Video: Autoweek tours the Tesla EV factory

Our own Mark Vaughn recently took a tour of the sprawling California plant where Tesla is gearing up to build as many as 20,000 electric cars per year. Formerly part of the General Motors/Toyota New United Motor Manufacturing Inc. joint venture, the vast space allows huge swaths of factory floor--all newly painted--between each of the machines.

VW Passat Bluemotion 2 (2008) unveiled

By Ben Whitworth First Official Pictures 03 November 2008 10:50 Volkswagen has opened up its order books on its new Passat Bluemotion 2, it’s cleanest and greenest Passat yet. Replacing the current Bluemotion model, the Mk2 Bluemotion is powered by a 110bhp 2.0-litre common rail diesel that’s been recalibrated with a lower idle rate and fitted with a switchable start/stop system to cut emissions and boost economy. When it arrives here in January, the Passat will post a combined economy figure of 57.6mpg and a CO2 rating of 128 g/km - useful savings compared to the outgoing 1.9-litre 105bhp BlueMotion model (55.4mpg and 136 g/km).

BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Concept – Frankfurt catchup

BMW revealed the Vision EfficientDynamics Concept at Frankfurt CO2 targets – and the received wisdom that somehow the planet is dying because we drive cars – means car makers have to respond to the mood and produce ‘Eco’ cars. Which is a problem for makers of prestige and performance cars. How do they square the circle?