Monthly Archives: June 2016

Diesel Coffin Nails – EVs to Takeover in SoCal Freight Yards

Posted on 13 June 2016 by Ken Zino

The State of California is giving $9 million to San Bernardino Associated Governments, aka SANBAG, to buy 27 electric trucks to replace diesel-powered, heavy-duty tractors used in rail yards and large-scale freight distribution centers. During the two-year duration of what’s … Continue reading →

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Chevrolet Hires Luke Bryan to Peddle Metal

Posted on 10 June 2016 by Ken Zino

Since the debut of Bryan’s first album in 2007, Luke has placed 15 singles at No. 1 and sold nearly eight million albums with 30 million digital tracks from his five studio albums. Continue reading →

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General Motors, Toyota Noted for Wildlife Habitat Council Work

Posted on 10 June 2016 by Ken Zino

The Keystone Policy Center presents awards each year in various categories within its areas of practice including energy, environment, agriculture, public health, and education. Continue reading →

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Milestones: 30 Years of Toyota in Georgetown, Kentucky

Posted on 10 June 2016 by Ken Zino

Honda, of course, had beat Toyota by beginning what became wildly successful U.S. operations at Marysville, Ohio in 1982. Continue reading →

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Fiat Argentina Removes Owner Manuals that Insult Women

Posted on 10 June 2016 by Ken Zino

The booklet in Argentina given to every new vehicle owner said: “If a lady’s skirt is too short, we recommend that she travel in the backseat to keep our concentration.” It dug the hole deeper by saying “if the skirt is not that short but you tend to have a wandering hand, she should also travel behind.” Continue reading →

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Web Aided Auto Insurance Shopping Grows

Posted on 8 June 2016 by Ken Zino

Compare.com, a comparison auto insurance website in the United States, has added Amica Mutual so it will be providing quotes in California and Texas starting this month. Continue reading →

Posted in insurance, marketing, transportation | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

VW – Mired in Diesel Scandal – Says Major Restructuring Coming at Wolfsburg Works Council Meeting. Jobs at Stake

Posted on 7 June 2016 by Ken Zino

VW Says Major Restructuring Coming at Wolfsburg Works Council Meeting. VW it isn’t making enough money for future investments in products and plants, and worse, its business model is threatened. Continue reading →

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German Motor Transport Grants Fix on Dirty VW Diesels

Posted on 7 June 2016 by Ken Zino

Such an inexpensive fix is not possible in the U.S. where emissions standards are much tighter, and regulatory authorities – it could be argued across the EU – are not in the pocket of auto companies and major suppliers. Continue reading →

Posted in fools 'n frauds, fuel economy or emissions | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

US Western States Lead Welfare Increases. Revenues Lag

Posted on 7 June 2016 by Ken Zino

Not surprisingly given the scandalous manipulation of the tax codes by the rich, overall general state government revenues rose 1.8% from $1.71 trillion in 2013 to $1.74 trillion in 2014, while general expenditures rose 2.6%, from $1.68 trillion to $1.73 trillion. How do you spell DEFICIT? Continue reading →

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More Recalls for Takata Airbag Shrapnel

Posted on 7 June 2016 by Ken Zino

The numbers – tens upon tens of millions – and corresponding expenses are now so large that at least one company – General Motors – is questioning the need for the ongoing expansion of mandatory repairs by NHTSA of vehicles with Takata airbag inflators. Continue reading →

Posted in litigation, news analysis, recalls | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Kurt Busch Wins Rain-Postponed Sprint Cup Race in Pocono

Posted on 6 June 2016 by Ken Zino

It was Busch’s 28th career Cup Series win, first of the 2016 season. Continue reading →

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Penske Home Teams Dominate Detroit Grand Prix

Posted on 6 June 2016 by Ken Zino

Notably absent on the podiums were Ford Motor, and FCA. Continue reading →

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Top IndustriALL Heads Say VW is Against Union Rights

Posted on 2 June 2016 by Ken Zino

The meeting, of more than 200 union representatives from around the world, took place on 25-26 May at the Frankfurt headquarters of IG Metall, a German affiliate of IndustriALL Global Union. Cooperation with the German Metalworkers Union is critical for VW, which has vast operations in Deutschland. Continue reading →

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General Motors v NHTSA over Expanding Takata Airbag Recall

Posted on 2 June 2016 by Ken Zino

The GM move follows the announcement yesterday that Ford Motor is recalling another 1,896,443 vehicles with potentially deadly Takata airbag inflators that send shrapnel into the interior as they blow up. Continue reading →

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US Light Vehicle Sales Drop in May

Posted on 2 June 2016 by Ken Zino

U.S. light vehicle sales were down in May at 1.54 million, a 6% decline year-over-year with passenger car deliveries particularly weak. Car sales at 646,000 dropped -16% year-over-year. Light truck sales increased 2.3% at 891,000. AutoData says that the seasonally … Continue reading →

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