Apr 05
Volvo Aims for Zero Accidents
Apr 05
Filed under: Coupes, Sports/GTs, Videos, Supercars, Nissan
Click above for a high-res gallery of our First Drive of the Nissan GT-R.
While we weren't equipped with the means to record our time on the track with the Nissan GT-R, our friend Ty from Exhaustnote.com had the foresight to bring along a couple of video cameras to Reno/Fernley to show how Godzilla tackles the twisties. We've posted two videos: the first is a few hot laps with Mr. R. behind the wheel and the second is a great five-minute clip inside the car with Steve Millen giving the blow-by-blow on how the GT-R handles the rigors of track duty. Check them both after the jump.
[Source: Exhaustnote.com]
Continue reading VIDEO: Nissan GT-R gets flogged around Reno/Fernley
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Apr 05
Click the A4 TDI for a high-res gallery
This week Audi invited invited a group of auto scribes to come over to their home turf and drive the newest edition of the A4 sedan. We spent a day driving a couple of hundred miles around Bavaria in the A4 TDI 3.0 Quattro and came away very impressed by both the performance and the fuel efficiency. The current generation A4 debuted last September at the Frankfurt Motor Show as a sedan with the new Avant wagon body style coming along last month in Geneva.
For its recent U.S. launch, the A4 arrived with a choice of two gasoline engines, a 2.0L TFSI four cylinder and a naturally aspirated 3.2L V-6. In Europe, buyers also get the option of a 1.8L gas engine and a trio of diesels including a 2.0L four and 2.7L and 3.0L V-6s. We learned the other day that plans for a hybrid version of the A4 have been put on hold because it doesn’t make business sense for Audi right now due to the poor exchange rates between the Euro and the dollar. Audi is, however, strongly considering bringing in the 3.0L TDI instead since that engine is already going into the Q7 and the VW Touareg next year. Read on to find out how the A4 TDI felt on the road in Southern Germany.
Photos Copyright (C)2008 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.
The car we tested in Germany was an A4 3.0L TDI Quattro sedan. After a visit to Audi’s plant in Neckarsulm where the R8 sports car is built, we all set off in a fleet of A4s headed to the home office in Ingolstadt about 130 miles away. The route that was set up on the car’s nav system included a mix autobahn, rural roads, curvy mountain roads and urban driving.
The 3.0L V-6 we drove was equipped with a particulate filter that made it completely smoke free. It did not however, have the urea injection system that will be included in the cars that come to the U.S. That latter system is needed to be Tier 2 Bin 5 NOx limits that are about six times tougher than current Euro V standards. The upcoming Euro VI standards for 2012 will be equivalent to T2B5 so that the urea system will be implemented across the board.
The diesel engine produces 240hp and a constant 369lb-ft of torque between 1,500 and 3,000rpm. That latter figure means that at any given speed, acceleration is readily available in any of several gears without the engine feeling like it was straining. In a way, it was almost too bad that shifting felt like an unnecessary option because the six speed manual gearbox was a pleasure to manipulate. Throws weren’t as short as a Miata (but what is?) but the linkage was smooth and low in effort.
The combination of Audi’s multi-link front suspension and the Quattro full-time all wheel drive system meant that even with all that torque coming from the engine room, the A4 was utterly devoid of torque steer. On the Autobahn many areas in the vicinity of cities and towns have speed limits ranging from 100km/h to 130km/h (60-80mph). However when the signs indicated that the limited speed zone was ending, I opened it up to find out what this mid-sized German sport sedan was capable of.
It turns out it was capable of quite a lot. Cruising at 160km/h (100 mph) was quiet and effortless. The drag coefficient of 0.28 allows the A4 to slip through the air was relatively little effort and almost no wind noise and the engine was just a very muted growl that sounded like it was coming from somewhere well out in front of the car. The V-6 never felt or sounded strained and even at idle; clatter that most people associate with diesel engines was just barely perceptible.
We can thank the modern common-rail injection system running at 24,000 psi and the piezo injectors for this. Those injectors can provide up to seven fuel pulses per combustion cycle. That allows the power delivery to spread out more even across the stroke as well as more precise metering and mixing of the fuel. In the old days, there was just a single injection pulse at the top of the power stroke and that single explosion would cause the knocking sound associated with diesels.
When traffic was light enough to permit higher speeds, a squeeze of the accelerator could take the A4 up to 200km/h and beyond with no apparent let up in acceleration. Above 160km/h, the wind noise starts to pick up a bit it was never objectionable. The serenity in the cabin did have a downside. On several occasions I simply forgot to shift from fifth to sixth gear, which undoubtedly hurt my average fuel consumption.
The A4 3.0 is rated at 26/43/34mpg (U.S) on the EU city/hwy/combined test cycles. In spite of the high speeds on the Autobahn and some aggressive driving on country roads, our A4 managed a very respectable 26.5mpg overall. Remembering to use sixth gear on the highway and driving at speeds that are closer to the legal limit in the United States should easily yield mileage in the mid-thirties.
No matter where you drive an A4, the interior environment is a pleasure to live in. Our car was trimmed out in black leather and alcantara. The front seats are a very comfortable and supportive whether you’re running at aircraft lift-off velocities or trundling along in Munich rush hour traffic. The new A4’s 110.5 in wheelbase provides for good leg-room in the second row as well as the front seats. The relatively narrow A4 has ample room for two in the rear seats but anyone trying to use the third seat belt back there is going to feel very hemmed in. The 17 cu.ft. trunk is usefully shaped and offers substantially more capacity in the one in the Lexus LS600h.
On the outside, the latest A4 has lovely proportions and continues the new curvier design language that we saw on the A5 coupe, although in a slightly more subdued form. The headlight modules have the now-Audi-standard row of LEDs (referred to as “eye-liner by Audi designers) along the bottom edge along with some fancy structures inside that add visual interest to the face. The lights also flank the standard over-sized Audi grille, which seems better integrated now than on some earlier iterations.
Audi management still hasn’t made a final decision about whether to bring the A4 TDI to the U.S. The price of diesel fuel and market acceptance of the Q7 and Jetta will likely play a big part in making that final decision. I say bring it over and let the market decide. I think once Americans drive this car and experience the diesel torque, they will bite.
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Apr 05
Filed under: Economy, Hatchbacks, Misc. Auto Shows, Citroen, Motorcycles
Click on the image to view more high-res shots
We've grown rather accustomed to seeing special-edition MV Agusta Brutales, but this is the first time that one has featured four wheels. MV Agusta and Citroën have teamed up to produce a two-door hatchback show car called the C2 1587 Brutale. The naming scheme and the color pallete are clearly inspired by what is arguably Italy's hottest naked bike, the MV Agusta 1078 RR Brutale. We're not clear on what other tie-in exists between the two vehicles beyond that, though. Featuring a 1.6 liter 16-valve engine with 125 hp, the C2 1587 Brutale's power output is nowhere near as impressive as its two-wheeled inspiration. We do like the interior, which features plenty of black leather and alcantara with red outlines and stitching. Ultimately, we feel that this is one mash-up that the world probably could have done without.
[Source: MV Agusta]
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Apr 05
After browsing through some of your comments on the post we did about the latest GM Volt developments, we came across a link to a very interesting video thats causing a stir right now. Filmed and narrated Jeff Gilbert, a radio reporter for Detroit’s WWJ (950 on your AM dial), it a offers a rare glimpse behind the curtain into the electric lab and wind tunnel at the GM Technical Center. In addition to action shots of aerodynamics testing, we see the battery packs and a Chevy Malibu being transformed into a Volt powertrain mule. That we see any of it at all is remarkable, seeing as there was a strict no-cameras policy in effect for this media visit. Hats off to Gilbert for having the juice to get himself a waiver.
Above all else, it’s the aerodynamic testing that gets our attention. It featured a one-third-size Volt with the actual final production styling (pictured above). The concept version that we’ve all seen required extensive changes because its drag coefficient was as good backwards as forwards, and so it seems this is the design GM has decided on.
Follow the jump to watch the video and see a still shot of the Volt’s front end. Thanks to Tim for the heads-up!
[Source: YouTube]
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Apr 05
Filed under: Motorsports, Videos
You've heard it all before. "People watch car racing for the crashes," has been a familiar refrain for what seems like forever. While that stereotype surely applies to a portion of the viewers who tune in, most fans watch motorsports because they like motorsports. (How novel, we know.) That said, there's no denying that some crashes are hard not to watch, regardless of your level of interest in racing.
One these occurrences took place yesterday at the Texas Motor Speedway during qualifying for tomorrow's Samsung 500 Sprint Cup race. Michael McDowell was piloting his #00 Aaron's Toyota Camry when the rear end got loose coming out of a turn. Things then got very bad, very quickly, and McDowell went into the wall at around 180 miles per hour. The engine bay burst into flames and the car went into a slide on its roof that led to several barrel rolls before it finally came to rest. Track officials helped McDowell out of the burning car and with a wave to the fans, he walked away.
It's got a silly name, it's not much to look at, and it further homogenizes the field, but the NASCAR Car of Tomorrow seems able to take some very serious punishment while keeping its driver safe. Ultimately, that trumps everything else. We're glad to see that McDowell's okay. Bummer about your car, though, dude.
Thanks to Taylor for the tip.
[Sources: NASCAR, YouTube]
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Apr 05
Filed under: SMART, Legislation and Policy, Green Daily, USA
Even though the Smart ForTwo is a great looking and popular car, there’s just not a lot of places for crash impact energy to go in a vehicle this small. This is part of the reason that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, when it announced crash test results for the ForTwo on Thursday, issued some lackluster ratings and a “safety concern” footnote to report a door coming unlatched during a side crash. Overall, the 2008 ForTwo scored four stars for the driver in a front impact, three for a passenger in the same situation, five and three for resisting rolling over. These results are neither great nor amazingly bad, writes Harry Stoffer in Automotive News, and it bears repeating that the front impact scores only compare similar-sized vehicles hitting each other. Not sure how the ForTwo would handle a Escalade at 100mph.
[Source: Harry Stoffer / Automotive News]
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Apr 05
Filed under: GM, UAW/Unions
Just hours after threatening to strike at one or more GM plants, the UAW and the General have agreed on two-tier wages for certain job types. The move to clarify which jobs were "non-core" at the national level came as local UAWs were threatening to strike because they felt GM was asking for too many lower-paid positions at their plants. The more regimented deal identifies 16,000 positions that will soon be paid $14 per hour, which will save GM up to a half-billion dollars per year. It will take years to fill all of those positions because GM has to entice existing workers to retire before they can be replaced.
[Source: Detroit News]
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Apr 05
Filed under: Biodiesel, Manufacturing/Plants
Blue Sun Biodiesel, the company that supplies B20 to the top biodiesel municipal fleet in the nation, has got at least one wealthy friend. An anonymous “private individual” has given the company a $3 million unsecured term loan for building up to ten new biodiesel blending and terminal locations this year. The facilities will handle B20 (branded as Fusion biodiesel) and B100. The $3m is not the only good financial news the company is announcing: an undisclosed amount of credit is also being finalized “to support continued infrastructure development” (full text pasted after the jump). After a possible merger with M-Wave fell through earlier this year, Blue Sun must be glad to have at least one major financial deal notched up for 2008.
Press Release:
Blue Sun Biodiesel Raises Capital: Closes $3 Million Unsecured Term Loan
GOLDEN, Colo., April 4, 2008 /PRNewswire/ — Blue Sun Biodiesel recently closed on an unsecured $3 million dollar loan. The loan was made by a private individual. Blue Sun is also in the process of finalizing a separate credit instrument to support continued infrastructure development.
“With the failed M-Wave merger and its attendant funding, we needed to arrange interim funding to assure the uninterrupted supply of B100 for our growing customer base and this facility will provide that assurance,” said Blue Sun’s CEO Jeff Probst. “We will use these funds to acquire, blend and distribute our branded Fusion(TM) and M-Tech industry leading specialty fuels to our customers in fourteen western states.”
Blue Sun will use the infrastructure credit instrument to support fuel terminal development in 2008. Blue Sun plans to build up to 10 new blending/terminal locations to support the distribution network for their Blue Sun B100 and B20 diesel fuels.
“The backing we’ve received from the financial community validates Blue Sun’s strategic direction,” said Blue Sun President Michael Miller. “The infusion will help drive our next stage of growth, allows us to leverage our vertically integrated model and to complete projects which expand availability of our biodiesel products. The year has started off fast with first-quarter volumes up over three fold from a year ago.”
About Blue Sun Biodiesel
Blue Sun Biodiesel, LLC is a vertically integrated manufacturer and marketer of premium agricultural and renewable fuels products. Blue Sun’s exclusive distribution network features specially-appointed and trained distributors and proprietary high-volume, state-of-the-art ratio blending terminals, which ensure Blue Sun Fusion (TM) is blended and supplied according to its industry-leading quality specifications. For more information, please visit http://www.gobluesun.com/.
[Source: Blue Sun Biodiesel, LLC]
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Apr 05
Lewis Hamilton bounces back from his crash in Friday practice to qualify in third for Sunday's Bahrain Grand Prix, with Robert Kubica on pole.
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Apr 05
Under-fire FIA boss Max Mosley insists he has done nothing wrong following allegations about his private life
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Apr 05
Lewis Hamilton battles for pole position with a rebuilt car at the Sakhir circuit in Bahrain.
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Apr 05
Filed under: SUVs, Euro, Land Rover, UK
Click above for 28 new hi-res photos of the Defender SVX
Companies can crow about the ability of their SUVs, but for a great number of people, the land Rover Defender is the epitome of the SUV concept. As iconic as the original Jeep, the Defender does its thing, and does it better than just about any other vehicle in its class. Wagon or convertible, new or old, the Defender will happily wade into whatever slop its driver points it at and come out the other side no worse for wear. As we reported late last year, Land Rover is building a limited run of 1,800 Defender SVX models to celebrate the marque's 60th anniversary. The SVX kit dresses up the Landie with flashier trim on the grille, side steps and roll cage; a swankier set of wheels; special badging and decals; plus interior appointments including Recaros, a Garmin GPS, and that all-important iPod hookup. Glitzing up a Defender seems akin to a mud wrestler putting on Harry Winston jewelery before heading into battle, but at the end of the day, at least you know it'll clean up nice.
[Source: Land Rover via The Land Rover Chronicles]
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Apr 05
The Matrix Comparison: 2008 BMW 135i vs 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X MR Intro Video
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It might seem like an odd comparison at first, but MT Senior Editor Edward Loh tells us how the BMW 135i and Mitsubishi Lancer Evo MR stack up against each other....
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Apr 05
It can be embarrassing when our personal quirks become public knowledge. Not for FIA president Max Mosley, though.
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Apr 05
Filed under: Aftermarket, Motorsports, Hatchbacks, Volvo
Click above for a photo galllery of Skruffse's RWD C30
While Volvo's C30 has wily charms in its stock configuration, we could see how it'd be even more entertaining with the power being sent to the proper wheels. While we're talking revisions, a honkingly large turbocharger and external-reservoir dampers would be welcome additions, too. The race-ready ride height is dead sexy, and while it's a crazy thing to do to a perfectly good brand new Volvo, Sweden's Skruffse has carried out some beautiful fabrication work. The use is obviously racing of some sort, and with wide tires at all four corners we're surmising that it's something that involves turning, versus drag racing. Seeing this car's tow rig - a first-generation V70, it all comes together -- those willing to strip the C30 down like a stolen Pinto and rejigger the chassis are true Volvo nuts. We're pretty sure the warranty has been voided, though.
[Source: CarScoop]
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Apr 05
Filed under: Ethanol, Legislation and Policy
A new group called the Bioenergy Alliance (BEA) will launch in Miami tomorrow with the goal of expanding Brazilian ethanol exports to the U.S, Mexico and Guatemala. Currently, all ethanol that is imported to the U.S. - hundreds of millions of gallons a year - is subject to a 54-cent-a-gallon tariff. While the announcement by FMC Agricultural Products (pasted after the jump) doesn’t specifically mention the tariff, when you have representatives of Petrobras and the founders of the Inter-American Ethanol Commission - former Florida governor Jeb Bush and former minister of agriculture of Brazil, Roberto Rodrigues - together on a panel, you can bet the topic will come up. FMC points out that definitively designating ethanol as a commodity is an important first step in increasing Brazil’s export. What is ethanol currently designated as, does anyone know?
Press Release:
Brazilian Ethanol Seeks Market in the United States, Mexico and Guatemala
SAO PAULO, Brazil, April 4, 2008 /PRNewswire/ — FMC will be launching the Bioenergy Alliance (BEA) in Miami, an important event starting April 6 that will gather together leading businessman and political figures in ethanol from the Americas on a tour through the United States, Mexico and Guatemala. The event seeks to strengthen the actions and initiatives of its clients in the international ethanol market. A major challenge to be met in this regard is the definitive designation of ethanol as a commodity, a fundamental step for conquering new markets.
The first panel will take place in Miami on Sunday, April 6, at 4:00 p.m. Among important politicians and businessmen present will be the founders of the Inter-American Ethanol Commission, Jeb Bush and former minister of agriculture of Brazil, Roberto Rodrigues. The panel will address Brazil-U.S. relations and their potential future development. Also in attendance will be Petrobras, factory owners, sugarcane growers and Brazilian businessmen from the sector.
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), author of several studies on opportunities in ethanol, will also be present. Roberto Rodrigues will present Brazilian expectations in the area, above all the importance of opening markets, one of Brazil’s objectives. Although Brazil produces close to 40% of world ethanol, it exports only 13% of production. Following the first panel in Miami, the group will travel to Mexico City for the second day of the event, which will address opportunities for ethanol in the context of NAFTA, and then move on to Guatemala.
The initiative of the FMC, an agricultural products company with US$ 326 million in revenue in 2007 (Brazil), will involve the largest two ethanol producers and technology leaders of the world, Brazil and the United States, which account for 85% of world ethanol production. The Bioenergy Alliance will address not only the question of investment and trade opportunities between the two ethanol leaders, but also possibilities for business expansion of the sugar alcohol sector to Mexico and other countries in Central America. The event will take place over the course of a week in Miami, Mexico City and Guatemala City.
[Source: FMC Agricultural Products]
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Apr 05
Filed under: Etc., Ford, Lifestyle
Charles Ales is into Ford Mustangs. In fact, he owns several; his collection includes all three BOSS variants and four new Shelbys. Over years of collecting cars and hobnobbing with others who share his interests, he noticed that the real car people's enthusiasm for their rides borders on religious fervor. An idea popped into Charles' head last summer, and The Mustang Church of America and Museum was born. It's even got its own logo: the Christian fish symbol with the running pony inside. Built next to the house in which he was born, the facility is set to open later this summer and will display Mr. Ales' collection of Mustangs. He also plans to host car shows, swap meets and two Mustang blessings a year. Charles and his adopted son Robert Brunch, both ordained ministers, will preside over Sunday services in the non-denominational church. "I'll preach goodness and helping my fellow humankind. I'll preach what we're supposed to do - make this a better world than we found it," he told the local Pittsburg, KS Morning Sun newspaper.
The mural behind his pulpit will show Jesus at the wheel of a '66 Mustang. Bet you don't have one of those at your church.
[Source: The Morning Sun]
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Apr 05
Filed under: EV/Plug-in
Luscious Garage is as green as a garage could be. As ABG reported back in September, this female-owned shop specializes in service for hybrids and was constructed with every possible attention to environmental details. It not only hosts the monthly meetings of the San Francisco Electric Vehicle Association, it has got to be the only garage that has art exhibits and cultural events.
Recently Luscious began converting Priuses into plug-in hybrids, a service for which there is already a waiting list. Now they also offer charging for electric cars, including Toyota RAV4 EVs which use the small paddle inductive charger original built to work with the EV1. While specializing in hybrids, they’d be happy to service your car. Think of it as a way to support green automotives while waiting for that plug-in car to come to market.
[Source: Luscious Garage]
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Apr 05
Filed under: Recalls/TSBs, Volkswagen
If you are one of the nearly half-million Americans driving a 1999-2005 Volkswagen Passat, your dealer will be expecting a visit. Every gasoline-powered Passat (the list includes the 1.8-liter I4, 2.0-liter I4, 2.8-liter V6, and 4.0-liter W8) is being recalled for a heat shield issue. Apparently, the shield near the catalytic converter on some automatic-equipped cars may be damaged, so VW wants the dealers to check them out and add additional shielding if necessary.
While it has your attention, Volkswagen has also found some faulty fuel lines on cars with the 1.8-liter turbocharged engine, and some of the all-wheel-drive equipped cars may have damaged fuel tank ventilation valves. Thankfully, no accidents or injuries have been reported from any of the problems. VW will begin notifying owners on May 30.
[Source: Automotive News, subs. req'd]
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Apr 05
Earlier this week, in an example of cross-magazine synergy, both Automobile and Car and Driver ran April Fool's gags trumpeting the return of a rejuvenated, Toyota-owned Oldsmobile. The pubs even shared the same images, which depicted Oldsmofied versions of the Toyota Sequoia (Oldsmobile Super 88) and 4Runner (Oldsmobile Intrigue). It was goofy fun, and we all had a laugh and moved on. It would appear that not everyone caught the joke, however, and this is where things get substantially more amusing.Continue reading Oldsmobile Redux: The rest of the story...
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Apr 05
Filed under: Diesel, Ethanol, Flex-Fuel, Hybrid, AutoblogGreen Exclusive
We last chatted with the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers at the New York Auto Show. We heard then about the Alliance’s safety and eco-related stances. On Monday, the Alliance will announce that 1.8 million alternative-fueled autos (diesels, hybrids and flex-fuel) were sold in the U.S. in 2007, up just a bit - 250,000 - from 2006. Both hybrids and flex-fuel vehicle sales climbed while diesels dipped. The Alliance believes that more than 2m alternative vehicles will be sold in America in 2008. The hurdles to wider acceptance are the same as we’ve heard before: high cost of diesels and a lack of E85 fueling stations (to say nothing of hydrogen). Still, 1.8m vehicles is not insignificant. These aren’t perfect green rides - I’m looking at you, Escalade hybrid - but in the uphill battle to green up America’s fleet of vehicles, it’s a start. You can download a PDF that lists all of the Alliance members’ 70+ alternative fuel vehicles here. More details after the jump.
Press Release:
SALES OF ALTERNATIVE FUEL AUTOS INCREASED BY 15 PERCENT IN 2007
Washington, DC– Newly released sales figures from R.L. Polk reveal a record number of alternative fuel automobiles (AFA) rolled off dealer lots in 2007. In total, close to 1.8 million Alternative Fuel Autos were sold last year, roughly 250,000 more than were sold in 2006. Sales of E-85 capable vehicles flexible fuel vehicles were up significantly as were sales of hybrid electric vehicles. Sales of clean diesel vehicles fell slightly.
“Gas prices, consumer incentives, and the increasing number of AFA models available to consumers continue to play a role in the rising popularity of these vehicles,” said Dave McCurdy, president and CEO Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers. “And while we’re pleased these vehicles continue to grow in popularity, refueling infrastructure challenges may prevent the promise of these vehicles from being fully realized. For example, out of more than 170,000 refueling stations in the U.S. less than 1500 offer ethanol.”
In 2008, more than 70 models of AFAs are being offered. This is up from only 11 models in 2001. McCurdy added, “Each year the number of AFAs available to consumers is increasing. We’re hopeful that soon we’ll be able to add a new generation of plug-in hybrids and other promising technologies to this list.”
Currently there are more than 12 million alternative fuel autos registered in the U.S. and automakers are hopeful that this year sales of AFAs may exceed 2 million. With more choices available than ever before automakers are optimistic that the popularity of these vehicles will continue to grow.
McCurdy added, “Automakers recognize that our actions speak louder than our words. Last year we supported an aggressive nationwide increase in fuel economy standards that will increase fuel economy by 40 percent while at the same time reduce carbon dioxide emissions from new autos by 30 percent through 2020. We are hopeful that through the use of alternative fuel autos as well as improvements to the conventional international combustion we can meet the challenge of improving fuel economy, enhancing energy security and reducing carbon dioxide emissions while continuing to provide consumers with the vehicles they demand at an affordable price.”
For more information about Alternative Fuel Automobiles visit http://www.discoveralternatives.com/.
[Source: Auto Alliance]
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