Tag Archives: auto informed

New Auris, aka Corolla, in UK Production. Hybrid U.S. Bound?

What’s interesting about the Auris is its 1.8-liter hybrid powertrain; Burnaston was the first automobile factory in Europe to build a mainstream hybrid vehicle – Auris Hybrid in 2010.The 1.8-liter hybrid could easily find its way into a U.S. Continue reading

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Honda Motor Unveils Tiny EV in Tokyo – Micro Commuter

Honda Motor Company today unveiled a Micro Commuter Prototype, a tiny limited distance electric vehicle. Honda said the EV was developed in response for micro-sized mobility products that are currently being discussed under a government initiative from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism in Japan. The EV also could comply with regulations for the L7 category in Europe, which is actually a motorcycle category for vehicles that weigh 400 kg or less, excluding the weight of the battery and have an electric motor output of 15 kW or less. Continue reading

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54.5 in 2025 Subject of Critical CAR CAFE Seminar

The Center for Automotive Research will examine the implications for product development of the 54.5 mpg CAFE fuel mandate that is now a federal regulation. Currently, estimates for the cost of compliance range from zero to $10,000 per vehicle for what is a difficult engineering task that has become – once again and as always – an ideological battleground, with posturing from automakers, regulators and pressure groups. The ability of product development engineers and their auto companies to meet the new standards and/or garner credits to offset some vehicle shortfalls will determine the type of vehicle you can buy, and how much you will pay for it. With safety regulations already on the books potentially adding thousands to the cost of a new vehicle, the social implications for automobility are serious; Moreover, if the implementation of CAFE regulations goes badly it could damage one of the U.S.’s best wealth and job creating industries at a time when growth is desperately needed. Continue reading

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Mazda to Make a Tiny Toyota in Mexico for Sale in North America

Mazda Motor Corporation today announced that a plant in Mexico, currently under construction, would produce a Toyota-brand vehicle for sale in North America. The sub-compact will be based on the new Mazda2, and will enter production during the summer of 2015. Toyota Motor Corporation is requesting 50,000 units per year for a Yaris-sized car that will be sold through Toyota dealerships. Continue reading

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Green Talk from EV Makers Ignores Key Buyer Concern – Cost

While existing buyers of electric vehicles are true EV believers, the vast majority of car shoppers are not. In a new study, nearly half of current EV buyers claim the best benefit of their ac/dc wheels is lower emissions when compared with emissions from gasoline- or diesel-powered vehicles, and it’s not clear if they know how their electricity is generated. However, when you get past this “puddle” of EV buyers – they don’t even form a “pool” since they comprise only about 2.5 % of the U.S. new vehicle market of 14 million – and that’s if you include hybrids as EVs; pure EVs have less than a 1% share – other people need to be brought into the clan. This assumes auto manufacturers are interested in recouping the billions invested so far in electric modes of transportation, prompted almost entirely by government regulations. Continue reading

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Qorus, New Chinese Brand Coming to China, Europe, Mid-East

China-based Qoros Auto Company will debut a new compact or C-class sedan at next year’s Geneva Motor Show as part of what it claims will be a series of vehicles aimed at buyers in China, Europe and the Middle East. This business plan, of course is easily done by press release. However, the design, development, manufacturing and wholesaling of actual cars and light trucks sometimes is more difficult, occasionally thwarting even the best of established automakers. Continue reading

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Offshore Brands Hold Share in U.S. Auto Sales During Stormy October

If there is any weakness in the Detroit Three, it remains passenger cars. Not one Chrysler, Ford or GM car occupied a spot on the Top Ten Selling list. This, once again, shows how entrenched Japanese automakers are in the small- and mid-size car segments, which now comprise 73% of the car market, good for total sales of more than 402,000 cars in October of 2012. Continue reading

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GM Ups its Revolving Credit Agreements to $11 Billion

General Motors Company has doubled it revolving credit agreements to $11 billion, up from an existing deal that provided $5 billion dollars, which was negotiated post bankruptcy in October of 2010. The new credit pact contains a $5.5 billion three-year line and a $5.5 billion five-year line that the U.S.’s largest automaker can draw from.

U.S. taxpayers still hold 32% of GM and its common stock pays no dividend, but the agreement helps strengthen the balance sheet ultimately leading the way for a stock sale. Continue reading

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BMW 7-Series Doors Flying Open – NHTSA forced Recall Underway

After queries from safety agencies in Japan and the U.S., BMW is recalling 2005-2007 model 7-Series sedans because the doors can fly open without warning. A software programming error on the so-called Comfort Access and Soft Close Automatic options does not properly latch the doors. A bump in the road or movement of a passenger can pop the door open. Continue reading

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GM Sells More Than 250,000 Vehicles in China – an October Record

General Motors and its communist government required joint ventures sold 251,812 vehicles in China, a record for the month of October. Sales were up 14% on an annual basis, as GM’s major brands in China reached new highs for the month in the world’s largest auto market. GM is the largest automaker in the Chinese market. Continue reading

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Hyundai Cancels Media Event in Wake of EPA MPG Fraud

Hyundai has just canceled a media event in Michigan after the revelation last Friday that 600,000 of its 2010-2012 models had fraudulent EPA stickers that overstated mileage ratings by as much as 3 mpg. Continue reading

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American Suzuki Bankrupt. North American Sales to Cease

American Suzuki Motor Corporation is seeking Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for its U.S. auto business with the intention of ceasing the sale of vehicles in the U.S. In October of 2012, Suzuki sold just 2,039 of small cars and light trucks or 0.018 % of the U.S. retail auto market. Continue reading

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Ford, University of Michigan Hunt Smelly Microbes in Auto Interiors

Ford Motor Company and University of Michigan Researchers are studying microbes in automobiles that spread over interior surfaces causing discoloration and odors. Ford wants to know where microorganisms grow to develop antimicrobial additives for its coatings on interior surfaces. Continue reading

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Toyota Makes $3.2 Billion Because of Sales Increases, Cost Cutting

Toyota Motor Corporation in Japan this morning reported Q2 Japanese fiscal year revenues of ¥5.4 trillion ($68.4 billion *), up 18.2% and operating income of ¥340 billion ($4.3 billion) vs. ¥75.4 million last year. Net income was up 220% to ¥257.9 billion yen ($3.2 billion). As a result, Toyota increased the dividend on its stock to ¥30 per share, Continue reading

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1940 Ford Coupe Steel Bodies on Sale Again. Hot Rodders Rejoice!

This sure beats cutting out rust, filling by welding and smoothing with Bondo: Ford Motor has licensed reproduction steel bodies of one of the all time favorite street and strip machines – the 1940 Ford Coupe. A nascent restoration or what could become a flame-painted hot rod is available now with prices starting at $11,900, plus shipping, from Dennis Carpenter Ford Restoration Parts. Continue reading

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