Daimler AG has acquired an equity stake of nearly 10 per cent of Tesla Motors Inc. This investment is expected to deepen the relationship between the inventor of the automobile and the newest member of the global auto industry. Tesla is the only production automaker selling a highway capable electric vehicle in North America and Europe. The two companies have already been working closely to integrate Tesla’s lithium-ion battery packs and charging electronics into the first 1,000 units of Daimler’s electric smart car. In order to benefit from each other’s know-how, the investment enables the partners to collaborate even more closely on the development of battery systems, electric drive systems and in individual vehicle projects. 

As part of the collaboration, Prof. Herbert Kohler, Vice President E-Drive and Future Mobility at Daimler AG, will take a seat on Tesla’s board of directors. This long-term partnership with Tesla complements Daimler’s multi-facetted strategy to advance the electrification of the automobile. Daimler is also moving forward the industrialization of lithium-ion technology. In March, the company founded the Deutsche Accumotive GmbH, a joint venture with Evonik Industries AG. Daimler is the first vehicle manufacturer worldwide that develops, produces and markets batteries for automotive applications. This is based on a Daimler stockholding in Li-Tec, the German specialist for lithium-ion battery cells.

In what is seen as a move that will have a long standing influence on industries and in particular, the auto industry, US President Barack Obama has proposed the country's first greenhouse gas emission standards. The President has also ordered carmakers to increase fuel economy. Clearly spelling out an intention to free the United States of dependence on oil, Obama stressed the need to begin the transition to a clean-energy economy. 

In what is observed as a marked departure from Bush administration, the effect of the new policy is expected to reduce US carbon emissions in the region of 900 to 1000 metric tonnes by 2016, almost an equivalent of 58 million cars going off the road for a year. While oil consumption is expected to drop by a good 1.8 billion barrels by 2016, the new rules would push for greater fuel efficiency. From the current 10.6kpl to 15kpl by 2016, almost a 40 per cent increase. 

Setting standards for each class size of vehicle under the new rules, the push for efficient vehicles is expected to be increase the prices of the automobiles. This is estimated to be in the region of US$ 600 and US$ 700. The new standards are in line with a target set by California some years ago. The Bush administration had refused to grant the state a waiver that would have allowed it to regulate fuel efficiency beyond the national standards. Appreciated by climate-change experts, the move is expected to boost a quest for alternate propulsion systems.

Renault and Ondas have announced the signing of an agreement to offer satellite radio receivers in Renault Group vehicles sold in Europe from 2012. This new product will allow customers to benefit from a vast range of digital programmes, topical and advertising-free, and give them access to services in areas such as traffic information, security, vehicle management or even video for passengers. 

Gradually becoming available in all European countries from 2012, satellite radio will give customers the benefit of listening to radio stations specialising in music, news, discussion, sport, traffic or weather, with no advertising and broadcast in the continent's main languages. Moreover, digital data channels will open the way to related services, in the areas of traffic news, security, vehicle management or even video for vehicle passengers. 

Operational in the United States since 2001, where it had won over 19 million customers at year end 2008 (source: SIRIUS XM Radio), satellite radio is available across the whole country. It offers customers a very broad variety of programmes, most usually free of advertising, along with related data, news and entertainment services. Each American operator is currently broadcasting more than one hundred stations simultaneously by satellite, land transmitters and over the Internet. Customers can listen to their favourite programmes not only on in-vehicle radios, but also on individual (personal stereo) and home receivers.

Prabhakar Dev has taken over as Managing Director and CEO of Greaves Cotton. Dev's role will entail overseeing the company's operations and performance while guiding it to retain leadership position in engines and infrastructure equipment – the two core competencies of the company. He will also provide impetus to the company's ambitious growth plans. 

Prabhakar Dev joined Greaves Cotton a year ago and held the position of Deputy Managing Director prior to his new appointment by the Board. Greaves, a Rs. 1350 crore, multi-product, multi-locational company is one of the leading engineering companies in India, with core competencies in diesel / petrol engines and infrastructure equipment. The company sustains its leadership through ten manufacturing units which produce world class products backed by comprehensive marketing and service/parts network throughout the country.

Greaves Cotton Limited rolled out the two millionth light diesel engine from its Aurangabad plant recently. The millionth engine was made in December 2004, the two million mark coming up in a short span of just 4 ½ years. Speaking on the occasion, the company’s Managing Director & CEO, Prabhakar Dev, said, "With an annual production of over 2,50,000 single cylinder light diesel engines, Greaves is already amongst the largest manufacturers of such engines in the world. If we maintain this momentum, I reckon the next million is not too far away". 

Greaves began the manufacture of light diesel engines way back in 1977 and has since set up three more plants and a Technology Centre dedicated to design and develop new proprietary technology eco-friendly diesel engines for automotive and other applications. The Company’s manufacturing plants are equipped with state-of-the-art production facilities, backed by in house R&D. These portable engines are produced in the range of 4 – 11 HP and find applications in automotive, marine, industrial and other uses. Greaves client list includes some of the leading 3-wheeler manufacturers in the country. Greaves has also recently forayed into the manufacture of twin cylinder engines for various applications such as four-wheeled low cost commercial vehicles, gensets and construction equipment.