Detroit Electric To Offer $135,000 Electric Sports Car

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The AP (4/3) reports on the Detroit Electric car company which built 13,000 electric cars between its founding in 1906 and going out of business in 1939. However, “Detroit Electric was revived five years ago by Albert Lam, a former Lotus Cars and Apple Inc. executive” and has set up offices in Michigan where it […]


Manufacturing sector energy use and energy intensity down since 2002

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Total energy consumption in the manufacturing sector decreased by 17 percent from 2002 to 2010, according to data released today by the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Manufacturing gross output decreased by only 3 percent over the same period. Taken together, these data indicate a significant decline in the amount of energy used per unit of […]


Ford’s Material Strategy Risky

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Arguments over which automotive material is best usually are confined to engineers and racing enthusiasts, but the benefits of aluminum vs. steel likely will spill onto both Main Street and Wall Street next year. That’s when the highest-volume vehicle sold in the U.S., the Ford F-150 pickup, is expected to debut with an all-new aluminum-intensive […]


DOE, Treasury Announce Tax Credits For Energy Efficient Manufacturing

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The Houston Business Journal (2/8, Daugherty, Subscription Publication) reports, “Federal agencies are offering $150 million in tax credits for energy efficient manufacturing projects.” The US Treasury and the Department of Energy “have announced $150 million in energy manufacturing tax credits for clean energy and energy efficiency manufacturing projects in the US.” The Business Journal notes, […]



New Zinc Die Casting Alloy Reduces Part Cost

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The North American Die Casting Association (NADCA) has sponsored the research to create a new zinc alloy for thin wall applications. The alloy was developed by the International Lead and Zinc Research Organization (ILZRO). This alloy, also known as the HF alloy (HF for high fluidity), has 40% higher fluidity than Zamak 7 – the […]



Japanese Auto Supplier Tokai Rika Pleads Guilty To Price Fixing

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The AP (10/31) reports, “Japanese auto supplier Tokai Rika Co. Ltd. has agreed to plead guilty and pay a $17.7 million fine for price-fixing, the US Department of Justice said Tuesday.” The “company fixed the prices of heater control units that were sold to Toyota Motor Corp. in the US between 2003 and 2010,” according […]


ISM: Manufacturing Expands In September

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Bloomberg News (10/2, Jamrisko) reports, “Manufacturing unexpectedly expanded in September after three months of contraction, reflecting stronger orders that ease concern the US economy will slow further. The Institute for Supply Management’s factory index rose to 51.5 last month from 49.6 in August, the Tempe, Arizona-based group said” Monday. The AP (10/2, Rugaber) reports, “The […]


ISM: Manufacturing Expands In September

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Bloomberg News (10/2, Jamrisko) reports, “Manufacturing unexpectedly expanded in September after three months of contraction, reflecting stronger orders that ease concern the US economy will slow further. The Institute for Supply Management’s factory index rose to 51.5 last month from 49.6 in August, the Tempe, Arizona-based group said” Monday. The AP (10/2, Rugaber) reports, “The […]