A new federal standard aimed at preventing collisions between quiet vehicles and pedestrians, a wind power investment, a free electric car sharing program, and an investment in the Motown Museum were among the items promoted by automakers and automotive organizations recently.

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[naviga:li]The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration recently announced that it will be adding a sound requirement for all new hybrid and electric light duty vehicles. These models run quieter than vehicles with internal combustion engines when traveling at a low speed, increasing the risk that pedestrians with vision impairments may not hear them while crossing the street. The rule requires all hybrid and electric vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less to make an audible noise when backing up or driving under 19 miles per hour. Automakers must meet this requirement by Sept. 1, 2019, and half of all new hybrid and electric vehicles must be in compliance within a year of the deadline. The NHTSA hopes that the audible sound will help prevent about 2,400 pedestrian injuries each year.[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]General Motors has announced its largest renewable energy investment to date, purchasing 50 megawatts of wind power. This electricity will be produced by a wind farm under development by Renewable Energy Systems in Concho County, Texas. GM says this energy will meet the electricity needs of two business offices and a stamping complex in Texas, as well as 13 parts warehouses located east of the Mississippi River. The automaker wants to power all of its global operations with renewable energy by 2050; once the wind power agreement begins in 2018, 6 percent of its energy needs will be met by renewable means.[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Hyundai is inviting California drivers to try out its new IONIQ electric compact car for free in a car sharing program slated to begin in January. Under a partnership with WaiveCar, the automaker says people can drive the model for up to two hours. A total of 150 vehicles will be available in Los Angeles at the start of 2017, and WaiveCar expects to add another 250 IONIQ models in three additional cities by the end of that year.[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Berry Gordy, founder of Motown Records, decided to model his business after Ford's after seeing an assembly line at work. Ford says it is honoring this connection by investing $6 million toward a planned $50 million expansion of the Motown Museum in Detroit. The investment will fund features such as the Ford Motor Company Theater, the interactive CARaoke Experience, and a variety of musical and educational programs.[/naviga:li]

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