Category Archives: manufacturing

Initial Quality in China Achieves Historic High – Japanese Lead

Posted on 28 October 2011 by Ken Zino

Overall initial quality of vehicles sold in China averages 162 PP100 (problems per 100) in 2011. This is the lowest problem rate recorded since the inception of the study in 2000, according to J.D. Power Asia Pacific. Not surprisingly, models from Japanese brands, as a whole, have the lowest problem incidence in the China market in 2011 with an average of 108 PP100. Continue reading →

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Updated Buick Book – David Buick’s Marvelous Motor Car

Posted on 28 October 2011 by Ken Zino

It is Gustin’s contention that “Buick sets pattern for Chevrolet.” The award winning author discusses the reasons why Billy Durant created Chevrolet Motor and summarizes the complex set of events that led Durant to develop the Chevrolet automobile. Continue reading →

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Japan Production Still Not Completely Restored JAMA Says

Posted on 28 October 2011 by Ken Zino

U.S. automakers have been benefiting from Japan’s absence from the market. Earlier this week Ford Motor reported that it had increased U.S. revenue by $700,000 dollars in Q3 because it raised prices or trimmed incentives. Continue reading →

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Earthquake Aftershocks – Honda Global Production Down 32%

Posted on 26 October 2011 by Ken Zino

Production in regions outside of Japan experienced a year-on-year increase for the first time in seven months since February 2011 – the month before the earthquake and tsunami, setting an all-time record for the month of September. This includes record production in Asia and China for the month of September. Continue reading →

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Honda Closed, Toyota Cuts Japan Production from Thailand Floods. After Effects Continue to Worsen for Japanese Makers

Posted on 25 October 2011 by Ken Zino

Honda Automobile Thailand – HATC – continues to be shut down since October 4th because of the Thailand floods. “Due to the inability to access its facility in, Ayutthaya , HATC does not currently have a clear outlook for when production will resume.

Toyota Motor Corporation has also “adjusted” production in Japan this week due to Thailand parts shortages at least through Friday, as the after affects of the Thailand Floods – responsible for at least 300 deaths – continue to grow. Continue reading →

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All Honda Plants at Full Production Post Earthquake

Posted on 24 October 2011 by Ken Zino

Honda Manufacturing of Indiana, HMIN, today began a second production shift for the first time, which increases output at the plant to its full annual capacity and adds approximately 1,000 new associates to Honda’s operations in Indiana. HMIN opened in 2008 just as the global auto markets were collapsing due to the financial crisis caused by the reckless practices of Wall Street firms, banks and rating agencies. Continue reading →

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Ford Common Stock Dividend Coming Next Year?

Posted on 20 October 2011 by Ken Zino

Ford previously maintained it would not restore the divided until it achieved an investment-grade rating, CFO Lewis Booth said, omitting that a dividend payment was forbidden under covenants for previously issued bonds that kept it out of bankruptcy during the Great Recession. Those bonds presumably have been or will be paid off. Ford still has $14 billion in debt according to its latest SEC filing. Continue reading →

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Thailand Floods – Worst in 50 Years – latest Tragedy to Hurt Auto Industry as Honda, Toyota and Ford Production Disrupted

Posted on 20 October 2011 by Ken Zino

Thailand has been inundated by floods, the worst it’s estimated in at least 50 years. Aside from the real human tragedy, once again the auto industry is negatively affected since Thailand has an annual vehicle production capacity of almost 2 million units, extensive exports, as well as numerous component parts manufacturing operations. The disruptions will also have some unknown effects on production in other countries, which will become clearer during the next few weeks. Continue reading →

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Ford UAW Workers Ratify 4-Year No Cost Increase Contract

Posted on 19 October 2011 by Ken Zino

The Ford UAW agreement is based of Ford’s promise to add another 5,750 new jobs and invest what’s said to be $16 billion to produce new models and revised vehicles and components by 2015. About $6.3 billion will be invested directly into retooling U.S. plants.

Ten years ago the there were more than 102,000 UAW jobs at Ford. Today there are 40,000. As is the current management practice in the ailing U.S. economy, the jobs claim includes so called “retained jobs,” as well as some new ones. Continue reading →

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More Jobs to China as GM Will Develop a New Global Engine Family with SAIC and Pan Asian Technical Center

Posted on 12 October 2011 by Ken Zino

General Motors will develop an all-new global family of small-displacement “Ecotec” gasoline engines over the next several years in China in conjunction with the Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp. (SAIC), Shanghai General Motors (SGM) and the Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC). Continue reading →

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Chevrolet Corvette Recall on for 2011 and 2012 Coupes

Posted on 11 October 2011 by Ken Zino

The rear hatch on Corvette Coupes made from 24 January 2011 through 1 September 2011 could separate in a crash, thereby increasing the risk of injury. A stop sale is in place. Continue reading →

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Midsize Chevrolet Colorado Pickup Will Be Built in U.S.

Posted on 10 October 2011 by Ken Zino

The GM Colorado decision once again raises the Ford Ranger question. Ford Motor once dominated the compact pickup truck market in the U.S. until years of product neglect combined with an assault by Toyota and Nissan pushed it to a footnote in the segment. This first forced the closing of Ford’s Edison, New Jersey plant. The remaining plant in Minnesota did not survive the tentative Ford UAW contract that is now being voted on, and will shut down later this year. Continue reading →

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Sundiro Honda Builds More than 7 Million Motorcycles in China, Leading Country. Export Business Thriving, Including to Japan

Posted on 10 October 2011 by Ken Zino

Sundiro provides one model for the next wave of Chinese exports by using an established brand name to provide assurance to customers that highly complex motorcycles and ultimately automobiles can be bought with confidence even though they are made in China. Sundiro Honda now exports hundreds of thousands of motorcycles to more than 45 countries, and is one of the largest operations of Honda’s thriving motorcycle business. Continue reading →

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Obama Administration Submits Controversial FTAs to Congress. Largest Loss of Jobs since NAFTA Coming?

Posted on 4 October 2011 by Ken Zino

The AFL-CIO said the “The Korea agreement is the largest offshoring deal of its kind since NAFTA. If enacted, it likely will displace 159,000 U.S. jobs, mostly in manufacturing. And its glaring loopholes would allow unscrupulous businesses to import illegally labeled goods from China and possibly even from sweatshops in North Korea—potentially without any tariffs at all.” Continue reading →

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UAW has Deal at Ford Pending Local Approvals. 5750 Jobs Added or Retained During Contract. Shared Prosperity Claimed

Posted on 4 October 2011 by Ken Zino

The tentative agreement is based of Ford’s promise to add another 5,750 new jobs and invest what’s said to be $16 billion to produce new models and upgraded vehicles and components by 2015, of which, $6.3 billion will be invested directly into retooling and upgrading plants. As is the current management practice in the ailing U.S. economy, the jobs claim includes so called retained jobs, as well as some new ones. All of this is contingent upon contract approval by local union members. Continue reading →

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