Tag Archives: autoinformed

Japanese U.S. Auto Industry Exports at Record

The news comes as trade tensions are rising between the U.S. and Japan over Japan’s manipulation of the Yen by keeping it artificially low to boost sales of Japanese products while blocking imports into Japan. Continue reading

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Aging Fleet Good for Automakers, Aftermarket

The U.S. vehicle fleet continues to age with an average now at a record high of 11.4 years based on review of more than 247-million U.S. car and light truck registrations on 1 January 2013. Continue reading

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Alternative Powertrains to Remain Technical Curiosities

The market share of battery electric vehicles’ (BEVs) of U.S. light vehicle sales is expected to remain below 1% through 2020. If plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), such as the Chevrolet Volt and the Ford Fusion Energi are included, share will only increase to 3% by 2020. Continue reading

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GM Cuts 2014 Chevrolet Volt Price to $34,995

GM has cut the price of the 2014 Chevrolet Volt to $34,995, including an $810 destination fee, representing a $5,000 price decrease for the carry over vehicle. If a buyer includes federal tax credits ranging from $0-$7,500, depending on tax liability, pricing could start at $27,495. Continue reading

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VW to Introduce New Diesel Engine in U.S. in mid-2014

Volkswagen Group of America today confirmed the timing of the company’s newest diesel engine, the so-called EA288 will power the 2015 Golf, Beetle, Passat, Jetta, due in dealer showrooms during the second half of 2014. Continue reading

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Manufacturing Important Again. Tell Washington

Manufacturing is the most important sector for a strong economy, according to a new opinion poll released today in conjunction with a session on Global Manufacturing at the Center for Automotive Research Management Briefing Seminars. Continue reading

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Volkswagen Says Chattanooga Created 12,400 Jobs

Volkswagen’s Chattanooga factory has an annual economic impact of $643 million creating 12,400 full-time jobs in the region, according to a new study presented at the Center for Automotive Research’s Management Briefing Seminar in Traverse City, Michigan today. Continue reading

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Tim Lee Named Chairman of GM China

Tim Lee is the new Chairman of GM China with responsibility for 12 joint ventures, two wholly owned foreign enterprises and more than 55,000 employees. Stefan Jacoby, most recently the ousted CEO of Volvo Cars, will become Executive Vice President Consolidated International Operations, leading the company’s operations in more than 100 countries and territories in Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe and the Middle East. He will report to GM’s CEO, Dan Akerson. Continue reading

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EPA Looks at Toxic Sites for Renewable Energy Sources

Since Re-Powering’s inception in 2008, more than 70 renewable energy projects have been installed on contaminated lands. These early projects represent just over 200 MW of installed capacity, which could power approximately 30,000 homes, and provide a foundation for future development as demonstrations of the latest technologies in both renewable energy and remediation design. Continue reading

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Nissan Recalls 2014 Versa Models for Bad Bolts

Nissan North America is recalling model year 2014 Versa Note subcompact cars because the rear seat-latch bolts were manufactured incorrectly, reducing their strength. Continue reading

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Prototype NSX Laps Mid-Ohio Race Track

A prototype Acura NSX lapped the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington before the running of the Honda Indy 200. The debut was a deliberate attempt to garner publicity in the state where the NSX is being developed and will … Continue reading

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U.S. July Jobs Numbers are Dreadful

Even though the latest economic data show that the contraction during the Great Recession was slightly less severe than previously reported, it remains the largest decline since quarterly data became available in 1947. Cumulatively, real GDP fell by 4.3% during the recession. Moreover, the jobs lost then have never been recovered. Continue reading

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Offshore Brands Move Ahead in July. Toyota outsells Ford

GM by slightly outperforming an overall market that was up 14% easily held onto its Number One spot in the U.S. at 234,071 vehicles sold. However, Ford Motor slipped to Number Three as Toyota had a stronger month with sales soaring to 193,394 to Ford’s 190,080. March of 2010 was the last time Toyota topped Ford and with new Corolla compact car and Tundra pickup trucks just entering production, the back half of the year will see a battle royal between the two global automakers. Continue reading

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DOT Wants to Eliminate Needless Trucking Paperwork

In what has been a largely symbolic act, President Obama launched the Administration’s regulatory initiative in January 2011 by issuing Executive Order 13563. That called for a government-wide review of regulations on the books, with the goal of eliminating or modifying out-of-date, ineffective or overly burdensome regulations. Not much of substance came from the bureaucracy. Continue reading

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Waterlogged Flood Cars – Tide Rising as Titles Falsified

Buyer beware and nowhere does that apply more than used flood cars that have been damaged by water that causes insurmountable problems after the vehicle is returned – often illegally – to service. Nearly two-thirds of these flood damaged cars are on the road in ten states – Texas, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Louisiana, Illinois, New York, Florida, Mississippi and Virginia. However, as the research shows, crooks are moving flood cars to any state where unfortunately unknowing consumers will buy them. Continue reading

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