Tag Archives: auto informed

Chrysler Group Reports Q3 Net Income of $212 Million

Posted on 27 October 2011 by Ken Zino

Chrysler results stand in contrast to Ford Motor, which yesterday reported third quarter 2011 net income of $1.6 billion, or 41 cents per share, a decrease of $38 million, or 2 cents per share, versus third quarter 2010 on revenue of $33.1 billion, an increase of $4.1 billion from Q3 2010. Ford Q3 2011 pre-tax operating profit was $1.9 billion, or 46 cents per share, with an operating margin of 4.8%. Chrysler remains the smallest and weakest of the Detroit Three with limited international operations. Still, Chrysler is clearly on the mend. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, economy, financial results, news, news analysis, results | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Aircraft Laser Strikes Growing so FAA Launches Website

Posted on 27 October 2011 by Ken Zino

The FAA says that portable laser pointing devices are less expensive, more powerful, and more readily available than ever. People seem unable to resist the very dangerous temptation to shine them at aircraft. It is mute on the possibility of domestic terrorism occurring. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, aviation, news analysis, safety, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Chrysler UAW Contract Ratified by Rank and File

Posted on 26 October 2011 by Ken Zino

As was the case with newly ratified UAW contracts at GM and Ford, a large part of the Chrysler UAW deal – in this case, $3.4 billion of claimed new investment of $4.5 billion – was part of previously announced business plans after Chrysler emerged from a controversial taxpayer-supported bankruptcy and reorganization in 2009. Continue reading →

Posted in economy, labor issues, news analysis, results | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ford Q3 Income, Profits Down as Volume Increases. No Dividend Yet, But Sooner Rather than Later Promised

Posted on 26 October 2011 by Ken Zino

Ford continues to struggle globally by posting losses in moribund European economies, and – surprisingly – the growth markets of Asia Pacific and Africa. North America, where Japanese competitors have been out of the market since the March earthquake and tsunami disrupted production, and South America reported pre-tax profits for the third quarter. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, economy, financial results, news analysis, results | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Pontiac Owners Show Loyalty to Remaining GM Brands

Posted on 26 October 2011 by Ken Zino

One year after Pontiac dealers permanently closed on 31 October 2010, General Motors has managed to maintain or increase the loyalty rate of Pontiac owners, according to by Edmunds.com. Edmunds found that 39.9% of Pontiac owners who traded in for … Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, marketing, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Chrysler Up, GM Sideways, Ford Down in Consumer Reports Annual Reliability Survey Revealed Today at APA in Detroit

Posted on 25 October 2011 by Ken Zino

Chrysler staged a quality comeback of sorts. General Motors did not sustain last year’s trend of improvement. Ford slipped badly in the 2011 Consumer Reports Reliability Survey revealed today at APA. Japanese brands continue to dominate Consumer Reports survey’s best rankings. Japanese brands took the top nine spots. They were led by Scion, Lexus, Acura, Mazda, Honda, and Toyota. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, news analysis, quality, results | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Honda Closed, Toyota Cuts Japan Production from Thailand Floods. After Effects Continue to Worsen for Japanese Makers

Posted on 25 October 2011 by Ken Zino

Honda Automobile Thailand – HATC – continues to be shut down since October 4th because of the Thailand floods. “Due to the inability to access its facility in, Ayutthaya , HATC does not currently have a clear outlook for when production will resume.

Toyota Motor Corporation has also “adjusted” production in Japan this week due to Thailand parts shortages at least through Friday, as the after affects of the Thailand Floods – responsible for at least 300 deaths – continue to grow. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, economy, environment, global warming, manufacturing, news analysis, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Kia Adds Carfax Vehicle History Reports to Used Cars

Posted on 24 October 2011 by Ken Zino

Kia’s decision means that 32 manufacturer brands that have chosen Carfax for their Certified Pre-Owned vehicles. Continue reading →

Posted in aftermarket, news analysis, sales | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

All Honda Plants at Full Production Post Earthquake

Posted on 24 October 2011 by Ken Zino

Honda Manufacturing of Indiana, HMIN, today began a second production shift for the first time, which increases output at the plant to its full annual capacity and adds approximately 1,000 new associates to Honda’s operations in Indiana. HMIN opened in 2008 just as the global auto markets were collapsing due to the financial crisis caused by the reckless practices of Wall Street firms, banks and rating agencies. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, economy, manufacturing, milestones, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Standard & Poor’s Raises Ford Motor to Highest Junk Level, Credit Watch Removed after No Cost Increase UAW Contract

Posted on 23 October 2011 by Ken Zino

Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services has raised its corporate credit rating on Ford Motor and Ford Motor Credit to ‘BB+’ from ‘BB-‘. This is just one notch below investment grade. Ford bonds have been appropriately rated as “junk” since 2005, … Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, economy, news analysis, results | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Japan Auto Industry to decline 14% in 2011 JAMA Predicts

Posted on 21 October 2011 by Ken Zino

Total demand for passenger cars and commercial vehicles in Japan for calendar year 2011 will be 4.25 million units, down 14.2% from the previous year, according to the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association – JAMA, which has now its first official forecast since December of 2010. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, marketing, news analysis, results, sales | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ford Common Stock Dividend Coming Next Year?

Posted on 20 October 2011 by Ken Zino

Ford previously maintained it would not restore the divided until it achieved an investment-grade rating, CFO Lewis Booth said, omitting that a dividend payment was forbidden under covenants for previously issued bonds that kept it out of bankruptcy during the Great Recession. Those bonds presumably have been or will be paid off. Ford still has $14 billion in debt according to its latest SEC filing. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, economy, financial results, manufacturing, results | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

NADA Chairman Announces New Economic Study about Automakers Forcing New Car Dealership Improvements

Posted on 20 October 2011 by Ken Zino

“Each year dealers collectively invest billions of dollars in facility upgrades, much of it mandated by the auto manufacturers,” said Stephen W. Wade, chairman of the National Automobile Dealers Association while speaking to the Automotive Press Association in Detroit. In normal times this would be a classic dealer versus automaker squabble. However, with consumers strapped, long term unemployment at record Great Depression highs and the economic recovery tenuous at best – if it is occurring at all – the affordability of new vehicles is at stake.

Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, economy, news analysis, results | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Thailand Floods – Worst in 50 Years – latest Tragedy to Hurt Auto Industry as Honda, Toyota and Ford Production Disrupted

Posted on 20 October 2011 by Ken Zino

Thailand has been inundated by floods, the worst it’s estimated in at least 50 years. Aside from the real human tragedy, once again the auto industry is negatively affected since Thailand has an annual vehicle production capacity of almost 2 million units, extensive exports, as well as numerous component parts manufacturing operations. The disruptions will also have some unknown effects on production in other countries, which will become clearer during the next few weeks. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, economy, environment, manufacturing, results | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ford UAW Workers Ratify 4-Year No Cost Increase Contract

Posted on 19 October 2011 by Ken Zino

The Ford UAW agreement is based of Ford’s promise to add another 5,750 new jobs and invest what’s said to be $16 billion to produce new models and revised vehicles and components by 2015. About $6.3 billion will be invested directly into retooling U.S. plants.

Ten years ago the there were more than 102,000 UAW jobs at Ford. Today there are 40,000. As is the current management practice in the ailing U.S. economy, the jobs claim includes so called “retained jobs,” as well as some new ones. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, manufacturing, news analysis, results, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment