Tag Archives: auto informed

Renault Tries Humor in New Electric Vehicle Ad Campaign

Renault has kicked off a new series of electric vehicle advertisements in Europe where it is in the process of introducing four EVs. By taking a humorous approach that shows that a car is the only non-electric device in common use, the French automaker is hoping to makes EVs more acceptable. Continue reading

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U.S. Oil Imports Declining Since 2005 Peak. It’s Not All Good

There are several problems with the imported oil numbers since oil is mostly imported as crude, an unrefined product, but is consumed as a refined product. In between there is refinery gain – yes, gain – whereby more comes out of the process of splitting heavier oils into lighter ones. Continue reading

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Consumer Confidence Declines as Economic Woes Continue

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index decreased in May and now stands at 60.8 (1985=100), down from 66.0 in April. The bad news follows last week’s U.S. unemployment report that says that first time jobless claims soared to 425,000, which means that there is virtually no hiring occurring in the economy as unemployment officially hovers at 9%. The real rate of unemployment is much higher. The latest survey does not bode well for the U.S. auto industry, which is expected to report steep May sales declines tomorrow. Continue reading

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Japan Auto Production, Exports off More than 60% in April

The economic destruction is mounting. The total value of automobiles exported for April 2011 was $5,913.446 million – $2,696.405 million for vehicles and $3,217.041 million for parts. This is a decrease of $5,523.561 million or 48 % as compared with $11,437.007 million recorded for the same month of the previous year. Continue reading

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Tavares Replaces Pélata as COO of Renault as Fallout from Spy Case that Embarrassed French Government Continues

Renault announced yesterday in Paris that Carlos Tavares is its new chief operating officer, replacing Patrick Pélata. It was the latest development in an industrial espionage case that embarrassed the French government and saw the firings of Remy Pagnie, Director of Group Security, as well as his two co-workers, Dominique Gevrey and Marc Tixador. Continue reading

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Small Cars Improve in Latest Crash Tests. Size Still Matters

While you can’t change the laws of physics, you can use them to improve crash test results for vehicles. Six of 13 small cars tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety earned the Top Safety Pick award. None earned … Continue reading

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Toyota Adds Wrong-Way Driving Alert to Navigation Systems

In theory there is no reason why Japan’s largest automaker could not expand the use of the wrong-way driving alert to the U.S. and other large markets, where Toyota is struggling with a damaged safety reputation from stuck gas pedals and unintended acceleration recalls. Continue reading

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Toyota, Nissan and Honda April Auto Production Plummets

Toyota, Nissan and Honda – the Japanese Big Three – become a lot smaller in April as production virtually halted in Japan and was severely hurt globally due to parts shortages caused by the earthquake in March. Continue reading

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Ten Fuelish Mistakes Drivers Make, Hurting Their Fuel Economy

A new study by Chevrolet shows that drivers in identical cars can differ in their fuel economy by as much as 16 mpg or 40%. This means that by practicing simple techniques a driver can save as much as $100 a month at the pump. Continue reading

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U.S. Built Volkswagen Passat Priced from $20,765 to $33,720

Passat normally would face fierce competition from the entrenched Japanese Big Three – Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima and Honda Accord – but its not clear if production disruptions at those makers will continue into the late summer when it will appear in dealer showrooms. Continue reading

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EPA, DOT Unveil New, “More Useful” Fuel Economy Labels

The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 passed under Republican President Bush specifically said that EPA and DOT must rate available vehicles according to fuel economy, greenhouse gas emissions and smog forming pollutants, which the new labels do.
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GM Adding 2,500 Jobs in Michigan to Build Malibu, Impala

General Motors said today that it is adding two shifts and about 2,500 hourly and salaried jobs at the Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant to build the new Chevrolet Malibu mid-size sedan and the next-generation Impala large sedan. Continue reading

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Chrysler Pays Back Taxpayers. Fiat Now Firmly in Control

The historic bailout differs this time around in what’s left and more importantly who owns it – along with the familiar, nagging question, can Chrysler make it? The new Chrysler Group is now firmly, irrevocably in the hands of Fiat, an Italian multinational firm, which has a global fight in front if it as it too competes to survive in an automobile business dominated by much stronger competitors. Continue reading

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Nissan to Give Carfax VINS with Outstanding Recalls

Generally speaking, recall repairs are made on fewer than 70% of eligible vehicles unless they involve well publicized problems such as Toyota’s infamous stuck gas pedals, a situation that federal safety regulators are not comfortable with – particularly since many recalls involve life threatening defects. Continue reading

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BMW Dealership Wrongfully Fired Person for Facebook Posts?

If the complaint stands, should the BMW slogan be changed to the ultimate dining machine? Continue reading

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