Chevrolet Cruze

General Motors Co. North America President Mark Reuss says in a Web chat with consumers that GM is considering a two-door variant of its new Cruze compact sedan, which bows this fall in the U.S.

He also says the U.S. may get a new model based on GM’s rear-wheel-drive Zeta platform. Developed by GM’s Holden unit in Australia, the Zeta platform currently carries the Holden Commodore sedan and Chevrolet Camaro. A new Commodore is due in Australia in 2013.

Eaton Corp. has developed a new electronic fuel vapor management valve system to better handle the increased pressure and corresponding build-up of hydrocarbons in the fuel tanks of gasoline-electric vehicles. The company says its system is smaller, lighter and smarter than existing hybrid valves.

Eaton plans to launch the technology on an unnamed 2012 hybrid vehicle. It’s also working with other OEMs and fuel tank suppliers, and says it is in the prototype phase on several programs.

In full-hybrid vehicles that can run for extended distances in all-electric mode, the combustion engine is used significantly less than in a traditional vehicle. The fuel system is closed when the engine is off, which allows pressure in the tank to reach 5-7 psi vs. 1-2 psi for a conventional vehicle. The higher pressure increases the potential for hydrocarbons to leak into the atmosphere.

To alleviate pressure, full hybrids use an electronically controlled valve that vents the hydrocarbons into the engine, where they are burned off.

Eaton says its integrated system, including solenoids and vapor management valves, improves the concept by optimizing the overall design. As a result, it was able to reduce part count and cut weight by one-third to about 1 lb.

The system can be teamed with an optional pressure sensor to detect fuel system leak detection and purge control. Temperature sensing can be added for additional system monitoring and control.

Unlike current devices that must be mounted in a specific spot, Eaton’s design allows for flexible mounting and porting options. Electrical connections, pressure and flow settings also can be customized to meet different vehicle requirements.

Volkswagen AG’s Bentley arm plans to make all Bentley Continental variants (coupe, convertible and sedan) flex-fuel capable starting this summer. The move is part of the company’s strategy to reduce carbon dioxide emissions of its vehicles an average of 15% by 2012.

The Continental’s standard 6.0-liter W-12 engine will be modified to run on gasoline, E85 bioethanol or any combination of the two fuels.

In addition to the flex Continental, Bentley plans to convert its new Mulsanne flagship car to run on ethanol. Availability for the flex version of that vehicle, which features a 6.75-liter twin-turbo V-8, hasn’t been announced.

There are no immediate plans to equip the Azure sedan or Brooklands coupe, which will be phased out by year-end, with flex fuel systems.

Volume-weighted average carbon dioxide emissions across all European passenger vehicles fell by 7.9 g/km last year, according to U.K.-based researchers JATO Dynamics. This compares to a 5.4-g/km reduction in 2008.

Although the overall average for the region wasn’t specified, JATO says more than half of all cars sold in Europe now emit less than

140 g/km. By 2015, all OEMs will be required to average 130 g/km or less.

Last year’s reduction is attributed to a shift toward the purchase of smaller vehicles, which tend to be more fuel efficient and generate fewer emissions. ACEA, Europe’s carmaker association, reported yesterday that 25% of all cars purchased in Europe last year emitted fewer than 120 g/km of CO₂ vs. 16% that met that level in 2008.

For the third year in a row, Fiat SpA posted the best fleet average among volume producers with 131 g/km. Toyota was next best with a fleet average of 132 g/km, followed by PSA (136 g/km), Renault (140 g/km) and Hyundai (142 g/km).

The lowest-polluting brands were Fiat (128 g/km), Toyota (130 g/km), Peugeot (134 g/km), Renault (138 g/km), Citroen (138 g/km) and Ford (140 g/km). The rest of the top 10 in descending order, ranging from 149 g/km to 176 g/km, were Opel/Vauxhall, Volkswagen, Audi and Mercedes-Benz.

The Toyota Yaris set the pace as the “greenest” model, emitting just 119 g/km. Fiat’s 500, Panda and Punto ranked second, third and fifth, respectively. The Ford Fiesta ranked fourth.

Fiat’s Ferrari supercar unit was the most improved brand with a 53.6 g/km reduction per vehicle. Porsche was next best, posting an average reduction of 27.5 g/km, thanks in part to the launch of the diesel-powered Cayenne crossover vehicle.

Nissan Motor Co. is shuffling its design executives in the U.S. and Europe to adjust to the April 1 retirement of Bruce Campbell, who currently is vice president-design of Nissan Design America (NDA) in San Diego, Calif.

Alfonso Albaisa

Alfonso Albaisa, currently vice president-design for Nissan Design Europe in London, will succeed Campbell. He also will take on the responsibilities of Victor Nacif, NDA’s vice president of design business. Nacif, in turn, will replace Albaisa in Europe.

Campbell will become an advisor to Nissan’s global design operations. His credits include the Gobi concept truck, “Hardbody” pickup, Pulsar NX, Maxima, Cocoon concept and Xterra SUV. More recently he led design efforts for the all-new 370Z sports car, Maxima midsize sedan and Rogue compact crossover. He also was involved in the design of Nissan Americas headquarters in Franklin, Tenn.

Albaisa joined NDA in 1988 and worked on the Rogue and redesigned Altima and Maxima cars. He also contributed to the freshenings of the Armada, Quest and Infiniti QX56 trucks. Albaisa has a bachelor’s in industrial design from Pratt Institute in New York City. He had been a chief engineer in Japan before being named to his current position in Europe.

Nacif, who joined NDA six years ago, has participated in the joint design policy group with Nissan alliance partner Renault SA. He also is a member of the company’s global perceived quality group. Nacif previously worked for Ford and PSA Peugeot Citroen. He’s an alumnus of Detroit’s College of Creative Studies.

Electric Vehicles U.S. Corp. says it has offered to buy the Smith Electric Vehicles business from U.K.-based Tanfield Group Plc. The Kansas City, Mo.-based company, which is partially owned by Tanfield along with private investors and senior managers, currently produces all-electric commercial trucks under license from Smith U.K.

Terms of the deal, which needs to be approved by Tanfield’s shareholders, weren’t disclosed. The U.S. firm has four months to arrange the necessary financing to complete the deal, including buying out Tanfield’s share of itself.

Founded in 1920, Smith Electric Vehicles was purchased by Tanfield in 2004. The company says it currently has some 5,000 electric trucks on the road, including the Newton van, which is billed as the largest electric truck in production.

Last month Smith Electric signed a deal with Proton Power Systems plc to develop and market an electric vehicle that uses a fuel cell to extend driving range. Smith had been expected to supply the drivetrain and serve as the system integrator for Ford Motor Co.’s upcoming electric variant of the transit Connect commercial van but was replaced last year by Azure Dynamics.