Tag Archives: auto news

Toyota Yaris Now $14,875! Tundra and Sienna also Increase

The strong Japanese Yen is making itself felt on this side of the Pacific Ocean as Japanese automakers continue to raise prices. Japanese automakers are facing an unprecedented change in their competitiveness – they no longer have a price advantage over the Detroit Three or Korean automakers. In fact, companies that are heavily dependent on Japanese production of components and vehicles have a price disadvantage amounting to thousands of dollars per vehicle.
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President Obama to Announce First Fuel Economy Regulations for Heavy Trucks, Buses. $50 Billion in Fuel Savings Claimed

The complicated standards vary by size and type of truck, and whether gasoline or diesel engines are used. However they appear stringent, calling for a 7-20% reduction in emissions with roughly corresponding increases in fuel economy. Continue reading

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BMW Group Posts Record Global Sales for July

BMW was the best-selling premium automobile brand in the US market, although incentive costs were rising to almost $3,000 a unit and Lexus was effectively shut out of the market because of earthquake shortages. Continue reading

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NHTSA Investigating Ford Mustang Manual Transmissions

NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigations has received 32 complaints alleging an unexpected inability to shift into gear on model year 2011-2012 Ford Mustangs equipped with manual transmissions. According to a filing by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration some of the reports allege that the incidents occurred while merging into high speed traffic; others allege that incidents occurred while turning left across oncoming traffic. Continue reading

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Toyota and Tesla to Build RAV4 EV at Toyota’s Woodstock, Ontario Production Facility, Not California

It was a blow to former NUMMI members in Fremont, California whose UAW plant was shut down by Toyota last year. It was hoped that production of the RAV4 EV would go into the plant when Tesla bought it in 2010. Toyota owns a stake in Tesla, and Tesla previously said that a Model S electric sedan will go into production at NUMMI sometime during 2012. Tesla’s latest financial results showed a $59 million loss for Q2. Continue reading

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Honda Recalls 1.5 Million Accord, CR-V and Element for Software Problem that Leads to Failed Auto Transmissions

American Honda is starting recalls on about 1.5 million vehicles in the U.S. to update the software that controls the automatic transmission. Four-cylinder Accord, CR-V and Element models from 2005-2010 have transmission shift software that could damage the transmission and lead to the engine stalling or difficulty engaging park. Continue reading

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July Unemployment Stagnant at 9.1% as only 117,000 Jobs are Created. Almost 14 Million People are Officially Out of Work

The latest negative economic news came after automakers reported that total U.S. light vehicle market in July grew less than 1% from what was a weak July of 2010 as the economy languishes. Continue reading

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Motor City Mice Chuckle over Possible F-Series EcoBoost Fuel Economy Shortfalls. GM Pushing Expensive Eco Options, too

Owners might not be as amused as we mice, given this elaborate gaming of the EPA system by Ford – especially if owners get similar results after paying at least another $1750 compared to the base V6, or $750 more than the V8 option. And virtually all automakers are gaming the system to obtain ratings that buyers may never experience. Continue reading

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Chrysler Recalls 300,000 Minivans for Possible Airbag Defect

Previously minivan recalls were conducted in November 2010 because a defective drain grommet on the heating and ventilation system (HVAC) allowed condensation from a/c operation to leak onto the computer. At the time only the grommet was replaced. Subsequent Chrysler durability testing revealed that some of the computers failed. Continue reading

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Another 400,000 Apply for Unemployment as Congress takes Month-Long Paid Vacation. No Job Creating Policies in Place

A new U.S. Senate report from the Joint Economic Committee says this: “Two years after the Great Recession officially ended, (Does anybody really believe the recession ended?) unemployment remains above 9% (the real rate is likely 12% or more). Equally alarming, the record long-term unemployment that characterized the Great Recession has shown few signs of abating and remains at near-record levels. Almost 4.5 million workers have been unemployed for a year or more. Another 1.7 million have been jobless for between six months and a year. Continue reading

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Cadillac to Introduce New Small and Large Cars in 2012

The announcement comes as Cadillac sales declined sharply in the U.S. during July, with disappointing total sales of 11,119, a 26% decrease compared to last July as its aging vehicle line was affected by increased incentives from German brands. Both of the new Cadillac models are aimed squarely at German luxury offerings. Continue reading

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General Motors Posts Q2 Earnings of $2.5 Billion. Most in N.A.

Virtually all of GM’s earnings – $2.2B – came from North America, a worrisome development for the most international of the Detroit 3, whose largest markets are China, followed by the United States, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, and Italy.

Earnings were helped by booking revenue from pickup trucks shipped to North American dealers. GM built 516,000 light trucks in Q2, up 14% from a year earlier. Passenger car production increased 10% to 308,000. GM dealers currently have 209,000 pickups in stock – the equivalent of a 115 days supply in an industry that considers 60 days normal. Continue reading

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NHTSA Scrutinizing Ford Fusion for Wheels Falling Off

Since the root cause is thus far officially unknown, and Ford’s investigation is ongoing – a recall if it comes could include more model years than the one that spawned the inquiry. Fusion is – and has been Ford’s best selling car, meaning more than one million vehicles could be affected, since it’s selling at roughly 200,000 units annually. Continue reading

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Bye Bye American Dream – One in Four Could Not Pay for a Major Auto Repair in Latest AAA Economic Survey

One in four American drivers could not pay for a car repair of $2000 if faced with one today, according to the results of a survey released today by AAA. The survey also said one in eight would be unable to pay for a repair bill of $1000 – easily reached with overly complex vehicles on the road. Continue reading

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Korean Auto Sales Surge as Japanese Remain Sidelined

Korean auto sales increased sharply in July while Japanese automakers watched as depleted inventories once again cut into their normal sales levels. Korean automakers Hyundai and Kia posted huge gains and a record month. A combination of high fuel economy and low prices – helped by the Korean Won – saw double-digit sales gains at both automakers. Still, several questions remain about the ability of Korean automakers to continue to grow at the significant rates they have been achieving. Continue reading

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