Luxury Car Makers Gear Up For China

While Beijing's auto show features hybrids and electric cars and dozens of other models aimed at China's mass market, luxury car makers from around the world have also wheeled out their latest offerings at the 200,000-square-meter exhibition area.

The gull-winged Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG making its Chinese debut and the Lamborghini LP 670-4, a limited edition solely for the Chinese market, stole some of the limelight from the almost 1,000 car models on display. Mercedes-owner Daimler AG, meanwhile, gave a world premiere to its Maybach sedan that features an optional 19-inch cinema screen and seat piping that comes hand-braided or laced with Swarovski crystals.

China's auto market became the world's biggest last year in terms of the number of vehicles sold, as sales jumped by almost half to nearly 13.6 million vehicles. In the first three months of 2010, auto sales were up another 80% year-on-year, J.D. Power data show. 

 The country's emerging class of super-rich also upped their automobile spending, with several global luxury brands reporting sharp increases in sales in China. BMW AG saw China sales double in the first quarter of 2010, and the company plans to boost its dealership network by 20 to 170 this year. German rival Audi, owned by Volkswagen, is the market leader in China and says it expects its sales there will outpace those in its domestic market within the next three years. The international brands won't have it all their own way, however.

Domestic auto maker Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co. has its own Emgrand GE luxury auto aimed at China's wealthy elite. Among the most expensive cars showing at Beijing's new China International Exhibition Center is the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport, priced at more than $2 million, which its makers claim is "on a par with modern Formula 1 race cars." Rolls Royce, Porsche, Ferrari, Bentley and Maserati all also paraded their vehicles at the event, which opened Friday and continues to May 2.

READ MORE - Luxury Car Makers Gear Up For China

On-track testing underway for Automotive X-Prize

The pick of the world's most fuel efficient vehicles are lining-up at the Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn this week for stage one of the $10 million Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE.

The field now stands at 36 vehicles from 28 teams, with automakers, universities, inventors and one high school vying to see how their 100 MPG (or energy equivalent) cars stack-up against the competition. Electric and gasoline powered machines make up the bulk of the list, but entrants also include biodiesel, E85, hydrogen and even one hybrid steam powered vehicle. 

During the initial unscored "Shakedown Stage" (April 26-May 7) the vehicles will undergo official safety checks before hitting the track for final testing, giving teams the opportunity to iron-out any last minute bugs.

Things will really start to get interesting in stage 2 - the Knockout Qualifying Stage - which takes place on June 23 and 24 ahead of the finals in late July. Three weeks of Validation Testing will then take place at the Argonne National Laboratory outside of Chicago before winners are announced in September. 

As well as being able to achieve more than 100mpg or energy equivalent (MPGe), the vehicles must be marketable and able to meet price, size, capability, safety and performance demands in the real world. Entrants are divided into two classes - Mainstream vehicles, which must carry four or more passengers, have four or more wheels, and offer a 200-mile range, and Alternative vehicles, which must carry two or more passengers and allow for a 100 mile range. Public days are scheduled for June 25 and July 23 along with an Open House event at MIS next month which is yet to be finalized. 

READ MORE - On-track testing underway for Automotive X-Prize

Global Celebrations Mark The Beginning Of The Year 2010

The beginning of the year 2010 was welcomed with open arms by people across the world, as millions immersed themselves in jubilant celebrations marking the onset of the new year that has brought with numerous special events across the spectrum of politics, science, sports technology etc. The Eiffel Tower in Paris, France was decorated with gorgeous disco style lights to kick off the new year’s eve celebrations.

 The beginning of the year 2010 was welcomed with open arms by people across the world, as millions immersed themselves in jubilant celebrations marking the onset of the new year that has brought with numerous special events across the spectrum of politics, science, sports technology etc. The Eiffel Tower in Paris, France was decorated with gorgeous disco style lights to kick off the new year’s eve celebrations.

Times Square, New York which is widely known to be the center of one of the new year’s celebrations was packed to capacity with hundreds of thousands of revelers as about 3,000 pounds of confetti poured all over the venue to usher in the celebrations. Fireworks display began at 1800 hrs and the famous New Year Ball was lowered into place at the stroke of midnight.

In a statement, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said,

    “The year that is ending has been difficult for everybody. No continent, no country, no sector has been spared. Even if the tests are unfinished, 2010 will be a year of renewal.”

The year 2009 witnessed one of the darkest hours in the global economy with a massive recession that left numerous jobless and created very unstable financial situation across the world. The new year brings the hope of turning around the badly bruised economy, but many world leaders have stated that, it would be a gradual process and will not be able to achieve in a short time.
Times Square, New York which is widely known to be the center of one of the new year’s celebrations was packed to capacity with hundreds of thousands of revelers as about 3,000 pounds of confetti poured all over the venue to usher in the celebrations. Fireworks display began at 1800 hrs and the famous New Year Ball was lowered into place at the stroke of midnight.

In a statement, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said,

    “The year that is ending has been difficult for everybody. No continent, no country, no sector has been spared. Even if the tests are unfinished, 2010 will be a year of renewal.”

The year 2009 witnessed one of the darkest hours in the global economy with a massive recession that left numerous jobless and created very unstable financial situation across the world. The new year brings the hope of turning around the badly bruised economy, but many world leaders have stated that, it would be a gradual process and will not be able to achieve in a short time.

READ MORE - Global Celebrations Mark The Beginning Of The Year 2010