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China sticking to its guns on EVs for the future

Automakers are obviously free to develop whatever next-gen, zero-emissions tech that they want. However, if a company wants to get on the good side of the Chinese government, that strategy better include some plug-in vehicles. The authorities there are lending major support to plug-ins at the moment, and its forcing the auto industry to play along. According to Bloomberg, Toyota, Volkswagen, Hyundai, and BMW are all launching dedicated EV brands with their joint venture partners, and as many as 40 electric models could hit the Chinese market this year alone. However, analysts don't think the vehicles are going to sell well. Instead, the launches are essentially a way for companies to play nice with the government and help get the approval to build factories in the country. Take Toyota as an example. The company is pushing the future of hydrogen hard with promotional films for the Mirai and engineers talking down fast-charging EVs. Still, the Japanese automaker is getting ready to launch two EV brands in China with its joint venture partners, according to Bloomberg. China's push for alternative fuels has been happening for a while, but it really kicked into high gear last year. The government has set a goal to improve fleet-wide economy by 40 percent by the end of the decade in order to spend less importing oil and for the population's health. The plan has shown some success so far with hybrid and EV sales growing early in 2015. Related Video: News Source: BloombergImage Credit: Kin Cheung / AP Photo Government/Legal Green BMW Hyundai Toyota Volkswagen Green Culture Technology Electric tax incentives chinese government

Japan carmakers vouch for safety of some Kobe Steel parts

TOKYO — Four Japanese automakers on Thursday said they found no safety issues with aluminum parts supplied by Kobe Steel Ltd, allaying some concerns that falsified quality data on products from the steelmaker had compromised their vehicles. Kobe Steel shares surged after the car makers' statements, but the steelmaker still has to contend with a U.S. Justice Department probe, while checks continue at hundreds of companies involved in complex supply chains spanning the globe. Japan's third-biggest steelmaker admitted earlier this month it falsified specifications on the strength and durability of aluminum, copper and steel products, along with materials for optical disks. The falsifications stretch back for more than 10 years, a senior executive told Reuters this week. Since then, global automakers, aircraft companies and other manufacturers have scrambled to identify potential hazards in their products. Toyota, Honda, Nissan and Mazda said that hoods and other exterior parts used in their cars which were made from aluminum directly supplied by Kobe Steel were safe. Kobe Steel shares ended the day nearly 7 percent higher but are still down by more than a third since it announced the data falsification. Automakers are still making checks on other parts, including those that they received through their parts suppliers. "We confirmed that the materials satisfy applicable statutory standards, and our own internal standard, for key safety and durability requirements for vehicles," Toyota said in a statement. Toyota, one of the world's largest automakers, identified aluminum plates supplied by Kobe Steel for the hoods and rear hatches of Toyota and Lexus brand vehicles. Though outside the automaker's specifications, they were still safe to use. While Subaru and other carmakers said they were still investigating the issue, the announcements by Toyota, Honda, Nissan and Mazda suggest that Kobe Steel's cheating scandal may have a limited impact on product safety."SERIOUS SITUATION" Nonetheless, the company's fate hangs in the balance while checks are being carried out. It must report to Japan's industry ministry by around the end of next week on any safety concerns and provide a more extensive account of the problems a fortnight later. Industry leaders have reached a consensus that Kobe Steel is in a "serious situation," a senior Japanese manufacturing executive told Reuters.

Toyota Mobility Foundation sets up shop in Da Nang

You never know where the next cleaner mobility effort is going to take place. Toyota is looking around the world for places to make getting around a less dirty affair and the latest experiment is going to take place in Da Nang, Vietnam. Aside from the new location, though, there's nothing particularly special about the Da Nang project. The first two basic ideas are to set up a community bus service in the governmental, educational and commercial districts and a park-and-ride program. The project is the second from the Toyota Mobility Foundation, which says that these the enhancements to Da Nang's transportation system further TMF's, "philosophy of combining Toyota's knowledge with the expertise of partners to enable more people around the globe to move safely, efficiently and enjoyably." TMF will spend 2.9 million dollars over three years to set up the project in Da Nang. The first TMF project launched in Bangkok earlier this year. Toyota Mobility Foundation Launches Program in Da Nang, Vietnam The Foundation's Second Program Will Address Emerging Transportation Issues in Rapidly Growing Mid-sized City Tokyo, Japan June 9, 2015-Toyota Mobility Foundation (TMF) today announced its second program, which will launch in Da Nang, Vietnam to address emerging transportation issues in the rapidly growing mid-size city. The announcement follows news earlier in April, 2015 from TMF regarding the launch of its first pilot program in Bangkok, Thailand. Both programs reflect the Foundation's philosophy of combining Toyota's knowledge with the expertise of partners to enable more people around the globe to move safely, efficiently and enjoyably. "Toyota Mobility Foundation develops innovative solutions that address a full range of mobility challenges facing communities around the globe by sharing our knowledge," said Akio Toyoda, Chairman of the Board of TMF and President of Toyota Motor Corporation. "As Da Nang adapts to its rapid population and economic growth, we-together with our partners including Da Nang city government-aims to build a more joyful mobile society." TMF will partner with the local government in Da Nang to develop a sustainable transportation system that meets projected population growth estimates and mobility needs. In the early stages of motorization, Da Nang is considered an entrance to the Indochina East-West Economic Corridor, which links Vietnam, Laos, Thailand and Myanmar.