Tag Archives: auto news

Chrysler Challenges Nader, Center for Auto Safety, Disputing Need for a Jeep Grand Cherokee Recall for Rear Impact Fires

Posted on 7 February 2011 by Ken Zino

Ralph Nader and the Center for Auto Safety are calling on Chrysler to recall 1993-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee models because they are, allegedly, defective and subject to fires during rear-end collisions.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened an investigation into the claims, and of course Chrysler is cooperating, as required by U.S. safety regulations. Continue reading →

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Cell Phones Prevail as Dominant U.S. Electronic Device. Distracted Driving Enabler Now Owned by 85% of Adults

Posted on 4 February 2011 by Ken Zino

Cell phones are now the most prevalent electronic device among U.S. adults, with an 85% ownership rate, and 90% of all adults—including 62% of those ages 75 and older—living in a household with at least one working cell phone. Continue reading →

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Ford Recalls 281,000 F-Series Pickup Trucks for Door Popping

Posted on 4 February 2011 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company is recalling 281,000 F-Series pickup trucks made at its Kansas City and Dearborn plants for defective door latches that can pop open during a crash.

Model year 2009 and 2010 F-Series pickup trucks have a defective interior door handle module from supplier Brose. Continue reading →

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Ally Selects NADA Guide for Used Vehicle Financing

Posted on 3 February 2011 by Ken Zino

The National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) announced today that Ally Financial will use its used vehicle pricing information from the NADA Used Car Guide when underwriting consumer auto contracts in 38 states. Continue reading →

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Fight for Auto Repair Dollars Heats up at Ford and GM

Posted on 3 February 2011 by Ken Zino

Once upon a time in the new car business, dealers used the “back end” or the service bays to cover the entire cost of running the operation. Good dealers could have a “service absorption rate” of 100% or more, which … Continue reading →

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Cadillac CTS-V to Offer Black Diamond Tri-Coat Paint in March

Posted on 2 February 2011 by Ken Zino

Cadillac will offer a Black Diamond Edition of the performance CTS-V with what’s called tri-coat paint, dubbed Black Diamond. This marketing name for once actually describes the color.

Available on the CTS-V Sedan, Coupe and Wagon models, this will be the first use by an automaker of something called a “SpectraFlair” pigment in North America, after it showed in 2002 at the Specialty Equipment Manufacturer’s Show in Las Vegas. (Old naming habits die hard.) Continue reading →

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Renault Shifts Most of New €5.7 billion Investment out of European Plants. Promises No Job Losses in France

Posted on 2 February 2011 by Ken Zino

Renault SA (RNO.FR) said this morning that it is adjusting its industrial base and putting €5.7 billion ($7.9 b) investment into plants by 2013, largely in emerging markets. The French automaker was quick to add that France would remain the … Continue reading →

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Toyota Reports January Sales up 17%, as it Flings Incentive Gauntlet at Other Automakers with Cash and 0% Interest

Posted on 1 February 2011 by Ken Zino

Loyalty and conquest rates have returned to historical pre-recall levels,” said Bob Carter, Toyota Division group vice president and general manager, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., who went on to say Toyota intends to grow at greater than market rates this year, thus flinging the gauntlet Chevrolet and Ford executives whose brands surpassed Toyota brand in U.S. sales last year. Continue reading →

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Chrysler Group Reports January U.S. Sales Up 23%

Posted on 1 February 2011 by Ken Zino

Chrysler Group LLC today reported U.S. sales of 70,118, a 23% increase compared with sales in January 2010 (57,143 units), and ahead of the overall U.S. market growth of 17%.

Chrysler’s heavy reliance on truck and minivan sales – roughly 75% of total – was a factor as overall truck sales in the U.S. increased 29% in January. Continue reading →

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Ford Motor January U.S. sales up 13%

Posted on 1 February 2011 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company reported January sales were 127,317, up 13% from 2009, as the killing of the Mercury brand and a 27% decline in sales to daily rental companies hurt results. Continue reading →

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General Motors January Sales Rise 23%

Posted on 1 February 2011 by Ken Zino

General Motors dealers reported 178,896 total sales in the United States during January, a 23% increase from a year ago for the company’s four brands. Retail sales were 36% higher than January 2009. Continue reading →

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Ally Financial Posts Net Income of $1.1 Billion in 2010

Posted on 1 February 2011 by Ken Zino

Ally Financial Inc. today reported net income of $79 million for the fourth quarter of 2010, compared to a net loss of $5.0 billion for the fourth quarter of 2009. For full-year 2010, Ally (formerly GMAC and now taxpayers own … Continue reading →

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Renault Group Reports €38.97 Billion in 2010 Revenue; Return to Profitability Because of Record Sales of 2.6 Million Vehicles

Posted on 31 January 2011 by Ken Zino

Renault Group has turned around its results, according to a statement issued today by Carlos Ghosn, Chairman and CEO.

“Renault can already announce that, driven by record commercial results in a growing world market and good cost control, the Group has largely exceeded its annual free cash flow objective and reduced net automotive debt to €1.4 billion,” Ghosn said. Continue reading →

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Chrysler Group Posts $652 Million Loss in 2010

Posted on 31 January 2011 by Ken Zino

Chrysler Group LLC today said that it had a total year net loss in 2010 of $652 million, and a net loss of loss of $199 million in Q4 2010, compared to a net loss of $84M in Q3 2010. Debt increased by $0.4 billion in 2010 to $5.8 billion from 2009 as the revision of 16 models increased costs and deceased revenue during their launch. Cash as of 31 December 2010 was $7.3 billion compared to $8.3 billion on 30 September 2010. Continue reading →

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TRW and Fallbrook Sign MOU to Develop Continuously Variable Accessory Drive for Commercial Vehicles

Posted on 31 January 2011 by Ken Zino

TRW Automotive and Fallbrook Technologies today announced that they have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop applications for Fallbrook’s continuously variable accessory drive (CVAD) technology for commercial vehicles.

The specific applications covered by the MOU were not disclosed, but are designed to improve both performance and efficiency of vehicle accessories, which could directly increase vehicle fuel efficiency. Continue reading →

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