Category Archives: news analysis

Ford Taking Orders for 2012 Focus Electric at $39,995

Posted on 3 November 2011 by Ken Zino

No lease is available, so a typical payment to buy – with $4,000 down for 48 months – is almost $800 per month at Ford’s 7% interest rate. The gasoline Focus starts at just over $17,000. This means that the sales volume of the EV will likely be limited to a few enthusiasts. And Focus Electric also faces tough competition from the Nissan Leaf, which can be leased for about $400 a month. Continue reading →

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Toyota to Export U.S.-Built Sienna to South Korea. FTA that UAW Supported, Also Helps Non-Union Plant Exports

Posted on 2 November 2011 by Ken Zino

The Korea FTA is opposed by all organized labor groups, except the United Auto Workers Union, which in the view of critics sold out organized labor for the promise that 75,000 UAW-built vehicles would be exported to Korea. Thus far Ford and General Motors, all with new four-year UAW contracts, have not announced plans to export to Korea. Continue reading →

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Mixed U.S. October Sales Results for Japanese Three. Toyota Sales Down 8%. Honda Sales +3%. Nissan October Sales +18%

Posted on 1 November 2011 by Ken Zino

Acura, Honda’s luxury label, posted sales of 11,115, an increase of 4.8% versus October 2010, with year-to-date sales of 100,261, compared to Infiniti’s 79,000. This means that natural disaster battered Lexus with ytd sales of 153,739 of cars and light trucks – virtually all of which are made in Japan – easily retains the Japanese luxury vehicle sales crown, but it will displaced from luxury sales leadership for the first time in more than a decade by BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Continue reading →

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Ford Motor Company October Sales up 6% from Trucks, SUVs

Posted on 1 November 2011 by Ken Zino

Ford is now emphasizing truck sales and adding crossover sales with them. This is because Ford Motor Company car and retail sales are down in October compared to last year, hurt by bad results at Lincoln (-11% at 6,100 units), and the absence of 7,500 units from now defunct Mercury. With the strength of trucks, though, overall Ford Motor sales of 1,771,801 units is up 10.9%. Fleet sales are 33% of the total, which based on early numbers, appears to be leading the industry, ahead of GM’s 23% of October sales. Continue reading →

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Chrysler Group October Sales Up 27%. Comeback Continues

Posted on 1 November 2011 by Ken Zino

Chrysler Group today reported U.S. sales of 114,512, a 27% increase compared with sales in October 2010. It was the Number Three Detroit automaker’s best October since 2007. This wasn’t good enough to defend its recent Number Three U.S. sales position, as Toyota’s return to the market with better inventories moved it back into the Number Three spot by 20,000 units. Continue reading →

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GM October Sales Up 2%. Three of Four Brands Down

Posted on 1 November 2011 by Ken Zino

Chevrolet was actually the only GM brand to increase sales year-over-year. Buick at -7%, Cadillac at -12% and GMC at -5% all posted sales declines during the model year changeover, which also saw Japanese makers return post earthquake with rebuilt inventories of news cars and trucks. Continue reading →

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California Institutes $15,000 EV Subsidy from Taxpayers

Posted on 31 October 2011 by Ken Zino

This light commercial EV subsidy is part of a larger program – or folly, according to critics – which will it’s hoped speed the adaptation of commercial electric vehicles. Heretofore, fleet operators who keep stringent track of costs have not been willing to invest in EVs because of their absurdly high costs and limited range – in the EV Transit’s case, ~$50,000 and 50 miles. Continue reading →

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EPA Tells Pennsylvania to Improve Air Quality in New Jersey

Posted on 31 October 2011 by Ken Zino

The EPA ruling potentially has broad implications for the future of electric vehicles in the U.S. since half of the electricity produced comes from burning coal – a notorious source of SO2. The two Portland generating units covered under this rule are large sources of SO2 emissions in the region since they are about 50 years old.

This is a national problem. Currently 44% of coal-fired units in the country do not have advanced pollution controls, such as scrubbers or catalysts, installed to limit emissions. Utilities and coal companies are and have been vigorously fighting efforts to solve the problem. Continue reading →

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Honda Cuts Production at All North American Plants from Thailand Flooding! CRV Delayed in Latest Setback for Japanese Makers after March Earthquake

Posted on 31 October 2011 by Ken Zino

Honda will decrease automobile production by 50% at all six Honda automobile plants in the U.S. and Canada starting this Wednesday as a result of shortages of electrical parts caused by the ongoing floods in Thailand. A statement will be issued later today. Initially Honda maintained that North America would not be negatively affected by the natural disaster.

Insiders at Honda say it is anticipated that this interruption continue for the next several weeks. The proposed December on-sale date of the all-new 2012 Honda CR-V could potentially be delayed by several weeks. Continue reading →

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Saab Saved from Liquidation by Two Chinese Companies?

Posted on 31 October 2011 by Ken Zino

This latest episode in the ongoing Saab story (NYSE Euronext Amsterdam: SWAN) is likely not the final one in a long running thriller over the future of the former General Motors subsidiary. The proposed Chinese ownership agreement is subject to a final share purchase agreement between Swan, Pang Da and Youngman. In a statement, Swan said it will contain “certain conditions including the approval of the relevant authorities, Swan’s shareholders and certain other parties.”

Furthermore, the €100 million will be paid in installments. An important consideration for Swan to enter into the transaction is the commitment of Pang Da and Youngman to provide long term funding to Saab Automobile. Continue reading →

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Initial Quality in China Achieves Historic High – Japanese Lead

Posted on 28 October 2011 by Ken Zino

Overall initial quality of vehicles sold in China averages 162 PP100 (problems per 100) in 2011. This is the lowest problem rate recorded since the inception of the study in 2000, according to J.D. Power Asia Pacific. Not surprisingly, models from Japanese brands, as a whole, have the lowest problem incidence in the China market in 2011 with an average of 108 PP100. Continue reading →

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Updated Buick Book – David Buick’s Marvelous Motor Car

Posted on 28 October 2011 by Ken Zino

It is Gustin’s contention that “Buick sets pattern for Chevrolet.” The award winning author discusses the reasons why Billy Durant created Chevrolet Motor and summarizes the complex set of events that led Durant to develop the Chevrolet automobile. Continue reading →

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Japan Production Still Not Completely Restored JAMA Says

Posted on 28 October 2011 by Ken Zino

U.S. automakers have been benefiting from Japan’s absence from the market. Earlier this week Ford Motor reported that it had increased U.S. revenue by $700,000 dollars in Q3 because it raised prices or trimmed incentives. Continue reading →

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PBGC Sues Bendix for Pension Debt from Plant Closing

Posted on 28 October 2011 by Ken Zino

The action against German-owned Bendix is the first time PBGC has had to go to court to compel a company to cover pension obligations from a plant closing. Continue reading →

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Chrysler Group Reports Q3 Net Income of $212 Million

Posted on 27 October 2011 by Ken Zino

Chrysler results stand in contrast to Ford Motor, which yesterday reported third quarter 2011 net income of $1.6 billion, or 41 cents per share, a decrease of $38 million, or 2 cents per share, versus third quarter 2010 on revenue of $33.1 billion, an increase of $4.1 billion from Q3 2010. Ford Q3 2011 pre-tax operating profit was $1.9 billion, or 46 cents per share, with an operating margin of 4.8%. Chrysler remains the smallest and weakest of the Detroit Three with limited international operations. Still, Chrysler is clearly on the mend. Continue reading →

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