Category Archives: transportation

Auto Thefts Rise in the Summer Months

Posted on 10 July 2013 by Ken Zino

Every 44 seconds a motor vehicle is stolen in the United States, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSA data also show that only 52% of stolen vehicles are recovered. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, insurance, news analysis, transportation | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Automaker Defense of Hands-Free Devices Hooey AAA Says

Posted on 13 June 2013 by Ken Zino

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety is taking on the oft-used automaker defense their profitable selling of hands-free electronic devices that are expanding exponentially in new cars. The latest data show that dangerous mental distractions exist even when drivers “keep their hands on the wheel and their eyes on the road.” Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, AutoInformed Editorial, distracted driving, insurance, litigation, marketing, news analysis, people, public health, safety, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Highway Trust Fund – Higher Taxes or Big Spending Cuts?

Posted on 25 April 2013 by Ken Zino

The latest report from the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office paints a grim picture of the status of the Highway Trust Fund that is supposed to keep the nation’s transportation infrastructure up to date and in good repair. Put simply, the … Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, economy, news analysis, transportation | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

FAA Approves Boeing 787 Battery System Design Changes

Posted on 19 April 2013 by Ken Zino

The Federal Aviation Administration today approved Boeing’s design changes for modifications to the 787 Dreamliner battery system. The agency claimed that this would address risks at the battery cell level, the battery level and the aircraft level. Previously the FAA had approved the current battery system design, which conspicuously failed on at least two low-time Dreamliner aircraft. Continue reading →

Posted in aviation, electric vehicles, news, safety | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Zhongding Power to Fund $200 Million EcoMotors Engine Plant

Posted on 9 April 2013 by Ken Zino

Zhongding Power and EcoMotors today announced an agreement to produce engines in Anhui Province China. The plant represents an investment by Zhongding of more than $200 million and will have a capacity of about 150,000 “Opoc” engines per year when production begins in 2014. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, transportation | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Mega Commuters in U.S. Travel 90 Minutes or More to Work

Posted on 4 April 2013 by Ken Zino

More than 8% of U.S. workers have commutes of 60 minutes or longer and almost 600,000 full-time workers are mega commuters with journeys of at least 90 minutes and 50 miles. The average one-way daily commute for workers across the U.S. is 25.5 minutes, and one in four commuters leaves their county to work. The data come from the U.S. Census Bureau’s annual American Community Survey, which provides local statistics on a variety of topics for even the smallest communities. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, economy, news, people, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

New Regulations for Safety, Emissions Hurt Micro-Cars

Posted on 21 March 2013 by Ken Zino

While there is a clear emerging global trend of rising demand for small and inexpensive cars, regulations are increasing their costs. Since 2010, supply by automakers has been growing as they offer products in the range of €10,000 (~$13,000). Some vehicles in this price range are micro-cars, such as the Piaggio, NT3, Renault Twizy ZE, Tata Nano, and Opel Rak-e, all unheard of in the United States. However, there are two A-segment vehicles playing in this space, the Skoda Citigo and Daimler Smart ForTwo, which is on sale in the U.S. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, fuel economy or emissions, motorcycles, new vehicle | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

GM Debuts New Business Elite Program for Fleet Customers

Posted on 1 March 2013 by Ken Zino

Chevrolet and GMC are today introducing a new commercial dealer program called Business Elite at 469 dealerships. The Elite program, targeted at business customers who own one to 100 vehicles, is designed to provide the country’s estimated 400,000 small-to-mid-size businesses with special treatment. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, marketing, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

New Stamping Presses for GM Full Size SUVs coming to Texas

Posted on 28 February 2013 by Ken Zino

The first shipment of equipment to stamp out components for General Motors’ new full-size SUVs arrives at the Arlington Stamping Plant this week. The four gigantic presses from Korean supplier WIA, pit equipment and two press beds – weighing a total of 5 million pounds – are making their way 550 miles from the Port of Houston. Continue reading →

Posted in economy, manufacturing, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ally Leads in U.S. Consumer and Dealer Auto Financing

Posted on 12 February 2013 by Ken Zino

Ally Financial leads all auto lending firms because the taxpayer owned company extended credit on 1.5 million new and used vehicles through franchised and independent dealers last year. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, economy, results, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

DOT Secretary Ray LaHood Resigns

Posted on 29 January 2013 by Ken Zino

Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood announced to the employees of the DOT that after serving for four years in President Obama’s Cabinet, he is leaving. LaHood’s successor is thus far unknown. People who have been rumored as replacements for LaHood include Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, chair of last year’s Democratic National Convention; Debbie Hersman, chair of the National Transportation Safety Board; ex congressman Jim Oberstar of Minnesota, once head of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, news, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

BMW and Toyota Sign Deal for Joint Fuel Cell and Battery Programs

Posted on 24 January 2013 by Ken Zino

BMW Group and Toyota Motor Corporation today in Japan signed a contract for the joint development of a fuel cell system, a new architecture and components for a sports vehicle, and research in lightweight technologies. Continue reading →

Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, electric vehicles, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

EPA Report Shows Air Pollution Continues to Decline in the U.S.

Posted on 18 January 2013 by Ken Zino

Toxic air pollution in the U.S. dropped 8% in 2011 from a year earlier because of decreases in hazardous air pollutant emissions, according to the Environmental Protection Agency,. However EPA said that total releases of toxic chemicals increased for the second year in a row. The Agency, which is under constant attacks from Republican party members some of whom want to abolish it, publishes an annual Toxics Release Inventory or TRI report. Continue reading →

Posted in environment, news, results, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

FAA Finally Grounds Boeing 787. Reluctant Regulator Acts after Two Fires. De Havilland Comet like Tragedy Avoided – for the Moment

Posted on 17 January 2013 by Ken Zino

The FAA has finally grounded the Boeing 787 Dreamliner after yet another life threatening incident, the apparent failure and fire of a lithium ion battery-pack during the flight of a Nippon Air 787. The reluctant safety regulator finally acted only days after the DOT head, Republican Ray La Hood, claimed that the so called Dreamliner was safe to fly in the face of a growing number of troubling incidents that included the fire on the ground of a 787 at Logan Airport in Boston. Continue reading →

Posted in aviation, news, safety | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

FAA to Review Boeing 787 Design and Production

Posted on 11 January 2013 by Ken Zino

A series of mishaps on the Boeing 787 including, engine oil leaks, cracked windshields and a fire has prompted the FAA to promise a comprehensive review of the design, manufacture and assembly of the so-called Dreamliner. The 787 designation was the date of an elaborate unveiling during July of 2007, with the first flights planned for that August. The twin-engine composite aircraft had several production delays before finally entering service years late. Continue reading →

Posted in aviation, engineering, manufacturing, news, safety | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment