Tag Archives: auto news

Vehicle Dependability at Record, but Electronic Problems Grow

Overall vehicle dependability has slightly improved from 2010, but automakers are having difficulty overcoming problems with newer technologies and features, according to the J.D. Power and Associates. The study measures problems experienced during the past 12 months by original owners … Continue reading

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Sales of Fuel Efficient 4-Cylinder Engines Double at Chevrolet

There’s no better example of how rising fuel prices have changed the auto industry than the ongoing shift in demand for more efficient engines. The trend led by customer demand is also reinforced strongly by the first government increase in Corporate Average Fuel Economy in decades, which finally prompted reluctant auto executives to invest in technologies that produce significant decreases in the amount of fuel needed per mile traveled. Continue reading

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Porsche Cajun SUV to be Built alongside Larger Cayenne in Leipzig, Eastern Germany. Huge Plant Expansion Planned

Thus the fifth model in the Porsche line is scheduled to appear at the renowned sport car maker that ironically now sells more sedans and trucks than 911 and Boxster models. Cajun will be the least expensive Porsche when it appears. Continue reading

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House Bill Says Greenhouse Gases not Air Pollutants. Republican Attack on EPA Despite Supreme Court Ruling

Since nothing in the Act precludes states from pursuing their own GHG policies, this is a severe setback for automakers that need one coordinated national standard for fuel economy and CO2 emissions. Continue reading

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U.S. Bound Infiniti Models Damaged in Japanese Port; Nissan to Reopen Some Japanese Plants. V6 Engines a Problem

Nissan says that about 1,300 Infiniti vehicles were damaged in port in Japan due to the earthquake and tsunami. However, this equates to a few days’ supply for the luxury brand, which is heavily dependent on Japanese imports for most of its premium vehicles. Continue reading

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Toyota Extends Production Shut Down at all Japanese Plants

Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) has decided to continue the vehicle-production halt started on March 14 at all plants in Japan, including subsidiary vehicle manufacturers, through March 22. Originally Toyota and other major Japanese automakers had said some shut downs would be for a couple of days. Continue reading

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BMW Says Record Sales and Earnings Coming in 2011

The BMW Group during 2011 will improve on record earnings set in 2010 and increase them again in 2012 claimed Norbert Reithofer, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG on Tuesday in Munich.

It was the latest sign that the auto industry is coming back, especially in high margin luxury vehicle segments. The BMW prediction follows records the world’s larger luxury make set in 2010. Continue reading

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How Long Will U.S. Japanese Buyers Wait for Earthquake Delayed Vehicles and Where Will They Go if They Defect?

While U.S. sales executives at Japanese companies are taking an optimistic “wait and see” attitude about the effects on sales of Japanese brands of Japan’s triple tragedies – earthquakes, tsunamis, nuclear meltdowns – they also acknowledge that since Japanese imports … Continue reading

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Ghosn, Pélata, others Lose Bonus over Renault Spy Case

Renault’s board of directors has approved a plan that would see CEO and President Carlos Ghosn and Chief Operating Officer Patrick Pélata, as well as other involved senior managers lose their 2010 bonuses and 2011 stock options because of the wrongful termination in January of three employees on false charges of industrial spying.
This ends speculation that Ghosn’s and Pélata’s positions were threatened by the corporate bungling, which became a minor political controversy in France. Pélata had tendered his resignation, but Ghosn refused to accept it.
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NRC Sends more Experts on Nuclear Reactors to Japan

In what is a politically sensitive area in Japan, as a result of the U.S.’s deployment of nuclear weapons on Hiroshima, home of Mazda, and Nagasaki that ended the war in 1945, NRC said that “only if asked” would it be part of the Japanese government’s decision making process” on the reactors. Continue reading

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Kia Recalls 2006-2008 Optima Sedans for Bad Shift Cable

If the driver leaves the vehicle without engaging the parking brake, there is a possibility that the vehicle can roll creating the risk of a crash. Continue reading

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Renault Spy Case Executive Firings Wrong Prosecutor Says. French Government Investigations Continue into the Fraud

The board of directors of Renault met today in an unscheduled meeting after a French prosecutor said earlier that three executives dismissed by Renault are innocent of claims by Renault that industrial spying was going on and that the executives were depositing payments into bank accounts in Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Continue reading

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Auto Production in Japan at Standstill as Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Mazda, Subaru Shut. More Earthquakes Coming?

Auto production in earthquake racked Japan is at a standstill this morning as most automakers closed plants even in non quake areas for announced times of three days to a few weeks. In fact, no company can be sure when they will reopen plants. Moreover, rolling blackouts will disrupt public transportation and production throughout the country for unknown periods of time as damaged nuclear powerplants are repaired or scrapped. Continue reading

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Huge Earthquake Rocks Northern Japan, Tsunami Follows; Effect on Japanese Auto Exports and Yen Value Unknown

The earthquake has also shut down an unknown number of Japanese automaker and parts supplier plants at a time when car sales are rising and exports are needed to meet growing demand in the U.S. and elsewhere. Continue reading

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Another GM Top Management Change as CFO Liddell Resigns

It appears that the outside financial gunslingers brought in by Treasury – notably Ed Whitaker retired from ATT and Chris Liddell from Microsoft had short term personal goals as to how long they would run the historic and now recovering auto giant. This begs the question as to how long the current CEO Dan Akerson, who came from Wall Street, will stick around, and puts a stop to speculation that Liddell, 52, was the obvious heir apparent for Akerson’s job. Continue reading

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