Posts Tagged ‘Automaker’
New Video of 2011 Hyundai Avante (Elantra) Surfaces
Hyundai held an official test-drive event of the all-new 2011 Avante (Elantra) for journalists in Pyeongchang, South Korea today. We are awaiting more official photos from the automaker before we put up our post of the event. If pictures speak a thousand words, how can we describe the gorgeous high-definition video above, brought to you by CarMStyle? Flick on the 720p HD option and the stunning body lines and curves of the new Avante might just come to life. Enjoy!
[Source: CarMStyle]
First Drive: 2011 Nissan Leaf doesn’t change the game, just the players
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Nissan, In The AutoblogGreen Garage
We’ve met the Nissan Leaf before. First at its coming-out party in Japan, followed by an all-too-brief stint behind the wheel of a Versa-based prototype late last year. Now we’ve had a chance to sample Nissan’s first foray into the world of electric vehicles in production form and the automaker picked one of its most important markets – the heart of Silicon Valley – to give us some seat time.
If there’s any area ripe for early-EV adoption, it’s San Jose, CA. And during a quick test loop through the tight confines of Santana Row and a run through the city’s suburban surrounds, it’s obvious that the first mass-produced EV is officially ready for prime-time.
Follow the jump to continue.
Photos copyright (C)2010 Damon Lavrinc / AOL
Continue reading First Drive: 2011 Nissan Leaf doesn’t change the game, just the players
First Drive: 2011 Nissan Leaf doesn’t change the game, just the players originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 27 Jul 2010 19:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Autoblog Green
Report: Toyota to kill Sequoia, Tundra redesigned in 2014
Filed under: SUV, Truck, Toyota
At it’s peak in 2002, Toyota was selling over 70,000 Sequoias. Last year, that number dropped to below 20,000 units. So it comes as little surprise that ToMoCo will be nixing its Tundra-based SUV at the end of the current model’s lifecycle.
A source speaking with PickupTrucks.com confirmed that the Sequoia won’t live on, partially due to slow sales, but surely in part to get Toyota’s CAFE ratings in check before the new rules hit in 2015. But all’s not lost for the automaker’s body-on-frame offerings.
A redesigned Tundra is set to arrive in 2014, just in time for Ford, General Motors and Nissan’s newest half-ton pickups. Although sales of the Tundra haven’t lived up to Toyota’s lofty expectations, it’s obvious the automaker feels the need to compete in the segment, and a refreshed model should help sales, despite the market’s less-than-enthusiastic reception of Toyota’s largest pickup.
Gallery: 2010 Toyota Sequoia
[Source: PickupTrucks.com]
Report: Toyota to kill Sequoia, Tundra redesigned in 2014 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Jul 2010 11:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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BMW recalling 2010-2011 5 Series, 5GT models over fuel tank sensors
Filed under: Sedan, Wagon, Government/Legal, Recalls, Safety, Crossover, Hatchback, BMW
If the fuel gauge in your 2010 or 2011 BMW 5-Series sedan or 5-Series Gran Turismo tells you that you’ve got plenty of petrol, you may want to hit the gas station before going on that long trip anyway. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website reports that 6,080 5-Series sedan and GT models built between January 12 and July 1, 2010 are being recalled for a faulty fuel sensor. In certain cases, the sensor can wedge itself against the tank, which will lead to the fuel gauge reading that the vehicle has more fuel than it actually does. Drivers suddenly saddled with a fuel-free Bimmer while driving could wind up getting into an accident or being stranded by the side of the road, and that’s not good at all.
The NHTSA website currently shows that BMW still hasn’t provided an appropriate fix for the issue, but when the automaker does, owners will doubtlessly be able to head over to the nearest BMW dealer for a free repair. Head across the jump to read over the official NHTSA press release.
Gallery: Review: 2010 BMW 550i Gran Turismo
Photos by Drew Phillips / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: NHTSA]
Continue reading BMW recalling 2010-2011 5 Series, 5GT models over fuel tank sensors
BMW recalling 2010-2011 5 Series, 5GT models over fuel tank sensors originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Jul 2010 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Do auto makers have to become battery makers?
Can automakers profit from outsourced batteries?
Can automakers afford lithium?
Today, lithium is already available on the high end of the luxury hybrid market. Soon, however, lithium battery packs will be available in many other hybrids, plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles.
Still, can automakers derive a profit from lithium-powered vehicles?
Certainly on the high end, automakers are very capable of deriving profits from battery-powered vehicles. Of course, such vehicles represent only a tiny percent of yearly auto sales.
On the conventional side, with sedans and cars making up a greater portion of yearly auto sales, profit margins are more and more difficult for automakers to realize. Consequently, automakers are adding extra amenities and high tech features to increase vehicle pricing points. If costly batteries are added to this equation, will these cars become even more difficult to derive a profit, as well as too expensive for consumers?
Before the launch of the third generation Toyota Prius, high level executives announced that the king of hybrid cars would be powered by lithium, only to recant those statements as Toyota claimed that such batteries would simply be too expensive compared to NiMH. Certainly, compared to every other automaker, Toyota invested much more money into NiMH technology. So, considering the lack of competition, perhaps there was simply no real reason for Toyota to rush into lithium.
As Hyundai prepares to offer the new lithium-powered Sonata hybrid – without ever embracing NiMH technologies - company insiders claim that Hyundai is contemplating bringing battery development in house to reduce a layer of costs.
Now, certainly, automakers can offset some of the development costs of battery-powered vehicles with the extra marketing capabilities such vehicles can provide. Yet, if battery-powered vehicles ever move beyond niche-status, will profits become harder and harder for automakers to achieve?
The bulk of the battery research, including consumer studies, suggests that automakers are going to have a tough time converting the public to plug-ins because of costs and/or limited capabilities, such as range. That almost certainly seems to suggest the thinnest possible profit margins to compete in terms of sales.
Or, if automakers can bring more and more battery production in-house, there is greater profit potential. Of course, there is also more complexity, potentially huge R&D and supply chain costs, etc.
Do auto makers have to become battery makers to succeed at electrification?
Only time will tell, of course, and different automakers are certain to try various approaches that could possibly lead to entirely different business models. One thing, however, seems certain. Without some major technological innovations in the battery industry, automakers will be required to be more innovative than ever.
