Automobiles

Rules will reduce oil usage and global warming pollution

September 15, 2009 -- Washington, DC -- The Environmental Protection Agency and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration today announced new fuel economy and greenhouse gas rules for vehicles, calling for a fleet average fuel economy of 35.5 miles per gallon and emissions of 250 grams per mile of CO2-equivalent-emissions by the 2016 model year.

Statement of Ann Mesnikoff, Sierra Club Green Transportation Campaign    » read more »

Group Urges Administration to Finalize Standards And Avoid Creating New Loopholes

WASHINGTON (September 15, 2009) — New proposed vehicle standards announced by the Obama administration today represent the largest increase in fuel economy in three decades, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS).

The new standards, which were released by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Transportation (DOT), would boost the fleetwide fuel economy of new vehicles sold in the United States to 34.1 miles per gallon by model year 2016. The standards also would set the first national tailpipe heat-trapping emissions standard for vehicles at 250 grams per mile, nearly 30 percent less than the emissions produced by today's average new vehicle.    » read more »

No Gasoline or Tailpipe Pollution in Reaching Milestone

2009-09-11 -- DETROIT, September 11 - The Chevrolet Equinox fuel cell electric vehicles today passed 1 million miles of gasoline and tailpipe pollution-free driving by homemakers, accountants, computer game designers and others using the vehicles every day in real-world conditions.

More than 50,000 gallons of gasoline have been saved so far in the fuel cell Equinox, more than 100 of which are part of the largest consumer fuel cell demonstration fleet in the world. The fuel cell electric Equinox runs on electricity created by an on-board fuel cell stack. The only emissions are wisps of water vapor.    » read more »

Cash for Clunkers Wraps up with Nearly 700,000 car sales and increased fuel efficiency

August 26, 2009 -- The CARS program came to a close Tuesday night with nearly 700,000 clunkers taken off the roads, replaced by far more fuel efficient vehicles. Rebate applications worth $2.877 billion were submitted by the 8 p.m. deadline, under the $3 billion provided by Congress to run the program.

Cars made in America topped the most-purchased list, from the Ford Focus to the Toyota Corolla to the Honda Civic.    » read more »

In August, Ford is on track to post its highest monthly F-Series and Escape sales of 2009 following strong sales for both vehicles in July

DEARBORN, Mich., Aug. 27, 2009 – Ford Motor Company today announced it is adding third production shifts at its Dearborn Truck Plant and Kansas City Assembly Plant’s sport utility line to help meet strong demand for Ford F-150 pickups and Escape utility vehicles.

In August, Ford expects to post its first monthly year-over-year sales increase for F-Series trucks since October 2006, as well as another record-setting sales month for Escape.    » read more »

Governor awards $100,000 to Ashland electric motorcycle company

August 31, 2009 -- (Ashland) – Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski today toured two start-up electric vehicle companies in southern Oregon as part of his initiative to transition the state toward cleaner, more sustainable transportation options.

While visiting Brammo, Inc., an electric motorcycle company headquartered in Ashland, the Governor announced a $100,000 grant from his Strategic Reserve Fund for workforce training to assist the company in growing their workforce by more than 300 employees over the next two years.    » read more »

Gov. Nixon reminds young Missourians that state law banning texting while driving takes effect today

August 28, 2009 -- LEE'S SUMMIT, Mo. - Beginning today, it is illegal for drivers age 21 and under to send, read or write text messages while driving on Missouri roads. Missouri Governor Jay Nixon and Missouri State Highway Patrol Assistant Superintendent Lt. Col. Richard Coffey were in Lee's Summit today to remind young drivers and their parents that enforcement of the new Missouri law banning texting while driving is now in effect.    » read more »

Expansion brings 240 new jobs to North Alabama

August 21, 2009 -- MONTGOMERY - Alabama Governor Bob Riley today commented on news that Toyota plans to expand its Huntsville engine production facility, investing an additional $147 million and adding at least 240 new jobs. The expansion will bring total investment at Toyota’s Alabama plant to $637 million and the total number of jobs to more than 1000.

Governor Riley made the following statement:    » read more »

Growing Support for National Fuel Use and CO2 Reduction Program

Williamsburg, VA –The EcoDriving movement continues to grow. And to mark its one-year anniversary ten new governors have announced support for this national initiative to promote green driving. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-CA), Governor Bill Ritter (D-CO), the Environmental Defense Fund and the Auto Alliance launched the EcoDrivingUSA program at a news conference a year ago, in August 2008.    » read more »

ERLANGER, Ky. (August 21, 2009) -- Toyota will add capacity at its engine plant in Huntsville, Ala., to increase North American production of four-cylinder engines. The expansion will allow Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Alabama (TMMAL) to produce 216,000 four-cylinder engines annually. Production will begin by summer 2011.

The plant currently builds both V8 and V6 engines. The expansion will bring its annual engine capacity to 577,000.

At least 240 new employees will be hired, raising total employment at TMMAL to more than 1,000. New investment will be $147 million, bringing the total to $637 million.    » read more »

Company adds 60,000 cars and trucks to production schedule

2009-08-18 -- Detroit – General Motors is increasing production at several North America assembly plants in response to increased sales. The company will add shifts, overtime and reinstate forecasted down weeks at select facilities. As a result, GM will add about 60,000 vehicles in the third and mainly the fourth quarter production forecast, ensuring a wide selection of high-quality, fuel efficient cars, crossovers and trucks for customers.    » read more »

2009-08-20 -- In order to meet high customer demand for new fuel-efficient GM cars, crossovers and trucks under the Federal CARS (Cash for Clunkers) Program, the company will today begin providing cash advances to dealers which are equivalent to the amount of federal rebates which are being processed for that dealership's qualifying new vehicle sales. As a result, dealers will have the liquidity to run their businesses effectively in the midst of this extremely successful program, and to continue immediately delivering new vehicles to GM customers.    » read more »

FCHV-adv achieves 431 mile estimated range

TORRANCE, Calif., August 6, 2009 - Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., (TMS) announced today the results of a recent collaborative fuel cell hybrid vehicle range and fuel economy field evaluation. The Toyota Highlander Fuel Cell Hybrid Vehicle – Advanced (FCHV-adv) achieved an estimated range of 431 miles on a single full tank of compressed hydrogen gas, and an average fuel economy of 68.3 miles/kg (approximate mpg equivalent) during a day-long trip down the southern California coast.    » read more »

Global Product Acceleration: By 2012, Ford plans to replace or refresh 70 to 90 percent of its vehicle lineups by volume in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific and Africa.

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich., Aug. 6, 2009 – Ford Motor Company today said it plans to further accelerate new product introductions across North America, Europe and Asia Pacific enabled by its efficient global product development system, significant structural cost reductions and disciplined cash management.    » read more »

Ford executive Sue Cischke cites need for continued cooperation between the automotive industry and the federal government in pursuit of greener transportation vision, noting the significant role of government in shaping the transportation fleet of the future

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich., Aug. 6, 2009 – Ford Motor Company’s top environmental officer today pointed to the need for continued cooperation with the federal government as a significant factor to advance the company and the country’s vision for greener transportation.    » read more »