Category Archives: news analysis

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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Honda Sets Fiscal Year Record for Overseas Auto Production

That of course was before the parts shortages and vehicle production disruptions caused by the Japan earthquake and tsunami on 11 March took hold. Continue reading

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Nissan Recalls Pathfinder, Infiniti QX4 for Rust, Steering Failure

Nissan Pathfinders from model years 1996-2004, and Infiniti QX4 SUVs from 1997-2003 are affected by regional recalls for vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the following 20 states and the District of Columbia: Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington D.C., West Virginia and Wisconsin.

Critics of regional recalls for safety defects maintain that they do not address the entire population of defective vehicles. Automakers like them since it cuts the expense by limiting the inspection to fewer vehicles. Continue reading

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Toyota Recalls Rav4 and Highlander SUVs for Bad Airbags

Toyota has been aware of the problem since October of 2007, and changed the software in new vehicles in 2008, and yet did not recall the defective vehicles. Previous such coverups resulted in record fines imposed on Toyota by NHTSA in 2010 for failure to act promptly on a safety defect. Continue reading

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ACLU Seeks Records about Alleged State Police “Secret Searches” of Driver Cell Phones During Traffic Stops.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan is in an ongoing battle with the Michigan State Police (MSP) who refuse to release information regarding the use of portable data extraction devices (DEDs) that can allegedly secretly capture personal information from cell phones during routine traffic stops. Continue reading

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April U.S. New Vehicle Retail Sales Strong But Inventories Drop

However, the pace isn’t expected to be sustainable as inventory dries up, especially among small cars, and becomes a more widespread problem toward the end of April and into May Continue reading

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