Automotive

10/29/09 -- Today Congressman Tim Bishop made the following statement at a Transportation & Infrastructure Committee on the Problem of Distracted Driving:

It is the responsibility of this committee to ensure that our nation’s roadways are not only up to the task of connecting our communities and promoting commerce, but also with protecting the safety of American’s, both directly and indirectly involved with transportation.    » read more »

Bloomington, IL.– October 30, 2009 – State Farm applauds Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) for sponsoring the Distracted Driving Prevention Act of 2009. The company said this legislation (S. 1938) is a good first step toward addressing the problem of distracted driving and its threat to the lives and safety of millions of drivers, passengers and pedestrians.    » read more »

Cash Flow Turns Positive; North America Profitable

DEARBORN, Mich., Nov. 2, 2009 – Ford Motor Company [NYSE: F] today reported net income of $997 million, or 29 cents per share, in the third quarter as strong new products, structural cost reductions and improved results at Ford Credit lifted the company’s results despite continued weak global economic conditions. This is a $1.2 billion improvement compared with the same period last year.    » read more »

Transit Connect BEV is the first production vehicle from accelerated electric vehicle strategy

DEARBORN, Mich., Oct. 30 – Ford Motor Company announced today that Azure Dynamics Corporation (TSX: AZD) has joined in a collaborative effort to deliver a pure battery electric Ford Transit Connect van for the United States and Canadian markets in 2010. Azure will integrate its Force Drive ™ battery electric drive train in the Transit Connect van for commercial fleet and retail use.

The collaboration with Azure Dynamics for the Transit Connect BEV will build on the existing business relationship between Ford and Azure as well as their shared experience with battery supplier, Johnson Controls-Saft.    » read more »

October 29, 2009 -- WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., announced that Tenneco Inc. will receive a $24 million conditional loan from the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing (ATVM) Incentive Program. The ATVM program is intended to help the automotive industry meet or exceed the Administration’s new fuel economy standards and help America regain its competitive edge in world markets.

The loan will support the development of fuel efficient emission control components for advanced technology vehicles. Sen. Stabenow authored the language that created this program, and was included in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 .    » read more »

October 27, 2009 -- Wilmington, DE -- As part of the of the Administration’s commitment to jumpstarting the production of fuel efficient vehicles in America, Vice President Joe Biden today announced Fisker Automotive is re-opening a shuttered former GM factory in Wilmington, Delaware, to produce long-range, plug-in, electric hybrid vehicles. The Wilmington assembly plant was selected by Fisker Automotive for its primary global production facility based on its size, production capacity; and access to shipping ports, rail lines and skilled workforce.    » read more »

October 27, 2009 -- Today’s announcement that auto production will be returning to the old GM’s assembly facility in Wilmington, DE, is an example of how successful partnerships can help transform the American auto industry of the future.

The White House Council on Automotive Communities and Workers has worked closely with the state of Delaware, federal agencies and the old GM to help support this successful announcement, and will continue working with states and agencies across the country to support positive economic transitions in auto communities.

Mission of the White House Council on Automotive Communities and Workers    » read more »

Tenneco is Fifth Company to Receive Conditional Loan Commitment from DOE’s Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program

October 27, 2009 -- Washington, DC – The Department of Energy (DOE) announced that it has entered into a $24 million conditional loan commitment with Tenneco Inc. to develop fuel efficient emission control components for advanced technology vehicles.

The loan is part of the Department’s commitment to helping the auto industry meet or exceed President Obama’s tough new fuel economy standards, while helping America regain its competitive edge in world markets.    » read more »

October 27, 2009 -- Wilmington, DE – As part of the of the Administration’s commitment to jumpstarting the production of fuel efficient vehicles in America, Vice President Joe Biden today announced Fisker Automotive is re-opening a shuttered former GM factory in Wilmington, Delaware, to produce long-range, plug-in, electric hybrid vehicles.

The Wilmington assembly plant was selected by Fisker Automotive for its primary global production facility based on its size, production capacity; and access to shipping ports, rail lines and skilled workforce.    » read more »

October 27, 2009 -- WASHINGTON — Sens. Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow, both D-Mich., announced today that Michigan researchers will receive more than $5 million for work on clean energy technologies for motor vehicles. The funding comes from the Department of Energy’s recently-formed Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E). General Motors will receive $2,655,174 and Michigan State University will receive $2,540,631.

“Michigan has always been a leader in manufacturing and the auto industry, and these grants will keep this cutting-edge work happening in our state,” Levin said. “Achieving energy independence is critical to our economic and environmental interests.”    » read more »

October 27, 2009 -- WASHINGTON — Sens. Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow, both D-Mich., announced today that Michigan researchers will receive more than $5 million for work on clean energy technologies for motor vehicles. The funding comes from the Department of Energy’s recently-formed Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E). The General Motors Company in Warren will receive $2,655,174 and Michigan State University in East Lansing will receive $2,540,631.

“Michigan has always been a leader in manufacturing and the auto industry, and these grants will keep this cutting-edge work happening in our state,” Levin said. “Achieving energy independence is critical to our economic and environmental interests.”    » read more »

New Policies Miss Opportunity to Reward Low Mileage Drivers and Reduce Pollution

SACRAMENTO, CA (October 19, 2009) –The Natural Resources Defense Council today said that new California “Pay As You Drive” insurance regulations will not likely save Californians money nor significantly reduce global warming pollution. The final regulations, which merely permit insurance companies to verify the miles their customers drive, can be found here.

“Our auto insurance policies are sorely behind the times,” said Justin Horner, NRDC transportation policy analyst. “No one should be fooled. The new regulations proposed today cannot be characterized as green. They are nowhere close to what is needed to help the environment or reduce global warming pollution.”    » read more »

Prevents High-Speed Chase

2009-10-19 -- Detroit, Mich. – GM and OnStar announce the use of OnStar’s Stolen Vehicle Slowdown (SVS) service to help safely recover a 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe that was carjacked at gunpoint from a subscriber in Visalia, California. This is the first time that SVS has been activated to help a subscriber in a carjacking situation.

At approximately 3:18 a.m. PDT on Sunday, Oct. 18, Lindsay, California resident Jose Ruiz and his cousin were carjacked by a lone assailant wielding a shotgun. The perpetrator ordered the two men out of the vehicle, robbed them of personal belongings and sped off in the Tahoe.    » read more »

Guide helps drivers save money while reducing greenhouse gas emissions

10/15/2009 -- WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy today unveiled the 2010 Fuel Economy Guide, which gives consumers important information about estimated fuel costs and mileage standards for model year 2010 vehicles.

“Every year, consumers use the Fuel Economy Guide to find clean, efficient, cost-effective vehicles that meets their needs and their budgets,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. “It’s an easy, accessible resource for everyone, and helps us cut harmful pollution from the air, and save money for American drivers.”    » read more »

October 15, 2009 -- DETROIT—A federal indictment was unsealed late yesterday in Detroit charging Xiang Dong Yu, aka Mike Yu, 47, of Beijing, China, with theft of trade secrets, attempted theft of trade secrets and unauthorized access to a protected computer, announced Terrence Berg, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan. Yu was arrested on Oct. 14, 2009 at the Chicago O’Hare International Airport upon entering the United States from China. Berg was joined in the announcement by Andrew G. Arena, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI.    » read more »