Sale of Fisker to Wanxiang Heralds a New Beginning

After some last minute intrigue it appears the fate of Fisker Automotive has finally been decided. Initially it appeared that the company's assets would be sold to Hybrid Tech Holdings llc, a Hong Kong-based company controlled by businessman Richard Li. However, a Delaware Bankruptcy Court put the company's holdings up for an open public auction allowing a winning bid from China's Wanxiang America.

The bottom line was price with Wanxiang outbidding the competition. Fisker filed for bankruptcy in November of last year and Hybrid offered $25 million in a private bid that would have given little or nothing to Fisker's unsecured creditors. At auction Hybrid raised their bid to $55 million only to lose out to Wanxiang's bid of $149.2 million. Wanxiang is China's largest auto-parts group and the owner of A123 Systems, they make a lithium-ion battery that was used by Fisker.

The Sale of Fisker Still Up in the Air

The sale of electric car company Fisker is turning out to be quite a soap opera. A decision by US Bankruptcy Court has put the remains of the company up for public auction. A late bid by Wanxiang, China's largest auto parts manufacturer has reopened the bidding on Fisker's DOE loan debt. Although it looked like Hybrid Technology Holdings (HTH), an investor group led by Hong Kong tycoon Richard Li was set to take control of Fisker's remaining assests, the late bid from Wanxiang has scuttled the deal.

Video - Green Vehicles at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show

Although green vehicles were in scarce supply at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show compared to previous years, here are visuals for some of the greenest cars on display at this year's show. This includes offerings from:

Toyota's Resource Efficiency: Best Practice in Integrating Industrial Sustainability and Eliminating Waste

Resource efficiency is the rage in 2014 and Toyota is one of the world’s most resource efficient companies. Simply put Toyota abhors waste and here is a summary of Toyota's secrets to achieve radical resource efficiency.  Steve Hope, General Manager Environmental Affairs and Corporate Citizenship, Toyota Motor Europe, explains how Toyota has dramatically improved its resource efficiency, reducing its energy, water and waste per vehicle by 70%, 75% and 60% respectively from 1993 to 2007. This video effectively summarizes the systems, processes, culture, enablers, tools and habits that have helped Toyota to reach the top of their industry.

Video - Nissan BladeGlider Zero Emission Electric Concept Car

While green cars were MIA at the recent Detroit Auto Show, the Nissan BladeGlider was one of several zero emission vehicles unveiled at the 43rd Tokyo Motor Show in November. The BladeGlider is a futuristic Delta Wing electric car concept designed by Ben Bowlby. His wedge shape may look showy but it has real practical aerodynamic benefits including an awesome drag coefficient. This 3 seat concept is only 3.3 feet across the front. The BladeGlider is an ultra light weight vehicle that is stable and corners as well as anything in its class. The power and drive trains is where this car truly shows its green credentials.

Electric and Hybrid Cars MIA at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show

Greener cars appear to be missing at this year's Detroit Auto Show. One of the most high profile vehicles at the show was the the 620-horsepower 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06. Other notable vehicles on display were two 2015 products from Ford, the F-150 pickup truck and the iconic Mustang. Even Kia has opted to focus on performance over efficiency by debuting a concept sports car called the GT4 Stinger. Electric, hybrid and fuel cell vehicles were altogether absent in Detroit this year.

In 2010 almost all the major automakers were aggressively promoting a growing number of electric and hybrid cars. The Ford Fusion hybrid won the 2010 North American Car award at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Toyota introduced the FT-CH concept car, a subcompact hybrid. BMW showed the ActiveE concept, Honda debuted the CR-Z a two-seat hybrid. Audi unveiled its e-tron, an electric sports car that can accelerate to 60 mph in less than five seconds. Subaru shared its Hybrid Tourer concept, Tesla released its Model S sedan, Volkswagen put its hybrid-powered NCC on display and Volvo announced its test fleet of 50 electric C30s. However, at the 2014 Detroit auto show there are no global debuts of new plug-in electric cars, hybrids or even new diesel vehicles, but there are lots of luxury models, high-performance cars and sports cars.

General Motors: Government Bailout to Environmental Sustainability

On Monday December 9, the US government sold its remaining stake in General Motors Co. (GM). While the automaker is doing well financially, it is also making progress in terms of sustainability.

By most accounts the government bailout of the U.S. auto industry was a success. This view is convincingly communicated in a new study by the Center for Automotive Research (CAR) called ”The Effect on the U.S. Economy of the Successful Restructuring of General Motors.”

The U.S. government was repaid the $39.5 billion it lent to GM as part of the 2008-2009 auto bailout, which forced GM and its Chevrolet division into a government-backed bankruptcy. According to the CAR study, in addition to saving 2.6 million jobs in 2009, the bailout preserved $284.4 billion in personal income between 2009 and 2010. In less than five years GM and other American automakers have become profitable and they have added more than 372,000 new jobs. However, the bailout was not only an economic success, it bought GM time to improve its environmentally destructive trajectory.

Increasing Vehicle Efficiency with New Lightweight Materials

New lightweight materials will help the automotive industry to be more efficient. Vehicular propulsion is all about the power to weight ratio. Lighter weight vehicles require less energy and are therefore more efficient.  According to a report from Lux Research new lightweight technologies are able to provide the same degree of structural robusticity as heavier traditional materials.  This is a trend that Lux Research anticipates  will revolutionize the transportation sector.

These emerging lightweight structural materials save fuel, which is an important strategic consideration for car makers both to minimize energy requirements and to save on fuel costs.  Energy use is expected to rise 53 percent from 2008 levels to 765 quadrillion BTUs in 2035.

Infographic - Nissan Leaf US Sales by State

Interactive Map - Find an Alternative Fuel or EV Charging Station Near You

Fisker May be Saved by Hong Kong Tycoon's Investor Group

Hong Kong tycoon Richard Li, who is already invested in Fisker, has put together an investment group that has bought the ailing electric car company's $168 million loan from the US Department of Energy.  By buying the loan Li will be free to restructure the company without being fettered by DoE obligations.

Fisker, which was started in 2007, secured over a billion dollars in investment. However, in July 2012 the company suspended building the plug-in hybrid Karma, its extended range luxury electric sedan, when battery producer A123 Systems Inc. went into bankruptcy protection. The company also suspended development of its less expensive ($55,000) Atlantic.

Video - Winner Crosses Finish Line at the 2013 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge

Watch the final moments of the grueling Bridgestone World Solar Challenge as the winning team for 2013 crosses the finish line in northern Adelaide, Australia. This 3000 kms event highlights some of the best solar powered car technology in the world.

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2013 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge in Australia

2013 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge in Australia

The biennial Bridgestone World Solar Challenge is a platform to showcase the world’s most efficient electric cars. In addition to presenting leading solar technology the event also inspires young people to address the imperatives of sustainable transport.

Solar car teams from 23 countries are competing in one of the world's most prestigious and grueling sun powered car races. By the end of the race cars will have traveled a total 3000 kms through the Australian Outback. However, the event is about far more than a long distance car race. The Bridgestone World Solar Challenge showcases innovation, adventure and achievement and brings cutting edge renewable energy technology to the forefront in an effort to find a sustainable future for the planet.

Infographic - The Future of Electric Vehicles

US Automotive Industry: Efficient Vehicles and Sustainability Initiatives (GM, Ford & Tesla)

U.S. automakers are producing an ever increasing line-up of more efficient vehicles. However, efficiency measures in the auto industry extend beyond the vehicles they produce. American car companies must compete with more than 36 new hybrid and electric vehicles (EVs) that have been or will be launched in 2013. Growing demand for highly efficient vehicles has compelled almost every brand to get into the EV market, which gives consumers an ever expanding list of vehicles to choose from.

In addition to expanded product lines, innovative sustainability measures are being adopted by automakers.  As explained by Green Car Reports, the major automakers are doing more on the sustainability front when it comes to their EV production lines. They are reducing their waste, increasing their use of solar power while reducing their energy usage.

Automotive brands are increasingly seeing value in greening their operations and products as evidenced by Interbrand’s 2013 Best Global Green Brands ranking, which counted four automotive brands in the top five spots. The ranking evaluates companies based on their environmental performance and the public’s perception of their green credentials.

Infographic - Fastest Electric Vehicles on Earth

Volkswagen's Efficient Cars and Other Sustainability Efforts

According to Interbrand’s 2013 Best Global Green Brands ranking, Volkswagen came in seventh. Volkswagen has an efficiency leading concept car known as the XL1. It boasts an ultra-light structure (1,750 pounds) that makes extensive use of composites, and a hybrid power train.

The 0.8-liter diesel twin produces 48 horsepower and comes with a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox (DSG). The diesel engine is assisted by a 27-hp electric motor system powered by a 5.5-kWh lithium-ion battery. All together, the power train produces 68 hp and 103 lb-ft in its 'boosting mode.'The XL1 can go 310 miles on a single charge.

BMW's Efficient Cars and Other Sustainability Efforts

The 2014 BMW i3 electric city car is part of the BMW iSeries. This series of electric cars has zero emissions and an affordable price tag. What sets the BMW iSeries apart from all other electric cars is their luxury and modernity as well as their technological sophistication thanks to a novel partnership with Apple.

The i3 is a four-door made out of carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP). About 25 percent of the plastics used inside the car are recycled, and the eucalyptus wood veneers used on the trim are "responsibly harvested." The door trims and instrument-panel surround also use fibers from the kenaf plant, an increasingly popular sustainable element in car interiors.

Nissan's Efficient Cars and Other Sustainability Efforts

According to Interbrand’s 2013 Best Global Green Brands, Nissan ranked fifth. The Leaf is the most widely sold electric passenger car of all time. In February, 2013, the company announced that it had produced 50,000 LEAFs. The Leaf boasts a fuel efficiency rating of 115 MPGe and the EPA rated 2013 Leaf's range at 75 miles on a single charge.

The Nissan Leaf, is by far the volume leader, part of what makes the Leaf so successful is the fact that it is efficient, affordable and it offers better range than most electric vehicles.

Honda's Efficient Cars and Other Sustainability Initiatives

According to Interbrand’s 2013 Best Global Green Brands, Honda ranked third. The 2013 Honda Fit EV gets 118 MPGe combined (132 city and 105 highway), with a range of 82 miles. Although at present it is only available by lease, according to the EPA, it is the second most efficient electric car in the world today. However, the company is producing only 1,100 Fit EVs.

The EPA rates the 2014 Accord Plug-In Hybrid's electric range at 13 miles, during which its efficiency rating is 115 MPGe. After the battery is depleted, it behaves like a conventional hybrid and is rated at 46 MPG combined. It is the only mid-size sedan to boast such numbers. This plug-in uses Honda's new two-motor hybrid system, with powerful electric motors and multiple modes of operation. The plug-in hybrid Accord will be followed by the 2014 Accord Hybrid that will be launched later this fall.