Report: Mahindra looking to buy stake in Reva?
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, India
Reva NXR – Click above for high-res image gallery
India’s Economic Times spoke to “a person with direct knowledge” of a potential deal between electric car company Reva and Mahindra & Mahindra to learn that we might soon hear about a partnership that would either see Mahindra take a majority stake in Reva or there being some sort of strategic alliance between the two companies. Apparently, Global Environment Fund and Draper Fisher Jurvetson, which invested about $20 million in Reva back in 2006, are looking to get out of their involvement. Mahindra and Reva have both either denied the story or have said they won’t comment on “speculative stories.”
One number in the ET report that might be of interest: Reva has sold around 3,500 of its electric quadricycle (known as the G-Wiz in the UK) since launching it in 2001. Reva’s upgraded NXR electric car has been delayed by about a year to late 2010. Mahindra, for its part, is scheduled to launch an all-electric version of it’s Maxximo this October.
Gallery: Reva NXR
GM will have brake override on every automatic transmission vehicle by 2012
Filed under: Technology, GM
If there’s a silver lining in the rash of unintended acceleration claims that have popped up against Toyota as of late, it’s that manufacturers from around the world are beginning to think about incorporating brake override systems in their products. General Motors has just announced that all of its vehicles with automatic transmissions and electronic throttle control will boast an “enhanced smart pedal” by 2012.
Essentially, the unit will reduce engine power in the event that both the accelerator and brake pedals are depressed simultaneously. We’re having a hard time envisioning an event that would cause us to stand on both pedals at the same time, but hey, it takes all kinds. Hit the jump to check out the press release.
[Source: General Motors]
Continue reading GM will have brake override on every automatic transmission vehicle by 2012
GM will have brake override on every automatic transmission vehicle by 2012 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Apr 2010 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Report: NHTSA to seek $16M fine against Toyota for recall scandal
Filed under: Government/Legal, Recalls, Toyota
After much deliberation, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has decided to issue a $16.4 million penalty to Toyota – the maximum fine allowed – for failing to recall vehicles due to faulty accelerator pedals in a timely fashion. This will be the largest fine ever issued to an automaker by the government.
The U.S. DOT says that Toyota failed to promptly notify the government about the defective gas pedals amongst its model range. According to NHTSA, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood says that there’s evidence to prove Toyota knew of the gas pedal problem as early as late September, yet the official recall was not issued until the end of January.
For now, Toyota has two weeks to either accept the penalty and pay up, or contest the government’s decision and continue deliberations. Hit the jump to read NHTSA’s official press release.
[Image: Alex Wong/Getty]
Continue reading Report: NHTSA to seek $16M fine against Toyota for recall scandal
TVS Motors to relaunch Max 100 as Max4-R
TVS Motors is contemplating to relaunch the legendary Max 100 motorcylces in India as Max4-R, to give stiff competition to Hero Honda CD Dawn and Bajaj Platina. The Max4-R will use the 110cc engine from Jive unlike the old 2 stroke 100cc engine. Max 100 which was known for its sturdiness was stopped due to strict enforcement of emission norms which the 2 stroke bikes did not comply. The Max4-R is targeted at rural markets and is expected to be priced around Rs 34,000/- (ex-showroom, Chennai).
Source: Motorbeam.com
Video: Teasing the crocodile-skin covered Bentley Continental GT
Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Bentley, Russia, Design/Style, Luxury
Click above to view the video after the jump
Oh, Russia. How could a country that gave us the Lada – a car so right it hasn’t changed since disco was king and coke his queen – turn around and provide the world with this monstrosity. If you’ve just eaten, allow us to provide a word of warning: the video after the jump isn’t for weak stomachs. A company out of the motherland has taken it upon itself to swaddle a Bentley Continental GT in a unique wrap. While tuners and motorsports teams have been dipping their favorite cars in different color vinyl for years now, a few enterprising souls have decided to take things to a whole new level.
Instead of relying on vinyl, this particular tuner decided to cover the entirety of the Bentley coupe in African Buffalo hide. But wait, there’s more! The hides are stamped with a crocodile skin pattern, giving the whole disaster a distinctly exotic feel. As momma used to say, there’s no accounting for taste, son. Mildly NSFW video after the jump.
[Source: YouTube]
Continue reading Video: Teasing the crocodile-skin covered Bentley Continental GT
Video: Teasing the crocodile-skin covered Bentley Continental GT originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Apr 2010 17:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
2010 World Car of the Year is Volkswagen Polo
Volkswagen Polo is named as the World Car of the Year 2010 judged by 59 automotive journalists from around the world.
A battery-powered chance for the Big 3
Detroit’s best selling hybrid
Last year, Toyota sold hundreds of thousands of hybrid cars, and since the launch of the Prius, Toyota has sold millions of hybrids.
Ford, the leading American hybrid manufacturer, has only sold about 125,000 hybrids in total since the launch of its first hybrid.
Fortunately, Toyota uses NiMH batteries in its hybrids, rather than the lithium-ion batteries that will power the future of hybrid cars and plug-in hybrid vehicles. Thus, it seems the Big 3 have a chance to catch up to Toyota’s battery-powered lead.
Yet, the Big 3 – and America – seem woefully unprepared.
