William Maley

William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com December 20, 2011 If you were thinking about stopping by your nearest Saab dealer to get a steal on a new 9-5, you might want to hear this. Automotive News reports Saab Cars North America issued the following statement: "Warranty coverage is suspended indefinitely for all new Saab vehicles sold. During this period, the warranty booklet must be removed from the owner information packet. For any vehicle sold or leased during this period, the customer should be affirmatively advised that the vehicle does not carry any warranty coverage and is sold 'as is.' " Saab Cars North America also told Automotive News that they have suspended processing and payment of all claims, which include: New-car warranties Powertrain warranties Emission warranties Parts warranty Safety belts, airbags Towing Recalls and campaigns Certified pre-owned coverage Goodwill No charge maintenance The question now being asked if this suspension is permanent or temporary. The answer will likely be decided when Saab goes through bankruptcy proceedings. Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required) UPDATE - GM announced they will extend warranty coverage for owners of Saab vehicle built before February 2010. "In the event Saab cannot or will not fulfill its obligations to administer the warranty programs with its U.S. and Canadian dealers through Saab Cars North America or otherwise, GM will take necessary steps to ensure that remaining warranty obligations on Saab vehicles marketed by GM in the United States and Canada will be honored," said GM Spokesman Jim Cain. Source: The Detroit News View full article

With Saab heading into bankruptcy, companies are coming in to snap up pieces of the brand. Hans Bergqvist, the administrator in charge of liquidating Saab told Swedish publication NyTeknik that many companies are interested in Saab's assets. Berggvist did confirmed that one of the companies interested is Youngman Automotive. This should come as no surprise as the company tried to save Saab until the last minute and has invested tens of millions of euros to help pay for wages and taxes. A spokesman for the company said that it was primarily interested in the Phoenix platform that would have underpinned the next-generation 9-3 and possibly other technologies that didn't involve GM. But there is another party that is also interested in Saab's assets, the Turkish government. Turkey has numerous auto factories on its territory; Fiat, Renault, Toyota, Ford, and Hyundai all build cars there. But Turkey doesn't have their own brand. Buying up some of Saab's assets could help the country begin building their own car. According to the report, the Turkish Embassy was in contact the ministry talking about Saab. Source: NyTeknik View full article

William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com December 19, 2011 Alongside the new SL, Mercedes-Benz is showing two E-Class hybrids at next months Detroit Auto Show. The first hybrid is the North America only E400 Hybrid. The E400 Hybrid is powered by Mercedes’ 3.5L V6 (302 HP and 273 lb-ft) mated to a electric motor (27 HP and 184 lb-ft) in the gearbox. Horsepower is 329 and torque is a very healthy 457 lb-ft. That gives the E400 Hybrid a 0-60 time of 6.7 seconds and a top speed of 130 MPH. The second hybrid is the E300 Bluetec hybrid, which uses a 2.1L four-cylinder diesel engine (201 HP and 369 lb-ft) and the electric motor from the E400. Ratings for the E300 Bluetec hybrid stand at 228 HP and 553 lb-ft of torque. 0-60 for the E300 Bluetec hybrid takes 7.5 seconds and can reach a top speed of 150 MPH. Both hybrids come with 0.8-kWh lithium-ion battery that provide the power for the electric motor and provide an all-electric range of less than a mile at speeds below 35 mph. Other fuel-saving features include optimized aerodynamics, automatic stop/start, brake energy regeneration, low-rolling-resistance tires, and a “sailing mode” that decouples the engine from the gearbox on a trailing throttle at speeds up to 100 MPH. Source: Autoweek Press Release is on Page 2 Mercedes-Benz launches hybrid offensive The world's most economical luxury-class model Mercedes-Benz E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID: 4.2 l of diesel/100 km, 109 g of CO2/km Mercedes-Benz E 400 HYBRID: fuel economy of 27 mpg More torque and performance without compromising on space and usable boot volume Available in Saloon and Estate versions (E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID) Modular hybrid concept using lithium-ion batteries Reduction in CO2 emissions and fuel consumption of around 15 percent compared with the E 250 CDI Impressive driving experience thanks to start/stop function, regenerative braking, boost effect, purely electric motoring and "sailing" function Mercedes-Benz is opening a new chapter in its brand's core segment and at the same time setting new standards for luxury-class business vehicles: the E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID, available as a Saloon and Estate, impresses with new record values when it comes to efficiency. It boasts exemplary consumption levels (4.2 l/100 km) as well as impressive performance: the 4-cylinder diesel engine of the E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID has 150 kW (204 hp) and 500 Nm. Combined with an electric motor producing 20 kW and 250 Nm, this results in a coherent overall concept. The E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID is the most economical luxury-class vehicle in the world. The V6-cylinder petrol engine in the E 400 HYBRID produces 225 kW (306 hp) and 370 Nm, and is also supplemented by a further 20 kW and 250 Nm from the electric motor. The consumption figures based on the American CAFE standard are: City 24 mpg, Highway 31 mpg, Combined 27 mpg. "With these two E-Class models we are now continuing our comprehensive hybrid offensive. The modular technology opens up a quick way for us to complement other model series with hybrid models", explains Professor Dr. Thomas Weber, Daimler Board Member for Group Research and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars Development. "With a clear focus on the different requirements of global markets, we are able to offer precisely the models which our customers want. The E-Class hybrids provide a clear reduction in consumption as well as a very impressive driving experience: they represent hybrid motoring at the premium level." The new models do not require their passengers to have to compromise when it comes to space, however, whether in terms of the interior or the luggage compartment. And there are also additional benefits to the intelligent modular hybrid concept, which represents a comprehensive enhancement of the Mercedes-Benz S 400 HYBRID which has advanced to the position of clear market leader since 2009: no changes to the vehicle body are required, the hybrid module is both flexible and modular, thus allowing its use in other model series, and in addition to diesel and petrol variants there will also be right hand drive variants. Meanwhile, the extra cost involved here is only moderate. The new hybrid models will be celebrating their world premiere at the Detroit Motor Show (14 to 22 January 2012) and will appear on the market over the course of the year. The E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID is initially planned to be launched on the European market, while the E 400 HYBRID will be made available on the American market first, followed by other countries such as Japan and China later. Highlights of the E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID at a glance: Compact, intelligent and modular hybrid concept: no changes to the body of the base vehicle are necessary Also available as an Estate Space, safety and comfort remain unchanged No compromises in terms of space, safety and comfort Significant increase in comfort with start/stop operation; noiseless start, complete climatic comfort Top marks for consumption in the luxury-class business vehicle segment: 4.2 litres/100 km, 109 g CO2/km Part of the intelligent downsizing strategy of Mercedes-Benz: increase in the engine output of the E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID with 150 kW + 20 kW electric motor/500 Nm + 250 Nm, compared with the E 250 CDI (150 kW/500 Nm), positioning it at the same level as the E 300 CDI (170 kW/540 Nm) Fuel savings of around 15 percent compared with the E 250 CDI – even in actual road traffic conditions Impressive hybrid driving experience (start/stop function, regenerative braking, boost effect, purely electric motoring and "sailing" function) Highlights of the E 400 HYBRID at a glance: Compact, intelligent and modular hybrid concept: no changes to the body of the base vehicle are necessary No compromises in terms of space, safety and comfort Significant increase in comfort with start/stop operation; noiseless start, complete climatic comfort Consumption combined (CAFE): 27 mpg Part of the intelligent downsizing strategy of Mercedes-Benz: increase in the engine output of the E 400 HYBRID by some 20 kW and 250 Nm thanks to the electric motor Impressive hybrid driving experience (start/stop function, regenerative braking, boost effect, purely electric motoring and "sailing" function) View full article

William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com December 19, 2011 A new study from the University of Michigan says the proposed CAFE standards could actually make new cars larger, not smaller. The study used simulations of 473 different vehicles to figure how automakers could modify vehicle dimensions, implement fuel-saving technology features and trade off performance and fuel economy. Pricing was also taken into account. Their results showed that automakers would increase the size of vehicles to meet CAFE standards instead of adding technologies. “For just about all the scenarios, the car got bigger. What you can model in a computer is different from reality, but based on this research we expect it to happen,” said Steven Skerlos, an associate professor in the U-M Department of Mechanical Engineering. But why are vehicles growing? Well the study points out in 2007, the CAFE standards were revised. One of those changes was a new formula that measures a vehicle’s “footprint,” calculated by multiplying wheelbase by track width. That means larger vehicles have a smaller fuel economy target, giving automakers a loophole. “It’s cheaper to make large vehicles, and meeting fuel-economy standards costs [manufacturers] money in implementing and looking at what consumers will purchase,” said Katie Whitefoot, a researcher involved with the study. The study calls on the US government to revise its formula. Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required) Press Release & Study Result is on Page 2 CAFE standards create profit incentive for larger vehicles Published on Dec 07, 2011 Written by Nicole Casal Moore ANN ARBOR, Mich.-The current Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards create a financial incentive for auto companies to make bigger vehicles that are allowed to meet lower targets, according to a new University of Michigan study. Over their lifetimes, these larger vehicles would generate between three and ten 1,000-megawatt coal-fired power plants' worth of excess carbon emissions. A 1,000-megawatt plant could provide power for more than half a million people. "This study illustrates that there may be a substantial financial incentive to produce larger vehicles, and that it can undermine the goals of the policy," said Kate Whitefoot, who conducted the research as a U-M design science doctoral student and is now a senior program officer at the National Academy of Engineering. "The results show that the policy can be adjusted to reduce these unintended incentives by making it harder to lower the fuel economy targets by producing larger vehicles." The study is published online in Energy Policy. The loophole is the formula for setting mile-per-gallon targets. The standards, which actually depend on the sizes of vehicles automakers produce, are expected to require that firms boost average fuel economy to 35.5 mpg by 2016 and 54.5 mpg by 2025. Those oft-cited numbers are averages. In reality, each car company must meet a different standard each year determined by the literal "footprints" of the vehicles it makes. A vehicle's footprint is its track width times its wheelbase. According to the study, the sales-weighted average vehicle size in 2014 could increase by 1 to 16 square feet, undermining fuel economy improvements between 1 and 4 mpg. That means the industry as a whole would not achieve that year's fuel economy goal. "We know it's a broad range, but we looked at a large range of possible consumer preferences for vehicle attributes and the answer is probably somewhere in the middle," said Steven Skerlos, an associate professor in the U-M Department of Mechanical Engineering. "Will cars get bigger? Very possibly. Will that lead to more pollution? Yes. And there wasn't an emphasis in the rulemaking process that this could happen." The impetus for the footprint-based formula back in 2006 was to prevent an influx of smaller vehicles, though not necessarily to do the opposite. Critics worried that the previous one-size-fits-all standard unfairly and perhaps dangerously rewarded production of slimmer, lighter vehicles that could put the domestic industry at a disadvantage and drivers at greater risk. The researchers believe the correction overshot its target. They found that light trucks would grow even more than cars, which could yet lead to traffic safety concerns. They call on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to revise the formula. This study was more than just an economic analysis. Whitefoot built a first-of-its-kind model that considered supply and demand but also incorporated engineering tradeoffs that carmakers consider as well as a wide range of possible consumer preferences. They conducted simulations with 473 different vehicles. In the simulations, auto firms could adjust the size of their vehicles, add fuel-saving technologies, balance acceleration performance with fuel economy, and adjust vehicle prices. The result, Skerlos says, is an exciting new framework where economists, environmentalists, engineers and policymakers can work together. "Sustainability is about tradeoffs," Skerlos said. "On the one hand, there's a concern about vehicle size largely driven by safety and the effect on domestic automakers. The adjustment to the CAFE standard tries to achieve high fuel economy while not compromising vehicle size, and the idea here is these things intersect and you have an equivalent of three to 10 coal-fired power plants hidden in that tradeoff." The research is funded by the Michigan Memorial Phoenix Energy Institute and the National Science Foundation. The paper is titled "Design Incentives to Increase Vehicle Size Created from the U.S. Footprint-Based Fuel Economy Standards." View full article

William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com December 19, 2011 Chevrolet has pulled the curtain back on a hotter version of Sonic. The 2013 Sonic RS will make it's official debut at next month's Detroit Auto Show. The Sonic RS differs from the regular Sonic with a new front and rear fascia, rear spoiler, side sills, five-spoke alloy wheels, and a lower, stiffer suspension. Power comes from the Sonic's 1.4L turbo four producing 138 HP and 148 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed manual is standard with a six-speed automatic optional. Inside, the Sonic RS features sport seats, sport steering wheel, aluminum sport pedals, new trim, and gauge cluster treatment. The Sonic RS will also come with Chevrolet's MyLink infotainment system standard. Pricing for the Sonic RS hasn't been announced. The Sonic RS will hit Chevrolet showrooms sometime late next year. Press Release is on Page 2 Turbocharged 2013 Chevrolet Sonic RS Pushes Performance Unique exterior and interior styling, sport-tuned suspension and standard MyLink DETROIT – A hotter Chevrolet Sonic is about to sound off – the 2013 Sonic RS. It goes on sale in late 2012, after making its public debut at the North American International Auto Show Jan. 14-22. The new RS amplifies the Sonic’s youthful style and driving experience with unique exterior and interior features matched with a 138-horsepower (103 kW) Ecotec 1.4L turbo engine. Sonic is the only vehicle in its segment to offer a turbocharged powertrain. “The new Chevrolet Sonic RS pushes Chevrolet’s performance heritage in a new direction, for a new generation of drivers,” said Chris Perry, vice president of Global Chevrolet Marketing. “It takes the Sonic’s great design and latest connectivity features and combines them with a more performance-oriented look and feel.” The Sonic RS is offered exclusively in the five-door body style. Chevrolet’s exclusive MyLink infotainment system is standard. It enables navigation directions downloaded through a smart phone to be shown on the radio’s large display, and offers the personalized connectivity of Pandora and Stitcher Internet radio. Sonic RS exterior features New front fascia with new fog lamp design New RS-specific grille New rear fascia New rear spoiler New rocker moldings Unique mirror cap finish Retuned sport exhaust with chrome outlet Unique 17-inch five-spoke wheel design Lowered and stiffened suspension with performance-tuned dampers RS badging. The more-aggressive look of the Sonic RS is inspired by the concept that debuted in Detroit in 2010. The Sonic RS will be available in Victory Red, Summit White, Cyber Gray Metallic and Black Granite Metallic, which is a new exterior color for the 2013 Sonic. “The Sonic RS remains true to the progressive spirit of the concept and brings an unmistakable attitude to the segment,” said John Mack, design director for the Sonic. “From every angle and every touch point, it is a car that is unabashed in its performance statement – and one that drives Chevrolet’s performance legacy into its second century.” One of the most-dramatic cues from the concept carried into the production model is the Sonic RS’s front fascia, which has a deep air dam design that enhances the car’s road-hugging stance. Vertical intakes at the edges of the fascia reinforce the wide, low proportion and house the fog lamps. Sonic RS interior features New front sport seats New sport steering wheel with thicker rim and racing-inspired flat-bottom design New shifter knob (manual transmission) New aluminum sport pedals Specific instrument panel cluster graphics RS-specific interior trim color for the instrument panel and door trim inserts. “Like the exterior, the Sonic RS’s interior looks and feels the part of a true performance car,” said Mack. “The seats are firm and provide great lateral support during quick cornering and the feel of the thick, flat-bottom steering wheel is a feature driving enthusiasts will truly appreciate.” The Sonic RS’s interior is a connected environment, with the Chevrolet MyLink infotainment seven-inch color touch screen radio. This system allows customers to bring customized music libraries into the vehicle and use their smart phones and Bluetooth connectivity to access Pandora and Stitcher Internet radio and navigation. Navigation directions downloaded through a smart phone can be displayed on the screen and, when the vehicle is stopped, users can project video and even personal photo albums onto the screen from their phone. Sonic RS performance The Sonic RS is powered by a standard Ecotec 1.4L turbo engine that is rated at 138 horsepower (103 kW) and 148 lb.-ft. of torque (200 Nm) – and provides an immediate feeling of power that is sustained across the rpm band, for a greater feeling of performance at lower rpm. It’s matched with a six-speed manual transmission or six-speed automatic. Unique gear ratios for the six-speed manual transmission and unique final drive ratio for the automatic give the Sonic RS a sportier feel than non-RS models. Complementing the segment-exclusive turbocharged powertrain is MacPherson strut front suspension with coil springs and stabilizer bar, and a semi-independent, torsion beam axle-mount compound link-type rear suspension – featuring a robust, tubular V-shape beam – with gas-charged shocks. The front and rear tracks are identical at 59.4 inches (1,509 mm), for well-planted stability and balance. The new RS is the only Sonic model offered with four-wheel disc brakes, which are partnered with a four-channel anti-lock braking system. The four-sensor system – one at each wheel – incorporates electronic brake force distribution, which balances braking performance based on such factors as road conditions and the weight of passengers and/or cargo. Electric power steering is standard and features a wear compensator that continually adjusts the system interaction with the steering gear to ensure precise steering action over the life of the system. Sonic lineup at a glance The Chevrolet Sonic is offered in two body styles: a four-door sedan and a five-door, with a starting price of $14,495 (including destination charge). Each body style delivers class-leading, rear-seat roominess and cargo space. Vehicle highlights include: Standard Ecotec 1.8L engine (non-RS models) paired with five-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmissions Standard electric power steering and StabiliTrak electronic stability control with rollover sensing Sedan offers trunk capacity that is greater than most compact cars; hatchback and sedan offer better rear-seat roominess than Ford Fiesta. With a rear seat that folds nearly flat, the Sonic hatchback has greater cargo capacity than Fiesta Connectivity includes OnStar with six months of Turn-by-Turn navigation. Available features include XM Satellite Radio, USB and Bluetooth functionality and MyChevrolet mobile application Remote start, heated front seats and sunroof – all rarities in the segment Ten standard air bags, anti-lock brakes, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist and OnStar with Automatic Crash Response. Sonic is built at the General Motors’ Orion Assembly Center in Michigan, which received a $545-million investment in upgrades and retooling and helped restore approximately 1,000 jobs in the metropolitan Detroit area. View full article

2013, but that would happen if the AVTM loan was approved. Who knows at this point?

William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com December 18, 2011 Carbon Motors, the company behind the purpose-built E7 police vehicle sent a letter to President Obama's cabinet on Friday urging them to approve the company's Department of Energy Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing loan. Carbon Motors applied for ATVM loan program two years ago, but hasn't seen a cent of it. The letter goes on a point by point basis on why they deserve the loan, ranging from the environmental impact of the current fleet of police vehicles to the amount of people that would be put work to build the E7. The Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing loan program has been criticized for taking too long to get money to companies. Last month, U.S. Rep. Bill Flores R-Texas introduced a bill to end the program. Related: Texas Senator Proposes Ending Auto Loan Program Letter is on Page 2 Carbon Motors Chairman Issues Open Letter to U.S. President's Cabinet Carbon Motors in Support of U.S. Law Enforcement and the Role of Government CONNERSVILLE, Ind., Dec. 15, 2011-- The following is an open letter from William Santana Li, chairman and chief executive officer, Carbon Motors Corporation, to select members of the President's Cabinet: To: The Honorable Eric H. Holder, Jr., Attorney General, U.S. Department of Justice The Honorable John E. Bryson, Secretary, U.S. Department of Commerce The Honorable Hilda L. Solis, Secretary, U.S. Department of Labor The Honorable Ray LaHood, Secretary, U.S. Department of Transportation The Honorable Steven Chu, Secretary, U.S. Department of Energy The Honorable Janet A. Napolitano, Secretary, U.S. Department of Homeland Security The Honorable Lisa P. Jackson, Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency The Honorable Jacob J. Lew, Director, Office of Management & Budget cc: The Honorable Joseph R. Biden, Jr., Vice President of the United States Dear Members of the President's Cabinet, I am writing to you about a matter of national significance and of great importance to our country's law enforcement first responders generally, and specifically each of the departments for which you have responsibility. We share concerns expressed by countless law enforcement professionals to us over the last nine years: our brave first responders are asked to secure our country, patrol our streets, and protect our communities without the appropriate equipment to empower them to do so in a manner that is safe for the officer and the public at large; the vehicles being used today are highly inefficient – both economically and environmentally; and the vast majority of the vehicles in the existing law enforcement fleet use passenger cars intended for retail consumer use and which were not manufactured on U.S. soil by American workers. Carbon Motors Corporation is a homeland security technology company that is developing the world's first and only purpose-built law enforcement patrol vehicle. Over two years ago, Carbon Motors filed an application for a loan of over $300 million with the Department of Energy's Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing (ATVM) program. The ATVM direct loan program was established in a bi-partisan manner by the Bush Administration and has been carried on by the Obama Administration. We have secured a mothballed automotive facility located in a town with unemployment at rates significantly higher than the national average – Connersville, Indiana – a victim of the fallout of automotive industry at the end of the last decade. With the ongoing criticisms aired concerning the U.S. Department of Energy's loan guarantee programs and the ATVM direct loan program, our country faces a critical decision now that will have significant impact on our first responders, taxpayers, environment, highways, our manufacturing employment base and the security of our homeland. There are 840,000+ law enforcement first responders – sons and daughters, mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters – who get up every morning and put themselves in harm's way to protect and serve each and every one of us, over 18,000 of them have already made the ultimate sacrifice. They patrol our streets and neighborhoods using gas-guzzling retail passenger cars that were not designed for this relentless mission and which, after the necessary aftermarket retrofitting process, do not meet federal safety standards applicable to all other passenger vehicles on the road. While we know each of you join in our nation's unwavering support for its first responders, we wanted to highlight certain significant issues facing each of your respective critical missions and Carbon Motors' contribution to a comprehensive solution: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY; Secretary Steven Chu ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY; Administrator Lisa P. Jackson ISSUE: The largest and most visible combined fleet of vehicles deployed by our federal, state and local governments is among the most inefficient consuming over 1.5 billion gallons of fuel every year and emitting over 14 million tons of CO2. This at a time when our country is desperately trying to reduce its dangerous dependence on foreign oil and reduce its greenhouse gas footprint. SOLUTION: Approve the Carbon Motors ATVM loan and our country can begin to reduce these figures by 40%. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE; Attorney General Eric H. Holder, Jr. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY; Secretary Janet A. Napolitano ISSUE: Presently, our over 19,000 law enforcement agencies fend for themselves in an uncoordinated manner as they cobble together passenger vehicles meant for retail consumers with the vast array of aftermarket equipment necessary to successfully carry out their mission, while our country provides purpose-built vehicles for nearly every other unique public function – fire trucks, ambulances, postal services, trash collection, and a massive fleet of purpose-built vehicles of all types and sizes for the military. SOLUTION: Approve the Carbon Motors ATVM loan and our country will finally have the world's first truly purpose-built homeland security technology platform to better secure our country – inclusive of roving WMD threat detection capability. Let's focus our law enforcement resources on protecting our citizens, and put an end to the inefficient practice of operating 19,000+ uncoordinated automotive assembly operations by law enforcement agencies nationwide. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR; Secretary Hilda L. Solis ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY; Administrator Lisa P. Jackson ISSUE: With the nation hovering near double-digit unemployment rates and virtually everyone in our country rightly focused on American jobs, our state, local and federal law enforcement agencies imported the over 500,000 patrol vehicles used by our law enforcement personnel from foreign soil. This is an unacceptable use of U.S. taxpayer dollars. SOLUTION: Approve the Carbon Motors ATVM loan and we will bring these jobs home to America, where they rightfully belong. It is estimated that our project will create 10,000+ new American jobs of national importance by building a technological breakthrough on U.S. soil in a region decimated by the automotive downturn – and we will do so in a mothballed brownfield facility we have already begun restoring. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION; Secretary Ray LaHood ISSUE: The over 500,000 law enforcement vehicles patrolling our neighborhoods today do not meet the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, putting both our first responders and citizens on the road at risk. We, as a country, would never stand for the placement of a U.S. soldier in a similarly haphazardly-equipped vehicle and it is unacceptable to do this with our nation's brave first responders. SOLUTION: Approve the Carbon Motors ATVM loan and our first responders will be driving a vehicle that will meet or exceed all Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards inclusive of all the law enforcement and homeland security equipment integrated into the vehicle platform. OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT & BUDGET; Director Jacob J. Lew ISSUE: Today's practice of allowing over 19,000 law enforcement agencies across the country to individually retrofit consumer-oriented vehicles is extremely costly and inefficient, with expenditures at the local, state, and federal level expected to be on the order of $100 billion over the next decade. SOLUTION: Approve the Carbon Motors ATVM loan and we will provide the nation with the only product presently in the ATVM loan program that will save the government a significant amount of money. The purpose-built, turn-key distribution of the Carbon E7 will reduce maintenance costs, improve durability, and, combined with the fuel savings and the extensive capabilities of the vehicle, result in dramatic savings for U.S. taxpayers nationwide. If the entire fleet were to be converted to Carbon E7 vehicles, the country could save over $10 billion taxpayer dollars over a period of ten years. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE; Secretary John E. Bryson ISSUE: Our nation continues to run unacceptably high trade imbalances, as American manufacturing has eroded and the nation has continued to devolve into an importer of foreign goods rather than an exporter of American innovation. SOLUTION: Approve the Carbon Motors ATVM loan allowing our company to complete our project and respond to the nearly three-dozen requests by countries around the world for export of our breakthrough American product helping to put even more Americans to work. As one of our Senior Advisors, The Honorable Lee H. Hamilton (vice-chair of the 9/11 Commission), has often remarked: the first role of government is to protect its citizens. There are lives at stake and we stand ready to do our part to better enable our first responders to meet their critical mission and, in the process, improve officer and highway safety, reduce harmful emissions and dependence on foreign oil, and put Americans back to work. We need your help in making this happen, especially as the matter we have raised is a cross-cabinet or interagency concern. The first step to take is the timely approval of our ATVM loan as it is in the national security and socioeconomic interests of the United States of America. On behalf of the 840,000+ first responders across our great country we thank you in advance for your timely support of this critical national initiative. Relentless, /s/ William Santana Li Chairman and CEO Carbon Motors Corporation View full article

William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com December 17, 2011 Steven Rattner, the former car czar that oversaw the federal bailouts of General Motors and Chrysler, said on Thursday to the Detroit Economic Club that the Obama administration's Auto Task Force should have forced all the stakeholders, including the United Auto Workers, to make more sacrifices. "We asked all the stakeholders to make very significant sacrifices. We should have asked the UAW to do a bit more. We did not ask any UAW member to take a cut in their pay," he told the club. Rattner also revealed that the US Government gave GM too much money, but on the side of caution. "We put more cash into GM than we probably needed to — and we knew this. It's part of why GM is so well-capitalized today." Source: Detroit News View full article