2021 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus 4dr Sedan on 2040-cars

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Recharge Wrap-up: NADA chairman keeps 'Get The Facts,' Teslarati improves at Buttonwillow

Zap and Jonway Autos will sell their electric minivan under the Dongfeng brand. Dongfeng will sell 5,000 units of the EV minivan as a cargo delivery van. Based on the passenger version, the extra seats will be removed to make room for whatever you'd like to carry, as well as a battery large enough to offer over 300 kilometers (184 miles) of driving range per charge. Zap/Jonway expects to have the van ready for delivery by June of this year, with subsequent sales handled by Donfeng's partner, Shi Kong. Dongfeng is one of China's top four government-owned automakers, and is in partnerships with Honda and Nissan, among other automakers. Read more in the press release below. The National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) will continue its "Get The Facts" campaign under its new chairman. "Get The Facts" tries to explain to the public the benefits of the dealership franchise system – a campaign that also serves as an anti-Tesla platform. In an interview with Ward's Auto, Nada Chairman William Fox says he'll continue those efforts. Fox says that a direct-to-consumer sales method (like Tesla's) could "entice a niche auto manufacturer with lower volume serving a small market," but that "the dealer franchise model is proven to work best." Green Car Reports points out that Fox provides no real-world studies to support this. Check out the interview at Ward's Auto and read more at Green Car Reports. The Teslarati 48 clocked its best time of 2:12 at Buttonwillow Raceway. The folks at Teslarati have taken the Tesla Model S to various racetracks around California and Nevada to test the sporting chops of their beloved EV. This year's time is an improvement over last year's best lap by the Teslarati 48 of 2:19. They give a nice rundown of the track and their experience driving it, including setup, difficulties, charging and power consumption-great reading material for anybody thinking about taking their Model S out for some hot laps. See the 2:12 run in the video above and read more at Teslarati. ZAP and Jonway Auto's EV Minivan will be OEM by Dong Feng Motor Corporation, one of the four China's Largest Auto Group through Shi Kong, Zhejiang SANTA ROSA, Calif., Feb.

'King of Lemon Laws' Vince Megna files suit against Tesla Motors

Tesla Motors is already busy in the courts, filing a suit in New Jersey last week to appeal the direct-sales ban of its automobiles in that state. But now it's going to have to deal with the self-described "King of Lemon Laws," Vince Megna, in Wisconsin. Now that we think about it, this showdown was quite inevitable. In a video that is obviously part one of who knows how many (view it below), Menga sets up his argument against Tesla because the Model S of a client won't start. Then, he picks up a cardboard George Clooney hitchhiker and goes off to file suit in Milwaukee County Courthouse with an assistant with duct tape on her mouth and "WTF" on her shirt. Subtle, Megna is not. If that cardboard celebrity bit seems familiar to you, then perhaps you're thinking about the Justin Bieber standup that Megna used in his lemon lawsuit over the Fisker Karma. In fact, Megna is famous in the auto industry for fighting against automakers that he says make shoddy products. In this case, he claims Tesla sold a faulty Model S to a doctor in Franklin, WI. This doctor, Robert Montgomery, got his 2013 Signature Performance Model S in March 2013, and the car has been in the shop for more than 30 days since then. He has asked for his money back, but the automaker has apparently not responded. The nearest shop is in Chicago, so the car gets to ride in a flatbed back and forth, as you can see in the video below. Plus, of course, Megna's one-sided conversation with a fake George Clooney. Tesla told AutoblogGreen it does not comment on pending litigation. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

Recharge Wrap-up: New "2-in-1" electric motor increases range, Gulf offers isobutanol blends

A new electric motor with integrated air-conditioning compressor increases the range of EVs in hot climates, where much of the battery power is used to keep the car cool. Developed by scientists at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore and the German Aerospace Centre, the "2-in-1" motor uses regenerative braking to help operate the AC compressor, and could increase range by 15 to 20 percent with some modifications. "By integrating the refrigerant compressor directly into the electric motor, we save components, weight and cost," says Dr. Michael Schier of the German Aerospace Centre. "Simultaneously, the more regenerative braking part of the kinetic energy is passed directly to the refrigerant compressor and thus the efficiency is further increased." Read more at Green Car Congress, and in the press release below. Elon Musk has been chosen as a Eurostar winner by Automotive News Europe. The publication chose the Tesla CEO for exceeding expectations in entrepreneurship, saying, "Musk has proved that he's capable of doing what seems impossible." Other Eurostar winners include Dieter Zetsche of Mercedes-Benz, Ralf Speth of Jaguar Land Rover and Marco Tencone of Maserati. Read more at Automotive News Europe. GreenTech Automotive has raised $47 million in a round of equity funding. The company, which was formerly run by Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe, received the contributions from a total of 94 investors. GreenTech Automotive has plans to produce the small MyCar neighborhood electric vehicle at a newly built factory in Mississippi. The company also has a deal with Jianghuai Automobile Company to sell cars for the Chinese automaker in the US. Read more at Bloomberg. Gulf Racing Fuels will offer fuel blended with renewable isobutanol for marine use and off-road vehicles. The ethanol alternative is approved for sensitive environments, produces fewer emissions, is resistant to moisture and has a lower vapor pressure, making it suitable for boats and ATVs. Gulf will offer a new line of fuels with 16.1-percent isobutanol for these special applications. Gevo, the company supplying Gulf's isobutanol, produces the additive in biorefineries converted from ethanol facilities. Read more in the press release below.