Category Archives: fools ‘n frauds

VW America CEO Michael Horn Out in Dirty Diesel Scandal

Posted on 10 March 2016 by Ken Zino

Thus the history of sudden death departures at VW in North America continues. When sales previously slumped, Horn became CEO after the abrupt resignation of Jonathan Browning when VW brand sales fell in 2013. The decade before VW said it would triple sales here in 10 years. The lack of trucks and SUVs doomed the plan from the start. Continue reading →

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Volkswagen CEO, other Execs Knew of Diesel Scandal Months – if Not Years – Before Public Exposure of the Fraud

Posted on 2 March 2016 by Ken Zino

The German defense appears weak to AutoInformed (caveat we know little about German law) because former CEO Martin Winterkorn on 27 July 2015 discussed with Volkswagen employees the diesel emissions problem at a regular meeting about “damage and product issues.” Herbert Diess, Volkswagen passenger car CEO, was also present. Memos were sent more than a year earlier. Continue reading →

Posted in fools 'n frauds, fuel economy or emissions, news analysis | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

FAA Wants $200,000 Fine for Unsafe Conditions at Detroit Wayne County Airport – DTW

Posted on 18 November 2015 by Ken Zino

Unless successfully challenged – highly unlikely – once again beleaguered taxpayers will be picking up the tab for illegal behavior at an airport that has a long history of malfeasance and criminal behavior by Democratic politicians who control Wayne County. Continue reading →

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Winterkorn off Porsche Exec Board over VW Diesel Cheating

Posted on 19 October 2015 by Ken Zino

This is the latest development in the growing and company-threatening crisis at Volkswagen Group because of its deliberate diesel emissions fraud perpetrated on several continents by now disgraced engineering and management groups. Continue reading →

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FAA Fines Drone Operator SkyPan $1.9 Million

Posted on 6 October 2015 by Ken Zino

SkyPan operated the aircraft in a careless or reckless manner to endanger lives or property, the FAA alleges. Continue reading →

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Volkswagen Investigation underway for Deliberately Violating Diesel Emission Rules – $18 Billion in Fines Coming?

Posted on 21 September 2015 by Ken Zino

A sophisticated software algorithm on VW and Audi diesel engines detects when the car is undergoing official emissions testing, and turns full emissions controls on only during the test. Continue reading →

Posted in environment, fools 'n frauds, fuel economy or emissions | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

No Fixes in Sight for Highway Trust Fund or Decrepit US Roads

Posted on 10 September 2015 by AutoCrat

Bentsen suggests a series of political impossible actions… Continue reading →

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Screw US Workers! Trade Policy Fails Again

Posted on 7 July 2015 by Ken Zino

Imports of auto parts, engines, vehicles through May 2015 increased to $112,315,000, a dismal job-destroying record. May at $29,462,000 was a record as well. Continue reading →

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MI Proposal 1 on Roads, aka Prostitution 1, Resoundingly Defeated. All Politicians involved Need to Resign Now

Posted on 6 May 2015 by Ken Zino

All the politicians involved in this irresponsible pork-ridden fiasco should resign immediately – including local government officials who subsequently supported this sham because they would benefit from the pork – because they are clearly not representing the voters and above all are clearly and arrogantly out of touch with them. Continue reading →

Posted in AutoInformed Editorial, customer satisfaction, economy, fools 'n frauds, news, news analysis, shows and events, transportation | 2 Comments

Shell Fined for Selling Bogus Fuels

Posted on 20 January 2015 by Ken Zino

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, today announced a settlement with three companies affiliated with Shell Oil Company to resolve Clean Air Act violations. The illegal acts included selling gasoline and diesel fuel that did not conform to federal standards. Continue reading →

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Hyundai, Kia Fined Record Amount for Fuel Economy Cheating

Posted on 3 November 2014 by Ken Zino

The Korean scofflaws Hyundai and Kia will pay a record $100 million penalty for selling vehicles that emit more greenhouse gases because of false fuel economy ratings. Continue reading →

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Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew Lies about Lehman Brothers

Posted on 15 September 2014 by Ken Zino

AutoInformed is disgusted by this blatant election year claim. The lack of government regulation and effective oversight by government agencies caused the ongoing Great Recession. Continue reading →

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Dark Money at $50 Million. Congress Bought by Unnamed Interest Groups

Posted on 28 August 2014 by Ken Zino

The OpenSecrets Blog and the Center for Responsive Politics reported today that political spending by non-disclosing or secret political non-profit lobbying funds, aka dark money groups, has reached $50 million, a record at this point in the election cycle. Continue reading →

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Dismissed GM Ignition Switch Employees have Gag Orders

Posted on 17 July 2014 by Ken Zino

Chief Counsel and EVP Mike Millikin admitted such under tough questioning. Millikin went on to say however, the employees could talk to any regulatory agency if they feel the need to. Whether it would be wise to do so is another question. Some of the dismissed GM employees could face criminal charges. Continue reading →

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GM Recalls Another 8.5 Million Vehicles for 6 Safety Defects. $1.2 Billion Charge coming

Posted on 30 June 2014 by Ken Zino

GM said it expects to take a charge of up to approximately $1.2 billion in Q2 for the cost of recall-related repairs announced in the quarter. This amount includes a previously disclosed $700 million charge for recalls already announced during the quarter. Continue reading →

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