Given an improving business environment for GM over the past few months, and the importance of Opel/Vauxhall to GM’s global strategy, the GM Board of Directors has decided to retain Opel and will initiate a restructuring of its European operations in earnest.
GM will soon present its restructuring plan to [...]
ROUSH is developing two propane-fueled Mustang drag cars to run in the NMRA 2010 season.
The drag cars are an offshoot of the kits that ROUSH Performance uses to convert gasoline-powered Ford pickups and vans to run on propane. One advantage that propane has, especially in a drag racing application, [...]
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the National Research Foundation of Singapore launched a new project to develop new models and tools for the planning, design, and operation of future urban transportation. Aimed at making urban transportation systems more environmentally sustainable—first in Singapore, and ultimately on a global scale—these [...]
The Bosch Group, the Reutlingen University of Applied Sciences, the University of Stuttgart, and the state of Baden-Württemberg will establish a center for power electronics studies and research. The Baden-Württemberg state government has given the project the go-ahead.
Power electronics includes modules, components, and systems that are used in [...]
Verenium Corporation, a cellulosic ethanol developer and high-performance specialty enzyme company, announced the successful closure of previously defined programs under its joint research collaboration with Syngenta Participations AG of Switzerland. (Earlier post.)
In connection with the completion of those programs, the parties have executed an agreement whereby Verenium [...]
JoongAng Daily. Newly-established Dongfeng Motor Korea (DFMK) will begin importing vehicles from Dongfeng Motor in China—the first incursion of China-built vehicles into the South Korean market. DFMK will sell four models: a one-ton truck, a commercial minivan and a six- and nine-passenger van from April 2010.
“The vehicles are 30 [...]
The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) will issue an RFP before the end of the year for contractor assistance in development of a deployment plan that will implement AASHTO’s IntelliDrive Strategic Plan.
The IntelliDrive system—formerly known as Vehicle Infrastructure Integration or VII—will combine technology solutions [...]
After a successful New Zealand North-South drive at an average of 64 mpg Imp. (4.4 L/100km, 53.3 mpg US) last month, a Suzuki Alto has taken part in a further MPG marathon, this time down through Australia, managing to complete the journey at an average consumption of 72 mpg [...]
Toyota Motor Sales (TMS) USA has partnered with the Surfrider Foundation to create a specially modified Camry Hybrid fueled by compressed natural gas (CNG). The Toyota Surfrider Camry Hybrid CNG and two modified Prius gas-electric hybrid vehicles are on [...]
The Nikkei reported that Nissan Motor Co. will build a joint-venture lithium-ion battery plant in France in 2012 to supply Renault. In addition to batteries, Nissan and Renault plan to work together on motors and other key components of electric vehicles to bring down production costs.
Automotive Energy Supply Corp., [...]
Navistar, Inc., concluded an agreement to acquire certain assets and the membership interests of Continental Diesel Systems US, LLC, to manufacture key fuel injection components for Navistar MaxxForce diesel engines. The company also will establish a dedicated research and development facility to support Navistar’s diesel power system components.
The [...]
Rice University and Houston-based M-I SWACO, the world’s largest producer of drilling fluids for the petrochemical industry, recently signed an agreement for research funds to develop a graphene additive that will improve the productivity of wells.
M-I SWACO will spend $450,000 over two years for research by the lab of [...]
Reuters. Jerry York, former GM director, projected that US auto sales are likely to remain flat in 2010. York told the Reuters Autos Summit in Detroit that “I just can’t fathom anything that’s going to cause a material increase in auto sales in this country in 2010 compared to [...]
