For a company that is in trouble, you have to admire how their branches are trying to weather the storm. General Motors has been in the news lately and has been reportedly experiencing turbulence in the financial world but don’t tell that to their Australian branch which is launching a new line of vehicles carrying the EcoLine title.

The EcoLine vehicles will highlight the companies use of alternative fuels, fuel saving technology, and hybrid and electric models. Initially, the EcoLine of vehicles will include diesels, liquified petroleum cars, and vehicles with active fuel management systems that can cut power to cylinders to save gas. In 2010, Holden will introduce an E85 vehicles into its lineup.

But the big news is that GM’s Holden group will introduce the extended range Chevy Volt electric vehicle in Australia in 2012. The Australian automotive market appears to be behind most of the world in terms of advanced engines and low emissions. The technologies introduced by the EcoLine such as E85, cylinder deactivation, advanced diesels, are all available in the U.S. and most have been for years.

Australia’s demand for fuel efficient vehicles may be behind the times, but a Chevy Volt will be a big step towards lower emissions and acceptance of hybrid and electric vehicles in the country.

(Source) All Cars Electric

Tags: alternative fuels, automotive market, chevy volt, country source, cylinder deactivation, diesels, e85 vehicles, electric models, electric vehicle, electric vehicles, emissions, fuel efficient vehicles, fuel management systems, fuel saving, General Motors, GM, holden, liquified petroleum, turbulence, volt electric

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Here is an off-roader which barely made it to the Geneva Motor Show this year. An obvious sight to behold considering most cars presented this year catered more towards the compact and hybrid cars, the Skoda Yeti is a more capable off-roader thanks to the option of four-wheel-drive.

The Yeti escapes looking either aggressive or utilitarian. Inside, the smart, upmarket dashboard continues the theme. In the back is a set of three removable, sliding rear seats.

The engine range includes a surprisingly muscular and efficient 1.2 turbocharged petrol unit, as per the new VW Polo, and a 1.8 petrol turbo. The diesels are three 2.0s of differing boost, the top one running to 170bhp.
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Tags: Dashboard, diesels, four wheel drive, geneva motor, hybrid cars, new vw polo, skoda yeti

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Toyota will be having its own vehicle for the foreign market that is expected to upstage the Bugatti Veyron Cenenaire Edition. The vehicle is the Toyota Verso MPV which will make its debut at the Geneva Motor Show.

Aside from being more boring than damp dirt, the Verso is a seven passenger mini-minivan based on the Corolla chassis and powered by a 1.6 and 1.8 liter gasoline engines or 2.0 and 2.4 liter diesels, all mated to a six-speed automatic gauranteed to strangle any pretense of driver involvement.

All dimensions have been increased and fold flat seats have been engineered to make storing large cargo easier. May God have mercy on your soul if you’re actually interested in this vehicle.

(Source) Channel 4

Tags: bugatti veyron, chassis, corolla, diesels, gasoline engines, geneva motor, god have mercy, Minivan, Toyota, toyota verso mpv

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Driving around in a Mercedes Benz while on vacation may be the icing on the cake make that getaway complete. And Mercedes-Benz has added a new incentive for Mercedes-Benz owners by launching the Destinations Program.

The Destinations program is available exclusively to Mercedes-Benz owners and includes room upgrades and on-site hospitality credits for restaurants and spas, in addition to Mercedes-Benz vehicles for test drives, complimentary use, and courtesy shuttles during their stay.

Mercedes-Benz vehicles at each property will range from a SL 63 AMG performance roadster to the flagship S-Class sedan and new BlueTEC SUVs, one of the world’s cleanest, state-of-the-art diesels.

Each Mercedes-Benz is equipped with an in-dash navigation system that uses Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites to determine the car location, a useful feature for guests touring on their vacation.

“Our customers choose Mercedes-Benz vehicles because they want an exceptional and luxurious experience when they travel by car,” said Lisa Holladay, manager of Mercedes-Benz brand experience marketing. “Our new Destinations program extends that luxury experience by offering exclusive customer benefits through select, hand-picked properties that are quite extraordinary.”

(Source) Press

Tags: bluetec, brand experience, diesels, luxury experience, mercedes benz vehicles, Mercedes-Benz, roadster

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Using its so-called “clean-diesel” as its carrying mark for marketing its 2009 Mercedes Benz ML320 Blue Tec, this classic car brand is certainly touting diesel power as a solution towards wiser motoring today. They claim that their BlueTEC diesel engines are the cleanest diesels ever produced for the passenger car market.

There’s nothing new about the usage of diesel engines in passenger cars, certainly not in Europe where they outnumber gasoline engines. What’s new and exciting in the Mercedes-Benz stable of oil burners is the trickle-down of BlueTEC diesel technology from their commercial truck line to select offerings in their passenger car/SUV field.

(Source) Auto 123

Tags: bluetec diesel, classic car, clean diesel, diesel engines, diesel power, diesel technology, diesels, gasoline engines, mercedes benz ml320, Mercedes-Benz, oil burners, passenger car market, passenger cars

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