Category Archives: results

GM Lansing Delta Township Plant Builds Millionth Vehicle

Posted on 16 November 2011 by Ken Zino

A GMC Acadia Denali came off the production line at General Motors’ Lansing Delta Township Assembly Plant today, the 1 millionth vehicle produced at the automaker’s newest assembly plant in North America. Continue reading →

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EU Car Sales Down Again in October. Four Year Trend Ongoing

Posted on 16 November 2011 by Ken Zino

The ongoing economic decline of Europe is causing problems for the Detroit Three. Sales in Germany, the largest EU market, remained stable (+0.6%), while results in Italy (-5.5%) and Spain (-6.7%) were negative, leading to an overall 1.8% decline in new registrations. From January to October, Germany was the only major market to post significant growth (+9.8%). France saw its demand slightly increase by 0.4%, while the UK (-4.5%), Italy (-10.8%) and Spain (-19.7%) all declined. Continue reading →

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Ford Shelby GT500 to Offer 650 Horsepower Production V8

Posted on 15 November 2011 by Ken Zino

Ford is boasting that the ultimate Ford Mustang – Shelby GT500 – will offer the highest horsepower production V8 when the new 2013 model goes on sale next year. The 5.8-liter V8 aluminum-block supercharged engine is claimed to be rated at 650 horsepower and 600 lb.-ft. of torque, making it the most powerful production V8 in the world. The 3,850-pound car also will be exempt from the gas-guzzler tax, a claim that awaits EPA certification. Continue reading →

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California Man Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Illegally Storing Toxic and Explosive Hazardous Wastes in His Backyard

Posted on 15 November 2011 by Ken Zino

Wyman was charged in June 2009, after firefighters responded to a report of a fire and explosions at Wyman’s residence. Because of the ammunition that was being “cooked off” in the fire, firefighters had to wear bullet proof vests. Continue reading →

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America Recycles Day – Commemorated By EPA

Posted on 15 November 2011 by Ken Zino

The U.S. disposes enough waste each day to fill 50,000 garbage trucks with 18,000 pounds of trash in each. The auto industry with its market based predisposition to cutting costs is well on its way to achieving 100% recycling in the U.S. Continue reading →

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50 MPG Predicted for Toyota Prius c Hybrid

Posted on 15 November 2011 by Ken Zino

While not priced yet, expect the Prius c to sell for around $22,000, which is likely how Toyota will define entry level or an affordable price. In spite of fuel economy benefits, hybrids remain a tiny portion of the U.S. auto market – a little over 2% of sales YTD – because mainstream buyers refuse to pay a premium amounting to several thousand dollars over a comparable gasoline-fueled car. Continue reading →

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American Fined $900,000 for Tarmac Delays at O’Hare Airport

Posted on 14 November 2011 by Ken Zino

Between May 2010 and April 2011, the first 12 months after the three-hour limit was in effect, the larger U.S. airlines required to file tarmac delays reported 20 tarmac delays of more than three hours, none of which was more than four hours long. In contrast, during the 12 months before the rule took effect, these carriers had 693 tarmac delays of more than three hours, and 105 of the delays were longer than four hours, according to DOT. Anti-government regulation fanatics should note that this is a clear case of effective regulation. Continue reading →

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President Obama Kicks Keystone Pipeline Decision down the Road – after 2012 Election. Corruption Charged at State Dept.

Posted on 10 November 2011 by Ken Zino

True to form, Obama caught between his political desire to appear to be encouraging energy independence and his need to bolster waning support among environmentalists in what could be a tough bid to keep his job, today ordered the State Department to look at alternative routes that would avoid the Sand Hills in Nebraska. This effectively kicks the political problem down the road until after the 2012 Presidential election. Nevertheless, it does not address larger policy and environmental issues surrounding the tar sands derived oil pipeline. Continue reading →

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GM Q3 Earnings of $1.7 Billion, Most from North America

Posted on 9 November 2011 by Ken Zino

Virtually all of the Q3 earnings came from North America – $2.2 billion, where Japanese competitors were largely out of the market during the period because of the Japan earthquake, which allowed GM to increase prices. GM Europe lost money; GM South America broke even; and International Operations – home of the booming China market – made $400 million. Continue reading →

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Milestones: Ford EcoBoost 3-Cylinder Startup in Cologne

Posted on 9 November 2011 by Ken Zino

Ford President and CEO Alan Mulally today launched volume production in Cologne of Ford’s smallest gasoline engine – a 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine that will debut in Europe in early 2012. Eventually variants of the three-cylinder, turbocharged, direct injection gasoline engine … Continue reading →

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EPA Ordered to Check State Plans Cutting Haze Pollutants

Posted on 9 November 2011 by Ken Zino

EPA initially issued a rule in 1999 requiring states to submit regional haze plans. These plans were due in December 2007. National Parks Conservation Association and other environmental groups sued the agency in August 2011 to take action on these plans. Today’s consent decree resolves the litigation. Continue reading →

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Biofuels Now in Commercial Use at United and Alaska Airlines

Posted on 8 November 2011 by Ken Zino

The use of aviation biofuels looks promising since it was pushed forward by the Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative (CAAFI) established by the Federal Aviation Administration, which has been working to find sustainable fuels for airlines since 2006. As always the issues remain cost, and potential negative effects on global food supply. Continue reading →

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GM Moves Canadian Healthcare off Balance Sheet to Trust

Posted on 8 November 2011 by Ken Zino

This means that GM Canada is free from any obligations associated with the cost of providing retiree healthcare benefits for eligible CAW represented retirees, surviving spouses and dependents. In exchange, GM Canada will transfer C$0.8 billion in cash and issue C$1.1 billion of notes to the HCT.

In its Q2 earnings GM had obligations of $4.7 billion in debt, $5.5 billion in preferred stock (U.S. government owns 26.5% of GM), $10.8 billion in unfunded pensions, and $10 billion in other post-retirement employee benefits. It’s not clear how GM is going to fund these. It looks like issuing more common stock is not feasible given current share price of ~$24, far below the IPO price of $33 and its high of $39.48. GM will report Q3 earnings tomorrow. Continue reading →

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Toyota Loses ¥33 Billion in First Half FY 2012. Scraps Forecast

Posted on 8 November 2011 by Ken Zino

In North America – Toyota’s second largest market – vehicle sales totaled 689,000 thousand units, a decrease of 352,000 units compared to the same period last fiscal year. Operating income decreased by ¥84.4 billion to ¥61.5 billion, including ¥15.6 billion of valuation gains/losses on interest rate swaps. Operating income, excluding the impact of valuation gains/losses on interest rate swaps, decreased by ¥109.8 billion to ¥45.9 billion. Continue reading →

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GM China Sales Set October Record – Surpass U.S.

Posted on 8 November 2011 by Ken Zino

During October 2011, sales by GM in China surpassed 2 million, reaching 2,113,274 units – more than the 2,000,000 units it has sold in the U.S. ytd. Two of GM’s manufacturing joint ventures surpassed 1 million annual sales in China, with Shanghai GM’s sales totaling 1,009,536 units and SAIC-GM-Wuling’s sales coming in at 1,053,196 units. This was the earliest in their history that GM and its joint ventures reached these sales milestones. Continue reading →

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