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Category Archives: news analysis
President Obama outlines Energy Independence Plan, Touting Alternative Fuels, “Safe” Nuclear Power, 33% cut in Oil Imports
The President ordered that 100% of federal fleet purchases by 2015 will be alternative fuel, hybrid or electric vehicles – in a taxpayer-fueled bonanza for some automakers. Continue reading
Steelworkers follow UAW and Ratify Contract with Dana
The contract has implications for the United Autoworkers Union as it enters negotiations this summer with automakers since the Dana contract reduces but does not eliminate the gap in the existing two-tier wage structure with Goodyear.
The UAW is fiercely divided over the two-tier issue, which allows new hires at $12 an hour, while veterans get $28. UAW president Bob King insists that reduced wages for new workers are necessary, while opposition groups within the union are calling for its end.
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Posted in auto news, economy, manufacturing, news analysis
Tagged auto informed, auto news, autoinformed, autoinformed.com, automotive news, chrysler, dana, Fiat, Ford, general motors, Ken Zino, labor unions, uaw, united auto workers, united steel workers, usw, zino
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New U.S. Segment – Compressed Natural Gas Taxis?
Taxis running on compressed natural gas have been in use for decades in Japan’s cities. They are clean, quiet and to the surprise of visiting New Yorkers – meticulously maintained. Now there is a mini-movement of sorts underway in the U.S. as taxpayer subsidies and rising gasoline prices are increasing the demand for conversions of conventional gasoline engines to run on compressed natural gas. CNG is a fuel that has been in use in the U.S. for decades as well, but mostly in industrial applications. Continue reading
Posted in aftermarket, auto news, environment, news analysis, transportation
Tagged alternative fuels, auto informed, auto news, autoinformed, autoinformed.com, automotive news, cng, cng taxicabs, compressed natural gas, energy policy, ford transit connect, honda civic gx, Ken Zino, taxpayer subsidies, zino
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EU Proposes Banning Cars from Cities. Automakers Protest
The European Commission today adopted 40 initiatives that it claims will increase mobility, dramatically reduce Europe’s dependence on imported oil and cut carbon emissions from transportation by 60% by 2050. It also requires the investment of €1.5 trillion or $2.1 trillion across the EU. Continue reading
Japan Earthquake Causes Loss of 320,000 Vehicles. More Plant Shutdowns on Way and the Worst is yet to Come
“The Japan disaster has had a profound effect on the automotive industry,” said IHS Automotive Director Michael Robinet, noting that 13% of the global automotive industry is shut down and companies have lost 320,000 units of production since the earthquake, tsunami and power disruptions. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, economy, environment, financial results, manufacturing, news analysis, transportation
Tagged auto informed, auto news, auto parts shortages, auto plant shutdowns, autoinformed, autoinformed.com, automotive news, frost & sullivan, fukushima, ihs, japan earthquake, Ken Zino, plant shutdowns, zino
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March New Vehicle Retail Sales Running at 10.9 Million SAAR
March new-vehicle sales are showing stability through the first three weeks of the month, continuing a trend of monthly double-digit year-over-year increases, according to the latest data.
New vehicle retail sales are projected to come in at 991,900 units, which represent a seasonally adjusted annualized rate (SAAR) of 10.9 million units, according to J.D. Power and Associates, which gathers transaction data from more than 8,900 franchise dealers throughout the United States. Continue reading
Toyota Postpones Prius V Japan Launch; With Honda Expects U.S. Plant Shutdowns from Earthquake Parts Shortages
At the same time Toyota was telling workers in U.S. plants to expect shutdowns because of parts shortages resulting from Japan’s triple disasters of earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear plant meltdowns. Toyota said it did not know at this time when, where or how long the production disruptions would last, but it was likely that some would happen. Continue reading
New Ford Ranger Debuts in Bangkok – U.S. Bound?
Ford is billing the compact pickup truck as a global entry – it will be sold throughout Europe, Asia and South America – but remains mute if the Ranger will reappear in the United States, the world’s largest pickup truck market. Continue reading
Opel Shuts German, Spanish plants for Japanese Parts Shortage; Management Shifts as Stracke Returns as Opel CEO
There is a certain amount of friction between Opel and Chevrolet factions inside GM as both brands compete for the same customers, and Chevrolet increasingly turns to GM’s Korean subsidiary Daewoo as a source for small cars that Opel once designed exclusively. Opel’s future is clearly as a regional European brand in a market where it is struggling. Continue reading
Is Coca-Cola Part of Japan’s Nuclear Power Problem?
The Coca-Cola statement on the Japanese triple crisis of earthquake, tsunami and nuclear power disaster is straightforward. Coca-Cola sends condolences, pledges $7.3 million in cash and products, and is running TV and radio ads to encourage energy conservation. What’s missing … Continue reading
Posted in auto news, economy, environment, news analysis, safety, transportation
Tagged auto informed, auto news, autoinformed, autoinformed.com, automotive news, coca-cola, electric power shortages, fukushima, japan, japan earthquake, japanese auto industry, Ken Zino, nuclear power, rolling blackouts, zino
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Sales of Fuel Efficient 4-Cylinder Engines Double at Chevrolet
There’s no better example of how rising fuel prices have changed the auto industry than the ongoing shift in demand for more efficient engines. The trend led by customer demand is also reinforced strongly by the first government increase in Corporate Average Fuel Economy in decades, which finally prompted reluctant auto executives to invest in technologies that produce significant decreases in the amount of fuel needed per mile traveled. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, economy, environment, news analysis, transportation
Tagged auto informed, auto news, autoinformed, autoinformed.com, automotive news, Chevrolet, co2, four cylinder engines, fuel economy, fuel economy regulations, gasoline prices, greenhouse gases, Ken Zino, national fuel efficiency policy, zino
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U.S. Bound Infiniti Models Damaged in Japanese Port; Nissan to Reopen Some Japanese Plants. V6 Engines a Problem
Nissan says that about 1,300 Infiniti vehicles were damaged in port in Japan due to the earthquake and tsunami. However, this equates to a few days’ supply for the luxury brand, which is heavily dependent on Japanese imports for most of its premium vehicles. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, economy, environment, manufacturing, new vehicle, news analysis
Tagged auto informed, auto news, autoinformed, autoinformed.com, automotive news, earthquake, fukushima nuclear disaster, infiniti, iwaki engine plant, japan, japanese auto production, Ken Zino, nissan, nissan americas, vehicle shortages, zino
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How Long Will U.S. Japanese Buyers Wait for Earthquake Delayed Vehicles and Where Will They Go if They Defect?
While U.S. sales executives at Japanese companies are taking an optimistic “wait and see” attitude about the effects on sales of Japanese brands of Japan’s triple tragedies – earthquakes, tsunamis, nuclear meltdowns – they also acknowledge that since Japanese imports … Continue reading
NRC Sends more Experts on Nuclear Reactors to Japan
In what is a politically sensitive area in Japan, as a result of the U.S.’s deployment of nuclear weapons on Hiroshima, home of Mazda, and Nagasaki that ended the war in 1945, NRC said that “only if asked” would it be part of the Japanese government’s decision making process” on the reactors. Continue reading
