Category Archives: news analysis

September Used Vehicle Market Sees Prices Falling

Posted on 18 October 2016 by Ken Zino

The September U.S. used vehicle market saw depreciation climb and prices drop -3.6%, making the month’s performance the largest decline recorded in 2016. Continue reading →

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Toyota Moves on Connected Cars, R&D JVs, Takeovers

Posted on 18 October 2016 by Ken Zino

The latest developments come as Toyota is once again battling what is now a beleaguered, wounded Volkswagen Group for the world’s biggest car company title. The moves reflect a growing problem at all automobile companies. How do you pay for the cost of moving forward in a world with increasingly stringent safety and emissions regulations, web enabled cars, as well as the entire future of automobility and autonomous vehicles? Continue reading →

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NADA – Washington Policy Goals Thwarted by Regulations

Posted on 5 October 2016 by Ken Zino

Solutions to other problems require nuanced thinking and practical, non-traditional methods. These, in AutoInformed’s weary experience, can be beyond the intellectual capabilities of lobbying or pressure groups, regulators and politicians. And, of course, some groups are downright opposed to reform, no matter what their public position is. Continue reading →

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Daihatsu Takes Lead from Toyota in Emerging Markets

Posted on 4 October 2016 by Ken Zino

Toyota under intense competitive pressure from global automakers (Honda comes to mind) is experimenting with a different organizational approach to getting cars to market. Continue reading →

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Trade Agreement Data at Odds with Political Rhetoric?

Posted on 30 September 2016 by Ken Zino

No wonder President Harry Truman was looking for a “one-handed economist.” So is AutoInformed, and we suspect millions upon millions of workers. Continue reading →

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India Honda Workers’ Hunger Strike on Week 2

Posted on 29 September 2016 by Ken Zino

Five fired employees of the Tapukara plant of Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) began a hunger strike on 19 September demanding reinstatement of workers and the “withdrawal of false police charges” filed against them. On 26 September, the eighth … Continue reading →

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BYD has New Grid Linked Energy Generation/Storage Gear

Posted on 16 September 2016 by Ken Zino

BYD, of course, operates several high-tech sectors including high-efficiency automobiles, electrified public transportation, environmentally-friendly energy storage, affordable solar power and information technology and original design manufacturing services. Continue reading →

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European Diesel Car Sales Continue to Decline

Posted on 13 September 2016 by Ken Zino

It’s not just Volkswagen Group with diesel woes, during August in the EU diesel car sales showed the lowest monthly market share since diesel penetration peaked in 2011. However, with a market share of 48.3% diesel car sales remain substantial. Continue reading →

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More Flood Cars Back in Use – Buyer Beware

Posted on 13 September 2016 by Ken Zino

“Flood cars are a buyer’s worst nightmare,” said Larry Gamache, communications director at Carfax. Continue reading →

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David Yang to Head AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety

Posted on 12 September 2016 by Ken Zino

Dr. Yang has published more than 40 journal articles, conference papers, and government reports on subjects related to transportation safety, operations, and Intelligent Transportation Systems. Continue reading →

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Ford Names John S. Weinberg to Board

Posted on 8 September 2016 by Ken Zino

Weinberg of Goldman Sachs, of course, a company that has prohibited top execs from contributing to the campaign of Donald Trump. Hillary Clinton is approved. Hum… Might there be a connection when then President Bill Clinton pushed through giant loophole on maximum CEO pay or the resulting speaking fees and contributions of Bill or to the “non-profit” Clinton foundation? Continue reading →

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NAFTA Strikes Again as Kia Opens Pesquería Mexico Plant

Posted on 8 September 2016 by Ken Zino

14,000 jobs are going to Mexico by the end of 2017 at the expense of U.S. autoworkers. NAFTA – that giant sucking sound in the words of former presidential candidate Ross Perot – is part of the current U.S. presidential campaign with candidate Donald Trump threatening to put a 37.5% tariff on Mexican auto imports. Continue reading →

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U.S. August Sales Forecast Down Year-over-Year

Posted on 26 August 2016 by Ken Zino

“The summer isn’t delivering explosive sales like we saw last year, but the industry is still on pace to set an annual sales record” Continue reading →

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Binge Selling! Ford GT Production Extended

Posted on 21 August 2016 by Ken Zino

It appears that more cars according to Pericak means more exclusive. This assertion would have had me laughed out of my high school logic class. Maybe expelled. Continue reading →

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Ford Wants Fully Autonomous Ride-Sharing Car in 2021

Posted on 17 August 2016 by Ken Zino

The car will lack a steering wheel or gas and brake pedals. Continue reading →

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