Can plug-in vehicles make any money before they become outmoded?
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Green Daily
Nissan Leaf EV – Click above for high-res image gallery
Writing on the AltEnergyStocks site, John Peterson tries to make the case that plug-in vehicles are a bad investment for automakers and are unlikely to be profitable anytime in the foreseeable future, certainly not before they are obsolete. Considering the issue purely from a business case perspective, Peterson is very likely correct, at least for the first generation or two. Cars like the Nissan Leaf and Chevrolet Volt will almost certainly be money losers for the lifecycle of the first-generation models (for its part, Nissan says they will make a profit off of the Leaf, though it isn’t going into details). However, without the creation of money-losing first-generation models, it would be hard to get to subsequent iterations with improved technology, lower manufacturing costs and higher volumes, thus bringing the costs down.
Peterson also argues that battery makers are overvalued and at “nosebleed” levels, and specifically mentions A123 Systems and Ener1. While both companies may well be overvalued based on their current stock prices – $13.67 for A123 and $4.40 for Ener1 – from where we sit, these hardly qualify as nosebleed and are well below their peaks of the past year. Both of those companies also have new battery plants opening this year, not 2012 and beyond as Peterson says in his article.
In general, it’s certainly hard to make a viable economic case for first-generation plug-in vehicles based on fuel savings and cost of the vehicles, but if batteries are ever going to progress, this is a step that needs to be taken. It may well turn out that plug-in vehicles never turn out to be the best solution, but if no one tries, it won’t ever be known.
[Source: AltEnergyStocks] Read more…
2011 Mini Countryman Q&A: What the Insiders are Saying
Jim McDowell, Mini USA’s so-called “Chief Motor Officer,” has been heading BMW’s innovative small car division here since late 2006. In that time, the U.S. has become Mini’s largest single market, confounding the conventional wisdom that Americans won’t buy premium-priced small cars. Here’s his take on the new Mini Countryman, which made its North American debut at the New York Show, and will hit North American Mini showrooms in February:
What’s the Countryman going to do for the Mini franchise in the U.S.?
Porsche rules out a smaller SUV
The Porsche Cayenne will be the smallest SUV built by the manufacturer, as it fears a smaller SUV would pinch sales from the Cayenne’s sales.
Company insiders have said that they believe that there is strong evidence of the Audi Q5 taking sales from the Audi Q7, and are not willing to follow a similar route. The Cayenne accounts for up to 50% of the firm’s profits, and the new model is due to go on sale on the 29th May. The range will feature a diesel and, for the first time, a hybrid with a V6 petrol engine.
The two petrol models, the S and the Turbo, both use a 4.8 litre V8, with 395bhp and 493bhp. Porsche claims 27.6mpg for the Turbo.
Prices for the new car start at £41,404 for the entry-level model. The diesel costs £44,178, while the S costs from £53,693. The new S Hybrid is the second most expensive Cayenne, at £57,610, while the flagship Turbo reflects on an £81,589 price-tag.
2010 Malaysian Grand Prix: If at first you don’t succeed… [SPOILER ALERT]
Filed under: Motorsports
![malaysian10gp000opt 2010 Malaysian Grand Prix: If at first you dont succeed... [SPOILER ALERT]](http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/04/malaysian10gp000opt.jpg "2010 Malaysian Grand Prix: If at first you dont succeed... [SPOILER ALERT]")
2010 Malaysian Grand Prix – Click above for high-res image gallery
Red Bull Racing has had a hell of an ascension over the past few seasons. It started out as Stewart Grand Prix then changed names to Jaguar Racing before the Austrian energy drink concern swooped in and took over. In the five years since, the team went from a solid mid-fielder (if sometime back-marker) to serious contender. Nobody could have seen it coming, but last season Red Bull finished second in both the constructors’ and drivers’ championships, coming this close to upsetting Jenson Button and the boys at Brawn GP for both titles.
This season, however, is quickly turning into Red Bull’s time to shine. But so far it’s only amounted to pole positions. A good place to start, sure, but not enough to claim titles on its own. In the opening two grands prix this season, Red Bull claimed pole at both: Sebastian Vettel leading Ferrari’s Felipe Massa and Fernando Alonso in Bahrain, repeating the feat in Australia but with team-mate Mark Webber sandwiched between Vettel and Alonso. Neither race translated into victory, however, as the RB6 suffered technical failures both times out. Would the boys at Red Bull make it a hat-trick of poles at Sepang? And more importantly, would they translate their qualifying prowess into race victory? Follow the jump to find out.
Gallery: 2010 Malaysian Grand Prix
International racing organizations meet to discuss environmental responsibility
2009 24 Hours of Le Mans Start – Click above for high-res image gallery
Aside from the thrill of the race, motorsports are useful because the race cars they showcase often pass their genes down to the everyday vehicles that we drive. In an effort to perhaps hold its position as a trendsetter, or just to be more green, the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) held a meeting to discuss alternative energies that can be utilized in all major categories of racing. The meeting, held at the Automobile Club de Monaco, brought together the heads of four international of motorsport federations, including motorcycles, powerboats, automobiles and aeronautics. FIM chairman Robert Rasor commented on the gathering by stating,
This was an interesting meeting and we expect to work together with the other motorsport federations and join forces to develop a common strategy towards the environment and its protection and promote the use of alternative energies.
Understanding that even motorsports can have an impact on the environment, either directly or indirectly, is a step in the right direction. Working together, the groups will draw from learned expertise and move towards a greener racing environment quickly. Here’s hoping their efforts do more than slowly trickle down into vehicles that we drive day in and day out.
[Source: Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme] Read more…
Hybrids: Reasons not to listen to Forbes
It won’t create energy independence?
Yesterday, Forbes ran Reasons not to buy a hybrid, yet Forbes couldn’t offer one compelling reason not to buy a hybrid, assuming energy independence was their primary goal, as stated in their subtitle.
Hybrid vehicles, even the plug-in kind, are simply inefficient because they have two powertrains according to Forbes.
Who cares? Success is about one thing and one thing only, cost-effectiveness. According to Toyota, sometime after 2020 the price difference between hybrids and non-hybrids will be a minor fraction of what is today, and quickly recovered via gains in fuel economy, especially if gas prices continue to rise in the next decade.
Even if true, they still can’t lead to energy independence Forbes claims.
New York 2010: Kia Sorento SX Makes Big Debut, Adds Unique Look
Complete Info Article on Sorento SX HERE
[Source: Kia Motors America]
Continue reading for more hi-res images of the Sorento SX.
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