Obstacles testing Honda high-tech solution on site

Although the number of deaths due to vehicle is strongly decreased collisions over the last 10 years, deaths in accidents with pedestrians and motorcycle riders have remained unchanged.

Honda is experimenting with a wireless technology, impacting significantly on these numbers.

In contrast to camera, radar and laser systems that can short range communication system, which this week shown follow the Japanese company, pedestrians and motorbikes dedicated, even if they are out of line of sight - such as on the other side of a parked car or around the corner.

The new technologies are part of an array of intelligent transport systems, "We believe that the next step in the direction of car will be accident free," said Jim Keller, senior engineer at Honda's automotive technology research.

In a demonstration on the roof of Detroit is expansive MGM Grand Casino, Honda showed the two prototype systems with a motorcycle scoot through an "intersection" behind a truck initially hidden. The driver of the Honda Accord was carefully mounted on the danger through a sound and a flashing light on a video display on the dashboard. A similar test revealed a pedestrian stepping out in the "traffic" behind a van.

Added without the warning, the accord driver of pedestrians and motorcycle riders could have taken. Instead, he had enough time to safely the sedan to a halt.

Other automakers are looking for pedestrians to possibilities, the number of accidents, and in particular spot gradually to reduce traffic. Volvo City safety technology has won kudos as well as discounts from insurers, who find it effective in the vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian collisions.

But systems based on cameras or radar, usually to sonar or laser sensors do not much behind the line of sight, and offer usually a warning about no more than about three seconds. Honda vehicle pedestrian and vehicle-motorcycle technologies, less than 10 seconds and can spot potential collisions increase.

The trick is a wireless communication system similar to Wi-Fi. A small chip is it effective - and if Honda, its competitors, and regulators can agree on standards - phones and motorbikes would be embedded in future. In a phone, a low-power signal would be if a pedestrian on the street to go; in a motorcycle, it would indicate the bike path.

A radio receiver in a car would constantly watch for possible collisions. This technology could be linked to the vehicle's brakes and the car that come to a halt to allow, if necessary, before the driver recognized the danger of even.

Federal authorities study the idea of cars require vehicle-vehicle technology in the future. There was a driver in a sharp curve to problems as an oncoming vehicle makes a left turn alert.

Honda is one of a growing number of manufacturers with a stretch target fatalities through high-tech systems and improved vehicle structures to eliminate crash.

On Tuesday adapted Nissan this goal as it plans its first completely autonomous or non-interference and vehicle by 2020 announced in. The company said that he hopes that the technology in their products offered within the next 10 years.

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Electric car manufacturer Tesla $465 M federal loan pay off

Michael strong Detroit Bureau may 21, 2013 at 12:31 PM ET
A Tesla model S electric sedan in the vicinity of the company's factory in Fremont, California, in June this year file photo. Tesla says it is ready, billions of dollars of federal pay half loan.

Electric car maker Tesla Motors to shifted a good place: CEO Elon Musk intends the potential $1 billion of a new stock, $465 million in Department of energy offer of the manufacturer's pay off loan - and would help to pay that grow the California car manufacturer for other products.

Musk used tweets to signal its plans, has hinted that he will tomorrow officially announce the disbursement of loans. Tesla considerable interest costs such a movement that nine years earlier than planned, was next, get even as taxpayers, such as a $12 million profit. That would bring the Obama administration a rare success in highly controversial Department of energy-loan-program.

"Govt credit redemption this week given (prob MI), compressor update will be next week," musk tweeted.

Tesla U-turn recently, offer announcement of plans for a new stock, which originally was expected to generate about $800 million in cash. But when the Palo Alto-based company on a share stocks rose from around $34 more than $92 since March, Tesla plans to increase the size of the offer to 30 per cent, or more than $1 billion.

As for other projects, after paying off the Energy Department loans: A model X crossover, in 2014, the current model S sedan to accompany. Musk has long promised to introduce a smaller, less expensive vehicle that could substantially increase Tesla sales through targeted a more mainstream market. But musk has also suggested that other options that perhaps an electric pickup truck.

Tesla's upcoming has offer follows a series of successes for the company. The model S received recently one of the highest ratings ever by consumer reports magazine, 99 out of a possible 100 points.

That is expected to give more dynamics, to sales, which already provide helping Tesla's original expectations - the first exceeded a profit of quarter of - Tesla ever - from $11.2 million on revenues of $561,8 million.

Sales could grow significantly musk has pointed out, with the introduction of sales in Europe and Asia in the third quarter of this year - and then with the addition of the model x on the right track to debut in the last quarter of 2014.

Musk has made when you consider the General skepticism about battery power always rebuild no small thing, Twitter and other social networks drive announcement a variety of movements, which aimed, customer loyalty and trust.

Under the recent moves: A hybrid loan / lease program allows buyers, their Tesla vehicles for a guaranteed value return and a no-fault warranty program for the model S battery pack.

In spite of musk unchecked optimism there were skeptics, perhaps for good reason, given the problems the facing the nascent battery car market.

Two other California start-ups have collapsed in recent weeks. CODA filed for Chapter 11 protection and senior company officials suggested during the Congressional hearings can tighten this spring, Fisker Automotive. Despite drawing $192 million below a larger loan from the Department of energy, has sold only around 2,500 Karma plug-in Fisker hybrid. The company has no money left, hoped to stop more mainstream model, development of the second, his record would buoy.

Fisker of impending breakdown-it has already three quarters of employees entlassen-- spotlight on Energy Department compiled program loans, the high-mileage vehicles should contribute to the promotion of low-emission,. There are several other known bugs, including the bankruptcy of lithium-ion battery supplier A123. But the White House is likely to have on Tesla's early payback as a counterpoint, a much-needed success story added.

Paul A. Eisenstein contributed to this report.

Copyright © 2009-2013, the Detroit Bureau

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Chinese company distance nabs battery manufacturer A123

Joseph Szczesny, the Detroit Bureau
Mega supplier Johnson Controls withdrawn its offer for the bankrupt has accordingly higher, after a decline in battery manufacturer of A123 systems $256,6 million bid is issued, by the Chinese company Wanxiang Group Corp.

JCI originally appeared much control over the vehicle part of the A123 - landed to be, but the agreement was sunk in the insolvency proceedings - even though it leaves some national security concerns. Meanwhile, A123 will buy Navitas Illinois systems Government business, including all existing military contracts for $2.25 million.

A123 is currently the main supplier of batteries for Fisker, who has seen that interrupted its deliveries, because the company bankruptcy filed in October. The battery manufacturer other customers include General Motors an A123 Pack in his new electric car Chevrolet spark EV will use.

The final sale to Wanxiang, was already something of an uncertain free until now, is subject to approval by the bankruptcy court. December 11, 2012 a hearing is currently scheduled. Sale to Wanxiang is subject to review by the Committee on foreign investment in the United States and required of the approval of the U.S. Government. Timing for such review and approval is not known at this time.

But there are some concerns about the deal, Congressman Bill Huizenga, a Michigan Republican warning system is a "thin line between Wanxiang and the Chinese Government." So he said in a statement, "worried about the Government of China I access to sensitive technologies by our armed forces is used."

Share of sales with military and government operations of Navitas to A123 officials say they hope to soothe such concerns.

"Reports by other parties, that our proposal involved a loss of jobs in Michigan are inaccurate," added Molinaroli."During A123?s automotive and State-owned assets were in addition to the portfolio of Johnson Controls and our long-term goals the Wanxiang was aligned, offer the value of these assets to Johnson Controls,"said Alex Molinaroli, President, Johnson controls power solutions.

Johnson Controls was the first in the world, lithium-ion batteries produce vehicles for mass production, and was also the first U.S. plant to produce complete LIon battery cells and packs for hybrid and electric vehicles, in Holland, Michigan the company recently memory as one of the industry's leading the Joint Center of energy research for $120 million energy research hub of Argonne National Lab made and funded by the U.S. Department of energy named.

Johnson Controls DOE under the American recovery and Reinvestment Act, a $299 million grant matching build domestic production capacity for advanced batteries for hybrid and electric vehicles was awarded in 2009.

A123, meanwhile, was a finalist in the bidding process for GM Chevrolet-plug-in hybrid, and had a number of other projects after the defeat of the Treaty against South Korea SG Chem. lined up but A123 short-circuited the slow start of the battery car market the business plan despite the injection of a loan of the Federal Republic.

In the past month, A123 got approval use $50 million of debtor in possession of Wanxiang financing. The funding complements the pre petition $22.5 million liquidity and letter of credit support provided the Wanxiang A123 available.

"We are pleased that the Court of A123 has granted preliminary approval of the DIP financing agreement," said Dave Vieau, A123 Chief Executive Officer.""The DIP funding allows A123 operate our company and provides additional operational and financial stability to continue the transaction as we."

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Toyota recall derailed car manufacturer of the recovery efforts

CNBC Phil LeBeau has the details on the massive recall of non-functioning power switch window car manufacturers.

By Paul A. Eisenstein, NBC News Aikens
It would have been a good day for Toyota. With sales surging after last year's dismal decline, expected that automakers received word, that their owner loyalty of the highest in the industry for the first time since 2009 was.

But even as consulting firm Experian Automotive, the new owners of loyalty data free Toyota had an own announcement: a new recall with 7.5 million vehicles through a potential fire hazard. Not so random, 2009 was the year the the Toyota in the embarrassing unintended acceleration scandal got involved, which eventually forced about 14 million cars remember it together with other security-related issues.

An another embarrassing setback for the Japanese could prove the new recall, which sold 2.5 million Toyota and Scion brand cars, trucks and crossovers includes in the United States, after aggressive on their brand image to rebuild giant, which is paid with clear double-digit sales gains in the United States

The announcement comes as Toyota faced an another potentially serious setback. Toyota slicing with many Chinese consumers boycott of Japanese products because of the dispute over ownership of a chain of islands in the East China Sea temporarily through the half production in the today's largest passenger car market in the world.

How much the latest recall the perception of the brand Toyota will have remains to be seen. It is clearly an embarrassment, industry analysts agree, for more vehicles than any other single global callback for the 2009/10 actions, relating to Toyota's sudden acceleration problems.

In this respect it dominates callback headlines in recent months has almost every auto manufacturer Chevrolet, Ferrari, .said Rebecca Lindland, Chief auto analyst at IHS automotive, the steady drums hit.

"Toyota has to vary a very loyal owner base, and this (latest recall), will not," said Lind country. "But for those people on the fence about buying a Toyota, this will have." "It could be more difficult getting new buyers into the showroom."

Loyal shoppers have the double-digit growth fueled the Toyota sales in the first nine months of the year 2012. For September, demand jumped to products that the manufacturer of three U.S. sells brands 41.5 percent.

Toyota loyalists
A large part of the business came from Toyota Loyalists, of which many waited due it during the product-lack of 2011, the March earthquake and tsunami, which shut down almost the Japanese auto industry.

But with an industry-leading loyalty of 47.3 percent, according to Experian, Toyota has filled yet its exhibition rooms to keep up with new customers. And that was where the situation with Toyota's safety record get risky back in the limelight, said art Spinella, CNW marketing.

It happened not as CEO Akio Toyoda is not to, at least, according to Toyota. Aggressively grilled by a Congressional Committee in 2010, the grandson of Toyota founder promised to increase efforts of the manufacturer quality control and change that long said a corporate culture critic, tried to conceal safety problems.

The latest recall has made impact on a variety of different models before the unintended acceleration scandal. And the new safety campaign underscores a challenge that all manufacturers are, as they try, making economies of scale increase through the exchange of component-in this case one broken window power switch-in a wide range of products.

Yet warns "this on the number of people that Toyota was considering a vehicle would chip away could," Spinella.

Ironically, when Toyota takes an image hit it not his arch-rival Honda benefit. Although import buyers often cross-the two brands shop, has Honda safety problems of its own. The smaller manufacturer announced three separate recalls, affecting 1.7 million vehicles alone last week. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration revealed a new investigation, which could lead to the recall of 600,000 other Honda products.

By the unintended acceleration problem and other problems such as excess corrosion had his vans Toyota recalls more vehicles than any other manufacturer in the US market in 2010. Due to a late December campaign service, Honda, snapped that dubious distinction of its rivals last year. Now, it's a toss-up, could landen-of the two - up or down, if Sie--this list for 2012-dear.

The latest Japanese recalls good news for Hyundai and Ford, the vehicles, which most frequently shopped could turn out to with the Japanese leadership, cross, Spinella said.

But those who expect a sudden collapse in Toyota sales are probably wrong, be demonstrated, said Lind country. "they go, everything in power to compensate for the effects", she predicted that Toyota roll out powerful marketing strategies and what incentives are necessary.

However, if quality and safety image warned Toyota observers continue to be tarnished, it could win steadily his ability, eroding older customers to replace new buyer, which could no longer be in the new car market.

(To determine whether your call is involved in, go to Toyota recall Web page.)

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Shaky battery manufacturer claims a breakthrough

DETROIT - during a visit by President Obama Gelobt a centerpiece of his Administration should be used assist with the production of sophisticated electrical batteries in the United States A123 systems for $2 billion in government subsidies.

Instead, the company, which has the lithium-ion batteries for electric cars, along with the rest of which the nascent industry stumbled and now threatens more ammunition to critics of the President heavy spending on new energy technologies to.

A123 had to workers at the new factory in Livonia, Michigan, partially recall a grant of 249 million, after get the battery for a new electric vehicle ground to a halt, and one expensive action financed with the promise needed cut. Completion of the factory has been delayed. The company is running short of cash and warned that if it raises more money from private investors, it is not in a position to remain in business could.

Still so much how is A123 representing technology risks of the Government programme battery also it promises. On Tuesday, a new battery technology, which the company claims is a breakthrough in the industry reveals A123 systems.

The advance is a new chemistry, providing a simpler, lighter, long-life battery, that is not necessary, could allow a system to cool or heat it used you.

The success or failure of the new technology can determine the fate of the A123. It renders promote also an early ruling about Mr. Obama of broader push to electric cars and build a domestic industry to develop and manufacture advanced batteries to run it.

Honda fit EV, review receives best-ever 118 MPGe
The president's prediction of a million electric cars on the road by 2015 seems to be given unattainable, the tepid demand, the first models on the market. So far in this year a total combined sales of the Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid and electric cars Nissan leaf less than 10,000 vehicles. Slow sales which have become the already an election issue, and the failure of the Solyndra solar panel company has also intense criticism of the Government clean energy subsidies drawn.

In response to the Solyndra bankruptcy cost the taxpayer around half a billion US-dollars, the Department of energy has tightened controls on technology loan, in connection with electric cars and other fuel-saving. In the case of Fisker Automotive, get the faulty A123 Batteries, the Government of its lending froze when the company missed production schedules.

Executives of A123, based in Waltham, Massachusetts, say that the company has received, a slower start than expected as the market for electric cars could grow. The company recorded a loss of $125 million in the first quarter of this year as sales fell 40 percent over the previous year.

"It is softer than what we and everyone else expected," said David Vieau, Chief Executive of A123.

'Green'-models are not the money value, study shows
Still remain the big automakers has so far committed electric vehicles, and g.m A123 provides contract batteries for the Chevrolet spark, a fully electric mini car available next year.

Recently, the Government, for its part, A123 admitted an additional two years meet production targets Michigan built and earn the full $ 249 million is the financial aid that is disbursed in tranches. So far, only about half of the money to the company was given.

In addition to the factory grant A123 Department of energy received money about $ 14 million for research and development.

The Government may have funded the company, since "these guys have some new chemistry, some new ideas, rather than the ability to market the product", said Professor Prashant N. Kumta, a materials science expert at the University of Pittsburgh, started on lithium-ion batteries in the 1990s years.

He said that A123 has been "a bit disappointing" because it had been not much product on the market.

The Energy Department said it would comment on the viability of individual companies.

But a spokeswoman, Jen Stutsman, said: "the market for electrified vehicles is expected to 2017 tripled - there are new types of hybrid and electric vehicles and racing car manufacturer in every part of the world to introduce."

Alternative-fuel vehicles gain favor with driver
"The investment will help today to ensure that the jobs that support this fast growing industry here are created in the United States," she said.

Proponents of the energy programs say, it is unrealistic to expect, every Government supported company immediately thrive.

"We are ready, some of the risks for the new energy economy, to accept should be even if not, some these startups" said representative Diana DeGette Colorado, the ranking Democrat on the House energy and Commerce Subcommittee, the Solyndra investigated.

But Mitt Romney, who has attacked suspected Republican nominee for President and former Governor of Massachusetts, subsidies for energy companies as a waste of tax dollars. "If Mitt Romney is President, Government stops interfering in the market," said a spokesperson for Romney, Andrea Saul on the campaign website.

A prime example is A123 systems as one can promising venture in the harsh realities which bog automotive marketplace. Founded in 2001, the company first and foremost has manufactured focuses specifically engine spark, a minicar of General on the lithium-ion battery packs for cars like the Fisker karma and a forthcoming full electric version of Chevrolet.

But the company stumbled upon, as it might be defective batteries planned for use in the vehicle Fisker had to remember. And with the future market for electric cars in question, A123 may not survive solely on batteries for these models.

Instead A123 hopes now that the new technology which is there Tuesday, called EXT Nano phosphates revelation it helps open up new markets. The company says that eliminates the new electrolyte chemistry for heating and cooling in extreme temperatures. That would avoid the addition of expensive and heavy temperature management devices and extended battery life.

The technology could be used to produce batteries for telecommunications equipment, military vehicles, and hybrid gas electric cars, using start stop engine systems. It could provide even batteries that could be used to replace the millions of traditional lead acid batteries in cars on the road at the time.

"It's a hedge against the market for electric vehicles," said Mr. Vieau.

The company hopes that the promise of new technology helps investors, a $50 million convertible bonds offering of the company back to convince.

A battery expert said that the new technology could have immediate impact on the luxury car market extended service life.

"The car companies can advertise that this lithium-ion battery to last the lifetime of the vehicle, without replacement comes," said Ahmad A. Pesaran, engineer at the Government of the national renewable energy laboratory in Golden, Colorado

Potential customers from the automotive industry can samples testing, 2013 is to start this year with production in the first half.

This story, "Wackeligen battery maker claims a breakthrough" times originally appeared in the New York.

Copyright © 2012 of the New York Times

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