* California emission plan blocked. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) blocked California's plan to reduce greenhouse gas vehicle emissions in a recent decision, the first time the EPA has rejected any state's agenda to reduce pollution.
Along with the 12 other states that have adopted California's standards, a battle has begun to hold the tough standards that would reduce emissions by 30 percent by 2016. California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said the state was disappointed and would sue to overturn the decision.
Stephen Johnson, EPA administrator, defended the decision, saying the new energy bill signed recently by President Bush was a better solution. State officials and environmental experts said that the federal bill's primary focus is energy conservation, further promoting the Bush administration's refusal to allow mandatory limits on greenhouse gases.
The new energy bill raises the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFÉ) standards for passenger cars and light trucks by 40 percent by 2020 to an average of 35 miles per gallon.
* Detroit auto show still a winner. The just-completed North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) had a $500 million economic impact on Detroit, said David Sowerby, portfolio manager and chief market analyst at Loomis Sayles & Co. "The NAIAS is consistently a major contributor to business activity in Detroit due to the amount of time spent on extensive set-up and execution from late October to early February."
More than 50 new vehicle models, from concepts to new production models, debuted at NAIAS, where thousands of automotive journalists and industry professionals from around the globe gathered to view new models and hear what auto manufacturers project for 2008 in the auto and light-truck industry. BMW unveiled its first diesels for the U.S. market available this fall (335d sedan and X5 xDrive 35d SUV), Honda debuted its new Pilot prototype, and Citroen (yes, Citroen) showed off its CSportLounge North American concept among the many new vehicles shown for the first time in America.
Special awards at NAIAS included the prestigious 2008 Car and Truck of the Year presentations. The Chevy Malibu won the car award and the Mazda CX-9 won in the truck category.
* Hybrid and alternative-fuel trucks come to Georgia. The Work Truck Show 2008 set for Feb. 26-28 at the Georgia World Congress Center will feature lots of new products (more than 60 exhibitors said they would unveil new products and technology), but the real story at the show will be a two-day Hybrid Truck & Alternative Fuels Ride-and-Drive event.
At least 12 vehicles are scheduled to be available for the ride-and-drive, including a vehicle using a direct-injection liquid propane fuel system; a battery electric SUV; a series hydraulic hybrid-powered truck; a battery electric service utility service truck; a light-duty battery electric truck with a 150-mile range; a battery electric hybrid package delivery van; a Class 6-7 battery electric hybrid truck; and a plug-in hybrid electric utility vehicle. The event is sponsored by Eaton Hybrid Power Systems.
Presented by the National Truck Equipment Association (NTEA), The Work Truck Show offers vocational truck fleet managers, truck buyers, and maintenance personnel the opportunity to view new vehicles, truck bodies, truck equipment, and accessories. The use of hybrid and alternative-fuel vehicles has been increasing in recent years, and the ride-and-drive event is expected to be popular at this year's show.
* Diesel owners spend big bucks. Diesel light-truck owners spend 17 percent more money on specialty equipment than nondiesel light-truck owners, according to a recent SEMA Automotive Lifestyles survey. When SEMA surveyed members, one in three indicated that clean-diesel vehicles will have a "noticeable" or "extremely large" impact on the specialty equipment industry. While the truck market has softened in recent times, substantially larger quantities of diesel light trucks are being produced by automakers.
New-generation diesels have reduced exhaust emissions by 95 percent and improved fuel economy by up to 30 percent, said Al Krenz, director of service for Robert Bosch LLC. Diesels also produce better horsepower and torque over gasoline-powered trucks.