Biodiesel Tax Credit Ends; More Producers Shutting Down
Last year was tough for producers of biodiesel, especially as 2009 ended with expiration on a federal tax credit of $1 per gallon produced. When diesel prices dropped 18%, sales were hurt, and the European Union's decision to place a tariff on imported biodiesel further hurt the industry.
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Garmin, maker of GPS devices, now has a device called ecoRoute hd, which plugs into a car's OBDII diagnostic port and then syncs with an additional Garmin nuvi GPS device. It rates your driving based on how efficient your right foot is. The system monitors engine load, RPM, average speed, acceleration, and all things that factor into fuel efficiency.
Ford F-Series Tops Light Duty Sales, Again
For the 33rd year in a row, Ford's F-Series is America's best-selling truck with 2009 sales of 413,625. F-series outsold its nearest truck rival by more than 97,000 units, the largest margin in three years. In addition, for the 28th consecutive year, F-Series is once again America's best-selling vehicle of any type - car, crossover, SUV, truck or van.
Automotive Technology Study to Identify Solutions to Reduce Driver Stress
Ford and MIT's AgeLab have undertaken a six-month study to determine driver reactions to stressful situations and evaluate technology to reduce stress levels and improve driver attention and safety.
Leases Terminating Earlier, More Often in Poor Economy
Automotive leases were terminated early in 2009 at a rate of 21% compared with just 15-15% through 2007. They were also terminated more quickly after 14 months compared to 12 months in 2008 and 4 months before that. Change in job status was the most-cited reason for terminations.
