Category Archives: news analysis

EPA, DOT Unveil New, “More Useful” Fuel Economy Labels

Posted on 25 May 2011 by Ken Zino

The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 passed under Republican President Bush specifically said that EPA and DOT must rate available vehicles according to fuel economy, greenhouse gas emissions and smog forming pollutants, which the new labels do.
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Chrysler Pays Back Taxpayers. Fiat Now Firmly in Control

Posted on 24 May 2011 by Ken Zino

The historic bailout differs this time around in what’s left and more importantly who owns it – along with the familiar, nagging question, can Chrysler make it? The new Chrysler Group is now firmly, irrevocably in the hands of Fiat, an Italian multinational firm, which has a global fight in front if it as it too competes to survive in an automobile business dominated by much stronger competitors. Continue reading →

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Toyota Recall Study Finds Adversarial Relationship with NHTSA

Posted on 24 May 2011 by Ken Zino

The Quality Report, since it was paid for by Toyota, has already come under attack for bias from organizations linked to product liability lawyers. Nonetheless, the Report describes Toyota’s attitude toward federal safety regulators as “adversarial.” Unintended acceleration or stuck gas pedal problems are implicated in thousands of incidents and more than 90 alleged deaths. Continue reading →

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Honda Recalls New Civic for Fuel Leaks in Latest Quality Gaffe

Posted on 23 May 2011 by Ken Zino

Toyota of course was ultimately assessed record civil fines by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration last year for its failure to promptly recall all of the vehicles affected by deadly unintended acceleration or stuck gas pedal problems. The “Toyota effect” now looms large over the auto industry since no automaker wants to be charged with a safety defect coverup. Continue reading →

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Chrysler to Pay off $7.5 Billion in U.S., Canadian Bailout Loans

Posted on 20 May 2011 by Ken Zino

It is primarily the interest on government loans – $1.23 billion – that prevented Chrysler from earning a profit during 2010 and resulted in an overall loss for the year of $652 million. So decreasing interest rates should improve earnings, a necessary precursor for the public offering of Chrysler stock later this year or early next. Continue reading →

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Chevrolet Volt Plant to Shut for Upgrade. Shortages Coming?

Posted on 19 May 2011 by Ken Zino

Potential Volt shortages are occurring at a time when a debate is underway – inside GM and out – about just how large the demand is for the Volt, which starts at $42,000 and has the fuel economy (but less interior space) than numerous compact cars, including Chevrolet’s own Cruze… Continue reading →

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AAA Asks Congress Yet Again to Pass “Right to Repair Act”

Posted on 18 May 2011 by Ken Zino

Dealerships used to thrive on automaker-paid warranty repairs, paid for by the factory at reduced labor rates. In order to compensate technicians for this factory dictated lower rate, dealers charged higher rates for non-warranty parts and repairs. In effect, car owners were subsidizing the cost of poor quality at automakers if they went to a factory store. Continue reading →

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Big Oil has Big Day in U.S. Senate as Tax Breaks are Intact

Posted on 18 May 2011 by Ken Zino

Energy industry tax breaks will not however go away as a contentious political issue anytime soon with a soaring U.S. budget deficit that now requires borrowing 41 cents of every dollar spent, and gasoline prices at $4-$5 a gallon making voters angry. Continue reading →

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New Vehicle Sales in Europe Fall Again in April and Year-to-Date

Posted on 17 May 2011 by Ken Zino

European sales results are of concern for U.S. taxpayers because they can undermine the results at General Motors and Chrysler, which is controlled by Fiat. Both Opel and Fiat are struggling in Europe. Even at Ford Motor results are negatively affected by Europe, which remains a drag on earnings. Continue reading →

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Porsche Sales Double in April Led by Cayenne SUV

Posted on 17 May 2011 by Ken Zino

In terms of total vehicle sales Porsche now looks like a traditional automaker rather than a sports car specialty house. Continue reading →

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Nissan Posts Profit of ¥537.5 Billion for Japanese Fiscal Year

Posted on 12 May 2011 by Ken Zino

The Nissan financial results also surpassed those of Japan’s largest automaker, the Toyota Motor Corporation, which reported sales of 7.308 million cars and trucks and a profit of $6 billion yesterday. Continue reading →

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Toyota Posts Fiscal Year Profit of $5 Billion, but Q4 Dives

Posted on 11 May 2011 by Ken Zino

Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) today announced that net revenues for the fiscal year ended 31 March 31 2011 were 18.993 trillion yen, an increase of 0.2% compared to the previous fiscal year as Japan’s largest automaker continues to struggle to return to pre-2008 levels of return. TMC operating income increased from 147.5 billion yen to 468.2 billion yen, while net income increased from 209.4 billion yen to 408.1 billion yen, or $5.1 billion. Continue reading →

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CAR on U.S. Economy Impact of GM’s Plant Investments

Posted on 10 May 2011 by Ken Zino

In an analysis of General Motors’ newly announced plant investments, the Center for Automotive Research (CAR) today said that more than 28,000 jobs will be retained or created, and will contribute almost $2.9 billion to the U.S. Gross Domestic Product. Continue reading →

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GM to Invest $2 Billion in U.S. Plants, Depending on Tax Breaks

Posted on 10 May 2011 by Ken Zino

Critics, of course, say the cost per job – when you total all the loans and tax breaks – is exorbitant, especially since what is mostly going on these days is the retention of existing jobs long after jobs move South to non-union transplants. Continue reading →

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Ex General Motors Chairman Bob Stempel Dead at 77

Posted on 10 May 2011 by Ken Zino

Stempel was an engineer by training with an analytical, easy going disposition who was accessible to the media. On many occasions I listened as he patiently explained complex manufacturing and development processes that he was instituting first as president of GM during the late 1980s, then as chairman. All to little apparent good effect, and far too slow in producing results for the Board of Directors. Continue reading →

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