January 2011
Analyst Sees Little Chance of 1M EVs on U.S. Roads by 2015
By Scott Doggett January 31, 2011President Obama's desire to see 1 million electric vehicles on American roads by 2015 is probably a pipe dream, according to a respected industry analyst in an exclusive interview today with Green Car Advisor. "After some analysis, this goal is possible - but just highly unlikely," said Rebecca Lindland, director of strategic review at IHS Automotive, where she is responsible for evaluating and assessing OEMs that participate in the U.S. and Canada marketplaces. Lindland noted that Americans have purchased 1 million hybrids from September 2007 through December 2010. "That means we will have to buy EVs at the same more
Mercedes Projects FCEV Costs to Fall to Hybrid-Diesel Levels by 2015
By (Display Name not set) January 31, 2011Hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicles costing less than diesel hybrids? That's what Automotive News Europe is reporting, citing an interview with Herbert Kohler, who heads electric powertrain development at Mercedes-Benz parent Daimler AG. Per-vehicle FCEV costs, thought to be well into the hundreds of thousands of dollars, will fall to about the same level as diesel-hybrid vehicles that meet European emissions standards by 2015, the publication said, citing Kohler. With that in mind, Mercedes-Benz, which last month leased a fuel-cell vehicle to its first U.S. customer, is looking to produce at least 1,000 FCEVs available for sale by as soon more
Porsche Considers Exporting Diesel Cayennes, Panameras to U.S.
By Scott Doggett January 31, 2011The U.S. blitz of diesel vehicles from German automakers appears to be gaining strength, as Porsche is now saying that it is considering exporting diesel versions of its Cayenne SUV and Panamera sedan to America. Right, a 2010 Porsche Cayenne Diesel. Mercedes-Benz and Audi early this month announced plans to double their U.S. diesel offerings, and just last week BMW said it would be shipping more diesel models to the U.S. behind strong recent sales of the BMW X5 Advanced Diesel SUV and the 335d diesel sedan. Bernhard Maier, Porsche's sales and marketing chief, told Automotive News (subscription required) more
In or Out, Automakers Bet Big on Super Bowl
By Dale Buss January 31, 2011There's a flock of automotive participants planning television ads for the Super Bowl. Others are sitting out the game like a bird on a wire. Either way, automakers are placing a huge Super Bowl bet. more
Although 2010 was Banner Year for Automotive Tech, Expect Even More in 2011
By Doug Newcomb January 31, 2011Electronic technology and features are staking an ever-increasing claim to the automotive environment and almost all of the automotive technologies showcased last year demonstrate that this nation's gadget obsession isn't going to stop after pulling out of the driveway. And it doesn't take a crystal ball to predict 2011 will see automakers and a widening cadre of ever-more-connected specialists such as Apple and Microsoft building on the rapid adoption of electronic devices and features for automotive applications. First and foremost will be an almost ubiquitous movement toward smartphone integration. more
January Sales: Strong Start to Early 2011
By Michelle Krebs January 31, 2011U.S. automobile sales in January, to be released by automakers on Tuesday, are off to a fast start, according to Edmunds.com's forecast. January's Seasonally Adjusted Annualized Rate of sales (SAAR) will be 12.57 million, up from 12.48 in December 2010, Edmunds.com predicts. more
EXCLUSIVE: Tesla SUV Will Be Compact But Roomy
By Scott Doggett January 31, 2011Silicon Valley electric-vehicle maker Tesla is working on a sporty utility vehicle that will be the size of a typical compact SUV but have the interior space of a full-size passenger van, Edmunds' Green Car Advisor has learned exclusively. Tesla's Model X SUV will be aimed at people who love the size of a smaller or mid-size SUV but want the third row of seats and the cargo space generally found only in larger people-movers. And, of course, it will be electric powered, which makes its small outside with big interior possible. more
Mercedes May Offer Diesel C-Class
By John O'Dell January 31, 2011Mercedes-Benz reportedly will offer a diesel-powered version of its just-revised C-class as early as next year as part of the German automaker's plan to double the number of diesel models offered in the U.S. By 2014, Mercedes supposedly intends to sell eight diesel models in the U.S., up from the current four, though company officials refused comment to Edmunds' Green Car Advisor. more
Toyota Pushes Scion iQ Launch to Summer
By John O'Dell January 31, 2011Toyota will launch the fuel-efficient Scion iQ city car in summer instead of spring to allow the Scion tC sport coupe, introduced in October, to gain more traction. Toyota will release prices and specifications in early summer. Toyota said at last year's New York Auto Show that the U.S.-spec iQ would have a 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine producing more than 90 horsepower and giving the car fuel economy "in the high 30s." The Japanese automaker is looking for a resurgence of sorts for the Scion brand, which it first launched in 2003. While Toyota's total sales in 2010 were little more
Ford: When $6.6 Billion Isn't Enough
By Bill Visnic January 31, 2011Although the company apparently wasn't "clear" enough in its guidance tango with the investment community, Ford Motor Co. executives probably didn't quite expect a body slam in response to the news it churned out a $6.6-billion operating profit last year. The drubbing Ford stock has endured in the subsequent two days of trading is one of those bizarre rewards the likes of which only a spurned Wall Street can deliver. Ford stock soared through a high it hadn't seen since 2004 before Friday's 2010 earnings report that, in a context different than that fostered by the company's off-kilter guidance, more