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At Witz' End - Detroit 2010: Detroit recovers, Lutz pontificates

Attending the 2003 Detroit Auto Show, my first as a journalist in 15 years, I was stunned by the excitement and optimism of the people involved and the depth and breadth of the product on display. "This is the Golden Age of the Automobile," I thought. That atmosphere prevailed until 2009, when the economy, the auto market and (many feared) the entire U.S. industry seemed to be crashing down around everyone's ears. The product was there, but the trappings were sparse and the aura decidedly glum. Now we've seen the 2010 Detroit show, which ... Read more →

Automakers' biggest green car challenge just might be education Sebastian Blanco

Regular readers can probably list a dozen differences, small and large, between the Chevrolet Volt and Toyota's plug-in Prius. But what about your more average car buyer? What do they know about ...

Fisker announces $115.3 million in private equity funding to go with A123 battery deal Sebastian Blanco

It's a week of big announcements for Fisker Automotive, even though they skipped out on the Detroit Auto Show. First, the company signed a deal with A123 Systems for batteries for the plug-in ...

Detroit 2010: Toyota's 2011 plug-in Prius release date is "aggressive" target Sebastian Blanco

Bill Reinert is nothing if not an outspoken promoter of the Toyota brand. When we saw him at the Detroit Auto Show, we knew we needed to say hello and find out what is up with the plug-in Prius ...

Detroit 2010: Green Vehicles presents Electric Avenue with upgraded Triac Sebastian Blanco

The last time we saw the Triac from Green Vehicles, Inc., we were not exactly impressed. Perhaps we should've tried to get a ride in the new 2010 version that the company unveiled at the Detroit ...

Detroit 2010: Smart USA's Jill Lajdziak says lifestyle message can boost sales 1 month ago on Autoblog Green

During the blur of the Detroit Auto Show this week, we checked in with fresh Smart USA president Jill Lajdziak to see what the boss has to say about her new job, sales of the fortwo in the U.S. and what's up with the all-electric Smart Ed. Lajdziak only recently joined up with Penske Automotive ...

Detroit 2010: 1,000 Tesla Roadsters have been built, Model S still over two years away 1 month ago on Autoblog Green

Tesla's press conference at the Detroit Auto Show yesterday was refreshingly short and consisted of nothing more than CEO Elon Musk talking in front of the red Model S. He said that his company has now built 1,000 Roadsters (a year ago, it was just 150), negotiated a lease for the Model S plant ...

Detroit 2010: Audi e-tron Detroit Concept presages production R4 1 month ago on Autoblog Green

If you're wondering what the likelihood of Audi building a production version of its new e-tron Detroit Concept Car (yes, that's really its official designation), our sources at Audi indicate that a version of the coupe is likely to go into serial production as the oft-rumored R4. The German ...

Detroit 2010: CT&T debuts three models, including Multi Amphibious Vehicle 1 month ago on Autoblog Green

CT&T is a Korean company that makes tiny electric cars. You may have read about them before. And if you did read about about CT&T's current products, you will know that we don't think very much of them. The truth, or a close approximation of it? They strike us as all-weather golf carts. ...

Detroit 2010: BYD's plans to bring the all-electric E6 to the U.S. slightly detailed 1 month ago on Autoblog Green

The all-electric E6 took center stage at BYD's press conference today at the Detroit Auto Show. This is an ambitious car from an ambitious automaker, and that internal push means that the E6 is scheduled to arrive in the U.S. later this year. Plans for Europe will be announced later and U.S. ...

Detroit 2010: Revenge Verde Supercar adds mean to its green 1 month ago on Autoblog Green

U.S.-based Revenge used the 2010 Detroit Auto Show to introduce the world to its Verde Supercar, and we were there with cameras in hand to capture the event on film memory cards. Honestly, we were impressed with the Verde's outer appearance, though we couldn't get close enough to see the ...

Detroit 2010: Volvo C30 EV silently motors into the Motor City 1 month ago on Autoblog Green

As expected, Volvo brought along an all-electric C30 hatchback concept to the 2010 Detroit Auto Show. While this isn't a production vehicle at this point, Volvo says the car is a fully drivable prototype with a complete interior, full instrumentation, and enhanced battery packaging. We made ...

Ford bringing battery and hybrid transmission development in-house 1 month ago on Autoblog Green

After unveiling the new Focus Monday, Ford made another announcement at the Detroit Auto Show about its battery plans. Like General Motors and other automakers, Ford has decided that battery technology (not necessarily including cell chemistry) needs to be one of its core competencies going ...

Detroit 2010: Pelosi says automaker bailout protected industry, environment 1 month ago on Autoblog Green

Amid the general hubbub of the press conferences and concept vehicle reveals yesterday, U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi wandered her way through the Detroit Auto Show. Traveling with a lot of Michigan politicians – including Rep. John Dingell (D) and Rep. Fred Upton (R) – ...

Detroit 2010: Hyundai plugs in the Blue-Will in the U.S. 1 month ago on Autoblog Green

As promised, Hyundai brought its Blue-Will Concept along for the festivities this week at the Detroit Auto Show. There's not a whole lot more to say – the car was first debuted back in April at the Seoul Motor Show and we've heard all about its plug-in hybrid drivetrain. Still, this is the ...

Detroit 2010: Audi A8 Hybrid coming to Geneva, no mild hybrids... ever 1 month ago on Autoblog Green

As stated earlier – and despite quotes to the contrary – Audi is increasingly serious about alternative propulsion. After pioneering direct injection and pushing the envelope of diesel technology, Audi is looking to electricity for its next round of innovations. And the fruits of its ...

Detroit 2010: Cadillac XTS Platinum plug-in concept ready to replace STS/DTS? 1 month ago on Autoblog Green

For the past decade, Cadillac has been transforming itself from a brand that built big, floaty old-school luxury cars for old-school customers into something much more contemporary to compete with the best premium brands from Europe. Unfortunately for General Motors, the process has been only ...

Detroit 2010: Audi e-tron take zwei... or drei? [w/video] 1 month ago on Autoblog Green

Audi is serious about EVs. Over the last four months, the four-ringed automaker has put out three (well, really 2.5) electric vehicle concepts: the first e-tron in Frankfurt, a repainted, slightly modified version in LA, and now this, the third e-tron – easily the best iteration to date. ...

Detroit 2010: Toyota confirms "Prius Family" 1 month ago on Autoblog Green

Along with the launch of the FT-CH Concept here at the Detroit Auto Show, Toyota also let out a juicy little tidbit that's been rumored for quite some time: a so-called Prius Family of vehicles. Says Jim Lentz, Toyota Motor Sales president, "The strategy is still taking shape and obviously it ...

Detroit 2010: Honda CR-Z promises to bring driving joy to the hybrid equation 1 month ago on Autoblog Green

After a few weeks worth of leaked images and brochure fluff, Honda has finally pulled the covers off its next new production hybrid hatchback. The Japanese automaker claims the CR-Z will bring back the kind of driving joy that hasn't been felt since the CRX last left dealer lots in 1991, saying ...

Detroit 2010: BMW ActiveE concept is all charged up and ready to go 1 month ago on Autoblog Green

At first glance, the BMW ActiveE concept is little more than a 1 Series with a questionable paint job. Seriously, the ActiveE looks like it's been sniffing blue paint. However, should you choose to look more closely, you will notice it's missing tailpipes. Also, someone ripped off the ...

Detroit 2010: Chrysler shows off its Fiat 500 BEV 1 month ago on Autoblog Green

With finances still tight, Chrysler is again forgoing holding a press conference here in Detroit today. However, that doesn't mean there is no news at all. The diminutive Fiat 500 figures prominently in the center of the stand in two different forms. One is the 500 Abarth, currently available in ...

Detroit 2010: BMW decides to extend MINI E lease program 1 month ago on Autoblog Green

When the BMW launched the Mini E lease program a year ago, many potential drivers were dissappointed that they would only get to drive the cars for 12 months. Today at the Detroit Auto Show, Mini USA announced an extension to the program and current Mini E drivers will be offered the opportunity ...

Detroit 2010: Volkswagen New Compact Coupe concept [w/video] 1 month ago on Autoblog Green

It might be cold consolation to those of us desperate for a Scirocco in the States, but the Volkswagen Compact Coupe Concept has the potential to fill that particular hatch-shaped hole in our hearts – with a bit of green cred to boot. With a sharper, more sculpted front fascia than its ...

Detroit 2010: Volkswagen Compact Coupe blends sport with hybrid 1 month ago on Autoblog Green

The Volkswagen Touareg hybrid is now just a few months away from production, and the crew in Wolfsburg is also staying busy cranking out small concept vehicles with hybrid powertrains. The latest, debuting this morning here at the Detroit Auto Show, is the New Compact Coupe (NCC), a handsome ...

Detroit 2010: Ford reveals new Focus, hybrid and PHEV coming in 2012 1 month ago on Autoblog Green

At Ford's press conference this morning at the Detroit Auto Show, the new 2012 Focus was rolled out publicly for the first time anywhere. We have a full report on the new compact here, but product development VP Derrick Kuzak and Chairman Bill Ford dropped a couple of new details. Kuzak made it ...

Detroit 2010: LaHood says Volt is "obviously the kind of green car Americans are looking for" 1 month ago on Autoblog Green

The 2010 Detroit Auto Show kicked off this morning with a positive little speech by United States Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood. Speaking about the coming electrification of the automobile, he said that "this is what the American people want." When asked how much money the government ...

Detroit 2010: 2012 Ford Focus Electric could be both sedan and hatch 1 month ago on Autoblog Green

We have a full run-down on the all-new 2011 Ford Focus elsewhere today, but there is one aspect of the car that Ford officials declined to discuss in very much detail at our preview just before Christmas, the upcoming EV. One thing we did learn for certain from spokeswoman Jennifer Moore is ...

At Witz' End - What Bob Lutz said in Detroit back then 2 months ago on Autoblog Green

Given what Bob Lutz said at the last two Detroit Auto Shows, what will he say this year? Preparing for the first Detroit North American International Auto Show of the new decade (press days Jan. 10-11, public show Jan. 16-24), I needed to clear space on my trusty digital recorder and ...

Detroit 2010: Hyundai Blue-Will PHEV concept 2 months ago on Autoblog Green

The Hyundai Blue-Will concept isn't entirely new. It first appeared last April at the Seoul Motor Show. However, it is making its North American debut next week in Detroit. What makes the Blue-Will special is that it is Hyundai's first ever plug-in hybrid (PHEV). The hybrid powertrain is based ...

Detroit preview: Details emerge about the Fiat 500 EV, maybe 2 months ago on Autoblog Green

For the first time in living memory, Chrysler/Fiat won't be holding a press conference at the Detroit Auto Show, which starts next week, and hasn't given any confirmation of what it will be showing. However, it has been strongly rumored that one of the few new vehicles on display will be an ...

REPORT: Chrysler to bring electric Fiat 500, hatchback concept to Detroit 2 months ago on Autoblog Green

Just because Chrysler won't be holding a press conference at next month's Detroit Auto Show doesn't mean that America's third-largest automaker is coming to the party empty-handed. Far from it, in fact, assuming there's truth to the rumors that the Pentastar will be showing off both an electric ...

Detroit 2010 Preview: BYD's plug-in plans 2 months ago on Autoblog Green

Last year, Chinese automaker BYD displayed vehicles like the F6DM and F3DM plug-in hybrids (the DM stands for dual mode) at the Detroit Auto Show. Next month, BYD (Build Your Dreams) will bring the all-electric E6 to Cobo Hall, along with the F3DM again. BYD's second (sorry, third) appearance ...

Detroit 2010 Preview: Volvo C30 EV evolves for road trials 2 months ago on Autoblog Green

Volvo has built versions of the C30 with efficient diesel engines, plug-in hybrid powerplants, flex-fuel ICEs, and pure electric drivetrains. It's the all-electric version that will get some extra attention at the Detroit Auto Show next month with Volvo's announcement today that it will build ...

Detroit Preview: BMW Concept ActiveE set to amp up 1 Series 2 months ago on Autoblog Green

Six months into its Mini E field test program, BMW is getting ready for phase two of its electric vehicle development. At the Detroit Auto Show next month, the Bavarian automaker will introduce its Concept ActiveE which brings electric drive to the Roundel. This time, instead of the diminutive ...

Detroit Preview: Toyota to debut new hybrid concept vehicle 2 months ago on Autoblog Green

Toyota, the Undisputed Heavyweight Hybrid Champion of the World, has just announced that it will unveil a new hybrid concept vehicle at the Detroit Auto Show next month. Beyond that, details are decidedly scarce. As a dedicated hybrid, this apparently won't be a hybridized version of a current ...

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