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Category Archives: news analysis
GM’s Woodward Test Resulted from Real Durability needs of the Street Racing that the Woodward Dream Cruise Honors
In the hay day of the Detroit Three, who were really the Big Three in the 1960s, General Motors used Woodward Avenue not only as a rolling marketing clinic about what kids were driving, but also as a model for a durability test still in use. Continue reading
Infiniti JX Concept at Pebble Beach Teases 2013 Model
Previous attempts to use CVTs with V6 engines have failed – so this appears to be a daring move on Infiniti’s part prompted no doubt by impending fuel economy regulations. This potentially sets up a Lexus – clearly the luxury hybrid leader with more applications coming – versus Infiniti, which eschews hybrids in favor of parent company Nissan’s CVT technology. Continue reading
Treasury Receives $2 Billion TARP Repayment from American International Group. U.S. Taxpayers Still out at Least $51 Billion
During the financial crisis and Great Recession caused by Wall Street financiers, the U.S. Government’s support for AIG totaled approximately $180 billion. After today’s repayment, the taxpayers remaining outstanding investment in AIG through Treasury is $51 billion. Not one of the involved executives has been prosecuted for what were various forms of financial fraud that lead up to the near collapse of the global financial system and the ongoing Great Recession. Continue reading
August New Vehicle Sales Barely Up. U.S. Economy Still Stalled
It looks like the new vehicle retail sales for August will continue at a seasonally adjusted annualized rate (SAAR) of a mere 9.9 million units since sales for August are projected at 898,000 units. The retail selling rate is just … Continue reading
Posted in auto news, economy, marketing, news analysis, results, sales
Tagged 2012 election, august sales, auto informed, auto news, autoinformed, autoinformed.com, automotive news, fta, j.d power, Ken Zino, korean automakers, Korean fta, results, u.s. auto sales, zino
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Daimler and Honda Lead in Car Fuel Cell Development, Maybe
According to a new Pike Research report, the two light-duty FCV manufacturers who are best positioned in this formative stage of the market are Daimler and Honda. However, Daimler has made ambitious announcements on fuel cell technology readiness in the past, and these – well, did not pass the reality test. Daimler recently moved up its FCV target date to 2014 from 2015. We will see if anything comes from this except an expensive taxpayer subsidized demonstration program. Continue reading
Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, energy, environment, news analysis, transportation
Tagged alternate fuel, auto informed, auto news, autoinformed, autoinformed.com, automotive news, daimler fuel cell, fcvs, fuel cell, fuel cell vehicles, honda clarity, Ken Zino, linde, pike research, zino
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Chevrolet Orlando Debuts this October in Canada, but not U.S. Competitive MPV Rejected Because of Greater Equinox Profits
Unfortunately, U.S. buyers won’t get a shot at Orlando because some executives inside GM are basking in the profits (at the moment) of the more expensive and fuel thirsty Chevrolet Equinox. ‘mericans like trucks and all-wheel-drive, and those versions of the Equinox are giving GM some badly needed profits at the moment.
It’s one of those GM financial decisions that look good on paper at the time, but in my view represents the inability to take a longer term chance by attacking a segment GM’s not in. Ford, with its decision to shelve the C-Max seven passenger minivan, and offer only low volume, expensive plug-in hybrid versions has given GM an opening here. And that says nothing of successful entries such as the Mazda 5 or even the Scion Xb, and who knows what else. Continue reading
Porsche Sales Down in July, But Set New Record in China
Porsche said it had record sales in the Chinese market in July with deliveries of 2,484 vehicles, the best monthly result in China ever. In total the sports car manufacturer delivered 14,751 vehicles in the current financial year in what is now Porsche’s second largest market. This marks a 72.6 % increase compared with the period January to July 2010. The Cayenne especially is in strong demand in Asia. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, marketing, news analysis, results, sales
Tagged auto informed, auto news, auto sales, autoinformed, autoinformed.com, automotive news, global auto sales, july results, Ken Zino, porsche, results, zino
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GM Rethinks ASEAN Strategy. Invests $150M in Indonesia
The investment represents a change in GM strategy in Asia by expanding GM production away from Vietnam and especially Thailand, which provided a good infrastructure and previously political stability. However, Indonesia has been widely derided for its corruption and red tape. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, manufacturing, news analysis
Tagged 500 units. In the first half of 2011, 500 units. This makes GM a mere footnote – at best – in the region dominated by Toyota. indonesia, asean, auto informed, auto news, autoinformed, autoinformed.com, automotive news, gm asia, gm bekasi, gm southeast asia, GM’s sales in Indonesia rose 72% to 4, Ken Zino, Last year, michael dunne, sales were up another 18% on an annual basis to 2, zino
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GM CEO Akerson Buys Another 10,000 Shares at $25.05
Akerson vowed this week that there was plenty of upside in GM stock given its new structure and emphasis on managing costs. On a cost cutting side, one program with great promise involves vehicle architectures. Akerson said “We need to simplify.” The company said that by 2018 it plans to cut that number to 14 from the 30 currently use.
Skeptics, and there are many, say show us the earnings per share and start paying dividends. Well, at least Akerson is putting his money where his promises are, so to speak. Continue reading
EU-South Korea Free Trade Agreement Favors Koreans
Under current market conditions, this waiver will not balance the current €10.7 billion trade deficit in automobiles, according to the respected consultancy Frost & Sullivan. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, economy, labor issues, news analysis
Tagged auto informed, auto news, autoinformed, autoinformed.com, automotive news, eu korea fta, eu korean fta, ford Europe, free trade, frost & sullivan, fta, Ken Zino, korea fta, Korean fta, prana tharthiharan natarajan, unemployment, zino
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$10,000 Solar Panel Option Coming for Focus Electric Vehicle. Ford is using the new “Green Math” to Calculate Benefits
So if you have enough sunshine to generate the 3,000 kWh, that means you save $330 annually for a pay back period of, um, 30 years and four months (using basic arithmetic, not green math). The panels are guaranteed for 25 years by the way. Continue reading
Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, electric vehicles, energy, environment, news analysis, transportation
Tagged auto informed, auto news, autoinformed, autoinformed.com, automotive news, electric cars, electric vehicles, focus electric, focus ev, Ford, ford evs, Ken Zino, mike tinskey, solar power, solar power for evs, sunpower, taxpayer subsidies, zino
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GM Stock Below $25 down from $39 High as Conference Opens
During the program, senior leaders reviewed GM’s progress and outline plans for further improvement. In a sense GM is playing a “beat the reaper” game – can GM increase share and sales of less profitable small cars such as the Chevrolet Sonic, which is just entering production, at a greater rate than the drop off in truck sales and larger per unit profits in North America, while growing in Eastern Europe, South America and Asia? Continue reading
Posted in auto news, economy, financial results, news analysis, results, sales
Tagged auto informed, auto news, autoinformed, autoinformed.com, automotive news, dan akerson, GM, gm business plan, gm earnings, gm global business conference, gm ipo, gm outlook, gm returns, gm stock price, Ken Zino, zino
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President Obama to Announce First Fuel Economy Regulations for Heavy Trucks, Buses. $50 Billion in Fuel Savings Claimed
The complicated standards vary by size and type of truck, and whether gasoline or diesel engines are used. However they appear stringent, calling for a 7-20% reduction in emissions with roughly corresponding increases in fuel economy. Continue reading
Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, energy, environment, fuel economy or emissions, global warming, milestones, news analysis
Tagged auto informed, auto news, autoinformed, autoinformed.com, automotive news, cafe, epa, fuel economy, ghg emissions, heavy truck cafe, Ken Zino, medium truck fuel economy, nhtsa, truck cafe, truck fuel economy, zino
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BMW Group Posts Record Global Sales for July
BMW was the best-selling premium automobile brand in the US market, although incentive costs were rising to almost $3,000 a unit and Lexus was effectively shut out of the market because of earthquake shortages. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, economy, news analysis, results, sales
Tagged auto informed, auto news, auto sales, autoinformed, autoinformed.com, automotive news, BMW, bmw group results, bmw july sales, Ken Zino, results, zino
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General Motors Posts Q2 Earnings of $2.5 Billion. Most in N.A.
Virtually all of GM’s earnings – $2.2B – came from North America, a worrisome development for the most international of the Detroit 3, whose largest markets are China, followed by the United States, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, and Italy.
Earnings were helped by booking revenue from pickup trucks shipped to North American dealers. GM built 516,000 light trucks in Q2, up 14% from a year earlier. Passenger car production increased 10% to 308,000. GM dealers currently have 209,000 pickups in stock – the equivalent of a 115 days supply in an industry that considers 60 days normal. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, financial results, news analysis, results, sales
Tagged auto informed, auto news, autoinformed, autoinformed.com, automotive news, earnings, gm earnings, Ken Zino, q2 gm results, results, zino
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