Category Archives: news analysis

GM Sales up Slightly in February as Trucks Soar

Posted on 3 March 2015 by Ken Zino

According to J.D. Power PIN data, the Chevrolet Silverado’s retail market share in the full-size pickup segment was 27.2% in February, up 1.5 percentage points from a year ago, at the expense of Ford’s F-Series and FCA’s Ram brand. Continue reading →

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Cyber Insecurity – Your Car and You as Targets

Posted on 19 February 2015 by Ken Zino

The connected car is linking you to criminals with virtually no safeguards in place to protect your personal data or even to prevent the bad guys from taking over control of the car. That is the summary from a recent series and studies and forums in the U.S. and Europe.

The good news, if there is any for connected car, Bluetooth, OnStar and Smartphone aficionados is that you are likely not the primary target. Instead, hackers want to get to the treasure trove of car company databases and private networks that contain millions of bits of confidential data. Other privacy problems arise from the use of navigation computers that record and send location or driving history information to third party providers who resell it without your knowledge, let alone consent. Continue reading →

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Volvo Delivers Autonomous Driving XC90 in 2017

Posted on 19 February 2015 by Ken Zino

Volvo’s web presentation of the project this morning had technical problems with an invalid embed code, thereby demonstrating how complex the computer programing is for even relatively well-known technologies. Cyber security issues also will need to be resolved. Continue reading →

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Cheap Oil Good for Automakers?

Posted on 18 February 2015 by Ken Zino

Spurred by reduced pump prices, U.S. consumer confidence is expected to continue to rise, resulting in a potential shift to larger, more profitable vehicles in the U.S. and Canada since these vehicles will be more affordable to own and the value of fuel economy becomes less important to consumers. Continue reading →

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Proxy Fight Looming at General Motors by Hedge Fund Sharks?

Posted on 11 February 2015 by Ken Zino

The ploy is clearly threat to GM’s “fortress balance sheet” strategy that looks to clean up underfunded pension liabilities and preserve enough cash to weather another global recession. GM has now posted 20 consecutive quarters of profits. Continue reading →

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GM in Process of Dumping Ally, Formerly GMAC

Posted on 8 February 2015 by Ken Zino

General Motors is in the midst of rebuilding its long gone GMAC financial empire due to bankruptcy, is replacing it with General Motors Financial, which appears to be an exact duplicate of the auto-lending arm of Ally, formally known as GMAC without the housing lending risks that sunk the company. Continue reading →

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Shell Fined for Selling Bogus Fuels

Posted on 20 January 2015 by Ken Zino

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, today announced a settlement with three companies affiliated with Shell Oil Company to resolve Clean Air Act violations. The illegal acts included selling gasoline and diesel fuel that did not conform to federal standards. Continue reading →

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Nissan and NASA to Develop Autonomous Drive Vehicles

Posted on 8 January 2015 by Ken Zino

NASA did not press release the deal, leaving it to French and Japanese owned Nissan to crow about the research in an attempt to downplay what is sure to be controversial – U.S. taxpayer resources supporting – yet again – offshore corporations. Continue reading →

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Honda Pays Largest NHTSA Fine in History for Takata and other Safety Cover Ups

Posted on 8 January 2015 by Ken Zino

In responding to the Special Order, Honda admitted to under-reporting of written claims or notices of injuries or deaths over the past decade “due to errors related to data entry, computer coding, regulatory interpretation, and other errors in warranty and property damage claims reporting.” Translation: Honda got caught flagrantly violating U.S. regulations. Continue reading →

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Mercedes Benz Headquarters Fleeing New Jersey for Georgia

Posted on 7 January 2015 by Ken Zino

Mercedes-Benz USA said it would relocate its corporate headquarters to Atlanta, Georgia from Montvale, New Jersey, claiming it will “strengthen the company’s position for long-term, sustainable growth.” Continue reading →

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Hydrogen Bomb! Toyota Opens Its Fuel Cell Patents for Industry Use

Posted on 6 January 2015 by Ken Zino

In a deft P.R. move that also has abundant self-interest, Toyota Motor Corporation will allow royalty-free use of 5,680 fuel-cell-related patent licenses, including pending applications, it holds globally. Continue reading →

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Chrysler Expands Takata Recall Nationally

Posted on 31 December 2014 by Ken Zino

Chrysler Group is expanding its current regional recall of Takata PSDI-4 driver airbag inflators to all 50 U.S. States and Federalized Territories at the request of NHTSA. Continue reading →

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FCA is New Name for Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

Posted on 16 December 2014 by Ken Zino

Chrysler Group, the twice taxpayer bailed-out Michigan-based automaker, today announced that it has changed its company name to FCA US LLC. Continue reading →

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BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer out. Harald Krüger in Next May

Posted on 9 December 2014 by Ken Zino

In a surprise move, BMW ended the reign of CEO Norbert Reithofer with Harold Krüger, 49, taking over next May at the 2015 annual meeting.

The Supervisory Board proposed that Reithofer – subject to his election to the Board – become the the  Chairman of the Supervisory Board after the 2015 meeting. The current Supervisory Board Chairman, Joachim Milberg, will resign at the end of the 2015 Annual General Meeting. Continue reading →

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Thanksgiving for Our Tattered Democracy

Posted on 27 November 2014 by Ken Zino

The most American of holidays, Thanksgiving, has its roots in early 17th century pilgrims – illegal aliens in a sense, as immigrant celebrations of survival because of bountiful – and importantly – shared harvests. Continue reading →

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