Category Archives: news analysis

Chevrolet and Nissan Succeed with Plug-in Hybrids and EVs as the Business of Plugging In Shows First Product Results

Success is the verdict about one year after the Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid and Nissan Leaf EV (electric vehicle) both went on sale, it was revealed last week at the third annual Business of Plugging In Conference in Michigan. And with Cadillac, Ford, Toyota about to introduce the their own plug-in hybrids, and a pure EV version of the tiny Chevrolet Spark coming in 2013, the small niche of electric cars has the chance to grow some more. Continue reading

Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, concept, customer satisfaction, electric vehicles, energy, environment, new vehicle, news analysis, results, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

U.S. Budget Deficit Officially at $1.299 Trillion in FY 2011

The so-called Super Committee is already gridlocked over how to decrease the budget deficit, and that very likely means nothing will be done about the deficit until after the 2012 elections as both parties in a dysfunctional Washington maneuver for election advantages. Continue reading

Posted in auto news, economy, news analysis, people, results | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

President Obama and South Korean President Lee Defend Korean FTA at a Michigan General Motors Small Car Plant

President Barack Obama and South Korean President Lee Myung-bak toured the General Motors Orion Assembly Plant on Friday and spoke to several hundred workers and guests in support of the pending U.S-South Korean Free Trade Agreement. The rally came as U.S. long term unemployment remain at record post Great Depression levels. Korea is the fifth largest producer and fourth largest exporter of motor vehicles in the world, and – up to now – its car market has been closed. Continue reading

Posted in auto news, economy, labor issues, news analysis, people, results, sales | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Pelican Oil Refinery Guilty of Clean Air Act Crimes in Louisiana

If the court sentences according to the terms in today’s plea agreement, Pelican will pay $12 million in criminal penalties, including $2 million in community service payments that will go toward various environmental projects in Louisiana, including air pollution monitoring. This would mark the largest ever criminal fine in Louisiana for violations of the Clean Air Act. Continue reading

Posted in auto news, environment, litigation, news analysis, people, results | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

U.S. Automakers Push for Single EV Fast Charging Standard

Audi, BMW, Daimler, Ford, General Motors, Porsche and Volkswagen agreed to support a harmonized single-port fast charging approach for use on electric vehicles in Europe and the United States. Noticeably absent thus far is Nissan, arguably the leader in EV’s along with Alliance Partner Renault. Continue reading

Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, electric vehicles, engineering, environment, news analysis, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

More Jobs to China as GM Will Develop a New Global Engine Family with SAIC and Pan Asian Technical Center

General Motors will develop an all-new global family of small-displacement “Ecotec” gasoline engines over the next several years in China in conjunction with the Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp. (SAIC), Shanghai General Motors (SGM) and the Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC). Continue reading

Posted in auto news, economy, engineering, labor issues, manufacturing, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Midsize Chevrolet Colorado Pickup Will Be Built in U.S.

The GM Colorado decision once again raises the Ford Ranger question. Ford Motor once dominated the compact pickup truck market in the U.S. until years of product neglect combined with an assault by Toyota and Nissan pushed it to a footnote in the segment. This first forced the closing of Ford’s Edison, New Jersey plant. The remaining plant in Minnesota did not survive the tentative Ford UAW contract that is now being voted on, and will shut down later this year. Continue reading

Posted in auto news, manufacturing, new vehicle, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Sundiro Honda Builds More than 7 Million Motorcycles in China, Leading Country. Export Business Thriving, Including to Japan

Sundiro provides one model for the next wave of Chinese exports by using an established brand name to provide assurance to customers that highly complex motorcycles and ultimately automobiles can be bought with confidence even though they are made in China. Sundiro Honda now exports hundreds of thousands of motorcycles to more than 45 countries, and is one of the largest operations of Honda’s thriving motorcycle business. Continue reading

Posted in auto news, manufacturing, marketing, milestones, news analysis, results, sales | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

U.S. Unemployment at 9.1% Unchanged in September

The unemployment rate during September in the U.S. remains unchanged at 9.1% where it has been stuck for months now. This means that according to the Federal government more than 14 million people are out of work. The real number – if you include people who stopped looking for work and forced part time workers – is likely 25 million people who want to work full time. Continue reading

Posted in auto news, economy, marketing, news analysis, results | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

NHTSA Probes GM Electric Power Steering Sudden Failure

Complicating matters for General Motors is the EPS system used in those vehicles is the same as that used in 2005 -2010 model year Chevrolet Cobalt and Pontiac G5 models. In March of 2010, GM recalled more than 1 million of them to fix a defect with the EPS assist motor. Continue reading

Posted in auto news, engineering, news analysis, recalls, safety | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Mercedes-Benz Superdome is the New Name in New Orleans

The New Orleans stadium is infamous as the lawless, unlit refugee area for the homeless after Hurricane Katrina caught federal, state and local government agencies completely unprepared. State taxpayers rebuilt the stadium so that the New Orleans Saints could play there again starting in 1996. About $336 million has been spent by taxpayers on the sports facility since then. Continue reading

Posted in auto news, economy, marketing, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Five of the Top Ten U.S. Best Sellers in September Are from Offshore Brands. Only One Detroit Three Car Makes the List

Five of the top ten selling vehicles in September were from offshore brands, an increase of one from August and only three in July as the new vehicle market continues its slow shift away from traditional trucks and SUVs. Continue reading

Posted in auto news, marketing, new vehicle, news analysis, results, sales | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

UAW has Deal at Ford Pending Local Approvals. 5750 Jobs Added or Retained During Contract. Shared Prosperity Claimed

The tentative agreement is based of Ford’s promise to add another 5,750 new jobs and invest what’s said to be $16 billion to produce new models and upgraded vehicles and components by 2015, of which, $6.3 billion will be invested directly into retooling and upgrading plants. As is the current management practice in the ailing U.S. economy, the jobs claim includes so called retained jobs, as well as some new ones. All of this is contingent upon contract approval by local union members. Continue reading

Posted in auto news, labor issues, manufacturing, news analysis, results | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Selected of God Choir to Sing National Anthem for the Detroit Tigers Playoff Game at 8:30 EDT Tonight

It’s clear from to me from listening to the Turner Broadcast announcers – Turner has exclusive TV rights – that they know nothing about the Tigers, which – like the Detroit Three Automakers – are all having a great year – in the Tiger’s case as one of the best teams in major league baseball. Well, tonight the Turner crew will get to see what is probably only their third Tiger game, ever. It won’t be their last… Continue reading

Posted in auto news, marketing, news analysis, people | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Competition in Chinese Auto Market Results in Cross Shopping Record. U.S. Brands Suffer Because of Poor Fuel Economy

Fuel economy is also among the top rejection reasons, particularly given the sharp increases in gas prices that have occurred in recent years. Fuel economy is becoming a challenge for nearly all manufacturers, but particularly so for U.S. brands. Approximately one in four rejecters (24%) say they rejected a model of a U.S. brand because they expected better fuel economy. Continue reading

Posted in marketing, new vehicle, news analysis, sales | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment