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Tag Archives: auto informed
Toyota Prius Plug-In Gets California and Federal Subsidies
Prius Plug-in is Toyota’s first application using a lithium-ion battery pack, which it claims increases its overall fuel economy and has charging times of only 2.5 to 3 hours using a standard 120-volt outlet or 1.5 hours using 240v, which would cost at least $1,000 for a home installation.
The largest Japanese automaker, and hybrid technology leader, resisted using lithium ion batteries for years. However, political and marketing pressure, as well as government regulations favoring the controversial technology, has forced Toyota to embrace the plug-in concept, which is years or more from practical use unless you use the new “green math” to justify its steep price. Continue reading
Ex HP Exec to Head GM’s Global Information Technology
The latest senior executive change follows the appointment last week of insider Jon Lauckner, 54, as vice president and chief technology officer. Both appointments are crucial to GM’s ongoing recovery. Less obvious to automotive media, though, is the importance of IT in a global corporation of GM’s size and complexity. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, news analysis, people
Tagged auto informed, autoinformed.com, automotive news, cio, cto, general motors, Jon Lauckner, Ken Zino, Randy Mott
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Chairman of Taiwan Auto Light Maker Guilty of Price Fixing
Five individuals and four corporations have been charged by the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice. Continue reading
Posted in aftermarket, auto news, litigation
Tagged aftermarket, antitrust, auto informed, autoinformed.com, automotive news, depo auto parts, doj, Ken Zino, price fixing
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Volkswagen Group Posts Record Profit of €11.3 Billion
Volkswagen Group is now the second largest vehicle maker in the world behind General Motors Company and just ahead of Toyota Motor Corporation, which struggled to maintain production because of natural disasters last year. GM earned a record € 6.78 billion ($9.1 b) in 2011; Toyota – on the Japanese fiscal year that ends in March of 2012 had profits of €1.50 billion (¥162.5) during first 9 months. Continue reading
Nissan Recalls Juke, Infiniti QX, M Models for Gasoline Leaks
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration filing just posted inexplicably lists the recall under “diesel storage tank assembly.” Like diesels the Nissan models involved use a high pressure, direct injection fuel system. Unlike diesels, gasoline is the fuel used in the advanced technology engines. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, manufacturing, recalls, safety
Tagged auto informed, autoinformed.com, automotive news, infiniti recall, Ken Zino, nhtsa, nissan recall, recalls
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Goodyear Recalls Light Truck Tires for Tread Separation
The recall results from the so-called early warning system that was put in place after the Ford Firestone tread separation fiasco of a more than a decade ago. Goodyear said there was an elevated level of returns and property damage claims for the tires, including stone drilling and other external damage to the tires. Continue reading
Chevrolet Volt EVs on Way to California. Volts now Qualify For HOV Lanes and a $1,500 State Taxpayer Subsidy
Chevrolet Volts with a ‘Low Emissions Package,’ which is standard for California Volts, began shipping from the General Motors Detroit-Hamtramck plant this week and will begin arriving at the more than 140 Chevrolet dealerships in California before the end of … Continue reading
Web Wacko of the Month – Quicksilver Magazine on IIHS
A reader sent me a copy of Quicksilver, the magazine of the International Mercury Owners Assn., whose winter 2012 issue contains a piece by John Harvey claiming that the well publicized offset crash test between a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu and a 1959 Bel Air was rigged. It is Harvey’s contention that the Bel Air did not have an engine in it when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety crashed the disparate Chevys in a spectacular 40 mph impact. This is pure, unadulterated hooey. The Bel Air was in running condition, and the offset crash test was conducted in the presence of the news media. The Bel Air – its engine forced rearward into the occupant compartment, has been on display ever since at the IIHS Vehicle Research Center. Continue reading
Honda Sets January North America, U.S. Production Records
Honda Motor Company said today that it produced almost 317,000 vehicles in January 2012, with North America and the U.S. posting all-time monthly records of 150,000 and 108,000 respectively. However, production in regions outside of Japan experienced a year-on-year decrease … Continue reading
Posted in auto news, manufacturing, results
Tagged asia, auto informed, autoinformed.com, automotive news, china, honda, honda production, Ken Zino, results
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Porsche Recalls Cayenne SUVs for Headlights Falling Out
Porsche is recalling more than 20,000 four-door Cayenne SUV models in the U.S. because the headlights can become loose and possibly fall out. Globally 100,000 Cayenne SUVs are affected. Letters are now being sent to owners of the affected vehicles, Porsche said in a required filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The repair takes approximately 45 minutes. Continue reading
Another Two Honda Recalls for Fires and Tailgate Struts
Honda is experiencing something similar to Toyota’s well publicized quality meltdown. During the past year or so, Honda has issued more than 26 public statements about various safety defects and recalls in the U.S. The question remains will NHTSA fine Honda, absent the high profile, highly critical Congressional hearings that Toyota and NHTSA endured, or the egregious behavior of BMW that NHTSA just called out? Last week NHTSA fined BMW of North America and its German parent company $3 million for not reporting safety defects promptly. It was the second highest fine in history after Toyota paid almost $50 million in 2010 for not disclosing safety defects promptly. Continue reading
U.S. Light Vehicle Sales in February Trending Up 5%
Total light-vehicle sales in February are projected at 1,064,700 units, only a 3% increase from February 2011. After a fleet mix of 25% in January 2012, levels are expected to be in the 19% range in February, slightly below levels one year ago, according to J.D. Power and Associates. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, marketing, results, sales
Tagged auto informed, autoinformed.com, automotive news, february sales, j.d power, Ken Zino, results, u.s. light vehicle sales, u.s. sales
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PSA Peugeot Citroën in Alliance Talks with GM
Neither General Motors nor PSA have officially confirmed the talks, other than to say that discussions with other automakers routinely occur. Last week Peugeot posted weak results as Group operating income declined to €1,315 million from €1,796 million in 2010. GM has been losing money at Opel for more than a decade – $700 million in 2011 alone. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, economy, financial results, news analysis, results
Tagged auto informed, autoinformed.com, automotive news, citroën, gm europe, gm psa, Ken Zino, opel, pas group, psa gm, psa peugeot citroen, psa results
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GM CEO Akerson Donates $1 Million to Habitat for Humanity
The donation comes as Republican presidential hopefuls are criss-crossing Michigan, blanketing voters with claims that they can restore the economy even though they were and are opposed to the auto bailout supported by President Bush and successfully pulled off by President Obama. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, news, people
Tagged auto bailout, auto informed, autoinformed.com, automotive news, dan ackerson, habitat for humanity, Karin Ackerson, Ken Zino
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UAW to Demonstrate During Romney Speech at Ford Field
GM’s latest financial results added fuel to a raging fire as the elite political ruling class continues a contentious debate about the proper roll of government in the flagging U.S. economy in general, with the $80 billion auto bailout one of the focal points. One wag suggested that Democrats should run on “Bin Laden is Dead, GM is Alive,” a tough argument for Republicans and their ‘do nothing’ Congress to refute in the view of critics and what appear to be many pragmatic voters. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, economy, fools 'n frauds, news, news analysis, people
Tagged 2012 election, auto bailout, auto informed, autoinformed.com, automotive news, Ken Zino, mitt romney, uaw, us unemployment
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