Tag Archives: autoinformed

New Labor Commission on Racial and Economic Justice

Posted on 26 February 2015 by Ken Zino

The Council said it recognizes that employers, politicians and the 1% have always used race as a means of division, adding that the voices of all working people must be heard on complex racial issues in order to advance the fight for workers’ rights. Continue reading →

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Frigid February Hot for US Auto Sales

Posted on 26 February 2015 by Ken Zino

The U.S. auto sales expansion is continuing despite a frigid February according to the latest forecast that show a large 8.5% increase for the industry. New light vehicle sales, including fleet, should reach 1,295,600 units for the month. Continue reading →

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Automakers Pick Orbital ATK to Review Takata Airbag Inflators

Posted on 26 February 2015 by Ken Zino

The revolving door of government employees came around this morning with the announcement that former NHTSA Acting Administrator David Kelly will serve as project manager for the ten automakers that have hired Orbital ATK to conduct independent testing on Takata airbag inflators. Continue reading →

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Chinese Junk Watch – Cosco Hand Trucks Recall

Posted on 26 February 2015 by Ken Zino

Cosco has received 10 reports of wheel hubs separating or breaking and ejecting pieces including four reports of bruises and lacerations. Continue reading →

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Chicago Auto Show Attendance up a claimed 7%

Posted on 25 February 2015 by Ken Zino

Despite one fewer public day at nine, the Chicago Auto Show’s attendance increased a claimed 7% year-over year. However, the trade association running the show declined to reveal the number of visitors. Take all auto show attendance claims with a boxcar full of salt. Continue reading →

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IG Metall Gets 3.4% Industry Pay Rise

Posted on 25 February 2015 by Ken Zino

“This is, by a wide margin, the biggest real wage increase for years,” said Suedwestmetall president Stefan Wolf, of the the region that got the increase and bonus. The industrial and automaking area is home to Daimler and Bosch, among other firms with 800,000 metal and electronics workers. Continue reading →

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NASCAR Suspends Kurt Busch for Abusing Girl Friend

Posted on 20 February 2015 by Ken Zino

It was the latest example of professional sports crime, but given the NFL’s, the NCAA’s and local police agencies flagrant ignoring of domestic violence and other criminal actions, sanctioning bodies and so-called law enforcement agencies – under heavy media and blog scrutiny – are changing their previous look the other way attitudes. Continue reading →

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Cyber Insecurity – Your Car and You as Targets

Posted on 19 February 2015 by Ken Zino

The connected car is linking you to criminals with virtually no safeguards in place to protect your personal data or even to prevent the bad guys from taking over control of the car. That is the summary from a recent series and studies and forums in the U.S. and Europe.

The good news, if there is any for connected car, Bluetooth, OnStar and Smartphone aficionados is that you are likely not the primary target. Instead, hackers want to get to the treasure trove of car company databases and private networks that contain millions of bits of confidential data. Other privacy problems arise from the use of navigation computers that record and send location or driving history information to third party providers who resell it without your knowledge, let alone consent. Continue reading →

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Volvo Delivers Autonomous Driving XC90 in 2017

Posted on 19 February 2015 by Ken Zino

Volvo’s web presentation of the project this morning had technical problems with an invalid embed code, thereby demonstrating how complex the computer programing is for even relatively well-known technologies. Cyber security issues also will need to be resolved. Continue reading →

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Cheap Oil Good for Automakers?

Posted on 18 February 2015 by Ken Zino

Spurred by reduced pump prices, U.S. consumer confidence is expected to continue to rise, resulting in a potential shift to larger, more profitable vehicles in the U.S. and Canada since these vehicles will be more affordable to own and the value of fuel economy becomes less important to consumers. Continue reading →

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Certified Used Vehicle Sales Set Record in 2014

Posted on 18 February 2015 by Ken Zino

Sales of certified pre-owned vehicles reached an all-time high during 2014 at 2.3 million, according to the latest study. This means that certified vehicles accounted for almost 21% of the used market. Continue reading →

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56 Dead from GM Ignition Switches

Posted on 18 February 2015 by Ken Zino

However, 1,388 more cases are under review, and 1,198 were submitted without documentation to back the claim, according Feinberg’s latest update on his website. Continue reading →

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Test World Opens Second Indoor Snow and Ice Test Track

Posted on 18 February 2015 by Ken Zino

Test World Indoor allows testing in a controlled environment, which brings cost savings for auto, supplier and tire companies, even as it adds another coffin nail to the slumping spy photo business. Continue reading →

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EPA and State Department to Monitor Air Quality Overseas

Posted on 18 February 2015 by Ken Zino

The deal between the U.S. Department of State – located in Foggy Bottom, once known for industrial smoke, for and pollution – and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recognizes air pollution as a “serious and growing health threat worldwide.” However, in many areas, real-time air quality data are unavailable. Continue reading →

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Tesla Posts Loss Yet Again

Posted on 16 February 2015 by Ken Zino

Chief booster Elon Musk said in a letter to shareholders – not without billions in self interest – that the company expected to begin deliveries of the Model X in Q3 during this year – a long delay from original promises. Continue reading →

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