Category Archives: people

FAA Clears Santa One. NORAD Tracking

Posted on 24 December 2014 by Ken Zino

The Federal Aviation Administration said today that Santa One, a reindeer-powered sleigh that Santa Claus uses to deliver presents to children around the world, has been cleared for its Christmas Eve flight.

The combined air defense command for North America, Canada and the U.S., dubbed North American Aerospace Defense Command or NORAD will be tracking the general aviation aircraft, err sleigh – see http://www.noradsanta.org/ as it hosts an annual mission to track Santa Claus as he journeys across the globe to deliver presents on December 24. Continue reading →

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Air Raid – VW Names Herbert Diess from BMW as Chairman

Posted on 9 December 2014 by Ken Zino

Diess is currently the Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Development. There is no love lost between the two companies, particularly over the competing BMW and at VW, the Audi and Porsche brands. Continue reading →

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BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer out. Harald Krüger in Next May

Posted on 9 December 2014 by Ken Zino

In a surprise move, BMW ended the reign of CEO Norbert Reithofer with Harold Krüger, 49, taking over next May at the 2015 annual meeting.

The Supervisory Board proposed that Reithofer – subject to his election to the Board – become the the  Chairman of the Supervisory Board after the 2015 meeting. The current Supervisory Board Chairman, Joachim Milberg, will resign at the end of the 2015 Annual General Meeting. 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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FCA – First Earnings since Chrysler Merger Mixed to Weak

Posted on 31 October 2014 by Ken Zino

Worrisome was a huge charge that FCA took for the cost of safety recalls and warranty repairs in the U.S. – a whopping €200 million for Q3 alone. Continue reading →

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Millikin Out as GM General Counsel in Ignition Switch Snafu

Posted on 21 October 2014 by Ken Zino

In a terse statement, General Motors says that General Counsel Michael Millikin “informed the company of his decision to retire in early 2015.” Millikin was taken to task for his role in covering up – he claims he didn’t know – the deadly ignition switch debacle at the second Senate hearing on the sordid safety defect matter. Continue reading →

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Volt Camouflage Designed to hide Freshened Sheet Metal

Posted on 29 September 2014 by Ken Zino

The camouflage package on the next-generation Volt was started six months in advance of early development. The tricks are constantly updated to keep spy photographers – Jim Dunne, who graciously contributes to AutoInformed – and the curious guessing. Continue reading →

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James Bunnell to Head Cadillac US Sales

Posted on 22 September 2014 by Ken Zino

GM’s regional luxury brand is stumbling because sales have dropped -4% year-to-date to 114,000 vehicles. Lexus at 199,000, Mercedes, 193,000, and BMW, 184,000, dominate the luxury segment. 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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Chinese Students Out Spend US Ones

Posted on 26 August 2014 by Ken Zino

Average price paid by Chinese students for new car tops $52,000 wih cash purchases at31.8%, the opposite of non-Chinese students at the same schools Continue reading →

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Legal Woes at Porsche Continue

Posted on 26 August 2014 by Ken Zino

The so-called Higher Regional Court of Stuttgart will try two former executive board members of Porsche Automobil Holding SE in the aborted takeover caper where Porsche attempted to win control of the Volkswagen Group. Continue reading →

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Great Weather! Great Woodward Dream Cruise

Posted on 18 August 2014 by Ken Zino

The world’s largest single-day car enthusiast event, drawing more than 1.5 million enthusiasts – it’s claimed – annually to Woodward Avenue. Continue reading →

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Chevrolet Wins Brickyard. Gordon Sets Record

Posted on 28 July 2014 by Ken Zino
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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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