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Category Archives: news analysis
A123 Recalls Lithium Ion Batteries Shipped to Fisker, Others
The $55 million recall comes after the well-publicized failure during testing of a Fisker Karma that was owned by Consumer Reports. A123, an investor in Fisker, lost almost $260 million in 2011. A123 received a $249.1 million grant from the Department of Energy to reopen plants in Livonia and Romulus, Mich., as well as money and tax credits from Michigan worth more than $100 million. The future of the company, which has never earned a profit, is not clear. Continue reading
Chevrolet TrailBlazer Debuts in Thailand. No U.S. Sales Planned
In the U.S., the TrailBlazer was discontinued after 2009, and replaced by the unit body Chevrolet Traverse, Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook. A Chevrolet spokesperson told AutoInformed that no U.S. sales are planned at this time. Continue reading
Colorado Volt Buyers Eligible for $13,500 in Taxpayer Subsidies
The core environmental problem here is an economic one. The slow selling $40,000 Volt – even with subsidies – remains overpriced and not competitive in the marketplace. No wonder that the Volt plant in Michigan is currently down for five weeks. More troubling is the sales of the smaller Prius c hybrid. In the first three days since the small Prius c went on sale this month it sold 1,201 units, bypassing sales of the much more expensive – two times the price – Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf for the entire month of February. Continue reading
EU Automakers Protest Globalization as Trade Policy
Call it pragmatism or pure hypocrisy, but the Association of European Automakers – ACEA – is protesting trade negotiations to open markets. This is the so-called globalization that many – if not all- of its parent automaker companies previously used to break or weaken unions as they moved jobs away from their older, established manufacturing sites. Now, the effect of globalization is coming home to an impoverished European roost as the EU opens up formerly protected markets to developing countries, some of which produce automobiles. Management and remaining workers are in danger of losing their jobs this time. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, economy, labor issues, news, news analysis, people, transportation
Tagged acea, auto informed, autoinformed.com, automotive news, eu trade policy, free trade agreements, Ken Zino, marchionne, trade wars
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Penske Automotive Group Expands to Northern Italy
Penske Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE:PAG) has formed a joint venture with Andrea Mantellini, the operator of a BMW/Mini dealer group located in Bologna, Italy. The joint venture intends to acquire and operate dealerships in northern Italy, Penske said in a news release today. Mantellini will manage day-to-day operations of the business. Financial terms were not disclosed. Penske appears to be buying a premium brand and entry into the market at presumably fire sale prices. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, economy, marketing, news analysis
Tagged andrea mantellini, auto informed, autoinformed.com, automotive news, eu, eurozone crisis, Ken Zino, mariani bmw, Penske, roger penske
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Anti Nuke Group Protests Iran Business Ties of Mazda
Mazda is tied to the IRGC through its long-standing partnership with the Bahman Group, a Tehran-based manufacturing conglomerate that is licensed to manufacture Mazda vehicles. Bahman is 45.5% owned by the IRGC’s Sepah Cooperative Foundation, according to UANI. In 2010, Bahman produced a total of 36,891 Mazda vehicles in Iran. Continue reading
Taxpayers Make Money on Treasury Bailout of Mortgages
While this is good news in a slowly recovering economy, taxpayers are still on the hook for billions upon billions advanced to Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae – up to $100 billion each in capital – to prop up their $5 trillion in outstanding mortgage debt, of which an unknown amount will never be repaid. Continue reading
Nissan Recalls Infiniti M45 for Bad Electronic Gas Gauges
In the pre-Toyota cover-up fines from NHTSA, it appears that Nissan ignored the safety problem and warranty data. In the post Toyota fine era at NHTSA, the number of recalls from Japanese makers, not coincidentally, has accelerated dramatically.
This is the sixth major Nissan recall since the fall. Earlier recalls involved Nissan and Infiniti gasoline leaks, oil leaks, sudden stalling on Sentra models, Juke turbocharger boost sensors, and defective Rogue electric power steering control computers. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, news analysis, quality, recalls, results, safety
Tagged auto informed, autoinformed.com, automotive news, infiniti recalls, Ken Zino, nhtsa, nissan recalls, recalls
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Electric Sales for Prius C Hybrid after Three Days
While Detroit Three Automakers concentrate on increasing the transaction prices of their new models, Toyota Motor Sales is proving that price matters. In the first three days since the small Prius C went on sale it sold 1,201 units, bypassing sales of the much more expensive – two times the price – Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf for the entire month of February. The Volt plant in Detroit suspends production for five weeks starting next Monday because of slow sales. Continue reading
BizJet Pays $11.8 M Fine under Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
BizJet International Sales and Support will pay an $11.8 million criminal penalty to resolve charges under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act for bribing government officials. The Tulsa, Oklahoma-based aircraft maintenance company with links to Lufthansa was under investigation by the Department of Justice for bribing government officials in Latin America to secure contracts to perform aircraft services for government agencies. Continue reading
Posted in aviation, litigation, news, news analysis, people, results, transportation
Tagged auto informed, autoinformed.com, automotive news, bizjet, doj, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, Ken Zino, Lufthansa
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Ally Squeals after Flunking New Fed Capital Stress Test
Taxpayers still own more than 70% of Ally, with the owner – the Fed – saying it does not have enough capital to endure a theoretical recession that would produce an unemployment rate of 13% percent, a 21% drop in housing prices and as economic slowdowns in Europe and Asia. This admittedly severe test – surpassing even the Bush Administration’s dismal record of economic stewardship – may or may not be anything more than an academic exercise.
In what I take to be a gratuitous insult to taxpayers, Ally said, “Further, the Federal Reserve has not objected to the ongoing payments of preferred dividends and interest on the trust preferred securities and subordinated debt.”
Darn right we expect you to pay interest on the loans. Continue reading
Milestones: Freedom of Information Act Web Site
Any citizen can make a FOIA request about any topic, although there are still considerable delays, prevarications and redactions by government agencies in making politically sensitive information available. Moreover, Congress still largely conducts its business behind closed doors with access only given all too often to the privileged wealthy few and monied special interests that dominate our ‘pay to play’ political process. Continue reading
Posted in news, news analysis, Uncategorized
Tagged auto informed, autoinformed.com, automotive news, foia, Ken Zino, louis brandeis, one percenters, open government
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Nissan to Run Delta Wing at Le Mans in P.R. Stunt
The real Japanese race to watch at Le Mans this year will be a Toyota, which will run a hybrid in the LMP1 class. Last year’s race was the most exciting in years – maybe decades – as Peugeot and Audi fought an epic battle. In a fiercely fought 24 hours of racing with sporadic rain, wrecks and attrition, a diesel-powered Audi R18 won the 24 hours of Le Mans in the fastest, factory run P1 class. The Audi was followed by four Peugeot 908s. The three drivers of the second place Peugeot – Simon Pagenaud, Pedro Lamy and Sebastien Bourdais – competed to the very end as their 908 was only 13 seconds behind. Nissan and Chevrolet Corvette did win in other classes. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, marketing, news analysis, racing
Tagged 2012 lemans, all american racers, auto informed, autoinformed.com, automotive news, dan gurney, Ken Zino, lemans, nissan, sebring, toyota le mans
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Anti Nuke Group Wants GM Peugeot to End Iran Business
If GM CEO Dan Akerson thought the Chevrolet Volt was a political football, one can only imagine what he thinks about Peugeot and the Iranian nuclear weapons controversy. GM only wants to share logistics, platforms and purchasing with the French company, but is now being told it is “unacceptable for GM to enter into a partnership with a company that so openly deals with a regime that is responsible for the deaths of U.S. and NATO servicemen and threatens U.S. and global security.” Continue reading
Focus Electric Approved for $10,000 in Taxpayer Handouts
The California Environmental Protection Agency’s Air Resources Board (CARB) has dictated that owners of the new 2012 Ford Focus Electric can drive in high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes. Owners also will be able to receive up to $10,000 in tax credits between the state’s new $2,500 rebate and a $7,500 federal tax incentive – both funded by taxpayers at a time of soaring deficits. Critics call this socialism for the rich. These subsidies appear to be crucial for sales success of the Focus Electric. Without them, the car lists starting at $39,995. This means a typical payment to buy the compact car – with $4,000 down – is almost $800 per month for 48 months at Ford’s 7% interest rate. The gasoline-fueled Focus starts at just over $17,000. Continue reading
Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, electric vehicles, environment, fuel economy or emissions, new vehicle, news analysis, transportation
Tagged auto informed, autoinformed.com, automotive news, carb, focus electric, hov lanes, insight, Ken Zino, leaf, mpge, prius, taxpayer subsidies, volt
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