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Category Archives: news analysis
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
Toyota North American Production Back to 100% in September
All of the Detroit Three automakers – GM, Ford and Chrysler – clearly outsold the Japanese Big Three – Toyota, Nissan and Honda – in May as a result of the marketplace chaos. The largest Japanese automaker Toyota – also the most dependent on imports to the U.S. – saw decreases of 33% across its brands to 108,387 vehicles compared to a year ago. Continue reading
Ford Breaks Ground on Second Engine Plant in China
China is now by far the world’s largest auto market, and Chinese industrial policy in effect requires that all profits earned there are reinvested in the country and its local partners. The U.S. remains alone among industrialized nations – with elected or totalitarian governments – without any such job and investment protecting policy. The $500 million (RMB 3.4 billion) investment will be funded entirely by CFMA and will be located in Chongqing’s so called New North Zone. Continue reading
With BMW EV Due, Study Says Range Anxiety Not an Issue
One of the observations about the 80 to 100 mile range – that it’s acceptable – challenges conventional wisdom. This will be tested further when the all-electric BMW Active E becomes available in some U.S. markets beginning in late 2011. A two-year lease will be $499 a month with a $2,250 down payment. A series production BMW I3 follows in 2013. Continue reading
Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, customer satisfaction, electric vehicles, marketing, news analysis
Tagged active e, auto informed, auto news, autoinformed, autoinformed.com, automotive news, bevs, bmw ev, bmw ev study, electric vehicles, EVs, i3, Ken Zino, mini e, u.c. davis plug-in hybrid & electric vehicle research center
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Volkswagen – Stalking Toyota – Sets Record for Car Sales
Volkswagen wants to be the world’s largest automaker by 2018, which would require it to overtake Toyota and General Motors, the number one and number two global sales leaders respectively in 2010. VW brand deliveries in North America, 194,600 vehicles (162,600; +19.7%) in the first five months, were characterized as “very encouraging.”
Nonetheless VW remains a minor player in what remains a major global market. As part of the world dominance plan, Volkswagen Group said it will sell 800,000 VW models annually in the United States by 2018 – 1,000,000 with Bentley and Audi included. In the U.S., all VW Group brands delivered 360,300 units during 2010, corresponding to growth of 20.9% – a long way short of the goal. Continue reading
$10,000 Increase per Auto Under Fuel Economy Proposal?
Some of the proposed changes to increase fuel economy and decrease greenhouse gases starting in 2017 could cost new car buyers from $3,700 to more than $9,000 per vehicle if they are adopted, and that’s before another $1,500 or so is added for additional safety equipment.
The new fuel economy mandates under consideration by the government are based on reducing emissions ranging from 3% to 6% per year, the same as increasing fuel mileage equivalent amounts. The highest increase, 6% per year, will raise the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) from 35.5 mpg in 2016 to 62 mpg in 2025. Continue reading
Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, economy, electric vehicles, environment, news analysis
Tagged auto informed, autoinformed, autoinformed.com, cafe, car, center for automotive research, co2, economy, fuel economy regulations, ghg, job losses, Ken Zino, regulations hurting jobs, sean mcalinden, unemployment
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Honda Motor Predicts $2.4 Billion Profit Drop from Earthquake
This represents a 63.5% decline for Japan’s third largest automaker compared to the previous year, the result of production disruptions caused by the Japan earthquake and tsunami, rebuilding costs, as well as a strong Yen at an unprecedented ¥80:$1. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, economy, financial results, news analysis, results, sales
Tagged auto informed, auto news, autoinformed, autoinformed.com, automotive news, economy, financial results, japan, japan auto industry, japan earthquake, Ken Zino, news analysis, sales and tagged 2012 honda forecast, tmc profits, toyota forecast, yen value
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India to be Third Largest Auto Market behind China and U.S.
India will become the world’s third largest light vehicle market by the end of the decade behind China and the U.S., according to a new study. However, India won’t be as profitable as the other two. That prediction comes after India eclipsed France, the United Kingdom and Italy to become the sixth-largest global auto market in the world last year. Continue reading
Chevrolet Volt Price Cut? Fully Loaded 2012 Now $46,265
Chevrolet has announced that the base price for the 2012 Volt will be $1,000 lower when it goes on sale later this year. Suggested retail asking price is $39,995. The price includes an $850 freight charge but excludes tax, title and license fees. A loaded Volt, with leather appointments, backup camera, navigation system and premium paint and wheels is now priced at $46,265 including delivery. Continue reading
Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, electric vehicles, marketing, new vehicle, news analysis, prices
Tagged 2012 volt, auto informed, auto news, autoinformed, autoinformed.com, automotive news, chevrolet volt, electric vehicles, green vehicles, hamtramck, hybrid vehicles, Ken Zino, opel ampera, taxpayer subsidies, volt, volt price cut
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Toyota Predicts 31% Profit Dip in Fiscal Year from Earthquake
The longer term issues facing Toyota are recovering lost market share and the unprecedented strength of the Japanese Yen caused by massive inflows of cash as export oriented Japanese companies attempt to recover from earthquake losses. Continue reading
SUVs Now Among the Safest as Electronics Stop Rollovers
The safety improvements are so large that SUVs drivers are now statistically less likely to die in a crash than drivers of equivalent size cars. This conclusion on driver death rates was published today by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, which for decades pointed out that SUVs were among the most dangerous vehicles on the road. Continue reading
Akerson Praises GM at Annual Meeting as Stock Languishes
The weaknesses at GM remain in its sales of traditional trucks, with a 110 days supply of full size pickups; it’s heavy use of incentives, which remain higher than the industry average, (but are lower than the levels that drove it into bankruptcy); and gaps in updating the product line because of delayed programs at the end of the last decade when cash was short. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, economy, financial results, news analysis, people, performance
Tagged auto informed, auto news, autoinformed, autoinformed.com, automotive news, dan akerson, GM, gm annual meeting, gm bankruptcy, gm ipo, Ken Zino, zino
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Volkswagen Holds Base Price of New Beetle to $19,765
Transaction prices of the Beetle will be much higher of course than the $19,765 starting point. The sportiest model the 2.0L TSI will start at more than $24,000 with a 2-liter in-line four-cylinder turbocharged engine that produces 200 horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque. Continue reading
