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In the News

Ford projects rise in four-cylinder vehicle sales

May 20, 2013 at 9:28 am

by Karl Henkel The Detroit News May 20, 2013 Automobiles with four-cylinder engines already comprise more than half of U.S. new-vehicle sales, and that number could grow to two-thirds by the end of the decade, according to projections by Ford Motor Co. The shift to the smaller engines is a result of strict federal fuel-efficiency standards — known as Corporate Average Fuel Economy, or CAFE — and means a growing share of cars, SUVs and trucks will join the four-cylinder […]

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Detroit 3 research group targets next-gen hybrid, EV batteries

May 15, 2013 at 7:04 am

by Adam Rubenfire, Automotive News, May 15 2013 With the U.S. Department of Energy’s help, a research group managed by the Detroit 3 is launching a drive to speed development of next-generation battery technologies for hybrids and electric vehicles, the department said today. The U.S. Advanced Battery Consortium will coordinate r&d and explore more efficient and cost-effective technologies for energy storage in vehicles. Read more

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NEMPA/MIT Conference Looks at Fuel Economy and Vehicle Weight

May 14, 2013 at 11:13 am

by Jamie Page Deaton, U.S. News and World Report, May 14 2013 The challenge of balancing vehicle weight with fuel economy was the central topic at a New England Motor Press Association and Massachusetts Institute of Technology conference last Thursday. Panelists representing auto manufacturers, academia and government affairs spoke about the impact of increased fuel economy standards on new car construction, materials and price… Read more

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US fuel economy push could lift platinum demand

May 13, 2013 at 7:48 am

Reuters May 13, 2013 NEW YORK: A push by the United States to improve fuel efficiency could spur demand for platinum catalytic converters from leading car producers for diesel-powered vehicles, an executive of platinum specialist refiner Johnson Matthey said… The “Big Three” American automakers, General Motors Co., Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler Group LLC, are pressing to meet a government requirement for average fuel economy of 54.5 miles per gallon (23.2 km per liter) by 2025, almost doubling the current […]

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Mix Shifts, But April U.S. Fuel Economy Remains at Record Level

May 10, 2013 at 9:46 am

by John Sousanis, WardsAuto.com, May 10 2013 The average fuel economy of light vehicles delivered in April matched the record set in March of 24.3 mpg (9.7 L/100 km) on the WardsAuto Fuel Economy Index, a 0.8% increase over year-ago and a 16% gain on the base rating established in fourth-quarter 2007. The monthly score remained the same despite significant shifts in segment splits in the market, including a continued shift from cars to trucks. Read more…

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‘Micro-hybrids’ are the next big thing for fuel-efficient vehicles

May 9, 2013 at 9:03 am

by Jim Harger, MLive.com, May 9 2013 HOLLAND, MI – In the future, your new car may have a “micro-hybrid” powertrain instead of the hybrid or electric powertrains on the market today, says MaryAnn Wright, vice president of technology and innovation for Johnson Controls Inc. Power Solutions. That’s good news for West Michigan because the lithium ion batteries for that micro-hybrid will be made at Johnson Control’s advanced battery plant in Holland, Wright said at a gathering sponsored by Lakeshore Advantage, a Holland […]

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