plus 4, Michigan joins Clemson in automotive degree - Greenville News |
- Michigan joins Clemson in automotive degree - Greenville News
- Zenvo Automotive to unveil EUR 850,000 ‘Zenvo ST1’ at the 'Dubai ... - pressreleasepoint.com
- Inside autos - Detroit Free Press
- Videos From the Web: Car Videos - San Francisco Chronicle
- Auto supplier turns trouble to triumph by venturing into turbines - Detroit Free Press
| Michigan joins Clemson in automotive degree - Greenville News Posted: 12 Dec 2009 10:53 PM PST Clemson University can no longer claim to offer the nation's only doctorate in automotive engineering. The University of Michigan-Dearborn became the second school in the country to have such a degree when it launched a doctoral program in automotive systems engineering, said P.K. Mallick, a professor of mechanical engineering at the Michigan school. Meanwhile, Clemson's three-year-old graduate program in automotive engineering is scheduled to produce its first doctorate this month. Clemson's program is based at the International Center for Automotive Research in Greenville. In Michigan, the doctoral program is a long-planned extension of the master's degree that the University of Michigan-Dearborn has offered in automotive systems engineering for 14 years, Mallick said. He said the new doctoral program began with nine students in the fall semester and that 15 are expected to be enrolled during the spring semester. Most of the students are coming from the automotive industry, Mallick said. Dearborn, located in the Detroit area, is home to Ford Motor Co. The estate of that company's legendary founder, Henry Ford, is located on the campus of the University of Michigan-Dearborn. General Motors Co. and the Chrysler Group are also based in the Detroit area. Mallick said the University of Michigan-Dearborn created the doctoral program because master's students wanted it and because area automakers wanted a more specialized degree to meet their needs. He said the University of Michigan-Dearborn grants about 20 master's degrees in automotive systems engineering each year. Clemson began offering a master's degree and doctorate in automotive engineering in 2006. The first student to get the doctorate — John Limroth of Austin, Texas — is scheduled to graduate Dec. 17, according to Clemson. Limroth, whose dissertation was in adaptive vehicle electronic stability control, is already working as a tire performance research engineer with Greenville-based Michelin North America. Clemson granted nine master's degrees in automotive engineering in 2009. Mallick said he doesn't consider Clemson a competitor. "There's room for both universities and in fact probably more to do this," he said. Imtiaz Haque, executive director of Clemson's graduate engineering center at ICAR, said he was happy to learn of the new degree offering in Michigan. "The nation needs highly trained engineers to bring the U.S. industry back to its heyday," Haque said. fivefilters.org featured article: Normalising the crime of the century by John Pilger |
| Zenvo Automotive to unveil EUR 850,000 ‘Zenvo ST1’ at the 'Dubai ... - pressreleasepoint.com Posted: 12 Dec 2009 08:44 PM PST Zenvo Automotive, a leading manufacturer of supercars, has announced its plans to unveil the limited edition 'Zenvo ST1', a unique, hand-built supercar, at the upcoming 'Dubai International Motor Show 2009', which is slated to run from December 16 to 20, 2009 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. The supercar is capable of accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in three seconds, and has an electronically limited top speed of 375 km/h. With only 15 cars to be built and sold to specially approved customers, Ultimate Motors, one of the leading distributors of exotic and luxury sports cars in the GCC, is proud to be the exclusive distributor of the 'Zenvo ST1' in the Middle East. Running on raw power supplied from a 7-litre V8 engine with both a supercharger and a turbo, the 'Zenvo ST1' produces a massive 1,430 NM of torque. It also develops 1,104 BHP, which can be controlled at a flick of a switch with three power settings - 'Normal' (650 BHP), 'Sport' (850 BHP) and 'Race' (1,104 BHP) - thereby allowing the driver to select the appropriate set-up for any driving condition. With a displacement of 7000 cu. cm. and a 6-speed manual transmission, the supercar is supported by an aggressive body that is hand-built from carbon fibre wrapped around a light steel frame. Further, the 'Zenvo ST1' also boasts of luxurious interior and exterior features such as dual zone automatic climate control, electronic analogue instrumentation, driver information centre with sat-nav, and a heads-up display including a G-force meter. "We started research and development for the prototype in 2004 with the objective of producing the best looking and most drivable supercar in the world, and we are very proud to be finally launching the 'Zenvo ST1' in the region," said Jesper Jensen, CEO & Founder of Zenvo Automotive. "In our massive investment into the development of this supercar, we have decided to deviate from the bandwagon of coming up with the fastest supercar even though we have the resources to do so because we believed that it would be more sensible to offer a beautiful supercar that could be properly driven within city limits as well as on the racing track. Further, our partnership with Ultimate Motors allows us to market our highly exclusive supercar in the Middle East, and we are confident that the regional market will appreciate the powerful features and specifications, and most of all, the reliability and practicality of the 'Zenvo ST1'." Designed to depict the excessive power and performance of the car, the 'Zenvo ST1' is a rear wheel drive supercar featuring 3-way adjustable Öhlins shock absorbers affixed to double wishbone suspension front and rear, in addition to offering a fully hydraulic ride height control function. With a EUR 850,000 price tag, the exclusive 'Zenvo ST1' is the first 100 per cent Danish designed supercar, weighing in at 1,376 kg and riding on 19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels shod with Michelin tires - 265/35 Y19 at the front and 335/30 Y20 at the rear. It also sports big power-assisted brakes - 380mm front and 355mm rear ventilated discs gripped by 6-piston light alloy calipers. The development and production of the 'Zenvo ST1' will be undertaken in a hyper modern production hall with Zenvo Automotives' dedicated team of motoring enthusiasts. "Our passion for supercars is what drives us to deliver these pioneering automotive engineering marvels to the region, and what translates into the precision care and first-rate service we strive to provide to our clients. We are in awe of the perfect combination of power and drivability of the 'Zenvo ST1', as well as its capacity to run on both or a combination of normal gas and Bioethanol (E85), which makes it an environmentally conscious yet exemplary supercar choice for customers. We are confident that its launch at the 'Dubai International Motor Show 2009' will afford the 'Zenvo ST1' its much deserved recognition in the region, not only for its mind-blowing performance but also its everyday practicality," concluded Nasser Al Hai, President, Ultimate Motors. Designed by Hermann & Brandt, a Danish design consultancy specialized in automotive design and production, the design of the 'Zenvo ST1' combines aggressive supercar styling with race car elements. The design of the car has been made from free flowing accelerating lines creating the shape of the wheel arches, the roof line, side line and the lower side air intake. Whilst the front is designed around the hexagonal trademark Zenvo grille flanked by the large front air intakes used for brakes and engine cooling, the intakes are raked back to minimize drag and at the same time making the side impression of the car more compact. The theme of the front is repeated in the rear, which is designed around the big diffuser and the partly integrated rear spoiler, both necessary for high-speed stability. About Ultimate Motors Press Contact: CommuniGate Middle East PO Box 66861, Dubai, UAE info@communigateme.com Tel: +971 4 3988134 http://www.communigateme.com fivefilters.org featured article: Normalising the crime of the century by John Pilger |
| Inside autos - Detroit Free Press Posted: 13 Dec 2009 12:12 AM PST Flex regarded as future collectibleOf all the cars and trucks launched in 2009, the Ford Flex is the one most likely that future car collectors will covet. So says the Friends of the National Automotive History Collection in Detroit. The NAHC is a public archive of automotive lore and a treasure for automotive historians, journalists and collectors. Previous winners are: • 2008 Dodge Challenger • 2007 Dodge Viper SRT10 • 2006 Pontiac Solstice • 2005 Ford Mustang • 2004 Chrysler 300 • 2003 Dodge Viper • 2002 Ford Thunderbird Economy rules top engine rankingsEngines that improve fuel economy highlight Ward's list of 10 Best Engines. This year's winners: • 2.0L TFSI Turbocharged DOHC I4 (Audi A4) • 3.0L TFSI Supercharged DOHC V6 (Audi S4) • 3.0L DOHC I6 Turbodiesel (BMW 335d) • 2.5L DOHC I4 Hybrid (Ford Fusion Hybrid) • 3.5L EcoBoost Turbocharged DOHC V6 (Ford Taurus SHO) • 2.4L Ecotec DOHC I4 (Chevrolet Equinox) • 4.6L Tau DOHC V8 (Hyundai Genesis) • 2.5L Turbocharged DOHC H4 (Subaru Legacy 2.5GT) • 1.8L DOHC I4 Hybrid (Toyota Prius) • 2.0L SOHC I4 Turbodiesel (Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen TDI) Volt could challenge paczki productionNew York Times writer Paul Stenquist made a gooey comparison between GM announcing that the Chevy Volt will be built in Hamtramck, whose most famous other export are those Polish jelly doughnuts known as paczki: "Like a meal at one of Hamtramck's Polish restaurants, Volt production will begin at a rather leisurely pace, with the first-year supply probably numbering in the thousands. Eventually, tens of thousands of Volts could roll out of the plant. At that point, Volt production might begin to rival the number of paczkis made in the city." fivefilters.org featured article: Normalising the crime of the century by John Pilger  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Videos From the Web: Car Videos - San Francisco Chronicle Posted: 12 Dec 2009 11:29 PM PST http://www.billionauto.com/ Take a look at this pre-owned 2007 Chevrolet SILVERADO, Stock: G4967A. Visit our website for more information on this vehicle and our full inventory. Billion Automotive 3405 S. Westport Sioux Falls, Rapid City, Davenport, Iowa City SD, video 1-888-726-6208 Welcome to the Billion Automotive Family! Billion Automotive, a family-owned business since 1935, has built its name and reputation on customer satisfaction. Dave H. Billion and his son, David R. Billion are active in the business as President and Vice President, respectively. With 13 new car franchises and 10 locations in Sioux Falls, Worthing, Watertown, Rapid City, and Sioux City, IA, Billion Automotive has over 2,000 vehicles to choose from. You can Build Your Own New Vehicle on BillionAuto.com and choose from Chevrolet, Pontiac, GMC and more! We have over 800 used vehicles of every make, including: Ford, Honda, Cadillac, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi and more. If we don't have what you want on our lot, we can find it for you. And we'll deliver your vehicle right to your door. Remember, if it doesn't say Billion, you've paid too much. fivefilters.org featured article: Normalising the crime of the century by John Pilger |
| Auto supplier turns trouble to triumph by venturing into turbines - Detroit Free Press Posted: 13 Dec 2009 12:12 AM PST
BY KATHLEEN GRAY John Holcomb felt the cold winds blowing through the auto industry as early as 2006. But it took him three years and a dream to come up with a survival plan in which wind would play a big part. As general manager of the Manistee factory of Sterling Heights-based MasTech, Holcomb had made a good living for three years supervising the production of machines and assembly lines for auto manufacturers. But he saw trouble coming in September 2006, when Ford announced plans to close 16 plants, cut 44,000 jobs and revamp its product lines with an eye on becoming profitable again by 2009. Why, Holcomb wondered, weren't the other struggling auto companies embarking on similar plans? "I saw Ford go out and secure funding for new, more economical models, and the rest of them weren't doing that," Holcomb said. "Changes weren't being made that would make them competitive on a broad enough scale. That was my first inkling that something was going to happen to the automotive industry." His plans began to take shape a year later -- during a dream-induced conversation with his father and grandfather, both long dead, as Holcomb lay hospitalized in critical condition with a ruptured colon. "I asked my dad and grandpa if I could go fishing with them and they said, 'No, it's not your time,' " he recalled. "At that point, I decided I had to do something to make a difference in a positive way." So Holcomb hit upon alternative energy as a way to make a contribution to cleaning up the environment and keep a thriving business going in Manistee. He went to Manistee's newly formed Alliance for Economic Success and pitched his idea: It was time for the group to aggressively recruit alternative energy businesses to the Lake Michigan shoreline community as a way to stave off the devastation that would come from an implosion of the auto industry. "We knew the downturn was coming because all of the quote requests dried up, and then all the purchase orders dried up," Holcomb said. "We knew we were going to run out of work by the end of the first quarter of 2009." As the alliance was hunting for alternative energy companies that also needed the machining expertise available in Manistee, Mariah Power of Reno, Nev., was looking for a place to build Windspires, residential wind turbines that were smaller and more compact than traditional windmills. In October 2008, as auto sales were plunging and the Detroit Three were shutting plants and shedding thousands of employees, MasTech's Manistee operation began transforming from an auto industry supplier into a wind turbine factory. Last January, the plant sent out its last automotive job -- an assembly line for a BMW plant in Spartanburg, S.C. "I've been doing automotive all my life, and there's a certain sadness in getting out of that business," Holcomb said. "But it's also been refreshing to step away from the unwritten rules and regulations of the auto industry. So often, they didn't reward innovation." The joint venture between Mariah and MasTech shipped its first Windspire on April 20 and has since built hundreds. Optimistic initial estimates called for production of 75 to 100 units a week, but the overall economic downturn has forced Holcomb to scale back to 100 a month. "We're trying to continue to get the American people to spend some money. And we've had a hard time getting traction for sales because of zoning issues," Holcomb said. "Right now, I'm talking to as many zoning boards as salespeople." From a high of 43 employees, MasTech is down to 35, many of whom worked in the auto industry. That's a steady level of employment from about 40 as an auto supplier. "I worked in the automotive industry for 15 years, and now I'm doing the complete turnaround," said Sean Jacobs, 39, a machinist from Manistee. Adam Morris, 37, of Ludington had been working in an auto die stamping plant in Grand Rapids but jumped at the chance to move to MasTech. "I wanted to be in a business that was more secure," he said. The company has plans for expansion. This fall, it began producing a Windspire that is large enough to store wind-created energy in a battery for future residential or vehicle use. MasTech expects to begin construction on another production facility in mid-2010 to meet expected demand from overseas. "We have some really huge orders pending overseas. We thought we'd sell more domestically right off the bat," Holcomb said. "But it turns out there's more interest right now in Europe, Asia and north Africa than in Iowa." And, thanks in part to a dream, MasTech's Manistee plant will deliver. Contact KATHLEEN GRAY: 313-223-4407 or kgray99@freepress.com fivefilters.org featured article: Normalising the crime of the century by John Pilger |
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