Category Archives: people

Two Fujikura Executives Indicted for Price Fixing

A federal grand jury in Detroit returned an indictment against two Fujikura Ltd. executives for their roles in an international conspiracy to fix prices of auto parts used in automotive wire harnesses sold to Subaru and installed in U.S. cars. Continue reading

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G.S. Electech Executive Indicted for Price Fixing

The criminal charge was the first to be filed in Kentucky where Toyota has extensive operations as part of an ongoing Department of Justice investigation into anti-competitive conduct in the automotive parts industry. Continue reading

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Gen Y Internet Auto Shoppers Open to Any Brand

New-vehicle buyers who use the Internet for auto shopping are open to any brand when they initially, and more than one-half of so-called Gen Y buyers are open to consider any brand that meets their needs, according to a new study. Among all auto shoppers, 79% use the Internet to research their new vehicle purchase. Continue reading

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Toyota Hires Microsoft Exec as Technology Officer

In keeping with the expansion of electronics in automobiles, Toyota Motor Sales in the U.S. has hired Ned Curic to a newly created role of vice president and chief technology officer. Continue reading

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Millennial Car Buyers Dream Big, Purchase Smaller

Herein lies the problem with much consumer research, including automotive. What people say in a clinic is belied by their actual behavior. This has opened a completely new academic industry – behavioral economics – that shows people make emotional and non-rational decisions often with information “framed” by stereotypes and anecdotes, not anything approaching real data. This behavior – on view all the time on Fox “News” – results in marketplace inefficiencies that makes a mockery of traditional economics or in the case of Fox, rational discussions of public policy. Continue reading

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Infiniti Poaches Porsche for New Americas Head

Infiniti Motor Company has named Michael Bartsch vice president, Americas, effective in September. The luxury brand said in a release from its new global headquarters in Hong Kong that he is replacing Ben Poore, who will leave the company to “pursue other interests.” Continue reading

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Ford Lowers C-Max Hybrid Mileage Claims

Ford Motor Company said today that it is lowering the C-Max hybrid fuel-economy label after being challenged by customers, the EPA and numerous independent automotive testing sites, including AutoInformed. The revised 2013 C-Max label has a combined fuel economy value of 43 mpg, slightly better – in theory – to the combined label of 42 mpg for the Toyota Prius v. Ford’s previous ratings were 47 city/47 highway/47 combined mpg claim for the new 2013 Fusion and C-Max hybrids. Continue reading

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Florida Fuel Company Owner Indicted for Fraud

A Florida-based airline fuel supply company and its former owner and operator were indicted on charges of participating in a scheme to defraud Illinois-based Ryan International Airlines, according to the Department of Justice. Continue reading

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JPMorgan Chase Employees Charged With Financial Fraud

“Our financial system has been hurt in recent years not just by risky bets gone bad, but also, in some cases, by criminal wrongdoing,” opined Attorney General Holder. Critics maintain Holder has done little to prosecute financial fraud at the ratings agencies and on Wall Street that led to the collapse of the U.S. economy, cut American wealth in half, and created the highest rates of unemployment since the Great Depression that is still hurting the American middle class. Continue reading

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AutoInformed on Lifestyle Talk Radio Network

While Douglas and Zino sometimes disagree, two car guys talking cars makes for an interesting and lively hour of bantering on talk radio. Continue reading

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Honda Project Drive-In Aims at Keeping American Icons Open

Honda said that giving people easy ways to get involved would ensure that this drive-ins, a historic part of American cinema and car culture, live on. At www.projectdrivein.com people can vote to determine which five drive-in theaters will receive a new digital projector from Honda. Continue reading

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ExxonMobil to Pay Fine for Fracking Wastewater Dumping

The consent decree, lodged in the Middle District of Pennsylvania, is subject to a 30-day public comment period and almost certain court approval given the DOJ’s laughably lenient treatment of corporate criminals. Continue reading

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Keselowski Watkins Glen Win Prompts Hertz $22 Rental Deal

Hertz is offering race fans a $22 discount to celebrate this weekend’s Nascar win at Watkins Glen by defending Sprint Cup Champion Brad Keselowski. This was Keselowski’s first win in the Hertz Ford Mustang and his 18th Nationwide Series win driving the No. 22 for Penske Racing. Continue reading

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GM CFO Shows 2015 Chevy Colorado, GMC Canyon Pickups

Colorado and Canyon will join the all-new 2014 Silverado and Sierra 1500s, and the upcoming Silverado and Sierra HDs to give Chevrolet and GMC customers a lineup of pickups that cannot be matched by Ram or Ford F-Series. Both Ford Motor and Chrysler Group have inexplicably abandoned the mid-size segment to Japanese automakers, notably Toyota. Continue reading

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Auto Research Labs Help keep Young Minds in Detroit

“Detroit is the place to be,” said Snyder. The governor went on to say that a lot of it (the so-called brain drain) has to do with a “marketing” and “perception” problem. That problem disappears when people actual visit southeastern Michigan. In addition, Snyder noted there is a looming housing shortage in Detroit due to the young moving in. Continue reading

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