Category Archives: results

EU February Car Sales Increase. Signs of Life?

EU February car sales increased for the sixth consecutive month, with a rise of 8% in registrations. However, in absolute figures, the 861,058 units registered marked the second lowest result to date for a month of February since ACEA, the automakers trade group, began keeping track in 2003 with the commencement of an enlarged EU. Continue reading

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Milestones – Honda Builds 20 Millionth Vehicle in the U.S.

The Marysville Auto Plant, of course, is the site where the first Honda Accord was produced in America on 1 November 1982. This made Honda the first Japanese automaker to begin production of automobiles in the United States, a move that caught Toyota and Nissan the two reigning Japanese sales giants by surprise. Continue reading

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Republicans Pass Polluter Protection Act

This latest example of the power of money in the Congress is a setback for citizens. In 2009, EPA determined that greenhouse gas pollution threatens Americans’ health and welfare by leading to long lasting changes in our climate that can have a range of negative effects on human health and the environment. Continue reading

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General Motors, Ford, Japanese Post China Sales Records

During February wholesale deliveries in China of cars, multipurpose, and sport utility vehicles jumped to 1.31 million units in February, the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers said today. Continue reading

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Engine, Transmission Problems lead drop in Vehicle Dependability for The First Time in 15 Years

A large part of the quality decline appears to come from automakers rushing balky four-cylinder engines and more fuel-efficient, but rough transmissions into production in response to buyer’s demand resulting from high fuel prices in the U.S. Continue reading

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Frost Bit! Winter Weather Hurts U.S. February Auto Sales

With the exception of Chrysler, a frigid stormy February hurt car sales in the U.S. The other two of the Detroit Three, Ford Motor and GM were off -6/1% and -1% respectively. Among the major offshore brand sellers, Honda was down -8%, Toyota down -5.8%, Hyundai down- 6.3%, and the politically fraught in Southern anti-union politics Volkswagen was down -13.8%. Continue reading

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EPA Finally Cleans up Fuel over Big Oil Objections and Money

Once fully in place, the standards will help avoid up to 2,000 premature deaths per year and 50,000 cases of respiratory ailments in children, according to agency that Republicans – owned by big oil – love to hate and obstruct. Continue reading

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Second and Third Sinkhole Corvettes Recovered. Major Damage Sustained on 40th Anniversary Model

Still unexplained is how it is possible to design, obtain permits and build a Museum in Kentucky on unsafe ground. Continue reading

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Honda Kills Insight Hybrid Production this Summer

During 2013 Only 4800 Insights were sold, a 20% decline year-over-year. By comparison, Toyota sold 234,000 of its multi-bodied Prius line. Total Honda and Acura hybrid sales of all types were less than 15,000 in 2013. Continue reading

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Volkswagen Group Sets Third Straight Record Profit in 2013

A combination of new products, technology, acquisitions – Porsche, Ducati, and MAN – and plant expansions, especially in China, continues to give credence to VW’s announced intention to be the world’s largest automaker by 2018. It is now in third place behind Toyota and General Motors, so the Big Three in the business are from three different continents. Continue reading

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SAE World Congress to Review 48-Volt Mild Hybrid Progress

Both systems are based on switched reluctance (SR) motor-generator technology developed for a new breed of 48-volt hybrid vehicles. CPT claims multiple O.E. applications are being explored, particularly in Europe for sub-compact and compact vehicles as a relatively inexpensive way to make big gains in fuel economy. Continue reading

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Weather Whacks U.S. February Sales. Recovery Predicted

Conventional wisdom has it that the rate of sales will increase toward month end, with an increase from President’s Day holiday weekend promotions and a normal increase in sales at month’s end as dealers try to move metal. Continue reading

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Tesla Loses Money Again During 2013. Stock Market Bullish

The darling of automotive stock speculators electric vehicle maker Tesla posted a yearly loss of -$74 million on revenue of more than $2 billion during 2013, compared with a -$396.2 million loss on $413.3 million in sales in 2012. The stock is trading at record levels of above $200 per share given the revenue increase, and with the company promising to increase it yet again during 2014. Continue reading

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Chevrolet to Oversee Restoration of Sinkhole Corvettes

The National Corvette Museum cars damaged in a sinkhole collapse will be shipped to Warren Michigan where Chevrolet will oversee their restoration. Ed Welburn, vice president of GM Global Design will lead the project. Continue reading

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Chrysler Group Borrows $5 Billion to Pay off UAW VEBA Debt

Before the bankruptcy, the UAW had previously – and reluctantly – accepted the notes to cover the health care costs of its retired members. This was a classic, many would say infamous, example of financial engineering under the Wall-Street-owned Bush Administration that removed union health care costs from the balance sheets of Chrysler, Ford and General Motors with a slight of hand trick. Continue reading

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