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UCS analysis finds Hyundai-Kia with best sales-weighted new vehicle environmental performance in US in 2013

Green Car Congress

In its sixth sales-weighted analysis of emissions from 8 major automakers’ 2013 model year vehicles, the Union of Concerned Scientists’ (UCS) latest Automaker Rankings report found that Hyundai-Kia unseated Honda as the “Greenest Automaker.” Honda came in second, with Toyota, Nissan, and Volkswagen in a three-way tie for third place.

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JD Power 2012 APEAL highlights ongoing downsizing trend for new car buyers in US; increasing satisfaction with smaller vehicles

Green Car Congress

The 2012 APEAL Study finds that 27% of new-vehicle buyers who replaced a vehicle downsized—i.e., The downsizing trend also has an impact on owner satisfaction with the fuel economy of their new vehicle. The Audi A8 achieves the highest APEAL Study score of any model in the industry in 2012. Power and Associates.

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Calls for an international 48V electrical standard for vehicles; looming WLTP implementation

Green Car Congress

Such a standard will be necessary for the global automotive industry to achieve the economies of scale demanded by original equipment manufacturers. This means that in addition the power demand is more difficult to achieve with engine downsizing and transmission down-speeding alone. Click to enlarge. The conference. Earlier post.).

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Industry experts have their say on scrappage plans

Green Cars News

Alistair Darling’s 2009 Budget, which announced the introduction of a £2,000 scrappage incentive scheme in the UK, has been met with mixed reviews from industry experts. According to Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMIF) chairman Paul Williams, the announcement could offer a significant boost to new car sales.

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First videos of Rivian R2 and R3 driving on public roads show size comparisons

Baua Electric

A Hyundai Tucson and Kia Soul drive by behind the R2, with the R2 looking a bit taller than both (when accounting for road crowning), but definitely in the same “mid-size SUV” ballpark (and note Rivian auto design chief Jeff Hammoud is sighted in the end of the video, taking his own video of the car driving by on his phone).

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Kia introduces 2017 Niro Hybrid Utility Vehicle, Optima Hybrid and Optima Plug-in Hybrid at Chicago

Green Car Congress

Kia unveiled three major hybrid offerings at the Chicago Auto Show: the 2017 Niro Hybrid Utility Vehicle; the new Optima Hybrid; and the new Optima Plug-in Hybrid. Because the high-voltage battery is both power and energy dense, engineers were able to use the downsized gasoline engine to maximize fuel economy and reduce emissions.

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EALABC paper outlines approach to 48V hybrid systems with advanced lead-carbon batteries

Green Car Congress

Augmenting its existing LC Super Hybrid program ( earlier post ), which deploys a downsized gasoline-electric powertrain, ALABC is working on advanced diesel-electric applications in development programs being undertaken with car makers including Ford and Kia. —Allan Cooper. Click to enlarge. Earlier post.)

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