Category Archives: transportation

Toyota to Resume Vehicle Production at All Japan Plants

However, production volume is planned to be approximately 50% percent of normal. After April 27, all production facilities will enter an annual spring holiday through May 9. A decision on post-holiday production will be made after assessing the parts supply situation. Continue reading

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Honda Resumes Auto and Motorcycle Production in Japan at 50% Capacity, More Earthquake Caused Interruptions Coming

Honda Fit, Insight, CR-Z, Civic Hybrid, Acura TSX and Acura RL are produced in Japan for the North American market. Honda produces a small percentage of CR-Vs in Japan for the U.S. as well. Continue reading

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House Passes GOP Attack on EPA Regulation of Greenhouse Gases after Senate Blocks it

The House vote was symbolic because the Senate has killed the matter – and in the views of critics a complete waste of taxpayer’s money. Thus a contentious attack on the Clean Air Act will end for the moment, but only for a moment. Continue reading

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Reducing Oil Imports – Assumptions in New Independence Plan

In 2008, America imported 11 million barrels of oil a day. By 2025 the U.S. will have cut that by one-third – about where we were in 1975, according to an energy independence plan outlined by President Obama yesterday. Continue reading

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President Obama outlines Energy Independence Plan, Touting Alternative Fuels, “Safe” Nuclear Power, 33% cut in Oil Imports

The President ordered that 100% of federal fleet purchases by 2015 will be alternative fuel, hybrid or electric vehicles – in a taxpayer-fueled bonanza for some automakers. Continue reading

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New U.S. Segment – Compressed Natural Gas Taxis?

Taxis running on compressed natural gas have been in use for decades in Japan’s cities. They are clean, quiet and to the surprise of visiting New Yorkers – meticulously maintained. Now there is a mini-movement of sorts underway in the U.S. as taxpayer subsidies and rising gasoline prices are increasing the demand for conversions of conventional gasoline engines to run on compressed natural gas. CNG is a fuel that has been in use in the U.S. for decades as well, but mostly in industrial applications. Continue reading

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EU Proposes Banning Cars from Cities. Automakers Protest

The European Commission today adopted 40 initiatives that it claims will increase mobility, dramatically reduce Europe’s dependence on imported oil and cut carbon emissions from transportation by 60% by 2050. It also requires the investment of €1.5 trillion or $2.1 trillion across the EU. Continue reading

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Mazda Stops U.S. Dealer Orders for Japanese made Vehicles

Mazda Motor has temporary stopped orders for Japan-built vehicles from its dealers in the U.S. as a result on ongoing production interruption caused by the Japan earthquake on March 11. Mazda temporarily resumed partial production at its Hiroshima and Hofu plants on March 22, producing replacement parts and parts for overseas production and vehicles utilizing “in-process” inventories. Mazda indefinitely suspended the production of vehicles utilizing “in-process” inventory at its Hofu plant today. Continue reading

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Free AAA App lets Motorists Compare Gasoline Prices

AAA has a new Apple iPhone app that it says can save time comparing gasoline prices. The so called AAA TripTik Mobile feature is said to be the first app to offer access to frequently updated gasoline prices. Continue reading

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Japan Earthquake Causes Loss of 320,000 Vehicles. More Plant Shutdowns on Way and the Worst is yet to Come

“The Japan disaster has had a profound effect on the automotive industry,” said IHS Automotive Director Michael Robinet, noting that 13% of the global automotive industry is shut down and companies have lost 320,000 units of production since the earthquake, tsunami and power disruptions. Continue reading

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Former Ford Plant in Norfolk Virginia Sold to Belgium Firm

Ford Motor Company today announced the sale of its Norfolk Assembly Plant in Virginia to Atlanta-based Jacoby Development. As part of the transaction, Jacoby, in turn, sold a portion of the 100-acre former Ford Plant to Belgium-based Katoen Natie (KTN), a global logistics provider. Terms of the sale were not disclosed. Continue reading

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Is Coca-Cola Part of Japan’s Nuclear Power Problem?

The Coca-Cola statement on the Japanese triple crisis of earthquake, tsunami and nuclear power disaster is straightforward. Coca-Cola sends condolences, pledges $7.3 million in cash and products, and is running TV and radio ads to encourage energy conservation. What’s missing … Continue reading

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Sales of Fuel Efficient 4-Cylinder Engines Double at Chevrolet

There’s no better example of how rising fuel prices have changed the auto industry than the ongoing shift in demand for more efficient engines. The trend led by customer demand is also reinforced strongly by the first government increase in Corporate Average Fuel Economy in decades, which finally prompted reluctant auto executives to invest in technologies that produce significant decreases in the amount of fuel needed per mile traveled. Continue reading

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Toyota Extends Production Shut Down at all Japanese Plants

Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) has decided to continue the vehicle-production halt started on March 14 at all plants in Japan, including subsidiary vehicle manufacturers, through March 22. Originally Toyota and other major Japanese automakers had said some shut downs would be for a couple of days. Continue reading

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How Long Will U.S. Japanese Buyers Wait for Earthquake Delayed Vehicles and Where Will They Go if They Defect?

While U.S. sales executives at Japanese companies are taking an optimistic “wait and see” attitude about the effects on sales of Japanese brands of Japan’s triple tragedies – earthquakes, tsunamis, nuclear meltdowns – they also acknowledge that since Japanese imports … Continue reading

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