Tag Archives: autoinformed

Largest US Market for Zero Emission Vehicles is California

Posted on 21 November 2015 by Ken Zino

California is and likely will remain the largest market for zero emission vehicles in the United States because of the state’s increasingly stringent ZEV mandate. Continue reading →

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Unsafe Used Vehicles with Open Recalls. What to Do?

Posted on 20 November 2015 by Ken Zino

However, AutoInformed thinks the bill ignores the equal protection clause of the United States Constitution. Could it be here that we have a group of politicians trying to give the impression of doing something good by singling out one, arguably, unpopular business group – franchised auto dealers – while exempting far more numerous voters? This bill could also be an example of incomplete staff work. Nonetheless, much more work is needed, if we really want to increase the rate of completed recalls. Continue reading →

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Overdue Update of Mazda CX-9 Appears at LAAS

Posted on 19 November 2015 by Ken Zino

This three-row seat CX-9 is long overdue for a major overhaul in an ultra-competitive field, but Mazda’s fragile financial position saw it mildly freshening the Ford Edge-based platform since its 2007 introduction. That’s a long time in car life years as it turns it into a dog. Continue reading →

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It’s Only a Paper Bridge for Range Rover

Posted on 19 November 2015 by Ken Zino

The hand-built paper bridge took three days to construct in the ancient water city of Suzhou, which is famous for its bridges and nicknamed ‘Venice of the East’. The unique crossing was made of high quality paper supplied by specialist British manufacturer James Cropper. Continue reading →

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Cadillac XT5 after Dubai Desert Debut at LAAS

Posted on 19 November 2015 by Ken Zino

It’s said to be built on a unique chassis and structure. XT5 is 278 pounds lighter than the current SRX, 100 pounds lighter than Audi Q5, 650 pounds lighter than Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class – despite being seven inches longer. Time for the European luxury makers to go on diet or is snob appeal also glob appeal? Continue reading →

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More EV Charging Stations for COP21 in Paris

Posted on 19 November 2015 by Ken Zino

France already has about 10,000 quick and standard charging spots. In the Paris region alone, there are more than 4,000 spots, making Paris one of the most “plugged in” cities in Europe. Continue reading →

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GM, US Army to Build Off-Road Hydrogen Fuel Cell Colorado

Posted on 19 November 2015 by Ken Zino

In 2007, GM launched “Project Driveway,” a 119-vehicle fleet of hydrogen fuel cell-equipped Chevrolet Equinoxes that were driven in daily use for more than 3 million miles by more than 5,000 consumers. Like so many advanced GM programs, commercial applications never saw the pavement. Honda and Toyota have fuels cells in use now by civilians. Continue reading →

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Union Protests Hyundai Worker Deaths

Posted on 19 November 2015 by AutoCrat

Trade unionists from Korea were in Geneva, Switzerland to attend the United Nations Forum on Business and Human Rights this week telling the world about the workers dying in the yards of the planet’s biggest shipbuilder, Hyundai Heavy Industries Continue reading →

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2017 Hyundai Elantra Debuts at LAAS

Posted on 18 November 2015 by Ken Zino

The 2017 Elantra will arrive at U.S. Hyundai dealers in January. With heavily revised exterior sheet metal, all-new powertrains and claimed improved fuel economy, a better ride and more noise insulation, the super-competitive compact class continues to offer some of the best cars ever made. Caveat here: Hyundai got caught cheating big time on fuel economy ratings by the EPA by falsifying the settings used for testing. (Hyundai, Kia Fined Record Amount for Fuel Economy Cheating or Hyundai Cops Plea on Mileage Fraud Class Action or Hyundai and Kia Caught in EPA Mileage Rating Fraud) Continue reading →

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Truth in Geographical Vehicle Names – Here are Real Ones

Posted on 18 November 2015 by AutoCrat

Finding a Chevy Malibu in Malibu or a Hyundai Tucson in Tucson is actually rare, if such geographical vehicle names reflect popularity in those locales. Continue reading →

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FAA Wants $200,000 Fine for Unsafe Conditions at Detroit Wayne County Airport – DTW

Posted on 18 November 2015 by Ken Zino

Unless successfully challenged – highly unlikely – once again beleaguered taxpayers will be picking up the tab for illegal behavior at an airport that has a long history of malfeasance and criminal behavior by Democratic politicians who control Wayne County. Continue reading →

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Chevrolet Cruze Pricing Undercuts Civic, Corolla, Elantra

Posted on 18 November 2015 by Ken Zino

The battle of best-selling global compact cars continued today with Chevrolet pricing its brand new Cruze model $1980 cheaper than the Honda Civic LX, an acknowledged leader in the class. The formidable Cruze – Chevy’s bestseller globally – is also less expensive than the Toyota Corolla L (-$570) and the Hyundai Elantra SE (-$580). Continue reading →

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Honda 2&4 – LAAS Concept Silliness

Posted on 17 November 2015 by Ken Zino

The Honda Project 2&4 will be on display at the Los Angeles Auto Show, the result of cooperation between Honda’s motorcycle and automobile divisions. It’s said to be a new performance vehicle combining the open feel of a motorcycle and the handling of an automobile. Too bad it will never be street legal. Continue reading →

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Ally Bailout Terms Met – Allowing for Common Dividends

Posted on 17 November 2015 by Ken Zino

This removes the restriction on Ally of offering common equity distributions. Ally’s stated objective is to pay a dividend and start a share repurchase program in 2016. Continue reading →

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NADA Says 17.7 Million US New Vehicle Sales in 2016

Posted on 17 November 2015 by Ken Zino

Szakaly observed that the industry is now seeing the end of “pent up demand” that came about during the Great Recession when annual car sales from 2009-2013 were less than 16 million units. Continue reading →

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