Category Archives: news analysis

BMW, Deezer Expand Audio Choices

Posted on 10 November 2015 by Ken Zino

There is no limit on either the number of tracks selected or the data volume required. Moreover, when traveling outside Germany – in France, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain or the UK – drivers have online access to everything the music services offer without incurring additional international fees or roaming charges.

Deezer is one of the major music providers with more than 35 million tracks in its library. It is available in more than 180 countries worldwide.

No word on North American applications yet. Continue reading →

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Ten Carmakers to fit AEB – Auto Emergency Braking – on New Vehicles as Standard Equipment

Posted on 11 September 2015 by Ken Zino

FCA, aka, Chrysler, which has more than its share of problems with DOT over safety matters, is notably for its absence. FCA as well as other automakers will face increasing pressure to add AEB as more systems are added at competitors. Continue reading →

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Consumer Reports Still Gushing over Money Losing Tesla

Posted on 27 August 2015 by Ken Zino

In an embargoed release yesterday, now noted here, Consumer Reports reached the point of absurdity over its claim that the Tesla Model S is the best-performing car that it has ever tested. Continue reading →

Posted in electric vehicles, news analysis | Leave a comment

Connectivity or Not? Pew Cell Phone Research Inconsistent

Posted on 26 August 2015 by Ken Zino

We have all been in these situations. Many who say that phone use is a social hindrance also admit to using their phones when they are in social groups. Continue reading →

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Short Circuit! BMW to Control i3 EV Recharging Times

Posted on 7 August 2015 by Ken Zino

The BMW Group and the Pacific Gas and Electric Company in the San Francisco Bay area are starting a program whereby BMW will stop the charging by i3 owners under a new study that has ominous long-term privacy and government control implications for future EV buyers. Continue reading →

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GM Celebrates Old Tech Center as Volkswagen Builds New One

Posted on 6 August 2015 by Ken Zino

In a way, this is symbolic of the geographic and philosophical shifts in the automobile business that now sees VW Group in contention with Toyota and GM as the world’s largest automaker. Another irony is that when the GM Tech Center was established in 1956, it was a vertically integrated company with clear market dominance, which it no longer is. Continue reading →

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Auto Sales Growth Rates to Slow

Posted on 4 August 2015 by Ken Zino

Advances in technology, tougher legislation, shorter product cycles and increased launches will create a challenging, yet opportunistic environment in the years ahead for original equipment manufacturers (OEM) and suppliers, according to IHS Automotive. Continue reading →

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NADA Opposes Credit Reform on Auto Lending Practices

Posted on 29 July 2015 by Ken Zino

the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) is lobbying members of the U.S. House Financial Services Committee to pass H.R. 1737, a bill that would repeal the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) 2013 guidance on fair auto lending practices Continue reading →

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DOJ Honda Consent Order Aims to Cut Auto Loan Abuses

Posted on 14 July 2015 by Ken Zino

The consent decree is a substantial, perhaps fatal, setback for dealer lobbying groups such as NADA and AIADA who have been fighting CFPB on non-discriminatory pricing. Continue reading →

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Automakers Protest European Laws Targeting Diesel Use

Posted on 13 July 2015 by Ken Zino

The automakers reason, not without some basis in fact – that the most effective way to improve air quality is getting older cars and trucks off the road. New vehicles less than one year old are roughly 5% of the road population in the EU. As more of the older diesels are replaced, it looks like fewer of them will be diesels, no matter how clean the newest ones are. Continue reading →

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Screw US Workers! Trade Policy Fails Again

Posted on 7 July 2015 by Ken Zino

Imports of auto parts, engines, vehicles through May 2015 increased to $112,315,000, a dismal job-destroying record. May at $29,462,000 was a record as well. Continue reading →

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NASCAR Disavows Racist Confederate Flag

Posted on 3 July 2015 by Ken Zino

“To do that, we are asking our fans and partners to join us in a renewed effort to create an all-inclusive, even more welcoming atmosphere for all who attend our events. This will include the request to refrain from displaying the Confederate Flag at our facilities and NASCAR events. Continue reading →

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White Dominated NASCAR Nixes Stars and the Bars

Posted on 23 June 2015 by Ken Zino

While most Republicans are floundering over their long-held and overt promotion racism and vocal support of the Confederate flag – aka stars and the bars – one large organization deeply rooted in the south – NASCAR – has once again affirmed its commitment to an inclusive environment at its events. Continue reading →

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General Motors Annual Meeting Drama Free

Posted on 9 June 2015 by Ken Zino

General Motors Company (NYSE: GM) today announced at its annual meeting of stockholders the preliminary voting results representing 85% of eligible votes. Continue reading →

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More Taxpayer Subsidies for Rich Automakers Proposed

Posted on 4 June 2015 by Ken Zino

It is another raid on the U.S. Treasury sponsored by U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Gary Peters (D-MI), along with Lamar Alexander (R-TN), all from auto making states. Continue reading →

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