Keema News - Sep 2009

Hyundai Motor Company, the world's fifth-largest automobile group, joined leading global automakers to urge governments, energy companies and other organisations to develop easily accessible and affordable hydrogen infrastructure to ensure the successful introduction of fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) into the global marketplace.

Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation., Daimler AG, Ford Motor Company, General Motors Corporation / Opel, Honda Motor Company, Ltd., the alliance Renault SA and Nissan Motor Corporation and Toyota Motor Corporation announced on Wednesday that they had signed a joint Letter of Understanding addressed to all oil and energy companies and government organisations. The letter calls on these organisations to propel the development of hydrogen refuelling stations in each region, ahead of the carmakers' launch of FCEVs.

"A hydrogen infrastructure network with sufficient density is required by 2015," the automakers said in a joint press release. "The network should be built-up from metropolitan areas via corridors into area-wide coverage." The companies "strongly support the idea of building-up a hydrogen infrastructure in Europe, with Germany as starting point and at the same time developing similar concepts for the market penetration of hydrogen infrastructure in other regions of the world, with one US market, Japan and Korea as further starting points," according to the joint release.

Hyundai's FCEV program has been gaining momentum with plans in place to start limited series production by 2012. Hyundai plans to expand its demonstrator fleet of FCEVs to 200 units by 2010, including SUVs and city buses; then slowly ramp up production starting in 2012.

FCEVs are part of Hyundai's "Blue Drive" strategy, an eco-initiative which will bring to market a range of eco-friendly products and technologies designed to reduce CO₂ emissions and improve fuel efficiency. Hyundai will introduce four Blue Drive models at the upcoming 2009 IAA in Frankfurt where the company has created a special Blue Drive Zone to exhibit a wide array of its new eco-friendly technologies and products. There will be a world debut of the ix-Metro, a daring new Hybrid Electric CUV for the European sub-B segment which promises CO₂ emissions of just 80g/km.

The other world debut will be the i10 Electric, a zero emissions urban commuter vehicle. There will also be the Elantra LPI Hybrid and the Blue Will Plug-In Hybrid Electric concept vehicle on display. The Elantra LPI HEV is the world's first hybrid electric vehicle to be powered by liquid petroleum gas and the first production car to be powered by advanced lithium ion polymer batteries (LiPoly).

Lastly, a new Blue edition of Hyundai's highly popular i30, designed in Germany and built in the Czech Republic, will debut in Frankfurt. It features fuel-saving stop-and-go emissions reduction technology. The i30 1.6 CRDi with ISG generates just 113g/km of CO₂.

At the Frankfurt Auto Show, Hyundai Motor Company unveiled two important eco-friendly cars that display its commitment to improve energy efficiency and to lower the greenhouse gas emissions of its vehicles.

Making its world debut was the ix-Metro, a daring new Hybrid Electric CUV, initially slated for the European market. Emitting just 80g/km of CO, the ix-Metro is powered by an inline three-cylinder petrol engine displacing just one litre. Direct injection, dual CVVT and turbocharging are combined with a six-speed dual clutch transmission, creating a highly potent compact package. It's the fifth in a series of concept cars to be created by the Global Design Team in Namyang, Korea.

The other global premiere was the i10 Electric, a production-ready zero emissions vehicle. Powered by a 49kW engine and a 16kW hour battery, the i10 Electric promises a driving range of 160km and a top speed of 130km/h. It features x-by-wire systems for steering, air conditioning, water pump and the brake vacuum pump*. Limited series production will start in Korea in 2010 for pilot fleet demonstration purposes with government ministries, utilities and related agencies. Both vehicles were displayed in the 'Blue Drive Zone' of Hyundai's Frankfurt Show stand.

In his address to the audience which gathered to catch the unveiling of the two concept cars, Hyundai Vice Chairman Euisun Chung said: "Blue Drive is all about bold new thinking, about listening more carefully to what consumers are saying and what they really want. Our declared goal is bold: It's to be the industry's eco-leader."

Also in the specially designated Blue Drive Zone were the Elantra LPI Hybrid and the Blue Will Plug-In Hybrid Electric concept vehicle. The Elantra LPI is the world's first hybrid electric vehicle using liquid petroleum gas (autogas). With remarkably low CO emissions (94g/km), it's also the first production car in the world to be powered by advanced lithium ion polymer batteries.

A new Blue edition of Hyundai's highly popular i30 - designed in Germany and built in the Czech Republic - was another highlight of the Blue Drive Zone. Featuring fuel-saving stop-and-go emissions reduction technology, the ISG system contributes to a reduction of seven per cent in fuel consumption and vehicle emissions on the official European combined cycle, compared to standard cars. Tests have revealed a drop in CO emissions of up to 15 per cent in heavily congested traffic.

Visitors to the Hyundai Stand at Frankfurt were the first to get a closer look at the ix35, the European version of the all-new Tucson ix that made its debut in the Korean market last month. Designed in Europe and destined to be built in Europe and Korea, the ix35 is the first production vehicle embodying Hyundai's new 'fluidic sculpture' design language. It's fitted with the all-new R 2.0 diesel and six-speed automatic transmission.

Also on display was the new 2010 Santa Fe, which will provide fresh momentum to the CUV sector. It's fitted with a 2.2 litre version of Hyundai's R-series diesel and comes with the option of six-speed auto transmission.

*Note: x-by-wire (or drive-by-wire) technology replaces the traditional mechanical and hydraulic control systems with electronic control systems. Safety and ergonomics can be greatly improved by using such technology.

Seoul: Hyundai Motor Company's all-new mid-sized sedan has made its international debut in the South Korean domestic market. The car will be released in Australia in coming months, and expectations are high that it will shake up the sedan segment with its daring new design.

The car, code-named YF, adopts Hyundai's new 'fluidic sculpture' design language and boasts outstanding performance with segment-leading advanced safety features and exceptional fuel efficiency.

YF will replace the current Sonata in South Korea and will inherit its nameplate in that market. The all-new vehicle was designed through a collaboration between the Namyang and the Californian design studios over four years at a cost equivalent to approximately $AUD 428 million.

Six airbags, ESP stability control, Brake Assist and Hill-start Assist Control are all standard, resulting in world-class occupant protection that meets (or exceeds) stringent global safety standards. Additionally, the new sedan is built with hot-stamped ultra-high-strength steel to optimise the efficient design imperatives of increased structural strength and reduced weight.

"Hyundai's new mid-size sedan will without doubt be an exceptional car, with impeccable engineering credentials and elegant design that's sure to attract new customers to the Hyundai brand," said Kevin McCann, Hyundai Motor Company Australia's Director of Sales and Marketing. "With its exciting new design and class-leading features, it will consolidate Hyundai's move into the top tier of volume brands in Australia."

Nissan plant in U.S. starts production on engine for Infiniti QX56 manufactured in Japan

Nissan's powertrain assembly plant in Decherd, Tenn., today produced the first engine

that will be exported to Japan for assembly in the next-generation Infiniti QX56 luxury fullsize

sport utility vehicle. This marks the first time a Nissan plant in the United States has

exported an engine to Japan.

"For 12 years, technicians at Nissan's Decherd plant have consistently built high-quality

engines for vehicles assembled in the United States," said Rick Youngblood, director and

plant manager, Nissan - Decherd. "This confirms our ongoing commitment to quality and

provides tremendous satisfaction knowing this engine will be in an Infiniti vehicle made in

Japan and sold around the world."

The engine is a 5.6-liter, V8 with 320 hp and 393 lb-ft. of torque. It is similar to the engine

currently offered in the Nissan Titan pickup and Armada full-size SUV. Nissan's Decherd

plant is producing the engine head, cylinder block and crankshaft for the V8 engine. The

head, cylinder block and crankshaft also will be exported to Japan and used for an engine

assembled in the Nissan Patrol full-size sport utility vehicle.

"The V8 engine built in Decherd has played a key role in the success of our full-size

product lineup in North America," said Gary Edwards, director of Engineering. "It's

exciting to know the technicians and the engine and parts they build will play an important

part in the future of Nissan on a global basis."

Nissan's decision to export the engine was based largely on the Decherd plant's

competitive ability to produce the engine for the world market. In addition, tooling is

already in place at the Decherd facility avoiding a transition period required to move and

install the manufacturing equipment in Japan.

The engine will be shipped to Nissan's Shatai Kyushu Manufacturing Plant where it will be

assembled in the QX56. The engine head, cylinder block and crankshaft will be sent to a

Nissan plant in Yokohama, Japan where it will be assembled and put in the Nissan Patrol.

21 September 2009

In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer

and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is

dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program 2010, whose key

priorities are reducing CO2 emissions, cutting other emissions and increasing recycling.

More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti

vehicles can be found online at www.NissanUSA.com and www.InfinitiUSA.com.

4.8 Litres per KM means a lot to many of us, but what does it really mean to you? The Suzuki Alto reviews have been stunning with some very impressive fuel economies toted, but what does it mean ? We sent the Suzuki ALTO to Sydney to show just that....

No doubt you have seen some of the Media reviews that report 3.5 Litres per km or better on the new Suzuki Alto. But can you really visualise how this compares to your current vehicle, or what it means in respect to your weekly spend ?

Instead of merely standing behind figures,albeit impressive ones, Suzuki Auto Co, put the vehicle to the test and sent it Sydney bound. The following article from John Daffy, one of the drivers, tells the story, suffice to say that the Suzuki Alto completed 920kms in34.47 litres.That's just more than 5cents a km and with change from a $50 note, they made it from Brisbane to Sydney. Read below or check out the same story on facebookhttp://www.facebook.com/business/dashboard/#/note.php?note_id=130085098762&ref=mf-

SUZUKI ALTO - BRISBANE TO SYDNEY

ON LESS THAN ONE 35 LITRE TANK

By John Daffy

It's 4 a.m. the alarm rings. Not happy. Late night trying to claw back some Backgammon points from the neighbours, not as much as sleep as needed and time to head to Suzuki Auto Co. to collect the spritely Suzuki Alto for a Brisbane to Sydney fuel trial.

The challenge- Brisbane to Sydney on one tank of petrol noting that the tank of the diminutive Alto is only 35 litres.

Fot the pre-metric folks, that's 7.67 gallons.

(I couldn't help but wish for a few more litres just to take the knife edge off the challenge -the mind turned to the old GT Phase II Falcon piloted from lap two to race victory at Bathurst in 1970 that had a 164 litre tank or 36 gallons).

5.15 a.m. depart Brisbane - more traffic than I had expected for a trip calculated to be 920km from Eagle Farm on Brisbane's northside to a significantn Sydney landmark where we would not cause a traffic accident if we ran out of fuel. Westfield Shopping Centre at Hornsby - that's the go.

6 a.m. Hello co-driver Mike Turner and goodbye Coomera. Several handfuls of competitive outings in a variety of racing motorcycle, karts and cars had proved one thing - if you start fast, you finish fast; if you start slow, you finish slow. Surely if we started economically, we would finish economically?

Ultra-smooth cornering lines so as to not to wash off speed, read the traffic at least a kilometre ahead to pace the conditions - you get the idea.

The Alto has a digital fuel gauge which proved to be excruciatingly accurate. What ever happened to a bit of grace? Ten little marks - later to become affectionately known as "men" stood between Brisbane, Sydney and success. If they bite the dust - game over - we lose.

12.20 p.m. Around seven hours later five men down, five remaining and 492km covered in the first stint. Looking good for 984km and success. Highest speed was 107km/h and the moving average was 73.7km/h thanks to an endless string of road works in northern NSW.

A few minutes later, 500km down, 5 bottles of water down, five fuel men down. The long grass is strung through the three-stand-barbed wire fences at the side of the road - evidence of the relatively recent floods. Five tactical response four-wheel drives and two police bikes fly past in the opposite direction. Can't help but think they'd make the perfect escort heading the opposite way.

12.50 p.m. The mental arithmetic challenges start kicking in big time. We need to have four fuel men when we have 300km to go. That way I'll be comfortable.

1.14 p.m. Hastings - 562km down , six men down 358km to go and an average speed of 74.2km/h - will the road works ever stop? Zones of 40km/h, 50km/h 60km/h - sometimes for 30km continuously, but it looks like it is going to be a great road when finished.

1.45 p.m. 600km down, 320 km to go and four fuel men still with us. Excellent. Best news all day.We're a "definite maybe" to succeed.

2.10 p.m. Just 25 minutes later and we go from the penthouse to the dog house. We lose a man crossing a bridge. Where did he go? Did he jump into the river below: Damn - we've now got 290km to go and only three men on the fuel gauge. This is going to be tight. We need around 100km from each man and that hasn't been happening.

2.35 p.m. We overtakea haul truck and dog trailer at Talawahl Creek(but admittedly, the truck had just pulled out on to the highway). Three quaint names slip by - Possum Brush Road, Bullocky Creek - 654km into the trip. We've still go three fuel men.

2.50 p.m. Heartbreak- 699km down, we lose another fuel man. The score: 219 to go and only two men. Again, we're on the one man per 100km threat.Speed average just on 75km/h - perhaps the road works are assisting our economy more than hindering?

4.20 p.m. A red light - damn. 784km down but still two men. Surely the second last man is getting tired?

4.50 p.m. The nervousness increases - bang. Another man disappears off the screen as if taken out in a game of Space Invaders.Fuel warning light comes on - this is going to be tight. We've gone from a "definite maybe" of achieving the goal, to a potential fall just before the finish line. We've seen it in Olympic marathons - a full body melt down within sight of the finish line. Living cruelty.101km to go- is this last man standing going to be an Anzac or a tail end batsman? Orange warning light comes on and now the last man starts flashing. Only a big toe now caressing the accelerator - perfect timing needed to catch the green lights, perfect timing to cruise effortlessly around the roundabouts without stopping.

5.50 p.m. He's still there flashing. This can't be good. 100km already from our last batsman - what a hero.

6 p.m. Berowra Waters Road - well - that's kind of Sydney, but still 10km short of our target. Was that a fuel cough from our little Alto? Does the engine sound a littler harsher to you Mike? Soldier on - it's a showdown.

6.10 p.m. How did he stay on the gauge for another 10 minutes? This is 100 runs from Brett Lee. 915.5km on the clock. C'mon Brett - smack a four and we're home.

6.13 p.m. The BP next to the Westfield Shopping Centre at Hornsby.12 hours and 11 minutes down, averagetravelling speed 74km/h.920.5kmon one tank of fuel. We win the ashes with a medicine glass of fuel left up our sleeve.

The Fuel Economy Ashes are ours.