Category Archives: results

Buick Drops Base Regal Model in 2013. E-Assist Now Standard

Starting with 2013 models this fall, E-Assist will be standard on the mid-size Buick Regal with the discontinuation of the 2.4-liter base model. It is the second mild-hybrid to join the Buick lineup as standard equipment following the full size … Continue reading

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Ford China Sales Plummet 42% in January? GM off 8%

Ford China reported January sales of 30,976 vehicles – a – 42% freefall compared with 53,340 vehicles in the same period last year, and just under 50,000 vehicles in December of 2011. General Motors also posted a drop of 8% in January to 246,654 vehicles – GM’s second-best January ever in China where it is well established. The open question is whether this is the beginning of a prolonged downturn in the Chinese economy that some western economists are predicting as a result of Chinese government policies to slow down growth. If so, it will be an unwelcome development for both GM and Ford with their weak balance sheets, and loss making operations in Europe. Things will become clearer when other automakers report China sales. Continue reading

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Alcoa Expanding to Make More Lightweight Aluminum Alloys

With the auto industry now pursuing composites to reduce weight to meet increasingly stringent emission and fuel economy standards, the increased supply of lightweight aluminum alloys could find its way onto production automobiles. The question is at what rate? Continue reading

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Aftershocks – Toyota Revenues Drop 10%, Profits Down 57.5%

Major factors contributing to the decrease include the negative effects of marketing activities and incentives of ¥120 billion, as well as currency fluctuations of ¥200 billion, both breathtaking demonstrations of leverage effects in the automobile business. Continue reading

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Toyota Mississippi Begins Second Shift for Corolla

Toyota Motor Manufacturing in Mississippi today added today a second shift for production of the Corolla, currently the title holder as the world’s best-selling car in history. Continue reading

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Chrysler Group Posts a Modest 2011 Profit of $183 Million

Chrysler Group earned a profit of $183 million for the full year 2011, up from a net loss of $652 million a year ago. The positive, if small, result came as the Italian owned company paid back a $551 million in debt to taxpayers. Chrysler’s net revenue for the year was $55.0 billion, up 31% from a year ago. Fourth quarter net revenue increased 41% to $15.1 billion, the best quarter since it emerged from a controversial taxpayer financed bankruptcy in 2009. Continue reading

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Toyota, Honda, and Nissan Post Strong January Auto Sales

Toyota was Number Three overall in U.S. sales, and a mere 12,000 vehicles behind Number Two Ford Motor. Toyota truck production in the U.S. – the last to recover from last year’s natural disasters – still has not caught up with demand. When it does – and Toyota’s pickup truck plant in Texas has been working overtime since late last year – Toyota could easily surpass Ford in U.S. sales. Toyota’s luxury division, Lexus, at 12,274 vehicles easily outsold Ford’s moribund Lincoln at 5,221 sales. Lexus production too is still recovering from the Japan earthquake so Ford is facing challenges on two fronts. Continue reading

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Ford Motor U.S. Sales Increase 7% in January. Industry up 11%

The Ford F-Series, America’s top-selling vehicle for the past 30 years, posted January sales of 38,493 vehicles, representing an 8% gain amid signs that the full size pickup truck market in the U.S. is declining. Here preliminary numbers show that full size trucks now account for only 11% of the total industry. Continue reading

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GM January 2012 U.S. Sales Down 6%. Revival Stalled?

General Motors (NYSE: GM) today reported total sales of 167,962 vehicles in the United States in January, down 6% compared with January 2011. All four GM brands posted sales declines year-over-year led by Cadillac which was down 29%. Buick was off 23% and GMC declined 10%. Overall the auto industry was up 11.4% for the month, so GM is not keeping pace with the slow recovery of the auto business, a potentially worrisome development if it becomes a trend for U.S. taxpayers who still hold more than 27% of the company. Continue reading

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Chrysler Group January 2012 U.S. Sales Rise 44%

Because of its revived U.S. sales in 2011 Chrysler Group is now earning a greater return in profits at 4% of turnover when compared to owner Fiat’s return of 2.8%, which was down from 2010 given the ongoing Eurozone crisis. Continue reading

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Japanese Suppliers Yazaki, Denso Plead Guilty of Price Fixing

The two-year price fixing sentences would be the longest imprisonment imposed on a foreign national for a Sherman Act antitrust violation. The fine amounts and prison sentences are subject to court approval and the potential influence of the U.S. State Department, which based on previous actions, cares little – if at all – in my opinion about competitive aspects of the U.S. auto industry or its effects on workers and the U.S. economy. In fact it can be argued that since the end of World War Two, State has actively pursued policies that strengthen offshore competitors of U.S. firms at the expense of the U.S. middle class. Continue reading

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Hyundai, Subaru and Lexus Lead in NADA Satisfaction Survey

The survey, conducted twice a year by the National Automobile Dealers Association, rates dealer sentiment in three areas: franchise value, automaker policy decisions that affect the dealership and the automaker’s field staff who visit dealerships. Continue reading

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BMW Conducts Second Smallest Recall in NHTSA History

In third place with a Bronze medal resides Toyota, the reason for the renewed emphasis on following recall regulations to the letter, after Toyota was fined in 2010 millions of dollars for covering up safety effects. Continue reading

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PBGC Says American Airlines Workers Should Worry About Pensions and Medical Care – So Should Taxpayers

The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation has called out what it says is misleading statements to American Airlines employees by its management about their pension plans under a bankruptcy reorganization. “American Airlines is telling their workers and retirees not to worry, … Continue reading

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Ford Motor Company Posts 2011 Profit of $8.8 Billion

As a result of Ford’s 2011 financial performance, profit sharing payments will go to 41,600 eligible U.S. hourly employees. Under the UAW-Ford collective bargaining agreement, Ford’s North American pre-tax profits of $6.2 billion will generate approximately $6,200 on a full year basis. Based on first-half 2011 results, about $3,750 was paid per employee, which was distributed in December 2011. For the second half of 2011, about $2,450 per employee will be paid in March. Continue reading

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