Tag Archives: autoinformed

Renault Profits Climb to €583 Million despite Eurozone Crisis

Posted on 26 July 2013 by Ken Zino

Renault posted a profit of €583 million in the first half of 2013 in the face of the Eurozone crisis. The unexpected positive increase of 15% in earnings compared to last year came as Group revenues of 20,441 million dropped – 0.9% compared to the first-half 2012. Automotive operational free cash flow was negative at -€31 million with an automotive net cash of €732 million at end of June 2013. Continue reading →

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EuroSlump Goes On – June Commercial Vehicle Sales Drop -5%

Posted on 26 July 2013 by Ken Zino

During June commercial vehicle sales in the EU dropped by -5% in the EU as vehicle registrations continued their downward trend to 149,996 units. In another dismal month, all segments were down, from -4.2% for vans to -14.0% for buses and coaches. Continue reading →

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Halliburton to Plead Guilty to Criminal Destruction of Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Evidence

Posted on 25 July 2013 by Ken Zino

Halliburton Energy Services will plead guilty to destroying evidence in connection with the Deepwater Horizon disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, the Department of Justice said today. Halliburton was charged with one count of destruction of evidence according to an information filling today in U.S. District Court in the Eastern District of Louisiana. Continue reading →

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Acura NSX Prototype at Mid-Ohio Race in August

Posted on 25 July 2013 by Ken Zino

Acura today released a photo of a prototype NSX sports car, and said that the running two-seater will take to the racetrack just prior to the Honda Indy 200 IndyCar Series race at Mid-Ohio on 4 August. NBC Sports will broadcast the race live. Continue reading →

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GM Earns $1.2 Billion in Q2 or 75 Cents a Share

Posted on 25 July 2013 by Ken Zino

With the exception of China where most vehicle buyers are new, GM brands continue to face strong competition. Even though GM continues to receive quality awards and strongly positive reviews on new products, and has once again become competitive in the leasing market, it is having a tough time stealing buyers from competitors. Part of this is due to its damaged reputation; part is the strength of facing products with strong customer loyally. Continue reading →

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Milestones – Renault Nissan sells 100,000 EVs

Posted on 25 July 2013 by Ken Zino

Since missing the hybrid segment completely that Toyota went on to dominate globally, reaping billions upon billions of dollars worth of “Green” image benefits in the process, Carlos Ghosn, CEO of both Renault and Nissan, has now “bet the farm” by investing almost $5 billion in electric vehicles. Thus far, the Nissan Leaf has not met expectations in the U.S. Nissan, optimistically, wants 10% to 20% of its sales to be EVs by 2020. Continue reading →

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Ford Motor Q2 Profit at $2.6 Billion or 30 Cents a Share

Posted on 24 July 2013 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company [NYSE: F] reported Q2 2013 pre-tax profits of $2.6 billion today, or 45 cents per share. The good overall result, which had analysts gushing over an automotive operating margin of 6.4%, improved 1.5 percentage points from 2012 at $726 million, or 15 cents per share, higher compared with a year ago. Continue reading →

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Toyota and Ford Trash Truck Hybrid JV

Posted on 24 July 2013 by Ken Zino

In a separate release earlier in the day, which likely caused the Toyota statement and also likely caught the reticent Japanese by surprise, Ford said “We know what it takes to build world-class hybrids, and we now will build and leverage that expertise in-house. Continue reading →

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Bentley Motors Joins the SUV Parade a Decade Late

Posted on 23 July 2013 by Ken Zino

The Prime Minster faces a tough challenge from London Mayor Boris Johnson whose popularity is outstripping that of the Conservative Party and David Cameron, according to a poll for The Independent on Sunday that was just released. Moreover, approval ratings of the ruling Tory party are only 24%, the lowest in recent memory. Continue reading →

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Fuel Company Head Charged in Kickback Scheme

Posted on 22 July 2013 by Ken Zino

The former owner and operator of two Florida-based airline fuel supply companies appeared today in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida on charges of a kickback scam and defrauding Illinois-based Ryan International Airlines. Continue reading →

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Michelin Recalls Popular Pickup Truck and SUV Tires

Posted on 22 July 2013 by Ken Zino

No deaths, injuries or accidents have been reported in connection with these recalled tires, according to the required NHTSA filing from a company usually known for its fastidious quality control procedures. Michelin said it has identified and fixed the issue that prompted the recall without proving details. Continue reading →

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Osteopathic Group Wants Ban on Distracted Driving Devices

Posted on 22 July 2013 by Ken Zino

The American Osteopathic Association has come out in favor of legislation banning activities that cause distracted driving. Citing a growing body of research that show 660,000 drivers use cell phones or electronic devices, the health care organization of 104,000 osteopathic physicians said the public health problem needs a legislative solution. Continue reading →

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July U.S. Sales Projected as Hot – up 12%

Posted on 20 July 2013 by Ken Zino

Not all this is good news for automakers in general, and specifically the Detroit Three. Drastic capacity cuts during the Great Recession have caught them out with the market recovery volumes approaching 16 million now running at least a year ahead of earlier forecasts. Mandatory overtime and cancelled vacations are the rule of the day, which ultimately will wear down UAW and workers at Japanese companies and inevitably lead to quality declines. Continue reading →

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2015 Mustang Goes Global with RHD models. Confirmation Coming in August at Jim Farley Australian Press Bash

Posted on 18 July 2013 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor, reeling from the negative backlash on plans to shut down all its manufacturing operations in Australia, will counter with what it hopes will be good news by confirming the next generation Mustang due in 2015 will go global and offer right-hand-drive models. Continue reading →

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Detroit Electric Roadster at Concours d’Elegance of America

Posted on 18 July 2013 by Donna Barbera

For the first time at any Concours, a rare 1914 Detroit Electric Roadster will be on display, the Concours d’Elegance of America claims Continue reading →

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