Tag Archives: auto informed

Shape Memory Alloy Replaces Electric Motor On C7 Corvette

Posted on 15 February 2013 by Ken Zino

While much of the news about weight savings on the revised 2014 Corvette coming this fall has concentrated on the aluminum chassis that saves 99 pounds when compared to its steel predecessor, GM is also using a heat-activated shape memory alloy that replaces a heavier motorized part. The electric wire will be used in place of a heavier motorized actuator to open a the hatch vent that releases air from the trunk to allow for easier closing by releasing trapped air through the opening. When the hatch is closed, the vent closes. Continue reading →

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Ford Motor Promotes Family Member Elena Ford to Vice President

Posted on 15 February 2013 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company said that Elena Ford is elected a vice president and leader of the company’s new Global Dealer and Consumer Experience organization starting this March. Ford is the great-great granddaughter of Henry Ford and the granddaughter of Henry Ford II. Ford earned a bachelor’s degree in Business from New York University. Continue reading →

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Transocean Pleads Guilty of Environmental Crimes in Gulf Oil Spill. $400 Million in Penalties for its Role in Deepwater Horizon Disaster

Posted on 14 February 2013 by Ken Zino

Transocean Deepwater pleaded guilty today to a violation of the Clean Water Act for its illegal conduct leading to the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster. The drilling company was sentenced to pay $400 million in criminal fines and penalties, Attorney General Holder announced today. Continue reading →

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GM Earns $4.9 Billion in 2012 down from $7.6 Billion in 2011

Posted on 14 February 2013 by Ken Zino

General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) today announced 2012 calendar-year earnings of $4.9 billion, or $2.92 per fully diluted share, down from $7.6 billion, or $4.58 in 2011. The company sold 9.3 million vehicles during the year and the earnings, while positive for the third straight year, were hurt by deepening losses in Europe, which has cost GM -$18 billion since 1999. GM wrote down more than $5 billion in assets in the Eurozone, and it also wrote off more than half the value of its PSA Citroen stock (-$220 million) acquired latest year in what GM said was a collaboration that would, eventually, save billions. North American costs also increased, resulting in flat earnings for GM’s most profitable market. GM did however pick up 4 points of market share in China, the world’s largest auto market. Continue reading →

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U.S. Vehicle Dependability at All-Time High as New Models Lead

Posted on 13 February 2013 by Ken Zino

Overall vehicle dependability continues to improve for three-year old models to an all-time high, and for the first time dependability of all-new or substantially redesigned models is greater than carryover models from automakers. This is good new for used car buyers since well maintained off-lease vehicles will likely be durable. This assertion also confounds the conventional wisdom that says avoid buying all new models when they first go on sale. Continue reading →

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Honda Expands Fit EV Leasing to East Coast Markets

Posted on 13 February 2013 by Ken Zino

The all-electric 2013 Honda Fit EV will be available for leasing later this month in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maryland, New York, and New Jersey. The three-year term costs $389 per month, which computes to a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $36,625. Collision coverage, maintenance costs and roadside assistance service are included in lease-only vehicle. Gasoline fueled versions of the Fit sell in the $16,200 to $21,000 range. Continue reading →

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Milestones – Skoda Builds 15-millionth Car

Posted on 13 February 2013 by Ken Zino

Škoda has produced its 15-millionth car, a silver, third-generation Octavia – rolled off the assembly line at Šcoda’s main plant in Mladá Boleslav during the first week of February. The Octavia will be used as a VIP sedan at the Škoda Technology Center in Česana. The new Skoda Octavia is now being launched in the Czech Republic and Germany, while other markets will follow in coming weeks. In total, Skoda will launch eight new or face lifted models in 2013. Continue reading →

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Ally Leads in U.S. Consumer and Dealer Auto Financing

Posted on 12 February 2013 by Ken Zino

Ally Financial leads all auto lending firms because the taxpayer owned company extended credit on 1.5 million new and used vehicles through franchised and independent dealers last year. Continue reading →

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Alfa Romeo 4C Debuts at Geneva – 2014 Model is U.S. Comeback Car

Posted on 12 February 2013 by Ken Zino

The new Alfa Romeo 4C will debut at the Geneva a Motor Show next month, the Italian sports car maker owned by Fiat said this morning. The two-seat, mid-engine designed sports car will be built at the Maserati plant in Modena, which is also the home of Fiat owned Ferrari. The 4C will go on sale in 2013, marking the return of the Italian brand to the United States. Continue reading →

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More Spills in Gulf of Mexico as U.S. Files Suit against ATP Oil

Posted on 11 February 2013 by Ken Zino

Today the United States filed suit against ATP Oil & Gas Corporation and ATP Infrastructure Partners for civil penalties and injunctive relief under the Clean Water Act and the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act. The complaint alleges unlawful discharges of oil and banned chemical dispersants from the defendants’ floating oil and gas production platform, the ATP Innovator, into the Gulf of Mexico. The drilling rig is operating 45 nautical miles offshore of southeastern Louisiana. Continue reading →

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Milestones – 50 Years of the Porsche 911

Posted on 11 February 2013 by Ken Zino

More than 820,000 Porsche 911 models have been built, making it, arguably, the most successful sports car in the world since it was first shown in 1963. For each of its seven generations the engineers in Zuffenhausen and Weissach have revised it, while retaining its identifiable and now classic lines and proportions, as well as its famous but often quirky performance. Continue reading →

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BMW Group Posts Record January Sales

Posted on 11 February 2013 by Ken Zino

The BMW Group sold 123,276 BMW, Mini and Rolls-Royce brand vehicles in January up from 112,164 in 2011 and a record for the month of January. Continue reading →

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Corvette Stingray Convertible Debuts next Month in Geneva

Posted on 11 February 2013 by Ken Zino

Given the well-publicized success of the Stingray debut at the NAIAS in Detroit last month, the move appears designed to bolster GM’s battered image in Europe that is the result of years of losses at Opel Vauxhall. It is also a counter thrust in Europe against the most successful global sports car of all time, the 911 of Porsche, which celebrates 50 years during 2013. This and the fact that 820,000 911s have been built since 1963, will no doubt be emphasized at the Geneva Show. Continue reading →

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Rotary Engine Le Mans Winner Mazda 787B Selected as ‘Legend’

Posted on 9 February 2013 by Ken Zino

For the 1990s, the voting- using French sponsorship and nationalist math – was a “dead-heat” between the Mazda 787B and the Peugeot 905 – so 11 cars were given ‘legend’ status. Continue reading →

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210 Horsepower Beetle GSR Debuts at Chicago Auto Show

Posted on 9 February 2013 by Ken Zino

In an attempt to cash in on nostalgia, Volkswagen revived the Gelb Schwarzer Renner or “Yellow Black Racer,” with a touch of horsepower added at the Chicago Auto Show now underway. Instead of the 50 horsepower of the original GSR, the latest edition is rated at 210 horsepower and 207 lb.-ft. of torque. This – in road translation – means an acceleration time from zero to 60 mph in less than seven seconds. The VW toy has an electronically governed top speed of 130 mph. Continue reading →

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