“Pot bust made at Vermont border - Burlington Free Press” plus 4 more |
- Pot bust made at Vermont border - Burlington Free Press
- Conference Calls Plug-In Hybrids Nearly Ready - WWJ Newsradio 950
- Fiat set to report profit - Detroit Free Press
- Award-winning Dodge Ram gets test-drive today - Detroit Free Press
- 50th Annual O'Reilly AutoRama in Houston to Feature Major Firepower ... - Market Wire
| Pot bust made at Vermont border - Burlington Free Press Posted: 20 Oct 2009 08:07 AM PDT A man from New Jersey was released on $50,000 bail Monday after he pleaded not guilty to charges he tried to smuggle 371 pounds of marijuana into the United States at the Highgate border crossing. Police estimated the marijuana was worth $1.2 million. Read John Ibrahim's affidavit (PDF, 5.1 MB) John Ibrahim, 52, of Lido, N.J., was arrested by Vermont State Police early Saturday, several hours after a drug-sniffing dog belonging to the Canadian Border Patrol detected the presence of marijuana during a standard inspection of the vehicle Ibrahim was driving. Police then searched Ibrahim's truck and trailer and found the marijuana in vacuum-sealed packages stored inside cardboard boxes in the truck's trailer, according to a police affidavit filed at Vermont District Court in Burlington. "As they were removing boxes they came across boxes that did not match the commodity boxes," Vermont State Police Trooper Timothy Woch wrote in the affidavit, describing the search of the truck. "At this time, they had cut a box open which contained vacuum sealed packages of a green leafy substance." After the substance tested positive for marijuana, Ibrahim was arrested and jailed over the weekend at the Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility in South Burlington pending his Monday arraignment. If convicted, he faces up to 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine. U.S. Attorney Tristram Coffin declined comment later Monday about whether he will seek to have Ibrahim's case transferred to federal court and prosecuted there. The U.S. Attorney's Office has taken an aggressive stance in prosecuting cases involving large seizures of marijuana, and Coffin, confirmed as U.S. attorney for Vermont in July, has said such prosecutions will be a high priority during his tenure. In July, Burton S. Jacobs and Randall C. Blake were sentenced to four- and seven-year prison terms respectively in connection with a marijuana-trafficking scheme that involved bringing several thousand pounds of pot into Vermont from Canada. Also this year, five people, including Colchester auto repair shop owner Alan Young, pleaded guilty to charges they were involved in transporting hundreds of pounds of marijuana across the border into Vermont.
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| Conference Calls Plug-In Hybrids Nearly Ready - WWJ Newsradio 950 Posted: 20 Oct 2009 08:00 AM PDT A capacity crowd of 600 gathered in Detroit Tuesday to hear about the future of plug-in electric vehicles and the electric grid. "The Business of Plugging In" began with a three-person keynote discussion moderated by former New York Gov. George Pataki. Peter Darbee, chairman, president and CEO of Pacific Gas & Electric Corp., noted studies showing that the impact of plug-in hybrids could reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere by 400 to 500 tons a year, and reduce dependence on foreign oil 10 to 20 percent, producing significant declines in oil prices that would help the United States economy. If anything, Darbee said, potential demand for plug-ins is understated. Darbee noted that current research shows that recharge times for most hybrids on 110-volt current is six to seven hours, while it's just two to three hours on a 220-volt circuit, like those used for electric stoves and clothes dryers. But he said 220-volt recharging in particular "could overtake the electric grid," and that "the auto industry and electric utilities need to go to work as soon as possible" on maching the potential demand from electric cars withi the utility supply. Jonathan J. Lauckner, vice president for global product evelopment at General Motors Corp., said the auto industry has to make plug-ins in large volumes to overcome current cost disadvantages, and said the Chevy Volt will be a major early player. Pataki, for his part, said the real challenge is providing electricity to commuters coming home at 6 p.m. on a hot summer evening and seeking a recharge. Solutions may include dynamic pricing, where the price of a recharge falls dramatically if a commuter waits a few hours -- part of an overall 'smart grid.' Lauckner said the Volt probably wouldn't be rolled out like a normal GM product due to its unique nature -- concentrating first on the east and west coasts. Every vehicle will come with a simple 110-volt charger to plug into any wall outlet, with 220-volt chargers also available for installation into the home. Pataki asked how people parking on the streets of San Francisco will plug in. The glib answer is that there are never any parking spots available on the streets of San Francisco -- but eventually, America will probably be home to parking spots with an electric charging station and power meter included. PG&E's Darbee called for a carbon tax in the form of a cap and trade program and a strong federal subsidy for plug-ins to reduce American dependence on foreign oil, "so we can reduce spending on aircraft carriers and cruisers and submarines and troops in the Middle East, and America will be much safer." A second "plenary panel" then took the Motor City Casino stage, led by Brian P. Wynne, president of the Electric Drive Transportation Association. David W. Joos, president and CEO of Jackson-based CMS Energy, acknowledged that "at the outset" of the electric car era, "the economics still need some work" due to battery costs. But he said rising fuel prices and better battery technology will make the cost lines converge. He said he's much more bullish on plug-ins over all-electric vehicles because of their extended range -- even though 80 percent of Americans commute less than 40 miles a day, they are antsy without the ability to get in a car and go a longer distance. The problem with alternative fuel vehicles, Joos said, is a chicken-and-egg situation -- without a lot of vehicles on the road, you won't get a refueling infrastructure, but without a refueling infrastructure, you won't get a lot of vehicles on the road. The advantage of plug-in hybrids is that much of the refueling infrastructure -- the electric grid -- is already in place. Joos said Consumers is a fan of 110-volt recharging, since the commuter who plugs a vehicle in at 10 p.m. doesn't really care if it's ready to go again at 2 a.m. or 5 a.m. He said Consumers may have to upgrade its power grid in areas of many early adopters of plug-ins -- as it had to upgrade its grid in areas of early adopters of power-hungry plasma TVs. The next step, Joos said, is the truly smart grid that can communicate with vehicles to get the best price for their recharging, and "borrow" power from vehicles on hot summer afternoons to shave peak loads -- which he said probably wouldn't happen until 2015 or 2020 or so. Paul Skalny, director of the National Automotive Center at the U.S. Army's Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center in Warren, said the armed services are deeply interested in plug-in hybrids because up to 70 percent of the tonnage it takes to the battlefield is fuel. He said for every mile per gallon improvement in the fuel economy of the nation's military fleet, 6,500 fewer soldiers are involved in supply convoys worldwide. David Vieau, president and CEO of Massachusetts-based battery maker A123 Systems Inc., noted that the federal stimulus funding and Michigan's state incentives to the battery industry "have been huge factors" in his company's decision to build battery manufacturing plants here instead of cheap labor countries in Asia. The incentives, he said, are "steering companies to the USA, shifting planned jobs from Asia to Michigan." He said battery makers "can trade low cost labor for more automation in the U.S. with that grant money." And from a national security standpoint, Vieau said, "if we really want a North American energy industry, for national security reasons, consider this number -- last year 60 percent of our trade deficit was the result of oil purchases offshore." The event continued Tuesday morning with technical breakout sessions on battery technology, making cities plug-in ready, and greening America's medium-duty truck fleet. This content has passed through fivefilters.org. |
| Fiat set to report profit - Detroit Free Press Posted: 20 Oct 2009 07:09 AM PDT Fiat SpA, the Italian industrial holding company, is expected to report an operating profit Wednesday for the third quarter as its three core car brands have increased sales in a weak European market and offset declining sales from its truck and heavy equipment businesses. While Fiat and Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne is not expected to disclose much information on Chrysler's financial condition, the company's key automotive business based in Italy is outperforming the market even as the top executive spends a greater portion of time focused on the 5-year plan for Chrysler that is to be publicly presented Nov. 4. For the first nine months of the year, European car sales increased 1.8% for the Fiat brand, 1.9% for Lancia and 10.1% for Alfa Romeo. That compares with an overall decline of 6.6% for the European industry. Those gains helped Fiat's three core auto brands boost their share of the European new car market to 8.8% from 8.0% in the first three quarters of 2008. In the second quarter, Fiat reported an operating profit of 158 million euros ($221 million), but a net loss of 179 million euros ($251 million), after taxes and losses on investments and financial services. Sales of its Fiat's Iveco commercial truck business, as well as its construction and farm equipment maker, CNH, fell 46% and 17%, respectively, in the first half. Part of Fiat's success in the down market is its strength in diesel engine technology and smaller cars, which enabled it to capitalize on so-called eco-incentive programs in Italy, France and Germany. The incentives offered credits to consumers who replaced older vehicles with new and more fuel-efficient models. "The models that are benefiting the most are the Panda and the 500, which are built in their Tychy plant in Poland," said Pierluigi Bellini, an industry analyst with IHS Global Insight in Milan. Marchionne sold Fiat's cashless bid for 20% of Chrysler Group LLC on the grounds that Fiat's technology could reduce Chrysler's dependence on pickup trucks and SUVs. This content has passed through fivefilters.org. |
| Award-winning Dodge Ram gets test-drive today - Detroit Free Press Posted: 20 Oct 2009 08:21 AM PDT The 2010 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty took top honors this week at the Texas Auto Writers Association's annual Truck Rodeo outside San Antonio — and Chrysler Group LLC is working hard to keep the positive buzz going on its newest product offering. Today, the Auburn Hills automaker is hosting a program where journalists -- including Free Press reporter Greg Gardner -- will test-drive the new Ram truck. Production of the truck began last week in Saltillo, Mexico, and it should begin arriving in dealerships soon. Today's drive program is the fourth of five media drives, said Chrysler spokesman David Elshoff. Two were held in Texas; the remaining three are being held in Michigan. Journalists will drive the truck from Ypsilanti to Chelsea to examine the trucks new features. Chrysler says the new Ram offers increased capability and new features. Aside from all-new styling, that included an all-new crew-size cab. The truck also offers a pair of legendary engines: the 6.7-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel with 350 horsepower, producing 650 lb-ft. of torque and what Chrysler is calling "the most powerful standard engine in the segment:" the 383-horsepower 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 with 400 lb.-ft. of torque. Come back to freep.com later today for news from the Dodge Ram event. Contact GREG GARDNER: ggardner@freepress.com. This content has passed through fivefilters.org. |
| 50th Annual O'Reilly AutoRama in Houston to Feature Major Firepower ... - Market Wire Posted: 20 Oct 2009 08:14 AM PDT SOURCE: Houston AutoRama HOUSTON, TX--(Marketwire - October 20, 2009) - The annual O'Reilly AutoRama® presented by Super Start Batteries will celebrate its 50th anniversary on Nov. 26-29, 2009, in downtown Houston. The Thanksgiving weekend event, which is one of the largest and longest running indoor car shows in the United States, will feature a salute to the past five decades, as well as a stellar lineup of custom cars, motorcycles, racecars, tuners, trucks and family entertainment at the George R. Brown Convention Center at 1001 Avenida De Las Americas. The O'Reilly AutoRama is sanctioned by the International Show Car Association (ISCA). A 50th anniversary reception will be held on Friday, Nov. 27 to recognize the individuals and local car clubs who have helped produce the show for decades. "I'm proud that AutoRama has become such an important part of the culture in Houston that we're now celebrating our golden anniversary," said Bob Larivee Jr., CEO of Championship Auto Shows Inc. "For over 50 years, enthusiasts of every age have celebrated their passion for the automobile at AutoRama. Many of them have grown up with the show and now bring their kids and grandkids." A new highlight at the 2009 show will be a GlowoRama parade in conjunction with Art Cars of Houston Inc. A collection of illuminated Houston art cars will parade down Avenida De Las Americas in front of the convention center at 9 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 28. A party will follow the parade inside Hall A of the convention center. Additional attractions will include an automotive swap meet and toy show, AutoRama Women's World, an All American Motorcycle Show, the Tuner Galleria for imports and the Chevy Vette Fest section. One of the most anticipated displays will be the Ol' Skool Rodz with over 100 traditional rods. Feature cars will include the legendary ZINGER Corvette and Volkswagen, the Hudson Hornet from the hit movie "Cars," "El Tiki" from the pages of "Ol' Skool Rodz" and the "Ratical Rod" street coupe. The top show cars in North America will also be on display as part of the ISCA Championship Finals. The Action Arena will be staged outdoors behind the convention center this year. Highlights will be a "Cacklefest" for 1960s vintage nitro dragsters, an AutoRama Burnout Competition and XSBA Streetbike Freestyle Shows. Celebrities scheduled to appear include the Houston Texans Cheerleaders, Houston Rockets Power Dancers and Clutch the Bear mascot, the Texas Bikini Team, SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora the Explorer. About the O'Reilly AutoRama in Houston The 50th annual O'Reilly AutoRama presented by Super Start Batteries in Houston is sponsored by O'Reilly Auto Parts and is part of the Summit Racing Show Car Series. Event hours are Thursday from 3-9 p.m.; Friday from 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Saturday from 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; and Sunday from 11a.m.-7 p.m. Discount tickets are available at Houston-area O'Reilly Auto Parts stores; regular admission tickets may be purchased at the George R. Brown Convention Center with children five years old and under admitted for free. Additional information about the show is available at www.autorama.com. This content has passed through fivefilters.org. |
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