Chrysler Group to Deliver 14 Plug-in Hybrid Rams to San Francisco

The Chrysler Group is taking its first baby steps in the plug-in hybrid arena with the launch of an evaluation program that will see around 140 plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) being supplied to selected cities and states across the USA.

On Tuesday, August 2, Chrysler will deliver 14 Ram 1500 PHEV prototypes to the City of San Francisco as part of a three-year assessment program.

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Kia's US Sales Increase by 36% in the Second Quarter of 2011

Kia Motors’ global sales increased by 21% during the last quarter - that is from April to June- compared to the same period in 2010. South Korea’s second-largest carmaker sold 621,000 units in that period, largely due to the increase in US sales.

Kia’s progress in the American market was impressive as it recorded a 67% increase in profits and 36% in sales, largely due to the surge in sales of its new Optima sedan and Sportage SUV.

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MINI UK Launches New Soho Editions for Hatch and Convertible

Following the release of the MINI Clubman Soho edition last year, the British automaker decided to name all of its special edition models after London boroughs, districts, streets and landmarks.

As a result, the Soho nameplate has now been applied to the three-door hatchback and soft-top convertible model, both of which will be available in the United Kingdom in Cooper and Cooper D models from now until March 2012.

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Mahindra Wants to Become “India’s First Global Cult Brand”

M&M is not just a well-known candy but also the name of a part of the Mumbai-based Mahindra Group - an Indian conglomerate with a market value of $17.6 billion that has 119,900 employees in more than 100 countries and is involved in almost everything from banking and agribusiness, to aerospace technology and real estate.

M&M, which stands for Mahindra & Mahindra, is the flagship company of the Mahindra Group and has a presence in both the automotive and tractor businesses. Anand Mahindra, son of one of India’s richest families, leads the company.

Mahindra certainly has great ambitions for his company and SsangYong, the bankrupt Korean manufacturer which he bought in November 2010. Automotive News reports that Anand recently stated “We want to be India’s first global cult brand”.

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Chevrolet dealers established solar-powered Volt chargers

Chevrolet dealers are launching solar-powered charging stations near their showrooms for their Volt extended-range electric car.

Chris Perry, the vice president of global Chevrolet marketing and strategy says that "The Chevrolet Green Zone will provide our U.S. dealers with added flexibility for charging their vehicles, while also reinforcing GM's commitment to renewable energy projects".

Picture: usatoday.com

American Chevrolet and Al Serra Auto Plaza in Grand Blanc are the first U.S. dealerships to launch their solar charging capability by installing Green Zones on their property.

Each "solar canopy" generates enough electricity for up to 4,500 charges per vehicle annually.

Sunlogics, is a solar-panel manufacturing and development company that will supply the panels and install the dealer charging stations.

Both American Chevrolet and Al Serra Chevrolet partnered with Sunlogics for installation of their Green Zones.

As part of the GM Ventures investment announcement in Sunlogics, General Motors committed to double its solar output globally – from 30 megawatts to 60 megawatts by 2015.

The company derives 1.4% of its U.S. energy consumption from renewable resources.

Source: usatoday.com