GREEN CARS
AVL opens Calif. hybrid-powertrain center
Austrian powertrain engineering firm AVL has opened an alternative-fuels powertrain engineering center in Lake Forest, Calif. The center will be used for prototype and proof-of-concept work, said Bruce Falls, the center's director of engineering. 4:03 pm U.S. ET | June 11
Continental AG is borrowing a page from Apple's wildly successful iPhone. The German auto supplier plans to launch an “apps” store where drivers can download new telematics features to their vehicles. 1:28 pm U.S. ET | June 5
If President Barack Obama's proposed fuel economy standards become law, expect cars to carry more expensive technology and higher price tags. The president's goal is to boost the fuel economy of the nation's fleet of cars and light trucks to 35. 4:24 pm U.S. ET | May 19
General Motors and the University of Michigan will create a research institute where engineering students will study advanced combustion engines, battery technology and electric-vehicle manufacturing. 12:01 am U.S. ET | May 7 | UPDATED: 5/7/09 11:15 a.m. ET
GREEN CARS
A group of battery manufacturers and an Energy Department laboratory are opening a national battery manufacturing r&d center in Kentucky to try to catch up with Asian producers. 3:32 pm U.S. ET | April 8
NEW YORK AUTO SHOW
Direct injection, a highly precise fuel saving technology, will be standard on the new GMC Terrain small SUV, General Motors plans to announce today at the New York Auto Show. 12:15 am U.S. ET | April 8 | UPDATED: 4/8/09 10:03 a.m. ET
It's based on the same driving principles as a skateboard, and it looks like a phone booth, or perhaps a baby stroller. But General Motors says a two-seat, two-wheel ride called PUMA could help loosen congestion in crowded urban areas. 9:41 am U.S. ET | April 7
THE AUTO INDUSTRY BAILOUT
General Motors and its Saab unit have agreed to share technology for at least the next five years. The arrangement is designed to make Saab more attractive to potential buyers, which is key to winning loan money from the Swedish government. 1:21 pm U.S. ET | March 25
Compuware Corp. has terminated a contract to supply information-technology staff to Ford Motor Co. 2:42 pm U.S. ET | March 25
Mercedes-Benz Hybrid L.L.C. on Tuesday was awarded a $7.5 million state tax break to make the Ann Arbor, Mich., area the site of its permanent hybrid electric vehicle and advanced propulsion research and development center. 3:17 pm U.S. ET | March 17 | UPDATED: 3/18/09 10:55 a.m. ET
The switch to electric power steering will boost fuel economy and open the door to driver-friendly features for Ford Motor Co. vehicles. 11:22 am U.S. ET | March 13 | UPDATED: 3/13/09 4:18 p.m.ET
BMW AG has consolidated all of its engine development on one digital software platform, software provider Dassault Systemes said today. 2:49 pm U.S. ET | March 12
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