Cleantech Automotive On Fire: Week’s Roundup

• GM – There’s been tons of news lately regarding GM.  Most notably, the federal government just approved $17.4 billion in loans to the Detroit giant failure.  Along with Chrysler, GM will receive $13.4 billion with $4 billion available in February.  Immediate repayment to the government will be required if profitability isn’t shown by March 31st, 2009.  In other, more cleantech related news, GM has put a hold on their $349 million dollar plant dedicated to production of the Chevy Volt.  Even with this delay, GM vows that they will still meet the 2010 launch date.
• Chrysler – Along for the bailout ride, Chrysler seems to be really hurting.  They’ve now idled all manufacturing operations for a month at the least.  This is far from the company who back in the summer announced a fleet of plug-in hybrids to be brought to the market by 2010.
• Honda – Just signed a deal with GS Yuasa, a Japanese battery maker.  The joint venture will go towards developing lithium-ion batteries for Honda’s hybrids.  GS Yuasa will hold 51%  of the $170 million deal.  In other exciting news, CEO, Takeo Fukui just announced that Honda will have a fully electric motorcycles to the market within 2 years.
• Mercedes-Benz – Mercedes seems to be testing out their options with their recent Concept blueZERO annoucment. The high-end auto manufacturer will be unveiling 3 different models at the Detroit Auto Show in January; an EV, a gas-driven powergenerator/EV like the Volt, as well as a fuell cell vehicle, like the Honda FCX Clarity.
• Tesla -  An interesting piece of information comes from the mouth of that dude Oprah leaned on, who also happened to buy the 100th production roadster.  Sam Perry, president of startup consultancy Ascendance Ventures, claims that after conversations with CEO of Tesla, Elon Musk, the Model S in still on track for an early 2009 reveal as well as a “budget” $30,000 Tesla announcement on the way.  Hmm.
• Renault-Nissan – The car company just partnered with Energie Quest Suisse (EQS) to develop an EV network for Switzerland.  The plan, like other car network developers is to create a grid of recharging stations throughout the country.
• Bentley – The super lux car brand is going eco.  They are expected to launch their first production ethanol model at the Geneva Motor Show in spring of 2009.

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