Automotive

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 »

Guide helps drivers save money while reducing greenhouse gas emissions

October 15, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC – 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 »

Facility represents successful scale-up of company's technology and showcase for the world's first commercially-viable flex ethanol process

2009-10-15 -- Madison, PA - Coskata Inc., a leading developer of next-generation biofuels, today announced the successful start-up of its semi-commercial flex-ethanol facility located in Madison, PA. The accomplishment represents the successful scale-up of the company's technology, and will serve as a showcase for the world's first commercially viable flex-ethanol process.    » read more »

Ford Motor Company’s year-to-date hybrid sales are 73 percent higher than the same period in 2008, fueled by the introduction of hybrid versions of the 2010 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan

DEARBORN, Mich., Oct. 14, 2009 – Ford Motor Company’s hybrid vehicle sales have risen 73 percent this year in sharp contrast to a 14-percent decline in hybrid sales across the industry.

The fuel economy and durability of hybrid versions of Ford Fusion and Escape, Mercury Milan and Mariner also are winning over large numbers of conquest customers, many of whom are previous import owners. Through September, Ford has sold 26,016 hybrid vehicles, up 73 percent versus the same period in 2008, according to figures from Autodata Inc.    » read more »

October 13, 2009 -- The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has released a convenient online directory of Web-based tools, database searches, cost calculators, and interactive maps—all related to alternative fuels and advanced vehicles.

This comprehensive Web page helps users quickly navigate to the 23 tools, maps, and searches available on the Alternative Fuels and Advanced Vehicles Data Center (AFDC) Web site for transportation technologies. Users can find the tools page on the AFDC under Information Resources at www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/applications.html.    » read more »

Statement of Joe Hinrichs, group vice president, Global Manufacturing and Labor Affairs, Ford Motor Company.

DEARBORN, Mich., Oct. 13 – Ford and the United Auto Workers union have reached a tentative agreement on additional modifications to the 2007 UAW-Ford national labor agreement, which would help Ford improve its current and long-term competitiveness in the United States.

The tentative agreement, which covers approximately 41,000 UAW-represented employees in the United States, is subject to ratification by the active UAW-Ford membership. We will not discuss details of the agreement until after the ratification process is complete.

Source: Ford Motor Co.

Ford Motor Company's joint-ventures and wholly-owned entities in China delivered record sales of 119,338 units in the third quarter, an increase of 79 percent from a year ago

SHANGHAI, Oct. 13, 2009 – Ford Motor Company continued its record growth in China in the third quarter, with sales of its joint-ventures and wholly-owned entities increasing 79 percent over the same period last year, to 119,338 units. Through the first nine months of the year, its sales rose 32 percent to 316,639 units.    » read more »

GM is investing more than $230 million in four greater Flint, Mich. plants to support production of the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze and Volt

2009-10-13 -- FLINT, Mich. - General Motors Company is investing more than $230 million in four GM plants in the greater Flint area to support the production of the fuel-efficient 2011 Chevrolet Cruze and Volt, representing more than 500 jobs. The four GM plants include Flint Engine South, Flint Metal Center, Flint Tool & Die and Grand Blanc Weld Tool Center.    » read more »

Ford achieved a market share high of 10.1 per cent in September in its 19 European main markets – the best share for any month for Ford of Europe since September 2001

COLOGNE, October 12, 2009 – Ford achieved a 10.1 per cent market share in September 2009 in its 19 European main markets – the best share for any month since September 2001 and a 0.8 percentage point increase on the same month 2008.

A total of 51,400 new Ford Fiestas were registered in Europe last month – the best September for Fiesta since 1994.    » read more »

DETROIT and SICHUAN, Oct. 9, 2009 - General Motors (GM) and Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery Co., Ltd (Tengzhong), today announced that the companies have entered into a definitive agreement that will allow Tengzhong to acquire GM's premium all-terrain HUMMER brand.

Under the terms of the definitive agreement, the buyer will acquire the ownership of the HUMMER brand, trademark and tradenames, as well as specific IP license rights necessary for the manufacture of HUMMER vehicles. The buyer will also assume the existing dealer agreements relating to HUMMER's dealership network.    » read more »

Tracking Volatile Energy Prices

Energy prices are volatile. They change as market participants adjust their expectations to new information from physical energy markets and markets for energy-related financial derivatives. Futures and options markets are a valuable source of information regarding these changing expectations.    » read more »

October 6, 2009 -- WASHINGTON D.C. - An amendment authored by U.S. Congressman Dan Boren and included in the FY 2010 Energy and Water Appropriations Act has now passed both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. The amendment provides a $5 million funding boost at the U.S. Department of Energy for research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) of natural gas vehicle (NGV) technology.

The amendment, and the underlying legislation in which it was included, was approved late last week and now heads to the White House where it is expected to be signed into law.    » read more »

BRENTWOOD, Essex, 6 October 2009 – Ford car sales were up by over 22 per cent in September, compared with the same month in 2008. This is twice the size of the market increase after a busy month of new "59" plate and "scrappage" registrations.

Over 54,500 new cars left Ford dealerships – 22.2 per cent more than during September 2008.

The market leader, Ford, took 14.8 per cent of all car sales and 15.7 per cent of the total UK vehicle market last month once commercial vehicle registrations are factored in. In either case, Ford's share is around a percentage point higher than a year ago.    » read more »

More competitive operating model and streamlined leadership structure in place

2009-10-07 -- DETROIT - General Motors today outlined progress it has made toward achieving commitments in its business plan, including implementing a leaner structure, building stronger brands, and driving a company culture that puts the customer at the center of everything it does.    » read more »

Schumer Calls On Congress To Quickly Pass His Legislation Banning Dangerous Practice

October 4, 2009 -- Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer released a new report showing the severe danger of texting while driving posed to New York City area teenagers. Schumer’s report found that nearly 100 teenagers were killed in the New York City area in just the last five years in accidents where the driver was found to be texting while they were driving.    » read more »