Automotive News - April 21, 2008 - (Page 26)

26 • APRIL 21, 2008 green car Sunroof powers sales, service, lighting and… Dealer: Like autos, store can use alternative fuel Bernadine Williams bwilliams@crain.com Sunroof specs What: 1,609 solar panels on 2 building roofs Power output: 280 kilowatts, or 80 to 90% of dealership’s power needs Where: British Motor Car Distributors’ San Francisco dealership Cost: $1 million for additions to 2 buildings to support the solar panels, $2 million for the entire project Subsidies: California Solar Initiative paid 30% and federal tax rebates another 30% Expected time to payback: 3 to 5 years British Motor Car Distributors LLC, of San Francisco, raised the roof to boost its green credentials. The family-owned company installed solar panels on a new roof, tapping state and federal funds to help pay for the conversion. Dealers across America are looking to alternative energy sources such as wind and the sun to generate electricity for their buildings, joining an effort to reduce greenhouse gases and cut the nation’s reliance on fossil fuels. “This will show the community that we are contributing to fuel-efficient efforts while waiting for our manufacturers to improve their products,” said Jeff Qvale, president of British Motor. larCity. Musk was also a key investor in Tesla Motors Inc., maker of the allelectric Tesla Roadster sports car. Jeff Qvale said the Tesla project ignited his long-term concern “about the environment, saving money and showing the community that we are concerned citizens.” “We had a general feeling that using the sun makes sense,” he told Automotive News. When he heard that Musk was combining solar-power companies into SolarCity, “we thought, ‘Lets see what they can do for our business.’ ” Taxpayer funds The California Solar Initiative, which began in January 2007, also fueled the dealer’s drive to switch to solar energy. The initiative helps businesses offset the cost of installing solar equipment. “California made it cost effective to do,” Jeff Qvale said. “The sooner you signed up, the higher the rebate. Many people were taking advantage of the initiative before funds were depleted. We got involved early to get the maximum amount of assistance.” The state allocated $3.3 billion for businesses and individuals interested in converting to solar energy, said Kelly of SolarCity. It was originally thought it would take 10 years for the funds to be used up. But because of unexpectedly strong interest, funding could be used up in five years, Kelly said. The initiative paid for 30 percent of the cost of the British Motor project, Kelly said. The dealership also received a federal tax rebate that funded another 30 percent of the investment. c Feeding the grid On April 1, the dealership began its interconnection with California utility Pacific Gas & Electric when it flicked on the solar converting system. The roof-mounted panels will supply electricity to the dealership. Any excess power generated will essentially earn British Motor credits with PG&E, to be exchanged on days when the panels generate less power than the dealership needs. British Motor’s solar-powered electricity is being phased in gradually. A few months from now, when the system is expected to become fully operational, the dealership expects to slash its monthly $5,000 electric bill by using the sun to supply 80 to 90 percent of its electricity. Qvale had 869 solar panels installed on the roof of one of British Motor’s two buildings, providing 151 kilowatts of electricity. The second building will have 740 panels that put out 129 kilowatts. The cost for the additions to both buildings is estimated at $1 million, and the entire project is put at $2 million. State and federal funds are expected to pay 60 percent of the bill. Power and parking “It has been a comfortable installation process. It hasn’t bothered us at all,” said Kjell Qvale, Jeff Qvale’s father and the founder and chairman of British Motor Car Distributors. “Now, we are just waiting for the results.” Under normal circumstances, installing the solar panels on both roofs would take two weeks. But because the installing contractor, SolarCity Inc., of Foster City, Calif., had to accommodate the cars that British Motor stores on its roof, the installation on the first building alone took almost a month. “We had to build a carport structure first. Then we placed the panels on top,” said Rob Kelly, a consultant for SolarCity. “The structure provides ultraviolet and weather protection for the cars. The panels are extremely low-maintenance and have a four- to five-year warranty.” British Motor leases the second building. Installation of the panels there was delayed while the dealership sought permission to build a permanent structure on the roof of that building. 3- to 5-year payback Kelly said British Motor could expect a return on its investment in three to five years. British Motor sells Bentley, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lotus and Lamborghini vehicles. The dealership reported 520 new vehicles sold in 2007. Planning for the project began about a year ago, after a meeting between Jeff Qvale and Elon Musk, chairman of SolarCity. About two years ago, Musk combined several solar-power companies to form So- Powertrain needs work, but Smart car belongs on America’s streets Richard Truett The Smart ForTwo from MercedesBenz deserves its place in a greener America. The car’s motorcycle-sized powertrain needs plenty of work, but the idea of a safe, modern and well-made microcar for the United States is a good one. And the timing is right. I felt differently three months ago after a visit to the Smart stand at the Detroit auto show. I spent a good half hour sitting in, going over and then writing off the ForTwo as a ridiculous clown car. But since the Detroit show, I’ve been to traffic-choked Chicago and New York, seen the price of oil top $109 a barrel and read about London Mayor Ken Livingstone’s plan to charge most drivers about $50 a day to drive in central London. The socalled congestion tax is an idea that is spreading. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg also posed the idea but was overruled — for now — by the state Legislature. Antaya gets the lead out of auto glass The Smart ForTwo may not be ready for U.S. highways, but it’s a joy to drive on city streets. motorcycle. And it’s tiresome. The car doesn’t like highway driving. At 70 mph or so, the driver must constantly tug the steering wheel left or right to keep the car going straight. But in the city, the 1,808-pound ForTwo positively shines. You can move the floor-mounted shifter to the right, then use the steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters to help smooth out acceleration. The turning radius is a supertight 28.7 feet. The brakes are decent, and the body is, like any Mercedes, superstiff. Plus the car is loaded with airbags and other safety features. ForTwo prices start at $12,190, including shipping, and can easily creep into the $17,000 range. Fuel economy is rated at 33 mpg city/41 highway. You may e-mail Richard Truett at rtruett@crain.com Bernadine Williams bwilliams@crain.com comment Richard Truett is an Automotive News staff reporter. I drove a Smart ForTwo around Detroit. Acceleration from the 1.0-liter, 70-hp three-cylinder engine is lousy. That’s mostly because of the transmission, a five-speed automated manual that lacks refinement and is all wrong for North America. A normal five-speed manual gearbox or a continuously variable transmission would make the ForTwo much more refined and fun to drive. For now, it is nearly impossible to drive the Smart smoothly. The car rocks as it shifts gears, making you feel like you are in a rowboat or on a Antaya Technologies Corp. is getting the lead out. The maker of electrical connectors for heated glass and on-glass antennas has joined forces with glass suppliers and automakers to reduce the amount of lead in vehicles. Antaya, of Cranston, R.I., expects it can remove an estimated 100 tons of lead annually from vehicles. It is working with such glass companies as Mexico’s Vitro SA de CV and Magna Donnelly, of Holland, Mich. Cars and light trucks produced in the United States average at least four lead-based connectors used for on-board technologies. The connectors provide power for windshields, backlights and quarter windows, along with signals for radio, keyless entry and remote-start controllers. Antaya and the glass makers aim to help General Motors switch to lead-free connectors and terminals. GM recently informed suppliers that lead must be removed from its connectors for vehicles produced for the 2009 model year. This spring, Antaya plans to replace lead-filled connectors on several GM models. Antaya still supplies lead-filled connectors for vehicles manufactured by American Honda Motor Co., BMW, Nissan Motor Co. and Toyota Motor Corp. The use of lead poses health and safety issues in manufacturing and environmental concerns during end-of-life disposal. Antaya began refining soldering procedures after Ford Motor Co. sought alternatives in the 1990s, says Elaine Catton, a spokeswoman for Antaya. “Until recently, it was thought that a suitable alternative did not exist,” Catton said. “The technology has been used in several vehicles built by Ford, GM and Chrysler but never gained broader acceptance as it is slightly more expensive than lead. “However, increased environmental awareness on the part of vehicle makers is causing them to revisit this technology.” c

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Automotive News - April 21, 2008

Automotive News - April 21, 2008 Reorganization plan gives more muscle to 4 sales-channel execs Hummer plummets, Saturn soars in sales per franchise Chrysler-Nissan: Loads of partnership potential LIFESTYLE PICKUPS Strike averted Friday at GM transmission plant Hyundai to phase out Tiburon Veteran lobbyist looks back on decades-long mpg battle Autonews.com offers news customization GM offers free digital marketing package to dealers Lithia extends vehicle repair warranty to 3 years/50,000 miles With new products, is there life in Saturn? Ford plans $100M-plus F-150 launch Ford broadens its diesel strategy GM pitches its management system to dealers Supplier to help Mahindra offer diesel hybrid Transplants top 40% of N.A. output in March Geely chief: 'We are still an ant' Honda could import cars from China GM redirects efforts to serve emerging markets Beijing showstoppers New Challenger is appetizer for full line in 2009 Last week, I got a glimpse of the future Service contracts: Federal oversight is needed Delphi mess drags on Can't we stop importing oil? Ryan revolutionized this business An editorial glass ceiling? Driving on hydrogen — pros and cons BMW should build even more here Not what New York ordered Magna exec: More suppliers will fail Canada sales off 0.4% in March Bosch pushes crash avoidance Chrysler plans hybrid Dodge Ram Honda engineer is honored by SAE for safety efforts Panel: Diesels may hit 20% of U.S. market by 2020 Automotive News PACE Awards: Night of black ties, trophies, praise PACE Awards honor innovation Truck sales drop 31% in March Honda's new Pilot is bigger, more upscale In China, GM looks to fresh vehicles in 2009 U.S. economic woes hurt shareholder values Judge refuses to toss GMC franchise-award case Dealers Farley: Ford's marketing team is ready to roll Landry: Chrysler's consolidation will spawn service-only stores Profits up at Johnson Controls Hyundai to fix airbag problem GM to build $200 million Brazil plant Convis is CEO of Dana Holding Denso names Katoh CEO Stephen Feinberg speaks! Hogan eyes CEO spot in startup Chrysler reviving its global dreams? How I saved Delphi: A work in progress Tesla Motors' lawsuit: Designer Fisker ripped us off Concert in the key of C-3PO

Automotive News - April 21, 2008

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