Tag Archives: autoinformed

NHTSA Opens a Formal Defect Investigation into Chevrolet Volt Battery Fires When a Second Fire Occurs After a Crash Test

Posted on 26 November 2011 by Ken Zino

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration – NHTSA – is opening a formal safety defect investigation to assess the risk posed by Chevrolet Volt battery fires after a serious accident. The formal investigation came after NHTSA observed two post-crash testing fires emanating from Volt’s lithium ion batteries, the latest occurring last Thursday. Since July, GM has implemented a post crash procedure that includes the depowering of the battery after a severe crash, returning the battery to what it calls a safe and low-powered state. Continue reading →

Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, electric vehicles, news, news analysis, safety | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Thanksgiving for Democracy Now, Noting Battles Past, Girding Ourselves for Coming Political, Economic and Military Wars

Posted on 24 November 2011 by Ken Zino

What’s called the most American of holidays, Thanksgiving, had its roots in pilgrim and other colonial celebrations going back to the early 17th century. It was President George Washington who first designated the celebration of Thanksgiving by our national government … Continue reading →

Posted in milestones, news, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Happy New Year – BMW Ups U.S. Prices and Delivery Fees

Posted on 23 November 2011 by Ken Zino

Year-to-date, U.S. sales of the BMW brand are up 12.9% at 199,552 compared to 176,736 sold in the first ten months of 2010. BMW is on track to displace Lexus as the number one Luxury brand in the U.S. because of Toyota’s earthquake induced production disruptions. Continue reading →

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

DOT Distracted Driving Rule Bans Hand-Held Phone use by Commercial Drivers, but Allows Hands-Free Cell Phones

Posted on 23 November 2011 by Ken Zino

The latest DOT rule falls far short of a recommendation in September from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to ban the use of all cell phones – hand-held and hands-free – by commercial drivers except in emergencies. NTSB made the recommendation after a horrific crash in Kentucky between an 18-wheeler and a van killed 11 people. Continue reading →

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

MaxiGuard Super Premium Motor Oil Consumer Alert Issued

Posted on 23 November 2011 by Ken Zino

PQIA says there are labeling issues, as e well. The label claims API service SA, SC. These are obsolete Service Categories the API cautions can cause harm to engines built after 1967. The label does not warn consumers of this limited use. Continue reading →

Posted in aftermarket, auto news, news, quality, results | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Daimler Employee Arrested, Detained Under Controversial Alabama Immigration Law

Posted on 22 November 2011 by Ken Zino

The controversial Alabama immigration law requires the proper papers be carried by foreigners, including employees of firms investing in the state. Daimler, of course, is one of the largest employers in Alabama, with billions invested thus far and recently announced millions more will be added to increase production. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, economy, fools 'n frauds, litigation, manufacturing, news, news analysis, people | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

General Motors Spring Hill Assembly To Be a Full Flex Plant capable of Building any Car or Crossover With New Investment

Posted on 21 November 2011 by Ken Zino

Neither timing, nor product line was announced, but GM claimed that an additional 1,090 hourly and 106 salaried positions. Furthermore, GM claimed that the Spring Hill flex plant would be capable of building any GM car or crossover vehicle, a potential manufacturing breakthrough that AutoInformed is attempting to clarify. Continue reading →

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

Toyota Camry Hybrid Prices Cut $850 to $1,150 for 2012

Posted on 21 November 2011 by Ken Zino

The revised hybrid-electric powertrain, like other 2012 Camry models has a newly-developed 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. Toyota says that improved electric motor-voltage control, optimized regenerative braking, and reduce parasitic losses in the transaxle are key to the ratings. Reduced vehicle weight and improved aerodynamics are also factors in the class-leading fuel economy ratings. Continue reading →

Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, electric vehicles, environment, fuel economy or emissions, marketing, new vehicle, news, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

General Motors Revises Opel Supervisory Board. European Reorganization, Layoffs and Plant Closures Imminent?

Posted on 21 November 2011 by Ken Zino

The Opel Board, as well as GM’s Board of Directors, has the task of returning GM’s European Operations to sustainable profitability, after years of stopgap measures by previous GM management teams that did not accomplish this. Further cost cutting is needed, which likely means politically contentious plant closures. On a Q3 earnings phone call with reporters earlier this month, CFO Amman said that nothing would be ruled out to return Opel to profitability. Continue reading →

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

Nissan Recalls Power Windows on 370Z and Infiniti G37

Posted on 21 November 2011 by Ken Zino

A computer programming error is responsible for a Nissan recall of 2011 and 2012 model 370Z sports cars and Infiniti G37 coupes. The computer program for the window controller of automatic electric windows in incorrectly calibrated so that the window may not “auto reverse” its travel if something is caught in the upward motion. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, news, recalls, safety | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

November U.S. Auto Sales Up – 11.3 Million Retail SAAR?

Posted on 18 November 2011 by Ken Zino

New-vehicle retail sales in November are increasing at a rate that could mean deliveries of 791,900 cars and light trucks, which represents a seasonally adjusted annualized rate (SAAR) of 11.3 million units. Continue reading →

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

Chevrolet Volt Qualifies for California HOV Lanes in 2012

Posted on 18 November 2011 by Ken Zino

This is nothing more than a subsidy for the wealthy, according to critics, since it allows single occupant vehicles access to more than 1,400 miles of California HOV lanes. The subsidy is crucial to the sales of the Nissan Leaf, Honda Civic Natural Gas, Smart ForTwo, and Tesla roadster, and upcoming plug-in hybrids from Ford and Chrysler, among others. Continue reading →

Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, electric vehicles, environment, news, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

GM and UzAvtosanoat Open New Engine Plant in Asia

Posted on 18 November 2011 by Ken Zino

General Motors and a joint venture partner, state owned UzAvtosanoat, have dedicated a new engine plant in Tashkent, 400 kilometers from the automakers’ vehicle manufacturing facility in Asaka, Uzbekistan. It represents GM’s largest powertrain investment to date in Central Asia. Continue reading →

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

Hyundai Azera Targets LaCrosse, Taurus and Avalon Sedans

Posted on 17 November 2011 by Ken Zino

The Azera – like all recently upgraded Hyundai models – is fiercely competitive entry, in this case in the large car segment. Azera will provide a real choice for shoppers of large Toyota and Lexus models, as well as the slow selling Ford Taurus – off 10% at ~53,000 ytd of 619,000 total Ford car sales. Azera is also trouble for the upcoming revised Chevrolet Impala in 2013. The existing Impala is road kill here, in my view. As always, the buyers will decide what’s the best value, with Azera likely pulling sales from less expensive and more expensive models. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, design and styling, new vehicle, news, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

NHTSA Upgrades Probe of Saturn Automatic Transmissions

Posted on 17 November 2011 by Ken Zino

When NHTSA began the safety defect probe last May only 2007 model year Saturn Aura sedans were implicated. Now the investigation has been expanded to 2008 models as well, covering more than 88,000 Saturn models. In a regulatory filing this week NHTSA said that at least seven accidents have been reported. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, news, recalls, safety | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment