In 2011 at the Geneva Motor Show, BMW introduced the Vision ConnectedDrive , a concept that showcased future technologies that will make their way into BMW production vehicles. Among the innovative features, one stood out in particularly: the touch-sensitive dashboard. BMW’s Head of Interior Design, Marc Girard gave us an exclusive demo of the innovative fabric that with a swipe of your fingers transfers the information displayed on the LCD screen built into the passenger’s dashboard onto the driver’s 3D Head-Up Display. New Scientist magazine now reports that researchers at the Polytechnic School in Montreal, Canada, have developed a soft polymer-based fiber with electrical properties that can be woven into fabric. Creating a durable fabric that can control a range of functions and differentiate tactile motions is a breakthrough technology developed by professor Maksim Skorobogatiy and his team of researchers at the university. The magazine says that BMW has plans to install the touch-sensitive smart fabric in future models, along with General Motors and aircraft-manufacturer Bombardier. Our own sources say that within five years, future high-end BMWs will include this new technology and will create the fist real synergy between the car and its passengers. More here: BMW to use touch-sensitive smart fabric in cars

General Motors recently announced that it is tweaking its OnStar system to try to help owners find cleaner energy to power their Chevrolet Volt gas-electric hybrid vehicles. At the DistribuTECH Conference and Exhibition in San Antonio this week, GM showed off a prototype OnStar system which uses data gathered by PJM Interconnection, an energy grid manager for 13 states and the District of Columbia. The data, which includes information about when electricity on a regional grid is generated from renewable sources such as windmills , is uploaded to OnStar’s servers. Volt owners can then use a special smart phone app to program when to charge their Volt’s battery with green energy—between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. when most of a regional grid’s power comes from hydroelectric dams, for example. GM is currently developing and testing the advanced OnStar system with Google and its “Gfleet” of 17 Chevy Volts at Google’s Mountain View, Calif., headquarters. While GM didn’t speculate when such a system might be ready for the average Volt owner, it’s not the only car maker to push green energy systems for its clean cars. Ford Motors partnered with SunPower Corp. last August to offer subsidized home solar energy systems to future customers of its all-electric Ford Focus and other green vehicles. For more information on clean-car technology, see Consumer Reports’ Guide to alternative fuels . Volt Owners May Soon Get Charged with Renewable Energy [GM press release] Originally posted here:  OnStar could help Volt owners find clean power

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has closed its safety investigation into fires that erupted from three Chevrolet Volt battery packs after severe crash tests by the agency. “Based on the available data, NHTSA does not believe that Chevy Volts or other electric vehicles pose a greater risk of fire than gasoline-powered vehicles. Generally, all vehicles have some risk of fire in the event of a serious crash,” NHTSA concluded. The agency said it “remains unaware of any real-world crashes that have resulted in a battery-related fire involving the Chevy Volt or any other electric vehicle.” The first fire erupted three weeks after NHTSA conducted a side-into-pole crash test on the Volt, a more severe crash test than any standard tests other cars must pass (though simulating a not-uncommon type of crash in the real world). During the test, the structure of the collapsed car broke through to the liquid-cooled battery pack. The batteries were not discharged after the test, as General Motors protocol specified. The car was then rotated 360 degrees, slowly, to simulate a rollover. This allowed coolant from a burst coolant line to drain onto a printed circuit board on top of the battery pack, according to General Motors. Later, after the car was left out in the cold, the coolant crystallized, creating a short in the circuit that provided a path for the battery’s energy to run away. This overheated the battery pack by allowing it to drain too quickly and caused the fire. General Motors recalled Volts to beef up the car’s structure surrounding the battery pack to reduce the possibility of intrusion and add safety systems to the battery coolant system. Case closed. Related: GM announces upgrades to Chevrolet Volt to address fire concerns Chevrolet Volt battery fix reportedly in works GM offers to buy back Volts if owners fear battery fires NHTSA launches safety investigation following Chevrolet Volt battery fires Owner satisfaction: Chevrolet Volt narrowly edges out Dodge Challenger & Porsche 911 See original here: Case closed: NHTSA ends Chevrolet Volt fire investigation

As expected early this 2012 year, automakers posted some very optimistic sales numbers for the United States marketplace for 2011. A place where consumers still love their cars, 2011 provided an excellent year for North American car fans. No other time in the North American auto industry has motorists been able to explore so much freedom and choice. In only three years, the American auto industry has turned from forecasted shambles to a rosier, settled environment. Hitting Chrysler and General Motors in the most severe manner, no major auto company was truly immune to the economic troubles started in late 2008. Similar to reaction from the global banking and financial sector, it wasn’t until a key period where the public truly understood until bankruptcy papers were being filed. The combination of troubled business models and customers losing access to money or car loans needed for purchases led to a disappointing start of the 2009 calendar year. Between seven major automakers selling vehicles in the United States (GM, Ford, Chrysler, Nissan, Honda, Toyota and Hyundai/Kia), auto sales amounted to 9,124,380 cars in all of 2009 (5,145,746 units lower than just two years prior). It was only through a United States government sponsored new car purchase program that the tides began to reverse. Known as “ Cash for Clunkers ,” motorists were able to trade in an old vehicle for a guaranteed trade-in credit. After the 12 months of 2011, the same seven automakers have steadily performed better than the disastrous 2009 auto sales year. When the 2011 year ended, 10,987,403 were sold by the seven high volume automakers in the United States. Up 20.4 percent from 2009, the 2011 results continued the gains made after 2010 as some elements of the economy recuperated. Recognizing there is so many reasons to celebrate the improvement of the North American motor vehicle industry, the recent auto sale numbers indicating positive momentum from dismal 2009 figures have shown that the current car business is far from past glory.   The Detroit Three   For automakers Chrysler, Ford and General Motors, six years have seen once-proclaimed Big Three transform into the more modest moniker Detroit Three. In 2005, General Motors led United States car sales handsomely...

Amazed. Flabbergasted. What other way is there to describe the ongoing situation at Saab? The company has fought tooth-and-nail for its survival over the past few years. Last year the final straw arrived when production came to a halt in Trollhattan. The Saab team tried over and over to secure new funding, but the company fell into bankruptcy. The reason it headed for bankruptcy and not purchase though was General Motors’ refusal to let any intellectual property fall into the hands of the Chinese. With warranty service suspended, sale of “as is” cars has begun at Saab dealers all over the country. Saab fans haven’t given up though. Comments in support of Saab have flooded General Motors’ Facebook page and fans are now holding rallies all over the world. We reported on that earlier this week – a “We are Saab” rally in the Netherlands turned out a remarkable amount of people . There is still a lot of goodwill and a rabid Saab fan base out there. The problem is they just don’t seem to buy any cars…but, we digress. Reuters reports that Youngman is preparing a new, $1 billion bid for Saab. The purchase would be for the company in an intact form, and it would aim to avoid IP issues with GM. Instead of trying to continue with the most recent GM-developed 9-5 and 9-4X, Youngman would try to get permission to continue with the older 9-3. Sources say the 9-3 would resume production at the Trollhattan plant 15 weeks after the signing of a deal. This means that Saab would have to soldier on just one product, the aged 9-3, until the new 9-3 arrives. In order to see the next-generation through to production, Youngman would have to put a significant amount of money behind the car and its Phoenix platform. It’s a risky plan, and given Saab’s history we aren’t getting our hopes up. The only thing that looks feasible based on this deal is a China-focused operation. The U.S-dealer network is dying off and we don’t see how it will survive until the arrival of any new product. Also the Saab name is very damaged here. These are all obstacles Youngman apparently thinks they can overcome. They better be well-funded or we’re going to have a repeat of this whole scenario again. That’s all if...

You have until noon this Friday (6:00 a.m., Eastern Standard Time) to drive away with a piece of Saab history—or at least bid on it. As part of Saab’s bankruptcy proceedings , tenders (monetary offers) are being accepted on the approximate 120 cars in the Saab Museum collection in Trollhattan, Sweden. The 1946 prototype of the first Saab car, the UrSaab (“the original Saab” in Swedish), is one of the cars being offered in what is called a “tender process,” similar to an auction. UrSaab production began in December 1949 at the Trollhattan factory–the same town where the museum cars are now being liquidated. The streamlined design of the UrSaab was inspired by the company’s origins as an airplane manufacturer. In the late 1930s, Saab planes flew over the town of Trollhattan and a decade later, its cars roamed the streets inspiring locals to join this expanding company. Native-son Erik Carlsson was one, as he grew up to become a champion driver and later brand ambassador for the company. Some of the cars he raced are being sold, including the Saab 96 V4 that he piloted in the 1970 Baja 1000, his last competitive rally event. Carlsson is known as “Mr. Saab” with his name on the recent 9-3 Aero Carlsson and a special Carlsson edition of the Saab 96, a car that he raced to rally victories. Now in his 80s, Carlsson still participates in Saab activities. He appeared last weekend at a gathering of Saab supporters in Cranfield, England – one of the over 110 “ We are many. We are Saab ” meetings organized by Outside Saab . Saab supporters convened in more than 45 countries, circling their Saab wagons (and other models) to express their support for the company. Saab owners have a reputation for being an exclusive crowd with a brand devotion known as “Saabery,” a nickname that points to owner zeal and even pedigree. For instance, the blue Saab 96 Monte Carlo V4 (year 1967) museum car listed in the liquidation was once the car of royal auto enthusiast Sweden’s Prince Bertil. Prince Bertil also owned a 1956 Chevrolet Corvette , personally combining Saab and General Motors interests years before GM’s acquisition. If your tastes are more for mail vans than monarchy, check out...

Customer retention is a huge focus in the automotive world — in fact, earlier this week at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show, General Motors’ Mark Reuss listed it among his top three priorities*. However, two recent studies show that Ford and Hyundai currently do the best job of keeping customers in the fold. The Polk Automotive Loyalty Awards for model… More:  Ford, Hyundai Ace Loyalty Studies From Polk, J.D. Power

As one of the most important auto shows of the year takes place in Detroit, the need for brands to create a meaningful impression on the forward-thinking automotive market is paramount. For at least one company, their work in acquainting customers to once advanced producted started a week earlier. Prior to showcasing this year’s automotive innovations, General Motors brand Chevrolet had issued an important remedy the 2011 North American International Auto Show‘s Car of the Year, the Chevrolet Volt. Currently the only plug-in hybrid vehicle in the United States marketplace, the Chevrolet Volt was put under investigation last year by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in regards to a battery fire risk. Originating from a fire at the vehicle holding area of the NHTSA, the cause was linked to a Chevrolet Volt that was administered a side-impact pole test weeks before. It was assessed that a coolant link caused by a broken line led to the overheating and sparking o lithium-ion battery pack. In November of 2011, the NHTSA announced they had recreated the fire under lab conditions using the identical perimeters that caused the June fire. Just in time to save General Motors’ corporate assembly in Detroit some headaches of having to answer repeated questions on the Chevrolet Volt’s post-crash fire risk, the company’s engineering team provided a multi-prong fix for the car. The first solution is to construct a more comprehensive structural assembly around the Volt’s battery pack. Second and third modifications strengthening the Volt plug-in hybrid focuses on the battery’s cooling system. A new sensor will be added to the battery cooling supply to monitor fluid levels. Finally, a temper-resistant bracket is added to the battery coolant reservoir of the Chevrolet Volt protecting against the potential of coolant fluid overfill.     Quick to resolve the problem, the new modifications to Volt’s electrical powertrain hardware has already been tested. Four Chevrolet Volts featuring the enhanced crash protection were crash tested through the month of December. With no coolant leak or fires erupting from the collision aftermath, General Motors is confident they have successfully resolved the issue. Chevrolet Volt owners will...

Buick has completed a remarkable transformation in just a few short years. The Buick today is nothing like the brand was just five years ago. Few companies are able to complete a turnaround so quickly. Generation X and Y are considering Buick when they never thought they would. The transformation began with the Buick Enclave, and it is has spread to the LaCrosse, Regal and Verano. Now the Encore joins the fray – an offering courtesy of General Motors’ international operations. Buick and Opel are pretty much sharing partners now, and this is the result of it. Small Buicks! Who would have ever thought? The Encore is probably considered a subcompact – it is a category many manufacturers thought buyers in the United state would never be interested in. Buick is taking the initiative by introducing the first luxurious small crossover of this size in the U.S. At 168.5 inches long, with an 100.6-inch wheelbase, the Encore is smaller than even the Verano. There are only a few ways you can shape an CUV of this size, and Buick has done its best to make the Encore stylish. The signature waterfall grille, blue-ringed headlights and portholes are all here. Buick’s styling stands out in the market. The interior shown in the photos is gorgeous, finished in a two-tone leather combination called Saddle. The colors, stitching, lighting and wood work together so well. It is very rich looking and distinctive from what other manufacturers are doing. We like it Buick. Unique colors and trim are really having an emphasis put on them at GM, and particularly at Buick and Cadillac. Less visible is a more advanced version of Buick’s “QuietTuning” technology. In the past it has involved things like acoustic glass and sound deadening stuffed everywhere (very scientific, we know). This time though there is an active component; microphones in the ceiling that detect engine noise, which are processed by a computer. Counteracting (inaudible) sound waves are then pumped through the Encore’s speakers and subwoofers. This helps mute the sound of the engine. Its a first for Buick, and expect this to spread to other cars in the lineup. Speaking of engine sounds, the Encore is motivated by a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder making 140 horsepower and...

After brief opening remarks from General Motors CEO Dan Akerson, head of design Ed Welburn, and President of GM North America Mark Reuss at the College for Creative Studies, America’s biggest automaker dropped the sheets off the Cadillac of compacts — the 2013 ATS ahead of tomorrow’s Detroit Auto Show . More » View original post here:  2013 Cadillac ATS: 2012 Detroit Auto Show Live Photos [Detroit Auto Show] See original here:  2013 Cadillac ATS: 2012 Detroit Auto Show Live Photos [Detroit Auto Show]

The most common complaint about the much-loved Hyundai Veloster is its relative lack of power. No more. Behold the Hyundai Veloster Turbo , which now offers 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque from their turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine. Mini, they’re coming for ya. More » Read more:  2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo: 45% More Power, Fun [Detroit Auto Show] See the original post here:  2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo: 45% More Power, Fun [Detroit Auto Show]

Like to cook? Here’s the recipe for a Volkswagen E-Bugster concept. You’ll have to build one at home if you’re interested—having an assembly line and a few experienced friends around would help—because it’s not going to be offered in stores. Keep Reading: Volkswagen E-Bugster Concept – Auto Shows Read the original here: Volkswagen Debuts E-Bugster Concept: A Chopped-Top Beetle EV View original post here: Volkswagen Debuts E-Bugster Concept: A Chopped-Top Beetle EV

General Motors has done a stellar job of bringing the Cadillac brand back from the brink of death. The Art & Science design language — now ten years old — still seems fresh, new and young in an absolutely American way. The upgraded interiors finally make you feel like you might actually be sitting in a real luxury vehicle. More » Here is the original post: 2013 Cadillac ATS: Suck It, Germany [Detroit Auto Show] View post:  2013 Cadillac ATS: Suck It, Germany [Detroit Auto Show]

If you’ve never heard of an Isuzu Bellel, don’t worry you’re in good company. Although these little Isuzus were the first diesel car in Japan and sport one of the coolest set of taillights we’ve ever laid eyes on, they were never officially imported to the US. Accordingly not many people have ever seen or heard of the handful of Bellels that made it over here back in the 1960s. More » Read the original: Ultra rare Isuzu Bellel project for sale on Ebay [Found On EBay] Read more from the original source: Ultra rare Isuzu Bellel project for sale on Ebay [Found On EBay]

When General Motors and Chrysler went through their restructuring (ahem, bankruptcy) processes, a key point was making sure these companies would be sustainable with lower overall industry sales. While market share for American companies has been on the rise, usually there isn’t wild swings. Point being – 18 percent of the market at 16 million units overall is a whole lot different figure than 18 percent of the market at 10.9 million units. And, that is exactly what happened during the depths of the U.S market crisis; at one point, 16 million new vehicles a year were sold in the United States. With those numbers you can see the magnitude of the issues these companies were facing. For 2011, automotive sales are set to check in at around 12.7-12.8 million units, a strong increase over 2010′s levels. Thanks to a reduction in overhead costs, GM and Ford have now become nicely profitable at these levels. Imagine what kind of figures they will be posting as the market recovers! According to Automotive News , industry sources are saying the industry is gaining momentum, and that sales in 2012 could be on track to hit up to 14 million (average is 13.6 million). Prognostications for that rise are coming despite a lot of headwinds that could be facing the U.S economy next year. According to the four firms analyzing the market, auto buyers in the U.S are becoming desensitized to bad news. As an example, when the Dow Jones plummeted 1,500 points this year during the debt ceiling debate, car sales remained steady. Factors like an aging fleet and easier credit are pushing sales upward despite headwinds. It’ll be interesting to see what 2012 holds. For one thing, there is a lot of exciting new debuts. After a lot going on in 2010, 2011 was kind of a down year in terms of new models. That could have a lot to do with it. Analysts have been wrong many times before, but this is one prediction that seems realistic. Related posts: Chevrolet Announces Record Sales For First Half of Year Grey Market Petition Fails, Mercedes-Benz Behind Decades Old Restriction Toyota’s Hybrid Hustle: Now Three Million Vehicles Strong Automoblog.net – A Car Blog for Auto Enthusiasts See the original post:  Cha Ching: U.S Auto Market Could Rise To 13.6 Million Units Next...