Tag Archives: autoinformed

New Vehicle Sales Satisfaction Improves from 2010

Posted on 1 December 2011 by Ken Zino

Satisfaction with the new-vehicle sales process has improved from 2010, according to a new study released today. All sales satisfaction measures improved “notably” from 2010, with the greatest increase in the delivery process, despite the fact that the average length of time to complete the delivery portion of a new-vehicle sale has increased by four minutes to an average of 32 minutes in 2011. Continue reading →

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Toyota Motor November Sales Up 7% as Inventories Build

Posted on 1 December 2011 by Ken Zino

Toyota Motor has now returned near the sales levels it had in Q1 before the tragic Japan earthquake disrupted production for months. With the auto industry monthly sales running at the highest rates since August of 2009 when taxpayer subsidies boosted sales under the Cash for Clunkers program, Toyota seems ideally positioned top be back to full strength by early next year. As it is now Toyota has about a 14% market share in the U.S. even though year-to-date total sales are off a whopping 20%, at 1,384,558 vehicles. Continue reading →

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Ford Motor November U.S. Sales Up 13%

Posted on 1 December 2011 by Ken Zino

Overall, ytd Ford Motor has sold 1,938,666 vehicles, more than 500,000 vehicles ahead of Toyota Motor Sales. Continue reading →

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GM U.S. Sales Up 7% in November – SAAR Booming

Posted on 1 December 2011 by Ken Zino

Increased sales of pickup trucks and full size vans dominated GM’s results. GM deliveries y-o-y showed a 34% increase in Chevrolet Silverado pickuo truck sales (34,251) and a 22% increase in GMC Sierra pickup sales at 11,971 Continue reading →

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BMW and Toyota to Jointly Research Lithium Ion Batteries

Posted on 1 December 2011 by Ken Zino

BMW Group and Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) announced today a memorandum of understanding (MOU) where the companies will research together the next-generation lithium-ion battery technologies. It is the latest example of automakers trying to decrease the astronomical cost of developing more efficient vehicles mandated by increasing stringent fuel economy or CO2 regulations. Continue reading →

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Teaching Teens of Deadly Distracted Driving with Video Game?

Posted on 30 November 2011 by Ken Zino

The Department of Transportation has launched a new page on a redesigned website aimed at educating teenage drivers about the dangers of distracted driving, which is now responsible for about 5,500 deaths and 500,000 injures annually in the U.S. Continue reading →

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Volkswagen Cross Coupe Plug-in Hybrid Unveiled at Tokyo

Posted on 30 November 2011 by Ken Zino

Cross Coupe is the latest regulation driven foray into plug-in technology, with the 9.8 kWh lithium ion battery onboard costing at least $5,000. Whether buyers will exist for the growing number of plug-in hybrids is a matter of debate by auto industry insiders. By the end of 2016, it’s predicted that 159 hybrid and electric vehicle models available for purchase in the U.S. market. This is a significant increase from only 31 hybrid and electric models in 2009. Continue reading →

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Honda Claims it will lead in Fuel Economy in All Classes within Three Years. New EVs and Hybrids Coming

Posted on 30 November 2011 by Ken Zino

The program is called “Earth Dreams Technology,” in a rough translation. It is actually a series of efficiency measures for engines, and transmissions, as well as electric-powered motors using existing or emerging technologies. Variable valve timing, direct injection, the Atkinson cycle, hybrid vehicles, turbocharging and friction reduction enhancements are part of the plan. Continue reading →

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BP to Pay $426,500, Reserve $240 Million for EPA Violations

Posted on 29 November 2011 by Ken Zino

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today that several subsidiaries of BP America Inc. have agreed to pay a $426,500 fine, and ensure that more than $240 million in funds are secured to resolve violations of hazardous waste, drinking water and Superfund financial assurance regulations. Continue reading →

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American Airlines Files for Bankruptcy – Pensions Threatened?

Posted on 29 November 2011 by Ken Zino

American Airlines has four traditional pension plans that cover almost 130,000 participants. As of today, the plans collectively had only about $8.3 billion in assets to cover about $18.5 billion in benefits, according to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. If American Airlines were to end their plans, the agency would be responsible for paying about $17 billion in benefits; about $1 billion in benefits would be lost. Continue reading →

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Milestones: GM Builds 100 Million Small Block V8 Engines

Posted on 29 November 2011 by Ken Zino

GM also announced Tuesday that the fifth-generation small-block under development will feature a new direct-injection combustion system that will help enhance efficiency over the current-generation engine. Chevrolet now sells more four-cylinder engines than V8s, and the traditional powerplant of Detroit cars and trucks is threatened with extinction as fuel economy and emission regulations become more stringent. Continue reading →

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Toyota Moves East out of Euro Zone to Build Next Corolla

Posted on 29 November 2011 by Ken Zino

Neither country uses the Euro, which is crumbling in value as Eurozone crisis continues to increase, while EU leaders bicker over what steps to take about unsustainable, Greek, Italian and Spanish debt. So far the Greek and Italian governments have fallen, and serious questions are being raised about the political stability of the Spanish and French Governments. Continue reading →

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GM Will Lend Cars to Concerned Chevrolet Volt Owners as NHTSA Volt Battery Fire Investigation Continues

Posted on 28 November 2011 by Ken Zino

General Motors announced Monday that any Volt owner concerned about safety can contact his or her Volt advisor to arrange for a free GM vehicle loan until resolution of the issue. A letter to Volt owners will go out today. The aggressive customer satisfaction move came after the National Highway traffic safety Administration announced on Friday that it would open a preliminary evaluation of Volt battery assemblies after NHTSA test results caused electrical fires up to three weeks after an initial vehicle New Car Assessment Program side pole crash test. Continue reading →

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Honda Production Returns to Normal in December. Resourcing Components Helps Ongoing Thailand Flood Disruptions

Posted on 28 November 2011 by Ken Zino

Honda automobile production in Japan and North America will resume Normal levels by the end of the first week of December, Japan’s third largest automaker said this morning. All of Honda’s North American plants will resume normal production by December 1, 2011, with some plants resuming normal production in late November. A combination of re-sourcing parts outside of Thailand and aiding suppliers in Thailand after the worst floods in decades is responsible for easing the crisis. Continue reading →

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Chevrolet Volt Earns 5 Stars in Euro NCAP with No Battery Fires. GM Announces Volt Export Plans to China Next Year

Posted on 28 November 2011 by Ken Zino

At the same time the National Highway Traffic safety Administration was preparing to announce that a formal investigation had begun over Chevrolet Volt battery fires, the European New Car Assessment Program (Euro NCAP) released its latest results, which gave the Opel Ampera a top 5-star rating. The Ampera is a virtual clone of the Chevrolet Volt.

Continue reading →

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