Tag Archives: autoinformed

Johnson Controls Expanding Start-Stop Battery Plant

The technology gained its popularity in Europe followed by the U.S. and China. Continue reading

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Chevrolet Volt Pure Electric Range Now 53 Miles

Chevrolet predicts many next-gen Volt owners will use power solely from their batteries for more than 90% of trips, up from the previous use of battery power on 80%b of their trips. This means the average Volt owner could expect to travel well over 1,000 miles between gas fill ups, if they charge regularly. Continue reading

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Polaris Introduces Ranger EV with Lithium-Ion Batteries,

Polaris Industries today announced a first in the off-road industry, the Ranger EV Li-Ion Polaris Pursuit Camo with more than twice the range on one charge – up to 50 miles – then the lead acid version. Continue reading

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Volkswagen Downsizes Engines Once Again

Volkswagen was an early leader with the use of small displacement; highly efficient turbocharged and direct-injection engines in the U.S. Volkswagen first used the now common combination of turbocharging and direct injection in the U.S. with its TDI diesel engines in the Passat in 1996 Continue reading

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Weak Yen Helps Toyota Motor Post Record Profit

Toyota Motor posted a 10% rise in net profit to ¥646.3 billion for the Japanese Q1, but if it was not for the weak yen (¥124:$1) Toyota’s profits would have dropped. Continue reading

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US Trade Deficit Increases in June

The U.S. goods and services trade deficit was $43.8 billion in June, up $2.9 billion from $40.9 billion in May, according to the Department of Commerce. Continue reading

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Continental Automated Driving Prototype adds Vision

Automated driving systems help the driver with many safety features, can remove human error, and – it is hoped – reduce vehicle accidents and personal injuries. Continue reading

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BMW Group Posts Strong Q2 Results

The BMW Group revenues at €23.9 billion and sales volume were strong in Q2, with the Group profit before interest and taxes (EBIT) for the six-month period exceeding €5 billion for the first time. Continue reading

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Auto Sales Growth Rates to Slow

Advances in technology, tougher legislation, shorter product cycles and increased launches will create a challenging, yet opportunistic environment in the years ahead for original equipment manufacturers (OEM) and suppliers, according to IHS Automotive. Continue reading

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Record Sales of Car, Light Trucks Predicted at CAR Conference

Sales of new cars and light trucks will continue their post-recession recovery, reaching a record high of 17.46 million vehicles in 2016, said Steven Szakaly, chief economist of the National Automobile Dealers Association. Continue reading

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Truck Galore! July US Auto Sales Best in Ten Years

In third place behind the Ford F-Series and Chevrolet Silverado pickups, the Toyota Camry again led the offshore brand sales at 38,435 units. The Honda Accord was in fifth place and the Nissan Altima in sixth place, with sales up 27% to 33,842 units. Not one Detroit Three car made the Top Ten list. Continue reading

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Aluminum Ford F-150 Top IIHS Safety Pick, but Criticized, not for the First Time on Repair Costs, which could be Premature

However, IIHS said the F-150 extended cab only turned in a good performance in four of five assessments. The problem is the small overlap front test just a marginal rating for occupant protection in a small overlap front crash. The results are the first ratings for large pickups in a group the Institute is evaluating this year. Continue reading

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Ineffective FAA Sits By as Drones Take Over U.S. Airspace

What is it going to take – a commercial airliner knocked out of the sky by a drone before the FAA exercises its right to control national airspace? Already drones have been reported on the approaches to large airports, including LAX – Los Angeles. Continue reading

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NHTSA Testing Flunks Mini Coopers on Side Impact Forces

After crash testing by NHTSA, BMW is recalling 2014-2015 Mini Cooper and Mini Cooper S Hardtop 2 door vehicles and 2015 Mini John Cooper Works Hardtop 2 door vehicles because they do not meet the side-impact performance requirements for the rear seat passengers. Continue reading

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NADA Opposes Credit Reform on Auto Lending Practices

the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) is lobbying members of the U.S. House Financial Services Committee to pass H.R. 1737, a bill that would repeal the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) 2013 guidance on fair auto lending practices Continue reading

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