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Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Hydrogen, Legislation and Policy

Less than a year after everyone with any sort of say in the matter seemed to agree that 54.5 miles per gallon by the year 2025 was a properly attainable goal, the California Air Resources Board has decided to change things up a bit.

In addition to CAFE requirements of a 54.5-mpg fleet average (using the government's formula, not what you see on window stickers), at least 15.4 percent of all cars sold by any major automaker doing business in California will have to be either fully electric, a plug-in hybrid or be powered by a hydrogen fuel cell by 2025. There are questions about the "over-compliance" section of the bill, which we'll be investigating further.

According to Mary Nichols, chair of the California Air Resources Board, 15.4 percent is "actually a relatively modest goal, but that's all that we're mandating." Most automakers are on board, says Nichols. "Probably the most heartening aspect of this whole rulemaking was the level of cooperation that we received from the industry... Overall, the degree of support for the package was just extraordinary."

Even if automakers are on board, though, there's still a question of who will actually buy the vehicles. While everyone wants better fuel efficiency, not everyone is willing to pay for it, counters the California New Car Dealers Association, estimating that the plan would add about $3,200 to the average price of a new car or truck. Perhaps to help dissuade such fears, Nichols added that "direct incentives to people who buy these cars (like) rebates and credits" are also in the works.

At least 10 more states are likely to follow California's lead, reports Automotive News. That would put the total number of advanced green vehicles (either with a plug or powered by hydrogen) at around three million total units by 2025, 1.4 million of which would be in California.

California breaks rank again, demands over 15% of cars sold be non-polluting by 2025 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 27 Jan 2012 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Chevrolet

Chevrolet has purchased seven spots.

It's the two-minute warning in terms of Super Bowl advertising and Chevrolet still has some ground to cover. General Motors' largest brand is still mulling its advertising lineup with less than two weeks remaining until the New York Giants and New England Patriots meet in the big game.

Chevrolet has purchased seven spots. Exactly which vehicles will be featured and at what times is still stirring healthy debate at GM headquarters.

"Every day, we're changing the spots of what's running where," said Chris Perry, Chevrolet's vice president of global marketing and strategy. "We're probably going to push it to the end."

That comes Tuesday, Jan. 31 when NBC wants final decisions. Click past the jump to continue reading.

Continue reading A sneak peek at Chevrolet's plan for the Super Bowl

A sneak peek at Chevrolet's plan for the Super Bowl originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Jan 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The MINI Roadster is poised to become the most fun you can have in a front-wheel drive, two-seat convertible, in part because it's the only one in the U.S. that we can think of off the top of our heads. Unique market position aside, the Roadster's entry pricing is attractive, starting at just $24,350 plus $700 destination and handling. Upgrading...

Automobile Magazine (blog)

John Travolta's Stolen Mercedes-Benz 280 SL Returned, But In Pieces Automobile Magazine (blog) That was fast. Last September, John Travolta reportedly left his classic Mercedes-Benz 280 SL convertible parked on a residential street in Santa Monica, California, for just 10 minutes, but that's all the time it took for it to get stolen. John Travolta's stolen Mercedes-Benz recovered in pieces, two men arrestedCBS News John Travolta's stolen classic Mercedes found chopped to piecesLos Angeles Times John Travolta recovers pieces from his vintage MercedesDaily Gossip Chicago Tribune -Rush Lane all 351 news articles »

Filed under: Performance, Bugatti

The automotive industry tends to work by certain norms and patterns. For example, by the time one model is ready to be phased out, we usually have a pretty good idea of how its replacement is shaping up and when it will appear. But Bugatti, of course, is no typical automaker.

The House that Ettore Built has, for the past seven years, subsisted on the Veyron alone. Don’t get us wrong, it’s one heck of an automobile around which to build a brand, but it won’t be around forever. In fact, Bugatti announced a while ago that Veyron production was running its course and nearing its end. The open topped Grand Sport, as it turns out, was outside that original allotment, but even that is nearing the end of its road.

So you can imagine our surprise when Ricardo, the company that makes the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission for the Veyron, announced today that it had extended its contract with Bugatti for another two years. Which would be straightforward enough if there were cars in which Bugatti would be installing said transmissions, but as we already established, the marque’s sole product is nearing the end of its life-cycle, with no replacement in sight.

So where are these transmissions going? There can only be a few explanations. One is that Bugatti is planning to extend Veyron production with another derivative – likely the Super Grand Sport that is expected to combine the removable roof panel on the Grand Sport with the more powerful engine and bodywork of the Super Sport. Another is that the Galibier – a four-door super-sedan in the pipeline at Bugatti’s Molsheim, France HQ – is closer than previously expected, but that model is expected to shift to a different type of transmission altogether.

One possibility we can’t quite accept is that Bugatti is stockpiling components as substantial as a gearbox without having a model in which to install them, so watch this space for more news. In the meantime, scope out the press release after the jump to inspect for yourself.

Continue reading Bugatti orders two more years worth of transmissions… but where are they going?

Bugatti orders two more years worth of transmissions… but where are they going? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Jan 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VerdictonCars

Chevrolet Volt Ads Look to Rebuild Confidence in Electric Vehicle [Video] AutoGuide.com GM has a long road ahead of them to rebuild consumer confidence in the Chevrolet Volt after months of negative press surrounding the fire risk of their extended-range electric vehicle. The advertising campaign will focus on just how safe the Volt is ... Road Test: 2012 Chevrolet Volt offers a smart solution to EV range anxietyNational Post (blog) Chevrolet Volt cleared of fire-risk dangerVerdictonCars GM to Congress: Chevrolet Volt drivers in no dangerUSA TODAY Daily Gossip -MotorTrend Magazine -Inside Line all 148 news articles »

For fans of large-schnozed pseudo-coupe people movers, the Honda Crosstour now comes with a smaller engine, and a lower price: $27,655, for the well-equipped EX model. This is before an $810 destination charge, but also comes in at $2,685 less than the V-6-engined Crosstour. The big-engined model has 79 more horsepower than the Crosstour’s 2.4-liter [...]

Filed under: Car Buying, Convertible, Performance, Mini, UK

Mini has officially announced pricing for the company’s new Cooper Roadster. The tiny droptop will carry a base MSRP of $24,350 in the U.S., while the Cooper S Roadster will set you back $27,350. The top-of-the-line John Cooper Works Roadster, meanwhile, will command a sticker of $34,500 (*pricing exclude a $700 destination and handling fee). Should buyers wish to drop an automatic transmission into their Cooper Roadster or Cooper S Roadster, the two-pedal option will cost an additional $1,250, but the John Cooper Works Roadster is only available with a manual gearbox. Mini says 16-inch alloy wheels are standard on the base roadster and its S counterpart, while the topped-out JCW Roadster will roll on flashier 17-inch wheels.

That means the Cooper Roadster requires a $3,450 premium over the base hardtop Coupe, but curiously, it’s cheaper than the Cooper Convertible by $600. While the latter doesn’t exactly offer palatial amounts of space for rear passengers, it is still considerably more functional than its Cooper Roadster equivalent. We have to wonder if there’s enough of a price differential between the two models to keep buyers from skipping the more rakish Roadster for its four-seat counterpart, but either way, we’re just pleased it doesn’t share the Coupe’s awkward backwards-ballcap roofline. Hit the jump for the lengthy press release.

Continue reading 2012 Mini Roadster priced from $24,350*

2012 Mini Roadster priced from $24,350* originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Jan 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Bright Automotive

Bright Automotive Chief Operating Officer Mike Donoughe invoked President Barack Obama's recent call for U.S. companies to create American jobs while developing alternative energy sources for transportation by requesting that Congress speed up the company's federal loan process.

The company, which is developing the Bright IDEA plug-in hybrid-electric cargo van, is "ready, willing and able" to create as many as 2,500 direct and indirect U.S. job once production is up and running. The hold up? Its loan request from the U.S. Energy Department's Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing (ATVM) Program hasn't yet been processed, something that Donoughe said in a statement this week should be done "swiftly."

Bright Automotive said last November that it reached an agreement to make the IDEA at the AM General Corp factory in Mishawaka, IN, where the Hummer H2 was previously built. At the time, the company estimated that about 300 people would be employed there. The IDEA is expected to deliver about 40 miles on electricity, then switch over to gasoline power, giving the delivery van a range similar to that of the Chevrolet Volt.

The company, which was founded in 2008 by the battery specialist who helped develop General Motors' EV1 electric vehicle and spun off from the Rocky Mountain Institute, said late last year that the IDEA may be available for government and fleet purchases as early as 2014. The company had initially planned on having its plug-in truck ready by this year, but development was put on hold during the recent recession and financial crisis.

Continue reading Bright Automotive says it's ready to heed Obama's call for more jobs, just needs its loan approved

Bright Automotive says it's ready to heed Obama's call for more jobs, just needs its loan approved originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 27 Jan 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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autoevolution

BMW X3 wins over Range Rover Evoque in recent Consumer Report comparison eGMCarTech In a recent Consumer Reports comparison involving compact luxury SUVs, the BMW X3 scored the highest out of all of the contenders, which really should be no surprise. After racking up a total of 80 points in CR's road test, the BMW X3 beat the second … BMW X3 Outpoints Land Rover Range Rover Evoque in Tests of Compact Luxury SUVsClarksville Online BMW X3 SUV elected top favorite car of the year well over Range Rover Evoque …Rush Lane Consumer Reports: BMW X3 Outpoints Land Rover Range Rover Evoque in Tests of …Sacramento Bee autoevolution all 64 news articles »