Renault's plug-in Kangoo be bop Z.E. features 'printed circuit' motifs, cute as a 390-point breadboard

Push up those glasses and refresh the lead in your mechanical pencils, Renault has a new accessory to transport your nerdrobe to the data center. Meet the Kangoo be bop Z.E. plug-in prototype. While the technology inside (Lithium Ion batteries with a 100-mile range and 30 minute recharge to 80% capacity -- or full charge in 20 minutes using a proposed 400V universal standard plug) is very similar to the vehicles that Renault expects to release on the road in 2011, and its appearance matches that of the Kangoo be bop hitting European roads this spring, it's the design detail that captured our attention. Zoom in on the gallery below and you'll quickly see that the Z.E. prototype (and future concept) is heavily influenced by the look of printed circuit boards, or "printed circuit motifs" as claimed by Renault's press release. Go ahead, firmly embrace your geekiness without guilt. Remember, you're a rock star.

battery switch station is faster than Melvin Dummar

It's massive, costs $500,000, and is just a prototype; but you're looking at a possible solution for swapping out heavy car batteries from future electric vehicles. Kind of important if you're hoping to take your EV on a trip a bit further than the supermarket or city center without having to stop for a lengthy recharge. This switch station, unveiled in Japan by Better Place, can swap out a spent battery in less time than it takes to refuel the tank in that baby-killer of a car you hold so precious. These battery swap stations are just part of the enormous infrastructure required to support Better Place's subscription approach to electric vehicles -- infrastructure easily estimated to cost $250 million or so for countries like Israel or Denmark on up to the $1 Billion already pledged by San Francisco Bay Area mayors. Better Place admits that the swap technology is a work in progress but hopes to have 150,000 charging stations and about 100 battery swap stations deployed in Israel by 2011. Check the video after the break.

Elektromotive debuts billable charge station for electric vehicles

Electric vehicles are about as far from ubiquitous as a burgeoning technology could be, but that's not stopping Elektromotive from thinking about future profits. Said firm has just revealed what it's calling the first-ever billable charge station for EVs, a three phase chargepoint that can supply up to 32 amps at 240V. The station itself is dubbed the Elektrobay, which is equipped with a 2-way GSM service called EBConnect; the latter enables users with specialized key fobs to simply wave their key in front of the pole, charge and be invoiced at a later time. Think PayPass, but for EV charging. We're told that the new billing system will be installed in all 160 of the Elektrobay units in the UK, and you can bank on it being baked into all future installations -- so much for free juice, huh?

Chevy Volt coasts closer to reality, first bona fide model now in production

General Motors has just cut the ribbon, metaphorically at least, on the production of the first genuineChevy Volt integration vehicle. Unlike previous versions, which have been "developments mules" made using parts from the Malibu / Cruze lines, this will look (and hopefully feel) 100 percent like what the company plans to start pimping out this November. The pre-production model will be put through the paces in case the design needs to be refined and tweaked before going full steam ahead. GM is sticking pretty close to its original plan of building at a rate of ten a week by mid-July, with "several hundred more" going into production early next year, and with any luck, it'll be packing somestandardized EV plug by then.

GM says bankruptcy won't affect the Volt, but how much say does it have?

As General Motors finally caved this morning, waved the white flag and filed for bankruptcy, those following electric cars immediately wondered what this all would mean for the long-awaited Volt. Foryears now, GM has steadfastly affirmed that it was moving forward with production regardless of what else was going on within the company and the economy at large. According to Technology Review, a GM spokesperson confirmed again this morning that "the filing will have no impact on the company's plans to start selling the Volt at the end of next year." That said, we have to wonder how much such a statement really means; reports have stated that the US government may up holding as much as 60 percent of the company, and if the primary goal is to bring the outfit back to profitability as soon as possible, Obama and Company may not feel that pouring even more into the high-priced Volt is a good idea. In related news, we hear Tesla is still taking orders...

Video: Coda Automotive bringing Miles Electric's sedan to California in 2010

Remember that Miles Electric sedan we heard about last month? Yeah, well it's coming to California's shores next year. An all new car company, doing business under the name of Coda Automotive, has just been formed in order to bring said vehicle into production. The all-electric, four-door Coda won't break down any walls in the design department, but the $45,000 (mid-$30,000s after a $7,500 Federal tax credit and additional state incentives) whip sure sounds promising as an eco-friendly daily driver. Reportedly, it'll cruise for around 90 to 120 miles without needing a recharge, and the batteries within can be charged enough for a 40-mile commute in two hours. It'll also ship with a navigation system, Bluetooth, iPod support and power everything as standard, but sadly, there's no telling when it'll be sold outside of the The Golden State. Video promo is after the break.

Hydrogen-powered Riversimple Urban Car unveiled, makes your hybrid green with envy

Smug about your 65 mpg Prius potential? Don't be. A little car from up-start Riversimple looks set to deliver the equivalent of 300 mpg, running on hydrogen and utilizing a network of small fuel cells to power four motors, one per wheel. The recently unveiled prototype manages 240 miles on just 2.2 lbs of hydrogen, has a top speed of 50 mph, seats two (reasonably) comfortably, and looks a little like a smiling, new-age Citroen 2CV -- but will hopefully be a more enjoyable to drive. That considerable range means that the relative lack of hydrogen distribution stations is less of a problem (until you can get one for your garage), and an estimated monthly lease price of just £200 (about $330) makes it potentially affordable. The only question now is availability of the cars themselves, and since nobody's talking about that you needn't worry about delaying that appointment with your local Toyota dealer.

Tesla, Ford, Nissan all receive electric car development loans from US government

High five, Tesla fans -- everyone's favorite incredibly controversial electric car company has just been granted $465m in loans from the Department of Energy's Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing program. The bulk of the money will go towards that postponed Model S factory, while the remaining $100m will be used to fund an electric powertrain manufacturing facility that will sell parts like motors and battery packs to other carmakers. Tesla wasn't the DOE's only big winner: Nissan received $1.6b (billion!) to build batteries and EVs in Tennessee and Ford received an undisclosed amount to build two upcoming electric cars, but since those companies have largely drama-free upper management that isn't constantly involved in lawsuits, it feels a little more routine. Still, it's an exciting time -- let's hope all these tax dollars turn into affordable, convenient electric transportation sooner rather than later.

Chevy Volt's first pre-production model now on the road, in testing

And with that, the first bona fide pre-production Chevy Volt -- its own parts and all -- has hit the pavement. General Motor's storied EV will be taken through the ropes to see what needs to be tweaked / modified before it finally goes into full production, which is expected to be at a rate of about ten a week as of mid-July -- and if you happen to live near Warren, Michigan, you might just spot one of these early models out on the road. Hard to believe Volt's defied more than a few odds, but so far, it looks promising. Good on ya, GM.

Japan considers adding noise pollution to hybrids

Any big city bicyclist knows that being small and silent on the street is a deadly combination. Drivers of 2-ton cages are simply immune to anything but the sights and sounds of combustion engines riding four on the floor. This issue affects silent-running hybrids and compact electrics too, something Japan's government is taking seriously in a new government review that could result in a mandate for the inclusion of "a sound making function" in their future eco-rides. Safety aside, we presume Japanese manufacturers would choose a sound that's as tasteful and unassuming as their locally brewed hybrids. Imagine if GM was to make a similar decision... oh, right.

Nissan looking to give an inductive charge to its upcoming Zero Emissions Vehicle

It won't be quite the same as putting a Palm Touchstone under your tire -- although that's quite the mental image -- but Nissan's thinking big and planning to apply that same inductive charging technology for its upcoming five-seat Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV). As envisioned by the company, the ideal scenario would be to drive into a compatible charging bay and power up without the need to haul around a plug like current EV owners do -- Nissan Europe's Larry Haddad estimates a 25 minute shopping trip could be enough to refill the battery back up to 80 percent. In an admittedly more far-fetched case, the company said it's scientifically feasible to have charging plates buried just under the surface of the road for on-the-go charging. With realities like money and practicality in the way, we can't imagine that example to fruition anytime soon. In the meantime, we've still gotta wait until August to even gather a glimpse of the ZEV -- maybe by then we'll get a better idea of Nissan's plans for the technology.

Nissan shows off new Versa-based electric vehicle prototype

Nissan EV-11 prototype - click above for high-res image gallery

A week before it shows the world what its new dedicated electric vehicle will look like, Nissan is showing off its latest-generation prototype. The company's previous iteration was based on the original Cube, but the new test units are based on the Versa/Tiida. A 108 horsepower / 206 pound-feet electric motor designed in-house at Nissan drives the front wheels, while a lithium ion battery pack created by Automotive Energy Supply Corp. stores electricity. The 24 kWh pack is fitted under the floor and is expected to yield a 100-mile range. Nissan is aiming to make life as stress-free as possible for its EV drivers. To that end, the navigation system will automatically display the driving radius that the current battery state of charge will support. It can also download information about currently available charging stations. Drivers can also access the charging status of their cars remotely via a cell phone, so no doubt an iPhone app will be on the way. More details after the jump.

Ruf Automobile's electric Porsche concept gets real, pictured

Look out Tesla / Lightning -- a new competitor just rolled out, and it's sitting pretty. Ruf Automobile has gone public with its stunning electric eRUF concept car, which is obviously based on a Porsche 911. The automobile packs a three-phase electric motor that puts out around 200-horsepower and 480 lb.-ft. of torque, and it can reportedly go from nothing to sixty in under seven ticks. The juice is provided by a Li-ion phosphate battery pack that produces 317-volts / 480-amps and is constructed from 96 individual cells, and combined with the power garnered by the regenerative braking system, it can cruise up to 180 miles before needing a ten-hour recharge. Production, pretty please?

China's Chery automobile assembled in Russia

" border="0">
The first Chinese Chery automobile assembled by Avtotor of Russia is unveiled in Kaliningrad, Russia, April 24, 2006. Locally-assembled Chery automobiles will come into the Russian market soon. The fittings and technology were provided by Chinese automobile manufacturer Chery and the assembly work was accomplished by Avtotor under the instruction of Chinese technicians. At present, Avtotor-Chery automobile assembly line has a capacity of finishing working on 2,000 vehicles per month, with a goal of assembling 15,000 cars in 2006.
" border="0">
Russians view a Chery automobile assembled by Avtotor of Russia in Kaliningrad, Russia, April 24, 2006. The first Chery automobile assembled by Avtotor was unveiled in Kaliningrad on Monday. Locally-assembled Chery automobiles will come into the Russian market soon. The fittings and technology were provided by Chinese automobile manufacturer Chery and the assembly work was accomplished by Avtotor under the instruction of Chinese technicians. At present, Avtotor-Chery automobile assembly line has a capacity of finishing working on 2,000 vehicles per month, with a goal of assembling 15,000 cars in 2006.
" border="0">
A worker inspects a Chery car at the Russian company Avtotor in Kaliningrad, Russia, April 24, 2006.

Tips to Compare Automobile Insurance

In today’s time if you are a car owner, then law makes it necessary for you to have a car insurance and when it comes to having a coverage everybody want to have a policy at the lowest possible rate. There are some factors you should keep in mind when making an automobile insurance comparison.

Everybody wants to hold a policy with a good company and at a cheapest possible premium. The company that is financially sound and provides excellent customer service .The best place for automobile insurance comparison could be your state’s Department of insurance website. It holds the records of every company and rate the company according to its performance.

There are some private companies that rate insurance companies on several factors and even hold reviews posted by various policy holders.

Of course price is the first priority ,even if you have found a company with good consumer rating and which is financially strong too ,you’ll also want to make sure that whether you are getting best price or not. Finding about company requires little bit of research and some time. Once you have ensured about company’s market value you are ready to move forward and buy your automobile insurance.

Automobile insurance for Elevated Risk Drivers

Sometimes it becomes very difficult to find a suitable insurance for high risk drivers. In such cases the customer must try to find out a best insurance policy suiting to their needs. A prior insurance policy helps a person be relieved from the risk of heavy loss in case of any accident. Therefore, it is preferred to have a full-fledged car insurance policy to avoid the risk during accidents that may occur in the future.

In certain countries it is against the law if a person drives without getting his automobile insured. In certain cases, a customer is also not able to get a convenient insurance policy according to his needs.

Many insurance companies refuse to give insurance policies to those high risk drivers who live in elevated crime areas. Many other factors in this concern are that the customer may have a different or special automobile, the customer may also have a very bad driving record and also because the driver is not experienced.

Those customers who find hard to find auto insurance for high risk drivers should contact private insurers. These people will help the high risk drivers very easy to get an insurance policy for them.

Automobile Magazine Names the Audi R8 Automobile of the Year - VIDEO ENHANCED

ANN ARBOR, Mich.December 26, 2007; Automobile Magazine announced yesterday that the Audi R8 is its 2008 Automobile of the Year. The magazine also named the R8 Design of the Year and GM’s Two-Mode Hybrid System Technology of the Year.

To watch The Auto Channel's exclusive 3-part interview with Audi of America's Exec. Vice President aboad the R8 CLICK HERE.

Audi’s first foray into the sports car arena impressed the editors with its depth of abilities, which include straight-line speed, deep reserves of power, generous suspension travel, laser-like directional stability, and the surefootedness of all-wheel drive. The R8’s glass-encased, 420-hp, 4.2-liter V-8 engine has the sound of a traditional Italian supercar. Editors called it a great real-world sports car in the vein of the Porsche 911, but with the exotic presence of a Ferrari.

“The R8 absolutely captivated the automotive world this past year,” said Jean Jennings, President and Editor-in-Chief of AUTOMOBILE MAGAZINE. “It propels Audi into a whole new league of driving dynamics, and it emphatically caps Audi’s steep ascent from the somnambulant lull in which it languished in the early 1990s. The R8 is a thrilling new sports car from a company that’s stronger than it’s ever been.”

Design of the Year: Audi R8

The arresting R8 features a bright metal blade on its side, an unmistakable and dramatic design feature shared with no other car. For Design of the Year, AUTOMOBILE MAGAZINE looks for innovation, style, beauty, engineering, dynamics, heritage and public approbation, and editors noted that the R8’s design is outstanding in almost every way.

“We honor the designers and the engineers who have so perfectly realized a truly civilized grand touring coupe,” said Design Editor Robert Cumberford. “It is far more comfortable than cars of equal performance, and it features a highly focused environment for the driver but a relaxed and more open space for the passenger.”

Technology of the Year: GM’s Two-Mode Hybrid System

AUTOMOBILE MAGAZINE editors also called General Motors’ Two-Mode Hybrid System the most significant gasoline-electric propulsion advancement since the original Toyota Prius. With oil approaching $100 per barrel, big trucks that don’t guzzle gas on an ordinary commute could be a God-send.

“Two-Mode blends the best attributes of internal combustion and battery-powered electric motors,” said Technical Editor Don Sherman. “Chevrolet Tahoes and GMC Yukons equipped with the technology can achieve 20 miles per gallon or more, which is equivalent to the capability of a four-cylinder mid-size sedan in city driving.”

Sherman noted that because Two-Mode is a second-generation approach conceived by transmission experts instead of engine specialists, gasoline and electric power sources are more ingeniously combined with fixed and variable gear ratios to achieve higher efficiency over a broader range.

Since GM partnered with BMW and the former DaimlerChrysler to develop Two-Mode for front-, rear-, and four-wheel-drive applications with gasoline and diesel engines, consumers should begin to see it in more cars, pickups, SUVs, and crossover vehicles.

Details help Toyota to #1

Toyota recently took over the world #1 spot from GM, and in 2008 they want to sell an ambitious 10.4 million units which would put them well ahead of the pack.

We've all heard of the Toyota Way, the company's management philosophy. Toyota's production system receives the most focus, but a very big part of their success is their attention to detail, and how they communicate with and train employees in Toyota best practices.

Toyota thinks this is especially vital as they enter a new stage of growth and continue to expand across the world:

“It’s extremely important to have the same common Toyota Way infiltrated to employees in all corners of the world,” said Katsuaki Watanabe, the company’s president. “But on the other hand, in each corner of the world, in each region, there are inherent characteristics that need to be respected.” (New York Times).

That's why Toyota is putting a big focus on training centers: they currently have one in Motomachi, Japan, another in Kentucky, USA, and are planning more.

At their Motomachi plant, 3,000 assembly line tasks have been translated into video manuals, showing "everything from the correct way to hold a screw to the best way to hold an air gun so that a worker’s hand will not tire in a few hours".

Of course Toyota is not immune to falling labor costs in low-cost countries such as China and India. And at the same time, Toyota takes care of its own. As NYT explains:

"... new ideas do not apply only to the trainees. At Toyota’s Tsutsumi plant, which builds the hybrid-electric Prius, Toyota has overhauled the way it delivers parts to the assembly line. The top floor of the plant, built in 1970, has been emptied and turned into a sprawling parts warehouse.

Workers on the plant floor used to choose the parts they needed to install on each vehicle from bins next to the assembly line. Now, a crew of workers upstairs loads the required parts into containers. The bins are placed inside the empty car bodies. Workers need only reach for the appropriate parts. After use, the bins are collected and sent upstairs to be refilled. The process... has cut Tsutsumi’s labor costs by 20 percent, said Osamu Ushio, general manager for the final assembly division, for two reasons.

First, cutting out the need to pick out parts shortened the training time for temporary workers, who make up one-third of the work force at Tsutsumi.

Second, older Japanese workers who are guaranteed lifetime employment by Toyota but can no longer handle the physical tasks of building cars can shift to loading containers.

That allows Toyota to deploy younger workers, often the temporary ones, who can work faster than their elders at lower wages. They earn about two-thirds of what permanent workers do, or as little as $10.50 an hour, with few benefits. Said Mr. Ushio: “We have to adapt to the changing environment.”

Toyota enters Nano Wars

India's premier carmaker, Tata Motors, rocked the automotive world when they finally released their anticipated Nano, alternatively known as the "People's Car", "One-Lakh Car" and "$2,500 Car".

Kudos to Tata for building up expectations over the past five years (they announced this project back in 2003) and then coming through on their promise.

The initial reply from other major manufacturers such as GM and Toyota was that the Nano could not be profitable (Tata says it is), and that the car could not meet safety and emissions standards (it currently does in lax India which is Tata's first intended market).

Now both GM and Toyota are scrambling to reply with product.

Basically what What Tata did was signal their intention of dominating the entry-level segment in India, where a potentially huge emerging middle class looks to buy their first automobile.

Toyota has announced plans to begin building small cars in India, for the local and export markets. They will build a second plant to be ready by 2010, at a cost of $350 million dollars and with an output of 100,000 units per year, through their joint-venturein Bangalore.

Toyota President Katsuaki Watanabe has been quoted by the Times of India as saying, "There is a huge market for low-cost/price vehicles," but at the same time has expressed concern about Toyota's ability to maintain a high level of quality.

At the same time, GM is manufacturing a $3,500 mini-car in China.

Most productive auto plants in U.S.

Who has the most productive auto manufacturing plants in the U.S.?

According to the 2007Harbour Report, among multi-plant manufacturers that honor goes to Toyotaand Chrysler. Both scored 30.37 hours to fully assemble a vehicle. Chrysler improved 7.7 percent while Toyota actually fell 1.5 percent.

Closely following the leaders by less than 3.5 hours are Honda, General Motors, Nissan and Ford. These four have been persistently closing the productivity gap over the past five years.

It's worth noting from the Harbour Report press release that:

"Toyota fabricates and assembles a greater percentage of its vehicle parts with its own employees, while the Detroit Three purchase many modules and subassemblies from suppliers, thus saving labor. Toyota also has retained nearly all its employees even in plants that experienced lower production."

2008 highest quality brands

J.D. Power's 2008 Initial Quality Study is out, and this is their full quality ranking by brand, measured in problems per 100 vehicles or PP100. The industry average was 118 which is an improvement over last year.

1. Porsche, 87 PP100
2. Infiniti, 98
3. Lexus, 99
4. Mercedes-Benz , 104
5. Toyota, 104 (TIED)
6. Mercury, 109
7. Honda, 110
8. Ford, 112
9. Jaguar, 112 (TIED)
10. Audi, 113
11. Cadillac, 113 (TIED)
12. Chevrolet, 113 (TIED)
13. Hyundai, 114
14. Pontiac, 114 (TIED)
15. Lincoln, 115
16. Buick, 118
17. Acura, 119
18. Kia, 119 (TIED)
19. Nissan, 124
20. Volvo, 124 (TIED)
21. BMW, 126
22. GM, 127
23. Mazda, 127 (TIED)
24. Volkswagen, 128
25. Hummer, 132
26. Subaru, 133
27. Scion, 138
28. Dodge, 141
29. Chrysler, 142
30. Mitsubishi, 149
31. Saab, 149 (TIED)
32. Suzuki, 152
33. Saturn, 157
34. Land Rover, 161
35. Mini, 163
36. Jeep, 167

Special kudos to Toyota for being the highest ranked mass-market auto manufacturer.

2008 highest quality compact cars

J.D. Power's 2008 Initial Quality Study is out, and these are the top cars in the sub-compact and compact segments:

Sub-compact cars

1. Honda Fit
2. Kia Rio
3. Hyundai Accent

Compact cars

1. Honda Civic
2. Toyota Prius
3. Hyundai Elantra Sedan

Compact sporty car

1. Mazda Mx-5 Miata
2. Subaru Impreza
3. Pontiac Solstice

Compact premium sporty car

1. Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
2. Porsche Cayman
3. Volvo C70

2008 highest quality premium cars

J.D. Power's 2008 Initial Quality Study is out, and these are the top cars in premium segment:

Entry premium cars

1. Infiniti EX-Series
2. Infiniti G-Series
3. Acura TSX and Volvo S40

Midsize premium cars

1. Infiniti M-Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class
2. Audi A6
3. Lexus ES 350

Large premium cars

1. Lexus LS
2. Mercedes-Benz S-Class
3. Cadillac DTS

2008 highest quality trucks and multi-activity vehicles

J.D. Power's 2008 Initial Quality Study is out, and these are the top trucks and MAVs (multi-activity vehicles) in each segment:

Compact MAVs

1. Honda CR-V
2. Chrysler PT Cruiser
3. Ford Escape

Midsize MAVs

1. Dodge Durango
2. Hyundai Santa Fe
3. Toyota Highlander

Large MAVs

1. Toyota Sequoia
2. Chevrolet Tahoe
3. GMC Yukon

Midsize premium MAVs

1. Lexus RX
2. Lexus GX 470
3. Porsche Cayenne

Large premium MAVs

1. Lincoln Navigator
2. Infiniti QX56
3. Cadillac Escalade

Large pickups

1. Chevrolet Silverado LD
2. Toyota Tundra
3. Chevrolet Avalanche

Midsize pickups

1. Dodge Dakota
2. Ford Ranger
3. Toyota Tacoma

Vans

1. Ford E-Series
2. Nissan Quest
3. Chevrolet Express

Small gets big in U.S.

Various news items fromAutomotive News point a rosier picture for Japanese manufacturers vs. the American Big Three, as a pronounced move away from large vehicles towards smaller more eco-friendly ones continues in the U.S.

• Toyota and Honda are better positioned than Ford, GM and Chrysler to adjust production towards smaller cars.
• The full-size pickup segment has virtually collapsed (from 2.5 million units in 2005 to an estimated 1.5 million this year), catching Ford and Chrysler at the worst possible moment as they are about to launch redesigned models.
• GM's Hummer line is close to being sold off or possibly disappearing.
• GM is considering lightening its big Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon models by moving to a different platform. "The future of other big SUVs such as the Chevrolet Suburban and Cadillac Escalade is unclear".
• Toyota is making a big move with its Prius hybrid, and may soon begin production in the U.S.

Only Honda is selling more in U.S.

Vehicle sales for June 2008 fell substantially in the U.S., compared to the same month last year. Only Honda was able to gain ground.

• Honda: Sales improved by 13.8 percent. June sales totaled 142,539 vehicles, a new monthly record. For the first half of 2008, Honda sales also rose, by 4.8 percent.
• Toyota sales fell by 11.5 percent. For the first half of 2008, they sold 1.24 million vehicles, down 6.2 percent.
• Ford sales dropped 28 percent. They sold 167,090 vehicles in June, and 1.1 million for the first half of 2008 (down 14 percent).
• GM sales were down by 18.5 percent (265,937 units in June compared to 326,300 a year ago). For the first half of 2008, sales were 1,6 million, 16.5 percent down. Hummer was especially hit with a drop of 59.3 percent.
• Nissan sales fell 17.7 percent, although sales of their more fuel efficient cars did grow.

BMW vs. Chinese copycats

BMW and Daimler say they will take legal action to defend themselves against Chinese
copies of their models, if in fact the knockoffs appear at the IAA auto show in Frankfurt in September as they are slated to.

These are the accused Chinese cars:

• CEO SUV. Similar to the BMW X5.
• UFO SUV. Similar to the Toyota RAV4.
• Noble compact. Similar to the Smart Fortwo.

To give you an idea, below are the Smart Fortwo (left) and the Noble (right).

The CEO SUV and the Noble are made by Shijiazhuang Shuanghuan Automobile Co.

The UFO SUV is made by Zhejiang Jonway Automobile Co.

Daimler calls the Noble "a blatant attempt to copy the design of the Smart ForTwo, no matter how it was executed."

But in hearty glass-half-full fashion, this is all good news for the European importer of the cars.

The seemingly unfazed Karl Schloessl, CEO of China Automobile Deutschland, thinks the controversy will actually help sales of the knockoffs, which will be managed through a 100-dealer network in Germany starting in October.

"This discussion could be useful, as helps put our products on the same shelf with those from BMW and Smart".

And so it begins: Chinese cars to Europe

Two Chinese cars have been approved by the European Union for sale on that continent, according to Reuters. They will be launched there next month.

• Zhejiang Jonway UFO
• Shuanghuan Automobile CEO

Both models have come under fire because their appearance is similar to rivals. The UFO looks like the Toyota Rav4 and the CEO resembles the BMW X5.

BMW has already started legal proceedings to stop the CEO's launch, while Toyota will not take legal action to block the UFO's sale.

These are the cars in question, the UFO on the left, the CEO on the right...

Other major Chinese carmakers are announcing their plans to have models in Europe by 2011 once they meet European safety and emissions regulations:

• Geely Automobile. China's largest private carmaker, plans to start selling its CK sedan in Europe.
• BYD Auto. Wants to have its F1 small hatchback in the EU, also a plug-in version of its hybrid F6 DM sedan.
• Changfeng Motor. Planning a joint venture with Mitsubishi in China, wants to sell the Liebao CS7 and CS6 SUVs, and the Kylin minivan. After that, the U.S.

Luxury cars in China: BMW and Hyundai-Kia

A recent post talked about the paradox in China's automotive policy: the government wants manufacturers to make electric and hybrid cars, but at the same time price controls on gas are motivating the sale of SUVs and luxury cars.

Here's what some of the major carmakers are doing in China:

BMW in China: Will triple capacity by 2012, from 35,000 to 100,000 annual units, via their joint venture with Brilliance China. Car sales grew 43 percent (14,574 units) from January to March this year, after growing 42 percent in 2007.

Hyundai-Kia in China: Working to expand presence, Hyundai just opened second plant to achieve annual output of 600,000 units, Kia will open second plant in 2010. Have released two high-end vehicles, the Rohens (Genesis) luxury sedan, and the Barui (Mohave) luxury SUV.

BMW vs. Chinese copycats

BMW and Daimler say they will take legal action to defend themselves against Chinese
copies of their models, if in fact the knockoffs appear at the IAA auto show in Frankfurt in September as they are slated to.

These are the accused Chinese cars:

• CEO SUV. Similar to the BMW X5.
• UFO SUV. Similar to the Toyota RAV4.
• Noble compact. Similar to the Smart Fortwo.

To give you an idea, below are the Smart Fortwo (left) and the Noble (right).

The CEO SUV and the Noble are made by Shijiazhuang Shuanghuan Automobile Co.

The UFO SUV is made by Zhejiang Jonway Automobile Co.

Daimler calls the Noble "a blatant attempt to copy the design of the Smart ForTwo, no matter how it was executed."

But in hearty glass-half-full fashion, this is all good news for the European importer of the cars.

The seemingly unfazed Karl Schloessl, CEO of China Automobile Deutschland, thinks the controversy will actually help sales of the knockoffs, which will be managed through a 100-dealer network in Germany starting in October.

"This discussion could be useful, as helps put our products on the same shelf with those from BMW and Smart".

LA Auto Show preview

The 2007 Los Angeles Auto Show is coming up, and we've just received some interesting preview information that I'd like to share.

The event will be held November 16 through 25, and will include some 14 world debuts and 30 North American debuts.

A few manufacturers have already announced their intentions:

• Hyundai will world premiere a new sports car concept
• Nissan will showcase an all-new, mid-size Murano crossover
• Volkswagen will show a new mini-car concept design.

Several manufactuers will be highlighting vehicles that are making their first appearance in the U.S.:

• The new Jaguar XF luxury performance sedan
• The new BMW 1 Series coupe
• Mitsubishi’s tenth generation Lancer Evolution
• Subaru’s all-new WRX STI
• Nissan’s GT-R supercar
  

In addition, these are the luxury cars making their debut in the U.S.:

• The $1.4 million Lamborghini Reventon
• Ferrari’s new lightweight 430 Scuderia
• Bentley’s new Continental GT Speed
• Porsche's most powerful 911, the newGT2

The show will also have a special award for their "Green Car of the Year".

And so it begins: Chinese cars to Europe

Two Chinese cars have been approved by the European Union for sale on that continent, according to Reuters. They will be launched there next month.

• Zhejiang Jonway UFO
• Shuanghuan Automobile CEO

Both models have come under fire because their appearance is similar to rivals. The UFO looks like the Toyota Rav4 and the CEO resembles the BMW X5.

BMW has already started legal proceedings to stop the CEO's launch, while Toyota will not take legal action to block the UFO's sale.

These are the cars in question, the UFO on the left, the CEO on the right...

Other major Chinese carmakers are announcing their plans to have models in Europe by 2011 once they meet European safety and emissions regulations:

Geneva show boasts green

The EU is about to make official their proposal that will force carmakers to cut average carbon dioxide emissions by 25%; current levels stand at 160 grams per km.

That's why most automakers will be showing off their environmentally friendly vehicles at the Geneva Motor Show this week. Standouts include:

• Saab 9-1X, a compact, ethanol-powered crossover
• Toyota iQ concept car
• Audi A3 convertible
• Kia Soul

New SUVs will be on display as well, most notably:

• Toyota Urban Cruiser, based on the Yaris
• Volvo XC60, a smaller XC90, based on the Land Rover Freelander platform
• Renault Koleos, their first SUV, based on partner Nissan's X-trail

Diesel electric hybrid SUV concepts will be shown by BMW and Mercedes Benz, the latter with their GLK model.

World Car of the Year 2008 finalists

World Car of the Year finalists:

1. Ford Mondeo
2. Mazda 2/Mazda Demio
3. Mercedes-Benz C-Class

To be eligible for a World Car award, the contender had to be in production, and sold, on at least two continents during 2008. The winner of the overall World Car of the Year Award must excel in a broad range of attributes.

World Performance Car finalists:

1. Audi R8
2. Audi S5 coupe
3. BMW M3

The World Performance Car award must demonstrate "a specific and overt sports/performance orientation while satisfying the same availability criteria as for the overall World Car of the Year award."

The World Car of the Year is a non-profit program. Vehicles are selected and voted on by an international jury panel comprised of forty-seven (47) top-level automotive journalists from Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, India, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Russia, Sweden, Turkey, and the United States. The award itself has no affiliation with any auto show, publication, automaker or other commercial enterprise.

2008 World Car of the Year: Mazda

The 2008 World Car of the Year is the Mazda2/Mazda Demio.

The Ford Mondeo placed second, with the Mercedes-Benz C-Class third.

To be eligible for a World Car award, the contender had to be in production, and sold, on at least two continents during 2008. The winner of the overall World Car of the Year Award must excel in a broad range of attributes.

The 2008 World Performance car of the Year is the Audi R8.

The BMW M3 came in second, and the Audi S5 Coupe third.

The World Performance Car award must demonstrate "a specific and overt sports/performance orientation while satisfying the same availability criteria as for the overall World Car of the Year award."

The World Car of the Year is a non-profit program. Vehicles are selected and voted on by an international jury panel comprised of forty-seven (47) top-level automotive journalists from Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, India, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Russia, Sweden, Turkey, and the United States. The award itself has no affiliation with any auto show, publication, automaker or other commercial enterprise.

Luxury cars in China: BMW and Hyundai-Kia

A recent post talked about the paradox in China's automotive policy: the government wants manufacturers to make electric and hybrid cars, but at the same time price controls on gas are motivating the sale of SUVs and luxury cars.

Here's what some of the major carmakers are doing in China:

BMW in China: Will triple capacity by 2012, from 35,000 to 100,000 annual units, via their joint venture with Brilliance China. Car sales grew 43 percent (14,574 units) from January to March this year, after growing 42 percent in 2007.

Hyundai-Kia in China: Working to expand presence, Hyundai just opened second plant to achieve annual output of 600,000 units, Kia will open second plant in 2010. Have released two high-end vehicles, the Rohens (Genesis) luxury sedan, and the Barui (Mohave) luxury SUV.

Anatomy of an Automobile

Anatomy of an automobile: road vehicle that is motor-driven and is used for transporting people. Trunk: place for stowing baggage. Tail light: rear light. Spare wheel: wheel of a car used to replace a damaged wheel. Wheel: round object that turns around a central axel and allows the car to advance. Transmission: automobile apparatus that transmits mechanical power to the wheels. Muffler: device used to reduce engine noise. Line shaft: axle on which mechanical power is transmitted to the wheels. Body side moulding: decorative moulding on the side of a car. Disk brake: mechanism that slows and stops a car by friction, by pressing a disk against the axel of a wheel. Oil filter: device that removes impurities from oil passing through it. Alternator: generator that produces an alternating current. Radiator: apparatus that cools the motor. Distributor: case that is used to fire the cylinders. Battery: device that generates electric current. Air filter: device that remove impurities from air passing trough it. Windshield washer: liquid used to clean the windows. Steering wheel: device used to handle a car in conjuction with steering and gear systems. Windshield wiper: movable device, made partly of rubber, that wipes the windshield and rear window of a car. Seat: type of armchair in the passenger compartment of a car. Window frame: border around a window. Rearview mirror: inside mirror used for looking backward.