| Detroit roars back after years of quality issues |
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May 21, 2013 - 12:04 PM - by ALS
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 The results of the Total Quality Index don’t appear to be a fluke. In one study after another, GM, Ford and Chrysler have been gaining momentum.
Paul A. Eisenstein - NBCNEWS - May 21, 2013
Is Motor City getting its mojo back?
After years of losing loyal customers frustrated by quality and reliability problems, domestic automakers are showing a new-found focus on customer service that is winning back skeptics – boosting sales, market share and profits.
Despite the improvement, it may take awhile for the industry to totally repair its tarnished image.
“I’d love to buy something... [Read More]
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0 Replies | 36 Views
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| Ford’s Fusion Energi Earns 5 Stars and Now with an Even Lower Price |
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May 21, 2013 - 6:48 AM - by xcel
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Ford’s doing a lot of things right these days.
Wayne Gerdes - CleanMPG - May 21, 2013
2013 Ford Fusion Energi PHEV-21 - $35,820 incl. mats, destination and handling to start. This includes Fords new $3,750 on the hood for many location. Knock off another $3,750 for the federal credit plus state and local incentives and now you’re talking a good value imho! Oh, and this is for a car that offers 21 miles on the plug and maybe a 41/37/39 mpgUS city/highway rating (real) when on the liquid gold.
Ford’s most fuel-efficient sedan arrives with a PHEV option allowing what Ford deems to be a total range of over 600 miles and the ability to drive up... [Read More]
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6 Replies | 181 Views
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| Boeing: > 37% Sun to Electricity Conversion Cell without Concentration |
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May 21, 2013 - 6:01 AM - by xcel
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No pricing detail was provided but with this kind of advance, the energy security and future for all mankind is looking brighter than ever.
Wayne Gerdes - CleanMPG - May 21, 2013
A Spectrolab solar cell recently set a world record by converting more energy from the sun into electricity than any other ground-based solar cell without solar concentration.
First a little history
Spectrolab was established in 1956, when local entrepreneur Alfred Mann brought together a group of engineers to provide high-quality optical filters and mirrors for use in government contracts. Spectrolab established its credibility in the space industry with... [Read More]
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0 Replies | 184 Views
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| Battelle to Upgrade Pickup Trucks for Special Operations |
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May 20, 2013 - 8:20 AM - by ALS
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A purpose-built pickup truck will likely become a requirement for special operations forces in the future, but the lower cost of a modified commercial vehicle is appealing in this fiscal environment.
Valerie Insinna - NATIONALDEFENSEMAGAZINE - May 20, 2013
As the Defense Department pinches pennies, the military increasingly is choosing to modify commercial off-the-shelf products instead of building a new system from the ground up.
Such is the case for special operations forces, who in the next few years will be driving around in souped-up pickup trucks.
... [Read More]
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0 Replies | 278 Views
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| Toyota plans huge boost in lithium-ion battery output |
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May 20, 2013 - 8:04 AM - by ALS
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 Nearly all plug-in vehicles depend on lithium-ion batteries. Nickel metal hydride, which powered the first generation of hybrids, are cheaper, but are clearly on the way out.
Chris Woodyard - USATODAY - May 20, 2013
Toyota is planning a giant increase in production of lithium ion batteries as prepares to use them in its flagship Prius sedan, Reuters reports.
Toyota plans a six-fold boost in it use of the batteries, which are substantially lighter and more powerful than the nickel-metal hydride batteries it uses in the current Prius.... ... [Read More]
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4 Replies | 332 Views
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| Nissan’s Dashboard for the week of May 12 through 19, 2013 |
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May 19, 2013 - 8:58 AM - by xcel
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 Chevrolet lines up a Nissan van, BYD brings its electric taxis to Hong Kong and BMW sets a world drifting record.
Wayne Gerdes - CleanMPG - May 19, 2013
GM takes in the Nissan NV 200 as the future 2015 Chevrolet City Express to compete with Ford’s Transit Connect.
A pure electric 186 mile range taxi from BYD and only 2 hours to charge? You bet.
BMWs drifting world Record. What’s the point? It raised money for charity which is a good cause…
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0 Replies | 224 Views
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| Toyota Canada Promotes Safer Driving for “Victoria Day” |
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May 19, 2013 - 8:44 AM - by xcel
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 Greater safety knowledge for safer road trips.
Wayne Gerdes - CleanMPG - May 19, 2013
An example of "Brain on board": Speed Kills as just 3 mph could be the difference between life and death. Please drive to your Holiday destination efficiently and safely…
Victoria Day is a federal Canadian public holiday celebrated on the last Monday before May 25, in honor of Queen Victoria's birthday. The date when Canadian official birthday is recognized.
The holiday has always been a distinctly Canadian observance and is a Federal holiday and recognized... [Read More]
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0 Replies | 221 Views
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| Buick -- 110 Years of Building Cars with Many More to Go |
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May 19, 2013 - 8:00 AM - by xcel
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Buick is currently the oldest still-active American automotive make, and among the oldest automobile brands in the world.
Wayne Gerdes - CleanMPG - May 19, 2013
The first production Buick was the 1904 Model B built in Flint, Michigan. There were 37 Buicks made that year with just two replicas in existence: the 1904 endurance car, at the Buick Gallery & Research Center in Flint (pictured), and a Model B assembled by an enthusiast in California for the division's 100th anniversary.
The basic design of the 1904 Buick was engineered well even by today's standards. The flat-twin engine is inherently balanced, with torque presented to the chassis in a longitudinal manner, actually cancelling front end... [Read More]
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1 Reply | 297 Views
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| From The Boss: “Hyundai’s Got Your Back” |
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May 19, 2013 - 7:08 AM - by xcel
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What more could you ask for? America’s best warranty, America’s best protection plan, and a lineup of cars that are not only affordable and fun to drive but outclass many of their competitors in the looks department too! -- Ed.
John Krafcik - Hyundai Motor Company - May 16, 2013
"The Boss", John Krafcik, President & CEO, Hyundai Motor America showing his classic laid back demeanor in front of the companies first truly blockbuster car, the current 6th Generation Hyundai Sonata two years ago.
In the few times I have met him in person, this is an individual that is beyond cordial, willing to take calculated risks, and confident... [Read More]
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0 Replies | 283 Views
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| How High Is High For Automotive Steels? |
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May 19, 2013 - 12:51 AM - by seftonm
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Now, in addition to safety, advanced high-strength steel grades need to contribute to mass reduction so that car companies can improve corporate fleet fuel-economy by about 4% per year until 2025.
Ronald P. Krupitzer - METALFORMINGMAGAZINE - May 01, 2013
Impressive how far the materials have come. --Ed.
It was quite surprising the other day when an engineer mentioned to me that he was studying the use of an 1800-MPa tensile-strength steel for a part. Back in the 1970s when automotive steels were primarily mild steel with yield strengths of 170 MPa and tensile strengths of 275 MPa,... [Read More]
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1 Reply | 273 Views
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| Opel’s Latest Direct Injected and Boosted 1.6L Is the Astra’s Mainstay |
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May 18, 2013 - 6:34 PM - by xcel
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 Strong engine with decent fuel economy for us. Will it be enough in the land of $7.00 per gallon gasoline?
Wayne Gerdes - CleanMPG - May 18, 2013
2014 Opel Astra 5-door – Good looking enough and equipped with a very powerful 1.6L engine. I do wonder if they have fixed the rear seat legroom problem however?
The latest Turbo charged and Direct Injection 170 hp 1.6L debuts in Opel’s Astra, its best seller. This next generation 1.6L engine provides 22% more torque than its outgoing predecessor.
At the same time, the 1.6L SIDI Turbo is up to 14 percent more efficient. The five-door hatch, sedan and Sports... [Read More]
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0 Replies | 250 Views
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| Meet the New Google Maps |
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May 18, 2013 - 8:23 AM - by xcel
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Improved yet again although it may be a little heavy on the social media front.
Wayne Gerdes - CleanMPG - May 18, 2013
Google is relaunching its killer app in a new and more comprehensive way. Google Maps are now tailored to you as through every search and click you make. Whatever you're trying to find or wherever you're trying to go, you'll always have a map highlighting the things that matter most.
Discover more with every click
The entire map is now interactive. Clicking anywhere will focus the map on that location and show you helpful... [Read More]
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3 Replies | 402 Views
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| What Has 887 HP, AWD, Hits 60 in < 3 sec and Is As Green as a Prius? |
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May 18, 2013 - 7:32 AM - by xcel
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The Porsche 918 Spyder Racing Plug-in Hybrid.
Wayne Gerdes - CleanMPG - May 18, 2013
2014 Porsche 918 Spyder PHEV – If you have to ask the price, you have asked the wrong question.
The 918 Spyder is the epitome of racing technology made for the street. Well sort of anyway.
According to Porsche, the car was designed from a clean sheet to be a Race Car first yet provide a green side with good performance including reaching 60 in under 7-seconds and a top speed of 93 mph on only the electric motors. The 618 hp V8 plus its 154 hp electric motor at the back and 127 hp electric up front all together allow a top speed of 211 mph.
... [Read More]
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8 Replies | 515 Views
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| Linear-Logic's ScanGauge-II Is 7 Years Young |
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May 17, 2013 - 1:45 PM - by xcel
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An OBD-II_reader reaches a milestone.
Wayne Gerdes - CleanMPG - May 17, 2013
First let’s talk a little about the ScanGaugeD for the big diesels.
Unlike our gas powered automobiles, OBDII is not the standard for large diesel powered vehicles including diesel RVs and over-the-road long-haul trucks. These vehicles rely on the J1939 and J1708 protocols and the new ScanGaugeD was built just for them.
Unwrapping the ScanGaugeD, owners will find a dual connector cable designed to accommodate both the 9-pin J1939 port as well as the 6-pin J1708 protocol port.
And like the ScanGauge-II many here are familiar with, the ScanGaugeD allows you to monitor vital systems... [Read More]
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14 Replies | 689 Views
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| Nissan LEAF Level3 Fast Charging at "Nissan of Downtown LA" |
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May 17, 2013 - 11:08 AM - by xcel
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A few more of these and the EV world could expand exponentially.
Wayne Gerdes - CleanMPG - May 17, 2013
“There are no free gas stations anywhere but you can come here and charge fast for free.”
The first consumer available BEV was certainly not the LEAF as you have to consider what was being worked on prior to the 1900’s! In 1890, William Morrison of Des Moines, IA built the first US four wheeled battery electric vehicle in order to demonstrate his lead battery.
Anyone remember the The... [Read More]
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0 Replies | 299 Views
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