Category Archives: results

Airline On-Time Performance Improves in May

Posted on 10 July 2012 by Ken Zino

The largest airlines in the U.S. reported an on-time arrival rate of 83.4% in May, up from the 77.1% on-time rate of May 2011. This was down from April 2012’s 86.3% rate, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Air Travel Consumer Report released today. Continue reading →

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Volvo Fined $1.5 Million for Not Reporting Safety Defects

Posted on 6 July 2012 by Ken Zino

Volvo – once known for its safety reputation – now has the dubious distinction of joining Toyota Motor and BMW Group in paying penalties for not reporting defects or violations of U.S. regulations. Volvo will pay the fines into the General Fund of the U.S. Treasury; they will not go toward enforcement of U.S. Safety regulations. Continue reading →

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June Auto Sales Soar with Mixed Results for Detroit Three

Posted on 3 July 2012 by Ken Zino

Sales of new cars and light trucks in June increased 22% from the same period a year ago, as the auto industry delivered almost 1.3 million vehicles for the month. On a seasonally adjusted annual basis or SAAR, this meant that the industry-selling rate continues to be more than 14 million units for five of the six months of 2012, resulting in sales of more than 7.2 million vehicles year-to-date. The slowly recovering auto market presented mixed but arguably positive results for the Detroit Three. Continue reading →

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Louis Dreyfus Energy Pays $4 Million for ‘Stealing’ Natural Gas

Posted on 3 July 2012 by Ken Zino

Louis Dreyfus Energy Services has paid the United States $4,084,000 to settle allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by failing to pay money owed on natural gas acquired from the Department of the Interior, which is to say U.S. taxpayers. Continue reading →

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Toyota Adds 150,000 Lexus Models to Deadly Floor Mat Recall. NHTSA Says Filing Lacks Required Info. Another Cover-up?

Posted on 2 July 2012 by Ken Zino

In Toyota’s carefully worded latest filing with NHTSA, Toyota U.S. said, “the accelerator pedal can get stuck in the wide open position due to its being trapped by an unsecured or incompatible driver’s floor mat.” NHTSA in acknowledging this terse and incomplete notification said that it lacked much of the required information under U.S. safety regulations. The Toyota report is missing the required chronology of events that were the basis for its decision to conduct an expanded safety recall, including a summary of all warranty claims, field or service reports, and other information, with their dates of receipt. Continue reading →

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Blower Bentley Sets £4.5 Million Auction Record

Posted on 2 July 2012 by Ken Zino

Sir Henry ‘Tim’ Birkin’s 4.5-liter supercharged Bentley race car sold for £4.5 million when auctioned at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. In March 1932, Birkin set a record 137.96 mph at the Brooklands in the United Kingdom. Continue reading →

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NTSB Blames Jack Roush in 2010 Oshkosh EAA Crash

Posted on 29 June 2012 by Ken Zino

A National Transportation Safety Board investigation into the crash that seriously injured pilot Jack Roush at EAA AirVenture 2010 said that Roush, long time Ford Supplier and racing team owner, let his Hawker Beechcraft 390 jet stall during an attempted go-around. Continue reading →

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Consideration of European Cars Up in China. Japanese Down

Posted on 29 June 2012 by Ken Zino

The percentage of customers in China who intend to purchase a new European vehicle has increased notably to 35% in 2012 from 25 percent in 2009, in a new study just released. In contrast, the so-called consideration rate of Japanese models decreased to 24% in 2012 from 32% in 2009. Continue reading →

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Porsche Leipzig plant builds 500,000th Vehicle

Posted on 29 June 2012 by Ken Zino

Earlier this year, Porsche marked the tenth anniversary of what was at the time a controversial expansion into the truck market. However, after the Porsche factory opened in Leipzig during 2002 to build the Cayenne SUV it proved to be a successful investment that has since grown to produce another controversial – but just as profitable vehicle – the Panamera sedan. Continue reading →

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BMW Group and Toyota Motor Expand Collaboration

Posted on 29 June 2012 by Ken Zino

Akio Toyoda, President of Toyota Motor Corporation, met today with Norbert Reithofer, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, at the BMW Group headquarters in Munich to announce the planned expansion of their existing cooperation that started last year. Continue reading →

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Pratt & Whitney of United Technologies Guilty of Criminal Charges for Helping China Develop a Military Attack Helicopter

Posted on 28 June 2012 by Ken Zino

Pratt & Whitney Canada, a Canadian subsidiary of the Connecticut-based defense contractor United Technologies Corporation, today pled guilty to violating the Arms Export Control Act and making false statements in connection with its illegal export to China of U.S.-origin military software used in the development of China’s first modern military attack helicopter, the Z-10. Continue reading →

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Automakers Protest EU Korean FTA Deal is One Sided

Posted on 28 June 2012 by Ken Zino

European automakers are protesting that EU-South Korea FTA one year later has resulted in massive increases for Korean exports of passenger cars, yet only relatively modest gains for the EU auto industry. The European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) took the opportunity of the first anniversary of the Korean FTA coming on 1 July to draw attention to what it called an “unbalanced situation.” Continue reading →

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Milestones – Compact BMW X1 SUV Reaches 300,000 in Sales

Posted on 28 June 2012 by Ken Zino

Since its fall of 2009 introduction the compact BMW X1 sport utility vehicle has reached 300,000 in global sales, the German Automaker said today. The X1 was arguably the first luxury cute ute, and the fourth addition to the BMW crossover lineup from a maker once largely known for its sports sedans. Continue reading →

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Ford’s Original Model T Piquette Plant now Open to Public

Posted on 26 June 2012 by Ken Zino

The Ford Piquette Avenue plant and the office where Henry Ford created his historic Model T car is now welcoming visitors. The century-old building has been restored by a group of preservationists and Ford history enthusiasts who have worked for a decade to renovate it. The first 12,000 Model T cars were built at Piquette, starting in September 1908. Continue reading →

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Massive Recall on Chevrolet Cruze for Fires Caused by Leaks

Posted on 26 June 2012 by Ken Zino

Chevrolet is recalling more than 410,000 Cruze models because oil and fuel leaks can cause fires. Model year 2011 and 2012 Cruze compact sedans are affected by the safety defect. In required filings with NHTSA, GM said that it would modify the engine shield under the vehicle. This change will help prevent any liquids from being trapped in the engine compartment, where a fire could start and spread. The GM safety action was prompted by customer complaints to NHTSA about smoke or fires in the engine compartment. It appears that careless oil changes are responsible for the oil leaks Continue reading →

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