Monthly Archives: April 2013

Highway Trust Fund – Higher Taxes or Big Spending Cuts?

Posted on 25 April 2013 by Ken Zino

The latest report from the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office paints a grim picture of the status of the Highway Trust Fund that is supposed to keep the nation’s transportation infrastructure up to date and in good repair. Put simply, the … Continue reading →

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Ford Motor Posts Q1 Profit of $2.1 Billion

Posted on 24 April 2013 by Ken Zino

The Ford Motor profit of 41 cents per share was $147 million lower than a year ago as results in Asia were weak because of ongoing expansion; weaker still in South America because of currency problems in Venezuela and Argentina, as well as competition, and frankly disastrous in Europe where Ford has not been able to stem a flood tide of red ink for decades. Continue reading →

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Honda Sets All-Time Record for Global Auto Production

Posted on 24 April 2013 by Ken Zino

Honda Motor Company today announced that global of 4,056,141 vehicles stetting an all-time high for the Japanese fiscal year ending 31 March 2013. Continue reading →

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U.S. DOT Publishes Distracted Driving Guidelines

Posted on 23 April 2013 by Ken Zino

The U.S. Department of Transportation finally released today distracted driving guidelines in an attempt to “encourage automobile manufacturers” to limit the distraction risk connected to electronic devices built into their vehicles, such as communications, entertainment and navigation devices. These are of course among the most profitable and sought after accessories in new cars and trucks. Continue reading →

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U.S. April Vehicle Sales Forecast at 12.1 Million SAAR

Posted on 23 April 2013 by Ken Zino

The annual sales rate of U.S. new vehicle sales for April is forecast as flat at 12.1 million units. This is the third month this year above 12 million, though, with retail sales of 1,029,000 million projected. Continue reading →

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Lexus GS 300h debuts at Shanghai Motor Show

Posted on 23 April 2013 by Ken Zino

While this latest Lexus hybrid has fuel economy and tax advantages in global markets, particularly against German luxury cars with diesel engines, it is not clear whether Lexus needs the smaller engine GS hybrid in North America where GS sales have been softening. Lexus already sells a GS 450h here with 338 total system horsepower. Continue reading →

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Ford Debuts All-New Mondeo in China, Not Europe

Posted on 23 April 2013 by Ken Zino

Ford’s long-standing flagship car, the Mondeo, debuted its latest major revision in China at the Shanghai Motor show instead of its European home market. Ford Europe has pushed back the introduction of the 2015 model to save money as its losses grow to a projected $2 billion this year. In China, the Mondeo is one of 15 vehicles the company has promised to bring to the country by 2015. Continue reading →

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Honda Recalls CR-V, Odyssey and Acura RDX Models

Posted on 22 April 2013 by Ken Zino

American Honda is recalling more than 204,000 model year 2012-2013 CR-V, Odyssey and 2013 Acura RDX vehicles because of a defective gearshift lever. Continue reading →

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Chevrolet Cruze Diesel Rated at 46 MPG Highway

Posted on 22 April 2013 by Ken Zino

Chevrolet said that its new 2014 Cruze Diesel will be rated at an EPA-estimated 46 MPG on the highway, better than any non-hybrid passenger car in America. It will be available in some cities this spring and nationwide and in Canada in the early fall. Continue reading →

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Nissan Stops Sales, Recalls Pathfinder and Infiniti JX Trucks

Posted on 22 April 2013 by Ken Zino

Nissan is recalling more than 19,000 model year 2013 Pathfinder and Infiniti JX vehicles mad in Smyrna, Tennessee because the brakes can fail. Continue reading →

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General Motors Sells 1 Million Vehicles in China

Posted on 22 April 2013 by Ken Zino

With total overall light vehicle sales projected at more than 20 million for 2013, China will easily retain its title as the world’s largest auto market followed by the U.S. at more than 15 million. Continue reading →

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Ally Financial Declares Dividends on Preferred Stock

Posted on 22 April 2013 by Ken Zino

The Ally Financial board of directors has declared quarterly dividend payments for outstanding preferred stock payable on 15 May 2013. Ally’s Fixed Rate Cumulative Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Series F-2, will pay the U.S. Department of the Treasury $134 million, or $1.125 per share. Continue reading →

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FAA Approves Boeing 787 Battery System Design Changes

Posted on 19 April 2013 by Ken Zino

The Federal Aviation Administration today approved Boeing’s design changes for modifications to the 787 Dreamliner battery system. The agency claimed that this would address risks at the battery cell level, the battery level and the aircraft level. Previously the FAA had approved the current battery system design, which conspicuously failed on at least two low-time Dreamliner aircraft. Continue reading →

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The History of Lexus

Posted on 19 April 2013 by Ken Zino

Lexus launched in 1989 with two luxury sedans, one small and the other large aimed directly at the Mercedes-Benz S-class. The full size Lexus LS 400 was priced more than $10,000 under top of the line German offerings in the US. At the time, Lexus made bold claims of superior quality and durability, as well as several years without a marked decrease in the quietness, smooth ride, and exterior and interior finishes of the new luxury car line. Continue reading →

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Toyota to Build Lexus ES 350 at Georgetown, Kentucky Plant

Posted on 19 April 2013 by Ken Zino

Forced by the strong Yen that is sapping profits of its most profitable line, Toyota Motor said today that for the first time a Lexus would be built in the United States. The recently revised ES 350 sedan will be assembled at Toyota Motor Manufacturing in Kentucky during 2015. Continue reading →

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