Tag Archives: auto news

Five of the Top Ten U.S. Best Sellers in September Are from Offshore Brands. Only One Detroit Three Car Makes the List

Posted on 4 October 2011 by Ken Zino

Five of the top ten selling vehicles in September were from offshore brands, an increase of one from August and only three in July as the new vehicle market continues its slow shift away from traditional trucks and SUVs. Continue reading →

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UAW has Deal at Ford Pending Local Approvals. 5750 Jobs Added or Retained During Contract. Shared Prosperity Claimed

Posted on 4 October 2011 by Ken Zino

The tentative agreement is based of Ford’s promise to add another 5,750 new jobs and invest what’s said to be $16 billion to produce new models and upgraded vehicles and components by 2015, of which, $6.3 billion will be invested directly into retooling and upgrading plants. As is the current management practice in the ailing U.S. economy, the jobs claim includes so called retained jobs, as well as some new ones. All of this is contingent upon contract approval by local union members. Continue reading →

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Selected of God Choir to Sing National Anthem for the Detroit Tigers Playoff Game at 8:30 EDT Tonight

Posted on 3 October 2011 by Ken Zino

It’s clear from to me from listening to the Turner Broadcast announcers – Turner has exclusive TV rights – that they know nothing about the Tigers, which – like the Detroit Three Automakers – are all having a great year – in the Tiger’s case as one of the best teams in major league baseball. Well, tonight the Turner crew will get to see what is probably only their third Tiger game, ever. It won’t be their last… Continue reading →

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Authorized Dealer Used Vehicle Sales Jump 11.5% in September

Posted on 3 October 2011 by Ken Zino

Overall, the U.S. used vehicle market is at 30,155,128 units year-to-date, compared to 8.6 million new cars and light trucks. It was the best performance y-t-d since 2007 before the collapse of the global financial markets. This begs the question – are new vehicle prices too high? Continue reading →

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Nissan Up, Toyota and Honda Down in U.S. September Sales

Posted on 3 October 2011 by Ken Zino

Year-to-date Honda remains in the Number Two spot at 859,797 compared to Nissan’s 774,079. Honda’s strong sales of light trucks at 45,723 surpassed its car sales for the month (43,809) and a building supply of newly revised Civic models bodes well for Honda hanging on to Number Two for the 2011 year. Continue reading →

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Ford Motor Company September Sales Up 9% – Weakest Sales Performance among the Detroit Three

Posted on 3 October 2011 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor September sales totaled 175,199, up 9% versus last year, significantly trailing gains made by General Motors and Chrysler during the month. As with the other two members of the Detroit Three, Ford’s increase was largely the result of sales of pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles. Continue reading →

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General Motors September Sales Up 20%, Led by Pickup Trucks

Posted on 3 October 2011 by Ken Zino

Based on early results GM is maintaining a market share of about 20%, which means it remains solidly in first place even as the Japanese maker are now back in full production. It also appears to prove the wisdom of the U.S. Treasury Department’s insistence on killing four brands, as part of the taxpayer bailout, and concentrating on the remaining four – Chevrolet, GMC, Buick and Cadillac in descending sales order. However, Cadillac (+1%) and Buick (+5.6%) appear to be badly trailing overall industry growth basis. Continue reading →

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Chrysler Group U.S. Sales Up 27% in September, Led By Trucks

Posted on 3 October 2011 by Ken Zino

Chrysler Group’s Retail sales were up 50%. Chrysler Group has beaten the average industry sales increase in eight of nine months this year, and is in a dead heat with Toyota Motor Sales for the Number Three position in the U.S. Continue reading →

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Facebook Posting Costs Chicago BMW Salesperson His Job

Posted on 30 September 2011 by Ken Zino

A National Labor Relations Board Administrative Law Judge ruled this week that Knauz BMW, a Chicago area car dealership, did not wrongfully terminate an employee for his Facebook postings. Back in May the NLRB alleged unlawful termination of an employee … Continue reading →

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Competition in Chinese Auto Market Results in Cross Shopping Record. U.S. Brands Suffer Because of Poor Fuel Economy

Posted on 30 September 2011 by Ken Zino

Fuel economy is also among the top rejection reasons, particularly given the sharp increases in gas prices that have occurred in recent years. Fuel economy is becoming a challenge for nearly all manufacturers, but particularly so for U.S. brands. Approximately one in four rejecters (24%) say they rejected a model of a U.S. brand because they expected better fuel economy. Continue reading →

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2012 Focus Uses First Castor Oil Foam in Dashboard

Posted on 30 September 2011 by Ken Zino

The new Ford Focus just going on sale in North America uses castor oil derived foam in the interior. Castor oil is derived from a flowering spurge plant, which grows throughout tropical regions. The plant’s oil presents what could be a sustainable interior foam that does not compete with food sources, according to Ford. Continue reading →

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U.S. September SAAR Projected at Weak 10 Million Vehicles

Posted on 30 September 2011 by Ken Zino

September could be the first time that new-vehicle retail sales have remained strong throughout the month in the U.S. since the stronger selling rates at the beginning of 2011 before the economy stalled, according to projections from consultancy J.D. Power and Associates. Continue reading →

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General Motors to Debut World’s First Center Airbag in 2013

Posted on 29 September 2011 by Ken Zino

A GM analysis of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System database (FARS) found that far-side impact crashes accounted for 11% of the belted front occupant fatalities in non-rollover impacts between 2004 and 2009. Also implied in the data GM looked at is that much more work remains to be done on interior design, including seat belts that don’t hold an occupant laterally, the now ubiquitous center consoles that are causing serious and fatal injuries, and the seat itself, which allows deadly movement. With intense engineering, some of these problems could be dealt with by passive solutions, which could be far less expensive than adding another airbag to every new vehicle. Continue reading →

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Nissan Taking Leaf EV Orders in New U.S. Markets

Posted on 29 September 2011 by Ken Zino

Year-to-date Nissan has delivered about 7,000 of the pure electric vehicle, which has a range of about 85 miles. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price of the 2012 Leaf is $35,200 for the SV trim level, and $37,250 for the SL trim level. The monthly lease price begins at $369. Continue reading →

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EPA Sues MotorScience for Alleged Clean Air Act Violations. More than 24,000 Chinese Vehicles Were Illegally Imported

Posted on 29 September 2011 by Ken Zino

The United States, on behalf of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), today filed a civil complaint against MotorScience, Inc. and the owner of the company for allegedly causing the importation of more than 24,000 uncertified vehicles from China that … Continue reading →

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