Tag Archives: auto informed

Earth Day Milestones – History of Auto Air Pollution Regs

Posted on 22 April 2012 by Ken Zino

As we celebrate Earth Day here’s a list of important dates in the fight against automotive or so-called mobile source air pollution. In 1970, Congress passes the first major Clean Air Act, requiring a 90% reduction in emissions from new automobiles by 1975. Congress also establishes the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), giving it broad responsibility for regulating motor vehicle pollution. Continue reading →

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Auto Dealer Profits Dropping in China

Posted on 22 April 2012 by Ken Zino

The Chinese auto market only grew by 5% during 2011, by far the lowest growth rate of the 21st century, as the communist central government deliberately slowed the economy in an attempt to fight inflation. Still, 2012 is forecast to result in sales approaching 20 million vehicles – 6 or 7 million more than the projected United States light vehicle market. Continue reading →

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VW E-Bugster Makes Asian Debut in Beijing at Auto China

Posted on 21 April 2012 by Ken Zino

The energy for powering the electric motor is stored in a lithium-ion battery pack whose modules are housed behind the front seats of E-Bugster. The battery’s energy capacity of 28.3 kWh in theory under ideal conditions provides a range of at least 110 miles (180 km) in the urban world, VW claims. At current prices of $800-$1,000 per kWh, the battery pack alone costs the price of a new Beetle. Continue reading →

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Bentley Mulsanne Diamond Jubilee Debuts in Beijing

Posted on 21 April 2012 by Ken Zino

Bentley unveiled the first example of its new Mulsanne Diamond Jubilee Edition, which will be limited to 60 cars – one per year of the Queen’s reign. The car for one-per centers – or even 0.01-percenters – is expected to sell for more than $960,000. Continue reading →

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Michelin Recalls Bus Tires Because Retreads Can Blow Out

Posted on 21 April 2012 by Ken Zino

Both original equipment and aftermarket bus tires – either new or retreaded – are affected. These tires have a casing that may experience a loss of integrity and, in some cases, have “rapid air loss.” Continue reading →

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Acura 2013 ILX Compact Starts at $26,795 this May

Posted on 20 April 2012 by Ken Zino

The hot selling Civic costs several thousand dollars less, but if you think this car is cool then you will fork over the extra money for what Acura hopes will be perceived as “smart luxury.” Continue reading →

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Volkswagen Shareholders Approve Dividend Increase

Posted on 20 April 2012 by Ken Zino

The shareholders at the 52nd Annual General Meeting of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft voted by a majority of 99.96% to pay a dividend of €3.00 (previous year: €2.20) per ordinary share and €3.06 (€2.26) per preferred share as recommended by the Board … Continue reading →

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Spring Auto Selling Season Sags as April Sales Rate Slows

Posted on 19 April 2012 by Ken Zino

Even rich people are apparently now concerned about the large depreciation rates of their luxury vehicles, which drives up the cost of ownership as trade-in values or lease residuals droop. The improved content and features in recent non-luxury vehicles offer a better value for consumers returning to the marketplace, especially if their needs are not ego driven. The problem for automakers is compounded by market forces, which are prompting free maintenance on non-luxury cars, once the sole province of expensive vehicles. Continue reading →

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Changan Ford Mazda to Build a New Plant in Hangzhou China

Posted on 19 April 2012 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company today announced it would build a new assembly plant in Hangzhou, China, adding 250,000 units of capacity. This latest $760 million investment by Ford and its communist-government required joint venture – Changan Ford Mazda Automobile – will … Continue reading →

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EPA Issues Tougher Rules for Oil and Natural Gas Production

Posted on 18 April 2012 by Ken Zino

EPA – sensitive, if not given over to election year politics and high energy prices – also said the standards would enable companies to collect additional natural gas that can be sold. The updated EPA standards include the first federal clean air rules for natural gas wells that are hydraulically fractured, specifically requiring operators of new fractured natural gas wells to use what it says are cost-effective technologies and practices to capture natural gas that might otherwise escape the well. Continue reading →

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Audi Buys Italian Motorcycle Maker Ducati

Posted on 18 April 2012 by Ken Zino

Ducati has manufacturing operations at its headquarters in Bologna and in Thailand. It maintains a series of importer companies in strategic markets. Audi said that the motorcycle market will “enjoy strong growth over the next few years,” especially in Asia where Honda dominates. Continue reading →

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DOE Gives EV Supplier UQM More Time on ARRAS Grant

Posted on 18 April 2012 by Ken Zino

The politically contentious American Recovery and Reinvestment Act contained billions upon billions in taxpayer funding to businesses though a number of Recovery Act and related programs, including loans, loan guarantees, grants, contracts and tax incentives, in partnership with the Department of Treasury. In total, CBO estimates that the legislation will increase budget deficits by about $831 billion over the 2009–2019 period. Continue reading →

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NHTSA Upgrades BMW 7 Series Rollaway Investigation to Engineering Analysis. Recall Likely Next for Electronic Shifter

Posted on 17 April 2012 by Ken Zino

This alleged safety defect could result in the recall of more than 121,000 BMW 7-series cars. At least 14 accidents and five injuries have been reported over the operation of the push button start/stop “shift by wire” electronic system in BMWs. Continue reading →

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Ford China Sales Drop Again in Q1 as March Continues Slump

Posted on 17 April 2012 by Ken Zino

This is the third straight monthly decline for Ford in China, and it comes at a time when Ford is aggressively expanding its capacity there, an unfortunate development for shareholders and the Ford balance sheet, which needs the cash flow from increasing sales to build new plants. All major automakers have announced ambitious expansion plans in China, the world’s largest auto market. However, in 2011 the Chinese auto market only grew by 5%, by far the lowest growth rate of the 21st century, as the communist central government deliberately slowed the economy in an attempt to fight inflation. Continue reading →

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Honda to Recycle Rare Earth Metals from Nickel-Metal Hydride Batteries in World’s First Mass Production Process

Posted on 17 April 2012 by Ken Zino

Honda previously had been applying a heat treatment to used nickel-metal hydride batteries and then recycling nickel-containing scrap as a raw material for stainless steel. Now, the successful stabilization of the extraction process at a Japan Metals plant makes possible the extraction of rare earth metals with what’s said to be purity as high as that of newly mined and refined metals. Rare earth metals are in high demand and short supply. Since they are critical for the production of electric motors, demand will grow as the production of hybrids and EVs increase at automakers. Right now China controls 90% of the world’s supply of rare earth metals, and exports are tightly regulated. Continue reading →

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