Tag Archives: auto news

Toyota Recalls Lexus GS 300, 350, IS 250, IS 350 Cars for Fuel Leaks and Possible Fires

Posted on 26 January 2011 by Ken Zino

Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A. today announced a safety recall of approximately 245,000 Lexus models because a leaking fuel pressure sensor that could cause a fire.

Toyota Motor Corporation is also conducting a larger recall outside the U.S. for a similar safety defect involving 1.3 million vehicles to fix a different fuel delivery pipe and a high pressure fuel pump check valve. TMC’s recall announcement does not involve vehicles sold in North America. Continue reading →

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Car Buyers Avoiding Toyota, Edmunds Claims

Posted on 25 January 2011 by Ken Zino

Car buyers are avoiding shopping for Toyota brands, according to data provided by Edmunds.com, an online web site covering the automobile business that sells advertising to virtually all automakers. The privately-held Edmunds declined to provide any information to AutoInformed about … Continue reading →

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Chevrolet Camaro Convertible Goes to Super Bowl XLV MVP

Posted on 25 January 2011 by Ken Zino

Controversy surrounds this years Super Bowl, when it was revealed that women at the Ocean Sky “sweatshop” in El Salvador are paid just eight cents for each $25 NFL T-shirt they sew, according to the National Labor Committee.

Their wages amount to just 3/10ths of one percent of the NFL shirt’s retail price, according to the non-profit pressure group. One wag suggests that this gives a whole new meaning to one Super Bowl team – the Steelers. Continue reading →

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Ultracapacitors to Challenge Batteries in Stop/Start Vehicles?

Posted on 25 January 2011 by Ken Zino

Pike Research that claims worldwide sales of ultracapacitors will grow tenfold from $28 million in 2011 to $284 million by 2016, with cumulative revenue of $901 million during that period. Continue reading →

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Toyota Opens Two New Product Quality Field Offices in U.S.

Posted on 25 January 2011 by Ken Zino

Based on the illegal actions of Toyota’s Japanese executives, Toyota was fined $50 million by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for its failure to promptly act on safety defects last year. (See Toyota Motor Fined Another $32.425 Million for Safety Defects) Continue reading →

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National Hot Rod Association Tax-Exempt Status Attacked

Posted on 24 January 2011 by Ken Zino

The IRS has received a complaint challenging the tax-exempt status of the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) from the Washington law firm of Caplin & Drysdale. The complaint alleges that the drag racing organization’s activities mimic those organized by for-profit automobile entertainment companies. Continue reading →

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EPA, DOT and California Want Higher Light Vehicle Fuel Economy Rules in Place by September. Jobs Are at Stake

Posted on 24 January 2011 by Ken Zino

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the state of California today announced a timeframe for proposing what will no doubt be increased fuel economy and lower greenhouse gas standards for model year 2017-2025 cars and light-duty trucks. Continue reading →

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Workers Paid Eight Cents for Each $25 NFL T-shirt!

Posted on 24 January 2011 by Ken Zino

Women at the Ocean Sky “sweatshop” in El Salvador are paid just eight cents for each $25 NFL T-shirt they sew, according a press release just issued by the National Labor Committee.

Their wages amount to just 3/10ths of one percent of the NFL shirt’s retail price, according to the non-profit pressure group with un-posted sources of funding. Continue reading →

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Toyota Number One in 2010 Sales, Beating General Motors

Posted on 24 January 2011 by Ken Zino

In the closely fought global car wars, Toyota Motor Corporation just barely maintained its Number One position in 2010, beating a resurgent General Motors Company, according to sales numbers released today.

Toyota’s worldwide sales in calendar year 2010 tallied 8,418,000, an increase of 8% compared to 2009. General Motors reported that it delivered 8,389,769 vehicles globally, a 12.2% increase from 2009 deliveries of 7,477,178. The third place automaker, Volkswagen group had reported earlier 2010 sales of 7.14 million, a 13.5% improvement from 2009. Continue reading →

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Gasoline Prices Rising. Another Roller Coaster Ride Underway?

Posted on 24 January 2011 by Ken Zino

At the end of December 2010 gasoline prices in the United States rose above $3 a gallon for the first time since October of 2008. The difference this time around is that in 2008 the pricing trend was downward, having … Continue reading →

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GM to Add Back 750 Jobs at Flint Assembly for Pickup Trucks

Posted on 24 January 2011 by Ken Zino

General Motors today announced plans to start a third shift at Flint Assembly, adding back 750 jobs in the plant that makes Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra heavy-duty pickups.
Continue reading →

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EPA Grants E15 Fuel Waiver for Some Older Vehicles

Posted on 21 January 2011 by Ken Zino

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today waived a its regulation preventing the sale of gasoline that contains more than 10% ethanol for model year 2001- 2006 passenger vehicles, including cars, SUVs, and light pickup trucks.

EPA also announced that no waiver is being granted this year for E15 use in any motorcycles, heavy-duty vehicles, or non-road engines because current testing data does not support such a waiver. Continue reading →

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Chevrolet Camaro SS Convertible to Pace Indianapolis 500

Posted on 21 January 2011 by Ken Zino

A Chevrolet Camaro Convertible will serve as the pace car of the 2011 Indianapolis 500. Chevrolet and Indianapolis Motor Speedway officials made the announcement at the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale classic auto auction yesterday, where a bidder will have the opportunity to purchase the first of 50 Indianapolis 500 Festival Committee cars this Saturday night.

The 2011 Camaro Convertible is the 22nd Chevrolet chosen to pace the race, and the seventh Camaro. Both the 100th anniversary of the first Indianapolis 500 and Chevrolet occur in 2011. Chevrolet. Arthur, Louis and Gaston Chevrolet all competed at the Brickyard. Continue reading →

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FocusDriven Distracted Driving PSA: 5,500; How Many More?

Posted on 21 January 2011 by Ken Zino

FocusDriven, the first national non-profit organization advocating for victims of distracted driving has released new Public Service Announcement or PSA titled, “5,500; How Many More?”

The PSA highlights that nearly 5,500 people are killed and half a million more are injured in distraction-related crashes annually. The auto industry and electronics makers whose devices are enabling distracted driving thus far show no interest in helping to curb this growing safety problem. And the U.S. Congress has forbidden federal safety regulators form promulgating national standards or rules. Continue reading →

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January New Vehicle Sales up 23% from 2010. Slow Recovery?

Posted on 21 January 2011 by Ken Zino

January new-vehicle retail sales are forecast to come in at 632,100 units, which means a seasonally adjusted annualized rate (SAAR) of 10.0 million units, nearly 2 million units higher than January 2010. Continue reading →

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