May 2011

GM to construct solar field at assembly plant

(May 11, 2011) DETROIT — The largest photovoltaic solar array in Southeast Michigan will be built at the General Motors Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant, turning sunlight into electricity to help power the home of the Chevrolet Volt electric car.

The 516-kilowatt project, announced Wednesday by GM and DTE Energy, will generate electricity capable of charging 150 of the electric cars with extended-range capability every day for a year — a total of 54,750 Volts.

Renault electric cars available at Cannes Film Festival

(May 11, 2011) Ten Renault fully-electric Fluence Z.E models are chauffeuring actors and film professionals to the foot of the famous red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival in the French Riviera in style and serenity, and naturally — silence — today through May 22.

Renault’s Fluence Z.E., an electric five-seat sedan, is taking a tour of Cannes several months ahead of its launch. As part of the project, charging stations have been installed for Fluence Z.E. in the Palais des Festivals car park, which will be made available to EV drivers after the event.

Performance version of Ford Focus being tested on European, U.S. roads

(May 11, 2011) COLOGNE, Germany — If a new Ford Focus with an eye-catching paint job, ground-hugging suspension, big wheels and tires and a tell-tale central rear double exhaust passes you on the autobahn or freeway, chances are you have seen one of the development prototypes for the all-new high-performance Focus ST launching next year.

Toyota profit slips 77 percent in fourth quarter

(May 11, 2011) Toyota reported today that fourth-quarter profit fell 77 percent to the lowest in six quarters after Japan's record earthquake disrupted production and crimped domestic sales.

Toyota reported net income of 25.4 billion yen ($314 million) for the three months ended March 31.

Chrysler to gear up for new nine-speed transmission

(May 11, 2011) KOKOMO, Ind. — Not to be outdone by General Motors, Chrysler announced on Tuesday that it plans to spend an additional  $843 million at its transmission plant in Kokomo, Ind., for a new, nine-speed automatic transmission for its front-wheel-drive vehicles.

Kia Optima Hybrid to start at $26,500, get 40 mpg

(May 10, 2011) IRVINE, Calif. — Kia has announced that its  2011 Kia Optima Hybrid will start at $26,500 well equipped. It's Kia's first hybrid vehicle in the U.S.

Set to hit showrooms on June 5, the Optima Hybrid employs a Kia-developed powertrain that includes several innovations, including advanced lithium polymer batteries from LG Chem, to deliver up to 35 miles per gallon in city driving and 40 miles per gallon on the highway.

GM to invest $2 billion in new U.S. plants

(May 10, 2011) TOLEDO, Ohio – General Motors announced today it will invest about $2 billion in U.S. assembly and component plants, creating or preserving more than 4,000 jobs at 17 facilities in eight states.

“We are doing this because we are confident about demand for our vehicles and the economy,” GM Chairman and CEO Dan Akerson said during an event at the 54-year-old Toledo Transmission Plant. “This new investment is on top of $3.4 billion and more than 9,000 jobs that GM has added or saved since mid-2009.”

Hydrogen refueling network expands in Southern California

(May 10, 2011) TORRANCE, Calif. — Southern California's network of hydrogen refueling stations continues to grow with the opening today of the world's first station supplied by an existing hydrogen pipeline.

The new Shell hydrogen station, which is located in Torrance next to several major freeway corridors and near the Los Angeles International Airport, taps into an existing industrial hydrogen pipeline serving a nearby refinery.

Saab grabs Colbeck from Subaru

(May 10, 2011) Saab Cars North America, based in Royal Oak, Mich., has hired a new president and CEO. Timothy Colbeck will oversee the Swedish automaker's North American operations, reporting directly to Saab Automobile AB VP and head of global sales & after sales, Matthias Seidl as well as the Saab Cars North America board of directors.

Two U.S.-built Japanese-brand vehicles may soon get the ax

(May 10, 2011) Japanese business daily Nikkan Kogyo reported today that two U.S.-built Japanese vehicles would be discontinued.

No surprise — the slow-selling Subaru Tribeca SUV will, according to the paper, be discontinued at the Indiana plant that also builds the popular Outback and Legacy. Ony 910units were built in the first four months of this year.