Tag Archives: autoinformed

Nissan and NASA to Develop Autonomous Drive Vehicles

Posted on 8 January 2015 by Ken Zino

NASA did not press release the deal, leaving it to French and Japanese owned Nissan to crow about the research in an attempt to downplay what is sure to be controversial – U.S. taxpayer resources supporting – yet again – offshore corporations. Continue reading →

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Honda Pays Largest NHTSA Fine in History for Takata and other Safety Cover Ups

Posted on 8 January 2015 by Ken Zino

In responding to the Special Order, Honda admitted to under-reporting of written claims or notices of injuries or deaths over the past decade “due to errors related to data entry, computer coding, regulatory interpretation, and other errors in warranty and property damage claims reporting.” Translation: Honda got caught flagrantly violating U.S. regulations. Continue reading →

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Scion iM Hatch, Unnamed Sedan Debut at New York Auto Show

Posted on 8 January 2015 by Ken Zino

Toyota confirms that the production version of the iM concept and its first-ever sedan will be introduced in April at the New York International Auto Show. The Japanese automaker says that the two vehicles represent two of the three new models Scion will bring to market in the next three years aimed at 18-34 year olds. Continue reading →

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2016 Toyota Tacoma Pickup Debuts at NAIAS

Posted on 8 January 2015 by Ken Zino

Tacoma been the best-selling mid-size truck in the U.S. for ten years running because Dodge dropped its Dakota and Ford walked away from its Ranger. Tacoma faces formidable competition from the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon now that GM has reentered the segment. Continue reading →

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EPA Proposes New Rule Limiting Toluene Diisocyanates

Posted on 8 January 2015 by Ken Zino

EPA today proposed a new rule limiting Toluene Diisocyanates, TDI, widely used in auto manufacturing. These chemicals are in use in residual amounts in the production of polyurethanes and consumer products, such as coatings, elastomers, adhesives, and sealants. Continue reading →

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Chevrolet with New LED Displays at NAIAS in Detroit

Posted on 8 January 2015 by Ken Zino

Chevrolet today release a sneak peek of its North American International Auto Show, aka NAIAS, with an all-new display with six 20 ft.-tall, transparent screens with coordinated LED lighting and music that will tell – actually sell – stories about the brand’s cars, trucks and crossovers. Chapters include highlights of Chevrolet’s dependability, performance, belief in the power of play, available in-vehicle Wi-Fi technology through OnStar 4G LTE. Continue reading →

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Canyon Nightfall Edition Debuts

Posted on 8 January 2015 by Ken Zino

The profit-boosting truck reflects the resurgence of the pickup market with buyers spending lavishly on customization at all brands. More than 40% of the initial orders for Canyon include at least one selection from a collection of accessories GMC offers. Continue reading →

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Threepeat! Jeep Sales Set Third Straight Global Record

Posted on 8 January 2015 by Ken Zino

Momentum should continue in 2015 unless the global economy collapses from and oil price induced recession that rising returns in the U.S. Treasury bond market is already signaling Scheduled are local manufacturing in Brazil and return to local manufacturing in China after an absence of nearly a decade, as well as the introduction of an all-new 2015 Jeep Renegade. Continue reading →

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Hydrogen Bomb! Toyota Opens Its Fuel Cell Patents for Industry Use

Posted on 6 January 2015 by Ken Zino

In a deft P.R. move that also has abundant self-interest, Toyota Motor Corporation will allow royalty-free use of 5,680 fuel-cell-related patent licenses, including pending applications, it holds globally. Continue reading →

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More GM Ignition Switch Recalls – Happy New Year!

Posted on 2 January 2015 by Ken Zino

GM confirmed today another ignition switch recall of 84,000 sport-utility vehicles and pickup trucks. Chevrolet Silverado light-duty and heavy-duty pickups, as well as Avalanche, Tahoe and Suburban; GMC Sierra light duty and heavy-duty pickups, and Yukon and Yukon XL; Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV and EXT models from 2011 and 2012, and 2007-2014 vehicles that have been repaired with defective parts. Continue reading →

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GM Buys Back all Series A Preferred Stock

Posted on 31 December 2014 by Ken Zino

The preferred shares had a liquidation preference of $25 per and accrued cumulative dividends at a rate equal to 9% annually, which was an expensive ~$350 million annual cost. GM used cheaper debt to buy the stock. Continue reading →

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Wireless Car Shopping Grows in December

Posted on 31 December 2014 by Ken Zino

Unique visitors to TrueCar.com were 3.7 million in December versus 2.4 million a year ago. This increase coincides with a recovering U.S. economy and growing consumer confidence. Continue reading →

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Chrysler Expands Takata Recall Nationally

Posted on 31 December 2014 by Ken Zino

Chrysler Group is expanding its current regional recall of Takata PSDI-4 driver airbag inflators to all 50 U.S. States and Federalized Territories at the request of NHTSA. Continue reading →

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FAA Clears Santa One. NORAD Tracking

Posted on 24 December 2014 by Ken Zino

The Federal Aviation Administration said today that Santa One, a reindeer-powered sleigh that Santa Claus uses to deliver presents to children around the world, has been cleared for its Christmas Eve flight.

The combined air defense command for North America, Canada and the U.S., dubbed North American Aerospace Defense Command or NORAD will be tracking the general aviation aircraft, err sleigh – see http://www.noradsanta.org/ as it hosts an annual mission to track Santa Claus as he journeys across the globe to deliver presents on December 24. Continue reading →

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Ford, BMW Expand Takata Inflator Recalls Nationally

Posted on 23 December 2014 by Ken Zino

The already grim news for air bag maker Takata, currently defying the National Highway Traffic Safety Adminstration on defective inflator recalls, increased with the announcement that BMW and Ford Motor are following NHTSA’s recommendation by expanding their safety defect campaigns to cover more vehicles across the U.S. Continue reading →

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