9.1.2010
Infiniti has announced that it will reveal the 2012 M Hybrid at the LA Auto Show on November 18.

8.5.2010
The Porsche 918 Spyder plug-in hybrid car has been approved for production by the Supervisory Board of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart. According to Porsche, the move reflects an overwhelming positive response from the public and customers to the Concept Study – an ultra-high-performance mid-engined sports car with plug-in hybrid technology.
 

Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid

8.5.2010
With the announcement that the plug-in hybrid 918 Spyder will see the light of production, Porsche announced that it is committed to the development of pure-electric sports cars.

7.27.2010
The Chevrolet Volt will have an MSRP of $41,000 when it goes on sale later this year. Tax credits for purchasing the car range from $0 to $7,500, which could lower the price to $33,500.

2010 Honda Civic Hybrid

7.20.2010
Honda announced today that it will introduce new advanced environmental technology vehicles in the U.S. in 2012. The products will include a battery-electric commuter vehicle and a new plug-in hybrid system for mid-size to large vehicles.

2010 Toyota Prius

6.30.2010
Michael Duoba, an automotive engineer with the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory, says that the process the EPA was using to measure fuel economy of hybrid vehicles had to be changed.

6.16.2010
In a sea of safety innovation, how does Volvo, an icon of automotive safety, set itself apart?

6.10.2010
Eight months after the launch of V8-powered Panamera S, 4S and Turbo models, more fuel-efficient Panameras powered by V6 engines have begun arriving in Porsche dealerships.

5.26.2010
A day after Nissan CEO Caros Ghosn said that the company’s 2010 production of the Leaf electric car was already spoken for by consumers who have pre-ordered, the company announced a $1.7 billion investment at its Smyrna, Tennessee plant to supply battery packs to power the vehicles.

5.18.2010
The Ford Fiesta could become the best fuel economy play Ford has to meet demand and interest for more fuel efficient vehicles. And the long-awaited ad campaign ushering the new sub-compact to the marketplace will consistently remind potential buyers that it beats all rivals in its class including those from Toyota and Honda in features as well as miles-per-gallon.

5.12.2010
The state of the minivan market, and a mini-minivan comparison of the segment’s two strongest players.

4.30.2010
Inside the world’s largest cities – such as New York, Paris and London – automotive tastes are getting small. Such is the inspiration for the Start Concept, which made its debut in Beijing last week.
 

I have been in a self-induced automotive coma for the past 10 years. But, I am happy to report that I just woke up. My first act after this deep sleep was driving a 2010 Chevrolet Equinox, after which I had a startling revelation about General Motors and where the company stands post-bankruptcy.

2010 Volkswagen Polo

Volkswagen won two of four categories in the 2010 World Car of the Year Awards including the overall title and green car. Sister brand Audi also captured the performance car category with the R8 V10.

2012 Ford Focus

Ford is unveiling the all-new third generation Focus at the North American International Auto Show this week and under the "One Ford" strategy put in motion by CEO Alan Mullaly it will again be a global design. After launching in late 2010 with a four cylinder gasoline engine, a battery powered Focus Electric will be added to the lineup in 2011.
 

Paolo Ferraro

A lineup of Chrysler executives took the stage in Auburn Hills to outline, the company's plans for the next five years. The tie up with Fiat will allow Chrysler to significantly upgrade its powertrain lineup by adding small engines from Italy, dual clutch gearboxes and new diesel engines. Powertrain SVP Paolo Ferraro didn't give any specific timing for the introduction of diesels to the US market but did emphasize that after-treatment systems would allow Fiat diesels to meet US and EU emissions standards.
 

Bob Carter

Toyota group vice president and general manager Bob Carter told media in Detroit that Toyota would introduce a battery electric vehicle in 2012. The company also has plans to introduce a fuel cell vehicle by 2015 if an adequate hydrogen fueling network has been established by that time. Carter emphasized that automakers need to be honest with consumers about the capabilities of alternative fuel vehicles to avoid consumer disappointment.

Takanobu Ito with the Honda FCX Clarity and EV-N concept

New Honda CEO Takanobu Ito used the Tokyo Motor Show as a platform to introduce a new dedicated hybrid sports coupe and a battery electric city car. However, Ito remains firmly convinced that hydrogen fuel cells will be the best long-term solution to full function zero emissions vehicles.
 

2010 Volkswagen Golf TDI

Volkswagen is bringing the sixth generation of its compact Golf to the North American market for the 2010 model year and with it comes the return of diesel power. Green Fuels Forecast went to Germany to sample the new Golf TDI on its home turf.
 

Volkswagen Golf TwinDrive

Volkswagen is currently in the process of building a 20 car fleet of plug-in hybrid Golfs for a field test in several German cities. Green Fuels Forecast had the opportunity to learn more about the new cars and evaluate the TwinDrive Golf in Germany this week.
 

Ford Ecoboost 3.5-liter V6

Just 36 months after starting development, Ford earlier this year introduced its first EcoBoost engine in the Ford Flex and Taurus SHO and the Lincoln MKS and MKT. Ford was not the first automaker to introduce gasoline turbocharged direct injection engines, but it is making a major push to take the technology mainstream. The innovations it has developed have led to the filing of 125 US patents for EcoBoost.
 

Chevrolet Volt

During a press conference this morning Fritz Henderson, General Motors CEO announced that the Chevrolet Volt is expected to get a composite fuel economy rating of 230 mpg in urban driving. The number is based on a draft EPA testing methodology for extended range electric vehicles.

2011 Buick PHEV crossover teaser

Following the announcement that General Motors would introduce a plug-in hybrid crossover badged as a Buick in 2011, Green Fuels Forecast spoke with Larry Nitz, director of hybrid powertrain development. Nitz shared some additional information about may be the first mainstream production plug-in hybrid.
 

Chevrolet Volt

The United States Department of Energy will award $2.4 billion in grants to help fund manufacturing of advanced batteries and electric drive components as well as deployment in the US. Over $1 billion of the total will go to projects in economically depressed Michigan where a number of companies have announced plans to build lithium ion batteries for the auto industry.
 

Nisan LEAF electric car

Nissan unveils its new dedicated electric car that will go into production in 2010 with the name LEAF. The compact five seat LEAF is powered by lithium ion batteries and is expected to have a range of approximately 100 miles per charge. The LEAF will initially be built in Japan with additional capacity to be added in about 2012 at the Smyrna TN plant. Nissan has not announced pricing but has indicated it would be priced under $30,000 in the US market.
 

Yoshimi Inaba

New Toyota North America President Yoshimi Inaba has reiterated the company's position that pure battery electric vehicles are unlikely to be mainstream in the near future. Speaking to a group of media in Detroit, Inaba-san maintained that while it is working on electric vehicles, Toyota's emphasis will remain on hybrids for now.
 

Audi R15 TDI

The combination of a world-wide economic crisis and increasing concerns about the environment have triggered many questions about whether motorsports is relevant anymore. Scott Atherton, CEO of the American Le Mans Series discusses the economics of racing and his series attempts to promote "Green Racing."
 

General Motors announces that its Lake Orion Michigan assembly plant has been selected to build its new B-segment small car. Earlier this year the plant had been put on closure list following the decision to eliminate the Pontiac division in 2010. The decision will preserve 1,400 jobs in Michigan.
 

A pair of researchers from the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute have released a new study that concludes that automakers could actually become more profitable by improving fuel economy. This conclusion that runs counter to conventional wisdom is based on economic modeling that shows consumers would be willing to pay higher margins for more efficient vehicles in spite of the higher cost.
 

Ford Focus EV platform

US Energy Secretary Dr Steven Chu announces that the first applicants for the Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing program have been approved. Ford, Nissan and Tesla Motors will all get low interest loans from the US Department of Energy to help retool factories to build electric vehicles and advanced batteries.
 

A new San Diego California based start up carmaker announces plans to build cars at a closed Louisiana parts factory. V-Vehicle Company publicly announced its intention to take over a Monroe, LA facility previously owned by Guide Corp. a former lighting systems division of General Motors.
 

General Motors this week officially inaugurated its new Global Battery Systems test lab. The new battery test facility is located at the automaker's Warren, MI tech center and is claimed to be the largest and most advanced facility in the United States.
 

Coda EV sedan

Miles EV announces that it will establish the new Coda Automotive brand for its full speed electric vehicles. The first product will be the Coda sedan. Coda plans direct sales of the $45,000 four door battery powered car starting in the fall of 2010.
 

Miles Electric Vehicles has already been selling Chinese built low speed electric vehicles in the US market for several years. In 2007, the company announced plans to introduce a full speed electric car which should finally arrive in 2010. The new full speed EV will get new branding to separate it from the Miles branded low speed EVs.
 

Saturn Aura prototype with HCCI engine

General Motors powertrain researchers have made steady progress on Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI) engines since first demonstrating prototypes in mid 2007. The operating range of this new combustion technology has now been expanded to include light loads from idle to 60 mph. The engines provide a 15 percent boost in efficiency compared to conventional spark ignition engines and GM hopes to have them on the market by 2014.

Chevrolet Volt powertrain development prototype

More than two years after first unveiling its concept for an extended range electric vehicle, General Motors is now giving members of the media their first opportunity to actually drive prototypes of the Chevrolet Volt. Green Fuels Forecast drove a Chevy Cruze with the Volt's electric powertrain at the GM Technical Center in Warren MI
 

Over the past year as General Motors financial condition has steadily worsened, virtually every product program at the automaker has been canceled or delayed save one. Over that time the company has repeatedly affirmed its commitment to the Chevrolet Volt. For now at least GM won't be getting any money from the Department of Energy to help fund that development.
 

Lou Rhodes and the Dodge Circuit prototype

Just eighteen months ago Chrysler announced the formation of its ENVI division to lead its development of electric drive vehicles. Lou Rhodes, president of ENVI along with executive engineer Doug Quigley discussed Chrysler's EV programs which actually began two years before the launch of ENVI.

Tesla Model S

In Santa Monica California today, Tesla Motors has revealed its long awaited follow up to the battery powered Roadster. The Model S is a five passenger, hatchback sports sedan that also runs exclusively on battery power. The car is currently planned to go into production in 2011, however, that depends on Tesla's ability to raise the money to complete development and build a factory.

Aptera 2e

One of the more eagerly anticipated alternative fuel vehicles of 2009 is the Aptera 2e. The tear-drop shaped two seater has drawn nearly as much attention for its sci-fi appearance as its powertrain. Marques McCammon, Chief Marketing officer for Aptera spoke with Green Fuels Forecast about the vehicle and safety concerns over its configuration.
 

Porsche Cayenne Hybrid

Porsche will be publicly unveiling two greener versions of its Cayenne SUV at the Geneva Motor Show next week. The first, a diesel powered version recently launched production and will be on sale soon. The second is a hybrid variant that will go on sale in 2010.
 

Rick Wagoner announcing Volt battery production

As the 2011 inches closer to production late in 2010, General Motors engineering staff is growing increasingly confident that the battery pack for the ground breaking car will last the life of the vehicle. General Motors engineers have developed management strategies that they hope will insure optimal performance and durability.
 

Going into 2008 Tesla Motors was hoping for some stability as it looked to begin customer deliveries of its electric Roadster and move onto its second model. Unfortunately continuing technical issues were followed by turmoil in the financial markets and more upheaval in the executive suite. A year later CEO Elon Musk sat down with Green Fuels Forecast to discuss the state of the business.
 

Audi R10s at Sebring 2008

The American Le Mans Series capped its tenth anniversary season in 2008 with record attendance, participation and the launch of the Green Challenge. Looking ahead at 2009 the series faces the same intense economic challenges as virtually every other business. Scott Atherton, ALMS CEO discusses the challenges and opportunities for the new year.
 

Fisker Karma S concept

Henrik Fisker came to Detroit this week for the North American International Auto Show to unveil the production version of his Karma plug in hybrid sport sedan. At the same time Fisker unveiled a concept for the second car his company plans to produce a 2-door hard top convertible called the Karma Sunset.  Video of our discussion with Henrik Fisker is embedded in the story.
 

Ford Focus EV development prototype

Ford made news at the North American International Auto Show week by announcing it would build both a battery electric commercial van in 2010 and a battery electric car the following year. The company brought two powertrain development vehicles to the show that members of the media were able to take for short drives near Cobo Center.
 

Chevrolet Volt battery pack

General Motors CEO Rick Wagoner today announces that the automaker will be assembling the battery packs for extended range electric vehicle, the Chevrolet Volt at a new factory in Michigan. General Motors will own and operate the plant and use lithium ion cells supplied by South Korea's LG Chem.
 

2010 Ford Fusion hybrid

For the 2010 model year Ford is making a full frontal assault on Toyota's Camry hybrid with the introduction of hybrid variant of its mid-sized Fusion sedan. Green Fuels Forecast spent an afternoon driving this new hybrid sedan around the crowded streets of Los Angeles and came away with an outstanding 43.1 mpg average fuel economy handily beating any other car in the mid-size segment currently available in the US market.

2009 MINI E

BMW reveals the first stage of its Project I electric vehicle development program at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Following the official unveiling Green Fuels had an opportunity to take a short drive around downtown LA in the new battery powered MINI.

Nancy Gioia introduces the 2010 Fusion Hybrid

At the Los Angeles Auto Show Ford introduces its second generation hybrid platform for the Fusion and Mercury Milan sedans.  Following the unveiling Green Fuels Forecast spoke with Nancy Gioia, director of sustainable mobility technologies for Ford about the new hybrids, the company's plug-in hybrid test program, and batteries.

John Krafcik

At the Los Angeles Auto Show Hyundai announces the new hybrid drive system that will debut in the 2011 Sonata. Green Fuels Forecast sat down with John Krafcik, newly promoted to acting president and CEO to learn more about the innovative new system.

MINI E

At the Los Angeles Auto Show BMW reveals the lithium ion battery powered battery powered MINI E. The company has built 500 of the plug-in electric cars that it will lease to customers in the Southern California and New York City areasbeginning in January 2009. The cars will be used by BMW to gain real world experience with battery powered vehicles.

Hyundai Hybrid Blue Drive

At the Los Angeles Auto Show Hyundai announces that it won't wait until 2020 to meet the new 35 mpg corporate average fuel economy standard. The automaker's new Blue Drive efficiency strategy is expected to allow it to meet the standards by 2015. A mix of technologies including hybrids, direct injection, weight reduction and even fuel cells will help the company meet its goal.

New data showing corn prices tracking closely with the world price of crude oil may largely put an end to the food vs fuel debate with ethanol. There has been no significant change in consumption of corn for ethanol production, but the price of the crop has dropped significantly right along with oil prices. 

Johan de Nysschen, EVP Audi of America

Despite the massive juggernaut of TDI and the logistics machinery to support a two-week drive, Audi spent the last two weeks seeding the market with the Audi Mileage Marathon in somewhat guerrilla or viral fashion. Given the word-of-mouth nature of interest for diesels, it may be the right marketing approach considering the anxious buying public and so far niche-nature of diesel buyers.

Chrysler Electric Vehicles

Chrysler LLC, which began 2008 with the unveiling of a trio of electrically driven concept vehicles, announces four models targeted for production beginning in late 2010. The battery powered vehicles include an electric only sports car, and a pair of extended range electric vehicles all with lithium ion batteries along with a newly redesigned neighborhood electric vehicle.

Honda Insight Concept

As with other recent auto shows, the Paris Motor Show coming up in early October will again feature a wide array of fuel and emissions saving concept and production cars from around the world. New hybrid cars will be appearing from Honda, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Citroen, Peugeot and others will share the stage with new diesels from General Motors, Volkswagen and Subaru. Flexible bio-fueled vehicles and electrics will also be rolling out in the city of lights.

2011 Chevrolet Volt

As General Motors enters its second century facing the biggest financial crisis in its history, it unveils the production version of the car that it hopes will represent a newbeginning . Sixteen months are unveiling the Chevrolet Volt as a concept, the production design is unveiled at General Motors centennial celebrations.

Ford ECOnetic badge

In the leadup to the 2008 Geneva Motor Show Ford has outlined it's European Sustainability Strategy.  The company plans to follow a number of paths in an effort to reduce fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions.  The heart of its plans is cost effectiveness.