Tag Archives: auto informed

Chevrolet Adds “Ecologic” Window Sticker – Info Overload?

Whether consumers or General Motors will derive any clear benefits from the stickers remains to be seen. The Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Transportation are also in the process of vastly expanded the amount and type of information on legally required window stickers, starting with the 2013 model year. Critics of the new stickers claim they are confusing since they contain so many different types of data. Continue reading

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U.S. Salvage Firm Links with Chinese Recycler to Export Autos

Chenlong is the first company in China to complete the installation of a shredder built specifically for the processing of scrap steel that includes automobiles coming from the United States. Continue reading

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Toyota Mississippi Begins Second Shift for Corolla

Toyota Motor Manufacturing in Mississippi today added today a second shift for production of the Corolla, currently the title holder as the world’s best-selling car in history. Continue reading

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Autoliv Airbag Inflator Causes Honda and Toyota Recalls

The problem first showed up in China at a Takata plant when the explosive propellant that inflates the airbag failed an incoming batch test. Due to the international nature of the supply chain, the safety defect also affected plants in Mexico, Canada and the U.S. Continue reading

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Chrysler Group Posts a Modest 2011 Profit of $183 Million

Chrysler Group earned a profit of $183 million for the full year 2011, up from a net loss of $652 million a year ago. The positive, if small, result came as the Italian owned company paid back a $551 million in debt to taxpayers. Chrysler’s net revenue for the year was $55.0 billion, up 31% from a year ago. Fourth quarter net revenue increased 41% to $15.1 billion, the best quarter since it emerged from a controversial taxpayer financed bankruptcy in 2009. Continue reading

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Toyota, Honda, and Nissan Post Strong January Auto Sales

Toyota was Number Three overall in U.S. sales, and a mere 12,000 vehicles behind Number Two Ford Motor. Toyota truck production in the U.S. – the last to recover from last year’s natural disasters – still has not caught up with demand. When it does – and Toyota’s pickup truck plant in Texas has been working overtime since late last year – Toyota could easily surpass Ford in U.S. sales. Toyota’s luxury division, Lexus, at 12,274 vehicles easily outsold Ford’s moribund Lincoln at 5,221 sales. Lexus production too is still recovering from the Japan earthquake so Ford is facing challenges on two fronts. Continue reading

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BLS Says U.S. Unionization Rates Unchanged in 2011

The data also show that among full-time wage and salary workers, the median weekly earnings of union members were $938, compared to $729 for nonunion workers. Continue reading

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Ford Motor U.S. Sales Increase 7% in January. Industry up 11%

The Ford F-Series, America’s top-selling vehicle for the past 30 years, posted January sales of 38,493 vehicles, representing an 8% gain amid signs that the full size pickup truck market in the U.S. is declining. Here preliminary numbers show that full size trucks now account for only 11% of the total industry. Continue reading

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GM January 2012 U.S. Sales Down 6%. Revival Stalled?

General Motors (NYSE: GM) today reported total sales of 167,962 vehicles in the United States in January, down 6% compared with January 2011. All four GM brands posted sales declines year-over-year led by Cadillac which was down 29%. Buick was off 23% and GMC declined 10%. Overall the auto industry was up 11.4% for the month, so GM is not keeping pace with the slow recovery of the auto business, a potentially worrisome development if it becomes a trend for U.S. taxpayers who still hold more than 27% of the company. Continue reading

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Chrysler Group January 2012 U.S. Sales Rise 44%

Because of its revived U.S. sales in 2011 Chrysler Group is now earning a greater return in profits at 4% of turnover when compared to owner Fiat’s return of 2.8%, which was down from 2010 given the ongoing Eurozone crisis. Continue reading

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Japanese Suppliers Yazaki, Denso Plead Guilty of Price Fixing

The two-year price fixing sentences would be the longest imprisonment imposed on a foreign national for a Sherman Act antitrust violation. The fine amounts and prison sentences are subject to court approval and the potential influence of the U.S. State Department, which based on previous actions, cares little – if at all – in my opinion about competitive aspects of the U.S. auto industry or its effects on workers and the U.S. economy. In fact it can be argued that since the end of World War Two, State has actively pursued policies that strengthen offshore competitors of U.S. firms at the expense of the U.S. middle class. Continue reading

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Mopar Debuts Third Factory Built Hot Rod off Chrysler 300

Still working its muscle car roots, the Mopar 300 has a 363 horsepower (hum the Charger was 370?) 5.7-liter Hemi V8 engine and a now dated five-speed automatic transmission. A change from a 3.06:1 to a 3.91:1 final-drive means zero-to-60 mph times in the low 5-second range, according to Chrysler, same as the Charger. Continue reading

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Mazda Tribute Recall Follows Ford Escape Defect for Fires

Mazda is recalling 2001-2002 Mazda Tribute SUVs because the master cylinder cap can leak brake fluid, corrode an underhood ABS wiring connector and possibly start a fire. The recall follows one announced by Ford two weeks ago for the same safety defect on Escape SUVs, which mechanically are the same as Mazda Tributes. Like Ford, Mazda said it will tell owners to park their vehicles outside until parts are ready. Continue reading

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Hyundai, Subaru and Lexus Lead in NADA Satisfaction Survey

The survey, conducted twice a year by the National Automobile Dealers Association, rates dealer sentiment in three areas: franchise value, automaker policy decisions that affect the dealership and the automaker’s field staff who visit dealerships. Continue reading

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BMW Conducts Second Smallest Recall in NHTSA History

In third place with a Bronze medal resides Toyota, the reason for the renewed emphasis on following recall regulations to the letter, after Toyota was fined in 2010 millions of dollars for covering up safety effects. Continue reading

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