Tag Archives: autoinformed

Toyota Motor Posts $9.7 Billion Profit for Year

This was the largest annual return in five years for the world’s largest automaker, and a clear indication that the recalls of ten million vehicles during 2009-2010 and the product shortages from natural disasters in 2011 are now behind it. Continue reading

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GM Recalls Buick and Chevrolet Hybrids for Fires

GM had previously performed a service action on the vehicles, contending there was no chance of fires. At least two fires subsequently occurred, and NHTSA inquires about a number of complaints prompted GM to reopen the defect investigation. Continue reading

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Global Sales of Toyota Motor Hybrid Vehicles Pass 5 Million

“We had to develop a hybrid system from scratch, making our task extremely difficult,” said TMC Vice Chairman Takeshi Uchiyamada, who was responsible for development of the first-generation Prius, the world’s first mass-produced hybrid passenger vehicle. Toyota had been excluded from participating in a multi-billion dollar U.S. Government program that subsidized the national labs and GM, Ford and Chrysler to develop 80 mpg cars. The so-called partnerships for a New Generation of Vehicles ended in failure with no cars other than a few prototypes produced. Continue reading

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BMW Joins the Global Takata Airbag Shrapnel Recall

BMW is recalling more than 42,000 2002-2003 3-Series cars because the Takata-made passenger side airbags when deployed can send metal fragments – shrapnel – into a car’s interior striking and potentially seriously injuring people. Continue reading

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Toyota Motor Recalls FJ Cruiser SUVs for Illegal Lights

The Hella-made lamp assemblies include 55-watt bulbs and because of the power of the bulbs and the mounting angle, the combination of upper beam headlamps plus the auxiliary lamps is too bright, exceeding the maximum light output allowed. Continue reading

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GM China Sales Set April Record

Last month, Buick debuted a concept version of its upcoming Riviera revival at the Shanghai Motor Show. Continue reading

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Treasury to Sell 242 Million Shares of General Motors Common

To recover the full loan Treasury would have to sell the remaining GM shares at more than $77. GM is currently trading at ~$32 per share. This means that taxpayers will take a loss on the bailout of GM. Continue reading

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Cadillac Matches New Car Warranty on Used Cars

In a move that reflects a growing industry trend of expanding warranty and maintenance plans, Cadillac today matched its new vehicle warranty on certified used cars. Continue reading

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Car Spy Catches 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe

Running under full camouflage is this prototype of the next Chevrolet Tahoe, the 2015 model. While the cover-up is extensive, several proposed changes in the full size SUV are evident from this photograph taken during testing at one of GM’s proving grounds. Continue reading

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Detroit Three Truck Sales Hurt Offshore Brands in April

The Detroit Three automakers posted impressive April sales gains, hurting foreign brands, the result of a revived truck market, as well as stumbling by giants Toyota, Hyundai, Kia and Volkswagen. In a market that was up 8.5% overall year-over-year to 1.285 million vehicles, according to AutoData, light truck sales rose 15%. The winners were located in Auburn Hills, Dearborn and Detroit because of their commanding share of the traditional pickup truck and SUV markets. With 634,000 light trucks sold, only 252,000 were from offshore brands. Continue reading

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Ford Adding Jobs at Kansas City Assembly

Ford Motor is adding more than 2,000 jobs at its Kansas City Assembly Plant in Missouri to meet recovering demand for the Ford F-150 and planned production of a revised Ford Transit. In the sad language of the Obama Administration’s mostly jobless recovery, only half of the jobs will be new hires at an hourly rate – when adjusted for inflation – is less then Henry Ford’s $5 a day Model T wage a century ago. Continue reading

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Corvette Stingray to Pace Indianapolis 500

The C7 Corvette Stingray will pace Indianapolis 500 events during the month of May. This is a record 12th time that Chevrolet has paid millions in promotional fees to have the Corvette as the Pace Car, going back to 1978 before the Indy Racing League disaster severely hurt U.S. open wheel racing. No word on whether there will be retail versions of the decaled car. Continue reading

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GM Q1 Earnings Drop 14% to $0.9 Billion. North America Weak. Europe Weaker. Cash Flow -$1.3 Billion

General Motors Company (NYSE: GM) today announced first quarter net income of $0.9 billion, or $0.58 per fully diluted GM share, down from $1 billion in the prior year quarter. The results include a net loss from special items that reduced net income by $0.2 billion, or $0.09 per fully diluted share. Continue reading

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Electric Vehicle Startup Coda Files for Bankruptcy

Coda EV announced today that it is filing Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code after selling only 100 cars. Continue reading

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Chrysler, Ford, GM Post Double Digit April Sales Gains

The Detroit Three all had strong U.S. sales during April, recording levels not seen since the housing market collapse and the Bush Great Depression took hold during the last decade. Continue reading

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