Tag Archives: autoinformed

An Inflatable Drive-In Coming Returns to LeMay Museum

LeMay, aka America’s Car Museum or ACM, is hosting the drive-ins free of charge on a 3.5-acre show field adjacent to the 165,000 sq. ft. museum – the largest automotive museum in North America. ACM inflates a 40-foot screen for viewing the movies against a backdrop of the Tacoma skyline and Puget Sound. Continue reading

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BMW Caught in Takata Airbag Recall as 574,000 Bimmers Affected in an Expanded Campaign

BMW of North America is recalling 574,000 3-series  cars with Takata airbags. Affected are model-year 2000 323i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sports Wagons; 2000 328i sedans and coupes; 2001-2005 325i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sport Wagons; 2001-2005 325xi sedans and … Continue reading

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Delphi Ducks Senate Bullet over GM Ignition Tragedy. Part Number Red Herring as Industry doesn’t Always Change Them

Normally, suppliers are resentful over the credit original equipment automakers take for all the work they do. Not in the case of the deadly GM ignition switch, where Delphi – the supplier of the switch – was finally called upon to testify in front of the Senate last week. Continue reading

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GM Delivers 2.5 M Vehicles in 2014 Q2. Falls Behind Volkswagen Group at Half

Since Toyota Motor has not yet reported sales, all that remains is Toyota’s ranking. Smart money would bet on Toyota being Number One, but that will not be known until the end of July when the Japanese giant reports. During 2013, Toyota sold 9.7 million vehicles last year, compared to GM’s 9.29 million and VW’s 9.1 million. Continue reading

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2015 Chevy, GMC Pickups and SUV derivatives Have 8-Speed Transmissions in Fuel Economy Upgrade

In theory, fuel economy should improve on the EPA sticker, but estimates will be announced closer to the start of production in Q4 of 2014. Continue reading

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BMW Motorcycle Debuts Worlds First Cornering ABS

Claimed benefits of ABS Pro to the rider are a sensitive response and a high level of brake and ride stability together with the best possible deceleration on turns. Continue reading

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SUVs, Crossovers Most Popular Styles in US for First Time

The claim, part of a long-running trend, comes from an analysis of registration data for the first five months of 2014. Continue reading

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Headliner Fires under NHTSA Probe Forces Huge Dodge Durango, Jeep Grand Cherokee Recall

Chrysler originally and for a long time maintained that it had received no reports of injuries and that there is “no unreasonable risk” safety. Chrysler opened its initial investigation in March of 2011 after a customer complaint. NHTSA forged on and forced the issue. Continue reading

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Senate Hearing to Roast Mary Barra, Mike Millikin, Rodney O’Neal Tomorrow

In testimony leaked ahead of the hearing, Millikin claimed, “We had lawyers at GM who didn’t do their jobs, didn’t do what was expected of them.” Those lawyers are among the 15 people dismissed and are no longer with General Motors. Continue reading

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All Star Game MVP Mike Trout Picks Corvette Prize

The action packed bout – surrounded by too much marketing hype, special promos and just plain commercial silliness that went on too long, including egomaniac announcer Joe Buck being asked out of the locker room just before the game was going to start by NYY #2, aka the Captain, proved how badly the 162 game season has been damaged by, on average 3 to 4 hour matches where pitching dominates. Continue reading

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New VW SUV Goes to Chattanooga. UAW forms a Local. Further State Subsidies in Anti-Union South in Doubt?

In a compromise that involves the formation of a UAW local, Volkswagen Group has announced that its new midsize SUV will the built in Chattanooga starting at the end of 2016. The expansion was held up over the lack of a union and a works council structure that exists in every other VW plant in the world. State and local officials – including the Governor and Senior Senator – threatened to withhold subsidies if a union was formed for the expansion that doubles the workforce to 4,000. Continue reading

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AFL-CIO, ETUC Release Principles for TransAtlantic Trade Deal

However, critics say provisions threaten the environment, decrease food safety, allow financial institutions to escape regulation that could prevent another global meltdown, drive down wages, and give up US sovereignty in many legal areas, including labor commitments. In the auto sector, it gives European luxury carmakers a free pass to keep importing cars into the US at a time when more manufacturing jobs are desperately needed. Continue reading

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Cadillac Hires another Head as Johan de Nysschen Bolts Infiniti

The revolving door at the top of Cadillac continues today with the announcement that Johan de Nysschen, 54, is taking over the GM luxury brand that has seen three different people running it in less than two years, most recently Bill Peffer who suddenly resigned last month. Continue reading

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Ford Motor Declares Q3 Dividend

The Board of Directors of Ford Motor Company declared a Q3 dividend of $0.125 per share on the company’s outstanding Class B – controlled by the family – as well as shares of common stock. Continue reading

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Anti-Green Aviation Industry Finally Getting the Lead Out

The general aviation industry through trade groups, airplane and engine makers, as well as members of Congress who fly has fiercely resisted doing anything about this destructive and toxic use of lead in so-called 100 low lead fuel (100LL) going back to the last century. Continue reading

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