Category Archives: news analysis

Milestones – Beijing Motor Show – Toyota 50 Years in China

Toyota first entered the Chinese market with the ungainly Crown sedan in 1964 – long after the Japanese rape of Nanjing during WW2. Continue reading

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News and Buzz at New York Auto Show on Car Concerns Radio

Hear Ken Zino on the news and the buzz from the New York Auto Show, with Zino coming live from New York on Car Concerns with co-host Harry Douglass as part of the lifestyle Talk Radio Network. Continue reading

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Hey, Detroit Three What Ever Happened to Pizzazz?

The people who invented pizzazz, Detroit’s Big Three, have all but ditched some of the more alluring coupes and convertibles that once were their shining stars. Continue reading

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GM Recalls More Vehicles, Some for Airbag Failures

GM did not provide a timeline explaining how long it has known about the latest safety defects. U.S. regulations only give a manufacturer five days after it discovers a safety problem to submit a recall plan to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, something GM did not do in the now notorious ignition switch recall which saw GM first deny a safety defect existed, and then issue a recall as well as an apology, and then expand the recall to cover more cars. Continue reading

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Republicans Pass Polluter Protection Act

This latest example of the power of money in the Congress is a setback for citizens. In 2009, EPA determined that greenhouse gas pollution threatens Americans’ health and welfare by leading to long lasting changes in our climate that can have a range of negative effects on human health and the environment. Continue reading

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Political Grandstanding Starts on GM Ignition Switch Deaths

In the dysfunctional ways of of now completely partisan Washington, the Republican controlled “do nothing” House is looking for political advantage here while giving the appearance that it is actually performing its legislative duties. This laughable proposition – given the record of the past decade- is increasingly hard to put forth to skeptical taxpayers of both parties. Continue reading

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EPA Finally Cleans up Fuel over Big Oil Objections and Money

Once fully in place, the standards will help avoid up to 2,000 premature deaths per year and 50,000 cases of respiratory ailments in children, according to agency that Republicans – owned by big oil – love to hate and obstruct. Continue reading

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Chrysler Group Borrows $5 Billion to Pay off UAW VEBA Debt

Before the bankruptcy, the UAW had previously – and reluctantly – accepted the notes to cover the health care costs of its retired members. This was a classic, many would say infamous, example of financial engineering under the Wall-Street-owned Bush Administration that removed union health care costs from the balance sheets of Chrysler, Ford and General Motors with a slight of hand trick. Continue reading

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Toyota to Export U.S.-Built Highlander SUVs to Australia, New Zealand and Eastern Europe

Toyota said today announced it would export U.S.-assembled Highlander SUVs to Australia, New Zealand, Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan. Continue reading

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Thoughts on NAIAS Vehicles that Really Matter

Among the noise, models, crowds and carnival atmosphere at the North American International Auto Show last week, aka NAIAS, several important vehicles stand out. Continue reading

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Top Auto Stories of 2013

As is our annual predilection, here comes AutoInformed on the Top Auto Stories of 2013. As always, these are presented with our wry awareness that opining columnists conduct their education in public as we most certainly did last year – with both good and bad results – and will continue to do so during 2014. Continue reading

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GM Sells Peugeot Shares. Claims Strategic Alliance Lives

As GM was issuing its statement, PSA shares in Paris were sinking after the automaker said more write-downs are coming with perhaps the need to raise more capital. GM has already written of part of its investment in PSA and it is clearly cutting its losses, with another write-down likely to follow in its Q4 results. Peugeot is trading at $15 a share, down from $30 in 2012. Continue reading

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Honda Fuel Cell Concept Debuts at Los Angeles Auto Show

Honda’s next generation fuel cell-electric vehicle has what is for the moment the world’s first fuel-cell powertrain packaged completely in the engine room of the vehicle. This not only allows more interior space, but it gives the Japanese automaker some flexibility in the use of fuel cell technology in different vehicle types. Continue reading

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Treasury Out of General Motors Stock by Year End

During 2009 when the Bush Administration’s Great Recession was in full force and worsening, the U.S. government via taxpayers gave GM $49.5 billion in loans ($50 billion including loans for the Supplier and Warranty Programs) in exchange for $2.1 billion in preferred stock and a 60.8% equity stake in the reorganized company. Treasury has been selling the stock since late last year. A quick back of the envelope calculation at current market rates shows that taxpayers will ultimately lose ~$10 billion. Continue reading

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September Unemployment National Scandal as Hiring Slows

September unemployment numbers finally released two weeks late show that a mere 148,000 jobs were added in September, keeping the unemployment rate officially above 7%. More than 11 million people who want to work are idled in an ongoing economic and social crisis. Continue reading

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