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Category Archives: news analysis
Tax Cuts, Deregulation Led to Jobs Crisis AFL-CIO Forum Claims. More of Same Means Fewer Consumers
Since two-thirds of the economy of the United States is based on consumer spending, no wonder corporations are reluctant to hire. There is just too much uncertainty in the economy, too much uncertainty in Washington. We could be heading for another recession while politicians dicker. Continue reading
California High Occupancy Vehicle Lanes Closed to Hybrids. CNG, Electric Vehicles Now Picked as Winners by Government
Thus ends another episode of the California government using its power to pick vehicle winners instead of allowing market forces to operate. However, as the hybrid favoritism fades in memory, new auto winners are being picked for single driver HOV access from now until 2015. Continue reading
Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, electric vehicles, environment, news analysis
Tagged auto informed, auto news, autoinformed, autoinformed.com, automotive news, california hov lanes, carb, cng, EVs, hov lanes, Ken Zino, zino
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EPA Wants to Eliminate a Vapor Recovery Regulation
In a statement the EPA said the “proposal is part of the Obama Administration’s initiative to review outdated and redundant rules and ensure that regulations are beneficial without being unnecessarily burdensome to American businesses.” (Well, yes, but it’s redundant because another regulation was put in place without limiting the life of the existing one.) Continue reading
40 MPG Hyundai Models Continue to Set Sales Records
Call it luck or call it planning, but Hyundai’s emphasis on fuel economy and interior room is paying sales dividends. The Korean maker announced today that it had sold its 100,000 40 mpg vehicle this year as rated on the EPA highway cycle. Continue reading
New-Vehicle Consideration Rates Shift To European Models in China, away from Japanese. Chevrolet and Buick Gaining
The study finds that the proportion of new-vehicle intenders who say they would consider purchasing a model from a European automaker has increased to 32% in 2011 from 25% in 2009. Consideration rates for Japanese models have declined to 27% in 2011 from 32% in 2009. An increasing proportion of intenders are citing concerns about quality and reliability and concerns about dealer service for Japanese models. Continue reading
Ford of Europe CEO Stephen O’Dell Calls for a Comprehensive Industrial Policy and Rejection of Korean FTA
Odell also criticized a proposed Korean trade agreement, which in a different form is also controversial in the U.S. However, Ford in the U.S. supports a pending Korean FTA, which is opposed by all major U.S. unions except for the United Autoworkers. A Ford spokesperson was unable to explain the disparity in the conflicting positions. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, economy, labor issues, manufacturing, news analysis
Tagged afl-cio, auto informed, autoinformed, autoinformed.com, cwa, eu industrial policy, eu korean fta, Ford, ford europe korean fta, hyundai, Ken Zino, kia, Korean free trade agreement, Korean fta, odell, richard trumka, trade, trade imbalances, u.s trade deficit, uaw, unemployment, usw, zino
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Porsche Returns to Le Mans in 2014. Will VW Group Spend Millions to Compete Against Itself with Audi in the Top Class?
Some potentially contentious racing and marketing budget allocation debates are ahead, and they will last longer than 24 hours. Will Volkswagen really spend hundreds of millions of dollars to run multiple factory teams to compete against itself? Continue reading
Posted in auto news, news analysis, performance, racing
Tagged 911 gt3 r hybrid, 918 rsr, 918 spyder, auto informed, auto news, auto racing, autoinformed.com, automotive news, boxster, concept cars, gt racing, Ken Zino, le mans, lemans, lemans porsche, racing, sports car racing, zino
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EPA Finalizes E15 Gasohol Pump Labels as Automakers Again Protest Adding More Ethanol to Gasoline. Lawsuits Pending
The ethanol tariff is comprised of a 54 cent Most Favored Nation duty and a 2.5% ad valorem tax. Critics say the ethanol tariff makes our nation more dependent on foreign oil by increasing the price of imported ethanol. Iowa State University estimates that a one-year extension of the ethanol subsidy and tariff would lead to only 427 additional direct domestic jobs at a cost of almost $6 billion, or roughly $14 million of taxpayer money per job.
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Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, economy, energy, environment, news analysis, transportation
Tagged alternative fuels, auto informed, auto news, autoinformed, autoinformed.com, automotive news, budget deficit., e15, ethanol, ethanol subsidy and tariff repeal act, gasohol, Ken Zino, pump labeling, taxpayer subsidies, zino
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Toyota Recalls 80,000 Highlander Hybrid and RX 400h Vehicles
Toyota Motor Sales, USA (TMS) today said that it will recall about 45,500 Highlander Hybrid and 36,700 Lexus RX 400h vehicles sold in the U.S in what appears to be the first recalls for its hybrid drive system.
In a filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Japanese company said that the so called Intelligent Power Module (IPM) located inside the Hybrid System Inverter contains a control board with defective transistors. Transistors on the control boards in some of 2006-2007 model year Highlander Hybrid and Lexus RX 400h SUVs were inadequately soldered and could be damaged from heat caused by a large current flow during high-load driving. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, electric vehicles, news analysis, quality, recalls, safety
Tagged auto informed, auto news, auto recalls, autoinformed, autoinformed.com, automotive news, highlander hybrid recall, hybrid recall, Ken Zino, lexus rx 400h recall, recall, safety recall, toyota recall, zino
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Kia Loses $40 Million for Death Caused by Defective Seatbelt
At the trial evidence was introduced by the law firm Cunningham Bounds that said in 2002, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration inquired about the buckle problem, and in late December 2002 Kia issued a safety defect recall, but only for model years 1995 through 1998 vehicles.
Kia in response to the verdict said, “We maintain that the evidence at trial clearly demonstrated that the vehicle’s occupants were not wearing seat belts at the time of the accident. We will petition the court to set aside the verdict and if necessary, file an appeal with the Alabama Supreme Court.” Continue reading
Nissan Announces Ambitious Global Growth Plan
Things are going to get better during the next five years for Nissan Motor Company, the Yokohama based automaker announced this morning. In unveiling what is an ambitious six year business plan, Japan’s number two automaker said that it will deliver on average an all-new vehicle every six weeks for six years. As a result, the company’s global portfolio will have 66 vehicles and will cover 92% of all markets and segments, Nissan claimed. Continue reading
Toyota Outlines Legal Woes in SEC Filing and Says Amounts Accrued for Defense, Thus Far, Will Not Have a Material Effect
However, Toyota also said that it cannot currently estimate its potential liability, damages or range of potential loss, if any, beyond the amounts accrued. This means that the resolution of the lawsuits could have an adverse effect on Toyota’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
Ford Motor Company’s attempt to improve its credit rating was recently impeded when a class action suit previously considered by Ford as not material resulted in a $2 billion judgement against it. Continue reading
Quality Drops Drastically as Automakers Introduce New Models
After a four year run of improving quality, the trend has reversed itself as the initial quality of 2011 new vehicle launches has declined considerably in the latest study. Overall initial quality improved to an average of 107 problems per 100 vehicles (PP100) in 2011 from 109 PP100 in 2010. However, launch models – vehicles that are all-new or have had major redesigns – saw ratings drop by 10% to an average of 122 PP100 in 2011 from 111 PP100 in 2010. Continue reading
Nissan Says Sales up Profits down for 2011 from Earthquake
Nissan Motor Company today said in a statement that it thinks full-year profits will fall 15% and net income may decline to ¥270 billion (~$3.4 billion) for 12 months ending 31 March 2012. That’s down from ¥319.2 billion compared to the 2010 fiscal year. The financial results were based on foreign exchange rate assumptions of ¥80.:$1 and ¥115:1€. Continue reading
Americans Flying More, Driving Less as High Gasoline Prices Cut Auto Travel during the (Non) Independence Day Weekend
Travelers with household incomes of $50,000 or less is expected to decrease from 41% to 33%, while travelers with household incomes of more than $100,000 are expected to increase to 35% from 26%. Continue reading
