Every car manufacturer is doing what they can to save the world with their “green” cars.
From Kiplinger.com
Green is still a red hot buzzword in the auto industry, with all manufacturers competing to showcase their commitment to fuel savings. While not all of our picks are considered paragons of green technology, each represents the most efficient vehicle in its class, based on annual fuel cost.
Continue for 2009’s Most Fuel Efficient Cars
One of the most exclusive sports cars in the world just became more exclusive.
On the night before the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, Bugatti took over the awards ramp to show its latest creation. Given that dozens of vintage Bugattis have traveled across that ramp over the past 50 years, it seemed quite an appropriate location for the debut of the latest model from the French automaker, the Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport.
The regular Veyron 16.4 is quite exclusive in its own right – only 160 have been built, with deposits on 240 more — and the new Grand Sport will be built in even fewer numbers. Only 150 copies of the new roadster will be built, with the first 50 available only to current Bugatti customers.
The new Grand Sport is distinct in many ways, but the most noticeable addition — or perhaps subtraction — is the removable roof. The roof is made of a transparent polycarbonate and requires two people to remove. Once removed, the Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport becomes what Bugatti calls the fastest roadster in the world, with a top speed of around 225 mph. Put the top back and the Grand Sport will reach just over 250 mph. Read more…
According to Perry Stern
Hybrids and small, fuel-efficient cars are in short supply, and the auto industry, in general, is having one of its worst years ever.But auto buyers, driven by rapidly rising gas prices, found some appealing fuel-efficient mid-sized and crossover vehicles in the $18,000 to $30,000 range. Sales of some models in this segment surged in June 2008, compared with June 2007, and the increase provided a ray of hope to automakers otherwise struggling to stay afloat.
The biggest winners were the Chevrolet Malibu sedan (25 mpg), sales up 73.4% in June 2008 compared with June 2007; Honda Accord sedan (24 mpg), sales up 54%; Chevrolet Equinox crossover (19 mpg), sales up 45.9; Subaru Forester crossover (22 mpg), sales up 41%; and Pontiac G6 sedan (25 mpg), sales up 34.2%. Read more…
According to Jacqueline Mitchell
DETROIT, April 9, 2008 /PRNewswire/ — The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) announced today that it has selected the research and development team of the 2006 Honda Civic for this year’s Great Designs in Steel Automotive Excellence Award based on the vehicle’s evolutionary and cost-effective use of advanced high-strength steels.
The award recognizes individuals or teams from automaker, supplier and academic ranks who embrace innovation and make significant contributions to the advancement of steel in the automotive marketplace.
Award winners are chosen based on presentations from the previous year at AISI’s Great Designs in Steel Seminar. Candidates from the 2007 seminar were rated in several categories, including: implementation in production; overall contribution to the advancement of steel; challenges and benefits associated with cost, weight savings and performance; replacement of competitive materials; and structural performance and efficiency. The Honda Civic presentation was delivered in March 2007 by Mark Pafumi, Honda Research and Development Americas, Inc.
“Honda’s sophisticated design approach has resulted in a Civic body structure that incorporates structural optimization with steel,” said Brian Aranha, vice president of ArcelorMittal Dofasco and chairman of AISI’s Automotive Applications Committee. “The extensive use of high-strength steel in the Advance Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure creates a new- generation platform that is safer and stronger, enhancing the vehicle’s ability to deal with crash energy during impact.”
According to AISI, new advanced high-strength steels offer significant weight savings, improved energy absorption and crash resistance. The Honda uses several new steels and processing technologies. Body features include extensive use of tailored blanks for improved body performance, reduced weight and cost. Honda also achieved 50 percent high-strength steel content in the body. The high-tensile steel beams provide increased side-impact protection and the overall design with steel provides enhanced body rigidity, earning an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety five-star crash rating.
AISI serves as the voice of the North American steel industry in the public policy arena and advances the case for steel in the marketplace as the preferred material of choice. AISI also plays a lead role in the development and application of new steels and steelmaking technology. AISI is comprised of 31 member companies, including integrated and electric furnace steelmakers, and 130 associate and affiliate members who are suppliers to or customers of the steel industry. AISI’s member companies represent approximately 75 percent of both U.S. and North American steel capacity.
The Automotive Applications Committee (AAC) is a subcommittee of the Market Development Committee of AISI and focuses on advancing the use of steel in the highly competitive automotive market. For more news or information, visit: www.autosteel.org. American Iron and Steel Institute/Automotive Applications Committee members include AK Steel Corporation, ArcelorMittal, Nucor Corporation, Severstal North America Inc., and United States Steel Corporation.
TROY, Mich., Feb. 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — PPG Industries announced that Chrysler LLC named it the top-performing supplier of exterior systems in the automaker’s 2007 Supplier Pentastar Awards. PPG, a leading supplier of coatings and glass products to Chrysler, was honored for performance based on Chrysler’s External Balance Scorecard — a fact-based system that rates suppliers on quality, technology, cost and delivery.
Larry Walker, Chrysler director, exterior procurement, presented the Supplier Pentastar Award to Bill Wulfsohn, PPG senior vice president, coatings, during a ceremony at the Detroit Fire Department’s 1929 Firehouse. Also in attendance were: Frank Archinaco, PPG president, CEO, auto glass and services; Dennis Kovalsky, PPG vice president, automotive coatings; Joe Stas, PPG vice president, auto OEM glass; Tim Knavish, PPG general manager, Americas, automotive coatings; and Ron Nakamura, PPG global director, Chrysler team.
“PPG has differentiated itself from all other exterior systems competitors in 2007 in terms of quality, technology, cost and delivery,” Walker said. “PPG consistently provides world-class products and on-site support to all Chrysler assembly plants.”
Wulfsohn said, “We are proud to be recognized by Chrysler for our commitment to innovation, product quality and service excellence. PPG looks forward to continuing this partnership for years to come and hopes to play an important role in Chrysler’s ongoing success.”
PPG’s Automotive Coatings business unit provides a comprehensive line of coatings products and services to Chrysler, while PPG’s Automotive Glass business unit provides a wide array of glass products to the automaker.
On the forefront of innovation in decorative and protective coatings, environmental application concerns and advanced automotive glazing systems, PPG helps automakers enhance the exterior appearance and overall performance of vehicles for consumers.
About PPG
Pittsburgh-based PPG is a global supplier of paints, coatings, chemicals, optical products, specialty materials, glass and fiber glass. The company has more than 150 manufacturing facilities and equity affiliates and operates in more than 60 countries. Sales in 2007 were US$11.2 billion. PPG shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol: PPG). For more information, visit www.ppg.com.
TORRANCE, Calif., Feb 19 /PRNewswire/ — Recognizing Honda’s application of fuel efficient and alternative fuel technologies, four Honda vehicles earned recognition from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) as the “greenest vehicles of 2008″ with the Civic GX natural gas car taking the title of the greenest vehicle for the fifth consecutive year, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced today. In the 11th annual ACEEE’s “Green Book® Online” ranking of environmentally responsible vehicles (available at http://www.greenercars.org), the natural gas-powered Civic GX ranked first with the gasoline Civic, Fit and Civic Hybrid joining the list of the 12 most environmentally-friendly vehicles available to the public.
This is the eighth year in a row that a Honda vehicle received the number one ranking and the seventh consecutive year that Honda vehicles held at least four positions in the top 12, an impressive one-third of all vehicles on the list.
“The ACEEE awards speak to the commitment Honda has made to lead the industry in lowering emissions, increasing fuel efficiency and reducing dependence on oil,” said John Mendel, executive vice president of American Honda. “Honda continues to set the standard for socially and environmentally-responsible automotive products and our commitment to alternative fuels will further expand with the zero emissions FCX Clarity fuel cell vehicle coming to market this summer.”
Using a singular measure that incorporates fuel economy, health-related pollution impacts and global warming emissions, all vehicles are analyzed and given a “Green Score.” This score is used in ACEEE’s ranking system, resulting in a ranking of each vehicle’s total environmental performance, including a list of the 12 “greenest” and 12 “meanest” vehicles. The Civic GX, first introduced in 1998, is the cleanest internal combustion vehicle certified by the EPA*, and is 90% cleaner than the average gasoline-powered car on the road today.
Honda has a long history of environmental leadership including the introduction of America’s first hybrid, the Honda Insight, delivery of the first fuel cell vehicle in the U.S., and the first vehicles to meet stricter emissions standards, including:
— The first gasoline Low Emissions Vehicle (LEV), the 1996 Honda Civic.
— The first gasoline Ultra-Low Emissions vehicle (ULEV), the 1998 Honda
Accord.
— The first gasoline Super Ultra-Low Emissions Vehicle (SULEV), the 2000
Honda Accord.
— The first Advanced Technology Partial-Zero Emissions Vehicle (AT-PZEV),
the 2001 Civic GX natural gas vehicle.
The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing energy efficiency as a means of promoting both economic prosperity and environmental protection.
*EPA Tier-2, Bin-2 and ILEV certification as of May 2007
For more information or downloadable high-resolution images of Honda award winners and other Honda vehicles, please visit http://www.hondanews.com. Consumer information is available at http://www.honda.com.
IRVINE, Calif., Oct. 15 /PRNewswire/ — MOTOR TREND today named the Mazda CX-9 crossover SUV its 2007 Sport/Utility of the Year. Beating one of the toughest fields in recent memory, the CX-9 was, according to MOTOR TREND editor in chief, Angus MacKenzie, the judges’ unanimous decision. It topped 11 other contenders.
“What a thrill, and what an honor, to receive such an award,” said Jim O’Sullivan, President and CEO, Mazda North American Operations. “Since CX-9 launched in January, it’s won the hearts and checkbooks of customers, the hearts and minds of journalists, and now the greatest of honors MOTOR TREND can bestow on a crossover SUV. I’m just so proud of everyone at Mazda, both here in the US and in Japan.”
The Mazda CX-9 was designed and engineered specifically for the North American market and consumer. It is powered by a 273-hp 3.7-liter V6 engine and a six-speed Sport AT automatic transmission with manual-shift mode. Priced from $29,430, the CX-9 is available in three trim levels - Sport, Touring and Grand Touring - and in either front- or all-wheel drive. The vehicle seats up to seven passengers in three rows, and offers cutting-edge safety technology, including front, side and three-row side-curtain airbags, ABS, dynamic stability control, traction control and roll-stability control, all as standard equipment.
The Mazda CX-9 is one of the safest vehicles on the road, too, having recently received the highest possible ratings in frontal and side impact crashes by the governments’ National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In addition to receiving a five-star frontal and side impact crash- test rating, the CX-9 received four-star rollover resistance ratings. No other SUV on the market today has received ratings that are superior to the CX-9.
To judge contenders for the award, MOTOR TREND’s editorial staff conducted exhaustive off-road, street and track testing, and carefully considered essentials such as driving performance, safety and features. Sport/Utility of the Year is not a comparison test. Each contender was evaluated against three simple criteria: superiority (engineering, design, utilization of resources); significance (its impact on the market), and value (what buyers get for their money versus the competition).
Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., Mazda North American Operations oversees the sales, marketing, parts, accessories and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States, Canada and Mexico through nearly 900 dealers. Operations in Canada are managed by Mazda Canada Inc., located in Ontario, Canada, and in Mexico by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City.
Source: Mazda North American Operations
IRVINE, Calif., Sept. 18 /PRNewswire/ — The clock is ticking and Volvo’s search for America’s hometown heroes is nearing an end. Only one month remains to nominate your hometown hero in the 6th Annual Volvo for life Awards — the nation’s largest annual search for and celebration of everyday heroes. If you know someone in your community doing extraordinary things for others, nominate him or her at http://www.volvoforlifeawards.com. The deadline for nominations is Oct. 15.
This year’s nominees include a young cancer patient who bakes cupcakes to raise money for arts and crafts programs in children’s hospitals, a woman who created an international missing persons organization and a man who has made it his mission to protect West Virginia rivers.
“Everyone’s definition of a hero is different,” said Anne Belec, president and chief executive officer for Volvo Cars of North America. “Volvo’s definition of a hero is a person looking out for the well-being of others and living their life with conscience, care and character. There’s still time for the heroes you know to get rewarded and recognized for the work that they do. Nominate those individuals for a Volvo for life Award today.”
Volvo Cars of North America leads the national initiative, honoring and rewarding local heroes with $1 million in financial contributions each year. This year, Volvo doubled the charitable donation amount given to the top three winners. One top hero in each of the categories of Safety, Quality of Life and Environment will receive $100,000 for their charities; two runners-up in each category will receive $25,000. One extraordinary winner will go on to receive the title “America’s Greatest Hometown Hero,” and with it, a new Volvo car every three years for life.
A fourth Volvo for life Awards category is up for grabs this year — but only America’s kids can reach it. Volvo is elevating its annual Butterfly Award to its own youth hero category — with a $25,000 prize for the winner and $10,000 to two runners up — and welcomes nominations for heroes 16 and under.
Since 2002, Volvo Cars of North America has identified more than 17,000 everyday heroes in its annual Volvo for life Awards, and has contributed millions of dollars to their causes. Every hero celebrated in the program has one thing in common: each is an ordinary person who is making a positive difference in the lives of others.
When the nomination period closes Oct. 15, Volvo will select the top 10 semi-finalist heroes in the categories of Safety, Quality of Life, Environment and the Butterfly Award. From Nov. 7, 2007, through Jan. 7, 2008, the American public will be invited to visit http://www.volvoforlifeawards.com to vote for their favorite heroes. The voting process will narrow the semi-finalist pool to three finalists in each category.
A panel of distinguished judges will then select one winner in each of the four categories. A Grand Award Winner, selected from the Safety, Quality of Life and Environment categories, will be named “America’s Greatest Hometown Hero” and presented with a new Volvo car every three years for the rest of his or her life at the annual Volvo for life Awards Ceremony in New York City, March 19, 2008.
To learn more or to nominate a hero, visit http://www.volvoforlifeawards.com. A Spanish version of the site can also be accessed at this address.
IRVINE, Calif., Aug. 31 /PRNewswire/ — An SUV with Zoom-Zoom and protection. The Mazda CX-9 and CX-7 sport utility vehicles (SUV) recently received the highest possible ratings in frontal and side impact crashes by the governments’ National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In addition to receiving a five-star frontal and side impact crash-test rating, both the CX-9 and CX-7 received four-star rollover resistance ratings. No other SUV on the market today has received ratings that are superior to the CX-9 or the CX-7.
“This is a true testament to Mazda’s advanced safety engineering that both CX-9 and CX-7 received the highest safety honors,” said Jim O’Sullivan, President and CEO of Mazda North American Operations. “While other companies can certainly build safe vehicles, we’re the only company that delivers that safety with a healthy dose of Zoom-Zoom in every car and SUV.”
For its frontal testing, the NHTSA places dummies in a vehicle and crashes it into a fixed barrier at 35 mph. Instruments measure the force of impact to each dummy’s head, chest and legs. In the side impact test, a 3,015 pound barrier moving at 38.5 mph is crashed into the side of the passenger compartment of the stationary vehicle.
To help drivers avoid accidents, all Mazda vehicles, including MAZDA3, MAZDA5, MAZDA6, MX-5, RX-8, CX-7, CX-9 and Tribute, are loaded with standard or optional active safety features including Anti-Lock Braking Systems (ABS), Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Traction Control Systems (TCS) and Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TMPS). These systems are standard on every CX-7, CX-9, MAZDASPEED3 and 2008 Tribute. In addition, CX-9 and Tribute are both also equipped with standard Roll Stability Control (RSC), the world’s only system with gyroscopic sensors to actively measure and help control both yaw and roll movements.
Should an accident occur, CX-7, CX-9, MAZDASPEED3 and Tribute also feature passive safety technologies including three-point seat belts for all seating positions, second row Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) child safety restraints, seat belt reminding systems, advanced dual front airbags, front side-impact airbags and air curtains (front and rear) - features that are also available as optional equipment on all Mazda vehicles. In addition, CX-7, CX-9 and Tribute’s side air curtains feature standard rollover protection for all rows of seating.
Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., Mazda North American Operations oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States, Canada and Mexico through nearly 900 dealers. Operations in Canada are managed by Mazda Canada, Inc., located in Ontario, Canada, and in Mexico by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City.
IRVINE, Calif., May 29 /PRNewswire/ — Superheroes are popping up everywhere with Spiderman 3, Fantastic Four and the Heroes TV season finale hitting screens large and small this summer, but Volvo Cars of North America wants you to know — you don’t have to have superhuman powers to be a hero.
Since 2002, Volvo Cars of North America has discovered and celebrated more than 17,000 everyday heroes in its annual Volvo for life Awards. Heroes like this year’s Grand Award Winner, Rose Mapendo, who, after suffering incredible adversity, went on to help bring thousands of African refugees to safety, or finalist Paula Lucas who helps overseas victims of spousal abuse find support, or Eli Kahn, a fifteen-year-old cancer survivor who, through his organization Cartridges for a Cure, is raising money for cancer research while helping protect the earth.
If you know someone like Rose, Paula or Eli, someone who is using their ordinary powers to do extraordinary things to improve the safety, quality of life or environment in your community, nominate them for the 6th Annual Volvo for life Awards at http://www.volvoforlifeawards.com.
When the nomination period closes this fall, the American public will be invited to vote for their favorite heroes online to decide the finalists in the categories of Safety, Quality of Life and Environment in the 6th Annual Volvo for life Awards.
A panel of distinguished judges will then select one winner for each of the categories, who will receive $50,000 to be donated to the charities of their choice, remaining finalists will receive a $25,000 charitable donation. The overall grand award winner will be named “America’s Greatest Hometown Hero” and presented with a Volvo car every three years for the rest of his or her life at the annual Volvo for life Awards Ceremony in New York City, March 19.
To learn more or to nominate a hero, visit http://www.volvoforlifeawards.com. A Spanish version of the site can also be accessed at this address.
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