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2007 Ford Verve Concept

Say hello to Verve, Ford's small, fuel-efficient and affordable alternative, something that could go up against the likes of the Toyota Yaris or Honda Fit, according to thecarconnection.com.

And from the hints the U.S. automaker is dropping, its Verve concept may very well fill the small car hole in its lineup.

The concept builds on prior prototypes, such as the Iosis, which, in Ford-speak, introduced the new "kinetic design" philosophy. The sculpted form is designed to project both agility and muscularity - in sharp contrast to the cheap-and-cheerful small cars of the past.

Posted by Peter C. T. Elsworth  at 11:27 AM to Ford | Permalink | Comments 0

Hyundai Reaches with i30cw

On its Frankfurt motor show stand, Hyundai revealed a new tall-wagon variant for its i30 model line, which is new for 2008, according to thecarconnection.com.

The i30cw, which is reportedly destined for U.S.shores next year in slightly different form as the Elantra wagon, has what is called a "new wagon design philosophy," which translates to a more elegant, better-handling wagon design that brings the convenience of a van.

Overall length is about 176 inches - about three inches shorter than the Kia Rondo - making it significantly shorter than mid-size sedans but longer than most subcompacts. A long wheelbase of 106.2 inches is the key to the i30cw's very impressive interior space of 14.7 cubic feet with the back seats in place and 49.3 cubic feet with them folded flat.

Posted by Peter C. T. Elsworth  at 11:25 AM to Hyundai | Permalink | Comments 0

Toyota and VW developing competition for Daimler's Smart car

While Daimler continues to plug money into the never-profitable smart project, its very dogged determination has attracted at least two wannabes to the Frankfurt auto show this year, according to thecarconnection.com.

Volkswagen's UP! Concept is one, and Toyota 's IQ city car is the other.

Posted by Peter C. T. Elsworth  at 11:21 AM to Mercedes-Benz , Toyota , VW | Permalink | Comments 0

VW Mulling car plant in U.S.

While the automaker still needs "to do some homework," it is beginning to look like little more than a matter of time before Volkswagen officials approve a long-considered U.S. assembly plant, according to thecarconnection.com.

One of the key questions left to resolve is whether the automaker will use that facility to produce a product specifically for the American market, agreed several senior officials, or one or more high-volume models that could be exported around the world, in part, to take advantage of the steadily weakening U.S. dollar.

Posted by Peter C. T. Elsworth  at 11:18 AM to VW | Permalink | Comments 0

European Carmakers Bet That the U.S. Is Ready for Diesel

FRANKFURT, Germany — Two decades after diesel cars all but vanished from American roads in a cloud of sooty smoke, are Americans ready to give them another try?

That is a big question at the Frankfurt Motor Show this week, as European carmakers roll out “clean diesel” vehicles — their answer to the call for more efficient, climate-friendly cars, according to the New York Times.

Betting that diesel power will become an alternative to the hybrids popularized by Toyota and other Japanese carmakers, Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Volkswagen all plan to sell new diesel automobiles in the United States in the coming year, and many of them are on show here

Posted by Peter C. T. Elsworth  at 11:12 AM to Alternative fuels , BMW , Design , Environment , Mercedes-Benz , VW | Permalink | Comments 0

UAW locals rally, fear loss of work

Tensions are ratcheting up as the deadline nears on the labor contract negotiations between the UAW and the Detroit automakers, according to the Detroit Free Press.

Around 1,000 UAW members rallied on the west lawn of Chrysler headquarters in Auburn Hills Wednesday to show discontent with their local negotiations, which are running concurrent with national talks. In particular, they oppose the automakers' demands that contract workers replace some union members.

Posted by Peter C. T. Elsworth  at 11:08 AM to Unions | Permalink | Comments 0

GM says Saturn electric Vue may be on the road by '09

FRANKFURT, Germany -- Saturn will put General Motors Corp.'s first plug-in hybrid -- a Vue compact SUV that can run up to 10 miles solely on electricity and switch to an engine for longer trips -- on the road "very quickly," brand general manager Jill Lajdziak said Wednesday, according to the Detroit Free Press.

"In 2009-ish," Lajdziak said.

Posted by Peter C. T. Elsworth  at 11:06 AM to Alternative fuels , Environment , Fuel economy , GM | Permalink | Comments 1

Judge says states can regulate emissions

A federal judge in Vermont said Wednesday that states have the authority to regulate carbon dioxide and other so-called greenhouse gas emissions from autos, a ruling that could require automakers to boost fuel economy as much as 59% by 2016, according to USA Today.

Because the only way to cut CO2 emissions is to burn less fuel, car companies say the ruling improperly allows states — not just the federal government — to set fuel-economy standards.

Automakers and their trade groups were still wading through the 244-page ruling late Wednesday. The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, which represents most big automakers, said it was "considering the options, including an appeal." The deadline for that is Nov. 13.

Posted by Peter C. T. Elsworth  at 11:04 AM to Environment | Permalink | Comments 0

Oil hits new high above $80

LONDON - Oil rose to an all-time high of $80.20 on Thursday after Hurricane Humberto forced the closure of some U.S. Gulf refiners and stoked concerns of fuel shortages this winter, according to Reuters News Agency.

Investors were also building up positions in the market -- their enthusiasm growing thanks to a market structure that can virtually guarantee favorable returns.

U.S. crude traded 21 cents lower at $79.70 a barrel by 10:36 a.m. EDT, having eased from its new record. London Brent crude also shed 21 cents to $77.47.

U.S. gasoline prices soared by 1.7 percent to $2.05 a gallon after Hurricane Humberto shut oil shipping channels and three refineries as it slammed onshore Texas.

Posted by Peter C. T. Elsworth  at 11:01 AM to Crude oil market | Permalink | Comments 0