Category Archives: news analysis

NADA Chairman Defends Auto Retail Practices. Again

Posted on 7 October 2014 by Ken Zino

The latest Chairman of the National Automobile Dealers Association, aka NADA, defended the auto retailing franchise system saying it benefits both automakers and car buyers by proving much needed competition. Continue reading →

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Huge Toyota Tacoma Pickup Corrosion Recall

Posted on 30 September 2014 by Ken Zino

Toyota claimed it is not aware of any fires, crashes, injuries or fatalities associated with its latest safety defect that it has told NHTSA about in its required legal filing. However, NHTSA has several hair-raising complaints from Tacoma owners about incidents. Continue reading →

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Volt Camouflage Designed to hide Freshened Sheet Metal

Posted on 29 September 2014 by Ken Zino

The camouflage package on the next-generation Volt was started six months in advance of early development. The tricks are constantly updated to keep spy photographers – Jim Dunne, who graciously contributes to AutoInformed – and the curious guessing. Continue reading →

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Car Concerns Radio – Latest Douglas and Zino Show

Posted on 24 September 2014 by Ken Zino

Click here for latest Ken Zino and Harry Douglass Car Concerns blather and informed commentary on the Lifestyle Talk Radio Network Continue reading →

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GM Woes Continue with New Recalls and Legal Actions

Posted on 22 September 2014 by Ken Zino

Troubles for GM and its shareholders continue because of new legal and product quality developments. Late last Friday a U.S. Judge in New York ruled that plaintiffs could request documents related to accidents, injuries and lost vehicle value associated with … Continue reading →

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August US Auto Sales Up as Detroit Loses Share

Posted on 15 September 2014 by Ken Zino

The bad news for Detroit supplicants and the UAW came from the fact that offshore brands took a 56.5% share of the August auto market, up from 55.9% last month and 53.8% in June. Continue reading →

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GM Throws Technology Gauntlet – V2V Cadillacs in 2 Years

Posted on 8 September 2014 by Ken Zino

GM’s CEO Mary Barra said yesterday that GM would offer vehicle-to-vehicle communication, V2V in that awful techie jargon, as well as vehicle-to-infrastructure communication, and ultimately, fully autonomous driving starting two years from now in a 2017 model Cadillac CTS. Continue reading →

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Dark Money at $50 Million. Congress Bought by Unnamed Interest Groups

Posted on 28 August 2014 by Ken Zino

The OpenSecrets Blog and the Center for Responsive Politics reported today that political spending by non-disclosing or secret political non-profit lobbying funds, aka dark money groups, has reached $50 million, a record at this point in the election cycle. Continue reading →

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Chinese Students Out Spend US Ones

Posted on 26 August 2014 by Ken Zino

Average price paid by Chinese students for new car tops $52,000 wih cash purchases at31.8%, the opposite of non-Chinese students at the same schools Continue reading →

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Legal Woes at Porsche Continue

Posted on 26 August 2014 by Ken Zino

The so-called Higher Regional Court of Stuttgart will try two former executive board members of Porsche Automobil Holding SE in the aborted takeover caper where Porsche attempted to win control of the Volkswagen Group. Continue reading →

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FAA Warning on Syria as US remains Ensnared in Conflict

Posted on 18 August 2014 by Ken Zino

There is no question the ongoing armed conflict and volatile security environment in Syria poses a serious threat to civil aviation. Continue reading →

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Chinese Government Accusing Automakers of Price Gouging

Posted on 18 August 2014 by Ken Zino

Reports coming out of China from a state news agency say the government in Jiangsu Province found Mercedes-Benz guilty of antitrust price gouging. Continue reading →

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FAA Unmanned Aircraft Systems Test Sites in Place

Posted on 18 August 2014 by Ken Zino

The unmanned planes represent the latest government and/or private industry assault on personal privacy. If you think speeding cameras are bad, wait a couple of years. They also pose a real safety threat to other aircraft, and depending on how you cut the statistics they are up to 300 times more likely to crash than small, manned aircraft that are currently used for surveillance and traffic enforcement. Continue reading →

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Stronger New Vehicle Sales to Weaken Used Prices?

Posted on 4 August 2014 by Ken Zino

The continued recovery of new US vehicle sales might result in some price cuts in used rides for the first time since 2008 when the Bush Administration’s Great Recession took hold. The economy is still hurting and the US labor force participation rate and long term unemployment are disgraceful, no matter what the ‘no jobs’ Obama Administration claims. Continue reading →

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Toyota Bests VW and GM as largest Automaker at 2014 Half

Posted on 1 August 2014 by Ken Zino

Toyota Motor Corporation retained its Number One global sales lead over a formidable and expanding Volkswagen Group by selling 5.1 million vehicles through the first two quarters of 2014. Continue reading →

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