Category Archives: news analysis

Motorists Want More Laws, Enforcement on Highway Safety

“Despite shrinking federal and state transportation budgets and a public debate over the most appropriate role of government, it’s clear that a majority of Americans want government officials to do more – not less – about highway safety,” claimed AAA President and CEO Bob Darbelnet. Continue reading

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Pork Update – USDA and DOE Award $47 Million in Taxpayer Dollars for Biomass Research to Special Interests

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu have announced that $47 million in taxpayer dollars will be diverted to fund eight research and development projects to support the production of biofuels, bioenergy and biobased products from … Continue reading

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Buick Sales in China Surpass 3 Million

Shanghai GM builds, imports and sells Buick, Cadillac and Chevrolet products in China, the worlds’ largest auto market. In 2010, Shanghai GM became China’s first automaker to sell 1 million vehicles in a single year. Continue reading

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General Motors Posts 2011 Q1 Profit of $3.2 Billion. Results Almost Doubled by One Time Sales of Ally and Delphi Preferred

The General Motors results were not as strong as they appear on first glance because special items increased profits by $1.5 billion or $0.82 per fully-diluted share. GM stock is currently selling at under $32 a share, below the initial IPO price of $33 last November. Continue reading

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Honda Expands Airbag Recall to 833,000 Honda, Acura Models

All automakers typically try to limit the number of vehicles covered in recalls or service actions to cut down on expenses and limit damage to their reputations. However, as investigations proceed the population of affected vehicles sometimes expands due to uncertainties around the root cause or inability to identify exactly how many parts are affected. Continue reading

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Korean U.S. April Sales Surge as Japanese Automakers Lag

However, while rising gasoline prices might be good in the short term for automakers with fuel efficient lineups, historically they ultimately hurt auto sales and the overall economy after about six months as consumers look for other ways to save the money that is being siphoned off at the pump. Continue reading

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Chrysler Group Credit Ratings Remain at Junk Level with Latest Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s Investor Assessments

Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services said today that it assigned its preliminary “B+” corporate credit rating to Chrysler Group LLC. The rating outlook for what remain “junk bonds” for posing significant financial risk. The outlook is stable, though.

Concurrently Moody’s Investor Services assigned Chrysler a “B2” rating, also a junk rating or non-investment grade. Continue reading

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2012 Honda CRV Delayed at Least One Month in U.S. New 2012 Civic Scarce Through September. Both Were Best Sellers

Two of the immediate Honda causalities are the all new 2012 Civic and CRV – both among the best selling vehicles in the United States. Continue reading

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Chrysler Posts First Profit Since 2009 Taxpayer Bailout

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 $652 million. Chrysler has announced that it intends to pay back those loans by June of this year by refinancing them through a combination of bonds and debt in private equity placements. Continue reading

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General Motors to Build New Chevrolet Malibu in Korea

Korea ranks at the very bottom — 30 out of 30 among the largest automotive markets — for auto import market access. The average among major developed economies is approximately 40% market penetration by imported automobiles, but in 2006 in Korea, the total of import vehicles from all global manufacturers in all countries entering the Korean market was around 3.6%. This is about 40,000 vehicles in a market that buys roughly one million vehicles annually. Continue reading

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Treasury Secretary Defends $80 Billion Auto Bailout, Says 90,000 Jobs Added in Strongest Growth Period in Decade

“For the first time since 2004, all three American automakers have an operating profit. And since GM and Chrysler emerged from bankruptcy in June 2009, the industry has added nearly 90,000 jobs—the strongest period of job growth in more than 10 years,” Geithner said. Continue reading

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50,000 Died from “Occupational Diseases” and 4,340 Worker Deaths on Job in 2009, Latest AFL-CIO Report Says

Workplace safety has improved in the 40 years since the Occupational Safety and Health Act was passed, but many workers remain at risk, according to the AFL-CIO. In a new report, “Death on the Job: The Toll of Neglect,” the … Continue reading

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Chrysler Sells Global Electric Motorcars to Polaris Industries

In practice the glorified golf carts provided good transportation in gated communities, sports stadiums or campuses, but with a top speed of 25 mph and a range of 30 miles on a charge GEM electric vehicles were limited to niche markets. Nonetheless, Chrysler estimates that it sold 45,000 of the EVs during the last decade. Continue reading

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Ford Motor Nets $2.6 Billion in Q1 on $33 Billion Revenue

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) today reported first quarter 2011 net income of $2.6 billion, or 61 cents per share, an increase of $466 million, or 11 cents per share, from first quarter 2010 as the global auto industry continued … Continue reading

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Standard & Poor’s Says Japanese Auto Outlook Now Negative

Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services in Tokyo today cut its outlook on six Japanese auto companies from stable to negative, including the Japanese Big Three – Toyota Motor Corp. (TM, 7203.TO), Honda Motor Co. (HMC, 7267.TO) and Nissan Motor Co. … Continue reading

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