Nissan News - Maine auto dealer has 11 dealerships, says customers want high-mpg vehicles. So where’s Detroit?
July 31, 2007 by tsikot · Leave a Comment
, MPG, Chrysler, Ford, GM, Honda, Nissan, Toyota
Adam Lee is no stranger to selling cars. His family has been in the business for 70 years and he’s now the owner of 11 car dealerships. He’s been a proud seller of Chrysler vehicles for those seven decades, but he felt the need to write a detailed essay in today’s Automotive News (subs req’d) explaining why he’s glad he owns some foreign-car (Toyota, Nissan and Honda) dealerships now, too. You get one guess why this is.
Here’s Lee:
In May, sales of hybrid cars and trucks in the United States were up about 88 percent over the year-ago month, while overall sales were up 5.0 percent. Although hybrids accounted for only about 2.8 percent of the U.S. market in May, it is a good indication that consumers want cleaner, more fuel-efficient cars than the Detroit 3 are offering.
As the largest hybrid dealership in Maine, we sell foreign cars that get 45 to 60 mpg and pollute very little. They are more expensive than nonhybrids, but consumers are willing to pay for them. And as gasoline moves past $2.50 and $3 a gallon, those cars are becoming more economical.
If we had a Jeep hybrid or a Ford Focus with a diesel hybrid, we would have customers lining up to buy one. And I could continue to sell American cars. As it is, I have to sell cars that consumers want to buy.
The whole article is worth reading, even if it’s just the view of one man in one part of the country. Lee argues for stronger emissions and CAFE standards, and says the Auto Alliance is wrong to fight against the possible increase.
Lee’s message is one that is becoming more and more prevalent: the Big Three “are losing market share because they do not have the cars that consumers want and need.”
[Source: Automotive News]
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[tags]nissan cars, nissan autos, nissan news, nissan models, nissan[/tags]
Infiniti News - Nissan introduces new valve actuation engine technologies
July 31, 2007 by tsikot · Leave a Comment
Click on the image for Autoblog’s gallery of high-res images of the Infiniti G37 Coupe.
Double overhead cams and variable valve timing have been two recent technologies allowing modern engines to ring more power and torque out of ever-smaller amounts of fuel. Nissan has announced two new technologies that push the bounds of valve actuation efficiency even further; Variable Valve Event and Lift (VVEL) and continuous valve timing control (C-VTC). When combined, significantly enhanced performance is available via the continuous adjustment of the valve lift and CO2 emissions are cut by up to 10 percent. Nissan is planning to roll out the new VVEL system on its upcoming Infiniti G37 coupe.
Analysis: It seems that the pace of improvements to engine efficiency and improved emissions seems to be increasing which would indicate that the internal combustion engine has a long way to go yet. Nissan will include VVEL on its products worldwide starting from FY07 under the Nissan Green Program 2010.
Check out the press release after the jump for specific details on how VVEL achieves higher fuel efficiency and cleaner emissions.
Related:
- Nissan Skyline manages 38mpg in real world driving
- Nissan faces the music: abandons heavy duty truck program
- Nissan opens next phase of Intelligent Transportation System testing
[Source: Nissan via Gizmag]
Nissan Introduces Innovative Valve Control Technology [Mar. 29, 07]
- Variable Valve Event & Lift (VVEL) delivers significant improvements in dynamic and environmental performance -
TOKYO (March 29, 2007)–Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. today introduced a new engine technology that delivers a balance of responsiveness and power, fuel efficiency and low emissions. The new system combines the technologies behind Nissan’s newly developed Variable Valve Event and Lift (VVEL)*1 and continuous valve timing control (C-VTC) to deliver significantly enhanced performance. This advanced technology will be available to customers worldwide through the Nissan and Infiniti product lines.
Nissan announced plans to install the VVEL system, which contributes up to a 10%*2 reduction in carbon-dioxide emissions, on its products worldwide starting from FY07 under the Nissan Green Program 2010. The first product to feature the VVEL technology is the Infiniti G37 coupe, scheduled to be unveiled at the upcoming New York International Auto Show in April, 2007.
While conventional engines control air intake using a throttle valve, VVEL-equipped engines do this directly at the intake valves, continuously controlling their valve events and lifts. C-VTC and VVEL together control the valve phases and its valve events and lifts, allowing free-control of the valve timing and lift. This results in more efficient airflow through the cylinder and significantly improves responsiveness, optimizing the balance between power and environmental performance.
The new engine offers the following advantages depending on driving range:
Higher fuel efficiency
At low-to-mid load ranges, the system controls air intake at the intake-valve, immediately before it enters the combustion chamber, in contrast with conventional engine air intake via a throttle valve, leading to increased efficiency by easing airflow through the cylinder.
In the low- and medium-rpm ranges*3, intake-valve lift is kept low to reduce camshaft friction and improve fuel efficiency.
Better response
Controlling air intake at the intake-valves improves acceleration response by allowing more dense air into the cylinders from the start of acceleration.
More power
In the low-rpm range, the intake-valves open for a shorter period, preventing blowback of the air-fuel mixture and improving torque.
l In the high range, greater intake-valve lift allows increased air intake to deliver greater torque outputs.
Cleaner emissions
Intake-valve timing is optimized on startup, when the engine is still cool, to quickly raise the temperature of exhaust gases and more quickly activate the catalytic converter.
Hydrocarbon emissions are reduced in the low-to-medium range by keeping intake-valve lift low, speeding intake flow and dispersing the fuel into a fine mist, resulting in more efficient full combustion.
The VVEL improves fuel efficiency most effectively in the low-to-medium operating range, thus it is best matched to the multiple-cylinder and higher displacement engines, that typically operate within that range.
Under the Nissan Green Program 2010, Nissan has announced plans to develop gasoline-powered engines with CO2 emissions reduced to levels comparable with diesel engines, to be available globally by 2010. For multiple-cylinder, high-displacement engines, Nissan will combine VVEL technology with the direct-injection system.
The VVEL system
A rocker arm and two types of links close the intake-valves by transferring the rotational movement of a drive shaft with an eccentric cam to the output cam. The movement of the output cam can be varied by rotating the control shaft within the DC motor and changing the fulcrums
of the links. This makes a continuous adjustment of the valve lift amount possible.
*1 VVEL: Variable Valve Event & Lift
*2 This percentage improvement is measured by Nissan by comparing an engine with the VVEL system to an identical engine without it.
*3 The accelerator pedal is pressed halfway or less.
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[tags]infiniti cars, infiniti news, infiniti models[/tags]
Jeep News - SEMA 2006: No 4.2L Cummins in Jeep Wrangler concept
July 31, 2007 by tsikot · Leave a Comment
, Jeep, Mercedes Benz, AutoblogGreen Exclusive, SEMA Show
What’s going on with the Jeep Wrangler diesel concept vehicle on display in the Mopar booth at the SEMA Show? An early news release said it sports a 4.2-liter V6 diesel engine. The wheelstand sign says 4.2-liter diesel engine. We’ve heard Cummins say they’re building a 4.2-liter diesel for light-duty DaimlerChyrsler applications. But peeking under the hood I find a 3.0-liter common-rail diesel engine. None of the Mopar personnel on duty would talk, just saying that it’s a concept vehicle and can’t explain the sign. We know that Jeep will offer a 3.0-liter CRD, which is made by Mercedes-Benz, in the 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee. So it appears that someone at Jeep is having too much fun teasing us about the possibility of Cummins engine in a Wrangler. Judging by the response from our earlier post, maybe Jeep should rethink its concept.
More pictures after the jump.
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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.
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[tags]jeep cars, jeep news, jeep models[/tags]
Mazda News - Mazda goes green with “Sustainable Zoom-Zoom”
July 31, 2007 by tsikot · Leave a Comment
, Emerging Technologies, Ethanol, Hydrogen, Mazda
The “Zoom-Zoom” campaign unifies Mazda’s brand identity, and today Mazda announced how the company’s environmental efforts will be unified under the new “Sustainable Zoom-Zoom” idea. The multi-faceted “Sustainable Zoom-Zoom” campaign fits in things like the Japan-only Smart Idling Stop System, hydrogen, rotary engines (c’mon, it’s Mazda) and E85 into one name. Mazda says its primary focus “will include harnessing synergies with Ford and improving the HEV system of the Hydrogen RE Hybrid.” The short explanation of what “Sustainable Zoom-Zoom” is is lighter cars using more efficient powertrains. All the details are after the jump.
Related:
- Mazda delivers hydrogen RX-8 to Japan Automobile Research Institute
- Geneva Motor Show: Mazda3 2.0 MZR-CD turbo diesel
[Source: Mazda]
MAZDA SETS LONG-TERM VISION FOR TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT: ‘SUSTAINABLE ZOOM-ZOOM’
Mazda’s technology development plan aims to harmonise driving pleasure with environmental and safety features
HIROSHIMA, Japan - Recognising the challenges of CO2 mitigation will require a concerted and coordinated effort between governments, the auto industry, the energy industry, suppliers and consumers. Mazda Motor Corporation has announced its long-term vision for technology development, “Sustainable Zoom-Zoom”, as part of its brand value improvement initiatives. The plan also articulates Mazda’s role in the automotive industry’s response to global climate and transportation issues, outlining Mazda’s efforts toward realising a sustainable environment for the future.
Amongst other aims, Mazda’s primary focus will include harnessing synergies with Ford and improving the HEV system of the Hydrogen RE Hybrid. Introduction of Mazda’s independently developed Smart Idling Stop System (SISS) is also planned for Japan.
In announcing the long-term technology development plan’s vision, Seita Kanai, Mazda’s director and senior executive officer in charge of R&D, said: “Mazda is committed to working towards a sustainable future that brings continued happiness and excitement to people in a global society, by developing vehicles that never fail to excite, visually capture the customer’s heart and provide a fun driving experience that keeps bringing them back to Mazda.”
Under the Sustainable Zoom-Zoom plan, Mazda will pursue the harmony felt between driving pleasure and environmental and safety features, and the quest for an advanced Zoom-Zoom world.
Mazda’s long-term vision will be supported by this new technology development plan. Elements of the technology plan include a drive to create captivating design, a renewed desire for continual driving pleasure and an ongoing mission to achieve improved safety and environmental features, all part of Mazda’s goal of improving its brand value in the eyes of consumers.
Global environmental benefits will be sought by building highly efficient, clean powertrains and striving to reduce vehicle weight. Working toward a better transportation environment, Mazda is moving forward with Human Machine Interface (HMI) technologies. HMI supports accurate recognition and assessment of hazards, more compact design attributes, and improved vehicle dynamics to minimise the risk of collisions. Through the continuous development of a wide range of technologies, Mazda seeks a balance between driving pleasure and environmental safety features as part of its dedication to attain the goals set out in the Sustainable Zoom-Zoom plan.
Mazda’s key technical development initiatives are as follows:
1. Powertrains
- As part of Mazda’s drive toward achieving a sustainable global environment for the future, Mazda will develop powertrains which unite advanced environmental performance with thrilling driving characteristics and which make cars so much fun to drive that people will keep coming back for more.
- For the future embodiment of Zoom-Zoom, Mazda will research hydrogen fuel technologies, with particular emphasis on internal combustion engine applications, as part of the goal of realising a hydrogen society in the future. During this development period, other practical technologies will also be introduced in line with the advancing social infrastructure.
(1) Gasoline engines
- Introduce Mazda’s independently developed Smart Idling Stop System (SISS) in the Japanese market in 2009.
- Introduce an E85 fuel-compatible flex-fuel engine to the Northern European market in 2009.
- Upgrade Mazda’s gasoline engines toward the start of the decade beginning in 2010; increase performance and significantly improve fuel efficiency.
(2) Diesel engines
- Further evolve our clean diesel engine that has become popular in Europe, and introduce a new diesel engine that meets Japanese and North American long-term emissions regulations toward the start of the decade beginning in 2010.
(3) Automatic transmissions
- Introduce a new automatic transmission with improved fuel efficiency and performance comparable to that of a manual transmission toward the start of the decade beginning in 2010.
(4) Rotary engines
- Introduce a new generation gasoline rotary engine with enhanced power and fuel efficiency toward the start of the decade beginning in 2010.
(5) Future technologies
- Begin commercial leasing of the Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid in 2008. Increase its power by 40 per cent and achieve a 200 km range.
- Launch a vehicle with HEV system based on the Hydrogen RE Hybrid toward the start of the decade beginning in 2010.
- Develop an all-new Hydrogen RE with dynamic performance equivalent to a 3.0-litre gasoline engine and a range of 400 km.
2. Design
- Design cars that people will want to drive at first sight; that people will recognise as Mazda at first sight; and that connect with the tastes of families.
- Offer new and exciting Mazda design cues.
- Present new proportions that are aligned with platform development.
3. Vehicle Technologies
- Seek to create vehicles that are fun to drive as well as safe, and invent technologies that allow the designers the freedom to create captivating styling which attracts the eyes of potential buyers.
- Seeking a sustainable future transportation environment, offer vehicles that have a comfortable ride together with excellent safety features such as collision avoidance systems.
- Reduce vehicle weight to improve handling and cut CO2 emissions.
(1) Platforms
- From 2010, steadily develop safe, lightweight new generation platforms with eye-catching design and excellent dynamics.
- Achieve a weight reduction of approximately 100 kg for the new Mazda2/Demio due for launch in 2007, as compared to the current model.
(2) Safety technologies
- Introduce safety technologies with Mazda’s Zoom-Zoom DNA to make cars easier to operate, such as a Human Machine Interface (HMI) system that supports accurate recognition and assessment of hazards and user-friendly collision avoidance dynamics.
- From next year, start an Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) verification experiment in the Hiroshima area to examine safety in collaboration with the government and the local community.
(3) Material technologies and production technologies
- Expand the applications of carbon neutral bioplastics that were developed in collaboration with government, industry and academia. Utilise bioplastics in the Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid that is scheduled to begin commercial leasing in 2008.
- From 2008, make our paint shops the cleanest of any plant in the world by evolving our Three Layer Wet Paint System with our unique water-based painting technology
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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.
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[tags]mazda cars, mazda news, mazda models[/tags]
Chevrolet News - The Chevy Volt goes to Washington - GM hopes to cash in
July 31, 2007 by tsikot · Leave a Comment
, Hybrid, Chevrolet, GM, Legislation and Policy
Yesterday, we mentioned that Toyota is hoping to cash in on the reputation of being hybrid friendly and green in order to make high profits by selling performance vehilces under their Lexus brand name. Just as there is a great deal of hype surrounding the Toyota Prius, the Chevy Volt has garnered green attention towards the General. And, GM wants to cash in on some of that early hype by showing the vehicle off in Washington today to bolster their lobbying efforts in Caption Hill. As we are all aware, there are competing plans being discussed by the nations’ policy makers, with distinct sides developing on each side. Those who have already chosen where they stand are not the target of the auto industry’s efforts, though. Instead of changing the minds of those who have already decided one way or the other, GM is hoping to sway those “sitting on the fence” to the side of lower standards. What they are trying to prove is that they genuinely want to make more efficient cars, but that the standards being discussed by some in Congress are just unrealistic. Will the Volt be enough to sway those fence sitters? As always is the case, we must wait and see. But, here is a question for our readers: is it right for GM to cash in on Volt hype before the vehicle even is in production?
[Source: Detroit News]
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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.
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[tags]chevrolet cars, chevolet news, chevrolet models[/tags]
