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Recharge Wrap-up: GM, LG Chevy Bolt collaboration, Honda Energy Star plants

Green Car Reports details the relationship between GM and LG in the development and production of the Chevy Bolt. The unique relationship between the two companies began in 2008, and now sees LG producing a multitude of systems for the Bolt, many of which were designed by or with GM. LG's involvement in the Bolt has gone so deep as "defining what will this vehicle be, everything from how we are going to package it, what size it should be, what kind of performance it should have," according to Pam Fletcher, GM's Executive chief engineer for electrified vehicles. Forgoing the traditional automotive relationship for a more collaborative one doesn't just save money, but it also gives GM access to LG's suite of technologies and manufacturing capabilities. Read more at Green Car Congress. The EPA has awarded three Honda factories with Energy Star certification. The automaker's assembly plants in Marysville and East Liberty, Ohio have now earned Energy Star certification ten consecutive years. The Marysville plant added LED lighting, hydrogen-powered tow motors and forklifts, high efficiency HVAC and direct-fired water boilers. The East Liberty facility added new LED lighting and replaced a large water heater with a high-efficiency one. Honda's newest US plant, Honda Manufacturing of Indiana, installed LED lighting and used energy efficient features in its recent expansion. Honda also cites a culture of energy-mindedness – for every associate – for its success. "When everyone involved considers energy efficiency and how they can help the environment, results improve," says Karen Heyob, Honda's sustainability boss in North America. Read more from Honda. The student-led Associated Students of the University of Montana (ASUM) Transportation has ordered two Proterra electric buses. The 40-foot Catalyst Fast Charge buses will serve the campus, and will recharge with a semi-autonomous fast charger. "As part of our ongoing effort to innovate service, align with student advocacy and reduce our carbon footprint, we take great pride in our decision to go electric," says ASUM Office of Transportation Director Jordan Hess. "We hope this encourages – and challenges – other universities to seriously consider the economic and environmental benefits of zero-emission buses." Read more in the press release below. First Student-led Transit Agency in the U.S.

Looking back at the Citation IV concept that likely shaped the GM EV1

Those who forget history are condemned to repeat it. We're not sure how that applies to the GM EV1, but we'd still like to share something from Autoline Daily, an online automotive new show with our friend John McElroy. He's been covering the business for decades now and recently found something interesting: pictures of the 1984 Chevrolet Citation IV concept, seen above. Displayed half a decade before the first electric concept that would become the EV1 (inset), McElroy says it's now clear that the elegant, aerodynamic EV1 took a lot of styling cues from the Citation IV, which was developed in part thanks to GM's new-at-the-time Aerodynamics Laboratory. We agree with him that the spats over the rear wheels, the flush glass, and the covered headlights all bear a certain kind of similarity between the two cars. That the colors almost match is a nice coincidence. The Impact (the concept version of the EV1) looked "frumpier," McElroy says, because it wasn't as long as the Citation. You can read a lot more about the Citation IV here and check out McElroy's thoughts in the video below. Find the Citation starting at around 3:45. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

Chevy's latest Silverado videos assume we're idiots

UPDATE: This article has been revised to reflect that any mention of materials used in a future Chevrolet Silverado is speculation. Can we have a sound, rational debate about the merits of aluminum versus steel? According to Chevrolet's latest marketing videos pitting the Silverado against the Ford F-150, the answer is no. The tone of all three ads is almost Orwellian: steel good, aluminum bad. Of course, this will all be a hilarious joke when an aluminum-bodied Silverado comes in 2018. That's an if, as a member of the General Motor public relations team has reminded me that any articles regarding future product are pure speculation. Until then Chevy needs to sell the current Silverado, with its body comprised chiefly of steel, against the Ford F-150's lightweight aluminum panels. Instead of touting the merits of the "most-dependable, longest lasting pickup," the strategy seems to center around negative propaganda towards the 13th element. The tone of all three ads is almost Orwellian: steel good, aluminum bad. Of the three videos, the most fair is Silverado vs. F-150 Repair Costs and Time: Howie Long Head to Head. Basically: aluminum costs more than steel, it's more difficult to repair, and requires special equipment for body shops. In terms of Chevy versus Ford, the blue oval truck costs more and takes longer to repair - an average of $1,755 more and 34 more days in the shop, according to the ad. But why stop there when you can have pitchman Howie Long raising an eyebrow at random facts? When Silverado Chief Engineer Eric Stanczak says of the Ford, "It's manufactured in a way that combines aluminum, rivets, and adhesive in a process that's different than Silverado." Long responds, "Huh. Interesting." At the end of the video, Long says "I'd be interested to know what happens to insurance costs." Note he's not saying anything substantive. If Chevy's legal team could sign off on some facts about insurance rates, it would be in this ad. On our Autoblog Cost to Own calculator, there is no significant difference in projected insurance costs between the two trucks. But at least that ad has facts. The other two videos are pure hype. In Cages: High Stength Steel, real people are asked what they think of aluminum and steel in a room with two cages. Then a bear is released into the room, and the subjects scurry to the safety of the steel cage.