Tag Archives: auto informed

Camry Gets Top NHTSA Safety Rating. Accord Still Leads

Starting with 2011 models, NHTSA introduced tougher tests and more rigorous requirements for its five-star safety ratings that provide more information about safety performance and crash-avoidance technologies. Safety rating changes include a new side barrier test and a new side pole test simulating a 20-mph side-impact crash into a 10-inch-diameter pole or tree at a 75-degree angle just behind the A-pillar on the driver’s side. New overall safety ratings, which combine the results from the various tests, are now provided. Continue reading

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Gulf after BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Needs Help

The plan calls for stopping wetland development, reducing the flow of nutrients from farming, and working with individual states to develop or implement coastal improvement plans. Continue reading

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Nissan Rogue Recall Active for Electric Power Steering

The latest safety defect caused by automotive electronics involves a Nissan Rogue recall for more than 7,000 of the popular crossover SUVs because of a defective circuit board for the power steering. A sudden loss of steering assist is possible, … Continue reading

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Dodge Dart Reborn based on Alfa Romeo Platform

The new Dodge Dart will appear in modified form with a lengthened and widened platform, which Dodge claims will have segment-leading interior roominess. Dodge exited the compact car segment (or so-called c-car segment) when then owner Daimler killed the Neon back in 2005 – as gasoline was relatively cheap at just over $2 a gallon and truck and SUV sales were booming. The Neon nameplate goes back to the 1995 when Bob Lutz then at Chrysler boasted it would beat the Japanese in the economy car segment. It didn’t come close. Continue reading

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FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt Resigns Because of DWI

Randy Babbitt, the head of the Federal Aviation Administration – FAA – resigned today because he was arrested over the weekend for driving while intoxicated. Babbitt, 65, took over the job as a political appointee under the Obama Administration in 2009 Continue reading

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Toyota to Export U.S. Built Camry to South Korea

The Camry mid-size sedans will be made at Toyota’s manufacturing plant in Georgetown, Kentucky, which is Toyota’s largest manufacturing facility outside of Japan. The strong Japanese Yen is causing Toyota to increase production out of its home country. Whether a U.S. made Camry is any more suited for the Korean market given Japan’s troubled relations with Korea is debatable. Continue reading

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Drag Racing 2013 Cobra Jet Mustang Revealed

The 2013 Cobra Jet Mustang has two 5.0-liter Ti-VCT engine options – a naturally aspirated engine with Cobra Jet induction system, CNC ported heads, high-lift cams and low-drag accessory drive; or a Whipple supercharged version with CNC port-matched manifold and heads, and what’s said to be a proprietary 10-rib supercharger drive system for high-rpm use without belt slip. Continue reading

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Honda Recall for Goldwing Motorcycle Fires Active

This safety defect follows the admission by Honda last week that Honda is once again expanding a recall covering the driver’s side airbag installed on its most popular cars, crossovers and minivans built in 2001 and 2002. This ongoing global safety defect has resulted in recalls in North America, Japan, Australia and other regions. Continue reading

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GM Plans Four World Debuts at NAIAS. Where is Bob Lutz?

“ATS enters the biggest market segment in the global luxury car industry, both in terms of volume and importance,” said Barra.

No kidding. ATS better be good when it appears next fall.

But when I asked what GM consultant Bob Lutz was doing these days, Barra said she was trading e-mails with him about getting Lutz to drive a new Chevy Sonic, which has been on sale globally for a couple of years. While Barra called Lutz an “automotive rock star,” there was no hint in her brief response that she was spending any time with Lutz. Continue reading

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Honda Airbag Recall Grows. More than 300,000 Vehicles Added

Initially, Honda only recalled 4200 vehicles three years ago and ignored the rest of the world. However, this Honda problem was ongoing as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration was fining Toyota for safety defect cover-ups – ones that ultimately resulted in millions of dollars in fines and a shredded Toyota corporate and vehicle quality reputation. During the past year or so, Honda has issued more than 22 public statements about various safety defects and recalls in the U.S. Continue reading

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New Vehicle Sales Satisfaction Improves from 2010

Satisfaction with the new-vehicle sales process has improved from 2010, according to a new study released today. All sales satisfaction measures improved “notably” from 2010, with the greatest increase in the delivery process, despite the fact that the average length of time to complete the delivery portion of a new-vehicle sale has increased by four minutes to an average of 32 minutes in 2011. Continue reading

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Toyota Motor November Sales Up 7% as Inventories Build

Toyota Motor has now returned near the sales levels it had in Q1 before the tragic Japan earthquake disrupted production for months. With the auto industry monthly sales running at the highest rates since August of 2009 when taxpayer subsidies boosted sales under the Cash for Clunkers program, Toyota seems ideally positioned top be back to full strength by early next year. As it is now Toyota has about a 14% market share in the U.S. even though year-to-date total sales are off a whopping 20%, at 1,384,558 vehicles. Continue reading

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Ford Motor November U.S. Sales Up 13%

Overall, ytd Ford Motor has sold 1,938,666 vehicles, more than 500,000 vehicles ahead of Toyota Motor Sales. Continue reading

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GM U.S. Sales Up 7% in November – SAAR Booming

Increased sales of pickup trucks and full size vans dominated GM’s results. GM deliveries y-o-y showed a 34% increase in Chevrolet Silverado pickuo truck sales (34,251) and a 22% increase in GMC Sierra pickup sales at 11,971 Continue reading

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BMW and Toyota to Jointly Research Lithium Ion Batteries

BMW Group and Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) announced today a memorandum of understanding (MOU) where the companies will research together the next-generation lithium-ion battery technologies. It is the latest example of automakers trying to decrease the astronomical cost of developing more efficient vehicles mandated by increasing stringent fuel economy or CO2 regulations. Continue reading

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