Tag Archives: auto news

$5 Fuel Tipping Point for U.S. Electric Car Consideration. Consumer Expectations – Globally – at Odds with EV Realities

Interest or consideration is an important precursor to actually electric vehicle sales, but while EV consideration is a necessary condition it is not sufficient to tip the balance in favor of electric vehicles as customer expectations are wildly out of touch with EV reality. Continue reading

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April U.S. New Vehicle Retail Sales Strong But Inventories Drop

However, the pace isn’t expected to be sustainable as inventory dries up, especially among small cars, and becomes a more widespread problem toward the end of April and into May Continue reading

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Toyota Cuts May Auto Production in North America

On average, around 85% of the parts and materials for the 12 North American-built Toyota and Lexus models are sourced from 500 suppliers in North America. While production of some parts and materials continues in Japan, Toyota says it is working closely with affected suppliers in order to minimize the impact, which appears to be considerable and ongoing. Continue reading

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Chevrolet Sells 1.1 Million Vehicles in Record 2011 Q1

The latest Chevrolet expansion bodes ill for the future of Opel/Vauxhall. These old world brands, steeped in history and baggage, will increasingly be relegated to regional European labels – until they can be rationalized – someday – under the Chevrolet Bow Tie. Continue reading

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Lousy Economy Lowers U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Emissions in 2009 represent the lowest total U.S. annual GHG emissions since 1995. These numbers reflect the most up to date data at the time of publication. Continue reading

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Global Share of Emerging Auto Markets Exceeds Matures

The marketshare of global light-vehicle sales coming from so-called “emerging” markets has surpassed share from economically mature regions, led largely by growth in China, according to J.D. Power and Associates. “Mature markets like the United States, Western Europe and Japan … Continue reading

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Great Leap Forward! GM China Announces Five Year Plan to Double Sales by Introducing 60 New and Upgraded Models

In fact, due to a job creating industrial policy dictated by the Communist Chinese government, China is actually benefitting from leverage as all western automakers must establish joint ventures with local Chinese companies – some of them former munitions makers and military suppliers – in order to gain access to the lucrative market. Continue reading

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Volkswagen Debuts Most Fuel-Efficient VW Beetle Ever

In 1998 the “New Beetle” returned, successfully riding a wave of nostalgia that was triggering automotive retro designs – including the Ford Thunderbird, BMW Mini, Chrysler PT – creating another generation of Beetle owners, most of whom thought WW2 was a history class. In yet another irony, the new Beetle was a mere sales footnote in Germany, where buyers thought the design too frivolous – no Love Bugs for them. All told about 500,000 New Beetles were sold in the U.S. – 10% of the original Beetle’s U.S. volume, as the competition in small cars had heightened considerably, notably by the Japanese Big Three – Toyota, Nissan and Honda. Continue reading

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Ford to Double White Collar Workers in China by 2015

Ford Motor Company will double the number of white collar workers in China by 2015, the company said ahead of a recruiting effort to take place next week at the Shanghai Motor Show. All told some 1,200 new jobs will … Continue reading

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Volkswagen Group Sets Q1 and March Sales Records

By posting what was a 13.7% increase Europe’s largest automaker outperformed the overall market, which grew 8.1% based on preliminary Q1 results. Continue reading

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GM India Hires Scabs to Break Chevrolet Cruze Plant Strike

The General Motors India strike by the Gujurat Kamdar Mandal union is reminiscent of UAW sit down strikes during 1936-37 in Michigan, which led to recognition of the Union and the right to collective bargaining by the world’s largest automaker. Thus far Solidarity House, the UAW’s international headquarters in Detroit has remained silent on the GKM strike, and refused multiple requests for comment. General Motors in the U.S. simply says it is working with local groups in India. Continue reading

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Survey Finds Most Buyers Won’t Downsize With Next Vehicle Purchase. Trouble for Automakers facing 35.5 mpg CAFE?

Offsetting the downsizing trend are 19% of respondents who said they plan to buy a larger vehicle. How this all sorts out in the marketplace is a complicated issue for automakers, who need to average 35.5 mpg by 2016, with cars needing to average 42 mpg. Continue reading

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Toyota Bucks EU Vehicle Sales Woes with 13% Q1 Increase

Toyota Motor Europe reported sales of 233,336 Toyota and Lexus vehicles in the first quarter of 2011 as Toyota’s overall monthly sales in March surpassed the 100,000 mark for the first time since March 2009. It is counter the downward sales trend in the European Union or EU. Continue reading

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New MG in Production at Longbridge – It’s Chinese

The new four-door hatchback, priced from £15,495 – £18,995, is a far cry from the two-seat TC, TD and TF models that were loved – and bought – by repatriated U.S. soldiers in the post WW2 years. Continue reading

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Kia Rio Hatchback Will Debut at New York Auto Show

Thus far with sales of about 2,000 units a month in the U.S., the Kia Rio has been an insignificant factor in the hard fought sub-compact sales wars led by Honda Fit, Nissan Versa and Toyota Yaris. Continue reading

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