City Car 119

On the mat Driving Sustainable Mobility yesterday (26/10/2010), in China, KOMPAS.com opportunity to taste the future of cars General Motors (GM), Chevrolet Volt, Chevrolet Equinox and Networked-Electric Vehicle (EN-V).

“They become the solution that we offer to consumers in the future,” said Michael Albano, Director of Communications and Technology, GM International Operations (GMIO).

“We have many customers with different needs. Among other things, only to move within the city, travel long distances between cities. To this end we offer a variety of solutions and not just an option,” said Michael. According to him, Volt, Equinox and the EN-V is not just a choice based on your needs, as well as future transportation solutions.

Volt electric car plug-ins in the world’s first mass production with machines to increase mileage (extended range). “Volt creates a new segment of the global automotive market as an electric car with the distance away,” said Steve L. Clarke, Vice President of Vehicle Engineering GMIO. “This is not a pure electric car, and also not a hybrid,” he said.

According to Steve, this car could not operate without electric motors. “Electric Motor that drives the wheels, with the energy supply of lithium-ion battery. While the 1.4 liter gasoline engine from working when the battery can no longer meet the energy needs of an electric motor to spin the wheel,” said Steve.

Conventional machines, the work plays electric generator that will fill back into the battery. “If necessary, the resulting electric generator to directly supply power to electric motors and drive wheels, for example when the maximum acceleration or uphill paths,” added Steve.

Steve refused to say if the Volt as a hybrid car. “The technology is different from hybrid Volt usual. We put the Volt in the segment is really new in the world,” he said.

When driven, Volt provides excellent first impression. new driving experience. Among others, her voice is very smooth, making all the people outside do not think this car is ready to slide. When driven, hardly any significant difference with the premium hatchback petrol engined diesel Atua.

Equinox Fuel Cell Technologies fuel cell (fuel cell)) used in the Equinox is the fourth generation of GM. Hydrogen is converted into electrical energy turning the electric motor. As a result, the performance of Equinox the same as those using conventional driving source and better than conventional electric cars.

“With a full hydrogen tank, Equinox Fuel Cell can roam up to 320 km with a great electric motors. You do not use fossil fuels, emissions it produces only water,” said George P. Hansen, director of Asia Pacific Fuel Cell Commercialization, GM Asia Pacific.

There was no significant difference between driving the Equinox Fuel Cell is with a conventional car, except the engine. This car is comfortable steered.

EN-V This is the future of personal transportation GM version. “Electric two-passenger vehicle is designed to overcome the problem of traffic congestion, limited parking, air quality and transportation needs in cities big future,” said Christopher E. Borroni-Bird, Program Director of the EN-V GM.

With dimensions of only a third of a conventional family car, EN-V saves space on the highway and parking. With a fully charged battery condition, its ability to surf could reach 40 km.

Not only that, the EN-V is designed to communicate between the vehicle (Vehicle-to-vehicle communications) is combined with Global Positioning System (GPS). In this way – let alone supported by the infrastructure – is expected to reduce accidents.

EN-V driving a very easy and practical. Control system is like a portable video game console. Operation is also simple. When you first try, to be sensitive control system. As a result, the car feels too aggressive due to spontaneous acceleration. But along with the increasingly familiar with the characteristics of this car, make you an expert in no time.

“This vehicle was about to happen ten or twenty years. What you’re driving now is just a concept. There is still much that must be developed to be more efficient in the future,” said Christopher.

Chevrolet Volt travel Route Test Rounding American mainland

To prove the greatness of the Chevrolet Volt which has become the “icon” or symbol of the reform of General Motors (GM), starting October 9 next car will be tested for its ability to travel 3400 miles or 5500 km without having to plug the system into a power outlet fill your home or hotel. Hence, the event was given a crown by the GM with the headline “Volt Unplugged.”

Events that took place over this month (ending 20 November in Chicago), the goal, in addition to promotion, as well as for technological prowess proving Volt as an electric car with the concept of “extended”. Or electric cars equipped with its own charging system. Strictly speaking, a small gasoline engine fitted to enable the generator to charge the battery charged. This concept is also called a series hybrid.

Public Test Drive Interestingly enough, because the new sale starting later this year and the numbers are very limited, Chevrolet provides the opportunity for the public to try it out directly. Even the engineers, designers and people who are behind the Chevrolet is included in this group to run out to interact directly with the public at each place to stop.

“The Volt Unplugged tour also gives people a chance every sitting behind the steering wheel and can understand the Volt of this special advantages,” said Tony DiSalle, Director of Product and Marketing Volt. “This event is to demonstrate the ability Volt, as electricity were vehicles that could be used over long distances under driving conditions and changeable weather without having to stop to charge the battery.”

With the battery and gas tank filled, Volt can be used for traveling hundreds of kilometers. This is obtained because the Volt is an electric car designed for long distance travel. Therefore, although the car driven by electric motors, but the batteries are always charged by generators that are part of the car.

Volt uses lithium-ion batteries that could 16kWh for a distance of 40-56 km (once full contents) and the ability dientukan by road conditions, driving techniques, temperature and battery life. When the energy is less power, gasoline engine to life, so that the function generator and charge the battery.

In the United States, this car is sold for U.S. $ 41,000 or after getting tax incentives, consumers only pay U.S. $ 33,500 dollars.

About the development of automotive technology, especially leading to hybrid or electric car, it turns out America lags far behind countries of Asia. That’s because, lithium-ion battery, which became one of the main components of environmentally friendly vehicles, which required automobile manufacturers in the country, Uncle Sam is very dependent on foreign products.

As reported by Dow Jones (9 / 3), high world oil prices reaching 100 dollars per barrel, forcing the principal American cars such as General Motors and Ford Motors could not not have to market a hybrid vehicle in 2012. The goal for fuel efficiency could be higher, given the technology of hybrid blend of gasoline and electric engines.

When to push environmentally friendly vehicles to market soon, GM, Ford, and other U.S. automakers are in a position less advantageous. “They are very dependent on battery or import technology from Japan, China and other Asian countries to supply lithium-ion batteries,” said Menahem Anderman, president of Advanced Automotive Baterries research firm.

IHS in the CERA energy conference on Tuesday (8 / 3), Anderman asserted, if there is a race to make batteries for electric cars or hybrids, America ranks fourth behind China, Japan and South Korea. Americans classified as late in allocating funds for R & D component.

Moreover, GM in the next two years will produce 175,000 units of Chevy Volt (hybrid). “When the company began developing hybrid cars two years ago, they should look to Asia a lot of battery supply, add time and money for development,” said Britta Gross, GM’s Director of Global Energy System. He adds, for Volt, the GM should go to South Korea to find material of lithium cells.

China became one provider of lithium-ion batteries in the world. The component manufacturers are enjoying the benefits, both in terms of financial and manpower.

Maybe one of you is one big fan of American automotives, such as Ford or Chevrolet, two big companies, compete one another for a long time. For you who love Chevrolet, the General Motor Company offers you a big deal. It is great news for those who love to collect or change car, or even take cars as life-style. It is called Chevrolet Orlando.

For some country, the presence of brand new Chevrolet Orlando can be expected in next year. But in Europe, General Motors expects “a lot” in the multi-purpose vehicle (MPV), a medium that was launched in March 2011, to boost sales of the targeted 30,000 units.

The following year, the target will be increased 100 percent to 60,000 units supplied (CBU) from South Korea with three engine options, namely gasoline-powered 1.8-liter 141 hp, 2.0 liter diesel (131hp) and 2.0 liter turbo diesel (163 hp).

“We hope to reach a large market segment with Orlando because it offers a dynamic ride within the passenger vehicle, a look of SUVs (sports utility vehicle) but the width of the minivan,” commented Federico Sanguinetti, the CEO of Chevrolet Italy.

Orlando will face the rivals that already exist in markets such as Grand C-Max Ford and Opel or Vauxhall Zafira. The price itself is 15 percent cheaper than its competitors. Chevrolet also claimed that Orlando have got up to 1,500 liters of luggage space.

Managing Director of Chevrolet Europe Wayne Brannon stated, Orlando will hold the key to success in Europe. In 2016, Orlando should be able to raise its market share to two-thirds Chevrolet in the minivan segment. Throughout the year, Brannon ambition is to raise total sales of Chevrolet until doubled, including Russia. The reason is that Chevrolet sales in Russia alone last year (2009) down or decrease to 15 percent or just 425,874 units.

Well, except Orlando, Chevrolet Captiva will also release a new facelift, March, New Aveo, Cruze (hatcback) and the Camaro by end of next year.

Saudi Arabia is known as a country with a rather large number of billionaires. The billionaire businessmen incomes are mostly from oil and like to collect various luxury cars and driven to an extreme driving style.

That’s just business, then what about the Arab kingdom? It seems that not only cars purchased, unsparing, prince Alwaleed Bin Talal and Kingdom Holding Company to purchase shares of General Motors reportedly worth $ 500 million through an initial public offering.

As reported by Bloomberg on Thursday (11/25/2010) Kingdom Holding Company (KHC), the company said Alwaleed, the prince and KHC buy a percent stake in GM as the manufacturers is known to have powerful and competing brands, and has a relatively attractive price, “. “In addition the company also has a good prospect in China and Brazil,” continued the statement KHC is based in Riyadh.

GM owners, including the United States Treasury Department, to sell shares of General Motors with a price of $ 33 per IPO last week. The prince believes, after hit by bankruptcy, GM would be able to rise in the global automotive market. Maybe you are interested in buying it too? Get the money from payday loans.

Currently, however, the financial position of car manufacturers from the United States was for the better. Moreover, GM also has slowly been able to make a profit. Kingdom Holding also owns shares in Apple Inc., Citigroup Inc., News Corp., and PepsiCo Inc.

With the launch of the Chevrolet Volt, General Motors continues to plan for more electric cars in the future. At least, there are three models being developed and will not be present in the American market in the near future.

The first electric car-based model is sedan / hatchback, Chevrolet Sail small, for different markets outside the U.S.. Production takes place in China and will enter the Indian market. Then Chevrolet Cruze reportedly will become the second electric car models that GM developed and will be made and marketed in South Korea.

If the Volt has extended-range mode with a gasoline engine, so it can cover the distance up to 560 km, these new models will actually get a pure electric car technology. The total distance that can be gone through shorter, only about 160 km, which is considered more suitable for consumers in Asia and Europe.

According to President and Marketing Director of GM India Karl Slym, GM’s electric car will make its debut next year, predicted in the event of New Delhi Auto Expo.

Volkswagen in Port Elizabeth, South Africa (South Africa) forced to stop the production caused by workers who doesn’t want to work. It happened for the second time in less than a month. The first action is on 13 August.

The workers demanded higher wages to 15 percent from the current position. In fact, the producers had agreed to raise the 6 percent. These conditions make the new model Polo supplies destined for export markets, such as England, Ireland, Australia, New Zeland, Malaysia and Singapore had become disturbed.

The company feel very much regret for this incident. In fact, the company is working to restore the previous eight days incident which affects the number of shipping units to customers.

Another manufacturer, Nissan Motor Co. and General Motors (GM) have not announced about other negative impact which is caused by this incident. However, GM confirmed the long protracted conditions will create conditions worse until the cessation of manufacturing activities.

Such actions would affect the industrial activities, as well as sending a negative message related to the labor issues in South Africa,” GM said in their official statement.

General Motors – the parent company of Chevrolet brand – is secretly preparing Chevrolet Aveo hatchback version in 2012. Previously, earlier this year, GM has launched the Aveo sedan version. As preached autoevolution.com, Wednesday (14 / 7), information and sightings of the new Aveo figure was started when GM register a copyright on the design and name in the United States copyright office. Not long after, several US sites display the hunchback car.

“In general, the new Aveo view similar to its predecessor, Aveo RS, who had cars on display in an exhibition in the United States,” said autoevolution.com. Of the various impressions in the virtual world visible, display the most brand new generation in the clan that is fresher than the Chevrolet Aveo RS. At least that was visible from the front view. Similarly, with the main lamp that emits an aggressive impression. Moreover, the grill sizes are also bigger, so sturdy and elegant impression emanated strong.

Dynamic impression with the latest styles also reflected in the interior. This was reflected on the steering wheel that includes several features that multi-functionality. The impression was reinforced by the instrument cluster display with the latest designs but concerned with aspects of the function.

Happenings machines, until now there is no definite information. However, just for comparison, namely the predecessor generation Aveo RS 1400 cc Ecotec engine equipped Turbocharger and manual transmit six levels of acceleration. Therefore, the Aveo hatchback is likely to carry the 1200 and 1400 cc engine DOHC. GM will produce the new model in the Chevrolet factory, Orion Township, Michigan. Manufacturers set a production target of 160 thousand units every year. Unfortunately, until now GM has not provided any information when it is going to be marketed, as well as the machine capabilities, supporting features, and price range.