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automotive

Pioneer's prototype HUD mixes lasers, Android

We've seen head-up displays (HUDs) before in production vehicles like the Chevrolet Corvette and the BMW 5-Series. However, these displays are often small, monochromatic, and use technology that's nearly a decade old. Pioneer aims to change this with a new laser-based prototype HUD, unveiled and demonstrated at Ceatec 2010 in Japan.

Pioneer's HUD uses lasers to project full-color animated maps and images onto a transparent panel, but Pioneer predicts that one day the system could be used to throw maps and turn-by-turn directions onto your vehicle's windshield. The prototype system connects to an Android OS smartphone … Read more

Fisker planning six plug-in hybrids and an IPO

It's been a long time coming, but Fisker is finally ramping up for production of its long-awaited Karma, and more recently, a full lineup of plug-ins over the next three years.

The carmaker officially debuted the 2012 Karma at the Paris Motor Show last week, along with its $88,000 price tag. Full production of the Karma will begin early next year in Finland, with customer deliveries promised in March. And not much longer after that, the start-up also plans to put its $528 million Department of Energy loan to good use and produce its more affordable Project Nina … Read more

Will copying Apple's sales model work for CODA?

Mid-size electric vehicles for the masses have yet to roll off the production line and into showrooms, but the competition for sales is already heating up. To win market share, CODA Automotive will break with tradition by forgoing auto row entirely. Instead the start-up will set up shop in malls.

Yes, shopping malls.

Before you make jokes about buying cars at Wal-Mart or impulse purchasing a new car when you meant to buy a pair of jeans, take into consideration that this sales strategy is already used in Japan.

And it's also very similar Apple's sales model, says … Read more

Automotive X Prize winner hits 100 mpg

The Automotive X Prize for a consumer-friendly car that could get at least 100 miles per gallon goes to "Very Light Car No. 98," a vehicle made by Edison 2, a team based in Lynchburg, Va.

News of the winner, which was officially announced late this morning in a ceremony held at the Historical Society in Washington D.C. and streamed live online by the X Prize Foundation, was reported early by the Associated Press.

The challenge set for this particular prize from the famed X Prize Foundation was to design and build a car with a fuel … Read more

Ford House museum app tempts history buffs

As someone who comes from a long line of race car drivers and auto enthusiasts, it always comes as a shock to me that I don't bleed straight motor oil when I get a cut or a scrape. It runs that deep, people. Living in a city that is a cinch to traverse on foot or public transit has helped to temper my vehicular attachment, but every once in a while a product like the Edsel & Elanor Ford House iPhone app will bring it writhing to the surface once again.

Truth be told, the Ford House app doesn'… Read more

GM invests in electric vehicle start-up Bright

General Motors has invested in electric vehicle company Bright Automotive, marking the first investment by the auto giant's venture-capital arm.

The companies said Tuesday that the investment by recently created GM Ventures for an undisclosed amount will give GM a minority stake in Anderson, Ind.-based Bright and accelerate Bright's plans to manufacture a plug-in hybrid van that can get up to 100 miles per gallon.

Bright designed the hybrid gas-electric utility van, called the Idea, specifically for fleet vehicle operators. The company was spun out of the Rocky Mountain Institute think tank and co-founded by John Waters, … Read more

Will DC fast charging harm electric car batteries?

I wrote a blog post a couple of weeks ago about a new charging technology by JFE Engineering that can charge a battery to 50 percent in 3 minutes, and up to 70 percent in 5 minutes. While the technology is impressive, some readers wondered if that fast-charging battery technology would have a negative effect on the life span on EV car batteries.

Well, readers have little to worry about since that technology probably isn't making it to the U.S. or in stateside electric vehicles any time soon.

There are few public level 3 charging stations in the … Read more

Midwest group agrees to sell Chinese EV

Bob Rohrman Auto Group, of Lafayette, Ind., has signed on to sell the Zotye electric SUV, imported and distributed by Green Automotive Co., of Dallas.

Rohrman Auto, the 15th-largest U.S. dealership group by retail unit sales, will sell Zotye SUVs in 10 of its 36 stores and has committed to taking a minimum of 20 SUVs per store per month.

Green Automotive imports the SUVs from China's Zotye Holding Group, which makes the vehicles in Zhejiang, China. Deliveries are to begin in the fourth quarter.

The highway-legal Zotye SUV, with a sticker of $29,995, uses lithium ion … Read more

ZAP to display its electric cars at EV KOREA

Electric vehicle pioneer ZAP and Zhejiang Jonway Automobile delivered the first electric taxi produced through their China venture, ZAP Jonway, to Korean distribution partner Samyang Optics. Several new ZAP electric vehicles will be on display at the automotive engineering technology expo EV KOREA July 14 to July 16 at the Coex exhibition center in Seoul. Samyang Optics and ZAP Jonway are the official sponsors of the event.

The ZAP Taxi is an electric SUV based on the Jonway A380 with an electric drive train designed and integrated by ZAP. Also on display is the Alias, a futuristic-looking electric car designed … Read more