Charged with Electric Vehicle News and Views
Chevrolet announces specifications for the 2015 Corvette Z06; Mercedes-Benz says it will double its urban sales locations. 
Ford announces pricing for the 2015 Mustang; Dodge introduces a 600-plus-horsepower Challenger SRT variant. 
GMC emerges as G.M.’s strongest post-bankruptcy marque; the company that bought Fisker promises to build E.V.s in the United States. 
Kia announces nationwide rollout of its K900 luxury sedan; 1999 Packard Twelve prototype to go up for sale in July auction. 
Ford will raffle a one-of-a-kind Mustang GT convertible, to benefit multiple sclerosis research; Subaru anticipates 20 percent sales growth by 2020. 
The Antique Automobile Association of America opens a Far East exhibit; there may be significantly more off-lease vehicles on the market this year. 
Daimler has plans to bring back the Maybach brand; AT&T strikes a connected-car deal with a global automaker. 
Arnold Schwarzenegger uses his M47 Patton battle tank to raise money for charity; companies express interest in buying Cars.com. 
Toyota says hybrids may account for 20 percent of its global sales soon; Honda announces Acura brand’s realignment into a separate division. 
The Homeland Security Department killed a plan to access commercial databases to help federal law enforcement officials track license plates. 
A huge James Bond car collection in Miami goes up for sale for $33 million; a Los Angeles museum opens an exhibition of old town cars. 
A federal judge rules that flashing high beams to warn motorists of a speed trap is not illegal; the 2014 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel pickup gets 28 m.p.g. 
The updated Jeep Grand Cherokee passes a “moose test,” and N.H.T.S.A. submits proposed backup camera rule to the White House. 
The Seven is a home-built E.V. that its owners say travels 200 miles on a charge. It competed for the Automotive X Prize in 2010. 
Although none of the plug-in diesel-electric hybrid cars will sell in the United States, VW’s innovative car may be a harbinger of things to come. 
Mercedes-Benz says it will build five Vision Gran Tourismo supercars; Fiat invests $12.3 million into its Italian brands. 
Mitsubishi cuts the price of its i-MiEV electric car by $6,135; N.A.D.A. says lower interest rates are making car loans longer and more numerous. 
As more automakers get into the plug-in hybrid game, each one has a different approach. Audi’s offering works well and looks good. 
In a city with a few electric vehicle charging ports, the BMW i3 is a perfectly reasonable, and even fun way to get around. 
Mazda says that the Wankel rotary engine is unlikely to return to production, and Ford will unveil the new 2015 Mustang on Dec. 5.