article thumbnail

Ford: boomers leading trend to compact utility vehicles

Green Car Congress

Industry data supplied by Ford Motor Company and Del Webb, part of the multi-brand homebuilder PulteGroup, show that the baby boomer segment (ages 55 to 64), which comprised the growing market for large homes and made minivans and big SUVs vogue are now shifting to still lavish, but smaller homes and utility vehicles. cubic feet.

Ford 261
article thumbnail

Chrysler Disbands ENVI Electric Vehicle Group; Function Absorbed into Traditional Line Organization

Green Car Congress

In April 2009, Chrysler unveiled four all-electric Chrysler Town & Country minivan concepts to the US Postal Service (USPS) in Washington, DC. In August, Chrysler took $70 million in grants from the US Department of Energy to develop a test fleet of 220 hybrid pickup trucks and minivans. Earlier post.). Earlier post.).

Chrysler 210
article thumbnail

Achates OPGCI project targeting 50% fuel efficiency gains over downsized GDI engine at reduced cost

Green Car Congress

The engine should yield fuel efficiency gains of more than 50% compared to a downsized, turbo-charged gasoline direct injection engine, while reducing the overall cost of the powertrain system, said Fabien Redon, Vice President, Technology Development at Achates Power. Earlier post.) displacements, said Redon. Earlier post.). Fabien Redon.

article thumbnail

NRC report finds significant number of near-term technologies could greatly reduce fuel consumption in passenger cars

Green Car Congress

Turbocharging and downsizing can also yield fuel consumption reductions. Downsizing is an important strategy applicable in combination with technologies that increase engine torque, such as turbocharging or supercharging. Part of the gain from advanced-level CI diesel engines comes from downsizing.

Fuel 210
article thumbnail

How Carmakers Are Responding to the Plug-In Hybrid Opportunity

Tony Karrer Delicious EVdriven

Expects production around 2014. Raising money to bring a PHEV to market. Volkswagen CEO says "Future belongs to electric cars," has gained German government support for development. Blue Concept PHEV Van with diesel or hydrogen fuel cells and rooftop photovoltaic. Plans for put 20 "Twin Drive" PHEV-30 prototypes on Golf platform in 2010.

Plug-in 45