Tag Archives: auto informed

Honda Increases Global CO2 Emissions Reduction Targets

The Honda, Toyota and other similar announcements actually track the needed improvements in fuel efficiency as required by new European and U.S. fuel economy regulations. Continue reading

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

Mazda Recalls Mazda 3 Models for Bad Windshield Wipers

Mazda is recalling more than 100,000 Mazda 3 and Mazdaspeed 3 cars from the 2008-2009 model years because the windshield wipers can stop working. The ground terminal of the Korean-built Bosch windshield wiper motor may have been bent during assembly. Over time the electrical resistance of the motor circuit may increase so that eventually the windshield wipers would not work. Continue reading

Posted in auto news, manufacturing, recalls, safety | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Sonic Boom or Bust? Chevy Prices New Car Starting at $14,495

GM is now exploring just how much it can charge for a small car in an area where, typically, Detroit Three products needed roughly a 20% discount (or more) compared with facing Japanese competition. In this case there are, notably, the Honda Fit, Nissan Versa and Toyota Yaris all priced roughly the same as Sonic, from companies that up until now are the acknowledged small car leaders. Sonic also faces stiff competition from the upstart Koreans – Hyundai and Kia – whose competitive models significantly under price it. Continue reading

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

Smallest Recall in History as Volkswagen Recalls Four Cars?

In what could be the smallest safety recall in history, Volkswagen of America is recalling four, yes, four 2012 CC cars. It seems that optional wheels and tires were installed when the cars were imported, but they did not have the correct tire pressure monitoring sensors in them. Continue reading

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

European Car Sales Rise 7% in May. Still Lag Pre-Crisis Levels

European car sales are of concern for U.S. taxpayers because they have been undermining the financial performance of General Motors and Fiat, which controls Chrysler. Both GM’s Opel subsidiary and Fiat are struggling in Europe. Even Ford Motor results are negatively affected by Europe, which remains a drag on its earnings. Continue reading

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

Vehicle Satisfaction Declines in Germany after Subsidies

Two years after a massive taxpayer subsidized scrappage program boosted the German new car market, customer vehicle satisfaction with their purchases declined from previous levels. Industry wide satisfaction in vehicle quality and reliability, vehicle appeal, and service declined as well. Continue reading

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

Toyota North American Production Back to 100% in September

All of the Detroit Three automakers – GM, Ford and Chrysler – clearly outsold the Japanese Big Three – Toyota, Nissan and Honda – in May as a result of the marketplace chaos. The largest Japanese automaker Toyota – also the most dependent on imports to the U.S. – saw decreases of 33% across its brands to 108,387 vehicles compared to a year ago. Continue reading

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

Chrysler Recalls More than 11,000 Vehicles for Missing Rivet

It turns out new employees on the second shift reintroduced into the assembly process steering columns that had previously been rejected as defective. The supplier was not specified in the required NHTSA safety defect filing. Continue reading

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

Ford Breaks Ground on Second Engine Plant in China

China is now by far the world’s largest auto market, and Chinese industrial policy in effect requires that all profits earned there are reinvested in the country and its local partners. The U.S. remains alone among industrialized nations – with elected or totalitarian governments – without any such job and investment protecting policy. The $500 million (RMB 3.4 billion) investment will be funded entirely by CFMA and will be located in Chongqing’s so called New North Zone. Continue reading

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

With BMW EV Due, Study Says Range Anxiety Not an Issue

One of the observations about the 80 to 100 mile range – that it’s acceptable – challenges conventional wisdom. This will be tested further when the all-electric BMW Active E becomes available in some U.S. markets beginning in late 2011. A two-year lease will be $499 a month with a $2,250 down payment. A series production BMW I3 follows in 2013. Continue reading

Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, customer satisfaction, electric vehicles, marketing, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Chevrolet Says 2012 Cruze Improves Fuel Economy 2 MPG

Popular versions of the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze will be rated 2 mpg higher on the EPA highway cycle when they go on sale later this year, Chevrolet said today. A lower axle ratio for the compact models enables about a 5% increase in highway fuel efficiency. Your mileage may vary. Continue reading

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

Volkswagen – Stalking Toyota – Sets Record for Car Sales

Volkswagen wants to be the world’s largest automaker by 2018, which would require it to overtake Toyota and General Motors, the number one and number two global sales leaders respectively in 2010. VW brand deliveries in North America, 194,600 vehicles (162,600; +19.7%) in the first five months, were characterized as “very encouraging.”

Nonetheless VW remains a minor player in what remains a major global market. As part of the world dominance plan, Volkswagen Group said it will sell 800,000 VW models annually in the United States by 2018 – 1,000,000 with Bentley and Audi included. In the U.S., all VW Group brands delivered 360,300 units during 2010, corresponding to growth of 20.9% – a long way short of the goal. Continue reading

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

$10,000 Increase per Auto Under Fuel Economy Proposal?

Some of the proposed changes to increase fuel economy and decrease greenhouse gases starting in 2017 could cost new car buyers from $3,700 to more than $9,000 per vehicle if they are adopted, and that’s before another $1,500 or so is added for additional safety equipment.

The new fuel economy mandates under consideration by the government are based on reducing emissions ranging from 3% to 6% per year, the same as increasing fuel mileage equivalent amounts. The highest increase, 6% per year, will raise the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) from 35.5 mpg in 2016 to 62 mpg in 2025. Continue reading

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

Honda Motor Predicts $2.4 Billion Profit Drop from Earthquake

This represents a 63.5% decline for Japan’s third largest automaker compared to the previous year, the result of production disruptions caused by the Japan earthquake and tsunami, rebuilding costs, as well as a strong Yen at an unprecedented ¥80:$1. Continue reading

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

India to be Third Largest Auto Market behind China and U.S.

India will become the world’s third largest light vehicle market by the end of the decade behind China and the U.S., according to a new study. However, India won’t be as profitable as the other two. That prediction comes after India eclipsed France, the United Kingdom and Italy to become the sixth-largest global auto market in the world last year. Continue reading

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