Tag Archives: autoinformed

Used Car Prices off Slightly

What is claimed to be a glut of vehicles coming to used car lots will drive down prices as much as two percent this year and increase the selection of shoppers. However, new car buyers will take a hit as trade-in values decline with higher monthly payments needed to make up the difference. Continue reading

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Buyer Beware – Millions of Used Cars have Open Recalls

Carfax today released new data claiming online shoppers may have unknowingly purchased more than 3.5 million used cars with unfixed recalls in 2013. Continue reading

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Kia Motors America Shuffles Executives

No reason was given for the sudden change at the Korean company, which along with sister brand Hyundai, has a growing reputation as being difficult to work for. Continue reading

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EPA 2013 Enforcement Collects $4.5 billion in Criminal Fines

The U.S. EPA has released its annual report on enforcement efforts and it shows the agency’s cases resulted in criminal sentences requiring violators to pay more than $4.5 billion in combined fines, restitution and court-ordered environmental projects that benefit communities, and more than $1.1 billion in civil penalties. Continue reading

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Honda Recalls New Fit and Vezel Hybrids

It is the third recall on this new transmission, and part of a growing number of software caused recalls in the industry. Honda claims that each recall was due to a different cause Continue reading

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CounterFeit Chinese Pedal Causes Aston Martin Global Recall of All 2007 and Later Sports Cars

Aston specified a certain DuPont plastic, but got counterfeit parts from China instead. Testing conducted by Aston Martin has now revealed multiple failures and that includes cars already repaired with the bogus gas pedal. Aston now says it is bringing the molding back to the UK as soon as possible. Continue reading

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Mazda MX-5 Miata Celebrates 25 Years at CAS

With the collapse of the British sports car industry and the absence of roadsters, the Miata, as it was then called in the U.S., hit a sweet spot in the market. Miata weighed a low 2,116 pounds curb weight and could reach 60 mph in less than nine seconds. Japanese quality, spirited open top driving and a starting price of $13,800 MSRP proved a winning combination. Continue reading

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Rebadged Nissan Van Shown as 2015 Chevrolet City Express

Why the world’s second largest automaker needs to go outside for a small commercial van goes back to a decades old Opel decision to outsource small van production in Europe. Ford, Renault and Citroen all thrive in the segment. It is an embarrassing position for GM in AutoInformed’s view. Continue reading

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Subaru Reveals Revised 2015 Legacy Sedan at CAS

Subaru of America today introduced the 2015 Legacy the largest interior passenger volume in the mid-size sedan claimed. Moreover, Legacy is still the only car of this size with all-wheel drive as standard equipment. Continue reading

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Kia Soul EV Debuts at CAS. Range of 80 to 100 miles claimed

Kia Motors America held a global unveiling of the 2015 Soul EV at the Chicago Auto Show today. Scheduled for sale in Q3 of 2014, the Soul EV will be Kia’s first all-electric car sold in the U.S. The Soul EV joined a refreshed 2014 Optima Hybrid on stage. Continue reading

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Senate Commerce Committee Holds Hearing on Deadly Distracted Driving Epidemic

Automakers, phone companies, internet service providers, electronics makers, and above all consumers have thus far shown little interest in curtailing the use of electronic devices while in motion in spite of mounting injuries and fatalities caused by them. Handheld consumer electronic devices are equally troubling and unaddressed thus far by NHTSA. Continue reading

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Toyota to Export U.S.-Built Highlander SUVs to Australia, New Zealand and Eastern Europe

Toyota said today announced it would export U.S.-assembled Highlander SUVs to Australia, New Zealand, Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan. Continue reading

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Nissan Shows Cummins Diesel Frontier Pickup at CAS

It looks as if Nissan will join the mid-size pickup diesel parade based on a concept truck created to gauge consumer interest in a next-generation Frontier with a Cummins diesel engine. First shown at the Chicago Auto Show, aka CAS, it is powered by a 2.8-liter Cummins turbo diesel with nearly 200 horsepower, and more than 350 lb.-ft. of torque. The estimated fuel economy increases 35% compared to the current Frontier V6. Continue reading

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Special Charges Clobber GM 2013 Earnings of $3.8 Billion

General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) today announced 2013 calendar-year net income of $3.8 billion, or $2.38 per fully diluted share, down from $4.9 billion, or $2.92 per fully diluted share in 2012. Operating performance improved somewhat during the year, but this was more than offset by a net loss from special items and taxes. Continue reading

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GM Shuffles Sales Execs as Don Johnson Retires

General Motors today announced that Brian Sweeney, currently U.S. vice president, Buick-GMC Sales and Service, has been named U.S. vice president, Chevrolet Continue reading

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