Category Archives: results

Chevrolet and Nissan Succeed with Plug-in Hybrids and EVs as the Business of Plugging In Shows First Product Results

Success is the verdict about one year after the Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid and Nissan Leaf EV (electric vehicle) both went on sale, it was revealed last week at the third annual Business of Plugging In Conference in Michigan. And with Cadillac, Ford, Toyota about to introduce the their own plug-in hybrids, and a pure EV version of the tiny Chevrolet Spark coming in 2013, the small niche of electric cars has the chance to grow some more. Continue reading

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Milestones: 45 Years of the Department of Transportation

Over the weekend the U.S. Department of Transportation celebrated its 45 anniversary since President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the law that created it by combining 31 agencies and their bureaus into DOT. “In a large measure, America’s history is a … Continue reading

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U.S. Budget Deficit Officially at $1.299 Trillion in FY 2011

The so-called Super Committee is already gridlocked over how to decrease the budget deficit, and that very likely means nothing will be done about the deficit until after the 2012 elections as both parties in a dysfunctional Washington maneuver for election advantages. Continue reading

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DOT Fines Orbitz for Violating Price Advertising Rules

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) today fined the online ticket agent Orbitz $60,000 for violating federal aviation laws and the Department’s rules prohibiting deceptive price advertising in air travel. Continue reading

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President Obama and South Korean President Lee Defend Korean FTA at a Michigan General Motors Small Car Plant

President Barack Obama and South Korean President Lee Myung-bak toured the General Motors Orion Assembly Plant on Friday and spoke to several hundred workers and guests in support of the pending U.S-South Korean Free Trade Agreement. The rally came as U.S. long term unemployment remain at record post Great Depression levels. Korea is the fifth largest producer and fourth largest exporter of motor vehicles in the world, and – up to now – its car market has been closed. Continue reading

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Pelican Oil Refinery Guilty of Clean Air Act Crimes in Louisiana

If the court sentences according to the terms in today’s plea agreement, Pelican will pay $12 million in criminal penalties, including $2 million in community service payments that will go toward various environmental projects in Louisiana, including air pollution monitoring. This would mark the largest ever criminal fine in Louisiana for violations of the Clean Air Act. Continue reading

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Honda Starts Production of 2012 Civic Natural Gas car in U.S.

As it stands now, compressed natural gas or CNG vehicles that are growing clean air darlings – under debatable assumptions about how clean natural gas really is and how it is produced under exemptions from government environmental regulations – are all conversions of mostly Detroit Three pickup trucks and vans with one Honda factory-made exception. Continue reading

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Chevrolet to Produce Spark EV All-Electric Vehicle

Chevrolet today announced it will produce an all-electric version of the Chevrolet Spark mini-car – the Spark EV. It will be sold in limited quantities in some U.S. and global markets starting in 2013 in California. The company needs to the CAFE credits from an EV in order to meet impending fuel economy requirements in the U.S. Continue reading

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Chrysler UAW Reach Tentative Deal

Chrysler the smallest of the Detroit Three has agreed to a Chrysler UAW contract it was announced this morning. The UAW Chrysler proposed agreement includes $4.5 billion of investment to produce new models and upgraded vehicles and components by 2015, all of which will be invested directly into retooling and upgrading plants. At first look it appears to be a major victory for Sergio Marchionne, CEO of the Italian-controlled company, who was determined to hold the line on costs, which because of the U.S. government forced bankruptcy in 2009 are at $49 an hour – competitive with non-union auto plants. Continue reading

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Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Runs a 7:41.27 lap at Nürburgring

The Camaro joins a production Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR (American Club Racer) that posted a 7:12.13 lap time on the12.9-mile Nürburgring Nordschleife last month, that was faster than a 2012 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, which posted a lap time of 7:19.63 back in June. Continue reading

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Household Income Continues to Fall Significantly as Federal Government Claims the Great Recession is Officially Over

Real median annual household income has fallen significantly more during the so called economic recovery period from June 2009 to June 2011 than during the recession lasting from December 2007 to June 2009. That’s right, not only do we a jobless recovery, but we have one where incomes are dropping. Since when are politicians in the business of making people poorer in a grim reversal of the American Dream?

The report is bad news for the auto industry, which remains in a severe slump caused in part by record high new car prices – now averaging more than $30,000 a vehicle, and projections of even higher prices to come because of new emissions and safety regulations. Continue reading

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Sundiro Honda Builds More than 7 Million Motorcycles in China, Leading Country. Export Business Thriving, Including to Japan

Sundiro provides one model for the next wave of Chinese exports by using an established brand name to provide assurance to customers that highly complex motorcycles and ultimately automobiles can be bought with confidence even though they are made in China. Sundiro Honda now exports hundreds of thousands of motorcycles to more than 45 countries, and is one of the largest operations of Honda’s thriving motorcycle business. Continue reading

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U.S. Unemployment at 9.1% Unchanged in September

The unemployment rate during September in the U.S. remains unchanged at 9.1% where it has been stuck for months now. This means that according to the Federal government more than 14 million people are out of work. The real number – if you include people who stopped looking for work and forced part time workers – is likely 25 million people who want to work full time. Continue reading

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U.S. 2011 Deficit $1.3 Trillion, Greater Than any Year Since 1945

The 2011 deficit was equal to 8.6% of gross domestic product, CBO estimates, down from 8.9% in 2010 and 10.0% in 2009, but greater than in any other year since 1945. Continue reading

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White is Favorite Color for Automobiles around the World

The color white is the most popular vehicle color in the world. Roughly 21% of 2011 model year cars have been produced in white. Regional differences do exist, but white’s popularity makes it the number one choice of car buyers Continue reading

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