Nissan News - Japan fills the most fuel cell patent applications
December 19, 2007 by tsikot · Leave a Comment
The Japanese are taking fuel cells very seriously and here’s a figure that confirms this: two out of three fuel cell patent applications from 1998 to 2004 were made by Japanese companies (total patents were 32,209). Compared to the US and Europe, Japan filed 2.5 times more patents than the US and 2.9 times more than Europeans.
More than 15 percent of the filings were made by three Japanese auto manufacturers, Nissan, Toyota and Honda, which filed 1,980, 1,546 and 1,526 applications, respectively.
Regarding the type of technology, most of the applications featured proton-exchange membrane fuel cells (81-83 percent), then solid-oxide fuel cells (10-12 percent) and direct methanol fuel cells (5-7 percent). The three territories in which the study was made showed similar percentages.
Japan is really believing in the hydrogen-based society and is really betting on having fuel cell vehicles in widespread use by 2030. But it’s more than cars that are potential users of fuel cell technology; fuel cells can be used for household co-generation systems and portable electronics or for projects that are more fun.
Related:
- Hyundai’s i-Blue fuel cells on track for 2012 use in crossover SUV
- European Commission calls for 470 million euro investment into hydrogen cars
- Honda adds to the odd with Tokyo Motor Show Puyo and CR-Z concepts
[Source: Japan for Sustainability]
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[tags]nissan cars, nissan autos, nissan news, nissan models, nissan[/tags]
Jeep News - Move over crossovers, 2008 will be the year of the Super-Mini SUV (Top 10 list included)
December 19, 2007 by tsikot · Leave a Comment
, BMW, HUMMER, Hyundai, Jeep, Kia, SMART, Toyota, Volkswagen, AutoblogGreen Exclusive
Want to know the hottest, green trend in car design and the vehicles that are sure to turn heads in 2008? The answer, IMHO, is convertible, two door, mini SUV/crossovers. I have compiled a list of the top 10 best concept Jeeps and Jeep-like vehicles for you. Why will young, hip, urban types suddenly go Daisy Duke and start driving a Jeep? Small vehicles like sip gas when compared to an SUV and with gas prices probably going to $4 a gallon next year, a vehicle type even smaller than the crossover that maintains the usability and apparent safety of the SUV just might take off.
Major car makers like GM see green technology like hybrids and smaller design as a way to improve the mileage and sales of their best selling SUV. Crossovers as a solution to the problem of slowing SUV sales are losing steam and, as 2007 comes to a close, we are already seeing a Hummer even smaller than the 20 MPG H3 and the BMW Mini entering the SUV market. The Hummer and Mini SUV are on the top of our top 10, which you can read in full below the fold. Are you ready for modern, small off-roader?
Top 10 Jeep Concepts
1. Hummer Pick Up Truck H3T - I was shocked to learn the H3 actually gets 20 MPG and this even smaller Hummer pick up will probably get even higher mileage with the loss of a few doors. (Third quarter 2008)
2. Volkswagen’s “Concept A” mini-SUV - The Concept A almost has a coupe-ish, roadster-like look and feel except for the giant tires. (2008 release date)
3. BMW Mini Clubman SUV - Not much longer than the normal Mini, the star brand of subcompacts just might show SUVs how it’s done. (2009 release)
4. Smart Crosstown - Smart, like the Mini, is another star of the small car market that is taking aim at making a slightly bulkier car with the Crosstown. (No release date)
5. Audi Steppenwolf - Audi has designed a two-door, compact crossover that, like most of these cars, blurs our idea of a big and small car. (No release date)
6. Toyota Urban Cruiser - The Urban Cruiser from Toyota looks like a Yaris hatchback subcompact on some chemicals that might will get it booted from the Olympics. (No release date)
7. Hyundai Hellion - Hyundai shrunk the SUV then hit it with the ugly stick and the Hellion was born. (No release date)
8. Karmann SUC - I don’t think Karmann tried too hard because the SUC (or Sport Utility Cabrio) just looks like a coupe with over sized tires or a photoshopped body.
9. Kia KND-4 - Kia’s KND-4 concept is lower on list because Kia’s take on the compact SUV market is just a bit too bulky. (No release date)
10. Jeep Compass - Technically, Jeep is not a vehicle type but a single company brand, so we had to include Jeep’s two door, compact SUV, Compass. (Release? It’s already out! Gets 28 MPG highway.)
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[tags]jeep cars, jeep news, jeep models[/tags]
Toyota News - Infiniti to launch high-speed hybrid system in 2011
December 19, 2007 by tsikot · Leave a Comment
Even before Nissan introduced the Altima hybrid late in 2006 using a licensed Toyota hybrid system, they started development work on their own in-house system. More recently, there were indications that the Nissan system might first appear on Infiniti models. Now it looks like the system that is being developed will follow the path of Porsche and GM’s Two-Mode hybrid system and allow electric assist at higher speeds. What’s not known is whether the motor will be able to run along with the engine for extra boost as the two-mode system does, or if it will be able to run solely on electricity at highway speeds as the Porsche system allows. The new hybrid is expected to appear on the next-generation Infiniti FX in about 2011.
[Source: Motor Authority]
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[tags]toyota cars, toyota news, toyota suv, toyota[/tags]
Lexus News - Lexus likely to get lithium batteries before Prius
December 19, 2007 by tsikot · Leave a Comment
With Toyota throwing cold water on the near-term viability of lithium ion battery technology for the Prius, it looks like another brand will be the first to use the new batteries. Mercedes-Benz announced back in September at the Frankfurt Motors Show that they would be using lithium batteries in their mild hybrid vehicles beginning in 2009. Given the added costs of lithium ion batteries and Toyota’s efforts to drive down the costs of the Prius, when Toyota finally does add them they will likely appear in a Lexus model first. Toyota is still skeptical of lithium technology and says no company is capable of building a 150,000-mile battery right now. Bill Reinert of Toyota also acknowledged that they have had thermal issues and fires in some test vehicles. After the batteries are established in another vehicle they will migrate to the Prius and other platforms.
[Source: Automotive News - Sub. req'd]
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[tags]lexus cars, lexus news, lexus models[/tags]
MINI News - Hey MINI, why don’t you get mini again?
December 19, 2007 by tsikot · Leave a Comment
Didja notice that the latest MINI, the ClubMan, does not exactly live up to the mini moniker? Over the years, as vehicle sizes in general have enlarged, the MINI has followed suit. But, according to Motoring File, there is a possibility that BMW has decided a smaller MINI - and actual mini - should become part of the marque’s lineup in 2011 or 2012. There’s a good chance that, if this is accurate, this mini-MINI is being designed to give BMW some low-CO2 sales that would meet the EU’s upcoming regulations. According to Motoring File, the tiny car might cost just 8,500, which is quite a few quid (about 2,000 to 3,000) cheaper than the current low-end MINI.
One of the main disappointments of the current MINI is the poor mileage (for a car of its size). The MINI Cooper S Convertible, for example, gets just 21 mpg in the city and 28 on the highway. A more-classically-sized MINI should do much, much better. Now, would you buy one?
[Source: Motoring File via Autoblog]
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[tags]mini cars, mini news, mini models[/tags]
