Monthly Archives: January 2012

BMW Mini Recall Active for Turbo Engine Fires

Posted on 16 January 2012 by Ken Zino

BMW is recalling almost 90,000 Mini models equipped with a turbocharged engine because the electric pump that cools the turbo after engine shutdown can fail and catch fire. Models built from 14 November 2006 through January of 2011 are covered by the Mini recall. Previously BMW had trouble with a similar pump used on V8 engines. Continue reading →

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Ford Escape Recall Active for Engine Compartment Fires

Posted on 16 January 2012 by Ken Zino

A Ford Escape recall for engine fires is now in place for 245,000 2001-2002 model year vehicles, after a previous recall didn’t solve the safety defect. However, due to a parts delay, the latest fix may not be immediately available. Ford said it will instruct owners to park their vehicles outside until parts are ready. In April of 2007 Ford had recalled connectors on the Escape anti-lock braking system for improper seals. However, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration was in the process of conducting an engineering analysis of the ongoing Escape fire problem. Continue reading →

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BMW Delivers First All-Electric Active E in the US

Posted on 14 January 2012 by Ken Zino

The fully electric Active E with its lithium-ion batteries have a claimed a driving range of up to 100 miles on a full charge. With an output of 170 horsepower, maximum torque of 184 lb-ft from a standstill, BMW said Active E accelerates from 0–60 mph in under nine seconds. If the driver is a lead-foot – or is that now lithium foot? and/or the weather is cold – the Bimmer won’t go that far, of course. All such mileage claims await independent verification. Continue reading →

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BMW to Spend $900 Million on South Carolina Plant for New X4

Posted on 13 January 2012 by Ken Zino

Since 1994, the plant has undergone four major expansions and produced 6 different BMW models and their variants (318i, Z3, Z4, X5, X6, X3). Employment has grown from 500 in 1994 to more than 7,000 today. Continue reading →

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Dodge Dart Debuts Using First Fiat Architecture. More on Way

Posted on 12 January 2012 by Ken Zino

The U.S. Dart is in many ways similar to the original Ford Focus (C170) that was derived from a European Ford design a decade ago. And Dart faces the same challenges as well. Though bigger than that Focus – a decided plus in North America, and with much more content – it remains to be seen if Dart’s U.S. suppliers can rise to the quality challenge posed by competing small Japanese and Korean cars. Continue reading →

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Chinese Maker to Pay EPA $680,000 Fine for Dirty ATVs

Posted on 11 January 2012 by Ken Zino

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced a $680,000 settlement with recreational vehicle manufacturers, Loncin (USA), Inc., Longting USA LLC, and Chongqing Longting Power Equipment Co., Ltd., to resolve violations of the Clean Air Act (CAA) caused by the import of 7,115 uncertified recreational vehicles into the United States. It was the latest in a series of actions against the Chinese company and its agents. Continue reading →

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Honda Accord Coupe Concept – Its 2013 Comeback Car?

Posted on 11 January 2012 by Ken Zino

Given the competitiveness of the segment – accounting for ~20% of the cars sold in the U.S., Honda is currently behind in technology. This is an unexpected lag for what normally is a company that resides at the top of the innovation column of the scorecard is puzzling. Continue reading →

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First Lifetime Hybrid Battery Warranty On Hyundai Sonata

Posted on 10 January 2012 by Ken Zino

The announcement appears to be an opportunistic and pre-emptive use of public relations, given current Chevrolet Volt battery fire concerns. The Chevrolet Volt uses the same supplier – LG Chem – as the 2011 model Sonata Hybrid. Model year 2012 Sonata hybrid versions are just about to go on sale since Hyundai is still clearing out inventories of its 2011 Sonata Hybrid. This is a rare sales setback for Hyundai, which also captured the North American Car of the Car of the Year award for its Elantra compact car at NAIAS, and reflects a larger hybrid sales problem that most automakers have. Continue reading →

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Stubby Buick Encore SUV Debuts – Revenge of CAFE Regs?

Posted on 10 January 2012 by Ken Zino

Buick today introduced the all-new 2013 Encore – a Korean-made small crossover that goes on sale in early 2013 in North America. Encore joins a line of Buick vehicles that has recently seen the additions of the Verano compact luxury sedan, the Regal GS sport sedan, as well as ongoing LaCrosse and Enclave models. The Encore SUV is a mere 168.5 inches long – about 10 inches shorter than the new Honda CRV. Continue reading →

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Lincoln MKZ Concept Derived off Ford Fusion Debuts at NAIAS

Posted on 10 January 2012 by Ken Zino

Lincoln needs some sales successes and in the U.S – virtually its only outlet for this fading regional brand – where luxury car sales range from ~10-13% of the market annually. There’s an enormous opportunity now posed by Generation Y types, 80% of whom say they would consider a luxury car in the $30,000 range, which hasn’t escaped impending product actions at Lexus, Acura, BMW and Mercedes-Benz, among others. Continue reading →

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General Motors Sets Sales Record in China. Ford Up too

Posted on 9 January 2012 by Ken Zino

Both General Motors and Ford Motor finished 2011 with strong performances in China, the world’s largest automarket for the past three years. GM and its joint ventures sold a record 2,547,171 vehicles up 8.3% from the previous high of 2,351,610 … Continue reading →

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Ford Debuts Mondeo Based, Mexican-Built Fusion at NAIAS

Posted on 9 January 2012 by Ken Zino

Ford’s relative lack of success in car segments will make this launch one to watch. The Number 2 automaker in U.S. sales should have picked up more than a 3.7% increase in passenger car sales during 2011 while the industry gained 9% in the view of critics. Continue reading →

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Nissan and Daimler to Build Engines in Tennessee

Posted on 8 January 2012 by Ken Zino

For years Mercedes-Benz sold gas guzzlers in the U.S., paying millions in fines – passed on to customers – for its flouting of CAFE regulations. Much higher fines under the latest CAFE standards and growing pro-environmental standards globally makes this a risky strategy going forward. Continue reading →

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December U.S. Unemployment at 8.5% Remains at Crisis Levels

Posted on 6 January 2012 by Ken Zino

The 200,000 employment increase is roughly half of what is needed each month to return the almost 20 million under-employed and unemployed back to full-time work as taxpayers in the still ailing U.S. economy. At this rate it will take a decade or more to return to pre-Great Recession levels. Since 80% of workers in the U.S. commute to work in a vehicle, the unemployment crisis hurts the auto industry’s prospects and its own fragile, mostly jobless, recovery that is underway. Continue reading →

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Ford Shows Fiesta Derived EcoSport at New Delhi Auto Expo

Posted on 6 January 2012 by Ken Zino

India is projected to become the world’s third largest light vehicle market by the end of the decade behind China and the U.S. Ford lags badly behind competitors in Asia, and is playing catch-up while losing money. Continue reading →

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