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Least Fuel-Efficient Hybrids

Interested in an energy-efficient auto? You're in luck. That's because nearly every major car company has a hybrid line, or has plans to introduce one soon.

But enter the showroom, and instead of seeing green, you may be seeing red. Many of the market's hybrids--cars which combine gasoline engines with battery-powered electric motors--forsake fuel-efficiency in the name of power and performance, according to Forbes.com

The average gas mileage of hybrid models available in the U.S. is 33 miles per gallon (combined city and highway). But Chevy's newest Silverado hybrid truck gets only 16 mpg. The newest Lexus LS 600h L hybrid sedan clocks in at 21 mpg, the 2007 Saturn Vue hybrid at 26 mpg.

Posted by Peter C. T. Elsworth  at 8:09 AM to Alternative fuels | Permalink | Comments 0

And Now, the Carship Enterprise?

Here's a concept with a difference. This is a new prototype center console from German supplier Preh Automotive, which has production cabin components for the all-new Audi A4, according to thecarconnection.com

Looking like something off the bridge of the Starship Enterprise, it's called the PrehCon. It's made entirely from what's known in the interiors industry as black panel display technology.

It means that when the driver gets behind the wheel he sees no buttons or lights - there's only a flat black surface and the chrome detailing around the edge. But as soon as he touches the starter button everything comes to life, illuminated in smart ice-blue neon.

That includes the icons on the switches which reveal what each one does. Note also the vibrant coloring on the side of the console, which could be programmed only to light up at night.

Posted by Peter C. T. Elsworth  at 8:04 AM to Design , Technology | Permalink | Comments 0

OnStar Data Used to Study Auto Crashes

WASHINGTON -- General Motors and the University of Michigan Medical School are working on a new study that will try to guide emergency workers and doctors who respond to car accidents - and develop safer vehicles along the way, according to the Associated Press.

Researchers are using crash and injury data from GM's OnStar service to learn more about the links between certain types of crashes and injuries. The in-vehicle system alerts emergency rescue officials when an air bag deploys or the vehicle is involved in a crash.

The study could help emergency room doctors know what to expect before the victim of a car accident arrives at the hospital. It also may help rescue workers determine when they need heavy equipment to extricate passengers or should send injured motorists to trauma centers.

Posted by Peter C. T. Elsworth  at 7:43 AM to GM , Safety | Permalink | Comments 0

Gettelfinger indicates simultaneous Ford, Chrysler talks

With a tentative agreement in hand with General Motors, the UAW expects to move quickly to lock in similar labor contracts with Chrysler and Ford, according to the Detroit Free Press.

“I think the pattern bargaining is still very much in play,” UAW President Ron Gettelfinger said this morning on WJR-AM radio. “We expect this will basically be the same agreement.” He said there could be some modifications for the individual automakers but “for the most part it will be a pattern agreement.”

Gettelfinger suggested that the UAW may try to finish up talks with Chrysler and Ford simultaneously.

Posted by Peter C. T. Elsworth  at 7:40 AM to Auto industry , Chrysler , Ford , GM , Unions | Permalink | Comments 0

Highlights of the GM-UAW deal

According to the Detroit Free Press, the tentative agreement between the UAW and General Motors Corp., a person briefed on the deal said, is expected to include:

• A retiree health-care trust, known as a voluntary employee beneficiary trust, or VEBA. While neither party would officially comment on the amount GM will pay into the VEBA, UAW President Ron Gettelfinger said financial analysis of the plan indicates it should be solvent for 80 years. GM has pushed for the trust to relieve itself of the responsibility for more than $50 billion in retiree health care cost liability. People familiar with GM’s position have said they believe the automaker will pay less than $35 billion into the trust.

A two-tier wage and benefits scale under which new hires will make a lower hourly wage and receive a different package of benefits than current workers.

• A second tier of compensation for jobs that GM and the UAW have agreed are “non-core” production jobs. This is expected to include many positions in which workers do not have their hands on a vehicle in the assembly process.

• To relieve the pain of the wage reductions for the workers currently assigned to jobs defined as “non-core” in the tentative deal, the automaker is expected to offer a targeted special attrition program.

• No wage increases.

• A $3,000 signing bonus.

• A lump-sum bonus in the last three years of the four-year contract.

• The possibility of the automaker maintaining the same level of its U.S. manufacturing workforce.

Posted by Peter C. T. Elsworth  at 7:38 AM to Auto industry , GM , Unions | Permalink | Comments 0

G.M. and Union Reach Tentative Agreement

DETROIT — The United Automobile Workers union and General Motors reached a landmark agreement early today, ending a two-day strike, according to the New York Times.

The key provision of the historic new contract is a health care trust that would get G.M.’s massive liability off its books.

The deal was announced by the company and the union in separate statements. The U.A.W. had walked out on G.M. on Monday morning, but production will resume this afternoon.

G.M. said the tentative agreement was reached at 3:05 a.m. Eastern. The U.A.W. recessed the strike and said if the contract was not ratified, workers could return to picket lines. The agreement included a memorandum of understanding to establish an independent health care trust, as well as other changes to the national agreement.

G.M. said implementation of the trust would be subject to court approval, as well as a review by G.M.’s accounting for the trust by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The memorandum apparently establishes the principle of the trust, and allows the two sides to complete its details later. Analysts had predicted the union and the company might have to take that step, because of the complexity of such a trust.

Posted by Peter C. T. Elsworth  at 7:31 AM to Auto industry , GM , Unions | Permalink | Comments 0