Think details its plans to let its simple, bold electric cars “change the world”
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Manufacturing/Plants, Europe/EU, Th!nk (Think), USA
Think City in Turku, Finland – Click above for high-res image gallery
After almost 20 years in the electric car business, Think is finally, seriously ready to bring its City electric vehicle (EV) to the world. The company has suffered through a lot these past few years, but the way things look right now, EV fans – starting with European and American urbanites – will have the chance to buy the quirky but wonderfully functional EV very soon.
The City has been available in Europe for a while, not counting the time when Think was bankrupt and needed to be bailed out and move production from Norway to Finland. The car sold in Europe uses an MES-DEA Zebra Sodium battery that isn’t the newest technology, but it works and has gotten Think this far. New packs – including lithium-ion units from EnerDel and other suppliers – are on the horizon and are playing a role in Think’s upcoming expansion into markets and, soon, with new vehicles.
We recently had the chance to visit Think’s new production line at the Valmet Automotive factory in Uusikaupunki, Finland. We got to drive the latest Euro-spec City, see the vehicles being made and learn how this small and simple EV is trying to “change the world, one car at a time.” Read on after the jump to find out more.
More Toyota accidents allegedly caused by sudden acceleration occur in Wisconsin, Canada
Filed under: Sedan, Recalls, Safety, Crossover, Toyota
The past few days have seen a new rash of stories about Toyotas run amok. First, a 2009 Venza struck a house in Hamilton, Ontario. According to The Hamilton Spectator, the driver said he lost control of the vehicle after experiencing uncontrolled acceleration. While 2009-2010 Venzas were recalled for the infamous floor-mat issue, police have yet to determine whether the Hamilton incident was a result of faulty hardware or driver error. No one was injured.
The Seboygan Press is also reporting that a 2009 Camry accelerated and climbed a small embankment while the driver had her foot on the brake in Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin. The 76 year-old driver, Myrna Marseille, suffered a broken sternum from the impact. In Marseille’s case, her Camry had already been serviced to correct the floor mat interference issue.
The reports join those of a San Diego man who had to call on the police to help him slow down his Prius after high-speed stint on the interstate and another Prius crash in New York. In the California case, both the NHTSA and Toyota found nothing wrong with the car (though the California Highway Patrol’s view may differ). Likewise, the New York incident was found to be driver error.
[Sources: Sheboygan Press, The Hamilton Spectator]
More Toyota accidents allegedly caused by sudden acceleration occur in Wisconsin, Canada originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Mar 2010 17:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Report: NSC decrees all cell phone driving as dangerous, cites 30 studies
Filed under: Safety, Technology
Surprise, surprise. The National Safety Council just released a report saying that all cell phone use while driving – even hands-free – is potentially dangerous and “risky behavior.” The study includes some pretty scary figures, including this one: At any time, 11 percent of drivers on the road are on their phones at the same time. Even worse, the NSC estimates that one out of every four automobile accidents occur because the at-fault driver was on the phone. The NSC combed over and referenced 30 scientific studies and reports for its findings.
While you can technically operate a cell phone and a vehicle at the same time, it seems that our brains aren’t hardwired to process that much information simultaneously. According to the study, the result is that while we may see everything on the road, our noggins are only making use of around 50 percent of the available information while we’re on the phone. Yikes. Want to know more? Click here to visit the NSC’s official page.
[Source: The Detroit Bureau]
Report: NSC decrees all cell phone driving as dangerous, cites 30 studies originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Mar 2010 15:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Lentz: Toyota sales expected to be up 30% in March, incentives working
Filed under: SUV, Plants/Manufacturing, Toyota, Earnings/Financials
Despite pulling in the reins on production facilities in the U.S. and Europe, Toyota says it’s on track to topple its sales figures for this time last year. According to Jim Lentz, President of Toyota Motor Sales, by the time all the numbers come in for March, sales should be up 30-35 percent over 2009, even with the negative impact from the company’s recall bombardment.
Curiously enough, the biggest motivator behind the upswing is the Rav4. Toyota moved a total of 22,000 of the small SUVs during March, thanks largely to aggressive incentives and an overall market recovery. No matter the cause, the numbers are clearly good news for a company that’s seen its reputation plummet in recent months.
[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req'd]
Lentz: Toyota sales expected to be up 30% in March, incentives working originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Mar 2010 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Skoda to launch Yeti in India by June this year
Czec Republic auto company and Volkswagen subsidiary Skoda auto is all set to launch its mini SUV Yeti in India by June this year. Yeti is expected to be priced between Rs 12 to 14 lakh.
Yeti was displayed at the Auto Expo 2010 where it attracted huge amount of spectators. Thought the details of Yeti has not be released officially expect it to come with next generation features such as multiple airbags, ABS (Antilock Braking System) and EBD (Electronic Brake-Force Distribution).
2011 Infiniti QX56 – official photos
In the Internet appeared the first official photos of the new Infiniti QX56, “leaked” from the press service of Nissan in just a few days before the premiere of new car. As expected the fans of Japanese luxury brand SUV 2011 model year was only slightly modified version of the last generation Nissan Patrol, whose debut was also held recently – in February. If there are exterior features Infiniti – bizarre twists lines Chuck, complex form of lights, huge air intakes, the interiors of the two models are almost identical.
Technically, both the SUV is also very similar. At the QX56 is set 5.6-liter V8 engine with 400 hp, packaged with seven-speed automatic transmission. Corporate-wheel drive with a choice of manual modes and an improved roll resistance, simplify life SUV driver. The official world premiere Infiniti QX56 2011 will be held this weekend at the New York Auto Show.
Marchionne: Chrysler will break even in 2010
Filed under: Chrysler, Earnings/Financials, Fiat
Think Chrysler is having a banner 2010? A quick glance at the sales charts shows a company in dire need of new product, better quality and a Hail Mary on the showroom floor. But as bad as the situation is right now in Auburn Hills, MI, it appears the company could just about be done bleeding cash.
The Detroit News reports that Chrysler/Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne told a group of reporters that he was committed to breaking even, adding that the company won’t lose money on an operations basis this year. Is Sergio being optimistic or is he basing his numbers on cold, hard facts? Who knows, but when asked if there was a chance Team Pentastar could pull of an actual 2010 profit, he reportedly answered “who knows?”
Marchionne also told reporters that Chrysler had $5 billion in cash at the end of 2009, the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee was on schedule to hit production on May 3, and that 50 percent of all Chrysler Group vehicles will be riding on Fiat platforms by 2014. The Fiat/Chrysler CEO also reiterated his stance that Chrysler would sell 1.1 million vehicles this year and that U.S. auto sales would crest 11 million units in 2010.
It’s only fair that Marchionne gave us a state of The Pentastar update given the fact that today marks the one-year anniversary of when the Obama Administration gave Chrysler 30 days of working capital to work out an official tie-up with Fiat.
[Source: The Detroit News] Read more…
