Category Archives: results

BP Deepwater Horizon Liabilities – GULP – $61.6 Billion

BP said yesterday in London that progress in resolving outstanding claims arising from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon accident and oil spill, the largest in U.S. history would have a final cost of $61.6 billion. Continue reading

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Global Vehicle Sales Tracking at 92 Million

The global light vehicle market held steady with a third consecutive month of sales at a little under the 92 million annual rate. Continue reading

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Best June Sales Ever for BMW Group

June Sales at the BMW Group set a new record with a total of 227,849 vehicles delivered to customers around the world. This was an increase of 9.1% compared to the same month last year. This latest record month means … Continue reading

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U.S. Auto Sales to Drop During 2016-2023?

“Our latest forecast now reflects the reality that the growth track that the US market has been on since 2009 has stalled and appears to be leveling off, but it does not necessarily signal that further contractions or an automotive recession is imminent.” Continue reading

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US June Auto Sales Slump – Party Winding Down?

The Detroit Three automakers finished June with a 45.7% share of the U.S. auto market, up from 44.2% last month and 45.2% a year ago. Continue reading

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Milestones: Honda Accord 40 Years Later

Baby Boomers made the Honda Accord, and Honda’s pioneering decision to build a plant in Ohio ultimately put the company in the automotive big leagues to the astonishment of Toyota and Nissan executives, who were, eventually, forced to follow. Continue reading

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$14.7 Billion Volkswagen Diesel Fraud Settlements

The plea bargain requires Volkswagen to spend up to $10.03 billion to compensate consumers under the program. In addition, the VW will spend $4.7 billion to mitigate the pollution from these cars and invest in green vehicle technology. Continue reading

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House and Senate Democrats, Republicans Play Ball? Well, at the Annual Congressional Baseball Game…

This year, right-hand hitter Rep. Tom Rooney (R-Fla.) hit a walk-off single to right field, scoring the winning run (8-7) ending a seven year losing streak for error prone Republicans. There was plenty of political heckling from both sides of the diamond, but the Dems did not stage a sit-in on the field. Continue reading

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Diesel Coffin Nails – California Court Decision on Diesels Smacks Small Fleets and Farmers over Money

A decision by the Superior Court of California in Fresno earlier this month agreed with the California Trucking Association’s request to erase a range of amendments to the state’s major rule to clean up diesel trucks and buses. Continue reading

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Kia Recalls Sedona Minivans for Suspension Failures

In a move approved by NHTSA – but much decreed by critics – it’s a regional recall. Continue reading

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GM gets $2 Billion Credit Boost from ‘Too Big to Fail’ Banks

It’s a classic example of banks lending money when the borrower doesn’t need it. This gives GM flexibility – liquidity to ride out another downturn such as the one that led to its bankruptcy, or increase its acquisitions of mobility companies such as Lyft, or fund the development of new products. Continue reading

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Eightieth Anniversary of the Fiat 500 ‘Topolino’

How appropriate, the little mouse in the automobile business is celebrating the eightieth anniversary of the Fiat 500 “Topolino.” Events at FCA in Turin from June 16-19 will commemorate it. The tiny car was part of the motorization in Italy … Continue reading

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German Motor Transport Grants Fix on Dirty VW Diesels

Such an inexpensive fix is not possible in the U.S. where emissions standards are much tighter, and regulatory authorities – it could be argued across the EU – are not in the pocket of auto companies and major suppliers. Continue reading

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US Western States Lead Welfare Increases. Revenues Lag

Not surprisingly given the scandalous manipulation of the tax codes by the rich, overall general state government revenues rose 1.8% from $1.71 trillion in 2013 to $1.74 trillion in 2014, while general expenditures rose 2.6%, from $1.68 trillion to $1.73 trillion. How do you spell DEFICIT? Continue reading

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US Light Vehicle Sales Drop in May

U.S. light vehicle sales were down in May at 1.54 million, a 6% decline year-over-year with passenger car deliveries particularly weak. Car sales at 646,000 dropped -16% year-over-year. Light truck sales increased 2.3% at 891,000. AutoData says that the seasonally … Continue reading

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