Mazda

September 3, 2008

Mazda Said to Be Developing Hybrid System Very Similar to the Chevy Volt's

By Scott Doggett, Contributor
and John O'Dell, Senior Editor

General Motors has reaped a ton of publicity from its Chevrolet Volt, a car with a grid-charged battery pack that will power an electric motor and an on-board gasoline engine that will generate electricity to keep the electric motor running and recharge the batteries when the initial plug-in charge is depleted.

Often missed in all the high-voltage buzz is that Ford Motor Co. showed a concept car with essentially the same system during the same January 2007 Detroit Auto Show at which the Volt took its bows.

Now comes word that Ford's Japanese subsidiary, Mazda, is putting its zoom into development of a Volt competitor of its own.

The British blog autocar says it has "learned that Mazda engineers are hard at work trying to develop a rival to the Chevrolet Volt -- a car which uses a petrol engine to charge a battery pack which powers the wheels via an electric motor."

High-ranking sources at Mazda, autocar reports, "say that trials are currently underway in Japan, with a prototype that uses a rotary engine to charge the battery pack. The tests are sufficiently advanced that Mazda has a working prototype in a Mazda 5 MPV bodyshell. Company bosses are said to be keen to put this system into production but no firm decisions will be made until the cost of batteries is reduced.

"In the meantime the company will concentrate on simpler green technologies. The first stop-start Mazda will go on sale in Japan next year and the system is expected to be rolled out globally on a variety of models."

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (0); Scott Doggett September 3, 2008, 3:01 AM
Categories:: Auto Shows, Batteries, Chevrolet, Diesel, Flex-Fuel, Ford, Fuel Cell, Fuel Economy, General Motors, Hybrid, Hydrogen, Mazda, Plug-ins and Electric, Volvo
Technorati Tags:: Chevrolet Volt

August 18, 2008

Website Helps Motorists Become Fuel Efficient -- and Automakers Appear Green

By Scott Doggett, Contributor

The nerve of some people.

The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers today distributed a press release, saying that it had trademarked "EcoDriving" and launched a Website with fuel-saving tips for motorists.

This is the same Alliance that has vigilantly opposed legislation that would compel automakers to meet government-mandated fuel-economy standards.

The Website the Alliance launched -- ecodrivingusa.com -- contains what you'd expect: Nothing on how the industry can clean up its act and provide more fuel efficiency, just tips on how motorists can drive more fuel efficiently, a means to calculate your vehicle's carbon footprint, and of course instructions on how to "promote the EcoDriving program."

As for the Alliance's claim that they possess the trademark to "EcoDriving"?

The term "EcoDriving" is not unique to the Alliance or its services or products -- a litmus test that trademark terms must pass -- and the term has been in the public domain for awhile.

It can, for example, be found on ecomodders.com, ecodrive.org and other Websites that promote fuel-responsible driving and, unlike the Alliance and its new Website, aren't funded by BMW, Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Porsche, Toyota and Volkswagen.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (0); Scott Doggett August 18, 2008, 5:58 PM
Categories:: BMW, Chrysler, Emissions, Ford, Fuel Economy, General Motors, Legislation, Manufacturers, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Porsche, Toyota, Volkswagen

August 4, 2008

Mazda Marvel Joins Tesla as Design Chief; Ex-Ford Money Man Named CFO

By Scott Doggett, Contributor

Tesla Motors could not have made a bolder statement today with its choice for design director without employing canon fire.

With his blownback blonde hair and sunwashed face, Franz von Holzhausen, director of Mazda's North American Design Center in Irvine until he submitted his resignation last week, can easily be mistaken for a native-California surfer instead of the born-and-bred product of Simsbury, Connecticut, a well-to-do town of 23,000 known for Eggstock, an annual environmental awareness festival.

At Mazda, von Holzhausen oversaw the design and development of all concept and production vehicles for Mazda North America since his appointment in February 2005. Most recently, he spearheaded the design of Nagare (the gold car pictured below) and Furai (above) and played an integral role in the creation of the three concepts Ryuga (the grinning red car), Hakaze (the yellow crossover) and Taiki (the blue-silver manta ray).

Early in his career at Mazda, von Holzhausen earned recognition for his acclaimed work on the Kabura concept car (the manned red sports car, lower left). Sometimes, pictures say more than words. We'll let the images shown here address von Holzhausen's talents as a futuristic automotive designer with one foot planted firmly on the road.

"It's going to be an exciting adventure," von Holzhausen said about his move to Tesla, located in San Carlos, California, 500 miles up the 101 Freeway from Irvine. "I'm looking forward to working at a new startup company that doesn't have the confines of a large OEM."

Prior to joining Mazda, von Holzhausen served as General Motors' design manager, responsible for designing and managing the concept and production design process for the Pontiac Solstice, Saturn Sky, Chevy SS and other GM programs. He began his career at Volkswagen, where he served as assistant chief designer in VW's Design Center California.

He studied industrial design at Syracuse University and graduated from Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California, in 1992 with a bachelors' degree in transportation design.

Tesla also announced today the appointment of Deepak Ahuja, a seasoned auto industry finance executive with 15 years experience at Ford Motor Company, as chief financial officer.

Deepak (right) was previously the controller for Ford's small cars product development program, a strategic initiative to bring several fuel-efficient cars to Ford's lineup in the United States. Before that, he was CFO for Ford of Southern Africa, a $3 billion subsidiary where he oversaw the finance, legal and IT functions.

And before that, Deepak served as CFO for Auto Alliance International, a joint venture between Ford and Mazda with over $4 billion in revenue.

In a statement, Tesla CEO Ze'ev Drori said "Deepak's experience as CFO of multi-billion dollar business units with global sourcing and manufacturing operations makes him the ideal person to lead our finance organization through the company's next period of rapid growth."

In the same statement, Deepak described the opportunity to work at Tesla as "very exciting."

Deepak holds bachelors and masters degrees in materials engineering from Banaras Hindu University and Northwestern University, respectively and an MBA from Carnegie Mellon University.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (0); Scott Doggett August 4, 2008, 7:17 PM
Categories:: Auto Shows, Emissions, Ford, Fuel Economy, General Motors, Mazda, Plug-ins and Electric, Tesla
Technorati Tags:: EV

July 22, 2008

Acura, Smart, Chevy Models Top List of Healthiest Cars Tested by Ecology Center

Soy foam in the seats the Ford F-150 pickups and Lincoln Navigator SUVs. Locally farmed hemp, "ethically produced" woolen fabric and floor mats made of sisal in the Lotus Eco Elise.

Some automakers are increasingly going to great lengths to make the interiors of some of their models if not environmentally friendly, at least a bit wholesome.

But others, well...

Early today the Ecology Center of Ann Arbor, Michigan, posted its second-annual consumer guide to toxic chemicals in cars and children's car seats at www.HealthyCar.org.

More than two hundred 2008- and 2009-model-year vehicles and more than 60 children's car seats were tested for unhealthy chemicals that seep in gaseous form from the steering wheel, dashboard, armrests, seats and carpet.

The "new-car smell," as the gases are commonly called, mingle with the air occupants breathe and have been linked to allergies, birth defects, impaired learning, liver toxicity and cancer.

The Ecology Center reported that Mazda, General Motors and Nissan improved since last year's findings, with GM showing the greatest gains of the domestic automakers, with an average vehicle ranking improvement of 27 percent.

The list of the 10 best and 10 worst vehicles as picked by the Center appears in the chart above.

Average child-car-seat scores improved 28 percent overall. The list of 10 best and worst car seats for 2008 as picked by the Center appears at left. Click on the chart for a better look.

For more information, go to www.HealthyCar.org.

Below are the three worst 2008-model-year vehicles by interior pollution, according to the Center (click on each to enlarge). From left to right: Mitsubishi Eclipse, Suzuki Reno and Volkswagen New Beetle.

Below are are the three best vehicles by interior pollution, according to the Center (click on each to enlarge). From left to right: Acura RXD, Chevrolet Cobalt and Smart Passion Cabriolet.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (0); Scott Doggett July 22, 2008, 12:21 AM
Categories:: Acura, Audi, BMW, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Daimler, Dodge, Emissions, Fiat, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Hummer, Hyundai, Jeep, Kia, Lexus, MINI, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Opel, Pontiac, Porsche, Renault, Saab, Smart, Subaru, Suzuki, Think, Toyota, Volkswagen, Volvo

July 17, 2008

That New Car Smell Might Kill You

By Scott Doggett, Contributor

That's our sensational headline for 2008, but there's more than a smidgen of truth in it.

Last year Ann Arbor, Michigan-based Ecology Center released the first-ever consumer guide to toxic chemicals in cars and child car seats -- and what they reported was sickening.

The odor you inhale when you slide into a new car? It might very well be bromine, chlorine, lead, other harmful chemicals or a witches' brew of them. They've been linked to birth defects, impaired learning, liver toxicity, premature births and, no doubt, cancer.

If you think the government protects you against such things, think again. Some of the vehicles on the road today are veritable toxic dumps on wheels. And many drivers are exposed to these chemicals through inhalation and contact with dust every day.

In case you missed last year's report, Ecology Center found the most toxic vehicles were the Nissan Versa, Chevy Aveo, Scion xB 5dr and the Kia Rio. The least toxic vehicles were the Chevy Cobalt, Chrysler PT Cruiser, Honda Odyssey and the Volvo V50.

Next Tuesday -- July 22 -- Ecology Center will release its second annual consumer guide to toxic chemicals in cars and child car seats, and if you're thinking of buying a new car anytime soon, you'll want to check it out. The guide will be posted at www.healthycar.org a little after midnight on the 22nd.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (2); Scott Doggett July 17, 2008, 1:39 PM
Categories:: Acura, Audi, BMW, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Daimler, Dodge, Emissions, Fiat, Ford, Fuel Economy, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Jeep, Kia, Legislation, Lexus, MINI, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Opinion, Pontiac, Porsche, Renault, Saab, Smart, Subaru, Toyota, Volkswagen, Volvo

July 12, 2008

A Little Knowledge of Transmissions Can Save You Big Bucks at the Pump

All images click to enlarge.

By Robert E. Calem, Contributor

Choosing a fuel-efficient automobile was a whole lot simpler 30 years ago, the last time the U.S. was in the throes of a gasoline price crisis. It was often as simple as buying a small vehicle with a manual transmission.

Today, with gas prices soaring to new record highs almost weekly, finding fuel economy means navigating an almost bewildering selection of vehicles. Even enormous SUVs can qualify if they come equipped with gasoline-electric hybrid drive systems.

Behind this tremendous hike in choices -- to a fairly significant extent, experts say -- has been a concomitant increase in the variety of transmissions.

Whereas in the 1970s there were only four- and five-speed manual transmissions and three- and four-speed automatic transmissions, now there are six-speed manual, six-, seven- and eight-speed automatic, six- and seven-speed "dual-clutch" automatic-manual, and continuously variable transmissions.

The result: more efficient engine operation and higher fuel economy in every car, whether it's a high-performance Porsche Carrera or a modest Volkswagen Jetta.

But there are important differences among these sophisticated transmissions, including in how much they contribute to better fuel efficiency. Knowing those differences may help you the next time you're in the market for a new car.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (2); Scott Doggett July 12, 2008, 12:53 AM
Categories:: Audi, BMW, Chrysler, Daimler, Ford, Fuels & Technologies, General Motors, Honda, Lexus, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Porsche, Smart, Subaru

July 1, 2008

Automakers Say Federal Fuel Economy Rules Could Leave 82,000 Unemployed

By Scott Doggett, Contributor

A lobbying group for 10 major automakers including Detroit's Big Three, Toyota and Daimler urged federal regulators today to dramatically water down its proposal to hike fuel efficiency standards or run the risk of costing 82,000 autoworkers their jobs and the U.S. economy tens of billions of dollars.

In a thousand-page document filed today by the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, the automakers condemned the April 22 proposal by the U.S. Transportation Department that would boost fuel economy requirements to a fleetwide average of 31.6 miles per gallon by the 2015 model year.

That average includes 35.7 mpg for passenger cars and 28.6 mpg for light trucks. The nation's new passenger cars currently are required to meet a fleet average of 27.5 mpg, while the light-truck fleet - generally encompassing port utility vehicles, pickup trucks and vans - must hit a target average of 22.5 mpg.

"This goes beyond what is technologically feasible and economically practical," the automakers said. "It would require manufacturers to expend resources at a pace that is excessive given the fact that the auto industry is already under economic stress."

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (1); Scott Doggett July 1, 2008, 1:31 PM
Categories:: Batteries, Emissions, Fuel Cell, Fuel Economy, General Motors, Honda, Hybrid, Nissan, Plug-ins and Electric, Toyota

June 27, 2008

Mazda Plans Major Mileage Improvements for All Models

Mazda Motor Corp. says it will improve the fuel efficiency of its cars 30 percent by 2015 in a broad campaign that will see Ford's Japanese affiliate replace almost every engine in its lineup and shave at least 220 pounds from every car it builds.

The push begins with next year's models, when the company says it will introduce a proprietary Smart Idle Stop System in "one of its cars." The system stops the engine at idle, then restarts it by forcing fuel directly into the cylinder and igniting it to start the car – a procedure Mazda says improves fuel economy as much as 8 percent. The automaker also plans to introduce an E-85 "flex fuel" engine in North America next year...

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (1); Scott Doggett June 27, 2008, 9:33 AM
Categories:: Emissions, Ford, Fuel Economy, Hybrid, Hydrogen, Mazda, Plug-ins and Electric

June 25, 2008

Hybrids Don't Shine in True Cost To Own Study

Chevy Aveo tops ownership cost study. Civic hybrid and other gas-electric vehicles don't fare well because of hybrid premium in initial purtchase price.

By John O'Dell, Senior Editor

If saving money is your thing, and in these rugged economic times who isn't into that, then Chevrolet, Honda, Toyota and Nissan all have cars for you.

But they aren't hybrids

Previous studies using Edmunds' True Market Value calculations have shown that the so-called hybrid premium makes it difficult for the fuel-efficient cars and SUVs to save enough on fuel to earn back the higher price automakers charge for the advanced technology packed into a gas-electric powertrain.

Now a new Edmunds.com True Cost to Own study finds that even with their sometimes hefty federal tax credits, hybrids slip well down into the pack when long-term ownership costs are considered.

The Civic Hybrid is No. 14 in the TCO rankings being released today, while the nation's best-selling hybrid, Toyota's Prius, doesn't even make the top 25. It finished 34th overall, although it is in second place among hybrids.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (10); John O'Dell June 25, 2008, 3:01 AM
Categories:: Chevrolet, Emissions, Ford, Fuel Economy, Honda, Hybrid, Hyundai, Kia, Lexus, Mazda, Nissan, Suzuki, Tax Incentives, Toyota
Technorati Tags:: Cost to Own Hybrid

June 16, 2008

Mazda, University to Collaborate on Bioplastic

Mazda Motor Corp. has signed a collaborative research agreement with Hiroshima University to develop a bioplastic from non-food-based cellulosic biomass and have it ready for use in motor vehicles by 2013.

The bioplastic will be made from cellulosic biomass produced from inedible vegetation such as plant waste and wood shavings, Mazda said in a statement Friday.

Because cellulosic biomass is plant-derived and therefore carbon neutral, the bioplastic will reduce reliance on limited fossil fuel resources and alleviate carbon-dioxide emissions...

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (0); June 16, 2008, 10:25 AM
Categories:: Ethanol, Mazda

May 8, 2008

Soaring Gas Prices Shrink Hybrid Payback Period, Boost Small Car Sales and Sink Big Trucks

By John O'Dell, Senior Editor

The idea of spending less on gas seems to be driving far more people into the green car ranks than the idea that you are doing something good for the planet and those who occupy it.

We can see this pretty clearly in the astonishing growth of small car sales in the U.S. – hardly anyone was buying them a few years ago and last month they accounted for a record 22.6 percent of the new car market, according to Edmunds.com's market analysts.

Meantime, large trucks' market share plunged to just 11 percent, down from a high three years ago of 19 percent.

Small used to mean cheap. Now it means fuel efficient (although not all small cars are particularly miserly with gas). And as compacts and subcompacts continue to capture market share, look for automakers to start piling high-margin luxury goodies into their small cars as they seek ways to replace the profits they used to book from truck sales.

Hybrids Rising Too

We can also see concern about fuel prices in the steady rise of hybrid sales – they accounted for a record 3.2 percent of the market in April, with Toyota's Prius the month's 10th best-selling model of any type.

That hybrids are increasing their market penetration even though they cost more than comparably equipped conventional versions of the same models (except the Toyota Prius, which has no conventional counterpart) is testimony to people's desire to pare their fuel bills.

Just a year or so ago, the Prius was the only hybrid with a reasonable chance of providing sufficient fuel savings to pay back the so-called hybrid premium – the price a hybrid purchaser pays to get a car or SUV with two powertrains and enough complex electronics to make a NASA engineer jealous.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (7); John O'Dell May 8, 2008, 3:03 AM
Categories:: Chevrolet, Emissions, Ford, Fuel Economy, Honda, Hybrid, Mazda, Nissan, Toyota

April 7, 2008

Japanese Automakers To Show Green at G8 Meet

A fierce battle among Japanese automakers is likely to be staged during the Group of Eight summit in Japan this July, with carmakers using the session as a showcase for their fuel-efficient cars, including hybrid and fuel-cell vehicles.

Toyota, Mitsubishi and other automakers will provide about 100 fuel-efficient cars to transport participants at the summit meeting, The Yomiuri Shimbun, a Japanese newspaper, reports in Tuesday's edition.

Toyota will provide about 80 hybrid cars, including luxury Lexus models, minivans and compact cars for participants making short trips around the venue. The company also is planning to provide plug-in hybrid electric cars for participants' use...

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (0); John O'Dell April 7, 2008, 3:03 PM
Categories:: Fuel Cell, Honda, Hybrid, Lexus, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Plug-ins and Electric, Toyota

January 15, 2008

Green Racing Challenge To Debut in American Le Mans

Challenge wants to encourage more cars like Audi's clean-diesel racer.

DETROIT -- The American Le Mans Series, already a showcase for diesel power and ethanol-blend fuel, will inaugurate a "Green Racing Challenge" this year encouraging automakers to put developing environmental and fuel economy technologies to the test on the track.

Scott Atherton, ALMS chief executive, said at a press conference at the Detroit auto show that the series has formed a green racing coalition with the federal Department of Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Society of Automotive Engineers International, to develop criteria for the Challenge.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (1); John O'Dell January 15, 2008, 9:45 AM
Categories:: Alternative Fuels, Audi, Auto Shows, Biofuels, Diesel, Ford, General Motors, Hybrid, Mazda, Plug-ins and Electric, Porsche