Category Archives: news analysis

House Passes GOP Attack on EPA Regulation of Greenhouse Gases after Senate Blocks it

The House vote was symbolic because the Senate has killed the matter – and in the views of critics a complete waste of taxpayer’s money. Thus a contentious attack on the Clean Air Act will end for the moment, but only for a moment. Continue reading

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Subaru to Debut 2012 Impreza at New York Auto Show

Subaru of America will debut of the all-new Subaru Impreza 4-door and 5-door models at the 2011 New York International Auto Show later this month. The new Impreza design will provide a larger interior for five passengers and what’s said to be improved levels of comfort and refinement. Current Impreza models sell in the $19,000 to $23,000 range. Continue reading

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Toyota Sells One-Millionth Prius Hybrid in the U.S.

Toyota Motor Sales (TMS) U.S.A. today announced the one-millionth sale of the Toyota Prius in the United States. Prius was the world’s first mass-produced hybrid gas-electric vehicle, and in its third generation is unquestionably the most successful hybrid, which continues to give Toyota a reputation as an environmentally friendly hybrid. Continue reading

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Chesapeake Energy Converts 800th Vehicle to Natural Gas

Unlike the volatility in gasoline and diesel prices most recently caused by turmoil in the Middle East, the price of CNG remains steady at $1.39 per gallon of gasoline equivalent in Oklahoma. Continue reading

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Toyota Wins New York Unintended Acceleration Case

Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. has won an unintended acceleration case where it was alleged that an unsecured driver’s side floor mat was the primary cause of the crash of Scion tC vehicle in August 2005. After deliberating for approximately 45 … Continue reading

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Three Problem Areas for Toyota in U.S. from Japan Earthquake

During a press call to discuss March sales results today, Bob Carter, Toyota Division group vice president and general manager, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. (TMS) said “The events in Japan had little if any impact on March sales.”

However, that doesn’t mean that Toyota no longer faces production and resulting sales problems because of the plant shutdowns caused by the Japan earthquake, tsunami and nuclear power plant meltdowns. Continue reading

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Ford Motor Company Outsells General Motors in March as U.S. Sales Increase 19%! Ford Q1 Sales also Strong at Plus 6%.

Ford is clearly benefitting from relatively fresh products, a shift away from trucks to cars and improved fuel efficiency in most vehicle lines as gasoline prices continue to rise above $3.50 a gallon. Continue reading

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Toyota U.S. Sales Down 5.7% in March. Q1 Plus 12.5%. Nissan, Honda Post Double Digit Gains as Toyota’s Troubles Go On

Toyota Motor Sales (TMS) U.S.A. today reported March sales results of 176,222 units, down 5.7% from a year ago on a volume basis. The Toyota Division posted March sales of 155,540 units, a decrease of 6.7% from the year-ago month. The Lexus Division reported total sales of 20,682 units, up 2.3% March. Overall, based on preliminary numbers, it looks like the industry is up roughly 12%. Continue reading

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Reducing Oil Imports – Assumptions in New Independence Plan

In 2008, America imported 11 million barrels of oil a day. By 2025 the U.S. will have cut that by one-third – about where we were in 1975, according to an energy independence plan outlined by President Obama yesterday. Continue reading

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Chevrolet Miray Hybrid Electric Debuts at Seoul Motor Show

Chevrolet introduced the Miray concept hybrid electric vehicle at the 2011 Seoul Motor Show today. The roadster is significant because it was developed at the General Motors Advanced Design Studio in Seoul, increasingly the source of small car work for … Continue reading

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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

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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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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

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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

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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

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