Monthly Archives: March 2014

EU tightens CO2 cap for cars, fixing 2021 limit in deal with Germany

March 02, 2014   Sean

EU tightens CO2 cap for cars, fixing 2021 limit in deal with Germany

The European Union has tightened a cap on carbon dioxide emissions from cars, ending a skirmish with Germany through a compromise that eases the potential costs for automakers.The European Parliament voted today in Strasbourg, France, to cut average car-CO2 emissions to 95 grams a kilometer in 2021 through varying targets for individual manufacturers, according to a statement. Current EU rules cap auto discharges at 130 grams a kilometer on average as of 2015 and set a non-binding goal of 95 grams for 2020.

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BASF targets EV battery market as growth area

March 02, 2014   Sean

Burning cars and bankruptcies have marred the market for batteries powering electric vehicles. That isn’t deterring the world’s biggest chemical maker, BASF, from investing in the space.The German company is betting that customers will flock to electric cars and is using its chemical products to create a battery that will enable vehicles to run longer.

BASF, with an annual 1.7 billion euro ($2.3 billion) research budget, has made battery materials one of 10 areas it’s targeting for growth.

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Autoliv preps new China airbag plant to supply Great Wall

March 02, 2014   Sean

Autoliv  will start building an airbag plant in the second half of this year in the north China city of Baoding, where Great Wall Motor Co. is headquartered.The plant will make airbags mainly for Great Wall’s Haval SUVs as well as the Great Wall-badged C30 compact sedan, the automaker said.

The two companies signed a letter of intent on the plant construction last week in Baoding. More details about the plant were undisclosed.

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BMW plans to double engine capacity in China to close Audi gap

March 02, 2014   Sean

BMW plans to double engine capacity in China to close Audi gap-china brillance 5 series bmw

BMW is expanding engine production in China to potentially double capacity as it seeks to close the gap with Audi in the world’s largest car market.BMW and its joint-venture partner Brilliance China Automotive Holdings plan to make as many as 400,000 engines a year at a new facility in Shenyang, BMW said. The expansion includes a foundry as part of its push to boost local content.

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Hennessey Venom GT hits 270.49mph at Kennedy Space Centre in Florida

March 02, 2014   John E.

Last April, the Hennessey Venom GT reached a top speed of 265.7mph, making it the fastest production car available to the public.

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