Johnson Controls-Saft Awarded $8.2 Million Development Contract
The United States Advanced Battery Consortium (USABC), with funding from the U.S. Department of Energy, has awarded Johnson Controls-Saft a contract valued at $8.2 million. The contract will focus on the development of lithium-ion battery systems for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and over the course of two years will seek to validate the commercial feasibility of lithium-ion technology for mass market PHEVs.

INCAT Lands Major New IT Services Contract at Jaguar Land Rover
Jaguar Land Rover appoints INCAT as Application Transition Vendor and Application Management Services provider in a move that underscores INCAT's leadership in IT and engineering management within the automotive sector

Honeywell to Turbocharge First Ford EcoBoost Engine
Honeywell, the world's largest turbo manufacturer, is helping Ford find a "replacement for displacement." As the industry leader in developing advancements in turbo technology, Honeywell has been selected by Ford to develop turbochargers for its first introduction of EcoBoost technology on next year's 2010 Lincoln MKS. The new turbocharged 3.5L V-6 engine will perform like a large V-8, but will deliver the fuel economy of a V-6.

Microsoft Extends Award-Winning Automotive Platform
Microsoft Corp. today announced it will expand its automotive offering beyond software to include services. Microsoft's Automotive Business Unit (ABU) continues to enhance in-vehicle experiences by providing automakers with new and innovative ways to meet increasing consumer expectations.

BorgWarner's Breakthrough Turbo Technology Improves Diesel Emissions
Building on the success of variable turbine geometry (VTG(TM)) turbochargers and regulated two-stage (R2S(R)) turbocharging systems, the experts at BorgWarner have achieved another ground-breaking advancement in air management technology, designing a turbocharger that can withstand the harsh environment created by low-pressure exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) systems to meet the world's strictest emissions standards. The company expects to see the technology introduced in the U.S. in 2008 on diesel imports from two European automakers.

New UK Electric Car Manufacturer to Invest £30 Million and Create 250 Jobs
Newly formed Liberty Electric Cars Ltd is investing £30 million in the re engineering of large luxury cars and 4 x 4s into emission-free, high performance electric vehicles. The company will design and manufacture a unique electric drive-train platform to power a wide range of large vehicles, which will also have the flexibility to incorporate emerging technologies. Annual vehicle production, which will include the world’s first zero emission, electrically powered Range Rover, will be in tens of thousands and will create around 250 new technology and manufacturing jobs.

Antonov Develops Low Cost Gearbox for the Low Cost Car
Antonov, the automotive technology company, is returning to first principles in order to develop the radical low cost transmission systems required for ultra low cost cars.

Nissan and NEC Joint Venture – AESC – Starts Operations
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd, NEC Corporation, and its subsidiary NEC TOKIN Corporation, today announced that its joint-venture company – Automotive Energy Supply Corporation (AESC) – has begun full operations. AESC’s start of operation follows the announcement of the joint-venture in April 2007.

GM Announces Two New Fuel Efficient Engines
1.4-Liter Turbo for Global Applications and 1.6-Liter CNG Turbo To Debut in Opel Zafira