Spy Shots: Is this Porsche 911 mule hiding a shocking secret?

Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Hybrid, Performance, Porsche

No automaker is immune to global environmental pressures to reduce pollutants and limit carbon dioxide emissions. Even Porsche has gotten into the green game with both diesel and hybrid options for its Cayenne along with an expected hybrid powertrain for its Panamara range. Could that fuel-saving technology make a move closer to Porsche's sportscar roots? If so, would the battery pack go under the front hood in the rear-engined car?

According to a series of spy photos from our friends at NextAutos, the answer to those questions may be yes and yes. Although there aren't any logos on the car - save for some awesomely well-placed Batman stickers (Are we looking at the next Tumbler?), the bodystyle undoubtedly screams 911 while the details have us scratching our heads. What's with the oddly shaped bulge (complete with what appears to be a lightning bolt graphic) on the hood, or the fact that the photogs claim the car made virtually no noise as it sped away at high velocities?

For what it's worth, in addition to the hybrid Cayenne and Panamera programs, we also know that the German automaker is keenly interested in electric vehicles, including its iconic 911. In other words, these are spy shots that have our interest piqued even more than usual.

[Source: NextAutos]

Spy Shots: Is this Porsche 911 mule hiding a shocking secret? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Jul 2009 09:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mexican Cash-for-Clunkers program announced, only brands built in country are eligible

Filed under: Car Buying, Government/Legal

Mexican President Felipe Calderon has announced a Cash-for-Clunkers program for buyers wishing to trade their cars in for something locally produced. So far, 500 million pesos ($37M USD) have been set aside for the program, but Calderone has reportedly said the subsidy could be doubled to one billion if the program proves successful.

New car buyers will be given 15,000 pesos ($1,100 U.S.) for the cars they turn over to recycling depots or junkyards, and they can apply that to cars worth up to 160,000 pesos ($11,760 U.S.). Eligible vehicles include those built in Mexico or imported by any of the seven companies that have assembly plants in the country.

[Source: El Universal (translated)]

Mexican Cash-for-Clunkers program announced, only brands built in country are eligible originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 Jul 2009 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AutoblogGreen for 07.14.09

Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Green

	REPORT: Daimler sells 4% of Tesla to Middle East investment fund And this after buying the stock just two months ago.		X Rider nabs first EPA Certification of Conformity for electric motorcycles The first in a likely long line of getting sweet ebikes on the streets.
	Production Honda CR-Z hybrid coming to Japan in February 2010 The wait is almost over (in Japan, at least).	Other news: Green gasoline: Coming soon to a pump near you? A truly renewable vehicle comes to the Philippines: coconut oil-fueled bamboo taxi Newsflash: Turned in Cash for Clunkers cars will get recycled

AutoblogGreen for 07.14.09 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 14 Jul 2009 05:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM expects sales in China to grow 20% in 2009

GM expects sales in China to grow 20% in 2009

Filed under: Car Buying, Trends, China, Buick, GM, Earnings/Financials

General Motors boasted in April that it would double sales in China by 2013 with the introduction of 30 new or upgraded models over the next five years.

Last month, GM forecasted that its vehicle sales in China would grow 10% this year alone and now it seems those numbers may have been a bit conservative. Kevin Wale, GM's China Group President, has just announced that the company expects vehicle sales in the region to grow by a little more than 20% in 2009.

While the rest of the global automotive industry is stuck in a rut, the emerging Chinese market seems largely unaffected by stagnant North American sales or GM's bankruptcy filing in early June. As of now, China is the company's second largest market (thanks in part to their insatiable appetite for Buicks).

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

GM expects sales in China to grow 20% in 2009 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 10 Jul 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Toyota plans to manufacture up to 30,000 plug-in hybrids in 2012

Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Green, Japan, Toyota

Fanning competition against GM's upcoming 2011 Chevrolet Volt plug-in, the Nikkei business daily reports that Toyota Motor Corp. plans to manufacture 20,000 to 30,000 plug-in hybrids in 2012. Toyota allegedly wants pricing comparable to Mitsubishi's all-electric car, which is set to debut this month to fleet customers in Japan (both vehicles are eligible for government subsidies).

Toyota's plug-in vehicles will be powered by lithium-ion batteries co-developed with Panasonic EV Energy Co. and are expected to offer a full-charge range between 20 to 30 km (12.4 to 18.6 miles) on battery power alone. According to the paper, Toyota would not comment on future product plans.

[Source: Automotive News, subs. req'd]

REPORT: Toyota plans to manufacture up to 30,000 plug-in hybrids in 2012 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 05 Jul 2009 13:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Elon Musk: "Golden handcuffs" require I stay through Model S launch

Filed under: Convertibles, Hybrids/Alternative, Sedans/Saloons, Sports/GTs, Government/Legal, Green

For a guy who allegedly wants a lot of the credit for creating Tesla Motors, Elon Musk certainly doesn't seem to like the job of being its CEO. As part of Daimler's investment deal with Tesla, Musk needed to commit to staying on as Tesla's CEO at least until the Model S launches in 2011. Musk told Reuters:

I didn't really have a choice. This was a requirement of Daimler that I remain CEO of Tesla through the Model S launch and then continue to be part of Tesla in a chairman role beyond that. It's flattering, but at the same time it's golden handcuffs.

Well, that sure makes it sound like fun, doesn't it? It's clear that Musk has always been interested in projects other than Tesla (e.g.: electric planes and SpaceX), but does he have to make running one of the hippest electric car companies around sound like a drag?

Another nugget from the article: One of the reasons the price on the Roadster was raised was to help qualify Tesla Motors for the DOE loan it later received. Musk said, "We did the minimum we needed to do to make the business work."

Gallery: Tesla Model S

[Source: Reuters]

Elon Musk: "Golden handcuffs" require I stay through Model S launch originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Jul 2009 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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