The Honda Fit is very good at a great many things, but off-roading isn't part of its wide pool of talents. That's unlikely to change much even with the Honda Fit Twist, unveiled at the Sao Paulo Motor Show in Brazil--but Honda's intentions are along different lines. As reported by Auto Express, Honda says that customers in Brazil prefer cars that MORE

With customer demand on the increase in South America, General Motors is setting up a new regional organisation in the area. Known as GM South America, its headquarters will be in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and it will be led by Jaime Ardila, who is currently the president and general manager of GM Mercosur. Tags: Green cars Latest news general motors Brazil Ed Whitacre GM GM growth GM South America South America MORE

With the transportation sector being the largest and most rapidly growing source of greenhouse gas emissions in Latin America, there is a strong emphasis [.]. Electric cars Green cars Hybrid cars Latest news C40 Cities electric bus hybrid bus South AmericaThe results of a Hybrid & Electric Bus Test Programme have been revealed by the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group (logo, pictured) after tests in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo. MORE

Approximately 70% of world lithium carbonate and other lithium chemicals production is produced through a solar evaporation process using brine from salt lakes in South America. ITOCHU Corporation announced today that California-based Simbol, Inc., in which ITOCHU made an investment in June 2010, has succeeded in producing lithium carbonate (with a purity in excess of 99.9%) using geothermal brine for the first time in the world. MORE

An electric sports car has completed an epic journey from the outskirts Arctic Circle to the southern most tip of South America. Tags: Electric cars Alaska Racing Green Endurance South America SRZero The British team behind the Racing Green Endurance challenge finished their 26,000km journey yesterday after just 70 days. The 400bhp twin-motor SRZero sportscar is a fully electric car with a driving range of [.]. MORE

Camps International, which offers a range of gap year voluntary experiences and school trips across East Africa, South East Asia and South America, has now taken delivery of eleven Leon E Ecomotive [.]. An ethical travel company has shown its commitment to sustainable transport by selecting SEAT to provide low emission cars to its UK fleet. MORE

GM sold more than half a million diesel-powered cars across Europe, Asia, Africa and South America last year, including 33,000 Cruzes. The coming Chevrolet Cruze diesel engine for the US market ( earlier post ) will leverage GM’s global powertrain expertise. GM expects that the introduction of a diesel option for Cruze—one of the top-selling gasoline-powered cars in the United States in 2011—will fuel its diesel car sales. MORE

Through subsidiaries and associate companies, Tata Motors has operations in the UK, South Korea, Thailand, South Africa and Indonesia. Tata cars, buses and trucks are being marketed in several countries in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, South East Asia, South America, Australia, CIS and Russia. The Group operates 120 production plants in 20 European countries and a further 11 countries in the Americas, Asia and Africa. MORE

In North America, Nevada is the only player in this game, but more to the point, the U.S. by James Stafford of Oilprice.com. MORE

GM’s SAIC-GM-Wuling joint venture signed a framework agreement with GM’s former Latin America, Africa and Middle East operations and distribution agreements with individual countries to export and distribute two of its most popular mini-commercial vehicles from China to markets in South America, the Middle East and North Africa. MORE

increased by 20.4%, driven by trends in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and China, according to the team’s findings. from 1990–2013 with increases in most countries—except for modest decreases in North America, parts of Europe, and several countries in Southeast Asia. MORE

on a capital and business alliance aimed at launching joint projects for commercial vehicles in Central and South America. The Nikkei reports that General Motors Co. will enter talks with Isuzu Motors Ltd. GM is looking to acquire a stake of roughly 10% in Isuzu, according to the report. GM and Isuzu have had an alliance that has waxed and waned since 1971, when GM signed an initial capital agreement with the Japanese company. MORE

Johnson Controls and MAC launched a joint venture in June 2011 to produce and sell lead-acid batteries in the Central and South American regions. Johnson Controls sells several key brands of batteries in Latin America, including Heliar, VARTA, LTH and OPTIMA. The company is the market leader for automotive batteries in South America. Johnson Controls has acquired 90% ownership of Colombian battery supplier MAC. MORE

Petrobras has started production on the P-61 Tension Leg Wellhead Platform (TLWP)—the first use of dry-tree floating technology offshore Brazil and the first Tension Leg Platform installation offshore South America—in Papa Terra field, located near the southern perimeter of the Campos Basin (State of Rio de Janeiro), 110 km (68 miles) off the coast of Brazil and with a water column of 400 to 1,400 m (1,312 to 4,593 feet). MORE

Challenging conditions in South America. Vehicle penetration in Peru averages only 59 vehicles per thousand people, roughly one-third of the level across all of South America, and less than 10% of what is normal in the G7 countries. 2015 forecast share by region. MORE

As well as China, GKN builds the system at facilities in Europe and North America, and supplies the system in India and South America. MORE

The all-electric delivery vehicle will be used for urban-suburban pick-up and deliveries across North, Central and South America. Modec, based in the UK, is finalising a joint venture for the production of electric Class 2c-3 commercial vehicles with Navistar International Corporation. By introducing the trucks it is hoped that there can be significant fuel savings - stop and go driving would typically consume a large amount of fuel. MORE

Scandinavian electric vehicle maker THINK, has announced it is to deliver its first vehicles into South America – part of a new collaboration with Brazilian electricity supplier, CPFL Energia SA. Tags: Electric cars Latest news Brazil South America Think The news follows THINK’s recent announcements about entering in Europe and plans to start new operations in the USA and Asia. CPFL Energia has purchased three THINK [.]. MORE

For the past 15 years, Mercedes-Benz has offered its entry-level A Class hatchback to parts of Europe, South America, and Asia. The ugly duckling of Mercedes-Benz, the A Class lacked the poise of its siblings, and has become something of a favorite with middle-class soccer moms. At yesterday’s Geneva Motor Show however, Mercedes unveiled its MORE

North America. North America continues to be an impetus to global light vehicle demand levels. IHS Automotive projects regional light vehicle sales volume in North America to hit more than 20 million units in 2015, up 2.5% South America. There was a stark change in 2014 South America automotive demand compared to 2013, when monthly sales broke the 500,000 unit mark seven times. IHS Automotive forecasts global automotive sales for 2015 to reach 88.6 MORE

General Motors sold more than half a million diesel-powered cars across Europe, Asia, Africa and South America last year, including 33,000 Cruzes. GM expects that the North American introduction of a 2.0L MORE

The company delivered 891,900 (890,600; +0.2%) vehicles in the North America region from January to December, of which 599,700 (611,800; -2.0%) were handed over to customers in the United States. The Volkswagen Group delivered 795,700 (992,300; -19.8%) vehicles in the South America region during the same period, of which 629,800 (755,200; -16.6%) were handed over to customers in Brazil. Demand was particularly high in Western Europe, Asia-Pacific and North America. MORE

General Motors is creating a new regional organization to meet rising customer demand in South America. GM South America will be headquartered in Sao Paulo, Brazil and will be led by Jaime Ardila, currently president and general manager GM Mercosur. Ardila becomes president, GM South America and will report to GM Chairman and CEO Ed Whitacre. GM South America currently has 29,000 employees. MORE

Ford developed the EcoSport in South America at one of its eight global product development centers in conjunction with teams from Asia, Europe and North America. The EcoSport was originally launched in South America in 2003 and sold 700,000 vehicles in nine years. MORE

In South America, Delphi has produced systems and components for more than 430,000 ethanol compatible vehicles since 1991. Delphi announced that its OE quality fuel products are compatible with the new E15 measure approved last Friday by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to increase the amount of ethanol currently blended in fuel from 10% to 15% for all light-duty vehicles built in the last decade. MORE

The original version of the Spark is already on sale in Europe, Asia,Mexico, South America and Africa, but is now making its debut in the United States and Canada where it will be powered by a 1.2litre dual-overhead cam four [.]. The 2013 Chevrolet Spark will take centre stage at the Los Angeles International Auto Show. MORE

These fuels are widely available in countries in North and South America, which feature widely established infrastructure. In Brazil, Nissan Motor revealed the first Solid Oxide Fuel-Cell (SOFC)-powered prototype vehicle that runs on bio-ethanol electric power. MORE

More than 85% of the crude oil exports flowing through the Strait went to Asian markets, with Japan, India, South Korea, and China representing the largest destinations, EIA said. MORE

If it were to become a production car, Volkswagen noted, it would not only be offered in South America, but around the world. At the 2012 São Paulo International Motor Show in Brazil, Volkswagen presented the world premiere of a newly developed compact SUV concept: the Taigun. Technically, the Taigun resembles the very contemporary New Small Family by Volkswagen, which it would round out in an upward direction if it were to be produced. MORE

Working together, we can bring value to customers with an integrated solution for commercial bus markets in South America and North America. San Marino Onibus e Implementos Ltda develops vehicles for passenger transportation under the Neobus brand, exporting to the Americas, Africa and Middle East. Navistar, Inc. MORE

Long-term histories of Pb pollution in Eastern and Western Europe, North America, and Asia show evidence that, in these regions, the highest Pb emissions of the past 2000 years occurred in the second half of the 20 th century. There exist, however, no equivalent data for South America. MORE

After holding world leadership in lithium production in the early 1990s, the US now imports the majority of its lithium materials and compounds from South America. Rockwood Lithium has opened its expanded manufacturing facility in Kings Mountain, North Carolina. Rockwood is leveraging a $28.4-million investment from the Recovery Act to expand its North Carolina lithium production facility as well as its production operations in Silver Peak, Nevada. MORE

Citing a lack of acceptance for plant technology in many parts of Europe, BASF announced that it is concentrating its plant biotechnology activities on the main markets in North and South America. We will therefore concentrate on the attractive markets for plant biotechnology in North and South America and the growth markets in Asia. We have excellent scientists and facilities there and at our research sites in North America. MORE

North America also has competitive wind projects, with an average cost of US$0.07/kWh. Their cost range in China, North America and South America has fallen within the range of fossil fuel-fired electricity. MORE

The SUV category has room for improvement in India and South America as the segment only accounted for 15% and 14% of the country’s respective total volumes. North America was second, losing ground at a 24% share, and closely followed by China-Taiwan with a 23% share of global sales. MORE

These values were initially simulated using Schaeffler calculation programs and verified by Schaeffler’s experts in North America using measurements and test cycles, and then certified by an independent testing institute. This car was specially created for the electrically operated Monoposto Racing Series and has already raced in Asia and South America. MORE

s advanced Axial Flux motor and generator technology completed the Dakar Rally, held this year in South America. A vehicle powered by EVO Electric Ltd.’s The EVO-powered OSCar eO, designed, built and operated by the Latvian company OSC, is the first electric-drive car to complete the rally. Earlier post.). Only 78 out of 161 starting cars were able to complete the 8400 km (5,220 mile) Dakar Rally journey in the car category. MORE

Branded as AppLink, SDL technology is currently available on more than 5 million Ford vehicles in North America, South America, Europe and the Asia Pacific region. Ford’s new SYNC 3 technology debuts this summer in North America on the 2016 Ford Escape and Fiesta. MORE

In his CES talk, Fields said that rapidly advancing connectivity; software and sensor technology; and big data were the enablers behind the Smart Mobility projects—eight in North America, nine in Europe and Africa, seven in Asia and one in South America. At CES, Ford CEO Mark Fields announced “Ford Smart Mobility”—a plan to use innovation to take Ford to the next level in connectivity, mobility, autonomous vehicles, the customer experience and big data. MORE

BASF broke ground for its new production plant for sodium methylate in Guaratinguetá, Brazil, its largest site in South America. BASF expects about 15% of the annual global demand for biodiesel, which is about 30 million tons, to come from South America in 2015. Other South American countries have similar legislation. Sodium methylate is an efficient and reliable catalyst for the production of biodiesel. MORE

By region, Kia posted year-on-year sales increases in North America (550,615 units, a 34.2% General markets” include the regions of Central and South America, the Caribbean, Asia (excluding China and Korea), the Pacific, Middle East and Africa. For the month of December 2011, strong sales growth was achieved in North America (46,809 units sold, a 39.8% MORE

It's not that the industry can't meet electricity demand for the South American country—quite the opposite, in fact. DON'T MISS: North America's largest coal power plant to become 44-MW solar farm Consequently, Chile is now. renewable energy solar clean energy South America energyChile has a problem with its solar industry. There is actually more available solar energy than there is use for it. MORE

There's the urban myth that the Chevrolet Nova failed in South America because in Spanish, no va means "won't go." Marketing missteps in naming cars quickly become legendary. It's not true.) But now it turns out that Audi may have committed a blunder in naming its line of electric cars e-Tron. Especially since they're about to be shown at the MORE