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23 mpg Highway With New 3.7-Liter Engine in 2011 F-150

2010 show to Launch Massive Showcase of Advanced Technology

America’s greenest “tier-one” auto show just got greener. The Washington Auto Show®, which houses more green cars than any major U.S. auto show, is redoubling its efforts in 2010 with a 65,000-square foot display known as the “Advanced Technology SuperHighway.”

“We are, literally, putting innovation front and center,” said Charles Stringfellow, CEO of Brown’s Automotive and chairman of the 2010 Washington Auto Show, which is known for its mass appeal as well as its emphasis on public policy. “The concept of the SuperHighway is to provide a central meeting place for policy makers, industry officials, consumers and the media to survey the tremendous advances in the industry.”

The Advanced Technology SuperHighway will be sectioned by advancements in electric, diesel, natural gas, advanced petroleum, biofuels, ethanol, hydrogen and safety technologies. The most ambitious effort to support and promote progressive innovations for the automotive industry, this special exhibit is produced in coordination with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Energy and Department of Transportation and is a testament to the theme of this year’s show; “Change Happens Here.”

Currently, the companies slated to display are:

Audi, AutoPort, BMW, BorgWarner, Bosch, Boulder Electric Vehicle, Bright Automotive, Chrysler, Columbia ParCar, Electric Drive Transportation Association, Enova Systems, Evolve-it, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Lexus, Magna International, Mercedes, Nissan, Novozymes, OnStar, Phoenix Motorcars, Quantum Technologies, Scuderi Engine, Smith Electric Vehicles, THINK, Toyota, UQM Technologies, U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Department of Transportation, Volkswagen, Volvo and Wheego.

The Washington Auto Show, the address where the automotive industry meets public policy, joins key administrative and legislative officials with automotive industry leaders. It is both the largest public show in Washington as well as a niche event: the stage to exchange ideas and information with those shaping the future of the automobile. Building on this platform for collaboration, the 2010 Washington Auto Show is partnering with SAE International and the Electric Drive Transportation Association (EDTA), both of which will co-locate conferences with the Washington Auto Show.

The Washington Auto Show, “Change Happens Here,” is scheduled for January 27-31, at The Walter E. Washington Convention Center.

Source: www.washingtonautoshow.com

Climate summit dignitaries go green to get around Copenhagen

The climate change summit got off to a good start with a fuel change. For the first time ever, the fleet of VIP limousines switched to a climate-friendly fuel — The New Ethanol, made from straw by the Danish company Inbicon. So when the politicians are traveling around Copenhagen this week and next during the United Nations Climate Change Conference, it will be in cars powered by a climate-friendly E85 fuel. This particular blend of 85% ethanol cuts emissions of the primary greenhouse gas (CO2) 84% compared with conventional gasoline.

The climate-friendly fill-up came about as a collaboration between Danisco’s enzyme division Genencor, Inbicon Biomass Refinery Technology, Novozymes, and Statoil, assisted by the Partnership for Biofuels. The Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs is supplying the limousines: 30 Volvo S80s and 10 Volvo V70s will be chauffeuring politicians from all over the world during COP15. Among those present at this first official filling-up with E85 in Denmark were senior representatives of the companies involved as well as Jan-Christoph Napierski from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ COP15 Logistics unit. “An event such as the UN Climate Change Conference attracts a large number of exciting new technologies, which could help to solve the climate challenge. This is why the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is pleased to be able to showcase a Danish contribution — advanced biofuel — to a green and climate-friendly Climate Change Conference,” says Jan-Christoph Napierski.

It is not just politicians who can drive around using advanced biofuel. Beginning in 2010, Statoil’s Danish customers will also be able to fill up with a fuel made using the latest technologies for developing clean, sustainable energy. The New Ethanol is produced by Inbicon, a technology subsidiary of DONG Energy, one of Denmark’s largest energy groups. Novozymes and Danisco’s enzyme division Genencor are supplying the enzymes for the biofuel production, and Statoil is providing the distribution facilities. The Partnership’s capabilities in producing advanced biofuel offer significant climate-related potential, allowing the widespread replacement of conventional fuel such as gasoline. Besides converting straw into ethanol, the current technology can produce it from corn stalks, leaves, and cobs; sugar bagasse; miscanthus grass; and other soft biomass. The development of advanced biofuel technology offers significant commercial potential through export of technological solutions and knowledge within the development and application of enzymes.

Facts about Inbicon A/S Inbicon technology produces fuel ethanol, solid lignin biofuel, and livestock feed from soft biomass. Since 2003 Inbicon has perfected its process at a pilot plant in Skaerbaek at Fredericia, Denmark, and in November the company inaugurated its first Inbicon Biomass Refinery in Kalundborg, which is open for tours during the climate summit. Commercial-scale production is planned for the U.S. beginning in 2010. Inbicon is a subsidiary of DONG Energy A/S. Find out more at www.inbicon.com.

Facts about Partnership for Biofuels Partnership for Biofuels aims to develop the frame conditions for Danish technology in order to produce second-generation biofuels. The partnership consists of Novozymes A/S, Inbicon A/S, Danisco A/S, Biogasol, Statoil A/S, Aalborg University, Agrotech, Solum Gruppen and the Danish Agriculture Council. The work is being followed by EUDP and The Danish Environmental Protection Agency.

Source: Inbicon A/S

Company Supplying Component from Recycled Materials for 2010 Ford Vehicles

Dana Holding Corporation announced that it is supplying cylinder-head covers made of recycled material on Ford Motor Company’s 3.0-liter Duratec engine, used in the 2010 Fusion and Escape vehicles – providing significant cost and environmental benefits.

Manufactured using EcoLon® nylon, the cover is the first automotive product of its kind manufactured from post-consumer recycled (PCR) nylon. Dana partnered with Wellman Engineering Resins – a leading compounder and supplier of high-quality nylon resins – to test, develop, and supply the material.

To repurpose nylon, Wellman grinds used nylon carpeting into fiber and recaptures the material through a proprietary process. The resulting product is a high-quality nylon resin, which Dana then uses to mold into cylinder-head covers through its injection-molding process.

“The push to go green in the automotive arena has never been greater; the challenge is to deliver solutions that also are economical,” said Marty Bryant, president of Light Vehicle Products for Dana. “Dana successfully met that challenge for Ford by providing an innovative cover made from recycled material and, thanks to EcoLon’s fixed raw material cost, we’re passing on substantial cost savings to the customer.”

Greener engines and cost savings aren’t the only customer benefits. The robust, highly durable nylon covers also provide greater fuel economy due to weight savings of nearly 20 percent when compared with aluminum die-cast cylinder-head covers.

“Dana’s state-of-the-art testing capabilities, coupled with its advanced manufacturing and engineering expertise, provided us with the resources needed to develop a highly-engineered, sustainable product that works well for the automotive industry. We’re pleased to have partnered with Dana on this program for Ford Motor Company,” said Bob Dastou, Southeast Regional Account Manager, Wellman Engineering Resins.

The cylinder-head covers are part of a module-based sealing system Dana supplies for the Ford Fusion and Escape programs, which also includes the engine cover, gaskets, fasteners, baffle/air-oil separator, and isolators.

Dana developed, tested, and is manufacturing the cylinder head covers at its Composite Sealing Center in Paris, Tenn.

Source: Dana Holding Corporation

HUMMER announced updates to the 2010 HUMMER H3 and H3T midsize all-terrain vehicles including the addition of three new exterior colors and an available E85 Flex Fuel capable 5.3L V8 engine as part of its commitment to offer a biofuel powertrain in all body styles by 2010. Both H3-based vehicles will begin arriving in dealerships before the end of 2009 in North America.

“In 2007, HUMMER committed to offer a biofuel powertrain in every vehicle by 2010 and follows through on that promise with the addition of a new 300-horsepower, E85 Flex Fuel capable 5.3L V8,” says James Taylor, HUMMER CEO. “This is just the first step in HUMMER’s evolution to offer responsible, yet highly capable all-terrain vehicles. Future models will be lighter, more efficient and will continue to offer the best blend of off-road capability and on-road performance.”

The new 5.3L V8 Flex Fuel engine is standard in all 2010 Alpha series’ models and is a powerful and efficient member of GM’s legendary small-block V-8 family. It is rated at 300 horsepower (224 kW) and 320 lb.-ft. of torque (434 Nm). An aluminum cylinder block is used with the H3 Alpha’s engine. It helps reduce overall mass and maintains a more desirable front-to-rear weight balance.

A Hydra-Matic 4L60 electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission is paired with the 5.3L engine. Flat towing is enabled on all H3 and H3T models.

HUMMER also continues to expand customer choice with the introduction of three new premium colors for 2010, which include Red Rock Metallic, Silver Stone Metallic, and Canyon Metallic.

The H3 and H3T feature an extensive list of standard equipment, including full-time electronic four-wheel drive; Hill Start Assist; Stabilitrak electronic stability control system; four-wheel anti-lock brakes with traction control; roof-rail side curtain airbags and dual-stage frontal air bags with passenger sensing system; tire pressure monitoring system; OnStar; bluetooth hands-free capability and HUMMER’s premium five-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty plan.

Pricing for the 2010 model year H3 remains unchanged from 2009, with a starting MSRP of $33,390. H3T pricing begins at $30,915, a slight $165 increase from 2009. HUMMER has lowered the 2010 H3T Alpha price $335 with a new MSRP of $35,680. All 2010 models also include destination charges of $780.

The 2010 HUMMER H3 and H3T are scheduled to arrive in dealerships in December 2009.

Source: General Motors

The market for solar technologies is still limited to advanced roof solutions that use solar cells to ventilate vehicle interiors, but technological advancements will soon shift the focus from comfort and convenience to powertrain applications and similar domains. In tandem with expanding applications, solar cell costs are expected to fall, meaning that more average customers can look forward to a ‘greener,’ less-polluting vehicle.

New analysis from Frost & Sullivan, Executive Analysis of the Market for Solar Technology Applications in the European Automotive Industry, finds that a sunroof panel with solar cells can generate sufficient power to ventilate the vehicle interior. The technologies covered in this research service are polysilicon solar cells, thin-film solar cells and third-generation solar cells.

The automotive industry is undergoing an evolution wherein traditional internal combustion (IC) engines are ceding the way to battery-powered motors. Growing interest in zero-emission vehicles, increased government spending on electric vehicles (EVs), and the numerous vehicle prototypes already in the pipeline point irrefutably towards a future dominated by EVs.

Nevertheless, EVs face lingering criticism regarding increased energy consumption. One compelling solution is to run EVs on power generated by renewable energy sources such as wind and solar. EVs of the future could be powered by electricity from a grid generated by solar power, or else at solar charging stations. Currently, solar cells are not preferred because of their high cost to power ratio. However, this ratio is likely to lessen as a result of technological advancements, rendering it more affordable for vehicle manufacturers.

“Solar cells are poised to achieve grid parity in the coming years,” says Frost & Sullivan Industry Analyst Roshan Devadoss. “Subsequently, solar cells costs will plummet, making them affordable for automotive applications.” Grid parity occurs when the cost of electricity generated using solar cells equals the cost of that generated using fossil or nuclear fuels. Upon reaching grid parity, solar cells will cease to be cost-intensive, leading to inexpensive automotive solutions.

One of the biggest restraints for the use of solar panels in automotive applications is added weight. Polysilicon solar panels are heavy and exert a drag on the vehicle, reducing the range and life of the battery in electric or hybrid vehicles and decreasing the fuel-efficiency in conventional cars. “Polysilicon solar panels increase vehicle weight, resulting in higher operational costs,” explains Devadoss.

Apart from polysilicon cells, the only other commercially available solution is thin-film solar cells, which have caught the attention of vehicle manufacturers’ owing to their flexibility and light-weightiness. Vehicle manufacturers have developed concept vehicles with this technology and some of them are working towards production models.

One disadvantage of this technology is its low efficiency. However, mounting the thin-film solar cells is not design intensive due to its flexibility and can be used to cover larger surface areas to compensate for the drop in efficiency. “R & D has led to lighter, more flexible and robust thin film technologies and third generation solar cells, however they are less efficient than polysilicon solar cells,” concludes Devadoss.

Vehicle manufactures are already investigating the use of thin-film technologies that are commercially available for advanced roof solutions and have developed concept vehicles using them. Third-generation solar cells are currently under development and will likely be deployed in the interior of the vehicle as well as on the roofs, doors and windows.

Executive Analysis of the Market for Solar Technology Applications in the European Automotive Industry is part of the Automotive & Transportation Growth Partnership Services programme, which also includes research in the following markets: European Market Analysis for Low Speed Driver Assistance Applications, Strategic Analysis of European Automotive Interior Lighting Market, Strategic Analysis of European Automotive Exterior Lighting Market, and European Automotive Original Equipment DAS, ESP, Passive Safety and Rain Sensors Market. All research services included in subscriptions provide detailed market opportunities and industry trends that have been evaluated following extensive interviews with market participants.

Source: Frost & Sullivan