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Ford C-Max Solar Energi takes a recharging station wherever it goes

Companies ranging in size from small startups to major automakers have been experimenting with solar-powered charging stations for EVs and plug-in hybrids. And, of course, people have been powering vehicles with onboard solar panels for quite some time, too. Still, Ford's new C-Max Solar Energi Concept shows the promise of a truly practical implementation of solar on a production vehicle, and it may not be as far off in the future as we had thought.
As we reported a few days ago, the Solar concept makes use of a "concentrator lens" that focuses sunlight onto the Ford's roof-mounted solar panels. The special lens follows the rays of the sun to maximize the amount of charge being fed to the batteries of the car, taking about a day to fully charge the 21-mile, all-electric range of the C-Max Energi. Ford data suggests that combination might be enough to power 75 percent of all trips made by a statistically average driver. In turn, using the sun to power a vehicle could reduce yearly C02 emissions by up to four metric tons when compared with the driver of an average gasoline-powered sedan.
We've got live images of the C-Max Solar Energi Concept, jauntily tilted on its display to best present it's signature solar panels, straight from the CES floor.

Which car companies are creating new jobs in America?

Since January, automakers have announced investments totaling $9.5 billion in U.S. plants, creating or retaining more than 12,000 jobs. Some of those companies have yet to announce just how many jobs will be created given their investments, with the location of many of those jobs still to be determined. Specifically, the 4,000-job Toyota-Mazda joint venture plant still hasn't announced its location, with numerous states jockeying for it. Hyundai has plans to invest $1 billion but has not announced a jobs number yet. And likewise Ford is investing $1.2 billion in Michigan without specifying a number of jobs. Volvo this week announced plans to add a second line to its factory under construction in South Carolina, spending another $500 million and adding 2,500 jobs to the 2,000 it was already trying to fill. Then Thursday, Daimler announced a $1 billion expansion to its facility in Tuscaloosa, Ala., to produce EV batteries and electric SUVs, a move that will add 600 jobs to its hiring this year. Above, we've created a handy pie chart showing you which companies have announced new jobs and how many there will be. Reporting by Paul Lienert in Detroit News Source: Reuters Plants/Manufacturing BMW Chrysler Ford GM Honda Hyundai Mazda Mercedes-Benz Toyota Volvo jobs

Jeep Moab Concepts, Rumors, And More | Autoblog Podcast #470

Episode #470 of the Autoblog Podcast is here. This week, Dan Roth, Chris Bruce, and Brandon Turkus talk about this year's concepts for the Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, rumors of a mid-engined Subaru sports car and the looming reveal of the next Impreza. We also cover more rumors of a simpler Acura NSX, and some other tidbits, including Ford's movie projector patent and the Opel Astra winning the European Car of the Year award. As always, we start with the Autoblog Garage and wrap up by answering your questions. Check out the rundown with times for topics, and thanks for listening! Autoblog Podcast #470 The video meant to be presented here is no longer available. Sorry for the inconvenience. Topics 2016 Easter Jeep Safari concepts Mid-Engine Subaru rumors Non-hybrid Acura NSX 2017 Subaru Impreza to be revealed at NYIAS Ford patents in-car movie projector Opel Astra is 2016 European Car of the Year In The Autoblog Garage 2016 Mercedes-Benz C450 AMG 2016 BMW X1 xDrive28i Hosts: Dan Roth, Chris Bruce, Brandon Turkus Rundown Intro and Garage – 00:00 Jeep Concepts - 21:57 Mid-Engine Subaru - 38:45 Acura NSX - 43:18 Subaru Impreza - 44:59 Ford Projector - 47:48 Astra ECOTY - 49:50 Q&A - 52:09 Total Duration: 58:11 Get The Podcast iTunes – Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes RSS – Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator MP3 – Download the MP3 directly Feedback Email – Podcast at Autoblog dot com Review the show in iTunes Podcasts Acura Ford Jeep Subaru Opel easter jeep safari acura nsx type r