Four-Cylinder Engine market share increasing

As gas prices go up more new car buyers are choosing four cylinder engines. J.D. Power reports that four cylinders have 37.9 percent of sales, which is a 6.8 percent increase since 2003. Six cylinders have dropped dramatically to 39.8 percent from 45.6 percent in 2003. Eight cylinders have also dropped and now have 20.4 percent of sales. With the upward trend in gas prices, I expect four cylinders to be the dominate engine choice in a few years.

Source Winding Road

Progressive Insurance to sponsor the $10 Million Auto X Prize

It was announced at the New York Auto Show that Progressive Insurance will be the main sponsor for the Automotive X Prize. Progressive will also be putting up the $10 Million for the prize money. The Auto X Prize is a competition to encourage the development of super fuel efficient vehicles. The types of fuels are wide open and the vehicles need to get the equivalent of a gasoline 100 MPG.

Progressive Automotive X PRIZE

Source CNN Money

2008 New York International Auto Show

The New York Auto Show showed the two current trends in the Auto Industry, High performance and fuel efficiency. Performance cars where show from Pontiac, Chevy, Dodge, and Saleen. On the fuel efficiency side, electric cars where shown by Subaru, and Mitsubishi. Chevy, Toyota, and Honda showed off fuel cell cars. Saturn, GMC, and Chevy showed off new hybrids. BMW and Mercedes-Benz showed off new diesel that will be coming to the U.S.

Photos from the New York Auto Show

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Nissan to have all electric car in 2010

Nissan is developing an electric car for fleet customers in 2010. Retail sales will start in 2012. It will use lithium ion batteries made by Nissan’s joint venture with NEC Corp. Nissan will show a small battery powered concept car. Range will be 100 miles. Top speed will be about 75 mph, and a full recharge will take eight hours.

Source AutoWeek

GE invests in electric cars

General Electric has recently made two large investments in the electric car industry. Think is a Norwegian company that makes cars that run solely on electric. GE has invested $4 million in Think. A123Systems is a Massachusetts based lithium-ion battery maker. A123Systems supplies Think with batteries and are also developing batteries for the Chevy Volt. GE has invested $20 million in A123Systems.

Source MSNBC

GM displays next generation Hybrid System

The improved Hybrid System will be three times more powerful than the system currently available on the Saturn VUE, the Saturn Aura, and the Chevy Malibu. The improved system will be available in 2010. The system remains a belt alternator starter hybrid. This type of hybrid is costs much less than other full hybrid systems. The second generation system will use a lithium ion battery, which is lighter and more powerful than the battery used today. Annual volume is planned to exceed 100,000, which will bring costs down. Fuel savings can be up to 20 percent.

Source Edmunds

Virgin Atlantic will use Chevy fuel cell electric vehicles

Virgin Atlantic will use three Chevrolet Equinox hydrogen fuel cell vehicles to transport VIP passengers at Los Angeles International Airport. The program starts in late March and may lead to this service expanding to New York.

Source Edmunds