Detroit 3 Just Say No to Tokyo

In an attempt to appear pious and cost cutting and all that, the Detroit Three have pulled out of the Tokyo Auto Show. This is probably too little too late to save their hides, but we shall see.

From Automotive News:

"The Detroit 3 automakers have pulled out of this year's Tokyo auto show to cut costs.

Ford Motor Co. this afternoon confirmed Japanese media reports that Ford would not be participating this year.

"At this time, participating in the show just isn't a strategic priority," spokeswoman Jennifer Flake said. "Given everything else we have to balance in that region and in that market, that's not where we've chosen to prioritize our time and our resources."

Flake said she could not give information about the status of Mazda or Volvo in the show.

Exhibiting in the show, which is held every two years, cost General Motors $2 million in 2007. That's money better spent elsewhere, said Rick Brown, president of GM Asia Pacific.

"We won't be participating," Brown told Automotive News today. "If you really look at the business conditions that we are in right now, where we really have to make a bang out of every buck we spend, it's simply a business decision."

Chrysler made the same decision.

"Chrysler decided, under the current challenges and market situation the company faces, to pull out of TMS in 2009 in order to secure limited resources invested efficiently on activities necessary to sustain our business," Kaori Beppu, spokesperson for Chrysler Japan, said in a written statement today.

"We regret that we will be losing a great opportunity to appeal the company's presence at one of the international auto shows, but Chrysler will continue to offer Japanese consumers the very attractive product portfolio as well as the quality services."

The Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association is debating whether to cancel the event.

Brown said the Tokyo auto show can be a good forum to promote the GM brand. But the money is better channeled into other local marketing efforts, he said.

GM's decision to stay home is sure to raise eyebrows among the company's detractors in Japan, Brown said. But any bruising to the company's image will be short-lived, he said.

"If you're going to the Tokyo motor show to raise the corporate flag or just do it for corporate presence, I think those days are gone," Brown said. "It's not a good business decision."

The 41st annual Tokyo auto show is scheduled for Oct. 23-Nov. 8. Press days are to be Oct. 21 and 22. The theme is "Fun driving for us, eco driving for earth."

Discussion about canceling the show is driven in part by the decision of some non-Japanese automakers to shun the October venue amid the global financial crisis. But some Japanese exhibitors also are proposing that this year's event be canceled.

The show's steering committee will decide by early next month whether to postpone the show, said Toshihiro Iwatake, JAMA's executive director.

A number of non-American companies dropped out of this month's Detroit auto show, including Nissan Motor Co., Suzuki Motor Corp., Porsche AG, Rolls-Royce and Land Rover. Mitsubishi Motors Corp. canceled its corporate presence, but local Mitsubishi dealers put together an exhibit."

BYD Auto Shows Off Their F3DM, F6DM and E6 Crossover

It is my opinion that BYD Auto from China has got it all together. They have beaten every major auto manufacturer by offering the production F3DM plug-in hybrid vehicle for sale in China, a full year before anyone will have one. Now they are showing us the upcoming F6DM (about the size and shape of a Camry) and the crossover battery electric E6. This company means business. You make dislike the company for being Chinese and make fun of their quality, or whether or not the cars will come with lead paint, but their business acumen is second to none.

BYD wants to be a world leader in the automotive sector and they are well on their way. Personally, I would buy the F3DM TODAY if it was offered in the US. As it stands, I will have to wait until 2011 and by then, I will hopefully have many more options. The pictures below are great.

More of this great story from Green Car Congress:

"China’s BYD Auto showed the production version of its F3DM (dual mode) plug-in hybrid electric vehicle at the North American International Auto Show. The PHEV, which has gone on-sale in China, will begin US sales in 2011, according to the company. The company also showed the F6DM, a larger version of the F3DM due to go onsale this year, as well as an all-new battery-electric crossover, the e6.

BYD Auto, which is a subsidiary of China-based BYD Group, the leading provider of NiCd batteries (65% global market share) and lithium-ion cell phone batteries (30% global market share), uses BYD lithium-ion iron phosphate cells in its energy storage system. BYD says that its battery packs retain 80% of initial capacity through 2,000 full charge and discharge cycles, and have a 10-year lifetime.

The dual mode system runs the vehicle on electricity at start-up and under short-to-mid-range conditions. When the vehicle needs more power during acceleration, the gasoline engines and the electric motor drive the wheels together (parallel hybrid mode), providing the most power output. The engine also serves as a range extender for the system under electric drive (series hybrid mode). (Earlier post.)

Cutaway model showing the engine and motor of the DM powertrain. Click to enlarge.	Under the hood of the F3DM. Click to enlarge.

The F3DM. The powertrain combines a 50 kW (67 hp) 1.0-liter gasoline engine, a 25 kW generator and a 50 kW traction motor. Combined range is 360 miles (580 km) with a 100 km (62 mile) all-electric range. BYD says that the F3DM consumes ≤16 kWh/100km, or 258 Wh/mile. (To provide a comparison point, the Chevrolet Volt is designed to consume 8 kWh in 40 miles, or 200 Wh/mile.)

Acceleration from 0-60 mph is 10.5 seconds, with a top speed of 93 mph (150 km/h). The battery pack can be fully recharged from a household outlet in 7 hours. BYD says it can be quick charged to 50% capacity in 10 minutes.

The F6DM. The F6DM shares the same powertrain as that of the F3DM. Combined range is 267 miles (430 km) with an all-electric range of 62-miles (100km).

The e6. Click to enlarge.

The e6. BYD says it is planning four motor combinations for the e6, which can offer all-wheel drive with front and rear motors: 75 kW; 75 kW + 40 kW; 160 kW; and 160 kW + 40 kW. Electric power consumption will be less than 18 kWh/100km (290 Wh/mile).

Also present at the Detroit press conference was David Sokol, the chairman of MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company, the Berkshire Hathaway unit that last year took a 10% stake in BYD. (Earlier post.)

Sokol said that MidAmerican invested in BYD primarily because of the battery technology. Sokol later told Reuters that whether or not BYD manufactured their own cars wasn’t relevant to MidAmerican, because the real expertise was in the development of the batteries, the motors and the control systems.

At the show, BYD chairman Wang Chuan-Fu said the company would consider licensing its low-cost battery technology.

Market For Lithium Ion Battery Materials to Grow 89% in 5 Years

Are you looking for a good place to park some investment money? Maybe, just maybe you should consider companies that supply the materials for Lithium Ion battery manufacture. Lithium Ion batteries are used in all our computer laptops, cell phones, power tools, AA batteries and soon in your electric car. The demand for these products will not abate in the foreseeable future so now may be the time to invest.

From Nikkei:

According to a report by market research firm Fuji Keizai Co., the market for lithium-ion battery materials will increase to ¥618.7 billion (US$6.9 billion) in 2012, an 89% increase from 2007.

Among key ingredients, the market for positive electrode materials is seen increasing 81.2% to 270 billion yen [US$3 billion]. Separators, which are vital for battery safety, are expected to become a 111 billion yen [US$1.24 billion] market, double the 2007 size.

The lithium ion battery market is projected to grow at a 11% annual pace in the years ahead as use of notebook computers, power tools and mobile phones expands. In the future, demand could also be seen from electric automobiles and hybrid vehicles.

Ford Announces Accelerated Plans For New HEV's, PHEV's and BEV's

Bill Ford, Ford's Executive Chairman, used the Detroit Auto Show to unveil their aggressive plans for bringing green autos to market. They will have two new battery electric vehicles (BEV's) as well as plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) and next generation hybrid vehicles. Their plan is almost as robust Chrysler's. I really look forward to seeing these vehicles in the showrooms.

From Green Car Congress:

Ford Executive Chairman Bill Ford unveiled an accelerated plan to bring next-generation hybrid-electric (HEV); a plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV); and battery-electric (BEV) vehicles to market quickly and more affordably during the next four years.

The plan, unveiled at the 2009 North American International Auto Show, leverages Ford’s work with a range of partners—utilities, suppliers, policymakers and universities—in areas including batteries, manufacturing and infrastructure. For starters, Ford will introduce in North America:

• A new battery electric commercial van in 2010. In the UK, Ford is collaborating with Tanfield to offer battery-electric versions of the Ford Transit and Transit Connect commercial vehicles for fleet customers in the UK and European markets. (Earlier post.)

• A new battery electric small car in 2011 to be developed jointly with Magna International. The electric powertrain will be applied in a new-generation C-sized global vehicle platform. The BEV will first be introduced in North America, with the potential to migrate to the European and Asia Pacific markets down the road.

  Ford plans to introduce electrified powertrains (battery electric or plug-in hybrid) into two major new global product platforms: a new Focus-size C-car platform and another Fusion-size, CD segment platform. By 2012, Bill Ford said, the company will have four high-mileage BEVs. (The likely development direction for BEVs is to move onto smaller platforms—e.g., down to a B-size platform—from the C-size, according to Barb Samardzich, Ford Vice President of Powertrain Engineering.)

• Next-generation hybrid vehicles, including a plug-in version by 2012.

New BEV by 2011. Ford is collaborating with Magna International on the new battery electric vehicle targeted for 2011. Magna will provide the BEV electric traction motor, transmission, motor controller, Lithium-ion energy storage system, battery charger and related systems. Magna will also share in the engineering responsibility to integrate the electric propulsion system and other new systems into the vehicle platform architecture.

The BEV technology is already applied in a Ford Focus mule that has been in road testing for the past six months.

The 23 kWh battery pack comprises seven modules of 14 lithium-ion cells. The battery arrays are packaged in the vehicle trunk and underseat space. The new electric vehicle has a targeted pack range of up to 100 miles on a single charge. The system currently under test in the mule is delivering 80 miles on a single charge. The BEV test vehicle can be charged from either a standard 220-volt or 110-volt power outlet, with respective charge times of 6 or 12 hours.

A motor controller and inverter convert the battery’s direct current to AC. A 100 kW permanent-magnet, chassis-mounted electric traction motor operates on three-phase alternating current (AC). The BEV uses a single-speed transmission.

The powertrain, including the motor and gearbox, are packaged under the hood just like a gasoline powertrain, using existing powertrain mounts. This makes the electrified vehicle uncompromised in terms of robustness and low noise and vibration.

The test unit incorporates key components from Ford’s hybrid technology, including the electric climate control system. The high-voltage air-conditioning compressor is the same found in the new 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid.

In October 2008, Magna Electronics, an operating unit of Magna International Inc., acquired BluWav Systems LLC (formerly Wavecrest Laboratories), a developer and supplier of controls, motors and energy-management systems for hybrid electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid vehicles and battery electric vehicles. (Earlier post.)

BluWav had concentrated on five main product areas: Motor design; Motor control hardware, software, and drive electronics; Vehicle requirements analysis, system optimization, and performance validation; Vehicle control systems; and Energy storage systems.

Grants and Partnerships. The US Department of Energy (DOE) also has awarded Ford Motor Company a $10 million grant for research, development and demonstration of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV). Ford received the grant for the continued development of a demonstration fleet of 20 PHEVs. The total project cost is $20 million; the government will fund $10 million of the program.

In June, Ford delivered the first flexible fuel capable plug-in hybrid electric SUV to the Department of Energy. (Earlier post.) The Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid, capable of running on gasoline or E85, is part of the demonstration fleet Ford is developing in partnership with Southern California Edison, the Electric Power Research Institute and Johnson Controls-Saft.

The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) is collaborating with Ford Motor Company on a three-year analysis to evaluate technical approaches for integrating PHEVs into the nation’s electric grid system, a key requirement to facilitate widespread adoption of the vehicles.

Ford also has entered into a four-way “Eco-Partnership” in China to expand its global expertise with electric-powered vehicles. Ford, Changan Auto Group and the cities of Chongqing, China and Denver, Colo., are exploring ways to develop projects to help further energy security and promote economic and environmental sustainability. Areas of focus could include developing electrified vehicle technologies, green city planning, efficient urban transportation and grid integration.

Chrysler Surprises Detroit With its 200C Electric Concept Vehicle

Chrysler has already announced three EV's for the future and added a fourth today, a Jeep Patriot extended range vehicle to join the Wrangler. Now, Chrysler has added another extended range EV under its badge, the 200C EV.

From Automotive News:

"Chrysler LLC jolted automotive journalists ready to see the world premiere of four production-vehicle-based electric cars and trucks at the Detroit auto show, adding a surprise electric show car dubbed the 200C EV.

Chrysler co-President Jim Press said the 200C and other electric vehicles show "there's evidence here of ongoing investment in the future."

The stylish concept car features the same range-extending electric drive system deployed in several other production-intent Chrysler EVs revealed at the Detroit show, including the Town & Country EV minivan, Jeep Wrangler Unlimited EV and Jeep Patriot EV.

Chrysler also unveiled the all-electric plug-in Dodge Circuit EV, a Lotus Exige-based electric concept with an estimated range of 150-200 miles. The latest iteration now has its Dodge cross-hair grille and other Dodge styling elements fully in place. Versions of the Town & Country, Circuit and Wrangler Unlimited were shown publicly last summer, but the Patriot is an all-new entry to the portfolio of models developed by ENVI, Chrysler's environmentally friendly car engineering arm that draws its name from the first four letters of "environment."

Chrysler has said it plans to put at least one of the electric vehicles into production in 2010; the company now promises at least three more EV models will follow by 2013.

"Chrysler's broad portfolio of electric vehicle prototypes clearly demonstrates that we are well on our way to bringing electric vehicles to our consumers' garages," said Frank Klegon, Chrysler executive vice president for product development.

Between its ENVI electric-drive vehicles and GEM neighborhood electric vehicles, Chrysler wants to put 500,000 of its electric vehicles on the road by 2013.

Although the 200C EV Concept is furthest from production, the rear-drive, four-seat sedan capable of 0-60 mph in 7.0 seconds flat is the most advanced expression of ENVI's efforts to date. Chrysler says the concept provides a clear view of what we'll see in a next-generation Chrysler performance sedan.

Based on a shortened version of the rear-drive Chrysler 300C full-sized sedan, the mid-sized 200C EV is a performance sedan that blends the style, performance and amenities sought by car enthusiasts and environmentally conscious consumers alike.

"The Chrysler 200C EV embodies our passion for problem solving by combining the best of engineering and automotive design," said Ralph Gilles, Chrysler vice president of design. "With the 200C EV, we were able to maximize the effectiveness of the ENVI powertrain with the stunning, wind-cheating vehicle shape, while pushing toward the future with the avant-garde interior and advanced in-vehicle connectivity."

Chrysler said the 200C EV's exterior styling focuses on efficiency while coupling Chrysler's design roots with the larger proportions of the Chrysler 300 to create a modern product.

The highly sculptured interior is free of switches and levers, with all vehicle functions and features managed via a panoramic multimedia touch screen, a passenger-dedicated portion of the screen dubbed "techno-leaf," and a stowable tablet PC.

Chrysler says that like its extended-range ENVI siblings, the 200C EV is capable of driving up to 40 miles on battery-only power, while a small gasoline engine and on-board electric generator produce electricity to extend the driving range to 400 miles.

Other ENVI vehicles revealed by Chrysler include:

• Jeep Patriot EV, which combines ENVI's Range-extended Electric Vehicle drive system with a compact front-drive sport-utility vehicle.

• Jeep Wrangler Unlimited EV uses a range-extending electric powertrain in an off-roader. Though only a 4x2 drivetrain as shown in Detroit, a 4x4 version is in development.

• Chrysler Town & Country EV, incorporating the same powertrain into its utilitarian front-drive seven-passenger minivan."

Toyota's FT-EV To Be Unveilied at Detroit Auto Show Today

Toyota will unveil its new FT-EV electric car today at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show. The car will have a 50 mile range and a limited top speed designed for urban commuting.

Toyota has said, "Toyota’s FT-EV concept imagines an urban dweller, driving up to 50 miles between home, work and other forms of public transportation.” The concept is slated for delivery in 2012.

Don't we have enough of these vehicles? Miles, Zenn, Gem and Zap all make these little city electric cars and the market for them doesn't seem to be that robust, so why is Toyota joining the fray? Why can't Toyota go one step further and produce an all-electric highway capable vehicle like their RAV-4 EV?

2009 Detroit Auto Show - NAIAS

It's that time of year once more. The Detroit Auto Show begins this weekend with the press having the floor all to themselves. The show runs for two weeks and there is great speculation as to what, if any, surprises we will see.

During these crushingly depressed times, how can the automakers show their optimism and enthusiasm? All auto sales are down between 30 and 40 percent and GM and Chrysler are still on the brink of bankruptcy. Will they show us anything that could possible increase their sales and cause the public to get excited? Even with massive rebates and incentives, sales were way down in December, so what will it take to get customers buying again? It still looks like business as usual to me.

Toyota will have their new Prius which is basically the same as the old Prius, only slightly larger and slightly more powerful. Toyota refuses to add a plug.

Honda will have their Insight, which might be the best car announced yet. It gets comprable fuel economy as the Prius but is supposed to sell for $18,000 MSRP. I would be tempted to buy one, but still, there is no plug.

GM has the Volt, but it will still not be ready for two more years. A ridiculously long wait.

Ford and Mercury have a new hybrid that also gets mileages similar to the Prius. This could be another vehicle worthy of purchase, however, still no plug.

Chrysler has three or four EV's, but they are not due for two years as well.

In case you couldn't tell, my mantra as of late is, "No plug, no deal!"