Tag Archives: auto informed

Infiniti JX Concept at Pebble Beach Teases 2013 Model

Previous attempts to use CVTs with V6 engines have failed – so this appears to be a daring move on Infiniti’s part prompted no doubt by impending fuel economy regulations. This potentially sets up a Lexus – clearly the luxury hybrid leader with more applications coming – versus Infiniti, which eschews hybrids in favor of parent company Nissan’s CVT technology. Continue reading

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Treasury Receives $2 Billion TARP Repayment from American International Group. U.S. Taxpayers Still out at Least $51 Billion

During the financial crisis and Great Recession caused by Wall Street financiers, the U.S. Government’s support for AIG totaled approximately $180 billion. After today’s repayment, the taxpayers remaining outstanding investment in AIG through Treasury is $51 billion. Not one of the involved executives has been prosecuted for what were various forms of financial fraud that lead up to the near collapse of the global financial system and the ongoing Great Recession. Continue reading

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Mini Shows $52,000 Goodwood Version at Pebble Beach

The Mini “Inspired by Goodwood” – how about MIBG? – has luxury accouterments at a luxury price of $52,000 (but that includes $700 in handling and delivery fees), when advanced orders begin later this month. MIBG will be produced in a limited edition of 1,000 units – 140 of which will be available to U.S. punters – and is said to combine driving fun with the same craftsmanship, select materials, styling and all-round ‘typical British understatement’ that are hallmarks of Rolls-Royce.
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Milestones: 100 Millionth Chevy Small Block to be Built in 2011

From 1929 and 1955, Chevrolet only offered six-cylinder engines – in spite of Ford Motor’s runaway success with the Flathead V8 introduced in 1932, and Oldsmobile’s Rocket V8 of 1949. Chevrolet chief engineer Ed Cole set out to design a V8 that was powerful, lightweight and affordable. Continue reading

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World Record for Tailfins as 298 Cadillacs Parade in Vermont?

The previous record of 102 Cadillacs on parade was set on Aug. 18, 2002, in Leimuiderbrug, the Netherlands of all places. Continue reading

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August New Vehicle Sales Barely Up. U.S. Economy Still Stalled

It looks like the new vehicle retail sales for August will continue at a seasonally adjusted annualized rate (SAAR) of a mere 9.9 million units since sales for August are projected at 898,000 units. The retail selling rate is just … Continue reading

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Cadillac Rejoins Electric Vehicle Parade with Converj Concept

The on again/off again Converj program is now switched on again and in keeping with the ecological theme, the name is recycled from a hybrid concept first shown at the 2009 North American International Auto Show as General Motors was hurtling toward bankruptcy. Continue reading

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DOT Announces $417.3 Million in Grants for Highway Projects

In previous years, a pork loving Congress designated some of this grant money for specific highway projects and FHWA awarded the remainder through a competitive process. Because the FY11 budget passed by Congress last April directed that all such funds be discretionary, FHWA awarded these funds through what it said was a “competitive process.” Continue reading

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Audi Urban Concept Sketch Released ahead of IAA in Frankfurt

This carbon fuel based German industrial and job creating behemoth so far lags the Japanese automakers Toyota and Honda in the sale of hybrid technology, to say little of the Nissan and Renault electric vehicles now being rolled out globally. Continue reading

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Volkswagen Continues Growth in July. China Largest Market

Despite ongoing EU economic woes and profligate government debts, Volkswagen deliveries in Europe totaled 1.02 million models to customers in July (0.94; +8.1%), of which 556,500 (541,500; +2.8%) were delivered in Western Europe excluding Germany. Deliveries on the home market of Germany were, not surprisingly, better, with 352,700 (325,100; +8.5%) vehicles handed over to customers. Continue reading

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Ford Europe Sales Fall in July as EU Economic Woes Continue

Ford’s market share in its traditional 19 European markets was 8.3% for the first seven months of the year, 0.3 percentage points lower in the same period 2010 as Ford continues to lose ground to competitors who are employing a combination of heavy incentives and new models to increase share. As a result Ford’s market share in July fell 0.2 percentage points to 8.1%. Continue reading

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Volvo Car Posts Profit in Q2. Predicts Volatile Second Half

Volvo Car Corporation posted today a profit of 600 million SEK (~$95 million) because of increased sales for Q2. However the Chinese owned company warned of a “volatile second half of the year. The operating improvement of 170 million Kronor … Continue reading

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Steel and Aluminum Industries in Fuel Economy Design Fight

At first glance it appears to be a battle of the press releases as the steel and aluminum industries vie for contracts on new vehicles to reduce weight. Since virtually all cars and trucks right up to Class 8 big rigs will need to get lighter under increasingly stringent fuel economy rules, decade’s old sourcing patterns – and billions of dollars in future steel and aluminum contracts – are at stake. Continue reading

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Stanley Cup of Fuel Economy? Canada vs U.S. in EcoCar2

The competition employs Canadian engineering students, together with 13 U.S. university teams, to explore ways to reduce the environmental impact of vehicles without “compromising” performance, safety and consumer acceptability. Continue reading

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AMG Driving Academy Video Series on Facebook, YouTube

Starting with basic seating position, drivers at home will have the opportunity to experience a series of “classroom sessions ” aimed at honing driver skills. At the conclusion of the video series, viewers will have a basic understanding of the ‘race craft’ techniques used by professional drivers. Continue reading

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