Category Archives: results

Fuel Economy, CO2 Emissions Unchanged in US during 2014

The average fuel economy for cars remained at 27.9 mpg, during 2014, while trucks increased 0.6 mpg to a new record high of 20.4 mpg. The annual truck increase of 0.6 mpg was the second highest in the last 30 years. Continue reading

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Milestones:1940 Ford Pilot Model GP-No. 1

The Ford Pilot Model GP-No. 1 Pygmy design is arguably most notable as the first “jeep” prototype to have a flat slatted front grille with integrated headlights that went on to become a key design element of the standardized mass produced WWII “jeep” and subsequent commercial versions. Continue reading

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Japanese Name Mazda MX 5 Car of the Year on Pearl Harbor Day

In one of the most insensitive announcements AutoInformed has endured, Mazda Motor Corporation said today that the all-new Mazda Roadster, aka MX-5 outside Japan, has been named the 2015-2016 Car of the Year Japan. Continue reading

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Leasing at Record High in US

People continue to lease vehicles at a record pace, according to the Q3 2015 State of the Automotive Finance Market report Continue reading

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November Sales – Trucks and Crossovers Way Up, Cars Down

The seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) in November was a breathtaking 18.19 million units compared to 17.13 million units a year ago. Continue reading

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Subaru Beats All Time US Sales Record

Worrisome though are the remarks of Yasuyuki Yoshinaga, president of Subaru-maker Fuji Heavy Industries at the Tokyo Motor show last month. Yoshinaga told Automotive News that Subaru will cap maximum annual global production at 1.03 million vehicles. This can increase to 1.1 million vehicles using overtime. No new factories are foreseen. Is this a bluff – while Subaru talks to political entities about a new plant, or a recognition that the business is cyclical and today’s good times are limited? Continue reading

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Porsche Dominates Endurance Racing During 2015

Porsche had a strong season with the overall victory at the 24 Hours in Le Mans, the Manufacturers’ World Championship earned at the penultimate round in Shanghai, the drivers’ World Championship in Bahrain. Continue reading

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Chevrolet Cruze Pricing Undercuts Civic, Corolla, Elantra

The battle of best-selling global compact cars continued today with Chevrolet pricing its brand new Cruze model $1980 cheaper than the Honda Civic LX, an acknowledged leader in the class. The formidable Cruze – Chevy’s bestseller globally – is also less expensive than the Toyota Corolla L (-$570) and the Hyundai Elantra SE (-$580). Continue reading

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Ally Bailout Terms Met – Allowing for Common Dividends

This removes the restriction on Ally of offering common equity distributions. Ally’s stated objective is to pay a dividend and start a share repurchase program in 2016. Continue reading

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NADA Says 17.7 Million US New Vehicle Sales in 2016

Szakaly observed that the industry is now seeing the end of “pent up demand” that came about during the Great Recession when annual car sales from 2009-2013 were less than 16 million units. Continue reading

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EU Sales Grow in October as Rate Slows

EU sales of passenger cars during October at 1,104,868 units kept growing, albeit at a slower rate of +2.9%. This is the 26th consecutive month of increases. Continue reading

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BMW, Deezer Expand Audio Choices

There is no limit on either the number of tracks selected or the data volume required. Moreover, when traveling outside Germany – in France, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain or the UK – drivers have online access to everything the music services offer without incurring additional international fees or roaming charges.

Deezer is one of the major music providers with more than 35 million tracks in its library. It is available in more than 180 countries worldwide.

No word on North American applications yet. Continue reading

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Auto Loan Balances up 53% Since Post Recession Low

The distribution of open loans by risk segment remains relatively unchanged, demonstrating that consumers drive the surge in outstanding automotive financing across the board, not a specific segment of the market. Continue reading

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Trucks, Crossovers Boost US October Sales. Cars Lag

In the all-important Top Ten selling list, the Detroit Three pickup trucks easily swept the first three places. However, offshore brand models in October took the reaming seven of the Top Ten sales spots for the month. Continue reading

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Volkswagen Admits to CO2 Emissions Problem. €2B at Risk

VW said that ~800,000 vehicles from the Volkswagen Group could be affected with “economic risks at approximately two billion euros.” Continue reading

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