As Congress hammers out the next federal budget, producers of two diverging camps of biofuels producers are striving to take the lead for government support. On one side is a collection of small companies, some backed by the oil industry, that are developing synthetic, non-ethanol biofuels. On the other is the corn ethanol industry, which is eager to expand its potential market.
A bipartisan group of U.S. senators has asked the Energy Dept. to increase funding for research and development of fuel cell vehicles and other uses of hydrogen. The senators noted that several automakers are planning for commercial fuel cell electric vehicle launches beginning in 2014-15, and hope to influence the 2012 budget debates.
Even though bus travel remains one of the safest ways to travel, the federal government is moving swiftly and aggressively to put into place new regulations to control the industry. The new regulations come after several high profile accidents and provide the federal government more power to grant or restrict operating authority.
Westlake Financial Services revealed its top auctions for the first quarter and many came out as repeat winners. The choices for top overall auctions went to Manheim Nevada, Norwalk Auto Auction and Brasher's Salt Lake City Auto Auction.
Franchise dealers enjoyed their strongest April for used-car sales in five years, according to CNW Research. Meanwhile, independent dealers saw an increase greater than 17 percent on a year-over-year basis. Franchise dealers sold 1.32 million used vehicles, which is 10.7 percent stronger than April 2010 figures, CNW's Art Spinella reported. Used sales for independent dealers reached 1.33 million units, up from 1.13 million vehicles a year ago.