Tag Archives: auto informed

More U.S. Companies Working on Sustainability and CO2 Reduction

The Carbon Disclosure Project released today an analysis showing that S&P 500 companies are making progress towards reducing carbon emission when compared to the so-called Global 500. CDP claims its results show a “tipping point” has now been reached in American C-suites and boardrooms to integrate a sustainability agenda into overall business strategy. This apparent acknowledgement of the growing spending and voting power of the green movement is occurring without comprehensive regulatory requirements in the U.S. to reduce CO2, and despite the goal – sometimes actually stated this election season – of Republican party candidates to abolish the Environmental Protection Agency and ignore climate change and possible remedial actions. Continue reading

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LeMay Car Museum to Stay Open on Weekends

LeMay or America’s Car Museum said today that it will continue to open seven days a week year-round. The Tacoma museum’s original plan when it opened this June was for five days a week during the fall and winter months. LeMay’s collection, estimated by the Guinness Book in the mid ‘90s to include a 3,000-plus cars, trucks and motorcycles, highlights cars ranging from a 1916 Pierce Arrow to a 1956 Chevy two-door hardtop. Continue reading

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First Drive: Honda’s 2013 Accord – a Comeback Car?

It looks good. It feels good. It sounds good. A day of test-driving the all-new Honda Accord shows that for the 2013 model year, Toyota Camry will once again face strong competition from one of the best selling family sedans in the U.S. So strong is the Accord brand that the outdated outgoing model is still the second best seller in the family car segment, behind Camry even with Accord’s 5-speed automatic transmission that was badly lagging in the fuel economy rating wars. Continue reading

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AIG Bailout of $182 Billion Paid Back. Taxpayers make at least $12B

The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced it is selling 553,846,153 shares of its American International Group (AIG) common stock at $32.50 per in a public offering. The proceeds to Treasury from the common stock sales are expected to be ~$18.0 billion. This means that the transaction locks in at least a $12.4 billion positive return on the $182 billion in Treasury and Federal Reserve loans and commitments to AIG. The bailout loan will be fully paid off in what remains an unpopular (but extremely effective) example of government intervention in a failed marketplace. Ideologues still refuse to admit that the TARP and associated government actions saved the U.S. and perhaps the global economy. It certainly – without question – saved the U.S. auto industry and this includes companies that received no loans. Continue reading

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First Look – McLaren Spyder Carbon Fiber Super Car

During a road tour visiting its eight North American dealers and offer private showings to their affluent customers, McLaren stopped off in Detroit to show media its new 12C spider that debuted at Pebble Beach in August. No surprise that it’s a sleek, well finished sports car, with good outward visibility and reasonably room inside for this type of conveyance. At $265,750 plus $2,500 delivery (plus any customization), it will also be as rare as an honest politician when deliveries start early next year. Continue reading

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Ford outlines its latest European Turnaround Plan to Dealers, Workers

At a meeting with 2,500 dealers and employees in Amsterdam last night, senior Ford Motor executives outlined the latest European turnaround plan for its loss-making Western European operations. Continue reading

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Toyota Says 2013 Avalon Lightest in Class. But Where’s the MPGs?

Toyota claims its new 2013 Avalon is 110 lbs. lighter than the 2012 model, at 3,461 lbs. compared to 3,571 for the 2012 model. When Avalon arrives at dealerships later this fall, it will be the lightest-weight vehicle in the premium mid-size segment, according to the world’s largest automaker.

This is a claim without a real distinction, though. The V6 powered Avalon is EPA-rated at 25 mpg combined and 21 city, 31 highway – not exactly world beating. For comparison consider the Buick La Crosse, which comes standard with a mild hybrid or so-called e-assist system, is rated at 29 combined, 25 city and 36 highway. Continue reading

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Honda Now Leasing Fit EV in Japan – Best Efficiency Claimed

Honda Motor Company is now leasing its Fit EV to local governments and businesses in Japan. The Number Three Japanese automaker, in a head on assault against Number Two Nissan, is claiming that the Fit EV has the world’s best AC energy consumption rate of 106 Wh/km and a charge mileage of 225 km – ~140 miles – according to a standardized Japanese test during the so-called JC08 mode. Your mileage may vary. Continue reading

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Ford Recalls 2013 Escape for Engine Fires, the Third Recall So Far

This is the third major recall on the best-selling Ford crossover SUV, which received a redesign for the 2013 model year, its first major revision since its 2001 model year debut. Ford did not publicize the recall, which became public because of a required legal filing with the Department of Transportation. Continue reading

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More than 75,000 Electric Buses Will Be on Roads by 2018

While the slow sales of electric cars are in the headlines, there is one segment of vehicles – e-buses – that are adopting electric drivetrains at a rate that makes for a healthy business. In North America, hybrid models have captured 40% of new transit bus purchases in recent years. Continue reading

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Record Sales for Ford China in August at 48,631

Ford China posted its highest ever August sales, with 48,631 units sold, up 39% from last year. Year to date, Ford China has sold 368,513 vehicles, up 8% from January – August 2011. Market leader General Motors sold in 220,996 units in August and 1,837,546 year-to-date. Number Two Volkswagen Group has yet to report its August China sales. Continue reading

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GM Posts August Sales Record in China as Its Biggest Maker

General Motors and its government-mandated joint ventures set a new August sales record in China as sales increased rose 7% from the previous August and 11% from July to 220,996 units. All three of GM’s large manufacturing joint ventures set sales records for the month. Shanghai GM’s domestic sales were up 12% on an annual basis to 110,209 units. SAIC-GM-Wuling’s sales in China rose 3% to 106,500 units. FAW-GM’s domestic sales increased 17% to 4,117 units. Continue reading

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MI Supreme Court Allows Collective Bargaining Vote in November

The Michigan Supreme Court unanimously rejected a challenge today to block a vote on a proposal that ensures the right of collective bargaining in one of the key presidential election states. The Court of Appeals ordered the Board of State Canvassers to put the proposal on the ballot this November 6th after the board deadlocked on the action. Continue reading

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First Look – 2014 Honda Accord Plug-In Hybrid Sedan

Since electric driving depends on a tiny 6.7 kilowatt-hour (kWh) lithium-ion battery, this means the Accord plug-in will be hard pressed to stay on electricity for more than 10 or 15 miles, although it will look good on the window sticker with a projected EPA rating of greater than 100 MPG-e. The electric motors are rated at 124-kilowatt (kW). Thank goodness there is also power dense gasoline on board, so the projected range of the plug-in is almost 500 miles. Continue reading

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EPA Approves Fuel Waiver for States Hit by Hurricane Isaac

EPA has temporarily waived some clean gasoline requirements for fuel distributed in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, South Carolina and North Carolina. The request for federal help come from the governors of the states most affected by delays in production and delivery of Gulf coast refineries. Continue reading

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