Category Archives: AutoInformed Editorial

Where’s the Independent Investigation of NHTSA for Failure to act on Deadly GM Ignition Switches and Air Bag Failures?

In AutoInformed’s view, the circumstances cries out for an independent investigation and an independent prosecutor dealing with both involved parties, one that is immune to political maneuvering and internal politics at NHTSA and GM. Continue reading

Posted in AutoInformed Editorial, litigation, recalls | 1 Comment

A Day of Thanksgiving for our Democracy

General Washington in December of 1777 celebrated a day of “Thanksgiving” after the defeat of the British at Saratoga during what has come to be known as our War of Independence, a war conducted when we were still a loose confederation of former colonies who rebelled in part because we were resisting taxation to pay for the ongoing folly of foreign wars and entanglements of our then legal government located across the Atlantic ocean. Sound familiar? Continue reading

Posted in AutoInformed Editorial | 2 Comments

Eight States Want 3.3 Million EVs on U.S. Roads by 2025. Here come More Subsidies for the Rich

Eight states, representing 27% of the total U.S. new vehicle market, have announced a joint plan to put 3.3 million allegedly zero-emission electric vehicles on America’s roads by 2025. “Alleged” because EVs are elsewhere emissions vehicles when you take into account how the electricity is generated. Continue reading

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Milestones: FDR and the Minimum Wage – Then and Now

On this day – 24 October 1938 – the federal minimum wage became law in the United States. President Franklin Roosevelt signed the Fair Labor Standards Act, aka FLSA, the previous summer that, among other things, created the concept now backed by legal reality that people should get a fair wage for a day’s work. Continue reading

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September Unemployment National Scandal as Hiring Slows

September unemployment numbers finally released two weeks late show that a mere 148,000 jobs were added in September, keeping the unemployment rate officially above 7%. More than 11 million people who want to work are idled in an ongoing economic and social crisis. Continue reading

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Your Computerized Car allows Governments to Snoop

The next car you buy will be computerized, override your inputs, all the while gathering vast amounts of personal data that will be used for marketing purposes. Continue reading

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Consumer Electronics Association Denies Distracted Driving

In a cynical, profit-motivated move, the head of the Consumer Electronics Association today said he would support a campaign to end texting and driving. “I have made a personal commitment not to text and drive, and to use my devices ‘responsibly’ while operating my car,” claimed Gary Shapiro the head of the pressure group for the $209 billion U.S. consumer electronics industry. Continue reading

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Automaker Defense of Hands-Free Devices Hooey AAA Says

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety is taking on the oft-used automaker defense their profitable selling of hands-free electronic devices that are expanding exponentially in new cars. The latest data show that dangerous mental distractions exist even when drivers “keep their hands on the wheel and their eyes on the road.” Continue reading

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Marchionne Apologizes for Being Irreverent

Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne has apologized to an organization called One Voice for his quip last January at the North American International Auto Show where he said Alfa Romeo models when re-introduced into North America should have Italian engines. Journalists present laughed it off as being typical of the straight talking executive who uses humor, including self-deprecating humor to make his points. Continue reading

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The History of Lexus

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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Energy Secretary Steven Chu Resigns after a Distinguished Four Years

The Department of Energy, oft mocked by right wing Republicans, in Chu’s mind actually serves U.S. taxpayers as a Department of Science, a Department of Innovation, and a Department of Nuclear Security. Continue reading

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Food Fight over Ethanol as Special Interest Groups Trade Charges

Two special interest groups are sparing in public over the cost implications of a long-standing federal energy policy that mandates the use of ethanol and ever increasing amounts of bio-fuels in an attempt to free the United States from importing oil sold by terrorist supporting nations. In 2012 about 9% of all transportation fuel used will be from so-called renewable sources. Continue reading

Posted in alternative fuels, AutoInformed Editorial, energy, environment, global warming, news, news analysis, transportation | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Thanksgiving for Our Democracy

What is often called the most American of holidays, Thanksgiving, had its roots in pilgrim and other colonial celebrations of refugee and immigrant survival and bountiful harvests going back to the early 17th century. Continue reading

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General Motors Posts Q3 Profit of $1.5 Billion, off -$200 Million. Ideologues Out in Full Force for Halloween and the Election

General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) today announced third quarter net income of $1.5 billion, a drop of -$200 million from the same period in the prior year. This works out to $0.89 per share including special items, which reduced net income by $100 million and cut earnings per share by $0.04. In the third quarter a year ago, GM’s net income was $1.7 billion or $1.03 per share. The results represent a turnaround especially in view of Q1 of 2009 when GM lost almost -$10 per share.

In spite of wild claims – critics say deliberately false – from the repudiated Republican right about the auto bailout, GM is not going bankrupt. GM’s debt-to-equity ratio is only 25% of the overall auto industry average, and it now has more than $37 billion in liquidity. GM in the context of the current travails of the global auto industry is performing reasonably well. Continue reading

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NHTSA Says Chinese Counterfeit Air Bags are a Safety Problem

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration – NHTSA – has published a consumer safety advisory to warn vehicle owners and repair shops about the dangers of counterfeit Chinese air bags. NHTSA said it has become “aware” of a problem involving the sale of counterfeit air bags for use as replacement parts in vehicles that have been involved in a crash. Continue reading

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