I live near Springfield, Missouri. Today I saw gas prices as low as $1.16 a gallon. That is cheap gas. Possibly too cheap for growth in the alternative fueled industry. Tesla Motors stock has been getting hammered this year…recently hitting a low of $141.05. The 52 week high was
When I was an automotive instructor I liked taking the time to discuss with my students how automotive manufacturing has evolved over the last 100+ years. Let’s look at the assembly line in 1913 and now in 2013. Ford Motor Company’s Moving Assembly Line Henry Ford is often credited with
How many automotive manufacturers can stand the test of time? I love attending old car shows and swap meets, perusing old cars and car parts of yesteryear. Being at old car shows make one understand that auto manufacturing is a rough business. Think of the following antique car clubs: Plymouth,
General Motors (GM) announced today that it will become the first major U.S. automaker to design and manufacture electric motors. In a press release, a GM vice chairman said that “In the future, electric motors might become as important to GM as engines are now”. I am surprised the VP
It was announced yesterday that the United States Department of Energy (DOE) approved a $465 million loan to Tesla Motors – the electric California based automaker currently producing the Tesla Roadster. This loan is to help bring to market (in larger volumes) the Model S electric sedan. The Model S
Will California become the new Michigan in automotive manufacturing? If the EV (electric vehicle) market takes off jobs will be bountiful in small start-ups. Just take a look at Tesla Motors…a company only a handful of years old…is looking for design engineers, CNC machinists, firmware engineers, manufacturing engineers, project engineers,
When I think of Daimler AG (formerly Daimler-Benz/DaimlerChrysler), I think of Karl Benz – recognized as the inventor of the automobile (patented in 1886). When I think of Tesla Motors, I think of a company that has extreme potential to make a significant contribution during the electric car revolution. When
On Saturday April 25th, 2009 I attended the California Automotive Teachers Conference at Universal Technical Institute (UTI) in Sacramento. After the conference I visited a friend in Santa Clara for a few days. I was excited to see him and his family. On Sunday before taking his children to a
As money is being bled by General Motors, Chrysler, and Ford in Michigan, will new start-up companies in California emerge as major players in auto manufacturing? Electric and plug-in hybrids are the driving force…along with President Barack Obama and the Federal Government waving $2.4 billion to get the ball rolling.
Many people think that electric cars are new technology. In contrary, electric cars have been around for over 100 years. Did you know that in 1900 more electric vehicles were sold than gasoline and steam powered vehicles? (See Source) Electric development is gaining speed. A relatively new California based start
