Johnson Controls Open Li-ion Plant

The call for green vehicles is steadily increasing. Automakers are also responding to this call by manufacturing vehicles which use very little petroleum fuel or none at all. Toyota manufactured the Prius, a gas-electric hybrid which means that it is powered by a small internal combustion engine and sometimes supported by an electric motor which draws power from a nickel-metal hydride battery.

These batteries are being used because, well, it’s the only choice. But it will soon be phased out as lithium-ion batteries are starting to crop up. Li-ion batteries are favored by many over Ni-MH batteries as it weighs considerably less than the latter and stores more power. The only catch is that battery developers have not yet come up with a very good solution to make Li-ion batteries safe for automotive application.

That problem will soon be over though as Johnson Controls announced that they have opened the first Li-ion battery manufacturing facility in the world. That could only mean that the company has found a way to manufacture Li-ion batteries safe for vehicles. The Auto Channel reported that the said assembly facility will be manufacturing battery packs for "hybrid, plug-in, fuel cell and electric vehicles". I am sure that these battery packs will be as safe and reliable as Acura coil springs.

Mary Ann Wright, vice president and general manager for hybrid battery business for Johnson Controls, said: "This manufacturing facility demonstrates our ongoing commitment to hybrid technology. We are the first company to produce the batteries for the automotive industry and have recently announced a number of production and development contracts. We are confident that we will continue to be a global leader in the development and manufacture of advanced energy solutions for automotive batteries that make cars more energy efficient."

Cars Get More Horses Under The Hood

Who says the battle of the horsepower is over? You are wrong. Actually, the battle is just getter hotter as automakers give more horses under the hood.

The most remarkable, by far, is RENNTECH’s package for the Mercedes AMG models. Imagine, the car gets 695 hp. Awesome!

In the last few years, the auto industry has witnessed the parade of 500hp sedans. German automakers such as Audi, BMW and Mercedes have inundated the industry with uber fast cars. But, as I’ve said the battle isn’t over.

In a release, RENNTECH, one of the leading tuning firms we have today, announced a new "stage 3" tune for the 2008 65 series AMG models, which makes use of what RENNTECH calls "next-generation ECU software" to get 695hp and 890 lb-ft of torque from the AMG's twin-turbo V12.

"Power will always be important to many customers, especially torque," explained Hartmut Feyhl, RENNTECH's president and ex technical director of AMG North America. "Our cars have always been able to make considerable torque, and have been praised in magazines for their drivability. Still, we are constantly trying to improve our product."

"We now have two in-house engineers that are doing software full-time, and others that work with the software on a part-time or contract basis. We are always looking for improvements. The latest software takes advantage of the increased power of the new engine computers, and offers a number of small improvements that add up to a big 'overall' improvement," Feyhl explained.

Feyhl concluded: "It really is that 'next-generation' sort of product that is much more advanced than what we were capable of offering before. Compared to earlier versions, our new software gives customers more power and better drivability in a way that is more reliable, smoother power curve, and even improves emissions and gas mileage."

With approximately 900 lb-ft of torque who won’t be lured?

One thing is apparent - the performance and power of cars are getting more and more impressive. But automakers should not neglect safety and comfort. The maker of Volvo wheels, for one, should not take its safety milestones for granted.

More horses, more power. So cut the horses reins without compromising other auto aspects.

Car Shoppers Still Not Convinced With Diesel

A study done by Kelley Blue Book’s marketing research team was recently concluded and the results showed something quite interesting. A small number of new vehicle shoppers have disclosed that they still are not convinced with diesel being a good source of fuel with only 6% believing in diesel.

The study continued to disclose these facts:

• 40% of the respondents still go for hybrids
  
• 20% are for hydrogen fuel cells
  
• 17% would rather have flexible fuel systems

Consumers interested in hybrid vehicles still continue to bloom and this simply means that the need for BMW parts made specifically for hybrids would also go higher. Also, consumers who took part of the KBB study said that they still look at diesel engines as the dirty and noisy ones. It looks like no matter how good the new diesel engines are marketed, it would take quite a while before shoppers get the idea that these engines are no longer like the old ones.

Jack Nerad is the executive market analyst and the executive editorial director for KBB and on the study, he disclosed via The Auto Channel, “Many automakers are looking toward diesels as a very workable solution for the future, especially in light of the recently passed energy bill, but the results of this study should give them pause and make them realize they need to do a better, more thorough job of winning over the American consumer.”

More than Just Dessert

They are regarded as one of the keystones in the aquatic food chain being the major food of fish, suppliers of oxygen to the aquatic world, a source of fertilizer and also used as stabilizer in food, cosmetics and paints. Yeah, you got it right! That substance you dissolve in boiling water, mixed with sugar, milk and food color and molded into yummy gelatin dessert is the same material from which the latest biodiesel-fuel was derived. Algae, that is.

Just two days ago, the first algae-derived biodiesel fuel, produced by Solazyme Incorporated, a synthetic biology company that unleashes the power of aquatic microbes in providing clean and cheap solutions for biofuel, industrial chemical, health and wellness markets, has undergone its first road test and had successfully powered a factory-standard automobile. Maybe, one with an Acura Integra steering rack. Under usual driving conditions, the fuel can enable any vehicle to run even long distances. Clean, renewable, environmentally sustainable and scalable. Those are some of the best qualities of soladiesel biodiesel.

Using standard industrial fermentation equipment, Solazyme's soladiesel biodiesel was yielded from manufactured algal oil thus producing a biodegradable and nontoxic biofuel.

"Biodiesel from algae changes the landscape of renewable fuels," Solazyme Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Wolfson said. He added, "The concept of algal biofuel has been discussed for decades, and Solazyme's technology finally provides a scalable solution based on proven industrial processes. This fuel is just the first example of how algal oil will help the environment through new products that offer attractive economics and performance, as well as environmental benefits."

Solazyme has currently signed an agreement with Chevron Technology Ventures, a division of Chevron U.S.A Incorporated, a leading refiner and manufacturer of gasoline.

Harris Dillon, President and Chief Technology Officer of Solazyme, said that by demonstrating soladiesel as a new fuel alternative, the need for a cost-effective and sustainable near-term solution to the country's energy problem is being addressed.

Are You Wedded To Your Cars?

Picture this: The world stays as it is today but without - cars! Yes, you can have all other whims but cars. Are you gonna survive?

Traveling is just an ordinary thing these days. And without a car, where do you think you’ll be going? Quite obviously, it is nice to travel from one town to another. The views are breathtaking. The moments are priceless. But driving isn’t just for leisure. It’s actually for everyday travel. No wonder cars are deemed indispensable.

If you think you can’t live devoid of any auto pleasure, you’re just being true to yourself. If you think you are wedded to your car, some are addicted to it. Yeah, you are not alone.

A Statistics Canada report said Edmonton leads major Canadian cities in its residents' reliance on cars. And across Canada, auto dependence is escalating.

The report dubbed Dependence on Cars in Urban Neighbourhoods found that 77% of adult Edmontonians made all their trips by car on the day the survey was conducted. It topped the 8 major Canadian cities studied in 2005, the most recent year for which numbers are available, reported Canada.com. Other cities include:

- Calgary, 75%
- Quebec, 74%
- Winnipeg, 72%
- Ottawa-Gatineau, 71%
- Vancouver, 69%
- Toronto, 66%
- Montreal, 65%

StatsCan found the proportion of Canadians who travel everywhere by car surged from 68% in 1992 to 74% in 2005. The report added the proportion of Canadians who made at least a trip by bicycle or on foot appears to have declined. In 2005, 19% of adults walked or biked somewhere on the survey day, a decline from 26% in 1998.

"Human physiology has not changed for 50,000 years, but the way we live has changed dramatically," said Prof. John Spence, a researcher at the University of Alberta. "Our environments are increasingly promoting sedentary living."

And with people wedded to their cars plus the lack of exercise factor, it is predicted that percentage of obese individuals will rise. A person's chances of being obese go up 6% for every hour they spend in a car each day, according to a study by Prof. Lawrence Frank of the University of British Columbia.

Medical Officer of Health Dr. Gerry Predy said the concerns are that long commutes to sprawling suburbs produce air pollution that can cause health problems. What's needed are neighbourhoods where you don't have to get into your car to go to the grocery store or the dry cleaner, Predy added.

So every once in a while, try to fight the temptation of hitting the starter of your car, take a brisk walk instead.

On the Right Track

I'm not sure if you'll agree with this: For humans, beauty and power define greatness but for cars it's in the quality and safety. Later, we'll analyze what humans and cars have in common. For now, let's focus on the latter.

Kia Motors is now gaining a good reputation for advocating those two points - quality and safety, authorities of the car industry revealed to Autochannel.com. This happened after the car manufacturer earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's Top Safety Pick Award for 2008. Kia vehicles were among the 34 awardees that received the institute’s recognition.

Good publicity for its latest special edition called the cee'd SR Spectacular that features front electric windows, USB port, 5 doors, CD and MP3 player with 6 speakers, 16" alloys, air-conditioning and 6 airbags earned various positive comments.

Autocar remarked, "This is the car that will shift Kia into the big league and challenge Europe's leading hatches." Stylish and sporty, this new Kia car was designed in Europe and was made in Slovakia.

According to What car?, "Kia's light, responsive steering makes it nimble a around town and feels assured when pushed on country roads."

The quality of a car steering has a great effect on the value of your ride. It's a good thing that Kia vehicles have an electronic stability control (ESC) designed to provide comfort and protection to drivers. Through sensors and a microcomputer, a vehicle's response to the driver's steering input is being monitored thus enabling it to apply the vehicle brakes as well as modulate engine power that keep the vehicle traveling in accordance with the steering wheel position's path.

Yet, even a Kia steering is not free from steering failure. If it does, an water pump may offer a solution. A car's water pump is responsible for fluid circulation as the engine runs.

As many as 10,000 fatal crashes can be avoided annually if all vehicles will be equipped with ESC, said Institute President Adrian Lund. With car manufacturers like Kia Motors committed to their consumers' safety, the car industry is on the right track towards greatness. By the way, I forgot to tell you, LATER for me means an hour OR a decade-worth of wait - it depends on my mood. Anyway, you may proceed with your own analogy.

Hummer Reigns Supreme

Last year, Hummer's website was named the best by J.D. Power and Associates. This year, after six months, the automaker's site once again achieved the highest ranking in the 2008 Manufacturer Web Site Evaluation Study conducted by J.D. Power and Associates.

Steve Witten, the executive director of marketing/media research at J.D. Power, outlined the things that made Hummer the winner saying: "HUMMER continues to set the standard with a Web site that satisfies shoppers through fast performance and streamlined navigation. A focus on a user-friendly site that delivers robust information to shoppers both quickly and easily has put HUMMER's site in the top spot three times in the past four waves of MWES."

According to The Auto Channel, the automaker's site received 867 points out of a 1,000 scale. Although the automaker retained its lead in the rankings, its index dropped by 2 points.

With more and more consumers looking to gain information regarding vehicles or purchase auto part like fuel injectors on the World Wide Web, automakers continued to improve on the design of their sites to provide information to consumers.

Witten said: "Traditional point-and-click Web site navigation is changing as a growing number of shoppers use search engines to link directly to automotive manufacturer model pages rather than the home pages."

Witten also pointed out Lincoln's site which made it to the top three this year to be one of the sites which have been improved to suit the needs of site visitors. "As a result, manufacturer vehicle model pages are beginning to contain more functionality than ever before. Lincoln's Web site, in particular, combines rich content on its model pages with fast, clear navigation," Witten added.

Ford Bids Goodbye To Gas Caps

If ain’t broke, don’t fix it. That’s the mantra we’re accustomed to follow. But are you supposed to fix it when it’s already broke? I don’t think so. Obviously, it might hurt you; might as well throw it away.



Gas caps aren’t broke and useless. But FoMoCo will soon be bidding goodbye to them. In 2006, the automaker promised to wipe caps off its lineup. Now, the promise has finally made good.



Yes, the Dearborn-based automaker has found a new ally in capless system, the technology it uses in NASCAR. Ford will be offering the technology on select models such as the 2009 F-150, which was displayed at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.



Aside from the next-gen F-150, the capless system is also featured on the 2008 Explorer sport utility set to roll out into dealerships this fall. It will also be available on the 2009 Flex crossover and Lincoln MKS sedan.



“The capless refueling system already is available on the 2008 Ford Explorer sport utility vehicle, and it's coming to the 2009 Flex crossover and Lincoln MKS luxury sedan,” said Matt O'Leary, chief engineer on the pickup.



O'Leary said it's [capless system] something that they'll appreciate every time they fill up. "People just don't like the cap," he said. "Anyone who drives a vehicle hates that." Meanwhile, he expects auto rivals to eventually develop their own versions of the system which will be offered in their lineup.



Car Stuff has this to say about the innovative system: “The system, which came from Ford's NASCAR racing experience, first appeared on the 2003 Ford GT sports car. It has two small spring-loaded tabs that pull back a flap inside the fuel filler neck as the nozzle hits them. When the nozzle is pulled out, the flap closes.”



But not everyone is flabbergasted by the system. Aaron Bragman, auto analyst at Global Insight, called the system a nice "surprise and delight" feature, but said no one would buy a Ford because of it. "It's a nice addition, but by no means a decision-maker," he added.



Ford rival, General Motors, is adamant about the innovation. Mark LaNeve, GM North America vice president for vehicle sales, service and marketing, said: “The removal of the gas cap never shows up like a problem in any of our research.”



The Dearborn automaker said all of its vehicles will be capless. And for now, I don’t if it’s gonna be a hit. The innovative system may not be as remarkable as the discovery of seatbelts but I think it’s worth a try. Given the opportunity, I’m gonna hit the ignition switch to experience a capless drive.

Fight The Cold

Winter is the worst weather for a vehicle. It is hard to get a car started in very cold weather, the snow can affect the vision of the driver, and heavy snow fall can lead to a car being stuck on the road. These are just some problems that you can encounter during this season of frigid weather. To help you keep your car running, AAA Michigan published tips in The Auto Channel

According to them, you can do the following:

• Faulty batteries cause more car starting problems than any other factor. At 0 degrees, a battery has 35 percent less starting power than in summer. At minus 20, battery power drops 50 percent. If your battery is more than three years old, have a load test performed by a mechanic.

• Park your car in the garage. If you have no garage, put a tarp over the hood or park protected from prevailing winds. To keep doors from freezing shut, place a plastic trash bag between the door or window glass and the frame.

• Keep the fuel tank at least half-full to avoid fuel-line freeze-up.

• To avoid frozen door locks, buy a lubricant available in most auto supply stores.

• If you become snowbound, stay with your vehicle. It provides excellent shelter from the cold and makes it easier for rescuers to locate you. If you can start your engine, run it only enough to keep warm. Make sure the exhaust pipe is snow-free. Keep emergency supplies in the car, such as a cell phone, boots, hats, gloves, blankets, a "coffee can heater," flashlight and reflective triangle.

These tips can save you a lot of trouble. Remember that a car cover is not enough to keep your car safe during winter.

Is It End Of The Line For Petrol Cars?

With the constant increase in gasoline prices and the rising demand for foreign oil, there is a great probability that petrol-powered cars will soon be facing extinction. Matter of fact, General Motors was earlier quoted as saying it believes global oil supply has peaked and a switch to electric cars is inevitable.

At the opening of this year’s North American International Auto Show, GM Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner said ethanol was an "important interim solution" to the world's demand for oil, until battery technology improved to give electric cars the same driving range as petrol-powered cars.

General Motors is absorbed in developing an electric car dubbed Chevy Volt. The plug-in hybrid is set to arrive in showrooms by 2010. But the arrival could be held in abeyance due to the delays in the development of the car’s battery technology.

Wagoner cited the United States Department of Energy statistics which show the world is consuming approximately 1000 barrels of oil every second of the day, and yet demand for oil may surge by 70% over the next 2 decades. Some experts believe the supply of oil peaked in 2006, according to Sydney Morning Herald.

According to a report, the remaining oil reserves are deeper below the Earth's surface. As such, they are more expensive to to mine and refine. "There is no doubt demand for oil is outpacing supply at a rapid pace, and has been for some time now," Wagoner said. "As a business necessity and an obligation to society we need to develop alternative sources of propulsion."

"So, are electrically driven vehicles the answer for the mid- and long-term? Yes, for sure. But… we need something else to significantly reduce our reliance on petroleum in the interim," he added.

The auto industry is slowly embracing the greener trend. It’s like having the necessary heater core replacement. And the effect will become more apparent in the near future. So far, petrol cars hold dominion over American roads.

An Innovative Small Car

The Tata Nano has been widely anticipated by Indian consumers as well as by the global community. Last year, Tata Motors announced that they are in the process of developing what would be the world's least expensive car. The auto industry has been abuzz with that proclamation. Even major automakers have failed or did not try to address the issue of producing small and cheap cars that will be within the reach of millions of families. But Tata, an Indian automaker, has beaten them to the punch.

Mr. Ratan Tata, the chairman of the Indian automaker, recently talked about the Nano and how it came to be. He said that his goal is to provide a car for common folks which will be safer than scooters.

He said that they first intend to use materials like plastics but it will not be practical as they are aiming for large volume production output. "Initially I had conceived a car made by engineering plastics and new materials, and using new technology like aerospace adhesives instead of welding," said Tata. "However, plastics didn't lend themselves to the volumes we wanted because of the curing time required. Volumes mean the world in this context: if we produce this car and if it is for the wider base of the pyramid, we can't settle for small numbers because then the purpose is defeated."

He described how they were able to cut costs on the Nano but at the same time, come up with a quality vehicle which can be compared to Acura headers in terms of reliability. "We did things like make similar handles and mechanisms for the left- and right-side doors; we developed our own small engine which could sit under the rear seat, enabling us to craft a smaller overall package; we looked at a new type of seats; and we worked at cutting costs everywhere," said Tata.

"We have put our instrument cluster in the middle, not in front of the driver. This means the same dashboard will work for a left-hand-drive vehicle. There are a lot of such innovations that are low-cost and future-oriented," he concluded.

Infiniti EX35 Earns Top IIHS Safety Award

All types of vehicles go along with a dependable safety system to protect drivers and passengers during rear, side and front crashes. Of course, safety comes first and that is closely followed by performance and convenience. That’s the way it should be. Our lives are more important than the driveshaft, fenders or whatsoever. Today, we are in so much delight because of the fact that several car manufacturers are giving lots of efforts in bringing the best safety technologies in premium vehicles. One of the best automobiles at present which best embodies car safety is the all-new 2008 Infiniti EX35!

According to the Auto Channel, the new luxury SUV, Infiniti EX35, received the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's Top Safety Pick award for 2008. It’s the first-ever Infiniti to earn this award for everybody’s information. Winners for the Top Safety Pick meet the rate of advanced overall crash protection among the vehicles in their respective divisions. A vehicle is required to earn the highest rating of good in the Institute's front, side, and rear tests and be outfitted with the electronic stability control.

"Criteria to win are tough because the award is intended to drive continued safety improvements such as top crash test ratings and rapid addition of electronic stability control, which is standard equipment on the EX35. Recognizing vehicles at the head of the class for safety helps consumers distinguish the best overall choices without having to sort through multiple test results," says Institute president Adrian Lund.

For past several months, the number of vehicles earning Top Safety Pick has been rapidly escalating. There were 13 cars, minivans, and SUVs which originally made it to the 2007 awards. The numbers of recipients were doubled to 34 at the start of the 2008 model year.

"The EX35 is a leader in its class for state-of-the-art safety," Lund says. "You don't know what kind of crash you're going to be in. That's why it's important to choose a vehicle that will protect you in all kinds of crashes. The Top Safety Pick designation is intended to help people find the safest choices."

And The Winners Are…

We know that Edmunds is one great place to research about car pricing, specs, features, and whatnot. They also test drive vehicles which means we can have an idea of how a vehicle drives even without having to try them out ourselves. But it is still important to test drive a vehicle you want to buy to see if it fits you to a tee. Anyway, as Edmunds is widely regarded as prime source of information about vehicles, we should take heed of what vehicles does Edmunds' editors wanted.

The Auto Channel reported that the Inside Line, Edmunds' online car magazine recently named the winners of the Edmunds' Inside Line Editors' Most Wanted Awards. Wow! That's quite a mouthful eh?

Anyway, Scott Oldham, editor in chief of Inside Line described their selection as: "The vehicles chosen were our favorites – the ones that we didn’t want to give back after testing them." With that description, you know you are getting the best deal for your money with the vehicles picked by Inside Line editors.

The 2008 GMC Sierra Denali is one of the winners. According to John Pearley Huffman, a Inside Line's contributing editor: "Think of the Sierra Denali as the perfect truck for the contractor who actually loves his job and happens to have hit the Lotto. And just bought a boat." That must be some serious pulling power huh? Surely, a burly radiator will fit in that Denali.

Another winner is the 2008 Mazda3. Josh Jacquot, Inside Line's Senior Road Test Editor praised the Mazda3 saying: "Bottom line, the Mazda3 is Edmunds’ Inside Line Editors Most Wanted Award winner because it offers a driving experience for beyond expectations and, more importantly, beyond its price tag." There you are guys, the best deal for your money.

Other winners are the 2008 Porsche 911 GT3, 2008 Honda Odyssey, and the 2008 Audi R8 adjudged as an Instant Classic.

The Hyundai Genesis Premium Sports Sedan At The 2008 NAIAS

The 2008 NAIAS is definitely the hottest phenomenon to start the brand new year. Radiators will totally burst with the presentation of the newest concept cars courtesy of the giant automakers around the globe. And among these renowned groups is Hyundai.

The Genesis Concept was once a grand vision from Hyundai, but now, it’s a dream come true… finally! The luxury sedan’s initial design sketch was superb - almost perfect that is. The unveiling of Hyundai’s masterpiece is one of the most awaited events in the upcoming 2008 North American International Auto Show. Hyundai presents the Genesis premium sports sedan!

According to my source, the newest Genesis rear-wheel-drive sports sedan is scheduled to have its first public appearance on January 13, 2007. This vehicle is equipped with features and capabilities similar to luxury sedans with a $60,000 tag. The Genesis premium sport sedan will be offered at an initial price below $30,000 when it hits dealership this summer.

"While Genesis will compete for customers with cars like Chrysler 300 and Pontiac G8, our engineering benchmarks were Mercedes E-Class, BMW 5 Series, Infiniti M, and Lexus GS. Genesis provides a potent combination of performance, luxury, and value. We think it has the opportunity to be an extremely disruptive force in the large sedan and near-luxury segments," says John Krafcik, the vice president for product development and strategic planning at Hyundai Motor America.

WSJ/NBC Poll Cites Gas Prices As No. 1 Economic Concern

Look around – what do you think is our main economic concern these days?

The latest survey from Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll cites gasoline prices as the economic woe that affects most Americans, according to the Auto Channel. As such, the Car Care Council warns people that putting off vehicle care and maintenance can make matters worse.

"The best way to fight higher costs at the gas pump is to keep your vehicle running properly. You can't control the price of gas, but you can control how much gas you burn by proper maintenance and how you drive," said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. "Performing simple and inexpensive maintenance can save as much as $1200 a year in gas cost."

The Car Care Council offers these gas-savings maintenance and driving tips to make motorists save big money at the pump:

• Check your vehicle gas cap. About 17% of the vehicles on the roads have gas caps that are either damaged, loose or are missing altogether, causing 147 million gallons of gas to vaporize every year.
• When tires aren't inflated properly, it's like driving with the parking brake on, and can cost a mile or two per gallon.
• A dirty spark plug causes misfiring, which wastes fuel. Spark plugs need to be replaced regularly.
• Replacing a clogged air filter can improve gas mileage by as much as 10%, saving about 15 cents on a gallon.
• Aggressive driving can lower gas mileage by as much as 22% on the highway and five percent on city streets, which results in seven to 49 cents per gallon.
• Sitting idle gets zero miles per gallon. Letting the vehicle warm up for one to two minutes is sufficient.
• Gas mileage decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph. Each mph driven over 60 results in an additional 10 cents per gallon. To maintain a constant speed on the highway, cruise control is recommended.

Yes, it is essential to take care of your car’s body parts. But maintenance should go hand in hand with safety driving.

To learn more about "Be Car Care Aware" campaign, visit http://www.carcare.org/.

Hail The ‘Grease Cars’

Now that our country is facing terrible global warming concerns, everyone should think of better solutions.

Aside from the production of hybrids, another good remedy is the use of grease cars. Yes, grease cars – those that burn vegetable oil. So move over gas-guzzlers and welcome the grease cars, the latest trend in the industry composed of environmentally-conscious drivers.

As defined by an article, grease cars are diesel vehicles converted to also burn leftover food-grade vegetable oil (aka SVO for straight vegetable oil). The oil can is available in local restaurants. Grease car conversions and fueling take some leg work, but advocates say in the end you save money, help the environment and consume less "foreign oil," said the article.

“The first grease cars were developed in 1980 on a Volkswagen Golf in Germany, according to Elsbett.com, but thousands of Americans have grease cars nowadays,” said Cynthia Shelton, director of the California-based National VegOil Board.

What are the steps required to do the greasing? Robin Lloyd shares the following steps:

First, they lineup a waste oil source in advance. You don't want to convert your car and then scramble for fuel. Contact local restaurants to reach an agreement. Some restaurants pay to have the oil carted away so they might be pleased for you to take it for no charge. Spector and Uviller live in Manhattan, so they get their waste oil from a French restaurant literally across the street.

Next comes the vehicle. The purchase of a new diesel car has been tricky in some parts of the country, including the Northeast, because of air emissions rules, but new low-sulfur diesel is changing that, or you can buy a used diesel car.

Choose a conversion kit by comparing the offerings from sites such as greasecar.com, goldenfuelsystems.com and votechusa.com, or reading the vegcar.net or vegtruck.com blogs.

Finally, greasers set up a filtering system or station. Some food scraps tend to remain in waste oil, so you have to filter it out. You can buy filtration systems for $700 or make your own from parts for less.

According to the National VegOil Board, the vegetable oil used is not certified by the EPA. This is why drivers of grease cars also have to research local oil collecting, hauling, storage and relevant laws regarding the matter.

As automakers are improving their engine, radiator and fuels, the effort should not end there. We have to find some ways to remedy the predicament; this isn’t just for us but for the coming generations.

[credit: MSNBC]

Special Corvette In Indianapolis

The 2008 Indianapolis 500 is widely anticipated by race fans not only for the racing but also for the cars. And what more can appease them than two Corvette pace cars? The Auto Channel reported that a pair of Corvettes will be gracing the event. These two cars are identically designed of course but differ in many ways.

One of the cars is designed to showcase Chevrolet's commitment to a greener auto industry while the second car is designed to celebrate thirty years of the Corvette being the pace car in this popular event.

The report reads: "One of the pace cars is a customized Corvette Z06 E85 concept that runs on E85 ethanol fuel, a domestically produced alternative fuel similar to the E100 fuel that powers all of the racecars in the IndyCar Series. It will be driven during the race’s pace lap by two-time Indianapolis 500 champion Emerson Fittipaldi.

"The other official pace car is a black-and-silver commemorative edition that marks the 30th anniversary of the celebrated 1978 pace car – the first Corvette to pace the field at the Indianapolis 500. Chevrolet will produce a total of 500 pace car replicas in both coupe and convertible form, each signed personally by Fittipaldi at the Corvette’s Bowling Green, Ky., assembly plant."

Ed Peper, Chevrolet general manager had this to say: "Although not a production FlexFuel vehicle, the Corvette Z06 E85 concept pace car is a high-performance example of Chevrolet’s gas-friendly to gas-free initiative, demonstrating viable fuel solutions. As an ethanol refiner in his native Brazil, Emerson Fittipaldi is the fitting Chevrolet champion to help support GM’s efforts with E85 and celebrate 30 years of the Corvette pacing the Indianapolis 500."

I would bet that these two Corvettes can outrun any Acura CL washer pump-equipped car.

A Sneak At Detroit’s Big 3 Plans For 2008

Still tired of the New Year’s celebration? Well, exhaustion shouldn’t keep you adrift for the longest time and lose contact with auto industry’s upcoming offerings. Those are not something that should be missed.

To give you a preview of what’s forthcoming in the industry, here’s a quick rundown:

Ford
Ford Motor Co. has licensed its technology for soy-based flexible seat foam to Deere & Co. and Sears Manufacturing Co., so those companies can develop it for John Deere farming equipment `nd other applications.

Ford is already using the soy-based seat foam in the 2008 Ford Mustang, F-150, Expedition and Lincoln Navigator. It also will be featured in the 2009 Ford Escape.

The Dearborn automaker says the soy-based foam is more environmentally friendly than petroleum-based foams, and soy foam reduces carbon dioxide emissions and takes less energy to produce. "Ford is pioneering renewable solutions and forging strategic partnerships to extend our capabilities and our ability to innovate," Gerhardt Schmidt, vice president of Ford research and advanced engineering, said in a statement.

Coming up: Ford will release its December and annual sales results on Thursday. Ford sales were up slightly in November following a decline for the previous 12 months.

Chrysler
Cerberus Capital Management's CEO Stephen Feinberg was thrust into the spotlight this month when he took the witness stand as part of the private-equity firm's efforts to back out of a $4-billion deal to purchase United Rentals.

News media across the land have struggled -- and failed -- to find a recent picture of Feinberg ever since Cerberus acquired Chrysler. Newspapers have run college pictures of the very private Feinberg.

Coming up: Chrysler's unveilings at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit next month include the Dodge Ram.

General Motors
The Chevrolet Tahoe gets its most powerful engine yet. Chevrolet will bring out a 6.2L small-block V8 in the Tahoe LTZ in 2008. The 380-horsepower Tahoe will be equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission. The Tahoe LTZ 6.2L is available on two-wheel drive models and adds to a Tahoe lineup that includes a hybrid version. A six-speed Hydra-Matic 6L80 RWD electronically controlled automatic transmission allows the driver to manually select upshifts and downshifts. The Tahoe LTZ 6.2L has towing capacity of 7,900 pounds.

Coming up: GM CEO Rick Wagoner speaks to the Consumer Electronics Show Jan. 8.

Special thanks to Detroit Free Press for the wonderful revelations.

Cold air intake filter will be breathing a little comfortable this year and in the years to come. Additionally, car occupants will be more comfy in their seats.

Legend's Birthday Blowout

When it comes to high performance vehicles, it is hard to leave the name Carroll Shelby out. According to The Auto Channel: "Carroll Shelby dominated sports car racing in the mid-1950s, twice being named Sports Car Illustrated’s "Driver of the Year". His crowning achievement came in 1959, when he won the 24 Hours of Le Mans."

Amy Boylan, president of Shelby Automobiles which Carroll Shelby founded had this to say: "Carroll Shelby is an American hero who changed the face of automotive performance. We’re going to kick off a year long celebration of this amazing man’s life with a serious party. Working with Team Shelby, we’ll throw a party Carroll’s way with lots of ways for enthusiasts to enjoy their cars. It will be one of the single most important events of 2008 for Shelby fans."

The Auto Channel further narrates:

"After he retired from racing in 1960 due to a heart ailment, Carroll Shelby began a new chapter in his career. In 1962, he forged a relationship with Ford Motor Company that created performance magic. Attracting talented individuals from California’s aerospace and hot communities, as well as tapping the resources of Ford, he founded Shelby American to create the legendary Cobra sports car.

"In 1965, Ford asked Shelby to turn its new Mustang into a dominant muscle car. Over the next four years, the Shelby team put Mustang at the pinnacle of the performance world with the Shelby G.T.350 and Shelby G.T.500. The relationship also resulted in a limited edition Shelby GT350-H with Hertz Rental Cars in 1966."

Performance enthusiasts also know that cars manufactured by Shelby are as reliable and as durable as Acura mufflers.