Category Archives: economy

Freight Shipments Decline in May for Second Straight Month

Worse, from an economic point of view, freight declined three out of the past four months, and reached the lowest level in since November of 2010. In May 2011 freight shipments were approximately the same as they were in October 2008 after the global markets collapsed. Continue reading

Posted in auto news, economy, results, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Tax Cuts, Deregulation Led to Jobs Crisis AFL-CIO Forum Claims. More of Same Means Fewer Consumers

Since two-thirds of the economy of the United States is based on consumer spending, no wonder corporations are reluctant to hire. There is just too much uncertainty in the economy, too much uncertainty in Washington. We could be heading for another recession while politicians dicker. Continue reading

Posted in auto news, economy, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

U.S. Unemployment Rises Again in June to an Official 9.2%

This means that more than 14 million Americans are unemployed, with at least another 10 million underemployed. The average length unemployment is now the highest on record. The Administration and its cabinet appointees as well as Republicans were quick to attempt damage control. Continue reading

Posted in economy, labor issues | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Muscle Hybrids Decried for Performance in Hybrid Scorecard

The pressure group criticized the Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid, the new Porsche Cayenne Hybrid and BMW’s X6 and 750i Active Hybrids as among the worst-rated hybrids for environmental improvement because they emphasize power over economy in their design. UCS is apparently unaware of the long standing performance marketing positioning of German brands. Continue reading

Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, economy, environment | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

New Vehicles Overpriced, Sending Sales to Used?

About 8% of the people who bought a used vehicle in June were trying to decide between purchasing a new or used car and elected for the older one. This means that approximately 360,000 new-vehicle sales went to older vehicles. That’s two final assembly plants worth, and it doesn’t include supporting component parts plants at a time when unemployment is officially more than 9%. Continue reading

Posted in aftermarket, auto news, economy, sales | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Editorial: Happy Fourth of July! More Independence Needed

We should celebrate our past today, and honor the men and women of vision – and property – who created this country starting with the War of Independence, continuing through the Articles of Confederation and the U.S. Constitution that is still in place, as fine a document of governance of the people, by the people and for the people that ever existed. Remember well the resounding words of its preamble – WE THE PEOPLE. And we need to toss out of office the people who don’t understand WE, who are in it just for ME. Continue reading

Posted in economy, environment, fools 'n frauds, people | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Ford of Europe CEO Stephen O’Dell Calls for a Comprehensive Industrial Policy and Rejection of Korean FTA

Odell also criticized a proposed Korean trade agreement, which in a different form is also controversial in the U.S. However, Ford in the U.S. supports a pending Korean FTA, which is opposed by all major U.S. unions except for the United Autoworkers. A Ford spokesperson was unable to explain the disparity in the conflicting positions. Continue reading

Posted in auto news, economy, labor issues, manufacturing, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Japan Auto Production -31% in May. Export Loses $2.89 Billion

The total value of automobiles exported for May 2011 was $6.76 billion, including $4.49 billion for vehicles and $2.27 billion for parts. This is a decrease of $2.89 billion or -30% compared with $9.65 billion for the same month of the previous year. Continue reading

Posted in auto news, economy, financial results, manufacturing, results | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

EPA Finalizes E15 Gasohol Pump Labels as Automakers Again Protest Adding More Ethanol to Gasoline. Lawsuits Pending

The ethanol tariff is comprised of a 54 cent Most Favored Nation duty and a 2.5% ad valorem tax. Critics say the ethanol tariff makes our nation more dependent on foreign oil by increasing the price of imported ethanol. Iowa State University estimates that a one-year extension of the ethanol subsidy and tariff would lead to only 427 additional direct domestic jobs at a cost of almost $6 billion, or roughly $14 million of taxpayer money per job.
Continue reading

Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, economy, energy, environment, news analysis, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Honda Overseas and Japan Production Down Again in May

Honda Motor Company in Japan today announced that vehicle production declined by more than 50% for the month of May 2011. It was the third straight month that production dropped due to the ongoing negative effects of the Japan earthquake and tsunami in March. Continue reading

Posted in auto news, economy, financial results, manufacturing, results, sales | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Nissan Announces Ambitious Global Growth Plan

Things are going to get better during the next five years for Nissan Motor Company, the Yokohama based automaker announced this morning. In unveiling what is an ambitious six year business plan, Japan’s number two automaker said that it will deliver on average an all-new vehicle every six weeks for six years. As a result, the company’s global portfolio will have 66 vehicles and will cover 92% of all markets and segments, Nissan claimed. Continue reading

Posted in auto news, economy, financial results, marketing, news analysis, people, results, sales | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Americans Flying More, Driving Less as High Gasoline Prices Cut Auto Travel during the (Non) Independence Day Weekend

Travelers with household incomes of $50,000 or less is expected to decrease from 41% to 33%, while travelers with household incomes of more than $100,000 are expected to increase to 35% from 26%. Continue reading

Posted in auto news, economy, energy, news analysis, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ford Breaks Ground on Second Engine Plant in China

China is now by far the world’s largest auto market, and Chinese industrial policy in effect requires that all profits earned there are reinvested in the country and its local partners. The U.S. remains alone among industrialized nations – with elected or totalitarian governments – without any such job and investment protecting policy. The $500 million (RMB 3.4 billion) investment will be funded entirely by CFMA and will be located in Chongqing’s so called New North Zone. Continue reading

Posted in auto news, economy, manufacturing, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

$10,000 Increase per Auto Under Fuel Economy Proposal?

Some of the proposed changes to increase fuel economy and decrease greenhouse gases starting in 2017 could cost new car buyers from $3,700 to more than $9,000 per vehicle if they are adopted, and that’s before another $1,500 or so is added for additional safety equipment.

The new fuel economy mandates under consideration by the government are based on reducing emissions ranging from 3% to 6% per year, the same as increasing fuel mileage equivalent amounts. The highest increase, 6% per year, will raise the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) from 35.5 mpg in 2016 to 62 mpg in 2025. Continue reading

Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, economy, electric vehicles, environment, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Honda Motor Predicts $2.4 Billion Profit Drop from Earthquake

This represents a 63.5% decline for Japan’s third largest automaker compared to the previous year, the result of production disruptions caused by the Japan earthquake and tsunami, rebuilding costs, as well as a strong Yen at an unprecedented ¥80:$1. Continue reading

Posted in auto news, economy, financial results, news analysis, results, sales | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment