Tag Archives: autoinformed

Euro NCAP to Publish First Crash Avoidance Ratings

In the ever-escalating technology wars over auto safety, Euro NCAP said today that it is currently testing a number of European cars equipped with crash avoidance technologies. The first results will be published on 29 October in a move that foreshadows the inclusion of such systems in the overall safety rating next year. Continue reading

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NHTSA Investigating Sudden Stalling on Ford Focus EVs

The Office of Defects Investigation has opened a preliminary investigation because of complaints NHTSA has received alleging incidents of sudden vehicle stalling while driving 2012-2013 Ford Focus Electric vehicles. Continue reading

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EU Commercial Vehicle Sales Drop -5.5% through August

Sales of commercial vehicles in the EU economies of Western Europe dropped -4.4% in August resulting in a -5.5% decline for the first eight months of the 2013. Continue reading

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Smart Phones for Dummies – a Modest Proposal

Smart phones may have Mensa-level brilliance, but they have spawned legions of dummies. So I have a brilliant solution: Bring back John Wayne. Why? Because the Duke, in numerous memorable films, insisted that anyone entering his town check their guns or face jail time – or worse, his every ready Colt. Continue reading

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Toyota Recalls Sienna Minivans for Roll-Aways

Toyota said that the shift lock solenoid that is part of the interlock system installed in involved vehicles could become damaged with providing details about accidents or injuries. Continue reading

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Nine Japanese Auto Parts Firms Guilty of Price Fixing

Including those announced today, 20 companies and 21 executives have been charged in the Antitrust Division’s ongoing investigation into price fixing and bid rigging in the auto parts industry, in a scandal that keeps on growing in size and raises serious systemic corruption issues for some of the largest and respected Japanese firms. AutoInformed predicts more indictments are coming. Continue reading

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Treasury Selling More GM Common Stock

The U.S. Department of the Treasury is continuing its sales of GM common stock starting today by launching a third “pre-defined written trading plan.” Terms were not disclosed. Continue reading

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General Motors to Export Cadillac ATS to China

General Motors will export the compact Cadillac ATS compact luxury sports sedan to China during the fourth quarter of 2013 from a plant in Lansing Michigan. Continue reading

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Pebble Beach Postcards

“Millionaires and billionaires everywhere, you have to see it to believe!” Continue reading

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GM Prices $4.5 Billion of Bonds to Buy Back VEBA Stock

General Motors Company announced today the pricing of three series of bonds that it will sell and use the $4.5 billion in proceeds to buy back stock from the UAW Retiree Medical Benefits Trust. Continue reading

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Panasonic Exec Indicted in Toyota Price Fixing Scam

A federal grand jury in Detroit has indicted a Panasonic Automotive Systems executive for his role in an international conspiracy to fix prices of switches and steering angle sensors sold to Toyota. Continue reading

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GM to Buy Back UAW Held Stock. Dividends to Follow?

The VEBA currently holds 260 million shares of Preferred Stock, and Canada GEN Investment Corporation holds another 16 million shares. Until the ownership of these shares transfer back to GM or other independent buyers, the slur “Government Motors” still applies since the shares where part of a controversial but effective bankruptcy reorganization that Canadian and U.S.> taxpayers subsidized in 2009. Continue reading

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Milestones Texas Makes Millionth Truck – 2014 Tundra

This third generation Tundra is disappointing in our view because it carries over with its three existing and only average powertrains. Continue reading

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EPA Sets Strict Carbon Pollution Limits for New PowerPlants

The standards, which will be expensive to meet, will be fiercely opposed by big oil money in the courts and will continue a battle royal underway in the Congress between political factions in corrupt pay-to-play Washington and other special interest groups, notably coal companies. Continue reading

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CITGO Fined for Pollution

CITGO Petroleum Corporation will pay a $737,000 civil penalty and start projects to reduce harmful air pollution in a deal cut by the Department of Justice and EPA with the Houston-based, Venezuelan-owned company. Continue reading

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