Senior Vice President Research & Development, Nissan Americas Carla Bailo and Vice President Production Engineering and Component Facilities Mark Swenson joined local officials to mark the start of construction on this significant project.

“we begin an exciting new chapter for the Renault-Nissan Alliance and our continued investment in the United States,” Swenson said. “groundbreaking marks the latest move in our collaboration with Daimler to localize production capacity and enhance our competitiveness in the global market.”

Production of the new engines will begin in 2014 with installed capacity of 250,000 units per year. At maximum capacity, the new facility is expected to create up to 400 jobs and will be the first location Mercedes-Benz manufactures engines in the North America Free Trade region. The Tennessee plant’s strategic location will ensure a direct supply of engines for the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, to be built at Daimler’s vehicle plant in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (as of 2014).

Daimler and the Renault-Nissan Alliance first announced their strategic collaboration in April 2010 and are extending their reach into the United States as part of both companies’ growth strategy. The companies are also moving forward with a vehicle platform sharing initiative between Infiniti and Mercedes, and development of zero-emission vehicles. The decision to begin jointly producing engines in the U.S. marks the two organizations’ collaborative effort’s largest venture outside of Europe.

Source: http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/NEWS/2012/_STORY/120509-01-e.html

BMW announced new BMW M Performance Parts specially designed for the new 2012 BWW 3 Series Sedan and 2011-2012 5 Series Sedan. Like the BMW M Performance Parts already available for the high-performance M3, 1 Series M Coupe, X5 M and X6 M, the components developed for 3 Series and 5 Series models ensure an authentic transfer of BMW M-specific motor racing technology to everyday driving.

This new line of accessories provides a distinctive, sporty character and further enhances driving dynamics. BMW M Performance Parts are the result of years of racing expertise and have been developed in close collaboration with BMW M GmbH. Each component goes through an intensive development and manufacturing process which results in uncompromised performance. Exclusive chassis, aerodynamic, cockpit and powertrain components are now available for the 3 Series and 5 Series Sedans.

Source: http://www.bmwusa.com/standard/content/experience/newsfeed/post/2012/05/04/BMW-Introduces-BMW-M-Performance-Parts.aspx

As part of this effort, before the end of this month, Honda and Japan Metals & Chemicals will begin extracting rare earth metals from used nickel-metal hydride batteries collected from Honda hybrid vehicles at Honda dealers inside and outside of Japan. The new operation will be the first in the world to extract rare earth metals as part of a mass-production process at a recycling plant.

Honda had been applying a heat treatment to used nickel-metal hydride batteries and recycling nickel-containing scrap as a raw material of stainless steel. However, the successful stabilization of the extraction process at the plant of Japan Metals & Chemicals Co., Ltd. made possible the extraction of rare earth metals in a mass-production process with purity as high as that of newly mined and refined metals.

The newly established process enables the extraction of as much as above 80% of rare earth metals contained in used nickel-metal hydride batteries. Honda will strive to reuse extracted rare earth metals not only for nickel-metal hydride batteries, but also to a wide range of Honda products. Moreover, Honda will further expand the recycling of rare earth metals in the future as the newly established process enables the extraction of rare earth metals from a variety of used parts in addition to nickel-metal hydride batteries.

Giving consideration to the recycling of resources used for its products, Honda has long been committed to the 3R (reduce, reuse, recycle) approach. For instance, Honda was the first Japanese automaker to begin sales of recycled parts and to collect/recycle oil filters and replaced bumpers. Honda will continue strengthening its network which links to the reuse and recycling of resources.

Source: http://world.honda.com/news/2012/c120417Reuse-Rare-Earth-Metals/index.html

Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

To enhance fuel economy, the new CVT is compatible with an idle stop system and features a high-efficiency electric oil pump among other features. In addition, the G-Design Shift, a new coordinated control system for gearing, throttle and hydraulic control, responds quickly to driver input, maintains strong and smooth acceleration G and helps realize an exhilarating and sporty driving feel. Thanks to this combination of technologies, in a comparison of vehicles in the same class, the new CVT offers 5 percent higher fuel economy than a conventional CVT and 10 percent higher than a 5-speed automatic transmission 2.

In November 2011, Honda announced Earth Dreams Technology, a series of next-generation technologies for automobiles that significantly enhance both driving performance and fuel economy, combining environmental responsibility with the fun driving customers expect from Honda. The first technologies in the series were the newly developed engine and CVT for minicars that were featured on the N BOX. The new CVT for midsize vehicles featured on the all-new Step WGN and Step WGN Spada is the second technology to join the series.

Source: http://world.honda.com/news/2012/4120405New-CVT-Midsize-Vehicles/index.html

The Health Effects Institute study, billed as the comprehensive study ever undertaken of the health effects of exposure to new technology diesel engines, has found no evidence of gene-damaging effects.

The Advanced Collaborative Engine Study is exposing rats and mice for 16 hours a day to emissions from a heavy-duty diesel engine meeting stringent 2007 US EPA standards, which reduces emissions of fine particles and other pollutants by over 90 percent from levels emitted by older engines.

The study was conducted by the Health Effects Institute in collaboration with the Coordinating Research Council. The Health Effects Institute is an independent, non-profit research institute funded jointly by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and industry.

The study found that exposures lasting one, three, and in some cases up to twelve months had effects on only a few of the many health markers tested.

One of a few effects that were reported for the rats was mild hyperplasia in the lungs – a symptom of exposure to nitrogen oxides in the engine exhaust, which was virtually eliminated in new generation, 2010 US EPA standards now in effect.

Source :http://www.ontruck.org/imispublic/Home/AM/ContentManagerNet/ContentDisplay.aspx?Section=Home&ContentID=10974

Featuring VMAC’s state-of-the-art Intelligent Digital Controls, this advanced air compressor system is smart enough to turn the truck off when air is not being used and then turn the truck back on when air is needed again. VMAC expects the advancements this control system represents to bring about an evolution in the mobile air compressor market and to contribute to VMAC’s growing environmentally-friendly product line.

VMAC worked closely with customers and dealers to address truck idling, emissions, service intervals, fuel consumption, wear and tear, and longevity challenges to realize this advanced system design.

Producing 70 CFM and 175 PSI, this system employs an adjustable automatic engine control and digital setup on the LCD control box display. This new UNDERHOOD70-G kit designed for the Ford 6.7L Powerstroke Diesel and additional applications are to be announced.

Source : http://www.ntea.com/News/Default.aspx?id=26691

Shanghai MHI Engine will be capitalized at 200 million yuan (approximately 2.5 billion yen). Ownership will be divided equally between MHI and SDEC. The new company, to be headquartered in Shanghai, will target annual sales of 10 billion yen in the first few years and intends to boost this figure to 20 billion yen thereafter.

The JV will manufacture industrial-use diesel engines with power outputs in the 500 to 1,600 kW range under a manufacturing and marketing license from MHI. The JV’s procurement, marketing and after-sale service will take advantage of SDEC’s vast domestic network.

MHI has for some time been seeking to build up its share in the rapidly expanding Chinese market, while SDEC has been aiming to launch a full-scale entry into the market for industrial-use diesel engine with outputs of over 500 kW. The interests of the two companies thus meshed and led to the conclusion of the joint venture agreement.

A long-established Chinese manufacturer of diesel engines with some 3,300 employees, SDEC is an affiliate of Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC), the largest automobile manufacturer in China. SDEC’s 100 to 500 kW high-speed diesel engines for construction machinery, power generation and marine use hold a large share of the market.

The Chinese diesel engine market is currently growing at a rapid rate. In addition, the Chinese government has begun to promote distributed power generation using more environmentally friendly natural gas as fuel. This decentralized approach to electricity generation using smaller generators is expected to cause the demand for diesel generators to soar, pushing the market from the current approximately 500 MW to 50,000 MW by 2015. However, the Chinese authorities require a high level of local content for participation in this market, and this makes local production indispensable. The new JV also intends to enter into gas engine market in future and will aggressively pursue new market opportunities such as this, aiming at further expanding its presence in the Chinese market.

Source : http://www.mhi.co.jp/en/news/story/1204051524.html

A vehicle of mid-size sedan proportions, TAKERI is outfitted with the swooping hood and crisp lines which have become synonymous with KODO design. The eagle-eyed five-point grille stretches out into twisty yet sleek steel strokes, enhancing a lean, muscular build that sits on 20-inch satin-chrome wheels. TAKERI also features the full suite of SKYACTIV technologies, Mazda’s innovative fuel-saving, performance-oriented engineering initiative.

Equipped with a SKYACTIV-D 2.2-liter diesel engine, TAKERI features the i-stop idling stop system and i-ELOOP, the world’s first capacitor-based regenerative braking system. i-stop restarts in a single engine cycle unlike other stop-start systems, which require two cycles. At less than 0.4 seconds, i-stop achieves the world’s fastest diesel engine restart time. i-ELOOP efficiently converts kinetic energy into electricity during deceleration, which is stored in capacitors and then used to power the vehicle’s electric equipment, reducing engine load and improving fuel economy by as much as 10 percent.

More information on the TAKERI Concept as well as Mazda’s global business plans will be announced during a press conference on Wednesday, April 4.

Mazda North American Operations is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., and oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States, Canada and Mexico through nearly 900 dealers. Operations in Canada are managed by Mazda Canada, Inc., located in Ontario; and in Mexico by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City.

Source : http://www.mazdausamedia.com/content/mazda-debut-takeri-concept-skyactiv-d-diesel-engine-new-york

Ford did not specify the diesel, but according to the Detroit Free Press, a likely choice is the new 6.7-liter being offered in Ford’s heavy-duty F-Series pickups. Ford dropped diesel in the E-Series after the 2009 model because engine then used did not meet new emissions standards.

Cars.com, however, speculated that it might be the smaller common-rail direct-injection 3.2-liter inline-five offered in the new global Ford Ranger. It would, says Cars.com, be a way to get a proven small-diesel into the U.S. market and fits with Ford’s engine downsizing efforts. The engine is rated a modest 200 horsepower and 350 pounds-feet of torque.

Ford already has said it will offer a smaller, 3.5-liter turbocharged gasoline V-6, that combined with the new vans’ 300-pounds lighter weight, will boost fuel economy 25% from a similar E-Series.

“With fleet operators facing skyrocketing fuel prices and constant pressure to reduce costs, Ford continues to expand its range,” said Kevin Koswick, director of North American fleet, lease and remarketing operations. “Ford is giving fleet customers true power of choice in finding solutions that best meet their specific needs.”

The new Transit is an evolution of Ford’s European Transit vans that are sold globally. The Sprinter vans sold by then-DaimlerChrysler and now Mercedes-Benz already have shown the tall Euro-style commercial vans have appeal for U.S. businesses. Nissan also appears to have a success in its similarly styled NV line of vans. And Chrysler Group is bringing a Ram-branded commercial van to the U.S. for 2013 based on owner Fiat’s European Ducato line.

Source : http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2012/03/ford-bringing-diesel-engine-to-its-big-transit-vans/1#.T3k4K8XxpMg

A new online configuration tool available at www.AllianceTruckParts.com allows customers to specify truck make, tank capacity, finish and fill-neck placement. The result is an Alliance Truck Parts part number and configuration summary that can immediately be printed for order at any Freightliner, Sterling or Western Star dealership, regardless of truck make or model.

“Our online aftermarket configuration tools for tanks and other replacement parts are part of our initiative to utilize technology to improve our customer’s experience with the Alliance Truck Parts brand,” said Daniel Haggerty, director of parts and service marketing for Daimler Trucks North America LLC. “Fuel tanks are another category of all-makes parts that we offer at a real value to both our fleet and independent operator customers.”

The online configuration tool together with distribution through more than 800 retail locations across the U.S. and Canada contributes to a significant advantage in lead-time for replacement fuel tanks. Standard lead time is four weeks, and choosing expedited service can fulfill a tank order in as little as two to four days.

With capacities from 50 to 150 gallons, Alliance Truck Parts fuel tanks are fabricated in the U.S. of top-grade aluminum and offered in polished or etched finishes. Accessories including caps, straps and senders will be added to the offering in the near future. To find out more about Alliance Truck Parts and the new all-makes fuel tank line, visit www.AllianceTruckParts.com.

Source : http://www.thomasbus.com/about-us/news/press-room/release.asp?2012/43