Ford Germany has announced that its LPG and CNG-powered cars' performance has been improved. According to the press release, gas-powered Fords have improved their consumption up to 1 liter/100 km, which allows the cars to have 50km (30 miles) more range, that is, about 450 km on gas and 750 additional km on unleaded.

Not only that, thanks to a new facility in Saarlouis, Ford has improved its production capabilities. All LPG variants will be made in the new facility in Saarlouis, which allows a global production of 2,000 units of Focus and Focus C-MAX models, while the existing facility in Mainz will be producing CNG variants exclusively (300 Focus, 250 Focus C-MAX) as well as the Ford Transit Van LPG variant (150 units).

Prices for factory-guaranteed conversions are €3,275 and €2,500 (CNG/LPG respectively) for the Ford Focus or C-MAX and €3,950 or €2,920 for the for the Ford Transit van (CNG/LPG respectively).

[Source: Ford]

Everyone knows that commuting around Los Angeles can be largely a matter of hurry up and wait thanks to the insane number of vehicles on the road. So you might think that the man responsible for mass transit and traffic in LA would set an example by driving something bit smaller and more efficient. But NOOOO!! Jaime de la Vega, Los Angeles' transportation chief, gets around in a Hummer H3. Admittedly, the H3 is smaller than the H1 and H2, but at almost 2 1/2 tons, this thing is hardly a responsible choice. When Los Angeles Times writer Steve Lopez tried to question de la Vega about the issue, he just sat there and clammed up like a little kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar. Read all about in the LA Times at the Read link.

[Source: Los Angeles Times via a tip from Darin]