Tag Archives: auto news

August New Vehicle Sales Barely Up. U.S. Economy Still Stalled

Posted on 18 August 2011 by Ken Zino

It looks like the new vehicle retail sales for August will continue at a seasonally adjusted annualized rate (SAAR) of a mere 9.9 million units since sales for August are projected at 898,000 units. The retail selling rate is just … Continue reading →

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Cadillac Rejoins Electric Vehicle Parade with Converj Concept

Posted on 17 August 2011 by Ken Zino

The on again/off again Converj program is now switched on again and in keeping with the ecological theme, the name is recycled from a hybrid concept first shown at the 2009 North American International Auto Show as General Motors was hurtling toward bankruptcy. Continue reading →

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DOT Announces $417.3 Million in Grants for Highway Projects

Posted on 17 August 2011 by Ken Zino

In previous years, a pork loving Congress designated some of this grant money for specific highway projects and FHWA awarded the remainder through a competitive process. Because the FY11 budget passed by Congress last April directed that all such funds be discretionary, FHWA awarded these funds through what it said was a “competitive process.” Continue reading →

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Audi Urban Concept Sketch Released ahead of IAA in Frankfurt

Posted on 17 August 2011 by Ken Zino

This carbon fuel based German industrial and job creating behemoth so far lags the Japanese automakers Toyota and Honda in the sale of hybrid technology, to say little of the Nissan and Renault electric vehicles now being rolled out globally. Continue reading →

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Volkswagen Continues Growth in July. China Largest Market

Posted on 17 August 2011 by Ken Zino

Despite ongoing EU economic woes and profligate government debts, Volkswagen deliveries in Europe totaled 1.02 million models to customers in July (0.94; +8.1%), of which 556,500 (541,500; +2.8%) were delivered in Western Europe excluding Germany. Deliveries on the home market of Germany were, not surprisingly, better, with 352,700 (325,100; +8.5%) vehicles handed over to customers. Continue reading →

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Ford Europe Sales Fall in July as EU Economic Woes Continue

Posted on 17 August 2011 by Ken Zino

Ford’s market share in its traditional 19 European markets was 8.3% for the first seven months of the year, 0.3 percentage points lower in the same period 2010 as Ford continues to lose ground to competitors who are employing a combination of heavy incentives and new models to increase share. As a result Ford’s market share in July fell 0.2 percentage points to 8.1%. Continue reading →

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Volvo Car Posts Profit in Q2. Predicts Volatile Second Half

Posted on 17 August 2011 by Ken Zino

Volvo Car Corporation posted today a profit of 600 million SEK (~$95 million) because of increased sales for Q2. However the Chinese owned company warned of a “volatile second half of the year. The operating improvement of 170 million Kronor … Continue reading →

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Steel and Aluminum Industries in Fuel Economy Design Fight

Posted on 16 August 2011 by Ken Zino

At first glance it appears to be a battle of the press releases as the steel and aluminum industries vie for contracts on new vehicles to reduce weight. Since virtually all cars and trucks right up to Class 8 big rigs will need to get lighter under increasingly stringent fuel economy rules, decade’s old sourcing patterns – and billions of dollars in future steel and aluminum contracts – are at stake. Continue reading →

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Stanley Cup of Fuel Economy? Canada vs U.S. in EcoCar2

Posted on 16 August 2011 by Ken Zino

The competition employs Canadian engineering students, together with 13 U.S. university teams, to explore ways to reduce the environmental impact of vehicles without “compromising” performance, safety and consumer acceptability. Continue reading →

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AMG Driving Academy Video Series on Facebook, YouTube

Posted on 16 August 2011 by Ken Zino

Starting with basic seating position, drivers at home will have the opportunity to experience a series of “classroom sessions ” aimed at honing driver skills. At the conclusion of the video series, viewers will have a basic understanding of the ‘race craft’ techniques used by professional drivers. Continue reading →

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General Motors Recalling TRW ESC Because it Can Run Wild

Posted on 16 August 2011 by Ken Zino

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 →

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Audi Recalls R8 for Potential Engine fires. Dealers Stop Sales

Posted on 16 August 2011 by Ken Zino

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

Posted on 15 August 2011 by Ken Zino

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 →

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Goodyear Experiments with an Inside Tire Air Pump

Posted on 15 August 2011 by Ken Zino

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 →

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Daimler and Honda Lead in Car Fuel Cell Development, Maybe

Posted on 15 August 2011 by Ken Zino

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 →

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