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Carlos Ghosn is not backing down.

Giving the keynote speech at the 2012 New York Auto Show today, the president and CEO of Nissan said that he stands behind his prediction that EVs will make up 10 percent of the market by 2020 in the places they are available. He also said that he expects Nissan to sell 1.5 million zero emission cars by 2016.

Ghosh brushed off a question about somewhat slow Leaf sales by pointing out that the Leaf is still constrained by supply, given the earthquake and tsunami in Japan last year as well as the strong yen. Leaf production in the UK and U.S. that will start in the near future (later this year for Tennessee, early 2013 for Sunderland) will make the car more available to more people. “I don’t want you to take a one-month or two-month sales result in one particular market to try to make your opinion about the evolution of a very important technology for the industry,” he said. “I think the electric car will hold its promises. All the stars are lining up to make it a very important segment. … I am not at all changing my bullish approach.”

Ghosn has reason to be bullish. Nissan has sold 27,000 Leafs worldwide since introducing the car in late 2010, and 11,000 of those sales were in the U.S. And, he added, “The Nissan Leaf has had no quality problems.”

Looking forward, Ghosn also said that the challenge is to reduce the cost, size and weight of the battery and “we have to do it fast” because government incentives will not last forever. Luckily, the industry has changed enough in the last half-decade to make this possible. He said:

One of the biggest evolutions we are seeing in our industry is the battery. As you know, when we started our electric car goals, it was in 2006, there were not a lot of battery makers in the world. Fortunately, with our drive and with the drive of other carmakers, the number of battery makers and companies investing in batteries has really been impressive. Today, you can find very good batteries, extremely competitive, in Korea, in Japan, in the United States. The Chinese are investing in batteries. … The life of the battery is going to be longer than the life of the car.

Carlos Ghosn: Still bullish on battery electric vehicles

Electric vehicle owners like to think of themselves as green, but that color may be taking on a more glowing, radioactive hue in Japan.

The ecologically friendly reputation of electric cars in Japan is taking a hit since last year’s meltdowns of the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant have made more people concerned about a primary source of electricity throughout the country, Bloomberg Businessweek reports.

The meltdown – caused my last March’s earthquake and ensuing tsunami – created a 12-mile radius around Fukushima where people are barred because of radiation issues. Before last year’s disaster, the Japanese government planned on having nuclear power eventually supply half of the country’s electricity, up from a third, but those plans have been put on hold.

Nissan, which has said it expects to sell 1.5 million electric vehicles around the world by 2015, has sold just 12,000 battery-electric Leafs in Japan since launching the model in 2010, according to the report. There have been positive associations drawn between the EV and its role in the earthquake relief efforts (between the Mitsubishi i and the aftermath, too) and Nissan even touted the way some battery packs that were damaged in the quake survived intact.

Rising gas prices make charging an EV in Japan about 90 percent less expensive than filling a tank. That said, electricity prices may spike expenses stemming from fixing the Fukushima plant increase. The higher cost might be the way EVs could get lumped together with nuclear energy in some consumers’ minds.

Reputation of electric cars takes a hit in Japan due to tsunami aftermath?

You know things are rough when you have to sell your corporate headquarters to raise some cash. But that’s just what PSA Peugeot-Citroën did this week, unloading its Parisian office building for about $327 million, according to Automotive News.

The 48-year-old headquarters is located in Paris’ central business district, not far from the Arc de Triomphe and the Champs-Elysees. According to the report, the French carmaker will continue to lease the building from its new owner, Ivanhoe Cambridge, a real estate subsidiary of Canadian pension fund management company Quebec Deposit and Investment Fund.

This latest move follows several efforts by PSA Peugeot-Citroën to reduce debt, cut costs and boost profitability. Last fall, it cut 6,000 jobs and in January it pulled out of Le Mans racing. In February, it announced a plan to liquidate assets and agreed to sell a seven-percent stake to General Motors, as part of a new global alliance that could help both car companies trim costs through shared purchasing.

Peugeot-Citroën raises cash by selling its Paris headquarters

New York Auto Show, Chevrolet Camaro 1LE, 2013 Ford Explorer Sport

Episode #276 of the Autoblog Podcast is here, and this week, Chris, Zach and Dan cover the known knowns so far at the New York Auto Show, the Chevrolet Camaro 1LE, and the 2013 Ford Explorer Sport. Your questions and comments power the end of the ‘cast, and for those of you who hung with us live on our UStream channel, thanks for taking the time. We’ve embedded our Q&A module after the jump for you to scroll through and follow along, too. Thanks for listening!

Autoblog Podcast #276:

• New York Auto Show kicks off this week
• Chevrolet Camaro 1LE
• 2013 Ford Explorer Sport

In the Autoblog Garage
2012 Toyota Prius V Five
2012 Subaru Impreza
2012 Mini Cooper Countryman S

Hosts: Dan Roth, Chris Shunk, Zach Bowman

Feedback
Email: Podcast at Autoblog dot com

Review the show in iTunes

Continue reading Autoblog Podcast #276

Autoblog Podcast #276

It boasts the best highway fuel economy for any non-hybrid midsize sedan: 38 miles per gallon.

Perhaps more than most people realize, the Nissan Altima is a hugely important car here in the United States. In 2011, it was the second best-selling car in the country (trailing its classmate, the Toyota Camry), and with the launch of this fifth-generation Altima, Nissan appears to simply be going for an evolutionary enhancement rather than completely reinventing its successful midsize sedan formula.

That said, this step forward for the Altima should make it more competitive than ever in one of the most highly shopped segments of North America’s automotive marketplace. Nissan has not only been able to shed enough weight to make the Altima the lightest car in its class, it now boasts the best highway fuel economy for any non-hybrid midsize sedan: 38 miles per gallon when paired with the 182-horsepower 2.5-liter inline-four. Combine that with a new rear suspension setup, class-exclusive driving aids such as Active Understeer Control and a slew of new infotainment functionality, and Nissan’s midsizer looks to have what it takes to keep running with the segment’s best.

Scroll down for an in-depth look at what’s in store for the 2013 Altima.

Continue reading 2013 Nissan Altima debuts, does 38 MPG HWY and priced from $21,500*

2013 Nissan Altima debuts, does 38 MPG HWY and priced from $21,500*

Chrysler Keeps Winning, Hyundai and Kia Set Records

Another chapter has been written in the comeback story of Chrysler, which reported a 69.7-percent sales increase in March compared to a year earlier. We’re starting to wonder, though, what will happen if gas prices continue rising. If consumers begin to shift their tastes back to smaller, more fuel efficient cars, Chrysler will find itself without much to offer. The promising Dodge Dart is coming but not here yet, and Chrysler doesn’t offer any passenger vehicles as hybrids or diesels. The Ram 1500 is of course available with a diesel, but we doubt consumers will flock to it for a respite from rising fuel costs.

Hyundai also had a good month of sales in March. Actually, it had the best month of sales in its history of selling cars in the U.S. Nearly all of its high-volume products are selling well, while the Veloster is picking up momentum and adding all-new sales to the mix. Soon, the completely redesigned Azera will go on sale, which means this new all-time sales record likely won’t last long. Its Korean counterpart, Kia, also enjoyed its best month ever.

A couple of automakers who seem to be teetering on the edge of trouble are General Motors and Honda. GM can be happy with positive performances last month from Chevrolet and GMC, but Buick and Cadillac continue to falter and find themselves on the very bottom of our sales chart trends this month. Honda, meanwhile, hasn’t seemed to have found its footing as well as rival Toyota, despite both companies reporting that their production lines are completely restored following a year of disruptive natural disasters.

Check out how the rest of the industry did in our monthly sales chart below, and visit our By the Numbers section to see all past months.

*Brands and companies are displayed in descending order according to their percentage change in volume sales. There were 28 selling days in March 2012 versus 27 selling days in March 2011, so there will be a difference between monthly sales volume and the average daily sales rate (DSR) for each brand/company. Also, brands are combined and reported as companies only if their sales figures are released jointly.

March 2011 - Fool on a Hill Edition

We knew this was coming, but the BMW 1 Series M Coupe is now history. While BMW is still building out the model run, it has closed ordering and “all cars are spoken for,” according to Car and Driver.

The report comes from the magazine’s European correspondent, so we assume any remaining cars are destined to remain in Europe, meaning that our friends across the Atlantic are just now catching up to our situation here. Perhaps this news should come as no surprise, as the 1 Series M Coupe was sold in the U.S. for just a single model year, 2011.

Of course, if your heart is set on owning one of fewer than 1,000 1 Series M Coupes that were offered in the States, the only thing standing between you and your dream is money. We imagine values of these cars will not depreciate much (the only used example on eBay Motors at the moment has been essentially bid up to MSRP), though whether the 1 Series M Coupe will achieve the cult status of the 2001-2002 BMW M Coupe remains to be seen.

BMW 1 Series M Coupe is sold out

Toyota has been teasing us with glimpses of the redesigned 2013 Venza over the last month, and now we get to see its modest makeover just before the vehicle’s New York Auto Show debut.

The new, less fussy grille is the first thing you’ll notice. Fewer horizontal bars above the bumper and a chrome accent goes some way toward below classing up the crossutilitywagon thing. The headlamps are new, and the fog lights have also been blacked out with chrome accent ring. Finishing off the new light fixtures are reworked door mirrors fitted with the obligatory built-in turn signals.

In back, the taillights have been slightly updated, but everything else seems to be much the same as the 2012 model. Venzas can now be ordered in Attitude Black, Cypress Pearl and Cosmic Gray Mica.

Interior changes also seem to be minimal except for updated steering wheel buttons and the option of adding Toyota’s Entune package that integrates your smart phone with the vehicle’s dashboard display. The interior is also available in black for 2013.

Engine choices stay the same, with a 2.7-liter four-cylinder and a 3.5-liter V6 on offer.

Check the gallery for more photos and scroll below to the press release for more details.

Continue reading 2013 Toyota Venza refreshed, Entune optional

2013 Toyota Venza refreshed, Entune optional

The Enclave has been a boon for Buick since it arrived in 2007, with impressive sales complemented by profitable transaction prices. And even though the big Buick has gone without a refresh since its debut, the Enclave managed its best year ever in 2011, with a segment-leading 58,000 units sold.

Buick is hoping to stretch that streak with the Enclave’s first refresh for 2013. The tweaked three-row crossover will receive several updates, starting with a new front fascia that includes a black chrome waterfall grille and redesigned hood. The front also includes a new headlight design with standard Xenon headlamps and LED daytime running lights. Out back, the 2013 Enclave features new LED taillights and a fresh design with integrated exhaust outlets.

Overall, the exterior redesign is evolutionary, but more dramatic changes await inside. The Enclave’s cabin was fast becoming outdated, but Buick upped its game with a fresh dash that includes more modern-looking materials and contemporary center stack. There are also tasteful wood treatments, a smattering of chrome accents and attractive stitching throughout. The cabin also features blue LED ambient lighting that accentuates the size of this voluminous crossover.

The 2013 Enclave will also inherit Buick’s IntelliLink infotainment system, which offers a brilliant LCD and interactivity with smart phones via Bluetooth and USB connections. The Enclave also features tri-zone climate control and an industry-first front center airbag for additional crash protection.

Buick engineers hasn’t made any changes to the tried-and-true 3.6-liter V6 or the six-speed automatic, but the ride and handling setup has been given a bit of love. The front and rear dampers were revised for a smoother ride, with adjustments that also ensure big bumps don’t loosen your fillings. The ride has also received more “Quiet Tuning,” (read: insulation) which keeps even more unwanted road noise out of the re-imagined cabin than before.

The 2013 Buick Enclave will make its official debut at the New York Auto Show tomorrow. Scroll down to read over the press release from Buick and peruse official high-resolution images in the gallery above.

Continue reading 2013 Buick Enclave debuts with new look over same drivetrain

2013 Buick Enclave debuts with new look over same drivetrain

It takes but six months to crown a new American Idol, but the search for a replacement New York City taxi has taken five years, and the winner is finally ready to collect its flowers and contract.

The production taxi version of the NV200 is, except for its looks, just about all a cabbie and his passenger could want from their voyages together: more room, more lighting, a panoramic roof, airbags front and rear, climate control for back-seaters, charging ports and an active carbon headliner to absorb odors are just the start.

We’ve seen renderings of the interior, but the New York Auto Show is where locals will get a chance to meet their lemony carriages before they enter service next year. A mobility version for disabled passengers is being developed with Braun and will go on sale next year as well. Scroll down for the full skinny on the Taxi of Tomorrow, and click the image above to enlarge.

Continue reading Nissan debuts production NV200 “Taxi of Tomorrow” for New Yorkers

Nissan debuts production NV200 “Taxi of Tomorrow” for New Yorkers

Ford put nine of its own engineers inside of a new car they helped create, the 2013 Ford Taurus SHO, so they could experience its capabilities for themselves. Nothing out of the ordinary there, but Ford also thoughtfully put NASCAR driver Carl Edwards in the driver’s seat, and it turns out that the boffins didn’t realize how capable their car was until the Sprint Cup driver showed them.

In a new series of TV and internet spots called “Rocket Science,” Edwards spends most of his time going tire-smoking sideways while engineers discuss the features of the hotted-up all-wheel drive Taurus, like the blind-spot assistance system and its 475-mile range. There’s a press release with the particulars, but you’ll want to click past to jump to check out the vids showing a string of very nervous engineers in the hands of a very professional driver on a very closed course.

Continue reading Ford straps engineers in 2013 Taurus SHO with Carl Edwards, hilarity ensues

Ford straps engineers in 2013 Taurus SHO with Carl Edwards, hilarity ensues

The United Auto Workers has seen an increase in membership for the second straight year, according to Bloomberg. Last year, the union saw its ranks grow by 1.1 percent to 380,719 members, thanks in part to increased hiring by domestic automakers. In 2010, the UAW grew by six percent, but today’s total is still a fraction of the 1.5 million members the union boasted in 1979. General Motors, Ford and Chrysler are expected to hire around 14,750 union workers by 2015, according to the report. That number is likely far below what the UAW will need to be able to secure significant bargaining leverage.

To that end, the UAW has made it clear that organizing a foreign-owned manufacturing facility is crucial to its survival. UAW president Bob King vowed to unionize one such plant last year but failed to do so. Now the UAW is reportedly handing out authorization cards at the new Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Workers there have reportedly had mixed-reactions to the prospect of unionization.

UAW membership climbs 1.1% thanks to automakers adding jobs

As predicted and expected, the Environmental Protection Agency today approved the first applications to make E15, a blend of gasoline with 15 percent ethanol in it. This means that E15 is now a “significant step” closer to production and sale in America.

For decades, gasoline in the U.S. has had up to 10 percent ethanol in it, but the extra five points were enough to generate resistance. The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute and the Science Committee in the House of Representatives both took steps to prevent E15 from entering the national supply. Even the EPA admits not every vehicle should use the new blend, saying it is approved only for Model Year 2001 vehicles and newer.

Many automakers have been hesitant about E15, fearing fuel system and engine damage, so a number of them joined a lawsuit against it in 2010 through the Auto Alliance. Some have even gone so far as to say that any older vehicles that use E15 will have their warranties voided. The EPA’s rules say that any pump dispensing E15 must be clearly labeled. The EPA is not requiring any station to sell E15 in any way, but the Obama Administration does want to encourage its use, and thus wants to help get 10,000 blender pumps installed in the U.S. over the next 5 years.

In late 2011, the U.S. Congress ended a 30-year tax subsidy on corn-based ethanol while also stopping tariffs on ethanol imported from Brazil. Since 1980, the ethanol industry has received an estimated $45 billion in subsidies. Check out the official EPA press release for further details after the jump.

Continue reading EPA gives E15 go-ahead despite objections, approves production applications

EPA gives E15 go-ahead despite objections, approves production applications

Cadillac is updating its best-seller for the 2013 model year, with the SRX crossover getting several technology enhancements, including CUE, the luxury brand’s new infotainment system.

The acronym stands for Cadillac User Experience, which uses a capacitive touchscreen for control of numerous functions, including interfacing with a driver’s smartphone. While other systems like CUE already exist, none offer proximity sensing and haptic feedback such that the display changes as a driver’s hand nears it and gives feedback to his selection. We’ve already posted a deep dive with CUE here.

The other big upgrade is the availability of new safety technology in conjunction with Cadillac’s Safety Alert Seat, which we wrote about here. Two packages will be offered, one called “Driver Awareness” and the other “Driver Assist.” The former is focused on crash prevention by way of providing driver alerts, while the latter will also include vehicle intervention.

Cadillac has also added active noise cancellation to the SRX for 2013, along with redesigning the steering wheel and shifter and updating the instrument cluster to accommodate CUE. Some new USB and SD card ports, minor rear-seat entertainment upgrades, standard HD radio, and new interior color combinations round out the changes.

Click past the jump to read the full press release.

Continue reading Cadillac CUEs up improved 2013 SRX

Cadillac CUEs up improved 2013 SRX

Cadillac is updating its best-seller for the 2013 model year, with the SRX crossover getting several technology enhancements, including CUE, the luxury brand’s new infotainment system.

The acronym stands for Cadillac User Experience, which uses a capacitive touchscreen for control of numerous functions, including interfacing with a driver’s smartphone. While other systems like CUE already exist, none offer proximity sensing and haptic feedback such that the display changes as a driver’s hand nears it and gives feedback to his selection. We’ve already posted a deep dive with CUE here.

The other big upgrade is the availability of new safety technology in conjunction with Cadillac’s Safety Alert Seat, which we wrote about here. Two packages will be offered, one called “Driver Awareness” and the other “Driver Assist.” The former is focused on crash prevention by way of providing driver alerts, while the latter will also include vehicle intervention.

Cadillac has also added active noise cancellation to the SRX for 2013, along with redesigning the steering wheel and shifter and updating the instrument cluster to accommodate CUE. Some new USB and SD card ports, minor rear-seat entertainment upgrades, standard HD radio, and new interior color combinations round out the changes.

Click past the jump to read the full press release.

Continue reading Cadillac CUE’s up improved 2013 SRX

Cadillac CUE’s up improved 2013 SRX

A Daimler spokesman has put an end to rumors that his employer is trying to outbid Audi for an interest in motorcycle-builder Ducati.

Despite Daimler’s previous collaboration with the two-wheel wizards, it looks like Audi’s reported bid of $1.16 billion could be the only one. An Italian newspaper indicates the proposal from Audi is not a bid for the entire company, a strategy that Bloomberg suggests is more agreeable to Ducati.

We’ve also heard rumors of India’s Mahindra also being interested in the high-performance motorcycle marque, but there’s no mention of it in this report.

Daimler refutes interest in Ducati

We had a feeling this was coming. The otherworldly curvy sheetmetal of the Nissan Juke has always seemed so far off the map as to appear more French than Japanese. After all, Gallic designers have a long history of creating bold and polarizing forms. So it comes as little surprise that AutoExpress is reporting that Nissan will let its corporate siblings at Renault borrow the fun-to-drive Juke crossover for a model of their own.

At least in the UK, the unnamed model will replace the slow-selling Koleos CUV. AutoExpress has worked up some renderings, and notably, they swap out the Juke’s unusual front lighting for something a bit more traditional and more along the lines of the 2011 Geneva Motor Show Captur showcar.

Earlier speculation had the Captur coming to market riding atop Renault’s Clio architecture, but if this new report is accurate, Renault probably won’t have to invest as much to bring the vehicle to market. Check out the full renderings at the link below, and sit tight, because AE doesn’t expect the subcompact ute to arrive until sometime next year.

Renault to get own version of Nissan Juke

Automotive News reports the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has begun two separate investigations following reports of engine fires in both 2011 Chevrolet Cruze and 2010 Jeep Wrangler models. The government agency received two complaints about fires in Cruze sedans and eight in Wrangler models, with some reporting their vehicles were completely destroyed. In both Cruze cases, the compact sedans were being driven when the fires occurred. One Cruze Eco owner reported seeing smoke emanating from the engine bay, and the vehicle was completely engulfed in flames five minutes after coming to a stop.

In seven of the Wrangler cases, the engine was running when the fires started. One owner reported seeing burning liquid pouring onto the ground that couldn’t be extinguished with water. In 2010, Chrysler recalled certain Wrangler models to address automatic transmission fluid that could overheat and expel onto hot surfaces, causing fires.

Both General Motors and Chrysler are cooperating with their respective NHTSA investigations and say they are unaware of any injuries or fatalities stemming from the fires.

NHTSA investigating Chevy Cruze, Jeep Wrangler over engine fires

Steve Saleen is back to feeling himself again. That’s because he’s once again at the helm of the the marque that bears his name. As you may recall, the racer and performance part guru walked away from the Saleen brand empire he nurtured for 23 years back in 2007. The Saleen brand was then sold to MJ Acquisitions, along with the right to produce S Line and Racecraft Ford Mustang models. Saleen himself, meanwhile, went on to create SMS Supercars, which produced notable creations like the SMS 570 Dodge Challenger, 302 Ford Mustang and 620 Chevrolet Camaro.

But when MJ Acquisitions and Saleen, Inc. refused to honor warranties for vehicles purchased before the company took control of the Saleen brand, SMS Supercars stepped in to take on that burden, even without any legal obligation to do so. Steve Saleen and SMS Supercars then sued MJ Acquisitions to get the company to stop using the Saleen name in order to protect the brand’s reputatoin.

Today’s announcement means Saleen was successful in his quest. Moving forward, all of the products sold under SMS Supercars will be available under the Saleen banner. Hit the jump for the full press release.

Continue reading Steve Saleen reacquires Saleen name and brand

Steve Saleen reacquires Saleen name and brand

The Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR currently holds the unofficial production car record for a Nürburgring lap with a time of 7:12.13. The Porsche Panamera Turbo S is the first four-door to show up on the list of lap times with a 7:52.00. The Audi RS6 Avant is the quickest wagon with a time of 8:09.00, and the first thing resembling a sport utility vehicle is the BMW X6 M at 8:24.00. That right there would be the target for a Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 were someone to bring one to Germany for a ‘Ring run. Last September, somebody did.

Piloted by the eminently qualified Sabine Schmitz, the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 did the deed in 8:49.00. Ouch. That’s 25 seconds behind the X6 M and slower than even the front-wheel-drive Chevrolet HHR SS (8:43.52). Still, you can’t be taken seriously as a performance machine these days until you pay tribute at the Green Hell. And watching something attempt a high-speed ‘Ring run that was originally designed to rock crawl is always fun. Scroll down to watch the official lap vid from SRT.

Continue reading And the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8’s ‘Ring time is…

And the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8’s ‘Ring time is…