Category Archives: milestones

General Motors China Sales Top 2 Million. Again!

For the second time in its history, General Motors has sold more than 2 million vehicles in China in a calendar year, reaching the milestone this week. China has been GM’s largest market for the past two years where it is the Number One automaker. GM is on track to sell 5 million vehicles in China by 2015. And it might just be a question of time before Chinese companies mount a takeover of GM via its publically traded stock, and move GM headquarters to Shanghai, where GM China already has substantial space in a huge office tower. Continue reading

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Milestones: 45 Years of the Department of Transportation

Over the weekend the U.S. Department of Transportation celebrated its 45 anniversary since President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the law that created it by combining 31 agencies and their bureaus into DOT. “In a large measure, America’s history is a … Continue reading

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Sundiro Honda Builds More than 7 Million Motorcycles in China, Leading Country. Export Business Thriving, Including to Japan

Sundiro provides one model for the next wave of Chinese exports by using an established brand name to provide assurance to customers that highly complex motorcycles and ultimately automobiles can be bought with confidence even though they are made in China. Sundiro Honda now exports hundreds of thousands of motorcycles to more than 45 countries, and is one of the largest operations of Honda’s thriving motorcycle business. Continue reading

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Four-Cylinder Engines Now Made at Toyota Alabama Plant

Total annual engine capacity of four-cylinder, V6 and V8 engines is now more than 500,000. TMMAL is the only Toyota plant in the world making four-cylinder, V6 and V8 engines. Continue reading

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Rolls-Royce Motor Cars to Expand UK Manufacturing Plant

The expansion of the BMW owned company follows from what Rolls-Royce characterizes as significant growth in worldwide sales during the last 18 months, including record sales of 2,711 models in 2010, and a greater demand from customers for customized Rolls-Royce Ghost and Phantom models. Total investment in the project will be about £10 million, which will be completed in late 2012. Continue reading

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Volkswagen Opens Engine Rebuilding Plant in China with FAW

While all major automakers are scrambling to establish and maintain new vehicle manufacturing and sales in China, the so-called aftermarket is not being pursued with the same vigor, repeating the same mistake U.S. automakers made as their home market expanded 100 years ago. Continue reading

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President Obama to Announce First Fuel Economy Regulations for Heavy Trucks, Buses. $50 Billion in Fuel Savings Claimed

The complicated standards vary by size and type of truck, and whether gasoline or diesel engines are used. However they appear stringent, calling for a 7-20% reduction in emissions with roughly corresponding increases in fuel economy. Continue reading

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Volkswagen Starts Production of the New Beetle in Mexico

The German built Beetle was particularly successful in the United States, of course. The original and updates sold almost five million units between 1949 and 1981. The New Beetle continued the success, with a total of 1.15 million units built in Puebla selling between 1997 and 2010. Continue reading

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Ten Honda Plants in North America Achieve Zero Landfill Waste

While all automakers have environmental initiatives well under way, Honda and GM appear to have the most sweeping company-wide programs in place. Continue reading

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Toyota Europe Increases Sales. Delivery Waits Now Normal

Toyota Motor Europe (TME) reported half-year sales of 403,656, an increase of 3% compared to 2010. The results are good since the overall European market is flat year-to-date and has been declining for three years. The Toyota Auris family ( 3- and 5-door hatchbacks off the Corolla platform), including the Auris hybrid, saw sales of 55,222 vehicles, up 22% from 2010. Continue reading

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Toyota Opens a European Proving Ground in Belgium

The new Zaventem Proving Ground will play an important role for Toyota’s European vehicle development as part of the company’s plan to become Toyota’s global development center for the small and compact vehicle segments, the Japanese company said in a release. It’s hard to believe Toyota will move those jobs out of Japan where generations of Corolla and other small models have been developed. Continue reading

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Milestones: the BMW 328 Turns 75 Years Old

Henne set a lap record for all sports cars during the race, and won the non-supercharged class in the rain. It was the debut of what became one of the most successful sports cars on the track. The win was to be followed by more than 200 others with factory sponsored and privateers running 328s into the 1950s. Continue reading

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New MG in Production at Longbridge – It’s Chinese

The new four-door hatchback, priced from £15,495 – £18,995, is a far cry from the two-seat TC, TD and TF models that were loved – and bought – by repatriated U.S. soldiers in the post WW2 years. Continue reading

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Subaru to Debut 2012 Impreza at New York Auto Show

Subaru of America will debut of the all-new Subaru Impreza 4-door and 5-door models at the 2011 New York International Auto Show later this month. The new Impreza design will provide a larger interior for five passengers and what’s said to be improved levels of comfort and refinement. Current Impreza models sell in the $19,000 to $23,000 range. Continue reading

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Rolls-Royce to Debut Electric Phantom Concept at Geneva

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars today confirmed the existence of the Phantom Experimental Electric, an electric Phantom concept car that will debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March. Continue reading

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