Automakers, suppliers get $56.6M in grants

[SpartanDem]

Source: Detroit Free Press

The Obama administration announced today grants totaling $56.6 million for Michigan automakers and suppliers to demonstrate new fuel efficient technologies.

The awards, which the companies must match, is part of a Department of Energy program devoted to boosting the fuel economy of regular engines by 25% to 40% by 2015. In most cases, the money only covers a demonstration project, and would need more refinement before entering production.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood will spend much of the day at the Detroit auto show inspecting new fuel-saving technology and electric-powered vehicles. The money for the projects come from the $787 billion economic stimulus plan passed last year.

The awards include:
•$15 million to Ford, to show how to boost fuel economy by 25% in a large sedan using a variety of technologies.
•$14.5 million to Chrysler, for a flexible combustion system in a minivan.
•$12 million to Robert Bosch in Farmington Hills for a demo of a gasoline-engine fired by a diesel-type ignition offering up to 30% fuel economy improvements.
•$7.7 million to General Motors to test a system for boosting the fuel economy of a mid-size sedan by 25%.
•$7.5 million to Delphi, for researching several technologies.







Read more: http://www.freep.com/article/20100111/BLOG40/100111005/1016/business03/Automakers-suppliers-get-56.6M-in-grants

[Juche]

1. Good

A 25% fuel boost is pretty good. If that goes from 30 to 38 mpg that will save 85 gallons for an average car a year. Which is about $230 in cost savings per household per car.

Energy efficiency is not only good for the environment, but a great way to improve the standard of living the working class, poor and middle class. I know that is obvious, but that fact often is forgotten.

Better insulation, higher MPG cars and low cost wind power could probably save the average family $1000 a year in lower energy costs.

[notadmblnd]

2. Grants? Another giveaway? Boy, I could sure use a grant or two tossed my way.

[MercutioATC]

3. Normally, I'd agree....

...but (done right) research grants have the potential to create great innovation.

[notadmblnd]

5. yeah, but how many jobs will it create?

we're all sinking further down the hole everyday, yet corporate America can stick their hands out and get anything they want.

[groundloop]

4. From what I've seen, much research grant money finds it's way to universities

When I was in school I worked for a professor doing research on using ethanol in fuel, funded by a research grant. I think this is a great thing, it'll mean jobs for one thing, and possibly lead to innovations that will benefit all of us.