On December 15 2008, BYD (Build Your Dreams), a company hitherto known for making cellphone batteries, began the sale of its F3DM - China's first plug-in, mass-produced hybrid electric vehicle, designed and built by a Chinese company. The car is expected to retail for about $20,000 in China, until it eventually powers its way to the U.S. market in 2011.

 

The F3DM (DM -"dual mode") powers itself with a ferrous battery and can clock 60 miles in electric-only mode. Chinese manufacturer BYD expects to sell 10,000 units in 2009. BYD founder and President Wang Chuanfu said that, the electric car technology marked the first time for the company, as a leader on the world stage.

 

Wang Chuanfu…  

GM's radical extended-range electric car, the Chevrolet Volt is a plug-in series-hybrid electric vehicle, built at the Detroit/Hamtramck Assembly in Detroit, Michigan. GM avoids the term "hybrid," and prefers to call it an electric vehicle with a "range extender" because of its design. The Volt can run on electricity from batteries for up to 40 miles. The Chevrolet Volt is currently in the final run up to its pre-production phase of integrating its fundamental components. The Volt concept vehicle which first made an appearance in the North American International Auto Show has four doors and a rear liftgate; it is capable of carrying four to five passengers. Once finished, the Chevy Volt is expected to have a top speed around 100 mph and make 0-60 mph in 9.0 seconds. A 1.4 liter four-cylinder "Family Zero" engine will kick in with more power, when its battery-charge tapers off. At around…  

Volkswagen’s 2009 Jetta TDI clean diesel wins the 2009 Green Car of the Year Award by the Green Car Journal. The 2009 Jetta TDI was declared the “best-of-the-best”, from among five green vehicles handpicked by editors at Green Car Journal. Stefan Jacoby, CEO, Volkswagen Group of America described the award as a great honor and said that the Jetta TDI offered buyers, exemplary fuel efficiency and a dynamic driving experience. More than 8,000 units had been…  

Good news! Those looking for a luxury car in United Kingdom have a new more fuel-efficient choice now. Mercedes-Benz has incorporated BlueEFFICIENCY technology in its luxurious C-Class sedan model and the new C 180 KOMPRESSOR BlueEFFICIENCY will be available in the UK dealerships in January 2009.

 

According to Mercedes-Benz, the new the new C…  

Ford's 2010 Fusion Hybrid will be leading the field for the Ford 400 NASCAR season finale at the Homestead-Miami Speedway. NASCAR fans will get a chance to watch two new models take center stage, from the stables of Ford: the 2010 Fusion Hybrid and the Fusion Sport.

 

With rising concerns about global warming and fuel prices, Ford is working towards creating fuel efficient vehicles with less environmental impact. The 2010 Ford Fusion Sport rated for an output of 263 hp, will ride out the rest of the NASCAR race at the Speedway.

 

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Korean automakers Hyundai, announced plans to introduce an eight-speed automatic transmission, as a way to enhance fuel savings. Hyundai has not yet decided which 2010 model will receive the new transmission. Currently, Lexus is the only manufacturer offering an 8-speed transmission; while BMW is quite likely to follow suit in the next couple of years.

 

  Hyundai is making an all-out effort at improving…  

While gas prices remain volatile and show few signs of abating, thousand of consumers shift towards smaller cars or more fuel efficient vehicles. Options open to the car buying public include hybrids, rechargeable electric vehicles or cars powered by hydrogen fuel cells.With no end in sight to the high gas prices, the right time to go green seems to be now.

 

More refined gas-electric hybrids are on the anvil in the car industry, to rival the popular Toyota Prius, which now makes an estimated 45/48 mpg (city/highway). Also in the pipeline are turbocharged or supercharged four-cylinder engines that perform like six-cylinders, and six-cylinder engines that perform as V-8s.

 

High-mileage diesels, direct fuel injection and biofuel based engines that are more efficient than current motors are beginning to make their presence felt in the markets.

 

While some…  

Photos of GM’s Chevrolet Volt plug-in electric car posted on the Internet for just 12 minutes, made it to several automotive sites worldwide, causing a buzz in the online auto world. General Motors Corporation claimed that the short period of 12 minutes was long enough for the pictures to be distributed worldwide. GM unintentionally posted photos of GM executives with a Volt prototype, on a site run by Wieck Media, the company that posts electronic photos for GM. Never before has a car created such excitement among automakers and car buyers. The Volt concept vehicle was unveiled in Detroit, Michigan, at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) on January 7, 2007. The Chevrolet Volt is a plug-in series-hybrid electric vehicle with a “range extender” due to its design. GM expect to launch the Volt in American markets in 2010 and in Europe in 2011.  

Lowe’s Motor Speedway will play host to the Food Lion AutoFair from Sept. 4-7th 2008. The four day automotive gathering will celebrate the 100th anniversary of Ford’s iconic “T” Model as well as a sporty little hot rod known as America’s Most Beautiful Roadster. Food Lion AutoFair is the world’s largest automotive extravaganza. The event attracts over 120,000 visitors, and includes a car show featuring various makes and models from more than 50 clubs. Special attractions include 51 car club displays, a giant swap meet and an auto auction by Tom Mack. A special display celebrating the 50th birthday of one of America’s favorite cars, the 1957 Chevrolet, is also planned. The new ‘speed machines’ Audi R8 supercar and the 650-horsepower Audi R10 turbodiesel that dominated the 24 Hours of Le Mans for the past two years will be among the featured…