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Category Archives: people
Kia and Hyundai Models Have Highest Theft Rates in 2023
Kia and Hyundai vehicles experienced the highest theft rates in 2023, breaking the years-long trend of full-size pickups topping the list, according to a new report issued by the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB). Social media posts explaining how to steal these vehicles likely played a factor in the latest data.
“These rankings highlight the persistent threat of vehicle theft across the country,” said NICB President and CEO David J. Glawe. “NICB works with law enforcement agencies and industry partners to deploy advanced technologies and strategies to combat vehicle theft from organized criminal networks and individuals. Even as we work to deter crime, it is crucial for owners to remain vigilant and take proactive measures to protect their vehicles.” Continue reading
Posted in aftermarket, auto news, fools 'n frauds, insurance, news analysis, people
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, David J. Glawe, Ken Zino, National Insurance Crime Bureau, nicb, popular stolen vehicles, social media on how to steal vehicles, stolen vehicle trends
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Clean Air Act – Prison for Man Disabling Emissions Controls
A man was sentenced today for ongoing violations of the Clean Air Act through an aftermarket scheme to disable the emissions control systems of diesel trucks. Davis Owens, 34, of Cleves, Ohio was sentenced to serve 30 days in prison, seven months of home confinement and one year of supervised release. Continue reading
Posted in aftermarket, auto news, environment, fools 'n frauds, litigation, people, public health
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, clean air act, Davis Owens, emissions controls of diesel trucks, Holderdown Performance, Ken Zino, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, U.S. Justice Department Environment and Natural Resources Division
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National Labor Relations Board Certifies VW Chattanooga UAW
The National Labor Relations Board has certified the results of the election in which Volkswagen Chattanooga employees voted for representation by the United Auto Workers. The battle with VW management – a later day version of the Ford Rouge battle of the bridge, included disgraceful interference by VW management instead of the neutrality stipulated under US labor laws. The Chattanooga plant has now become the symbol and rallying point of the tough fight for workers’ rights, bringing national or global attention to the struggles and potential of unionizing in the low-wage South. Continue reading
Badass UAW Bargaining Committee Gets Record Daimler Deal
“Tonight, I’m in Charlotte, North Carolina, and I am honored to be joined by the badass bargaining committee representing over 7000 members at Daimler Truck North America,” Fain said. “We’re here tonight to announce a major victory for the members who build Freightliner and Western Star trucks and Thomas Built buses. Today, we reached a tentative agreement with Daimler. What started thirty-two years ago this month at the Mt. Holly plant, when the courageous 17-day strikers stood up and won a historic, first of its kind agreement, has come full circle. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, financial results, labor issues, manufacturing, mobility company, people, transportation
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Daimler Truck North America, Daimler Truck UAW contract, Ken Zino, Shawn fain, Walter Reuther
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Southern Labor Rights Boosted at VW. Daimler Next
The battle with VW management – a later day version of the Ford Rouge battle of the bridge, included outrageous interference by VW management instead of the neutrality stipulated under US labor laws. The Chattanooga plant has now become the symbol and rallying point of the tough fight for workers’ rights, bringing national or global attention* to the struggles and potential of unionizing in the South. Daimler Truck is next. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, economy, labor issues, manufacturing, milestones, people
Tagged Atle Høie IndustriALL, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Daimler Truck North America, Freightliner trucks, Ken Zino, Kenny Dellinger, Martin Daum, Shawn fain, Thomas Built Buses, uaw, Western Star trucks
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April 20 – aka 420 – Marijuana Impaired Driving is Illegal
Today being 420 for stoners,* AutoInformed says don’t believe that marijuana won’t affect your driving. Driving impaired by any substance—alcohol or other drugs, whether legal or illegal—is against the law in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Continue reading
Posted in AutoInformed Editorial, distracted driving, people, public health, safety, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Drug and Alcohol Crash Risk Study, Ken Zino, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nhtsa
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EPA Grants Emergency Fuel Waiver for Ethanol
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today issued an emergency fuel waiver to allow E15 gasoline – gasoline blended with 15% ethanol – to be sold during the summer driving season. This allows Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Nine Tribal Nations to sell the fuel that otherwise would be banned for the summer. Estimates show that on average, E15 is about $0.25 a gallon cheaper than E10. Continue reading
Posted in alternative fuels, economy, energy, environment, fools 'n frauds, news analysis, people
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Bidenomics, clean air act, department of energy, epa, Fuel Waiver for E-15 Sales, Ken Zino, Michael S. Regan, President George H. W. Bush, reid vapor pressure
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US Justice Department Expands Carjacking Task Forces
The Justice Department today announced that 11 U.S. Attorneys’ Offices have now established a carjacking task force to concentrate resources on the public safety threat. This latest move builds on the early efforts and best practices learned from carjacking task forces in the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the District of Columbia, Northern District of Illinois, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and Middle District of Florida where available data show that carjacking rates are now falling. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, news analysis, people, public health
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Bureau of Alcohol, Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Ken Zino, Office of the Deputy Attorney General, Tobacco
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UAW Practice Picketing at Daimler Truck in the US South
Daimler Truck workers from six different local unions in North Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee continue to conduct so-called “practice pickets” to demonstrate that they are strike-ready when their contract expires on 26 April. Practice pickets are not work stoppages or walkouts am no entrances will be obstructed. Workers will report to their shifts as usual. Continue reading
SEC Gets Final Judgment Against Volkswagen on Dieselgate
The final judgment orders VWGOAF to pay $34.35 million in disgorgement and $14.4 million in prejudgment interest. Following the entry of the final judgment, the SEC dismissed its outstanding claims against VWGOAF’s ultimate parent company, Volkswagen AG, and Volkswagen AG’s former CEO, Martin Winterkorn. The Court had previously dismissed the SEC’s claims against VW Credit, Inc. on 20 August 2020. These actions have resolved the SEC’s case against Volkswagen in its entirety. Continue reading
Posted in environment, fools 'n frauds, fuel economy or emissions, litigation, marketing, news analysis, public health
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino, sec, Securities Act of 1933, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Volkswagen Group of America Finance, VWGOAF
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Mercedes-Benz Alabama Workers Ask NLRB for Union Vote
Energy appears to be on the side of the union. Alabama has been a so-called “right to work state (for less?) since 2016, meaning that union-membership is not required for employment. By late February, less than two months after Mercedes workers went public with their drive to join the UAW, a majority of them had signed union cards.
The Mercedes workers are part of the growing national movement of non-union autoworkers organizing to join the UAW in the wake of the historic Stand Up Strike victory at the Big Three auto companies last fall. More than 10,000 non-union autoworkers have signed union cards in recent months, with public campaigns launched at Mercedes, Volkswagen, Hyundai in Montgomery, Ala., and Toyota in Troy, Mo. Workers at least two dozen other facilities are also actively organizing. The main event in this fight will likely be at Tesla in AutoInformed’s view with Twitter owner Elon Musk, mustering all the anti-worker tweets he can. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, economy, labor issues, manufacturing, milestones, news analysis, people
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, elon musk, Ken Zino, Mercedes-Benz Tuscaloosa Alabama, National Labor Relations Board, tesla, uaw
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UAW Files Anti-Labor Charges in Germany Against Mercedes
“MBUSI’s actions not only violate U.S., German and international law, they also violate Mercedes-Benz’s Principles of Social Responsibility and Human Rights. Those principles state: In the event of organization campaigns, the company and its executives shall remain neutral; the trade unions and the company will ensure that employees can make an independent decision” the UAW said.
“Mercedes-Benz’s aggressive anti-union campaign against U.S. autoworkers in Alabama is a clear human rights violation under the German Act on Corporate Due Diligence Obligations in Supply Chains. If found guilty, Mercedes-Benz faces billions in penalties, including significant fines and bans on government contracts,” the UAW said. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, labor issues, litigation, manufacturing, milestones, news analysis, people
Tagged Alabama football Coach Nick Saban, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, German law on Corporate Due Diligence Obligations in Supply Chains, Ken Zino, LkSG, Mercedes-Benz Principles of Social Responsibility and Human Rights, Mercedes-Benz U.S. International, UAW Files Anti-Labor Charges in Germany Against Mercedes-Benz
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Heavy-Duty Emissions Standards – Missed Opportunity?
“The final rule also leaves more work to be done, and state legislatures should spur use of electric and other zero-emission trucks by adopting the Advanced Clean Truck rule. By delaying the final standards for sleeper cabs until model year 2030 vehicles, EPA missed out on the additional climate and health benefits that would have started accruing much earlier from some of the highest-polluting vehicles on the roads. Continue reading
Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, economy, electric vehicles, energy, environment, fools 'n frauds, fuel economy or emissions, global warming, milestones, news analysis, public health, transportation
Tagged ACEEE, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Biden-Harris Administration, Daivie Ghosh, federal highway administration, Ken Zino, National Highway Freight Network, National Zero-Emission Freight Corridor Strategy, The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, US Department of Energy, zero-emission medium and heavy-duty vehicles
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Team Penske Front Row for 108th Indianapolis 500, But…
Chevrolet now holds 13 earned pole awards historically, and seven in the 2.2-liter twin turbo V6 era since 2012. Reigning Indianapolis 500 winner Josef Newgarden led the two-hour practice today as teams shifted from the all-out speed of PPG Presents Armed Forces Qualifying last weekend to stable setups for the race Sunday, 26 May. Newgarden turned a best lap of 226.238 mph in the No. 2 Shell Powering Progress Team Penske Chevrolet. However, 17 of the 33 starting positions are occupied by Honda, always a formidable racing competitor on any track. Continue reading →