Category Archives: economy

Standard & Poor’s Says Japanese Auto Outlook Now Negative

Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services in Tokyo today cut its outlook on six Japanese auto companies from stable to negative, including the Japanese Big Three – Toyota Motor Corp. (TM, 7203.TO), Honda Motor Co. (HMC, 7267.TO) and Nissan Motor Co. … Continue reading

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Honda Sets Fiscal Year Record for Overseas Auto Production

That of course was before the parts shortages and vehicle production disruptions caused by the Japan earthquake and tsunami on 11 March took hold. Continue reading

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Priority Registration Coming for 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid. Earth Day Launch for New Ordering Web Site

The Prius plug-in hybrid will be Toyota’s first application of lithium ion batteries. Current Prius models have successfully used nickel metal hydride batteries since the Prius was introduced in Japan in 1997 as the world’s first mass produced hybrid. Continue reading

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$5 Fuel Tipping Point for U.S. Electric Car Consideration. Consumer Expectations – Globally – at Odds with EV Realities

Interest or consideration is an important precursor to actually electric vehicle sales, but while EV consideration is a necessary condition it is not sufficient to tip the balance in favor of electric vehicles as customer expectations are wildly out of touch with EV reality. Continue reading

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April U.S. New Vehicle Retail Sales Strong But Inventories Drop

However, the pace isn’t expected to be sustainable as inventory dries up, especially among small cars, and becomes a more widespread problem toward the end of April and into May Continue reading

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Toyota Cuts May Auto Production in North America

On average, around 85% of the parts and materials for the 12 North American-built Toyota and Lexus models are sourced from 500 suppliers in North America. While production of some parts and materials continues in Japan, Toyota says it is working closely with affected suppliers in order to minimize the impact, which appears to be considerable and ongoing. Continue reading

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Lousy Economy Lowers U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Emissions in 2009 represent the lowest total U.S. annual GHG emissions since 1995. These numbers reflect the most up to date data at the time of publication. Continue reading

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Global Share of Emerging Auto Markets Exceeds Matures

The marketshare of global light-vehicle sales coming from so-called “emerging” markets has surpassed share from economically mature regions, led largely by growth in China, according to J.D. Power and Associates. “Mature markets like the United States, Western Europe and Japan … Continue reading

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Great Leap Forward! GM China Announces Five Year Plan to Double Sales by Introducing 60 New and Upgraded Models

In fact, due to a job creating industrial policy dictated by the Communist Chinese government, China is actually benefitting from leverage as all western automakers must establish joint ventures with local Chinese companies – some of them former munitions makers and military suppliers – in order to gain access to the lucrative market. Continue reading

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Ford to Double White Collar Workers in China by 2015

Ford Motor Company will double the number of white collar workers in China by 2015, the company said ahead of a recruiting effort to take place next week at the Shanghai Motor Show. All told some 1,200 new jobs will … Continue reading

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Grede Buys Two Mexican Foundries to Boost Casting Capacity

Capacity or lack thereof at auto suppliers who drastically downsized by closing facilities and jettisoning workers in 2008 and 2009 as the Great Recession took hold, is an emerging problem as auto and truck makers slowly recover and increase production. Continue reading

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Earthquake Aftershocks – Toyota to Shut 5 European Plants

Toyota said in a statement that the decision is “necessary as a result of forecasted parts supply difficulties.” Continue reading

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Toyota to Resume Vehicle Production at All Japan Plants

However, production volume is planned to be approximately 50% percent of normal. After April 27, all production facilities will enter an annual spring holiday through May 9. A decision on post-holiday production will be made after assessing the parts supply situation. Continue reading

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Honda Resumes Auto and Motorcycle Production in Japan at 50% Capacity, More Earthquake Caused Interruptions Coming

Honda Fit, Insight, CR-Z, Civic Hybrid, Acura TSX and Acura RL are produced in Japan for the North American market. Honda produces a small percentage of CR-Vs in Japan for the U.S. as well. Continue reading

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Chesapeake Energy Converts 800th Vehicle to Natural Gas

Unlike the volatility in gasoline and diesel prices most recently caused by turmoil in the Middle East, the price of CNG remains steady at $1.39 per gallon of gasoline equivalent in Oklahoma. Continue reading

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