Tag Archives: auto news

Japan Earthquake Causes Loss of 320,000 Vehicles. More Plant Shutdowns on Way and the Worst is yet to Come

“The Japan disaster has had a profound effect on the automotive industry,” said IHS Automotive Director Michael Robinet, noting that 13% of the global automotive industry is shut down and companies have lost 320,000 units of production since the earthquake, tsunami and power disruptions. Continue reading

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Super Bowl Ads Effective for Chevrolet, Mini, Kia, and VW

Chevrolet, Mini, Kia and Volkswagen had the best return on investment among the ten automakers advertising during the 2011 Super Bowl, according to data just released by publisher Hachette Filipacchi.

A six week study conducted before and after the Super Bowl was based on traffic on 14 automotive websites. Continue reading

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March New Vehicle Retail Sales Running at 10.9 Million SAAR

March new-vehicle sales are showing stability through the first three weeks of the month, continuing a trend of monthly double-digit year-over-year increases, according to the latest data.

New vehicle retail sales are projected to come in at 991,900 units, which represent a seasonally adjusted annualized rate (SAAR) of 10.9 million units, according to J.D. Power and Associates, which gathers transaction data from more than 8,900 franchise dealers throughout the United States. Continue reading

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Toyota Postpones Prius V Japan Launch; With Honda Expects U.S. Plant Shutdowns from Earthquake Parts Shortages

At the same time Toyota was telling workers in U.S. plants to expect shutdowns because of parts shortages resulting from Japan’s triple disasters of earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear plant meltdowns. Toyota said it did not know at this time when, where or how long the production disruptions would last, but it was likely that some would happen. Continue reading

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New Ford Ranger Debuts in Bangkok – U.S. Bound?

Ford is billing the compact pickup truck as a global entry – it will be sold throughout Europe, Asia and South America – but remains mute if the Ranger will reappear in the United States, the world’s largest pickup truck market. Continue reading

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General Motors Sells All of Its Ally Preferred for $1 Billion

General Motors Company (NYSE: GM) has sold of its preferred shares of Ally Financial Inc. for a total of $1.0 billion. Ally, formerly known as GMAC, is GM’s and Chryslers largest provider of automotive financing. Continue reading

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Hyundai Elantra Air Bag Recall – More than 280,000 Affected

Hyundai Motor Company in the United States is recalling 2007 through 2009 Elantra models for two safety defects that interfere with proper air bag deployment. Electrical sensor problems are responsible for both potential safety defects. Continue reading

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Chevrolet Colorado Show Truck Unveiled in Bangkok

Chevrolet today unveiled its Colorado Show Truck on the eve of the Bangkok International Auto Show, where it is making its global public debut.

The is said to be concept virtually identical to the next-generation Colorado mid-size pickup truck that goes on sale in Thailand later this year, and will eventually be on sale in the U.S. Continue reading

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Million Dollar Porsche 918 Hybrid on Sale – Only “918” Offered

The 918’s V8 engine delivers more than 368 kW or 500 horsepower. This is increased by two electric motors with a total of at least 160 kW (218 hp). Fuel consumption of 918 Spyder is estimated at three liters of fuel per 100 kilometers (~ 74 mpg) based on the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC). Continue reading

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Opel Shuts German, Spanish plants for Japanese Parts Shortage; Management Shifts as Stracke Returns as Opel CEO

There is a certain amount of friction between Opel and Chevrolet factions inside GM as both brands compete for the same customers, and Chevrolet increasingly turns to GM’s Korean subsidiary Daewoo as a source for small cars that Opel once designed exclusively. Opel’s future is clearly as a regional European brand in a market where it is struggling. Continue reading

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Continental Tire Tread Separation Recall on Ford F-Series. Explorer Firestone Tire Failure Drama Now in Sequel

Continental Tire is recalling 390,657 tires installed on Ford F-250 and F-350 heavy duty pickup trucks in the U.S. About 65,000 trucks are potentially affected by a tire tread separation defect – the same problem as the infamous Firestone tire recall on the Ford Explorer that dominated headlines a decade ago. Continue reading

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Former Ford Plant in Norfolk Virginia Sold to Belgium Firm

Ford Motor Company today announced the sale of its Norfolk Assembly Plant in Virginia to Atlanta-based Jacoby Development. As part of the transaction, Jacoby, in turn, sold a portion of the 100-acre former Ford Plant to Belgium-based Katoen Natie (KTN), a global logistics provider. Terms of the sale were not disclosed. Continue reading

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Is Coca-Cola Part of Japan’s Nuclear Power Problem?

The Coca-Cola statement on the Japanese triple crisis of earthquake, tsunami and nuclear power disaster is straightforward. Coca-Cola sends condolences, pledges $7.3 million in cash and products, and is running TV and radio ads to encourage energy conservation. What’s missing … Continue reading

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Japanese Earthquake Shuts GM Truck Plant in U.S.

General Motors is the first auto company to announce that it will stop production at a U.S. plant due to a parts shortage resulting from Japan’s tripe tragedies of earthquake, tsunami and nuclear meltdowns.

GM’s Shreveport Assembly in Louisiana will be closed next week. Continue reading

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Honda Recalls Odyssey Minivan for Bad Windshield Wipers

Honda is recalling 33,341 model-year 2011 Odyssey vehicles in the U.S. to replace the front windshield wiper linkage rod. If the windshield wipers are frozen to the windshield with heavy ice and the wipers are turned on without freeing them … Continue reading

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