Monday 30 January 2017

GM-Honda SOP of fuel cells set for 2020

As if to emphasise the growing shift to electric vehicles (EVs), General Motors and Honda have set up the auto industrys first manufacturing joint venture to mass produce an advanced hydrogen fuel cell system that will be used in future products from each company with SOP set for 2020.

Torotrak cuts V-Charge in favour of KERS

When a company begins a statement to the effect that “priorites have changed”, you know there’s trouble ahead. And so it is with Torotrak which is refocusing on KERS and IVTs. And it's all the fault of EVs and diesel technology.

Friday 27 January 2017

Mack Trucks pulls 16-litre engine

According to Transport Topics (TT). Mack Trucks in the US has opted to pull its Titan model and its 16-litre MP10 engine.

Thursday 26 January 2017

JLR is UK’s largest automaker – again

JaguarLandRover (JLR) has once again been named the largest automotive manufacturer in Britain, accounting for more than 30 per cent of all domestic car production last year.

Monday 23 January 2017

Opposed-piston engine work is ‘no joke’ – Achates

Under perceptive questioning by a WardsAuto reporter, Achates President and chief executive officer David Johnson claims interest from vehicle builders is serious and will lead to production.

Sunday 22 January 2017

Automakers begin to mull the Trump effect

As UK Prime Minister, Teresa May, become the first foreign leader to meet new US President Donald Trump, focus will be on trade. And trade with Trump will be the one notion that senior executives in the global automotive industry this weekend will be the mulling the implication of Trump’s inauguration.

Wednesday 18 January 2017

Opposed-piston – promises, promises, promises

Opposed-piston engines for road vehicles have proved to be a moving target. Mystifying and elusive. Promises are made and not fulfilled. But now it looks as though there could be light at the end of the tunnel. But still the light at the end of the tunnel is set for 2018.

SinterCast responds to 'dieselgate' issues

Swedish foundry process control specialist SinterCast is one of the first leading automotive-related companies to respond to possible issues surrounding the impact of 'dieselgate' on its business.

Tuesday 17 January 2017

More SUVs to emerge from Vauxhall

Vauxhall has revealed it all-new Crossland X, what it sees as a second vital ingredient to the company’s burgeoning SUV offering, which is due to grow still further in 2017 with the launch of the larger Grandland X later in the year. 

VW ‘dieselgate’ chief in the firing line

Oliver Schmidt’s name is likely to go down in the annals of automotive history, irrespective of what happens in the coming weeks and months.

EPA and CARB approve VW dieselgate 'fix'

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Air Registration Board (CARB) have a proved a 'fix' for 67,000 of the 475,000 Volkswagen and Audi 2-litre diesel engines programmed to 'cheat' US emissions tests.

Sunday 15 January 2017

Cummins distances itself from FCA fall-out

As shares in Renault fell sharply late last week following reports that French prosecutors are investigating the carmaker over possible diesel emissions claims, Cummins Inc. has become the latest manufacturer to distance itself from the vehicle emissions scandal.

Saturday 14 January 2017

FCA faces the wrath of the EPA

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has lodged a complaint against Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) of failing to disclose software in 104,000 diesel pickups and SUVs that allows them to exceed pollution limits.

Wednesday 11 January 2017

Production of Micra returns to Europe

Production of the latest Nissan Micra has begun at Flins in France and, according to Nissan, final checks have ensured the vehicles are finished to the “highest quality”.

Tuesday 10 January 2017

SinterCast confirms F-150’s 3-litre diesel

The 2017 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) provided a positive start to the year, with the unveiling of a new SinterCast-CGI diesel engine for the Ford F-150.

Monday 9 January 2017

Toyota commits to US; BMW to Mexico

Japanese car giant Toyota says will it invest $10bn (£8.2bn) in the US over the next five years - the latest car giant to announce major investments.

Sunday 8 January 2017

Ford fits 3-litre diesel to F-150 pick-up truck

Ford, the US’s leading truck leader, now offers an all-new 3-litre Power Stroke V6 turbo diesel and the “next generation” 2.7-litre EcoBoost engine in  the new 2018 Ford F-150. Ford now has a truck to more than match the Fiat Chrysler Automotive Ram 1500 with its VM Motori V6 turbo diesel and which, like the 'new' 3-litre V6 from Ford has a CGI vee cylinder block. Ford's move raises one simple question: How will GM, the sleeping giant, respond? Will the 'new' 4.5-litre Duramax appear sooner rather than later? Another vee CGI diesel? The US rumour mill says the CGI Duramax will bow in summer 2018.

Friday 6 January 2017

New funding for cleaner US diesel buses

New funding for cleaner US school buses announced by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will allow for significant air quality improvements by replacing older diesel buses with newer, more efficient technology – primarily advanced clean diesel technology. EPA is awarding $7.7 million to replace or retrofit 401 older diesel school buses in 27 states under the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA).

Thursday 5 January 2017

Ford: Flat Rock gains as Mexico loses

Ford Motor Company is investing  $4.5 billion investment in electrified vehicles by 2020, offering customers greater fuel efficiency, capability and power across Fords global vehicle lineup.