Tag Archives: auto informed

General Motors Recalling TRW ESC Because it Can Run Wild

This seemingly benign electronic programming glitch can have severe consequences because it can result in the ESC activating at high speeds without warning resulting in “sudden changes in vehicle handling and deceleration, particularly at higher speeds, which may cause the driver difficulty in maintaining the vehicle’s desired path of travel and desired vehicle speed, and could result in a crash without warning.” Continue reading

Posted in auto news, engineering, recalls, safety | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Audi Recalls R8 for Potential Engine fires. Dealers Stop Sales

In a filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), parent company Volkswagen said that a fuel line may rub through on an engine compartment heat shield and cause a fuel leak. No fires have been reported, but Audi has no way of knowing the number of the supercars affected.
Continue reading

Posted in auto news, manufacturing, recalls, safety | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

EPA Affirms Air Quality Standards for Carbon Monoxide. However, Monitoring to Look At Cities Near Roadways

More than 45 million people who attend school, live near, commute, or work on or near transportation routes have their health placed at risk by exposure to carbon monoxide and other traffic pollutants. Lack of adequate monitoring has meant that they cannot adequately know the threats to their health, and has limited research and cleanup,” said Charles D. Connor, President and Chief Executive Officer, American Lung Association. Continue reading

Posted in auto news, environment, fuel economy or emissions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Goodyear Experiments with an Inside Tire Air Pump

The technology involved is interesting if only because underinflated tires result in between a 2.5% and 3.3% decrease in fuel mileage, according industry research. That translates to about 12 cents per gallon at the pump at current – outrageous – fuel prices. Continue reading

Posted in auto news, engineering, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Daimler and Honda Lead in Car Fuel Cell Development, Maybe

According to a new Pike Research report, the two light-duty FCV manufacturers who are best positioned in this formative stage of the market are Daimler and Honda. However, Daimler has made ambitious announcements on fuel cell technology readiness in the past, and these – well, did not pass the reality test. Daimler recently moved up its FCV target date to 2014 from 2015. We will see if anything comes from this except an expensive taxpayer subsidized demonstration program. Continue reading

Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, energy, environment, news analysis, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ovonic Battery Company Extends NiMH License with GS Yuasa

Last month Energy Conversion Devices announced that it is trying to sell its Ovonic Battery subsidiary. OBC’s principal activities are licensing its battery technologies (including nickel-metal-hydride – NiMH – once used on the ill-fated GM EV1), participating in joint development programs to support battery applications, and manufacturing mixed-metal hydroxide cathode materials for sale to its licensees for use in battery production. OBC invented the NiMH rechargeable battery technology that is used globally in most hybrid-electric vehicles, and in many consumer and commercial rechargeable batteries. However, Lithium Ion technology is now preferred by virtually all automakers in new development programs. It is also heavily subsidized by taxpayers through various government grants. Continue reading

Posted in auto news, electric vehicles, energy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Chevrolet Orlando Debuts this October in Canada, but not U.S. Competitive MPV Rejected Because of Greater Equinox Profits

Unfortunately, U.S. buyers won’t get a shot at Orlando because some executives inside GM are basking in the profits (at the moment) of the more expensive and fuel thirsty Chevrolet Equinox. ‘mericans like trucks and all-wheel-drive, and those versions of the Equinox are giving GM some badly needed profits at the moment.

It’s one of those GM financial decisions that look good on paper at the time, but in my view represents the inability to take a longer term chance by attacking a segment GM’s not in. Ford, with its decision to shelve the C-Max seven passenger minivan, and offer only low volume, expensive plug-in hybrid versions has given GM an opening here. And that says nothing of successful entries such as the Mazda 5 or even the Scion Xb, and who knows what else. Continue reading

Posted in auto news, new vehicle, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Porsche Sales Down in July, But Set New Record in China

Porsche said it had record sales in the Chinese market in July with deliveries of 2,484 vehicles, the best monthly result in China ever. In total the sports car manufacturer delivered 14,751 vehicles in the current financial year in what is now Porsche’s second largest market. This marks a 72.6 % increase compared with the period January to July 2010. The Cayenne especially is in strong demand in Asia. Continue reading

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

GM Rethinks ASEAN Strategy. Invests $150M in Indonesia

The investment represents a change in GM strategy in Asia by expanding GM production away from Vietnam and especially Thailand, which provided a good infrastructure and previously political stability. However, Indonesia has been widely derided for its corruption and red tape. Continue reading

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

EPA Approves Emergency Fuel Waiver for Tennessee

The waiver is effective for 20 days and allows the sale of 9.0 psi conventional gasoline in the Shelby county low RVP covered area even though it is contrary to the Clean Air Act. In essence EPA is tolerating the sale of fuel that contributes to smog because it will head off a fuel supply crisis, a good example of common sense by regulators. Continue reading

Posted in auto news, environment, fuel economy or emissions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

GM Awards A123 Contract for Batteries for Electric Vehicles

Teams from both companies will now work on developing calibrations and software controls for the battery system in preparation for production. Continue reading

Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, electric vehicles, environment | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ford Europe Changes Product Development Team

Ford Motor Company today announced a realignment of its global Product Development leadership team, naming Barb Samardzich, vice president, Global Product Programs, to the position of vice president, Product Development, Ford of Europe. Continue reading

Posted in auto news, engineering, people | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

GM CEO Akerson Buys Another 10,000 Shares at $25.05

Akerson vowed this week that there was plenty of upside in GM stock given its new structure and emphasis on managing costs. On a cost cutting side, one program with great promise involves vehicle architectures. Akerson said “We need to simplify.” The company said that by 2018 it plans to cut that number to 14 from the 30 currently use.

Skeptics, and there are many, say show us the earnings per share and start paying dividends. Well, at least Akerson is putting his money where his promises are, so to speak. Continue reading

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

EU-South Korea Free Trade Agreement Favors Koreans

Under current market conditions, this waiver will not balance the current €10.7 billion trade deficit in automobiles, according to the respected consultancy Frost & Sullivan. Continue reading

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

$10,000 Solar Panel Option Coming for Focus Electric Vehicle. Ford is using the new “Green Math” to Calculate Benefits

So if you have enough sunshine to generate the 3,000 kWh, that means you save $330 annually for a pay back period of, um, 30 years and four months (using basic arithmetic, not green math). The panels are guaranteed for 25 years by the way. Continue reading

Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, electric vehicles, energy, environment, news analysis, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment