Automobiles

Ford Makes Progress On Sustainability Strategy By Increasing Fuel Economy, Lowering Emissions

DEARBORN, Mich., June 23, 2009 – Today, U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced that Ford has been approved for the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Incentive Program. The following is the statement of Ford President and CEO Alan Mulally:

“Ford Motor Company is proud to be among the first automakers deemed by the government to be among the best companies with the best technologies in American manufacturing and fuel efficiency.

"This green partnership between Ford and the U.S. government will help accelerate the development of advanced technologies for even better fuel efficiency and emissions.    » read more »

Improving Fuel Economy, Lowering Emissions;Ford’s Blueprint for Sustainability addresses the challenges of climate change and energy security, while creating safer, more fuel-efficient products

DEARBORN, Mich., June 23, 2009 – Ford Motor Company’s Blueprint for Sustainability includes the introduction of a range of global environmental technologies to provide more fuel-efficient vehicles that emit fewer greenhouse gases without compromising customer expectations for safety, interior room or performance. Since its original introduction in 2007, Ford accelerated key aspects of its sustainability strategy including a more detailed plan for vehicle electrification and other advances.    » read more »

Corporation Sponsors Exhibit at Maryland Science Center on Automotive Energy Efficiency

HOUSTON -- Today ExxonMobil took an important step in meeting the world’s growing energy needs by announcing the sponsorship of an all-electric car-sharing and rental program, called AltCar, at the Maryland Science Center in Baltimore, MD.

The new electric vehicles at the science center, called the Maya-300, are powered exclusively by enhanced lithium ion battery technology. They are one of the first fleets of all-electric vehicles using this technology in a consumer car-sharing and rental program in North America. ExxonMobil’s battery separator film enables the use of Electrovaya’s Lithium Ion SuperPolymer® battery in the vehicle.    » read more »

J.D. Power and Associates Ranks Honda CR-V and Ridgeline Highest in Segments in Initial Quality Study; Honda's East Liberty Plant earns Gold Plant Award

06.22.09 -- The Honda CR-V, the top-selling CUV in the U.S., and the Honda Ridgeline pickup ranked highest in their respective segments in the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Initial Quality Study℠ (IQS), American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced today. Honda's East Liberty, Ohio manufacturing facility, which assembles the Honda CR-V, also received a coveted Gold Plant award, ranking it as the top factory in the Americas.    » read more »

Lexus Regains Top Nameplate Ranking, LX 570 and LS 460 Finish One-Two

TORRANCE, Calif., June 22, 2009 – Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., today earned 10 segment awards in the 2009 J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study (IQS). The Lexus nameplate finished first overall, with the LX570 capturing the top spot as the most problem-free vehicle.

“We're quite pleased to lead 10 segments and Lexus' top position overall,” said TMS President Jim Lentz. “The dependability of our vehicles has always been a major factor in the company’s success. The IQS 90-day feedback is just one measurement – along with warranty claims, long-term durability, resale value and buyer loyalty – that helps us gauge our overall quality.”

Lexus    » read more »

Ford Brand Quality Improves For The 8th Straight Year In 2009 J.D. Power And Associates Initial Quality Study

DEARBORN, June 22, 2009 – Ford Motor Company recorded another strong improvement in J.D. Power and Associates' 2009 Initial Quality Study, putting the Ford and Mercury brands among the best in the industry, placing the Ford and Mercury brands among the study's top ten brands scoring highest in initial quality.

The Ford brand, which continues to outpace the overall industry's quality improvement, now has posted eight consecutive years of gains in the closely watched quality study based on consumer evaluations after the first three months of new-vehicle ownership. Overall, the Ford brand improved by 10 points over last year's study.    » read more »

New Engine Joins Two V-6s for an All-Direct Injection Lineup

2009-06-22 -- DETROIT – A fuel-efficient, direct injected Ecotec 2.4L four-cylinder engine will be the third engine offered in the 2010 Buick LaCrosse luxury sedan. Backed by a fuel-saving six-speed automatic transmission, the new powertrain combination is expected to deliver fuel economy of 30 mpg highway and 20 mpg city*– making LaCrosse one of the most fuel-efficient cars in its segment.    » read more »

But May Not Be Adjusting Maintenance Habits; Survey Shows a Potential Gap Between What Drivers Should Be Doing and What They Are Doing

June 22, 2009 -- FAIRFAX, Va. -- Drivers intend to keep their vehicles longer than they originally intended, but may not be adjusting their maintenance habits to keep pace with their change in plans. This finding is the result of a recent auto maintenance survey commissioned by ExxonMobil.    » read more »

Legislation part of Final Supplemental Appropriations of 2009, Will be sent to President for his Signature

June 18, 2009 -- Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) today praised Senate passage of “Cash for Clunkers” legislation, which was part of the final Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2009. Once signed into law, the program will allow consumers to trade in older, dirtier vehicles in exchange for a voucher of up to $4,500 to help pay for the purchase or qualified lease of a new, more fuel-efficient vehicle.

This program mirrors Senator Stabenow’s Drive America Forward legislation, which she introduced last month.    » read more »

Congress Officially Passed National "Cash for Clunkers Plan" Giving NY Drivers $4,500 Cash if they Swap Old, Inefficient Cars for Newer, Fuel Efficient Models

June 19, 2009 -- U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer is today calling on all New Yorkers to take advantage of the “Cash for Clunkers” program approved by the Senate last night. The program allows Upstate New York drivers to trade in their older, less fuel efficient cars, trucks and SUVs for more fuel efficient vehicles.    » read more »

June 19, 2009 -- Washington, DC – All 17 Members of the Michigan Congressional Delegation – 15 Members of the U.S. House of Representatives and two United States Senators – sent the following letter to Ron Bloom and Steven Rattner, members of President Obama’s Auto Task Force, asking them to consider a modification to the existing Auto Supplier Support Program for some short-term relief to their cash crunch. Below is the letter from the members:

June 18, 2009

Mr. Ron Bloom
Counselor to the Secretary
Department of the Treasury
1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20220

Mr. Steven Rattner
Counselor to the Secretary
Department of the Treasury
1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20220

Dear Mr. Bloom and Mr. Rattner,    » read more »

June 19, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Russ Feingold took the case of the Wisconsin auto industry directly to President Obama yesterday, telling him how important the industry is to the state. Feingold spoke with President Obama by phone and had another conversation with White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel yesterday.

During both conversations, Feingold stressed the important role the auto industry has played in Wisconsin for generations, and the impact losing the auto industry would have on Wisconsin's economy and employment situation.    » read more »

June 18, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senators Herb Kohl and Russ Feingold and Representatives Paul Ryan and Gwen Moore met with executives from Chrysler to urge a second look at keeping the automaker’s Kenosha facility open.

The delegation members met with Jim Press, Chrysler’s Vice Chairman and President, and John Bozzella, Chrysler’s Vice President of External Affairs. When Chrysler filed for Chapter 11 protection, it revealed its plans to close the Kenosha plant as part of its bankruptcy reorganization.    » read more »

“Cash for Clunkers” program will create and preserve Hoosier auto jobs, reduce dependence on oil

June 18, 2009 -- Washington – Senator Evan Bayh is supporting congressional efforts to boost car sales in Indiana and across the country, stimulate the struggling automotive sector, and reduce the nation’s overall dependence on foreign sources of oil.

Bayh is a cosponsor of the Drive America Forward Act of 2009, known more commonly as the “Cash for Clunkers” program. The legislation would provide financial incentives for the purchase of new, more fuel-efficient cars for consumers who trade in older vehicles with poor fuel-efficiency ratings.    » read more »

June 18, 2009 -- Washington, DC - Automakers today applauded the release of the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s reauthorization proposal, "The Surface Transportation Authorization Act of 2009." According to the blueprint released today, the bill will provide Highway Trust Fund money to states conditional upon whether they enact primary safety belt enforcement laws and mandate the use of ignition interlock devices for first-time drunk driving offenders.    » read more »