Category Archives: results

President Obama Unveils 54.5 MPG Fuel Economy Regulation for 2017-25. Will it Alter Vehicle Choices and Increase Costs?

Posted on 29 July 2011 by Ken Zino

In a thirteen minute speech in Washington this morning, President Obama revealed his proposal for doubling the fuel economy of vehicles sold in the U.S. by 2025. This proposal, which will apply to cars and light trucks sold during model years 2017 to 2025, establishes a global warming pollution standard of 163 grams of CO2 per mile per new vehicle by 2025—the equivalent of 54.5 mpg if all the improvements are met through actual increases in fuel-efficiency. Continue reading →

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Volkswagen Group Posts Q2 Profit of €3.17 Billion

Posted on 28 July 2011 by Ken Zino

However, the outlook is cautiously hedged: “In view of the global economic challenges, we are well advised to maintain our cost and investment discipline and to further improve our financial strength,” said CFO Hans Dieter Pötsch. Continue reading →

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Ford Motor Q2 Profit Drops 8% to $2.4 Billion on $4.2 Billion Revenue Increase. Ford Credit, all Regions Except N.A. Decline

Posted on 26 July 2011 by Ken Zino

Ford’s second quarter net income was affected by so called “unfavorable special items” of $272 million – $177 million more than a year ago. The special items include personnel reduction actions as Ford continues to retrench. The closing of Mercury and other dealer-related actions in North America, as well as pension settlements in Belgium also negatively affected the results. Continue reading →

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Chrysler Group Q2 Revenues up $3.2 B but Profit Down

Posted on 26 July 2011 by Ken Zino

By Chrysler’s accounting, Chrysler said it would have reported a $181 million profit in the second quarter, but took a $551 million one-time charge to repay loans from the U.S. Treasury Department and the Canadian government. Continue reading →

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Debt Causes U.S. Treasury to Suspend Reinvestment in Exchange Fund. Last Stopgap Measure Taken before Default

Posted on 15 July 2011 by Ken Zino

The fund is a crucial financial tool because it includes purchasing or selling foreign currencies to stabilize international financial markets and thereby prevent damage to U.S. exports and the national economy.

Automakers had no immediate comment, but the uncertainty surrounding the effects of a default on U.S. debt – potentially turning the “almighty dollar” into a third world currency – has left executives cautious about predicting sales for the remainder of the year. U.S. sales declined in June for the second straight month. Continue reading →

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Volkswagen Starts Production of the New Beetle in Mexico

Posted on 15 July 2011 by Ken Zino

The German built Beetle was particularly successful in the United States, of course. The original and updates sold almost five million units between 1949 and 1981. The New Beetle continued the success, with a total of 1.15 million units built in Puebla selling between 1997 and 2010. Continue reading →

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Passenger Car Sales Down in EU Again as Economy Struggles

Posted on 15 July 2011 by Ken Zino

However some winners are emerging. Volkswagen Group remains the powerhouse in Europe with 23% share year-to-date of the EU and European Free Trade Areas. BMW group also posted strong double digit gains, as did Nissan, although both are on relatively small basis. The same could be said for Hyundai and Kia, which now have combines sales of more than 345,000 units year-to-date, compared to Volvo’s 138,000. Continue reading →

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Volkswagen Group Posts Record Sales for First Half of 2011

Posted on 15 July 2011 by Ken Zino

The Volkswagen Group said today that it delivered more vehicles in the first six months of 2011 than eve before. A total of 4.09 million vehicles were delivered from VW, Škoda, Seat, Audi, Bentley and Porsche to customers worldwide from January to June of this year. Continue reading →

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European Brands Gain Momentum in U.S. Consumer Interest

Posted on 14 July 2011 by Ken Zino

Overall interest for domestic brands actually decreased by 4.4% while sales increased 1.9% during the second quarter of 2011 – which the NADA analysts think may be an indication that sales for the domestic brands may see a decrease in the near future. Consumer interest in Japanese brands increased by 1.8% in Q2, while sales numbers for the brands dropped 3.5% during the second quarter. Continue reading →

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Ten Honda Plants in North America Achieve Zero Landfill Waste

Posted on 14 July 2011 by Ken Zino

While all automakers have environmental initiatives well under way, Honda and GM appear to have the most sweeping company-wide programs in place. Continue reading →

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Freight Shipments Decline in May for Second Straight Month

Posted on 13 July 2011 by Ken Zino

Worse, from an economic point of view, freight declined three out of the past four months, and reached the lowest level in since November of 2010. In May 2011 freight shipments were approximately the same as they were in October 2008 after the global markets collapsed. Continue reading →

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The Business of Plugging In Conference Returns in October

Posted on 13 July 2011 by Ken Zino

The Center for Automotive Research announced today that The Business of Plugging In, a plug-in electric vehicle conference, will take place this October 11-13 at the Hyatt Regency in Dearborn, MI. The agenda for the conference – now in its third year – includes representatives from utilities, automotive manufacturers and suppliers, investors, regulators and researchers. Continue reading →

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Toyota Europe Increases Sales. Delivery Waits Now Normal

Posted on 12 July 2011 by Ken Zino

Toyota Motor Europe (TME) reported half-year sales of 403,656, an increase of 3% compared to 2010. The results are good since the overall European market is flat year-to-date and has been declining for three years. The Toyota Auris family ( 3- and 5-door hatchbacks off the Corolla platform), including the Auris hybrid, saw sales of 55,222 vehicles, up 22% from 2010. Continue reading →

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Toyota Opens a European Proving Ground in Belgium

Posted on 8 July 2011 by Ken Zino

The new Zaventem Proving Ground will play an important role for Toyota’s European vehicle development as part of the company’s plan to become Toyota’s global development center for the small and compact vehicle segments, the Japanese company said in a release. It’s hard to believe Toyota will move those jobs out of Japan where generations of Corolla and other small models have been developed. Continue reading →

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BMW Group Sales at Record for June and Six months

Posted on 7 July 2011 by Ken Zino

The BMW Group announced this morning in Munich that it delivered more vehicles in June than ever before in any month. A total of 165.855 BMW, Mini and Rolls-Royce brand vehicles were sold, which is an increase of +15.9% compared to sales in June last year (2010 – 143,156 units). Continue reading →

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