Category Archives: results

US Auto Sales at 17.5 Million Set New Record in 2016

Posted on 9 January 2017 by Ken Zino

For the second year running U.S. light vehicle sales set a record with 17,550,351 sold during 2016. This surpasses the previous 2015 record year of 17,479,469. This is only partially good news for some automakers. Continue reading →

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CARB, CDOJ Whack VW for Another $66 Million in Ongoing Dieselgate Scam

Posted on 20 December 2016 by Ken Zino

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the California Department of Justice today announced a partial Dieselgate consent decree for violations of the Clean Air Act caused by a “defeat device” in 3-liter diesel crossover SUVs sold by Volkswagen, Audi … Continue reading →

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2017 Honda Clarity Fuel Cell Deliveries Start

Posted on 20 December 2016 by Ken Zino

California has approved a plan to develop up to 100 hydrogen refueling stations in the state during the next several years. This California initiative dovetails with some increased government support of hydrogen infrastructure development at the federal level, such as H2USA (http://h2usa.org/). Continue reading →

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2017 Kia Niro Gets 76.6 MPG in US West to East Coast Run

Posted on 15 December 2016 by Ken Zino

The Kia Niro, a small five- passenger Crossover Hybrid Vehicle, is the first dedicated Kia hybrid. Continue reading →

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Hybrid Vehicles Overtaking Diesels on Fuel Economy

Posted on 14 December 2016 by Ken Zino

However, the downturn in diesel mpg may be due to a change in manufacturers’ focus from fuel economy to NOx emissions after the Volkswagen Dieselgate fraud. Nonetheless, there clearly is an improvement in gasoline hybrid performance because of technologyl advances. Continue reading →

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November Global Light Vehicle Sales Soar to 98.5 Million

Posted on 14 December 2016 by Ken Zino

Explosive sales in China were the primary factor, though there were solid results in the US and Western Europe. Continue reading →

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Luxury SUVs Will Outsell Luxury Cars for the First Time?

Posted on 8 December 2016 by Ken Zino

However, overall sales of luxury vehicles are expected to remain flat in 2016 compared to last year. Nonetheless, SUVs are bringing sales to brands that have been considered niche players. Jaguar and Volvo are enjoying the most gains, based on sales or leases of the Jaguar F-Pace and Volvo XC90. Continue reading →

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Ghosn Defends Mitsubishi Bailout in Face of Criticism

Posted on 6 December 2016 by Ken Zino

Call it a “one barrel of a two-barrel shotgun wedding.” This is a giant roll of the dice with Carlos Ghosn betting on numerous “come” lines. Continue reading →

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General Motors President Daniel Ammann Sells 10,000 Shares

Posted on 6 December 2016 by Ken Zino

While GM execs have been trying to talk up the stock price, the trading record is much less optimistic. The range of share prices peaked at more than $40 per share in December of 2013, but has been languishing in the $35 range recently. Continue reading →

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November US Auto Sales Strong. Another Record Year?

Posted on 5 December 2016 by Ken Zino

Of note, is the ongoing struggles of the Volkswagen brand mired in the Dieselgate scandal. The Golf was down 11,894 ytd – off 34%. All VW nameplates were down -10% in what remains a booming market. Continue reading →

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EPA Keeps 54.5 MPG Fuel Economy Rules in Place

Posted on 1 December 2016 by Ken Zino

Automakers are squealing about the just announced EPA plan to keep 54.5 mpg fuel economy regulations in place after a detailed technical analysis of the industries progress thus far. The agency’s rule still must be finalized after a 30-day comment period that would close before Donald Trump’s inauguration. Continue reading →

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Black Friday Boosts November U.S. Auto Sales

Posted on 30 November 2016 by Ken Zino

Year-to-date sales are essentially the same as the 15,838,458 sales recorded through the first eleven months of 2015’s record-breaking year. Continue reading →

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Audi, BMW, Daimler, Ford, Porsche, Volkswagen Plan EV Charging Network

Posted on 30 November 2016 by Ken Zino

BMW Group, Daimler, Ford Motor and Volkswagen with Audi and Porsche have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to create the highest-powered charging network in Europe. Continue reading →

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VW Diesel Emissions Settlements – Wisconsin Tax Rules

Posted on 28 November 2016 by Ken Zino

The Wisconsin Department of Revenue has issued guidance on the sales tax implications of the VW and Audi diesel emission fraud settlements. Continue reading →

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Holiday Travel Put at 36.8 billion Miles

Posted on 21 November 2016 by Ken Zino

Americans are expected to log 36.8 billion miles on the road visiting family and friends – a 46% increase (11.6 billion miles) compared to 2015. Continue reading →

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