Tag Archives: autoinformed

Ally Closer to IPO as it Plans to Buy Back Treasury Stock

Posted on 20 August 2013 by Ken Zino

If several complicated agreements and transactions go as planned, U.S. taxpayers will recover $12.1 billion or more than two-thirds of the bailout they subsidized. Ally has currently paid the U.S. Treasury $6.2 billion. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, financial results, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Nissan 2015 Titan Pickup Gets Cummins Turbo Diesel

Posted on 20 August 2013 by Ken Zino

Year-to-date Titan has sold 10,000 trucks, a 21% decline from 2011. Market leader Ford sold 60,000 F-Series pickups in the month of July alone. Later this fall, Ram will up the ante in the ongoing pickup truck fuel economy game by offering the first light-duty diesel engine pared with an 8-speed automatic transmission, both exclusives in the segment. Continue reading →

Posted in new vehicle | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

North Carolina Joins Electronic Title and Lien Parade

Posted on 20 August 2013 by Ken Zino

Legislation just signed in North Carolina directs the Division of Motor Vehicles (aka NC DMV) to start an electronic titling and lien program by July 2014. Within a year of implementation, banks, credit unions and other automotive lenders in the state will begin to replace their paper liens with an electronic exchange of data with the NC DMV. North Carolina would be the 20th state to do so. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

DOJ Antitrust Suit Opposes American – US Airways Merger

Posted on 19 August 2013 by Ken Zino

The Department of Justice filed a civil antitrust lawsuit opposing the proposed $11 billion merger between US Airways and American Airlines. DOJ said that the merger would result in world’s largest airline, and would “substantially lessen competition for commercial air travel in local markets throughout the United States and result in passengers paying higher airfares and receiving less service.” Continue reading →

Posted in aviation, litigation, news, transportation | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Save Highland Park the $5 a Day Model T Plant with a $5 Donation

Posted on 19 August 2013 by Ken Zino

The Woodward Avenue Action Association, aka WA3, has bid $550,000 to buy two of the buildings at the famous Ford manufacturing complex: the Administration Building, which fronts Woodward, and the adjacent 8,000-square-foot executive garage. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, manufacturing, milestones | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Corvette C7.R Debuts in a Sneak Peak at Monterey

Posted on 18 August 2013 by Ken Zino

A Corvette Racing C7.R made its first public appearance on Saturday at the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion in California. Continue reading →

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

Infiniti Poaches Porsche for New Americas Head

Posted on 18 August 2013 by Ken Zino

Infiniti Motor Company has named Michael Bartsch vice president, Americas, effective in September. The luxury brand said in a release from its new global headquarters in Hong Kong that he is replacing Ben Poore, who will leave the company to “pursue other interests.” Continue reading →

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

Honda Shows another Racing Version of Acura NSX Sports Car

Posted on 16 August 2013 by Ken Zino

Honda this morning unveiled an NSX Concept-GT that is destined for entry in the 2014 Super GT Series in Japan. This NSX complies with the regulations on GT500 vehicles regulated by the Japan Automobile Federation. Continue reading →

Posted in alternative fuels, racing | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ford Lowers C-Max Hybrid Mileage Claims

Posted on 15 August 2013 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company said today that it is lowering the C-Max hybrid fuel-economy label after being challenged by customers, the EPA and numerous independent automotive testing sites, including AutoInformed. The revised 2013 C-Max label has a combined fuel economy value of 43 mpg, slightly better – in theory – to the combined label of 42 mpg for the Toyota Prius v. Ford’s previous ratings were 47 city/47 highway/47 combined mpg claim for the new 2013 Fusion and C-Max hybrids. Continue reading →

Posted in electric vehicles, fools 'n frauds, marketing | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Scion Touchscreen Now Standard Equipment for 2014 Models in Latest Distracted Driving Enabling Scheme

Posted on 15 August 2013 by Ken Zino

The Scion brand is aimed at younger buyers who are the most likely to be involved in Distracted Driving accidents. New Scions will now come standard with the 6.1-inch LCD touchscreen. Included in the Scion touchscreen audio package is AM/FM/CD/HD Radio, hands-free phone capability, music streaming via Bluetooth wireless and AUX/USB port with iPodconnectivity. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, distracted driving, marketing | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

NHTSA Rule Tells Automakers to Reveal Uncompleted Recalls

Posted on 15 August 2013 by Ken Zino

A new regulation issued by NHTSA requires automakers and motorcycle manufacturers to provide information on uncompleted vehicle safety recalls online. During a speech at the Washington Automotive Press Association, NHTSA Administrator David Strickland said that the safety information would be searchable by the Vehicle Identification Number, aka VIN, free of charge. Continue reading →

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

Florida Fuel Company Owner Indicted for Fraud

Posted on 15 August 2013 by Ken Zino

A Florida-based airline fuel supply company and its former owner and operator were indicted on charges of participating in a scheme to defraud Illinois-based Ryan International Airlines, according to the Department of Justice. Continue reading →

Posted in fools 'n frauds, litigation | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Jaguar E-type on First Class Royal Mail Stamp

Posted on 14 August 2013 by Ken Zino

The Jaguar E-type known for its sleek shape and 150 mph performance is being celebrated on one of three new First Class postage stamps launched today by the Royal Mail. The stamp shows a 1961 Series One Jaguar E-type roadster, aka XK-E, in red as one of a set of six classic British motor cars. The E-type was an instant hit when it was first unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1961. Purists will question why the stamp doesn’t picture an E in British Racing Green. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, milestones, performance, transportation | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

JPMorgan Chase Employees Charged With Financial Fraud

Posted on 14 August 2013 by Ken Zino

“Our financial system has been hurt in recent years not just by risky bets gone bad, but also, in some cases, by criminal wrongdoing,” opined Attorney General Holder. Critics maintain Holder has done little to prosecute financial fraud at the ratings agencies and on Wall Street that led to the collapse of the U.S. economy, cut American wealth in half, and created the highest rates of unemployment since the Great Depression that is still hurting the American middle class. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, financial results, fools 'n frauds, litigation | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Milestones – Jefferson North at Five Million Jeeps

Posted on 13 August 2013 by Ken Zino

Chrysler Group’s Jefferson North Assembly Plant today celebrated the five millionth Jeep to come off its assembly line. A Billet Silver 2014 Grand Cherokee Overland was driven by Senior Vice President of Manufacturing Scott Garberding during a celebration at the plant he once managed before finding a permanent home with the United Service Organizations (USO). Continue reading →

Posted in manufacturing, milestones | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment