Tag Archives: auto news

U.S. Unemployment Rises to 9.8% in November

Posted on 3 December 2010 by Ken Zino

As the lame duck U.S. Congress bickers along partisan lines, unemployment rose to 9.8% in November. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, economy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Honda Cuts Price of 2011 Insight Hybrid

Posted on 30 November 2010 by Ken Zino

The 2011 Honda Insight is officially on sale today with a less expensive base model that starts at $18,950. It’s the latest attempt by Honda to counter Toyota’s ongoing success with the Prius hybrid, which at more than 115,000 sales … Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, environment, new vehicle | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

General Motors Underwriters Take Maximum Number of Shares in IPO

Posted on 26 November 2010 by Ken Zino

What this really means is U.S. taxpayers now own about 33% of General Motors, down from the U.S. Treasury’s ownership of GM’s outstanding shares of common stock of 61% before the IPO. Continue reading →

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

Atlanta Airport TSA Employee Handcuffs, Rapes Woman

Posted on 26 November 2010 by Ken Zino

A Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employee at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International airport handcuffed a woman, sexually assaulted her and then committed suicide. TSA is rapidly becoming, arguably, the most effective but inadvertent promoter of “automobility” in the bloated agencies of  all U.S. federal and state governments. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, aviation, fools 'n frauds, labor issues, news analysis, people, safety, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Ford Reduces Debt With Successful Conversion Offers

Posted on 24 November 2010 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) announced today the results of conversion offers of bonds for stock that will reduce the company’s Automotive debt by more than $1.9 billion, lowering annualized interest costs by about $180 million. “These successful conversion offers represent another significant step toward our goal of reducing our Automotive debt and improving our balance sheet,” said Lewis Booth, Ford executive vice president and chief financial officer.

However, Ford is still listed as below investment grade by the rating agencies such as Moody’s Investors Service (Ba2) and Standard & Poor’s B+. Both junk ratings raise borrowing costs and limit large funds from buying Ford bonds. Ford lost its investment grade rating in 2005. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, economy, financial results, milestones, news, news analysis, results, shows and events | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Bailout Blessing! GM Saves 184 Jobs in Three Plants

Posted on 24 November 2010 by Ken Zino

General Motors has just announced a $163.2-million investment in its operations in Flint and Bay City, Michigan, and Defiance, Ohio, to support engine production for the Chevrolet Volt, Chevrolet Cruze and a new Chevrolet small car to be built in the United States. The investment will protect 184 jobs at the three sites. Continue reading →

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

Chevy, GMC Recall Compact Pickups for Tether Anchor

Posted on 24 November 2010 by Ken Zino

Chevrolet and GMC recall 192,676 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon regular cab and extended cab pickup trucks from the 2004-2011 model years and 2007-2008 Isuzu i280 and i370 vehicles equipped with a front 60/40 split bench seat. Continue reading →

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

Thanksgiving Auto Travel Up, but 30% below 2005 Peak

Posted on 24 November 2010 by Ken Zino

AAA projects the number of Americans traveling for the Thanksgiving holiday will increase 11.4 percent from 2009, with approximately 42.2 million travelers taking a trip at least 50 miles away from home. Continue reading →

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

Ex Car Czar Settles with SEC; Sued for Bribery by New York

Posted on 19 November 2010 by Ken Zino

As General Motors stock successfully returned to public trading yesterday, Steven Rattner, 58, the Obama Administrations’ former “car czar,” was sued by New York’s Attorney General for using bribes to secure $150 million in investments for his former firm, the Quadrangle … Continue reading →

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

GM Stock Price Soars on IPO Frenzy

Posted on 18 November 2010 by Ken Zino

My how quickly public perceptions change. General Motors, the ailing symbol of demonstrably bad senior management and worse union labor practices, is now the darling of Wall Street as it returns to public trading today in New York and Toronto under the ticker symbol “GM.” Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, economy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Just How Bad is GM’s Accounting?

Posted on 14 November 2010 by Ken Zino

GM says that it doesn’t have the financial controls in place to know if its published results are real or if there are potential material changes lurking. Continue reading →

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

Ford to Build a Second Engine Plant in China

Posted on 2 November 2010 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company and its government dictated partners are building new engine plant in China that is due to open in 2013. With the additional capacity of 400,000 units at the new facility, Ford’s joint venture, Changan Ford Mazda Automobile Ltd (CFMA) is more than doubling its existing engine capacity of 350,000, to 750,000 engines annually.

China is now by far the world’s largest auto market, and Chinese industrial policy in effect requires that all profits earned there are reinvested in the country and its local partners. The U.S. remains alone among industrialized nations – with elected or totalitarian governments – without any such job and investment protecting policy.    Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, economy, manufacturing, milestones, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

EPA to Stigmatize Gas Guzzlers with a D Grade?

Posted on 1 November 2010 by Ken Zino

EPA and DOT are proposing the most radical changes to the fuel economy labels of every new vehicle in dealer showrooms since the regulation began more than 30 years ago. “New technologies such as battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids are entering the American market in greater numbers,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “We need to provide consumers with labels that include fuel economy and environmental information so that buyers can make better informed decisions when purchasing new vehicles.”

EPA and DOT are actually proposing two new label designs for comment during a rule making period that will be subject to intense behind the scenes lobbying by automakers in pay to play Washington.  At stake is the stigma of a bad label on the side of a vehicle. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, fuel economy or emissions, global warming, milestones, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

About AutoInformed

Posted on 1 November 2010 by Ken Zino

While “automobility” continues to thrive in this still new century, the reigning auto world order is amidst an upheaval that parallels revolutions of the 18th. There are similar consequences for all involved in automobiles.  

Posted in auto news, economy, fools 'n frauds, new vehicle, road test | Tagged , | Leave a comment