Tag Archives: autoinformed

GM Ignition Switch Death Toll Rises to 27

In the latest posting on the GM Ignition Switch Claims website, 27 deaths are now listed as eligible for compensation as long as the recipient forfeits the right to further litigation. Continue reading

Posted in litigation, safety | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Globalization Comes at last to Unions. UAW Growing in South?

Taking a play from multinational corporations who have used globalization and misleadingly named ‘Free-trade’ agreements to evade taxes and drive down pay rates in the U.S., trade unions are now using their global clout to organize non-union auto plants in the Southern U.S. The latest example comes from Mississippi where the UAW has been campaigning for four years to establish a company-recognized trade union into the Nissan plant in Canton and its 4,000 workers. Nissan reported more than $1 billion in profits during the Japanese Q1. Continue reading

Posted in labor issues | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Mercedes-Benz Charters a UAW Local in Alabama

The strategy that is emerging is a long-term UAW play involving pressure from IG Metall on German automakers. AutoInformed bets that coming will be a similar deal at the BMW plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Continue reading

Posted in labor issues | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ford Motor Q4 Dividend Steady at 12.5 Cents

Ford stock has been slumping recently after Ford removed $1 billion from its annual profit guidance and analysts balked. Selling in the $14 per share range, this translates to a ~3.4% dividend from Ford. Continue reading

Posted in financial results | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

EPA Says US Fuel Economy at All Time High – 24.1 MPG

New vehicles achieved record fuel economy in 2013, the Environmental Protection Agency announced today. Model year 2013 vehicles achieved an average of 24.1 miles per gallon, a 0.5 mpg increase compared with 2012 previous year and an increase of nearly 5 mpg since 2004. However, year-over-year it was only 2%. Continue reading

Posted in fuel economy or emissions, milestones | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

GM Declares 30-Cent Dividend on Common Stock

With GM stock being hammered because of analyst skepticism about short-term improvements possible in Europe, as well as the Russian and South American crisis, and now 24 deaths from ignition switches – all bad for business, the current sell-off of GM presents a challenge to investors. Trading today in the $30-32 per share range the $1.20 annual dividend represents a good return on a stock that analysts said recently could be at $55 in a couple of years with a $42 one-year target. Continue reading

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

NADA Chairman Defends Auto Retail Practices. Again

The latest Chairman of the National Automobile Dealers Association, aka NADA, defended the auto retailing franchise system saying it benefits both automakers and car buyers by proving much needed competition. Continue reading

Posted in news analysis, prices | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

More, Still More, GM Recalls Including Ignition Switches

Call it a black weekend for GM CEO Mary Barra and the employees and dealers of GM as the latest round of recalls were revealed in NHTSA filings, including more ignition switch safety defects Continue reading

Posted in litigation, recalls, safety | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Say It Ain’t So! GM Recalls 500,000 Cadillac, Chevy, Saabs

GM CEO Mary Barra’s claim that GM recalls are behind it was mocked today by two more recalls covering half a million vehicles including 2015 Cadillac SRX models. Continue reading

Posted in quality, recalls, safety | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

More GM Safety Recalls Active on Current Production Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick, GMC Models

The Mary Barra excuse that GM’s ignition switch recalls are on non-production models from the distant past looks a little then now given the ongoing safety defect problems at the automaker. Continue reading

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

Pickup Trucks at GM, Chrysler Claw Back U.S. Auto Market Share in September. Luxury, Family Cars Remain a Problem

Powered by thriving pickup truck sales, Chrysler and GM recaptured U.S. auto market share from offshore companies in September Continue reading

Posted in sales | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Huge Toyota Tacoma Pickup Corrosion Recall

Toyota claimed it is not aware of any fires, crashes, injuries or fatalities associated with its latest safety defect that it has told NHTSA about in its required legal filing. However, NHTSA has several hair-raising complaints from Tacoma owners about incidents. Continue reading

Posted in auto news, awards, customer satisfaction, manufacturing, marketing, news analysis, quality, recalls, safety | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

FAA Leaders Incompetent in Chicago Center Attack

As of late last night, air traffic controllers in a hastily cobbled together contingency plan only managed about 60% of typical traffic today at O’Hare and 75% at Midway. Chicago center, controls traffic over an area that encompasses five states and hundreds of airports – 91,000 square miles. Things won’t be back to normal until the middle of October. Continue reading

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

EV Sales Still a Tiny Part of the Auto Market

U.S. electric vehicle or EV sales are approaching a quarter million, and 20 plug-in models are now available in some parts of the country. Continue reading

Posted in electric vehicles, environment | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Volt Camouflage Designed to hide Freshened Sheet Metal

The camouflage package on the next-generation Volt was started six months in advance of early development. The tricks are constantly updated to keep spy photographers – Jim Dunne, who graciously contributes to AutoInformed – and the curious guessing. Continue reading

Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, awards, car sharing, design and styling, electric vehicles, electronics, marketing, new vehicle, news analysis, people | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment