Advanced Carbon Fiber Nears Broad Automotive Use

GM and Teijin will co-develop technology to reduce vehicle weight, improve fuel economy
Teijin to open U.S. technical center to facilitate collaborative development

DETROIT – General Motors and Teijin Limited., a leader in the carbon fiber and composites industry, will co-develop advanced carbon fiber composite technologies for potential high-volume use globally in GM cars, trucks and crossovers.

The co-development pact signed today involves use of Teijin's innovative carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastic (CFRTP) technology, a faster and more efficient way to produce carbon fiber composites that potentially could be introduced on mainstream vehicles. For Teijin, the arrangement could lead to widening its portfolio beyond specialty and high-end automotive carbon fiber applications.

"Our relationship with Teijin provides the opportunity to revolutionize the way carbon fiber is used in the automotive industry," said GM Vice Chairman Steve Girsky. "This technology holds the potential to be an industry game changer and demonstrates GM's long-standing commitment to innovation."

To support the relationship, Teijin will establish the Teijin Composites Application Center, a technical center in the northern part of the United States early next year.

As carbon fiber is 10 times stronger than regular-grade steel yet only one-quarter of the weight, carbon fiber composites used as automobile components are expected to dramatically reduce vehicle weight. Consumers benefit from lighter weight vehicles with better fuel economy and all the safety benefits that come with vehicles of greater mass.

Teijin's proprietary breakthrough is its ability to mass-produce carbon fiber-reinforced thermoplastic components with cycle times of under a minute. Conventional carbon fiber-reinforced composites use thermosetting resins and require a much longer timeframe for molding. This time factor has limited the use of carbon fiber in high-volume vehicles.

Teijin recently received a 2011 Global Automotive Carbon Composites Technology Innovation Award by Frost & Sullivan. The technology also was selected by ICIS Innovation Awards 2011 as the overall winner and the recipient of the Best Product Innovation award.

Increasingly, strict global environmental standards and fuel economy regulations have intensified the need to reduce vehicle mass by using lightweight materials in place of high-tension steel or aluminum.

The Teijin Group, which has identified automobiles as a key growth market, accelerated the new technology development through collaboration by the Teijin Composites Innovation Center and Toho Tenax Co. Ltd., where the mass-production technology for carbon fiber reinforced plastic components using thermoplastic resin was successfully developed.

"Teijin's innovative CFRTP technology, which promises to realize revolutionarily lighter automotive body structures, will play an important role in GM's initiative to bring carbon fiber components into mainstream vehicles," said Norio Kamei, senior managing director of Teijin. "We believe our visionary relationship with GM will lead the way in increased usage of green composites in the automotive industry."

The launch of any carbon fiber-intensive vehicle applications resulting from the relationship would be announced closer to market readiness. The agreement does not involve an exchange of equity between the companies.

Holden Volt Charges Into Australia By Late 2012

The cutting-edge Holden Volt electric vehicle with extended range mode will establish an entirely new segment in the Australian market when it launches late in 2012. The five-door, four-passenger Volt is designed to provide the benefits of an electric vehicle without the range limitations usually associated with electric vehicles.

“The Holden Volt can be the only car you need to own,” said Mike Devereux, Holden Chairman and Managing Director.

“The Volt is a true game changer for Holden and the entire industry. It promises to revolutionise the way people view electric vehicles with its world-beating drivetrain, progressive styling and outstanding safety.

“The Volt also signals the start of a new era for Holden as we take a leadership position on technology and sustainable motoring. This is an incredibly exciting vehicle.”

Source: Holden

GM near possible Volt battery fix

General Motors Co is closing in on a package of proposed fixes for the Chevrolet Volt battery pack that engineers believe would eliminate the risk of a fire being triggered days after a crash, two people with knowledge of the situation said Tuesday.

The proposed repairs under consideration would involve laminating circuitry in the Volt's 400-pound battery pack, reinforcing the case surrounding the lithium-ion battery and better protecting the coolant system from leaks in a severe crash, the sources said.

GM has acted quickly to tamp down concerns about the Volt after U.S. safety regulators opened an investigation into the fire risk from the plug-in hybrid's battery pack last month.

A relatively quick repair that could be completed for owners at GM dealerships could spare the automaker the cost and reputation damage from a more involved safety recall.

GM has made the Volt the symbol of its determination to seize a leadership position in fuel economy and green technology. The Volt has a gas-powered 1.4-liter engine to provide additional range after it has run about 40 miles on its battery.

Engineers at the No. 1 U.S. automaker are expected to update senior management by the end of the week on what could be a relatively low-cost way to fix the more than 6,000 Volts now on U.S. roads, one of the sources said.

The cost of the fixes under consideration could total less than $9 million for GM -- or about $1,000 per Volt, the sources said. That could include the labor for repairs at dealerships, but the costs could rise if U.S. regulators press for a more involved solution, the sources said.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened a probe of the Volt's battery pack last month. NHTSA, which has the power to review proposed safety fixes by automakers, had no immediate comment.

GM spokesman Rob Peterson said engineers were still working on the problem. "To the best of my knowledge, we're not discussing exact solutions at this point," he said.

A lithium-ion battery pack in a Volt that went through a crash test in May caught fire three weeks later at a NHTSA test facility in Wisconsin.

In lab tests completed in late November by U.S. regulators, a second Volt pack began to smoke and throw off sparks while a third battery pack caught fire a week after a simulated crash.
GM executives have said the Volt's battery pack would be safe during and immediately after any crash and that problems were not linked to any flaw in battery cells supplied by South Korea's LG Chem Ltd.

GM says the Volt is safe and has rushed to reassure early buyers with what it has called a "white-glove" approach.

The automaker offered loaner cars to the more than 6,000 Volt owners while the safety investigation continues.

GM Chief Executive Dan Akerson raised the ante days later by vowing to buy back any Volts if consumers had concerns, an unusual if not unprecedented step.

Akerson told Reuters last week that the U.S. automaker might need to redesign the Volt battery. GM officials have said the engineering fixes would likely stop far short of a clean-slate redesign for the vehicle's most expensive component.

An influential insurance group, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, said on Monday it had no plans to strip the Volt of its "five-star" safety rating. The ratings from the group are closely watched by consumers and often used in automakers' marketing.

NHTSA also has no plans to change the Volt's "five-star" safety rating, another key resource for consumers.

The plug-in hybrid costs $40,000 before a $7,500 federal tax credit. GM has been losing money on the vehicle because of the Volt's high development costs and low sales volume.

The Obama administration has been a strong proponent of electric vehicles like the Volt and set a goal of getting one million battery-powered vehicles on the road by 2015.

Chevy Volt tops Consumer Reports' owner-satisfaction survey

The Chevrolet Volt, a plug-in hybrid that has an advanced but unproven powertrain, and carries a $40,000 sticker price, is now the top-scoring model in Consumer Reports' latest annual owner-satisfaction survey.

Ninety-three percent of respondents who own the Volt said they would definitely buy it again, making it the highest-rated car in the nationally representative survey. The Volt narrowly edged out the V8-powered Dodge Challenger and the Porsche 911, each with owner-satisfaction scores of 91 percent.

Though the Volt's high score reflects the excitement surrounding GM's new electric/gasoline drivetrain, it comes with a caveat. The model had been in showrooms for only a few months when Consumer Reports' survey was conducted, and it remains to be seen if the score will hold up as the car rolls out to a wider audience and owners spend more time with their vehicles. Still, early adopters of a new technology tend to be among the most enthusiastic buyers.

Consumer Reports' car owner satisfaction survey was conducted prior to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announcement that it would conduct a safety investigation into plug-in hybrid sedans following an incident with a Chevrolet Volt catching fire after being crash tested.

"These models reflect a larger trend we've seen in recent years: Sporty cars and fuel efficient cars with alternative drivetrains tend to generate more enthusiasm and loyalty than most other types of vehicles," said Rik Paul, Consumer Reports automotive editor.

For each of the 27 models that got Consumer Reports top owner satisfaction rating-at least 80 percent of respondents said they'd definitely buy the car again-12 were sporty cars or convertibles and nine were hybrids or diesels.

Brand nationality doesn't seem to be a factor among the top-rated models. The 27 models with the highest rating include 10 American, 10 European, and seven Asian models. Audi, Chevrolet, and Ford were tied with four models each on the top list.

Consumer Reports owner-satisfaction survey, which drew responses from more than 314,000 subscribers on 2009 through 2012 model year vehicles, is based on the results from Consumer Reports Annual Auto Survey, conducted by the Consumer Reports National Research Center.

Scores are based on the percentage of respondents who answered "definitely yes" to the following question: "Considering all factors (price, reliability, comfort, enjoyment, etc.), would you get this car if you had it to do all over again?"

Other fuel-efficient models that earned Consumer Reports top ratings include a number of hybrids, such as the Ford Fusion Hybrid, Lincoln MKZ Hybrid, Lexus CT 200h and RX 450h, and Toyota Prius, as well as diesel versions of the BMW X5 and Volkswagen Golf and Jetta Sportwagen.

Sporty models that did well include the supercharged Audi S4, Audi A5 and S5, Chevrolet Camaro and Corvette, Ford Mustang GT, Mazda MX-5 Miata, and Mini Cooper Convertible.

The appeal of power also extends into mainstream models, as owners of turbocharged versions are often more satisfied than owners of conventional versions of the same car. Although the Ford Flex and Hyundai Sonata, for example, are generally well liked, only their turbocharged versions earned Consumer Reports' top owner satisfaction scores.

Small cars, lower-priced small and midsized SUVs, minivans, and compact pickup trucks tended to score much lower as a group.

This year, only three models received Consumer Reports lowest rating, which means that fewer than half of the respondents said they would definitely buy the car again. They are the Chevrolet Aveo (37 %), all-wheel-drive Toyota Matrix (43 %), and Chevrolet Colorado pickup (47 %).

Full Consumer Reports' owner satisfaction survey findings are available online at www.ConsumerReports.org now. Findings will also be in the January issue of Consumer Reports magazine, which goes on sale December 6.

Consumer Reports is the world's largest independent product-testing organization. Using its more than 50 labs, auto test center, and survey research center, the nonprofit rates thousands of products and services annually. Founded in 1936, Consumer Reports has over 8 million subscribers to its magazine, website and other publications. Its advocacy division, Consumers Union, works for health reform, food and product safety, financial reform, and other consumer issues in Washington, D.C., the states, and in the marketplace.

Chevy Volt fire investigation doesn’t faze customers

News of a federal investigation into a Chevrolet Volt that caught fire hasn’t spooked shoppers of the plug-in hybrid, several Chevy dealers say.

“No one has asked about it,” says Ronald DeTommaso, general manager at Atlantic Chevrolet-Cadillac in Bay Shore, N.Y., on Long Island. The store is one of the largest Volt dealers in the United States; it has sold more than 30 since the car’s launch in December 2010.

On Friday, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said that a Volt at one of its test facilities caught fire about three weeks after the agency had conducted a test crash on the car.

NHTSA said the crash damaged the car’s lithium ion battery, which led to the vehicle fire. Nobody was hurt in the blaze. NHTSA said it is the only case of a battery-related fire in a crash of a vehicle powered by a lithium ion battery.

Both NHTSA and General Motors have said the Volt is not more susceptible to fires than gasoline-powered vehicles. Nonetheless, NHTSA said it is working with GM and other automakers to minimize the risk of post-crash fires.

In a statement issued Friday, after news reports about the NHTSA investigation, Jim Federico, GM’s chief engineer for electric vehicles, said the automaker is working with the federal agency on its investigation.

“I want to make this very clear: The Volt is a safe car,” Federico said. He said GM has safety protocols for handling the battery after a crash and is working with other manufacturers “with the goal of implementing industrywide protocols.”

Jim Purves, a sales manager at Al Serra Chevrolet in Grand Blanc, Mich., said customers haven’t asked about the media reports of the Volt fire.

“I think GM did a great job by getting out there and quickly clarifying the situation,” he said.

Tom Cedar, general manager at All-American Chevrolet in Middletown, N.J., said only one customer had asked him over the weekend about the reports. The customer is planning to buy a Volt anyway, Cedar said.

“He wasn’t worried about it. He said, ‘Things like that can happen with any car,” Cedar said. “I don’t think it’s going to scare away customers.”

GM Builds on Battery Safety to Ensure Confidence in Chevrolet Volt

General Motors announced Monday initiatives for customer satisfaction and battery safety research to ensure ongoing confidence in the Chevrolet Volt extended-range electric vehicle.

The initiatives follow six months of research and testing in the United States with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration designed to induce electric vehicle battery failure after severe crash situations.

The agency advised GM on Friday that it would open a preliminary evaluation of Volt battery assemblies after NHTSA test results caused electrical fires up to three weeks after an initial vehicle New Car Assessment Program side pole crash test.

Mark Reuss, president, GM North America, said the company would take every precaution to assure the driving public of GM’s commitment to the safety of the Volt being handled after a severe incident and the total satisfaction of everyone who owned one.

“The Volt is a five-star safety car. Even though no customer has experienced in the real world what was identified in this latest testing of post-crash situations, we're taking critical steps to ensure customer satisfaction and safety,” Reuss said.

“Our customers' peace of mind is too important to us for there to be any concern or any worry. This technology should inspire confidence and pride, not raise any concern or doubt.

“The question is about how to deal with the battery days and weeks after a severe crash, making it a matter of interest not just for the Volt, but for our industry as we continue to advance the pursuit of electric vehicles.”

Senior GM engineering investigation team

Mary Barra, senior vice president, Global Product Development, said GM had established a senior engineering team to develop changes to eliminate concern of potential post-crash electrical fires and work with industry to ensure appropriate electric vehicle protocols were in place. Barra said such electrical fires had not occurred on public roads and NHTSA was not investigating any such potential imminent failure on the roads.

“GM and the agency's focus and research continue to be on the performance, handling, storage and disposal of batteries after a crash or other significant event,” she said.

“We’re working with NHTSA so we all have an understanding about these risks and how they can be avoided in the future. This isn’t just a Volt issue. We’re already leading a joint electric vehicle activity with Society of Automotive Engineers and other automotive companies to address new issues, such as this protocol of depowering batteries after a severe crash.”

Barra said the team would continue to work closely with NHTSA, suppliers, dealers and manufacturing teams to initiate any necessary changes as soon as possible.

Volt owner loan program

Reuss said GM would establish a Volt owner satisfaction program. Any Volt owner concerned about safety can contact his or her Volt advisor to arrange for a free GM vehicle loan until resolution of the issue.

“A vehicle loan program of this nature is well beyond the norm for a preliminary investigation, and it underlines our commitment to the vehicle and its owners,” he said. “These steps are the right ones to take regardless of any immediate impact on our operations.”

Chevrolet Volt to be Sold in Eight Chinese Cities

The Chevrolet Volt electric car will go on sale at 13 Shanghai GM Chevrolet dealerships in eight Chinese cities: Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Suzhou, Wuxi, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Foshan. It will be priced at RMB 498,000 ($75,533).

The announcement was made Monday as part of General Motors’ participation in Auto Guangzhou 2011. Two of GM’s joint ventures, Shanghai GM and SAIC-GM-Wuling, are displaying more than 30 vehicles from the Buick, Chevrolet, Cadillac and Baojun brands.

China will be among the first global markets to offer the Volt, which provides up to 80 kilometers of pure electric driving. With its onboard engine-generator, it has a total driving range of 570 kilometers in extended-range mode. It produces peak torque of 370 Nm and maximum power of 111 kW and has a 0-100 km/h time of about nine seconds along with a top speed of 160 km/h.

The Volt earned a five-star safety rating from the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Its battery carries a warranty of six years/150,000 kilometers. The Volt’s introduction is part of Shanghai GM’s Drive to Green strategy, which is focused on delivering products that offer higher fuel economy and lower emissions.

2012 Volt Moves Into California’s HOV Fast Lane

A Low Emissions Package that qualifies the 2012 Chevrolet Volt electric car to access California’s High Occupancy Vehicle traffic lanes will be standard on all models sold in the Golden State early next year.

"HOV lane access is a coveted perk in California,” said Chris Perry, vice president of Global Chevrolet Marketing. “The low-emissions Volt will be a strong draw for drivers who commute daily in the most-congested driving environments in the United States.”

Owners of a 2012 Volt with the Low Emissions Package will be eligible to apply for one of 40,000 available HOV lane stickers issued to vehicles that qualify as a California Enhanced, Advanced Technology – Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle.

Additionally, the new Low Emissions Package makes the 2012 Volt eligible for owners to receive up to $1,500 in state rebates through the state’s Clean Vehicle Rebate Project. This incentive is in addition to the federal government’s $7,500 tax credit.

California has more than 1,400 miles of HOV lanes. Originally, these lanes were restricted to vehicles with two or more occupants to help minimize congestion. However, the state updated the program to allow single occupancy use of HOV lanes as a way to encourage early adoption of advanced, low emission vehicles.

Chevrolet engineers modified the Volt’s engine and exhaust components – specifically the catalytic converter – by adding a secondary air-injection pump that streams ambient air into the exhaust stream to increase its ability to remove pollutants. The additional oxygen helps the catalytic converter remove even more pollutants than the already clean standard Volt.

The Volt has a total driving range of up to 379 miles, based on EPA estimates. For the first 35 miles, the Volt can drive gas-and tailpipe-emissions-free using a full charge of electricity stored in its 16-kWh lithium-ion battery. When the Volt’s battery runs low, a gas powered engine/generator seamlessly operates to extend the driving range another 344 miles on a full tank. Volt owners have travelled more than 10 million miles since the vehicle launched late last year. Roughly two-thirds of those miles were powered by grid electricity.

“The Volt may be the most-technologically advanced vehicle on the road today with a long list of valuable benefits from gas-free commuting and refined performance to connectivity,” Perry said. “Future owners in California can now add HOV lane access to that list.”

Holden Volt first engineering test car arriving in Australia

The first Holden Volt has landed in Australia and has been revealed to employees at a special event held at Holden headquarters today.

This first cutting-edge Holden Volt vehicle arrived into Australia from the United States and is a left-hand drive model that has been adapted for use by the engineering team to begin in-country validation and verification.

The Volt has been used for numerous engineering evaluation trips, seeing it drive to various places around the country including Sydney and Canberra.

Paul Gibson, Director of Electrical Engineering at Holden, said: “The engineering department will use these validation exercises to ensure the electrical infrastructure around the country supports the Volt and that the recharging process is as seamless as possible for customers,”
The Holden Volt represents a major milestone for the Red Lion brand.

Holden Chairman and Managing Director Mike Devereux said the Holden Volt will be a game changer for Holden and the wider automotive industry in this country.

“It is among the most technologically advanced cars on the road anywhere in the world and spearheads Holden‟s push to become a leader in the field of technology and sustainable motoring.

“The Volt will make driving more economical, more environmentally-friendly and will fundamentally change the way Australia thinks about alternative transport solutions. This is the start of something big for Holden and Australia.”

Many of the Volt's benefits are due to its groundbreaking propulsion system; the Volt was the world's first electric vehicle with extended range capability. Driven purely by the advanced lithium ion battery, the Volt can drive on electric-only power using electricity stored in its 16 kW/h lithium ion battery.

When the battery runs low, a petrol-powered engine seamlessly operates to recharge the battery, thereby eliminating "range anxiety" and making the Volt the most practical electric car on the market.

Owners of the Volt in the United States have recorded up to 2300km (equivalent) of driving before needing to refuel the petrol engine, which acts as a generator to recharge the battery.

The Holden Volt will go on sale in Australia towards the end of 2012. Further technical information and specification details will be released closer to launch.

GM on track to sell 45,000 Volts in 2012

General Motors CEO Dan Akerson says he still expects the company will sell 45,000 extended range Chevrolet Volts in 2012 in the United States.

The company plans to build 60,000 Volts in 2012 - exporting 15,000 them, Akerson said.
"We are ramping production so we can hit a number on the order of 45,000 for next year," he told CNBC today.

GM has sold 5,003 Volts through the first 10 months of the year - and appears it is unlikely it will meet its goal of selling 10,000 vehicles this year.

But GM boosted Volt sales by 50 percent in October to its best ever sales month to 1,108. Akerson noted that more than half of Volt customers were driving premium foreign vehicles, and the car is getting great reviews from owners.

"Everything we've seen is this thing has been a home run," Akerson said.

He noted the company took its Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly plant down this summer so it could ramp up for bigger production, upgraded the paint shop and added six miles of conveyor belts. "Now we're starting to hit the pace," Akerson said.

Akerson, appearing on CNBC as part the celebration of Chevrolet's 100th anniversary, reiterated he was disappointed in GM's stubbornly low stock price.

He also said the Treasury Department, which still holds a 27 percent stake in the automaker as part of its $49.5 billion bailout, hasn't been involved in the running of GM, a position he's maintained since taking the helm of GM in September 2010.

"I hear more about it when I'm on television," Akerson said. "This takes more air time than it does board time or management time."

Akerson, who had said last month he predicted "flattish" U.S. auto sales in 2012, said today he thought 2012 would be "flat to slightly up."

He said sales are currently running at an annual sales rate of 12.5 million vehicles - and that could go to 13 million or slightly higher next year. He said he was "cautiously optimistic here in the United States, but we'll have to see how it plays out."

Opel has 6,000 Ampera reservations ahead of German launch

Opel is set to launch its Ampera extended-range electric vehicle in Germany next month, but the auto maker’s top sales executive says the Chevrolet Volt-based car already appears to be an early success. Initial projections called for sales of 8,000 Amperas in the first year, but the auto maker now is eying 10,000-15,000 units.

“We’ve got over 6,000 reservations, which is way above what we anticipated,” Visser says of the process in which a buyer can reserve an Ampera via the Internet with a E150 ($208) deposit.

General Motors, which has encountered some hiccups in ramping up production of the Volt at its Hamtramck, MI, assembly plant, is expected to be able to meet forecast demand for the Ampera.

“We obviously have very direct discussions with Detroit,” Visser says. “Our current indications are we have the capacity from a global point of view to fulfill (demand for the Ampera). So we are OK.”

Ampera is an important part of Opel’s efforts to move upmarket, the executive says.

“I think it is a really big step here in Europe, because there are a lot of manufacturers talking about e-mobility…but we (are) the only one with an electric vehicle with no range limitation that is actually on sale today and not a concept car,” he says.

Further moves into electrification also are possible.

In September, Opel unveiled the RAK-e concept at the Frankfurt auto show. The EV resembles a 4-wheeled scooter, with seats for the driver and single passenger positioned in tandem.

It has a 62-mile (100-km) range, a top speed of 72 mph (120 km/h) and can be fully recharged on household current in three hours.

“Reaction to that vehicle was overwhelming and extremely positive,” Visser says, adding whether the car will make it to production remains unclear.

“It is not impossible, but it is not at all decided. It is something we would like to start studying, particularly given the positive feedback of the Frankfurt show.”

Chevrolet Showcases Spark EV Electric Motor [video]

From home appliances to children’s toys, electric motors are all around us and have nearly a century of automotive use dating to Charles Kettering’s invention of the electric starter first used in 1912. With the emergence of electric vehicles, electric motors also will play a bigger part in future vehicles.

“We’ve spent the past few years highlighting our in-house battery capability, which will play a significant role as one of our core competencies going forward,” said Larry Nitz, GM executive director of Vehicle Electrification Engineering. "Electric motor development and manufacturing is another area of expertise we’ll need as we expand vehicle electrification technologies to address the needs of our customers around the world.”

Chevrolet is highlighting its expertise in electric motors at a pilot facility in Wixom, a Detroit suburb, in advance of beginning the domestic production of electric motors at GM’s plant in White Marsh, Md., near Baltimore in late 2012. Specifically, equipment and processes to be used at White Marsh are being validated and tested in Wixom.

Conventionally powered vehicles on the road today have a variety of electric motors to power seats, windows, windshield washers and other functions. Electric motors are used in hybrid and electric vehicles to move the drive wheels to propel the vehicle. Electricity is stored in a battery and feeds power to the electric motor to drive the wheels.

GM is focused on the development of permanent magnet and induction motors for a variety of applications. During a recent tutorial at the Wixom facility, news media were given the opportunity to hand build portions of a permanent magnet motor, the exact 85 kW (114 hp) permanent magnet motor configuration that will be used in the recently announced Chevrolet Spark electric vehicle to debut in 2013.

The White Marsh facility will produce electric motors for the Spark and other future vehicles. Currently, GM uses electric motors as part of the propulsion system in nine vehicles including the Chevrolet Volt, Chevrolet Malibu Eco, Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid, Buick Lacrosse eAssist, Buick Regal eAssist, GMC Sierra Hybrid, GMC Yukon and Yukon Denali Hybrid, and Cadillac Escalade Hybrid.

A123 shares soar after GM reveals all-electric car

Shares of A123 Systems, which makes rechargeable lithium ion batteries for electric cars, jumped Wednesday after General Motors said that the company would be supplying the power for the automaker's first all-electric car.

General Motors Co. announced Wednesday that the Spark EV will be available in 2013 for certain markets in the U.S. and internationally.

The Spark EV will be a limited release but for A123, which had a huge initial public offering two years ago, it's a big deal. Company shares that rose 50 percent and closed at $20.29 on their first day of trading in September 2009, have since tumbled below $5 each.

In August, GM announced that it awarded A123 Systems a production contract to produce batteries for future vehicles. A123 Systems spokesman Dan Borgasano points out that the Spark EV will be the first GM car to go to market with the company's battery.

Besides General Motors, A123 Systems also has production contracts with German automaker BMW and with Chinese automaker SAIC Motor Corp. The company also provides the battery for the Fisker Karma, a luxury plug-in electric hybrid vehicle, Borgasano said.

Shares of A123 Systems Inc. shares jumped 22 percent, or 73 cents, to $4.04 Wednesday afternoon. That's still less than half of what shares cost earlier this year at $10.99.

Shares of GM also rose Wednesday. They were up $1.09, or 4.8 percent, to $23.59 in afternoon trading.

Seven Auto Makers Agree to single-port DC fast charging standard

Recognizing the importance of a single international approach for DC fast charging, Audi, BMW, Daimler, Ford, General Motors, Porsche and Volkswagen have agreed on the combined charging system as an international standardized approach to charge electric vehicles (EV) in Europe and the United States.

The system is a combined charging approach integrating all charging scenarios into one vehicle inlet/charging connector and uses identical ways for the vehicle to communicate with the charging station. This allows electric vehicles from Audi, BMW, Daimler, Ford, General Motors, Porsche and Volkswagen can share the same fast charging stations.

The seven auto manufacturers believe the development of a common charging approach is good for customers, the industry and charging infrastructure providers. Standardization will reduce build complexity for manufacturers, accelerate the installation of common systems internationally and most importantly, improve the ownership experience for EV drivers.

The endorsement of the combined charging system was based on reviews and analysis of existing charging strategies, the ergonomics of the connector and the preferences of customers in both the United States and Europe. The harmonized approach – across both continents and all manufacturers - will provide a framework for future infrastructure planning as well as a communication protocol to assist in the integration of electric vehicles into the smart grids.

The seven auto manufacturers also agreed to use HomePlug Green Phy as the communication protocol. This approach will also facilitate integration of the electric vehicle into future smart grid applications.

Automakers point to the success of Level 1 and Level 2 (for 220V charging in the U.S.) as an example of how standardization will increase the adoption of electric vehicles and increase customer satisfaction. The harmonized electric vehicle charging solution is backward compatible with the J1772 connector standard in the U.S. Backward compatibility also has been achieved in Europe where the system is based on the IEC 62196 Type 2. The approval of the J1772 standard has given electric vehicle owners the comfort of knowing they can charge at all Level 2 charging stations. Prior to standardization an EV owner had no way of knowing if the charge port they were pulling up to was compatible with their vehicle.

Chevrolet to Produce Spark EV All-Electric Vehicle [video]

Chevrolet today announced it will produce an all-electric version of the Chevrolet Spark mini-car – the Spark EV. It will be sold in limited quantities in select U.S. and global markets starting in 2013, including California.

“The Spark EV offers customers living in urban areas who have predictable driving patterns or short commutes an all-electric option,” said Jim Federico, global vehicle chief engineer for electric vehicles at Chevrolet. “It complements Chevrolet’s growing range of electrified vehicles, including the Volt extended-range EV and the 2013 Malibu Eco with eAssist technology.”

Feedback from participants in Chevrolet’s electric vehicle demonstration fleets in Shanghai (Sail EV), Korea (Cruze EV) and India (Beat EV) are being incorporated into the Spark EV.

“Our global demo fleets continue to provide insight into the needs of electric vehicle customers living in urban environments,” said Federico. “The Spark EV is another step in Chevrolet’s plan to provide customers with a variety of electrification solutions to address the lifestyle and transportation needs of people around the world.”

A123 Systems will supply the advanced nanophosphate lithium-ion battery packs that will power the Spark EV. Details on specific markets, range, quantities and pricing will be announced later.

GM to offer all-electric city car in U.S.

General Motors Co. is expected to announce Wednesday it will sell an all-electric car in the United States.

The car will be a small, battery-powered vehicle designed for urban markets, a source familiar with the plans said.

It's unclear when it will go on sale at U.S. dealers, or under which of GM's brand it will be sold.

GM spokesman Mike Albano declined comment. On Wednesday, the company is holding a media briefing for journalists at its headquarters in Detroit in honor of Chevrolet's centennial anniversary on Nov. 3.

"We have some news announcements (Wednesday) and I'm not going to say what they are," Albano said.

GM CEO Dan Akerson said at the Detroit auto show in January the auto company was developing an all-electric vehicle for the U.S. market to complement the extended-range Chevrolet Volt that went on sale in December.

This electric car would fill a niche separate from the Volt, which is battery powered but comes with a back-up gas engine, Akerson said at the time. It would be aimed primarily at drivers in big cities, he said.

Akerson also said GM plans to add two more Volt-style, extended-range vehicles to its lineup in the 2012-2013 time frame: a hatchback and a minivan called the Volt MPV5, shown last year at the Beijing Auto Show.

The Detroit-based automaker will ratchet up production of the Volt next year at its Detroit-Hamtramck plant. This year, it plans to build 16,000 Volts, including several thousand destined for export. Next year, GM will increase that number to 60,000 Volts.

GM insists will sell 10,000 Volts by the end of this year

General Motors insists it will sell 10,000 Chevrolet Volts in the U.S. by the end of this year, but as of now, the numbers don't look good.

By the end of August, the last time GM publicly announced its sales, about 3,500 Volts had been sold. To reach 10,000, GM will need to average about 1,700 Volts per month for the last four months of the year.

In August, GM sold 300 gasoline/electric Volts. Meanwhile, Nissan sold over 1,300 of its all-electric Nissan Leaf that month. In fact, the Leaf was the fourth best-selling of all alternative fuel vehicle that month, including hybrids and diesel cars, according to Intellichoice.com.

September Volt sales will be revealed Monday when GM reports its monthly sales tally.

Not to worry, GM spokesman Rob Peterson said.

"I don't see any problem with reaching our goal," he said.

The reason he gives is that GM's Detroit factory is still just clearing its throat. The real show starts now.

Up to now, the Volt has been available for sale in only seven test markets including New York, California and GM's home state of Michigan. Even so, Volts have found homes in all 50 states including Alaska and Hawaii, said Peterson. Some people can't wait for them to be available in their own states. They want the cars so badly they're buying them and shipping them across oceans and continents.

Now, GM is getting ready to sell the Volt at 2,600 Chevrolet dealers across all 50 states and getting geared up for that has meant drawing Volt sales down to a trickle, he said.

First, GM closed the Detroit factory where the Volt is built for four weeks to upgrade it so it can turn out Volts faster.

That extra production capacity was needed because, in addition to selling across the U.S., the Volt will also go on sale in Europe and Asia. In all, GM expects to sell 16,000 Volts by the end of this year, a figure that includes a Europe-only version called the Opel Ampera.

Every one of them will be built in Detroit.

Once production started again in mid-August, the first priority was getting so-called demo units to dealerships so they could demonstrate the products and give test drives. That left only about 300 cars to sell to customers in August, Peterson said.

Bottom line, he said, GM is still selling every Volt it can build. It just needs to build more.

The plant is capable of producing 600 Volts a week, Peterson said, or roughly 2,400 cars a month.

The Volt is eligible for a $7,500 federal tax credit, which brings its effective base price down to about $32,500. Also, it's available at a relatively low lease rate of about $350 a month.

Phil Gott, an industry analyst with IHS Global Insight, agrees with Peterson that the Volt's current lagging sales status is no indication that demand for the car is flagging.

Regardless of sales numbers, the Volt is already doing solid work for GM, Peterson said.

"Of the initial batch of Volt owners, about half hadn't stepped into a Chevy dealership in eight years," he said. "A third never had."

That means the Volt is drawing new customers into Chevrolet showrooms.

"I've heard that some Chevy dealers are using the Volt to get people into showrooms and using it to sell the Cruze," said Omotoso. "It's almost half the price of the Volt and it gets great fuel economy."

The Chevrolet Cruze also happens to be the best-selling compact car in America. So even if the Volt doesn't turn out to be a great seller, it seems to be a good salesman.

GM, SAIC to develop electric vehicles in China

General Motors Co and its Chinese partner SAIC Motor Corp signed an agreement on Tuesday to develop and build electric vehicles in the world's largest auto market.

The deal will allow GM and SAIC to eventually offer electric vehicles (EVs) that qualify for expected Chinese "green" subsidies, something GM's Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid electric car does not qualify for since it is not built in China, GM Vice Chairman Steve Girsky said.

The subsidies would provide buyers with a discount, either before or after purchase.

The Volt will go on sale in China later this year, but without the subsidies that can cut prices roughly 30 percent. Girsky said GM hopes China eventually extends the green subsidies to all vehicles.

Industry observers and U.S. lawmakers have said that by limiting the subsidies to locally built models, the Chinese government is pressuring companies like GM to share advanced technology with its Chinese partners.

"The basic, unpublished rules look like this: If you want approvals to build more Buicks and Chevys in China ... you should first agree to transfer EV technology," said independent China auto analyst Michael Dunne.

"The price of access to the world's No. 1 car market just went up a few notches," added Dunne, who wrote "American Wheels Chinese Roads: the Story of General Motors in China."

GM officials deny facing any pressure.

"We've had no requests for intellectual property around Volt from our partner, SAIC, or the Chinese government," Girsky said on a conference call. GM currently has no plans to build Volt in China. "This is not a political decision. This is a business decision."

China has set an ambitious target to have 1 million green vehicles on the road by 2020, up from a few thousand at best currently. J.D. Power and Associates estimates the EV market in China will not reach 200,000 sales until 2015 at the earliest.

"We're making guesses here, but we do not want to be left out," Girsky said, when asked how big China's EV market could get.

Girsky compared the SAIC deal to one announced last month with South Korea's LG Corp to design a range of EVs to be sold around the world. He said the SAIC deal would make EVs for China, and the LG deal would serve the rest of the world.

Last year, the Chinese government unveiled a pilot program to hand out subsidies to buyers of fuel-efficient cars in five Chinese cities as it moves to cut emissions in the world's most populous country, which is also the world's largest producer of greenhouse gases. It is still finalizing those regulations.

But those subsidies, which favor electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids, may only cover locally made green models, reflecting Beijing's resolve to promote domestic brands and locally built products.

That potentially could put GM's Volt and Nissan Motor Co Ltd's Leaf at a significant disadvantage by making the vehicles too expensive for many Chinese buyers.

Nissan, which will begin selling the Leaf in China later this year, previously said it would build an electric vehicle with its Chinese partner in that market by 2015.

GM and SAIC said their Chinese joint venture's engineering and design operations will develop the new architecture as well as key parts. Girsky said it will be a dedicated electric vehicle platform and not based on current models.

The companies, which are making equal, undisclosed investments in the project, said product details and timing will be announced at a later date. J.D. Power analyst Mike Omotoso said the SAIC venture could develop its EV within two three years.

The Shanghai GM joint venture introduced the Chevy Sail electric concept vehicle late last year. Vehicles developed under the partnership will be sold in China under Shanghai GM and SAIC brands, and GM will use the platform to build electric vehicles globally.

The agreement finalizes a nonbinding memorandum on cooperation for green-vehicle development SAIC and GM signed last November. At the time, SAIC agreed to buy a 1 percent stake in GM through an initial public offering held to make GM a public company again and cut the U.S. Treasury's holding in the company.

The Shanghai GM joint venture builds Chevy, Buick and Cadillac vehicles in China, and dates back almost 15 years.

GM's board of directors met China this week -- the first time ever outside the United States.

Opel RAK e could sell for $10,000 [video]

Opel today formally introduced the RAK e experimental vehicle – an all-new battery-powered electric vehicle that can travel 100 kilometers (61 miles) for one euro ($1.36), weighs a third of a modern small car and can reach 120 km/h (75 mph) in less than 13 seconds.

"We want to develop electric vehicles that everyone can afford," said Karl-Friedrich Stracke, Opel CEO, at the world premiere in Frankfurt. "The RAK e experimental vehicle aims to deliver pricing that even younger customers can afford. The RAK e has cool looks and production-potential."

Opel's RAK e electric tandem two-seater "is a very serious concept," says General Motors Europe boss Nick Reilly, adding that the company is investigating production feasibility and believes the car could go on sale for around $10,000.

The lightweight concept of the RAK e is based on a steel space-frame structure beneath a skin of conventional synthetic material. This allows a high level of safety as well as affordable pricing. Opel deliberately avoided the use of expensive composite materials in its lightweight-design philosophy, in order to make electric mobility affordable for as many people as possible.

The name "RAK e" recalls the pioneering spirit inspired by Fritz von Opel and his revolutionary rocket-powered car in the last century. In 1928 RAK 2 catapulted the grandson of company-founder Adam Opel to a top speed of 228 km/h (142 mph). The "e" not only stands for electric, but also takes up again the idea of ground-breaking experimental vehicles.

"The RAK e is inspired by our wealth of experience in the area of electro-mobility, above all by the Ampera"; explains Mark Adams, vice president Design. "This progressive concept is creating a new class of electric vehicle; this is what future mobility with 'my first e-Opel' could look like. We are eager to see the reaction of visitors to the show."

The potential of the experimental vehicle is reflected in its design. The bodywork is made of fully recyclable synthetic material; the tandem two-seat passenger compartment is reminiscent of glider. The large cockpit canopy creates a feeling of spaciousness and all-around visibility. The front seat, steering column and armrests automatically tip forward to enable easy-entry; remote control via smart phone enhances the optical effect of this action. The pedals and the steering wheel adjust to the size of the driver.

The two-seater features visible chassis components, such as the wheel-integrated front disk brakes and the motorbike-derived rear swing-arm. The rear wheels enhance agility with a tread width of only 600 mm.

Around three meters long and 119 cm (46.9 inches) high, the aerodynamic RAK e offers zero-emission driving. After charging the battery for three hours, the experimental vehicle can travel up to 100 km (61 miles). Due to the combination of low weight, minimal frontal area, low rolling resistance, and highly efficient electric propulsion. The cockpit features displays showing battery state-of-charge or the nearest charging station, infotainment equipment, and heating and cooling

Weighing only 380 kg (838 lbs.) the RAK e is about one third the weight of a modern small car. Peak power output is 36.5 kW/49 hp; 10.5 kW/14 hp is continuously available. The useable battery capacity of 5 kWh enables a range of 100 km (61 miles), which corresponds to fuel consumption of just 0.6 liters (0.16 gallons) of gasoline. Over an annual 10,000 km (6,214 miles) the RAK e's energy consumption would be 525 kWh. This could be supplied by a five square-meter, 500-Watt solar panel mounted on the roof of the garage.

Opel/Vauxhall to unveil 2-seat EV concept @ Frankfurt

Vauxhall/Opel is to reveal a striking concept with ‘production potential' at this month's Frankfurt show that could revolutionise urban transport, especially for younger drivers and those on a very tight budget.

A battery-powered electric vehicle, the low, rakish concept will be highly affordable, have a 60-mile range and be capable of 75mph, making even the odd motorway trip feasible.

Yet despite its aesthetic appeal, the concept will be practical, affording two seats in a tandem layout, and its light weight - around a third of a small modern car's - would allow it to be agile and fun to drive.

Inspired by the Ampera, the concept has the potential to create a new class of light-weight, zero-emissions electric vehicles in the UK and Europe.

More details will be revealed at the Vauxhall/Opel press conference at the Frankfurt Motor Show on September 13.