Another green-energy-related company built on government subsidies is having trouble keeping its head above water. This time, the scandal surrounds Compact Power, a subsidiary of LG Chem.* In 2010, the Obama Administration proudly gave Compact Power a $150 million grant to build a vehicle battery manufacturing facility in Michigan. These …
The market demand for all-electric cars envisioned by Toyota Motor Corporation has not materialized according to the company, forcing it to shed a projected battery-powered minicar line. The company is taking a different tack than its counterparts at General Motors or Nissan, planning to offer only 100 eQ all-electric vehicles …
As Mark Twain might have put it, the reports that General Motors is alive are somewhat exaggerated. “Nearly two years after the introduction of the path-breaking plug-in hybrid, GM is still losing as much as $49,000 on each Volt it builds, according to estimates provided to Reuters by industry analysts …
Interior Secretary Ken Salazar touted President Obama’s record on reducing oil dependence in a speech delivered in Charlotte, NC, this week. Salazar pointed to a decrease in oil imports and an increase in oil production — especially on federal lands — as evidence of the efficacy of Obama’s policies. But, contrary to …
General Motors is halting production of the poorly selling Chevy Volt to accommodate a redesigned Chevy Impala. The impending four-week shutdown of the electric car represents yet another setback following news of disappointing sales for the second year in a row: General Motors Co. (GM), the largest U.S. automaker, is …
The federal government finalized new automobile efficiency rules today for cars and light trucks for model years 2017–2025. The rules require an average fuel economy of 54.5 miles per gallon (mpg) in 2025. Proponents of the rule advertise the more stringent mpg standard as a win for producers, consumers, and …
Perhaps buyers are waiting for President Obama’s proposed $10,000 tax credit for the Chevy Volt. Despite government bailout money and incentives, GM temporarily halted Volt production and laid off 1,300 Detroit employees as lackluster demand resulted in low sales. Unfortunately, this is becoming a routine ordeal that inspires a glut …
This week, the White House announced its plan to boost taxpayer-funded subsidies for “green” energy vehicles like the Chevy Volt, offering buyers a $10,000 tax incentive to help tickle their buying bone. On Monday, White House economic adviser Gene Sperling described the subsidy, and ironically enough, market forces seem to …
Want a clear indication of President Barack Obama’s priorities? Take a look at the spending decisions emerging from his Administration today. In the battle between $40,000 dollar-electric-car-buying yuppies and at-risk kids in the DC Opportunity Scholarship Program, rich people won, and they have President Obama to thank for it. The …
