Tag Archives: auto informed

California Drivers Cut Gasoline Use. Tax Revenues Hurt

Posted on 30 March 2012 by Ken Zino

Because of the recession, increases in California’s sales taxes and more fuel efficient vehicles, among other variables, taxable gallons of gasoline used in California – at 14.7 billion gallons in 2011 – was at the lowest level in more than a decade, a declining trend that has been going on since 2005. Politicians with their insatiable need for more taxes are concerned, which means hang on to your wallet as they figure out how to make you pay more for using less gasoline. Continue reading →

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Ford Motor Pays CEO Mulally More than $29 Million in 2011

Posted on 30 March 2012 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company paid Alan Mulally, president and CEO, $2,000,000 in salary and $5,460,000 in cash bonus in 2011. Mulally’s total compensation, including the value of long-term stock options, was $29,497,572. Continue reading →

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Honda Recalls 554,000 CR-V and Pilot SUVs for Bad Headlights

Posted on 30 March 2012 by Ken Zino

This headlight recall apparently mirrors an earlier Honda headlight recall on 143,083 model year 2007 and 2008 Fit vehicles because of a bad headlight switch, which caused the low-beams to fail and possibly start a fire. Continue reading →

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Distracted Driving – Chapel Hill Bans All Cell Phones

Posted on 29 March 2012 by Ken Zino

This makes Chapel Hill the first town in the United States to ban hands-free use of cell phones. Motorists also will be banned from using on-board wireless systems in vehicles – another first-of-its-kind law. Continue reading →

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Anti Nuke Weapon Org Targets Automakers Selling in Iran

Posted on 29 March 2012 by Ken Zino

In the view of some, this is a perfect example of the hypocritically bad behavior of global corporations supporting terrorism and repression abroad in the pursuit of profits against the policies of their home governments, whose democratic laws financially protect them and provide for the well being their major stockholders and executives. Continue reading →

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Shelby to Show 1,000 Horsepower Mustang in New York

Posted on 29 March 2012 by Ken Zino

Both of these blatantly irresponsible or politically incorrect pony cars – your choice – are derived from the 2012 Ford Shelby GT500. Shelby American uses Ford Motor Company’s 5.4 liter V8 block, but adds new rods, crank and pistons. The stock Ford supercharger is also replaced, and the cooling and exhaust systems modified to handle the additional demands. Continue reading →

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Chevy Gogo Link Transfers Smart Phone Apps to Dumb Radio

Posted on 29 March 2012 by Ken Zino

This latest foray into automotive electronics raises not only distracted driving issues but marketing ones as well since GogoLink competes with GM’s OnStar. Continue reading →

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TBC Begins Tender Offer for Shares of Midas at $11.50

Posted on 29 March 2012 by Ken Zino

The offer appears positive for Midas shareholders since share prices have ranged from a recent 52-week high of, well, $11.50 – raising the distinct possibility of insider trading – to a 52-week low of $5.08. Currently Midas is trading at $11.47. Midas made $0.28 per share during 2011 or $4 million on revenue of $184 million. For this dismal performance, its top executives were compensated $1.7 million, which left no money to pay a dividend to shareholders. Directors and officers of Midas own more than 10% of the stock, which could result in a challenge to the takeover. Continue reading →

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Toyota to Increase RAV4 Volume in North America

Posted on 28 March 2012 by Ken Zino

The C$80 million investment will result in about 400 new jobs between now and implementation in early 2013. A revised RAV4 is due then. Continue reading →

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EPA Announces Carbon Pollution Limits for New Power Plants

Posted on 27 March 2012 by Ken Zino

EPA in 2009 determined that “greenhouse gas pollution threatens Americans’ health and welfare by leading to long lasting changes in our climate that can have a range of negative effects on human health and the environment.” Tougher national fuel economy standards ensued. Now it’s the power industry’s turn. Currently, there is no uniform national limit on the amount of carbon pollution new power plants can emit, which comes from burning fossil fuels. Continue reading →

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Chevrolet Picks new JV for Global Advertising Agency

Posted on 27 March 2012 by Ken Zino

Chevrolet has selected Commonwealth as its new global advertising agency responsible for the development of creative campaigns for all types of Chevrolet ads. The latest marketing move at GM follows the announcement in January that the world’s largest automaker is consolidating all of its media buying under Carat, formerly its European agency of record in what was said to be a highly contested review of the $3 billion General Motors media account. Continue reading →

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BMW and Toyota Sign Lithium Ion Battery Research Deal

Posted on 27 March 2012 by Ken Zino

Current production Toyota hybrids use nickel metal hydride batteries, an older but thoroughly proven technology. Toyota has been reluctant to use the newer, more expensive lithium ion technology, much loved by environmentalist, but shunned thus far by mainstream car buyers. Nevertheless, Toyota is introducing its first generation of lithium ion batteries in the Prius Plug-in hybrid just on sale in the U.S. Continue reading →

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BMW Recalls all 2003 to 2010 Model 5 and 6 Series for Fires

Posted on 26 March 2012 by Ken Zino

BMW AG is recalling all BMW 5 and 6 Series models from the previous generation, built between 2003 and 2010 for possible fires. About 1.3 million vehicles worldwide are affected. Continue reading →

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Porsche Recalls New 911 for a Possible Gasoline Leak

Posted on 26 March 2012 by Ken Zino

No fires have been reported, but the first gasoline leak was reported by a customer less than a week after taking delivery of the $110,000+ sports car. Continue reading →

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DENSO Exec Pleads Guilty to Price Fixing on Auto Parts

Posted on 26 March 2012 by Ken Zino

The plea agreement, which is subject to court approval, requires Imai serve one year and one day in a U.S. prison, to pay a $20,000 criminal fine and to cooperate with the department’s ongoing investigation. Imai is charged with price fixing in violation of the Sherman Act, which normally carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $1 million or greater criminal fine for individuals. Continue reading →

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