Provided by duPont REGISTRY

Fox News is reporting that the big three auto manufacturers are not the only ones asking for a bailout. Tesla Motors is seeking a piece of that $25-billion auto-loan pie. The $400 million they are asking for would primarily be used for two projects; most likely finishing production of the Tesla Roadster and to start production of their cheaper, four-door electric sedan. If Tesla closed down, it would not have near the widespread impact like the big three would, but Congress may want to give it a helping hand since its environmentally-friendly vehicles are now seen as the future.

[via Truth About Cars]

Provided by duPont REGISTRY

As we all sit on the sidelines, hoping that the new group of eco-exotics not only flourish but will bring about a new line of vehicles that are cheap, perform well, and get great gas mileage, these eco-friendly-car producers are struggling in the new economy. These manufactures, which includes Tesla, Karma, and Ronn Motors, amongst others, are making great promises but mass production of their vehicles just can’t come quick enough.  

After Karma announced to the world that it won the Tesla lawsuit, it decided to buy a large 30,000+ square-foot facility in Michigan, just as Tesla was announcing that it will be closing its factory in the same state and cutting a quarter of its workforce. Even though Tesla has delivered 50 of its all-electric Lotus-based cars so far, it looks like Fisker, which should start delivering its cars in late in 2009, may win the war.  

Ronn Motor's Hydrogen-powered Scorpion, meanwhile, was just unveiled, in the flesh, to an awaiting crowd at SEMA. While the car shows promise, it still leaves many enthusiasts wondering why BMW, which has spent a lot of money and time looking into Hydrogen since 1979, is not already taking advantage of this rather simple technology.

Read more here.

Provided by duPont REGISTRY

Tesla Motors said Wednesday that it would be laying off employees and delaying production of its second car, the Model S four-door sedan, from 2010 to mid-2011. The global economy is being blamed for Tesla’s decision. Tesla did not say whether production of the Tesla Roadster, which has a year-long waiting list, will be affected.

Tesla also announced that it  has removed its chief executive, Ze'ev Drori, and appointed Elon Musk, the company's chairman and principal investor. This is the fourth chief executive since the company was founded in 2003.

[via L.A. Times]

The days of new exotic cars emerging with astonishing amounts of horsepower may have reached their apex in 2009 model year and may decrease in the future, according to industry expert Tom duPont. Manufacturers at the top end of the auto industry are making luxury vehicles that perform better through lighter weight construction and advanced engine technology.

Tom duPont believes that, despite the luxury marketplaces' tradition of resisting environmental change, the technological advancements and social implications that go along with environmentally friendly vehicles are creating a "social consciousness" and greening of the exotic car market.

Readers of the duPont REGISTRY™ Exotic Car Buyers Guide will have the chance to take a look at the current industry leaders and winners of the "Best Of" Categories – on sale October 7.

Focusing on the eleven "Best Of" categories in the annual duPont REGISTRY™ Exotic Car Buyers Guide for 2009, the key stats illustrate the new peak in horsepower and trends for 2009:

* Total Price of vehicles in the all 11 "Best of" categories rose 200 percent from 2008-2009
o $1.5 million to more than $4.5 million
* Average price for the winning 11 categories was up 118 percent – an increase of $222,000 due mostly to the addition of two $2 million plus supercars this year
o In 2008 the average price of the "Best of" car was $188,000
o In 2009 the average price was just over $410,000
* The total cumulative horsepower skyrocketed by 57 percent from 4,276 to 6,723
o That is an increase of more than 2,447 hp
* Average horsepower is up by 13 percent from 2008
o On average, there was an increase of more than 75 hp per vehicle
* Interestingly, an average engine cylinder for the 11 winners was a V-10

"The trend of increasing raw horsepower may have peaked this year," says Thomas L. duPont, Publisher of the duPont REGISTRY™. "Some of the vehicles in this year's guide are going to be the last of their breed and we may see the horsepower fall and the carbon footprints reduce even faster over the next three years as the parent company manufacturers take into account the environmental realities."

With the recent introduction of powerful, ultra-luxury green machines to the automotive marketplace, there has been a fundamental shift in what influences buyers' decisions. The annual duPont REGISTRY™ Exotic Car Buyers Guide highlights the newest and most sought-after green exotics including the $2.3 million E85 clean-burning Koenigsegg CCXR, the electric Tesla Roadster and hydrogen-fueled Ronn Motors Scorpion.

Selected by the duPont REGISTRY™ luxury automotive experts for price, performance and value, the annual list incorporates the most exclusive and most powerful to assist buyers when choosing between sedans, convertibles, and green vehicles:

For 2009, the duPont REGISTRY™'s "Best Of" winners are

· 2009 Car of the Year: Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport
· Best New Performance Sedan: Bentley Flying Spur Speed
· Best New Performance Coupe: Mercedes-Benz SL 65 AMG Black Series
· Best New Convertible: Ferrari California
· Best New Exotic: Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4
· Best Exotic Concept: Saleen S5S Raptor
· Best Bang for the Buck: Corvette ZR1
· Best New Luxury Coupe: Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe
· Best Performing Green Exotic: Koenigsegg CCXR
· Best Green Car Innovation: Ronn Motors Scorpion
· Best Green Exotic: Tesla Roadster

More here.