Category Archives: results

Milestones: 50 years of Mustang at Watkins Glen

It was 50 years ago that Ford Motor Company decided to show a mid-engine, V-4 powered two-seat concept car at the Watkins Glen Grand Prix.  While the striking handsome white car – still residing at the Henry Ford museum in … Continue reading

Posted in auto news, marketing, milestones, new vehicle, news, racing | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

SAIC-GM-Wuling JV in China Sells 1,000,000 Vehicles

SAIC-GM-Wuling has sold 1,000,000 vehicles in China for the fourth consecutive year. It is the earliest the General Motors China joint venture – required by the communist government as a successful job creating policy – has reached the milestone. In 2011, SGMW sold its 1 millionth vehicle in October. Continue reading

Posted in auto news, economy, news analysis, results, sales | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

More U.S. Companies Working on Sustainability and CO2 Reduction

The Carbon Disclosure Project released today an analysis showing that S&P 500 companies are making progress towards reducing carbon emission when compared to the so-called Global 500. CDP claims its results show a “tipping point” has now been reached in American C-suites and boardrooms to integrate a sustainability agenda into overall business strategy. This apparent acknowledgement of the growing spending and voting power of the green movement is occurring without comprehensive regulatory requirements in the U.S. to reduce CO2, and despite the goal – sometimes actually stated this election season – of Republican party candidates to abolish the Environmental Protection Agency and ignore climate change and possible remedial actions. Continue reading

Posted in auto news, economy, fuel economy or emissions, news, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Toyota Says 2013 Avalon Lightest in Class. But Where’s the MPGs?

Toyota claims its new 2013 Avalon is 110 lbs. lighter than the 2012 model, at 3,461 lbs. compared to 3,571 for the 2012 model. When Avalon arrives at dealerships later this fall, it will be the lightest-weight vehicle in the premium mid-size segment, according to the world’s largest automaker.

This is a claim without a real distinction, though. The V6 powered Avalon is EPA-rated at 25 mpg combined and 21 city, 31 highway – not exactly world beating. For comparison consider the Buick La Crosse, which comes standard with a mild hybrid or so-called e-assist system, is rated at 29 combined, 25 city and 36 highway. Continue reading

Posted in auto news, fuel economy or emissions, new vehicle, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ford Recalls 2013 Escape for Engine Fires, the Third Recall So Far

This is the third major recall on the best-selling Ford crossover SUV, which received a redesign for the 2013 model year, its first major revision since its 2001 model year debut. Ford did not publicize the recall, which became public because of a required legal filing with the Department of Transportation. Continue reading

Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, manufacturing, recalls | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Record Sales for Ford China in August at 48,631

Ford China posted its highest ever August sales, with 48,631 units sold, up 39% from last year. Year to date, Ford China has sold 368,513 vehicles, up 8% from January – August 2011. Market leader General Motors sold in 220,996 units in August and 1,837,546 year-to-date. Number Two Volkswagen Group has yet to report its August China sales. Continue reading

Posted in auto news, results, sales | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

GM Posts August Sales Record in China as Its Biggest Maker

General Motors and its government-mandated joint ventures set a new August sales record in China as sales increased rose 7% from the previous August and 11% from July to 220,996 units. All three of GM’s large manufacturing joint ventures set sales records for the month. Shanghai GM’s domestic sales were up 12% on an annual basis to 110,209 units. SAIC-GM-Wuling’s sales in China rose 3% to 106,500 units. FAW-GM’s domestic sales increased 17% to 4,117 units. Continue reading

Posted in auto news, marketing, results, sales | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

First Look – 2014 Honda Accord Plug-In Hybrid Sedan

Since electric driving depends on a tiny 6.7 kilowatt-hour (kWh) lithium-ion battery, this means the Accord plug-in will be hard pressed to stay on electricity for more than 10 or 15 miles, although it will look good on the window sticker with a projected EPA rating of greater than 100 MPG-e. The electric motors are rated at 124-kilowatt (kW). Thank goodness there is also power dense gasoline on board, so the projected range of the plug-in is almost 500 miles. Continue reading

Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, electric vehicles, environment, milestones, new vehicle, news analysis, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

EPA Approves Fuel Waiver for States Hit by Hurricane Isaac

EPA has temporarily waived some clean gasoline requirements for fuel distributed in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, South Carolina and North Carolina. The request for federal help come from the governors of the states most affected by delays in production and delivery of Gulf coast refineries. Continue reading

Posted in auto news, environment, fuel economy or emissions, news | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

GM, Ford and Chrysler Post Strong August Sales but Lag Market Growth as Japanese Production Recovers and Car Sales Soar

Coming at the opening of the Democratic Presidential convention, the ongoing recovery of job and wealth creating Detroit companies will be political fodder for the Administration in the face of Mitt Romney’s well established “let ‘em die stance” even though his firm Bain capital accepted a federal bailout as Rolling Stone magazine has just revealed. Continue reading

Posted in auto news, news, news analysis, results, sales | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

U.S. Airline Employment Rises Slightly in June

U.S. scheduled passenger airlines employed 1.4% more workers in June 2012 than they did in June 2011 but still remain below pre-Great Recession levels, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) reported today. Continue reading

Posted in aviation, economy, news, results, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Navy Week Comes to Detroit Commemorating War of 1812

Five days of activities will take place in downtown Detroit next week commemorating the War of 1812, which gave us a burnt White House, the Star Spangled Banner and finally convinced the British that we were no longer colonies, among other things. Continue reading

Posted in marketing, milestones, news, people, transportation, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

DOT and EPA Issue Record 54.5 MPG Fuel Economy Standards

Realistically, the fuel economy average will likely be in the 38-40 mpg range. Therefore, your mileage not only can vary but will vary from big numbers being touted in a closely contested Presidential election year. This, by the way, is where European fuel economy is right now, so if you want to know what the roads will look like a decade hence, travel to Spain or Italy whose governments desperately need tourist revenues to cover their massive deficits. Continue reading

Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, environment, fuel economy or emissions, news, news analysis, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Changan Ford Mazda Automobile Breaks Ground for Chongqing 3

The $600 million expansion will make Chongqing the largest Ford production site in the world by far – a latter day Rouge for communist customers. Chongqing 3 includes a new assembly line, body and paint shop. The first vehicle is expected to come off the flexible assembly line in late 2014. CFMA already operates two assembly plants and an engine plant in Chongqing, with another engine plant and a transmission plant currently under construction. Continue reading

Posted in auto news, manufacturing, milestones, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

CODA Recalls 2012 EVs for Defective Airbags

CODA Automotive is recalling 78 of its 2012 model year EVs because a manufacturing error incorrectly installed the side curtain airbags. Because of the defect, the airbag may not deploy properly in its four-door sedan, which only recently went on sale. In a statement the small, privately-held California company said it knows of no injuries. Continue reading

Posted in auto news, electric vehicles, manufacturing, quality, recalls, safety | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment