Michigan Backs Ethanol Conversions
Michigan is bullish on ethanol.
The state of Michigan has announced that the government will invest $250,000 in helping to convert some of what they hope will eventually be 1,000 gasoline pumps to ethanol and other alternative fuels by 2008. As part of their plan, the state will pay up to 75% of a gas station’s costs to help convert their pumps. Presently, it costs about $2,000 to convert a pump to ethanol or $15,000 to install a new pump, a cost few station owners are willing to shoulder.
If the Michigan program works as planned, then the state will surpass Minnesota in the number of alternative fuel pumps available to consumers.
Ethanol is derived from corn and other feed stocks and typically consists of a 85% ethanol to 15% gasoline.
Source: Detroit News
Technorati Tags: Ethanol, Alternative Fuel, Biodiesel, Michigan, Greenhouse Gases
GM Expands OnStar Offering
General Motors’ OnStar navigation system will soon be finding its way on more models as standard equipment for the 2007 model year. Citing the growing popularity of onboard navigation systems, GM will make OnStar standard equipment on nearly all Buick and Cadillac models. In addition, the automaker will offer its service package for free for the first year, and lower the cost of the package to $299 in subsequent years according to the Detroit Free Press.
Technorati Tags: Onstar, Navigation System, GM, Buick, Cadillac
Is Your Car MP3 Ready?
The iPod and MP3 craze is being recognized by automakers who are planning to offer hookups in as many as 70% of the 2007 models expected to be sold. According to Auto Week jacks and plug ins are in demand by most drivers under the age of 44. Thus, if you are attempting to sell cars this group of consumers, you could kill a sale without a connection being offered.
Aftermarket adapters are also popular for vehicles that are not MP3 ready, however prices can range from $149 to $319 plus installation according to the Auto Week article. Cars that come equipped with jacks and plug ins are selling briskly and offer dealers one more way to make money on the sale of a vehicle.
Technorati Tags: cars, ipod, mp3, Scion
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