug-in electric vehicles to high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes regardless of the number of passengers. This legislation will take effect October 1, 2010 and last for three years.
2) A $2,000 excise motor vehicle tax credit for the purchase of a plug-in electric vehicle. Consumer’s will be able to take advantage of this incentive at the point of sale and can combine the $2,000 with an existing $7,500 federal tax credit. The tax credit applies to vehicles titled in Maryland between October 1, 2010 through July 1, 2013.
“This important tax credit not only helps promote the use of cleaner, more energy efficient vehicles throughout our State to help our environment, but it’s an important economic development tool as well,” said Governor O’Malley. “We’ve set a bold goal of creating 100,000 new green jobs over the next several years, and investments like this new electric vehicle tax credit helps us build towards that green infrastructure that GM and others are leading the way on in Maryland.” Read more
OnStar Leverages Google technology to Connect Customers to the Chevrolet Volt
OnStar is leveraging the power of Google technology to develop a number of new mobile app features that strengthen Chevrolet’s commitment to providing Volt customers with the most connected vehicle experience possible.
The public will get a peek at what OnStar is working on at the Google I/O conference May 19-20 in San Francisco, CA, where OnStar will debut and demonstrate new functionalities they’re developing for the Chevrolet Volt mobile application leveraging the AndroidTM platform.
“While OnStar will never lose sight of our core focus on safety and security, this relationship is an example of how we’re evolving our leadership position in connected vehicle technology,” said Chris Preuss, OnStar president. “What we’re talking about today is only the beginning.”
A new “navigation” tab has been added to the home screen of the existing Chevrolet Volt mobile app on the Android smartphone. When a Volt owner presses this tab, they will be able to see the current location of their Volt pinpointed on Google MapsTM , as well as their location relative to it. Read more
Nissan Leaf EV Priced at $25,280 in the U.S.
Nissan North America, Inc. (NNA) today announced U.S. pricing for the 2011 Nissan LEAF electric vehicle, which becomes available for purchase or lease at Nissan dealers in select markets in December and nationwide in 2011. Nissan will begin taking consumer reservations for the Nissan LEAF April 20.
Including the $7,500 federal tax credit for which the Nissan LEAF will be fully eligible, the consumer’s after-tax net value of the vehicle will be $25,280. The Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price *(MSRP) for the 2011 all-electric, zero-emission Nissan LEAF is $32,780, which includes three years of roadside assistance. Additionally, there is an array of state and local incentives that may further defray the costs and increase the benefits of owning and charging a Nissan LEAF – such as a $5,000 statewide tax rebate in California; a $5,000 tax credit in Georgia; a $1,500 tax credit in Oregon; and carpool-lane access in some states, including California.
As a result of aggressive pricing and the availability of the $7,500 federal tax credit whose benefit is immediately included, Nissan will be able to offer a monthly lease payment beginning at $349, not including state or local incentives, which could further reduce the net cost of the Nissan LEAF. Read more
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