Category Archives: people

Corvette Takes Sebring – Jon Lowell Is Laughing

Jon didn’t show up in a newsroom, a broadcast or radio studio, let alone a race track with the intention of finishing second. And he most certainly would not have bragged about a “close but no champagne” finish. Jon won on his beat and in life. Continue reading

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VW America CEO Michael Horn Out in Dirty Diesel Scandal

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

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

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African American History Month

Each year, U.S. presidents proclaim February as National African-American History Month. What happens in the future if racist Republicans take the White House, notably with emphasis on white by hater Mr. Trump, is unknown. I thought my ancestors settled this argument fighting for the Union during the 1860s. Subsequent Constitutional amendments made it American law. Continue reading

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Ford Explorer Wheelchair Conversion by BraunAbility – a First?

The world’s best-selling SUV for 25 years, Ford Explorer, is now said to be the world’s only volume-production ‘wheelchair-accessible” SUV. The claim here in a world of marketing hype is the definition of “volume.” Other makers and aftermarket suppliers are in the mobility business for people with special needs. Continue reading

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The Un-luck of the Irish – St. Patrick’s Day Drunks

St. Patrick’s Day – when it’s said everyone is Celtic – is sometimes heartbreaking because of drunk drivers behind the wheel. NHTSA says that during St. Patrick’s Day from 2009 to 2013, there were a total of 276 lives needlessly lost in drunk-driving crashes. Continue reading

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Webber Landscapes and Silverado Brandscapes

“We are a trade. We are real. We do something that is very valuable to America,” says Webber. “And to have the right equipment makes it easier and better in our bottom line.” Continue reading

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Chevrolet Wins Pro Stock at Winternationals in Pomona

Greg Anderson, driver of the Summit Racing Equipment / KB Racing Pro Stock Chevrolet Camaro SS lines-up to race his KB Racing teammate Jason Line, during the finals of the NHRA Winternationals Sunday 14 February 2016 at Auto Club Raceway in Pomona, California. Anderson won the race, his sixth Winternationals win and the 79th of his career. Continue reading

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Jeep Portrait Super Bowl Ad Wins ADweek Acclaim

The message was, “We don’t make Jeep, you do.” Continue reading

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More VW Exec Changes Due to Diesel Emissions

In his new role, Mr. Geanacopoulos will, as a member of the company’s Board of Directors, continue to serve on the VW’s top executive team dealing with the diesel emissions matter. His regular responsibilities will focus on the VW’s interactions with government and other institutions in the United States on all aspects of public affairs and public policy. He and the government relations team will work from a new office VW will open shortly in downtown Washington, DC. Continue reading

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Detroit Tigers Make-a-Wish Come True

Andrew got to meet Cabrera, and the rest of his favorite Tigers players as part of the Make-a-Wish program. Continue reading

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Talker in Chief At North American International Auto Show

President Obama is one of three U.S. Presidents to visit the auto show in Detroit. President Bill Clinton visited NAIAS in 1999 and President Dwight Eisenhower toured the then-Detroit Auto Show in 1960.
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Larry Gustin Donates Durant Papers to Sloan Museum

The Sloan Museum is the beneficiary of donation from Lawrence R. Gustin, aka Larry in auto circles, a distinguished automotive and Flint historian that includes the personal papers of William C. Durant, the General Motors founder.

Gustin, a Flint native, was a writer and editor at the Flint Journal from 1960 to 1984 and later assistant public relations director of Buick before retiring in 2005. He was and is an active supporter of  press organizations, including the Automotive Press Association.  Continue reading

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Ford Motor, Jay Leno to Auction Harley-Davidson Ford F-150 to Benefit National Multiple Sclerosis Society

This is a unique truck because it is the only one ever built for the 2000 model year with a supercharged 360-horsepower 5.4-liter Triton V8 engine. Continue reading

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CEO Mary Barra, 54, Now Also Chairman of GM Board

In a breakthrough that would have been unthinkable even a few years ago, one that is without precedent in automotive and arguably corporate history, current GM CEO Barra becomes the highest ranking female now running a large publicly traded company. Continue reading

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