Category Archives: economy

Daimler Employee Arrested, Detained Under Controversial Alabama Immigration Law

Posted on 22 November 2011 by Ken Zino

The controversial Alabama immigration law requires the proper papers be carried by foreigners, including employees of firms investing in the state. Daimler, of course, is one of the largest employers in Alabama, with billions invested thus far and recently announced millions more will be added to increase production. Continue reading →

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General Motors Spring Hill Assembly To Be a Full Flex Plant capable of Building any Car or Crossover With New Investment

Posted on 21 November 2011 by Ken Zino

Neither timing, nor product line was announced, but GM claimed that an additional 1,090 hourly and 106 salaried positions. Furthermore, GM claimed that the Spring Hill flex plant would be capable of building any GM car or crossover vehicle, a potential manufacturing breakthrough that AutoInformed is attempting to clarify. Continue reading →

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General Motors Revises Opel Supervisory Board. European Reorganization, Layoffs and Plant Closures Imminent?

Posted on 21 November 2011 by Ken Zino

The Opel Board, as well as GM’s Board of Directors, has the task of returning GM’s European Operations to sustainable profitability, after years of stopgap measures by previous GM management teams that did not accomplish this. Further cost cutting is needed, which likely means politically contentious plant closures. On a Q3 earnings phone call with reporters earlier this month, CFO Amman said that nothing would be ruled out to return Opel to profitability. Continue reading →

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DOE and EPA Release 2012 Annual Fuel Economy Guide

Posted on 16 November 2011 by Ken Zino

The Bugatti Veyron at combined, city and highway ratings of 10/8/15 is the least fuel efficient vehicle in the new guide. The Nissan Leaf EV at 99/106/92 is the most fuel efficient vehicle, but that rating uses a conversion factor since the Leaf doesn’t run on gasoline, The Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid under this system is rated at 60/58/62. Real world driving of the Volt by AutoInformed returned about 35 miles to a gallon overall, once you got past its 30-40 mile EV range. The Toyota Prius hybrid is rated at 50/51/48 since the plug-in version won’t be available until next spring. Continue reading →

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America Recycles Day – Commemorated By EPA

Posted on 15 November 2011 by Ken Zino

The U.S. disposes enough waste each day to fill 50,000 garbage trucks with 18,000 pounds of trash in each. The auto industry with its market based predisposition to cutting costs is well on its way to achieving 100% recycling in the U.S. Continue reading →

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President Obama Kicks Keystone Pipeline Decision down the Road – after 2012 Election. Corruption Charged at State Dept.

Posted on 10 November 2011 by Ken Zino

True to form, Obama caught between his political desire to appear to be encouraging energy independence and his need to bolster waning support among environmentalists in what could be a tough bid to keep his job, today ordered the State Department to look at alternative routes that would avoid the Sand Hills in Nebraska. This effectively kicks the political problem down the road until after the 2012 Presidential election. Nevertheless, it does not address larger policy and environmental issues surrounding the tar sands derived oil pipeline. Continue reading →

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GM Q3 Earnings of $1.7 Billion, Most from North America

Posted on 9 November 2011 by Ken Zino

Virtually all of the Q3 earnings came from North America – $2.2 billion, where Japanese competitors were largely out of the market during the period because of the Japan earthquake, which allowed GM to increase prices. GM Europe lost money; GM South America broke even; and International Operations – home of the booming China market – made $400 million. Continue reading →

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Biofuels Now in Commercial Use at United and Alaska Airlines

Posted on 8 November 2011 by Ken Zino

The use of aviation biofuels looks promising since it was pushed forward by the Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative (CAAFI) established by the Federal Aviation Administration, which has been working to find sustainable fuels for airlines since 2006. As always the issues remain cost, and potential negative effects on global food supply. Continue reading →

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EPA to Study Hydraulic Fracturing Effects on Drinking Water

Posted on 7 November 2011 by Ken Zino

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced its final research plan on hydraulic fracturing, a controversial technique used to extract natural gas that critics maintain has a huge negative impact on the environment with costs passed on to the public by energy companies. Proponents of natural gas maintain that it is a cleaner fuel than oil, and the Federal government is subsidizing vehicles that use it. Continue reading →

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U.S. Unemployment Epidemic Continues at 9% in October

Posted on 4 November 2011 by Ken Zino

This means that coupled with underemployed and those discouraged from looking for work, more than 25 million people are not contributing what they could and want to add to the economic prosperity of local, state and national communities. Continue reading →

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Ford Motor Company October Sales up 6% from Trucks, SUVs

Posted on 1 November 2011 by Ken Zino

Ford is now emphasizing truck sales and adding crossover sales with them. This is because Ford Motor Company car and retail sales are down in October compared to last year, hurt by bad results at Lincoln (-11% at 6,100 units), and the absence of 7,500 units from now defunct Mercury. With the strength of trucks, though, overall Ford Motor sales of 1,771,801 units is up 10.9%. Fleet sales are 33% of the total, which based on early numbers, appears to be leading the industry, ahead of GM’s 23% of October sales. Continue reading →

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California Institutes $15,000 EV Subsidy from Taxpayers

Posted on 31 October 2011 by Ken Zino

This light commercial EV subsidy is part of a larger program – or folly, according to critics – which will it’s hoped speed the adaptation of commercial electric vehicles. Heretofore, fleet operators who keep stringent track of costs have not been willing to invest in EVs because of their absurdly high costs and limited range – in the EV Transit’s case, ~$50,000 and 50 miles. Continue reading →

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Honda Cuts Production at All North American Plants from Thailand Flooding! CRV Delayed in Latest Setback for Japanese Makers after March Earthquake

Posted on 31 October 2011 by Ken Zino

Honda will decrease automobile production by 50% at all six Honda automobile plants in the U.S. and Canada starting this Wednesday as a result of shortages of electrical parts caused by the ongoing floods in Thailand. A statement will be issued later today. Initially Honda maintained that North America would not be negatively affected by the natural disaster.

Insiders at Honda say it is anticipated that this interruption continue for the next several weeks. The proposed December on-sale date of the all-new 2012 Honda CR-V could potentially be delayed by several weeks. Continue reading →

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Saab Saved from Liquidation by Two Chinese Companies?

Posted on 31 October 2011 by Ken Zino

This latest episode in the ongoing Saab story (NYSE Euronext Amsterdam: SWAN) is likely not the final one in a long running thriller over the future of the former General Motors subsidiary. The proposed Chinese ownership agreement is subject to a final share purchase agreement between Swan, Pang Da and Youngman. In a statement, Swan said it will contain “certain conditions including the approval of the relevant authorities, Swan’s shareholders and certain other parties.”

Furthermore, the €100 million will be paid in installments. An important consideration for Swan to enter into the transaction is the commitment of Pang Da and Youngman to provide long term funding to Saab Automobile. Continue reading →

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Japan Production Still Not Completely Restored JAMA Says

Posted on 28 October 2011 by Ken Zino

U.S. automakers have been benefiting from Japan’s absence from the market. Earlier this week Ford Motor reported that it had increased U.S. revenue by $700,000 dollars in Q3 because it raised prices or trimmed incentives. Continue reading →

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