Category Archives: news analysis

Cadillac to Build New XTS in China at Shanghai GM

Posted on 24 April 2012 by Ken Zino

Cadillac will build the new XTS luxury sedan in China in conjunction with its mandated joint-venture partner Shanghai General Motors (SGM) starting this fall. Cadillac sold a record 30,000 vehicles in China in 2011, compared with 17,000 in 2010 even … Continue reading →

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Earth Day Milestones – History of Auto Air Pollution Regs

Posted on 22 April 2012 by Ken Zino

As we celebrate Earth Day here’s a list of important dates in the fight against automotive or so-called mobile source air pollution. In 1970, Congress passes the first major Clean Air Act, requiring a 90% reduction in emissions from new automobiles by 1975. Congress also establishes the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), giving it broad responsibility for regulating motor vehicle pollution. Continue reading →

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EPA Issues Tougher Rules for Oil and Natural Gas Production

Posted on 18 April 2012 by Ken Zino

EPA – sensitive, if not given over to election year politics and high energy prices – also said the standards would enable companies to collect additional natural gas that can be sold. The updated EPA standards include the first federal clean air rules for natural gas wells that are hydraulically fractured, specifically requiring operators of new fractured natural gas wells to use what it says are cost-effective technologies and practices to capture natural gas that might otherwise escape the well. Continue reading →

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Ford China Sales Drop Again in Q1 as March Continues Slump

Posted on 17 April 2012 by Ken Zino

This is the third straight monthly decline for Ford in China, and it comes at a time when Ford is aggressively expanding its capacity there, an unfortunate development for shareholders and the Ford balance sheet, which needs the cash flow from increasing sales to build new plants. All major automakers have announced ambitious expansion plans in China, the world’s largest auto market. However, in 2011 the Chinese auto market only grew by 5%, by far the lowest growth rate of the 21st century, as the communist central government deliberately slowed the economy in an attempt to fight inflation. Continue reading →

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Energy Research to be Coordinated by Three Federal Agencies

Posted on 16 April 2012 by Ken Zino

In a public relations move that clearly has political value during an election year with skyrocketing energy prices, the U.S. Department of Energy, Environmental Protection Agency and Department of the Interior are supposed to work together “to ensure that continued expansion of natural gas and oil production happens safely and responsibly.” Continue reading →

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EPA Releases 2010 U.S. Greenhouse Gas Inventory

Posted on 16 April 2012 by Ken Zino

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released today the 17th annual U.S. greenhouse gas inventory. The final report shows overall emissions in 2010 increased by 3.2% from the previous year because the economy expanded slightly. In addition, a factor was an … Continue reading →

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Anti Nuke Weapons Group Says Porsche Ends Iran Business

Posted on 16 April 2012 by Ken Zino

United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) joined New York City Public Advocate Bill de Blasio in announcing that Porsche AG has ended its business in Iran. In a statement, the pressure group headed by former U.S. Ambassador Mark D. Wallace, said Porsche officials have confirmed that the company is no longer “engaged in any business or providing any goods or services in Iran,” and “has no intention to conduct business in Iran in the near future.” Continue reading →

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Younger Passengers Least Likely to Protest Distracted Driving

Posted on 16 April 2012 by Ken Zino

Young drivers are nearly three times as likely to report having been reading or sending a text or e-mail when such an incident occurred as compared to drivers age 25 and higher. In addition, drivers younger than 25 are two to three times more likely to drive while sending or reading a text message or email. Reports of texting while driving drop sharply as age increases. Continue reading →

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Taxpayers to Turn Profit from Controversial TARP Bailouts

Posted on 14 April 2012 by Ken Zino

TARP, arguably the most contentious of the Federal government’s attempts to stop the U.S. and global economies from sliding into another Great Depression or worse, prevented the collapse of the financial system by bailing out profligate and reckless Wall Street firms. To date not one person has been successfully prosecuted for the rampant financial fraud that caused the housing and stock markets to collapse. Continue reading →

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NSC Says Much Work Needs to be done on Distracted Driving. Again Urges Total ban on all Cell Phone Use

Posted on 13 April 2012 by Ken Zino

Determining the scope of the cell phone distracted driving problem remains a challenge. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and NSC claim the actual number of crashes involving cell phone distracted driving is higher, likely much higher, than reported figures. Continue reading →

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One in Five Americans Blissfully Untroubled by the Internet

Posted on 13 April 2012 by Ken Zino

One out of five American adults does not use the internet, according to the latest study by the Pew Internet Project, which has been closely tracking the internet since 2000. Senior citizens, Spanish speakers, adults with less than a high school education, and those living in households earning less than $30,000 per year are the least likely adults to have internet access. Continue reading →

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Local News is Newspaper Strength in Shifting Media Fare. Duh

Posted on 12 April 2012 by Ken Zino

What this means to struggling local newspapers is unclear. Nevertheless as a group, local news consumers are more likely than others to prefer newspapers for almost all of 16 topics asked about in the survey—including crime, local politics, community events, arts and culture, local schools, taxes, government activity, restaurants, other local business, housing issues, job openings, and local zoning issues. Continue reading →

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Hapless SEC Sues AutoChina for Alleged Stock Manipulation

Posted on 12 April 2012 by Ken Zino

AutoChina (OTC: AUTCF), China’s largest commercial vehicle sales, servicing, leasing, and company said the SEC’s complaint is without merit, thereby setting up an intricate and lengthy court battle with the watchdog that does not bark. SEC claimed that AutoChina senior executive and director Hui Kai Yan, a former AutoChina manager, and others fraudulently traded AutoChina’s stock to boost its daily trading volume. Continue reading →

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State Tax Collections Increase $62 Billion in 2011

Posted on 12 April 2012 by Ken Zino

Politicians will have more money to spend – or squander – depending on your viewpoint, according to a new U.S. Census Bureau report released today. State government tax collections increased $62.1 billion to $763.7 billion in fiscal year 2011. Continue reading →

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Automobile$ Provide $91.5 Billion in $tate Tax Revenue$

Posted on 11 April 2012 by Ken Zino

The amount of revenue involved begs questions about the lack of U.S. industrial policy – alone among industrialized countries – as well as what critics say is anti industry attitudes among politicians and regulators. These critics also point to the actively hostile policies of the U.S. State and Defense Departments, which support and protect offshore automakers, while increasing taxes for U.S. based automakers. Continue reading →

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