Tag Archives: auto news

Toyota Prevails Against Former In-House Attorney Biller. Self Proclaimed Whistle Blower Ordered to Pay Toyota Millions

Posted on 6 January 2011 by Ken Zino

Toyota Motor Sales in the U.S. has won a key legal battle against its former in-house attorney, Dimitrios P. Biller, who accused Toyota of withholding evidence in product liability cases. An arbitrator has found in Toyota’s favor on all of … Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, litigation, people, recalls, safety | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Buy American in 2010? Not Really

Posted on 5 January 2011 by Ken Zino

As the U.S. automobile market recovered somewhat in 2010 and increased truck sales particularly helped Ford, General Motors and Chrysler record above average sale gains compared to the industry, there was speculation that “Buy American” was a factor. Now that … Continue reading →

Posted in auto news | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

OnStar Expands Beyond GM Cars. Will offer Aftermarket Mirror

Posted on 5 January 2011 by Ken Zino

OnStar will offer its telematics services in the aftermarket for older General Motors cars and the most popular non-GM vehicles for $299 this spring.

A standalone rearview mirror containing OnStar’s core technology will be available through consumer electronics retailers, starting with Best Buy, and is compatible with most top-selling vehicles from major manufacturers. Installation is expected to cost between $75 and $100. A range of service plans will be available, starting at $18.95 a month or $199 a year. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Chrysler Group 2010 Sales Up 16%. Breaks 1 Million Unit Level

Posted on 4 January 2011 by Ken Zino

Chrysler Group today reported U.S. sales of 1,085,211 units, an increase of 17% in 2010 when compared with 2009 sales at the Fiat controlled automaker. On average light-vehicle retail sales in the U.S. rose 11% during 2010 to 11.6 million units.

Particularly strong were truck sales at Jeep, plus 26% at 291,000, and Ram truck, up 9% at 213,000. On average U.S. light truck sales were up 18% to more than 5.8 million units during 2010. At almost 75% of sales, Chrysler Group remains at heart a truck company, making it vulnerable to rising fuel prices this year. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, financial results, results, sales | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Toyota U.S. Sales Troubles Continue as 2010 Sales Results are the Same as a Depressed 2009. Overall the Market Grew 11%

Posted on 4 January 2011 by Ken Zino

Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A. today reported annual sales of 1,763,595 vehicles – the same as Toyota posted during 2009 in an auto market that grew at double digit rates for most other major makers, including 19% at Ford Motor … Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, new vehicle, recalls, results, sales | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ford Motor Company U.S. Vehicle Sales Up 19% in 2010

Posted on 4 January 2011 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company full-year sales in the U.S. totaled 1.935 million, up 19% compared to a year ago, the largest in any year since 1984. Ford claimed it was the largest increase of any full-line manufacturer last year. When Toyota … Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, economy, results, sales | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

U.S. Sales to Jump to 13 Million in 2011, GM Predicts

Posted on 4 January 2011 by Ken Zino

GM predicts that the total U.S. vehicle market in 2011 will be in the 13-13.5 million range, including medium and heavy duty trucks, up from a projected 11.8 million in 2010. Don Johnson, vice president of U.S. sales operations provided … Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, economy, results, sales | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

General Motors Sets China Sales Record. U.S. also up in 2010

Posted on 4 January 2011 by Ken Zino

General Motors vehicle sales in China rose 28.8% to a record 2,351,610 units in 2010. GM’s manufacturing joint ventures and major brands all set new annual sales marks, allowing GM to remain the leader among global automakers in the world’s … Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, economy, results, sales | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Oil Refiners Sue Environmental Protection Agency to Stop E15 Ethanol Fuel Sales. Attack on EPA Broadens.

Posted on 4 January 2011 by Ken Zino

The National Petrochemical & Refiners Association filed suit on Monday, asking the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit to review and overturn an Environmental Protection Agency decision last fall to allow the sale of E15 fuel in cars and light trucks.

Organizations joining NPRA against EPA are the International Liquid Terminals Association and the Western States Petroleum Association. The suits contend EPA violated the Clean Air Act and the Administrative Procedure Act. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, environment | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Volkswagen Board Extends Contract of CEO Martin Winterkorn

Posted on 3 January 2011 by Ken Zino

The Supervisory Board of Volkswagen AG unanimously extended the contract of Management Board Chairman Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn for another five years until the end of 2016, the VW said yesterday in a statement. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, people | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Significant Auto Industry Stories of 2010

Posted on 31 December 2010 by Ken Zino

As 2010 dwindles it’s time to reflect on the significant automotive stories of the year from a perspective that attempts to ignore the daily hysteria of the “gotcha” playing media. The longer term effects and significance of the following stories … Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, economy, environment, fools 'n frauds, people, results | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ex Car Czar Rattner Settles Bribery Charges for $10 Million

Posted on 31 December 2010 by Ken Zino

Steven Rattner, the Obama Administrations’ former “car czar,” has settled bribery charges in New York by paying a $10 million fine and agreeing to banishment from appearing before any public pension fund within the State of New York for five years. … Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, economy, people | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ford Recalls F-Series, Edge, Lincoln MKX for Fires. “Toyota Effect” at NHTSA as Makers Now Rush to Recall Defects

Posted on 30 December 2010 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company in the U.S. is recalling thousands of 2011 F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles for fires. A Mexican-built control computer from Lear Corporation can burst into flames without warning. At least two of … Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, recalls, safety, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ford to Expand Start-Stop Systems in U.S. by 2012

Posted on 29 December 2010 by Ken Zino

A Start-Stop system will be available for Ford’s North American cars and sport utility vehicles and crossovers starting in 2012, the maker said in a release, claiming improved city driving fuel economy between 4% and 10%. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, economy, new vehicle | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Honda Passport SUVs Recalled for Wheels Falling Off

Posted on 17 December 2010 by Ken Zino

Honda will recall 35,984 Passport SUVs sold in the United States from model years 1998-2002 to inspect the rear suspension lower trailing links. The forward mounting bracket for the left or right rear suspension lower link may suffer excessive corrosion leading to a failure of the suspension, increasing the risk of a crash.

Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, engineering, news analysis, recalls, safety | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment