“AUTOMOTIVE: Equinox on par with competition - Oakland Press” plus 4 more

AUTOMOTIVE: Equinox on par with competition - Oakland Press
Small Firms Make Automotive X-Prize First Round Cut - EV World
Detroit conference to focus on plug-in electric vehicles - detnews.com
Love of trucks drives man to pursue and run dealerships - Detroit Free Press
Bharat Forge to take part in NTPC's bidding - Hindu Business Line

AUTOMOTIVE: Equinox on par with competition - Oakland Press

Posted: 17 Oct 2009 10:51 PM PDT

By FRANK A. AUKOFER
Of Scripps Howard News Service

Even though the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox was developed by the old General Motors, it likely will come to be hailed as a hallmark of the new GM.

The all-new Equinox is a compact crossover utility vehicle (CUV) that is equal to or better than any of its competitors. It's a shame that it took such a long time coming.

Honda pioneered the small crossover a dozen years ago with the CR-V. It has since become the best-selling vehicle in its class, which also includes the Toyota RAV4, Ford Escape, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Rondo, Volkswagen Tiguan and Nissan Rogue.

A crossover is a car-based, tall utility wagon, usually with a unit-body, front-wheel or all-wheel drive and four — or six-cylinder power. SUVs generally are truck-based with rear-wheel or four-wheel drive, body-on-frame construction and V6 or V8 power.

In the early days of the CR-V, GM had an opportunity to enter the new category. It had Saturn's small sedans, which could have provided the underpinnings for a small car-based crossover. It could have provided a needed boost to Saturn's fortunes.

But GM dithered and the Equinox, along with its fraternal twin, the Pontiac Torrent, did not arrive until the 2005 and 2006 model years. Now Pontiac is on the way to oblivion and Saturn will no longer be part of the new company.

Fortunately, GM got its finger in the dike with the new Equinox. Like others in this class, it comes with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, four-cylinder or V6 power and a broad range of choices. The base LS four-cylinder front-driver starts at $23,185 but you can run the price north of $37,000 with a loaded all-wheel drive LTZ V6.

The tested Equinox was a mid-level front-drive 2LT version, which had a $26,190 starting price. With a credit for a substituted speaker system and only one option — a programmable power rear hatch — it topped out at $26,290.

Full safety equipment is standard: stability and traction control, antilock brakes, tire-pressure monitoring, side air bags, side-curtain air bags and a rear-view camera. The price also included automatic climate control, Bluetooth and GM's OnStar communications, a premium audio system, satellite radio, remote locking and engine starting, cruise control, eight-way power driver's seat, auto-dimming inside mirror and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

The front-drive tester was powered by a new 182-horsepower, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. Coupled to a six-speed automatic transmission, it delivers 22/32 miles to the gallon of gasoline on the EPA's city/highway cycle. The all-wheel drive version gets 20/29.

Moreover, there's enough power available to achieve a zero-to-60 miles an hour acceleration time of less than nine seconds, according to Chevrolet's test figures. If you absolutely must have more power, you can spend an extra $1,500 on the 264-horsepower, 3-liter V6 engine, which will shave about one second off the zero-to-60 time. But then your mileage will drop to 18/25 on the front-drive model and 17/24 with all-wheel drive.

Aside from the inherent smooth surge of power that is a characteristic of six-cylinder engines, about the only reason anyone might want the Equinox's V6 is for stronger towing capability. The four-cylinder models can tow up to 1,500 pounds, while the V6's can handle up to 3,500 pounds.

The new Equinox has pleasant exterior styling, especially viewed from the side with doors that cover the rocker panels. It won't offend anybody but doesn't draw attention either. From the front, you see Chevrolet's signature grille with its prominent bow-tie emblem, so it could be any Chevy. Straight-on from the rear, the generic look blends into the traffic.

Inside, however, the new Equinox shines. The test car had big and nicely bolstered front seats covered in a durable cloth that was more comfortable than the optional leather. In back, there's plenty of room, enhanced by a full eight inches of fore-and-aft seat travel. As usual, the two outboard passengers get more comfortable seating than the one in the middle.

Interior surfaces have nice textures and a quality look. Controls are ergonomically placed and the instruments are legible, although bright sunlight reflects glare off some surfaces at certain angles.

The first thing you notice on the road is the substantial feel of the Equinox. Feedback through the steering and suspension system imparts a sensation of driving a heavier vehicle. Next to the Equinox, the popular Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V have a far lighter feel.

Obviously, the Equinox is no sports sedan, but the handling is capable. The ride is a mixed bag. Small bumps do not get through as the suspension system adroitly absorbs them. However, bigger road imperfections produce jiggles.

On smooth freeways, the Equinox cruises quietly, with minimal cabin intrusion of wind, road and mechanical noise. It makes for comfortable cruising over long distances.

Out back, there's a generous 31 cubic feet of cargo space — more if you adjust the back seat forward. The power hatch can be programmed to open to either of two different heights.

In the Chevrolet lineup, the Equinox slots in between the retro-look HHR wagon and the seven-passenger Traverse crossover.

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Small Firms Make Automotive X-Prize First Round Cut - EV World

Posted: 17 Oct 2009 01:54 PM PDT

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Detroit conference to focus on plug-in electric vehicles - detnews.com

Posted: 18 Oct 2009 12:02 AM PDT

Christina Rogers / The Detroit News

Entrepreneurs, investors and business leaders looking for ways to plug into the emerging electric vehicle market will find an outlet this week.

Starting Monday, more than 600 people will descend on the MotorCity Casino in Detroit for a three-day conference dedicated to the making, marketing and deployment of plug-in electric vehicles.

The inaugural event, called "The Business of Plugging In," brings together leaders from the automotive and utility industries, as well as researchers, policymakers, venture capitalists and startup company executives to discuss how to bring this evolving technology to the mass market. The event is sold out.

"There has been a good amount of hype around plug-in electric vehicles," said Brett Smith, a director of automotive analysis group at Center for Automotive Research in Ann Arbor, which is helping to organize the conference. "It's critical to really start to develop a sound economic model to make this great technology work for the consumer."

Gen. Wesley Clark, former supreme allied commander of NATO, is scheduled to give the keynote address Wednesday and will speak about the importance of energy independence and a national strategy for electrifying transportation, Smith said.

DTE CEO Anthony Earley also is scheduled to speak, as well as Ford Motor Co. Chairman Bill Ford Jr. and Gov. Jennifer Granholm.

Tuesday's opening session, "The Electrification of the Vehicle," will provide an overview of the challenges and opportunities created by plug-in electric vehicles. Other panel discussions will cover a wide range of topics from battery technology and work force development to what utilities and governments need to do to prepare.

Britta Gross, director of global energy systems at General Motors Co. and a conference speaker, said Detroit is the ideal locale for the conference not only because of its ties with the automotive industry but also because of the recent influx of federal funding for new battery technology. She added that the new technology is likely to breed new work for suppliers making battery parts, electric motors and high-power electronics.

"All of these are business opportunities waiting to happen," Gross said.

GM says its extended range electric Chevrolet Volt will be available in late 2010. The Volt will rely on a lithium-ion battery pack that will let commuters travel up to 40 miles on electric power alone. The Volt's engine kicks in after its battery is drained by about 70 percent, to sustain the battery's remaining charge to keep the car running for several hundred miles.

Several sessions focus specifically on what parts will be needed to manufacture electric vehicles and how businesses can get involved with the supply chain.

GM is co-sponsoring the event with the University of Michigan and DTE Energy. The conference is being funded through part of a $5 million Michigan Public Service Commission grant awarded to GM, U-M and DTE to advance research on electric vehicles and supporting infrastructure.

In selecting speakers, organizers looked for people with a mix of backgrounds, ranging from those with deep roots in the auto industry to entrepreneurs outside it pioneering new ways to get electric powered vehicles on the roads.

Felix Cramer, for instance, is founder of the California Car Initiative, a Palo Alto-based startup composed of engineers, environmentalists and entrepreneurs dedicated to promoting plug-in hybrid electric vehicles with ranges exceeding 100 miles.

Cramer will speak on Wednesday morning at session called "The Consumer: Who, When and Why?" which aims to better understand the challenges involved with selling this new technology to consumers.

"We have a great mix of real hands on people, as well as, people who have great vision," Smith said.

cvrogers@detnews.com (313) 222-2300

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Love of trucks drives man to pursue and run dealerships - Detroit Free Press

Posted: 18 Oct 2009 12:02 AM PDT

Jesse Berger was on the verge of completing his dream of becoming a Kenworth truck franchisee in 2005, but the deal was dragging because the previous owner wasn't in a hurry to sell.

But Berger, 38, doesn't give up easily.

"I don't know where it comes from, God makes us all different," Berger said. "Once my jaws clamp shut on something, I usually stick with the project."

Berger became interested in the car and truck business as a child because his stepfather owned a Sunoco gas station.

"I didn't love homework," Berger said. "So I learned about trucks and got greasy at a young age and before I knew it I was fixing engines and changing springs."

Berger further developed his interest in the automotive and truck business while attending Northwood University, where he majored in business administration with a specialty in dealership and automotive aftermarket parts management. It was there that he decided he wanted to become a Kenworth truck franchisee.

"Kenworth trucks have the tagline 'The world's best,' " Berger said. "I wanted the prom queen of trucks."

The power and quality of Kenworth trucks are alluring. Kenworth's W900 comes with a 550-horsepower Cummins engine with 1,600 pound-feet of torque and 18 gears. The average Kenworth truck costs about $120,000.

Before he could realize his dream, Berger bought out the family truck repair business, called Berger & Sons, in 1997.

He managed that business until he had the opportunity to pursue two acquisitions in 2005. One was a truck rental and leasing business in Sterling Heights called Michigan Truck & Trailer and the other was a Kenworth franchise in Dearborn.

Family squabbles on the part of the seller caused the acquisition of the truck-leasing business to drag on for 30 months, Berger said. Other issues complicated the Kenworth deal, and he finally completed that deal in May 2006.

Gary Moore, Kenworth assistant general manager for marketing and sales, said Kenworth was immediately impressed with Berger even though he is among Kenworth's youngest franchisees.

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Bharat Forge to take part in NTPC's bidding - Hindu Business Line

Posted: 18 Oct 2009 12:45 AM PDT

Update at 1300 hrs (IST)

Corporate
Bharat Forge to take part in NTPC's bidding

NEW DELHI: Kalyani Group flagship company Bharat Forge will bid to supply power generation equipment to state-owned NTPC, which has floated a global tender worth Rs 25,000 crore for setting up thermal plants in four states.

The Pune-based world's largest automotive forging maker will bid for the tender in association with its joint venture partner Alstom and is hopeful of receiving orders worth at least Rs 3,500 crore.

We are very bullish on this opportunity and we are going to bid for it. High level of indigenisation is great opportunity for India, which will help the country expand its power generation capacity, Bharat Forge Chief Operating Officer (Capital Goods D ivision), Mr Sunil Chaturvedi said.

The company will bid for all the 11 turbines but expects to get orders for at least five of them with an estimated order size of Rs 3,500 crore. The turbines have to be installed and commissioned by 2014.

Last week, NTPC had floated a tender for supply of 11 eco-friendly supercritical units, which improves the efficiency of thermal power plant, of which two units are for the Damodar Valley Corporation.

These units are to be installed in five power projects, spread over Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Jharkhand. - PTI

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