Tag Archives: autoinformed

Ford Recalls 425,000 Windstar Minivans for Bad Steering

Ford Motor Company is recalling 1999 to 2003 model Windstar minivans because the steering can fail after the front suspension rusts away. More than 25,000 of the Canadian-built Windstar minivans are prone to rusting problems. Continue reading

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Construction of Nissan Leaf Electric Vehicle Battery Plant in Tennessee Well Underway

Construction is progressing on Nissan’s manufacturing facility in Smyrna, Tennessee, which will produce lithium-ion batteries for the Leaf electric vehicle. Continue reading

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GM Invests in Envia Systems’ Battery Cathode Material

General Motors Ventures LLC has invested $7 million in Envia Systems get access to what is said to be an advanced lithium-ion cathode technology that delivers a battery with higher cell energy density and lower cost. Continue reading

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Refinery to Pay $5.3 Million Penalty for Clean Air Act Violations

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Justice announced today that Hovensa LLC, owner of the second largest petroleum refinery in the United States, will pay a civil penalty of more than $5.3 million and spend more than $700 million in new pollution controls to resolve Clean Air Act violations at its St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands refinery. Continue reading

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Toyota Recalls Lexus GS 300, 350, IS 250, IS 350 Cars for Fuel Leaks and Possible Fires

Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A. today announced a safety recall of approximately 245,000 Lexus models because a leaking fuel pressure sensor that could cause a fire.

Toyota Motor Corporation is also conducting a larger recall outside the U.S. for a similar safety defect involving 1.3 million vehicles to fix a different fuel delivery pipe and a high pressure fuel pump check valve. TMC’s recall announcement does not involve vehicles sold in North America. Continue reading

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Car Buyers Avoiding Toyota, Edmunds Claims

Car buyers are avoiding shopping for Toyota brands, according to data provided by Edmunds.com, an online web site covering the automobile business that sells advertising to virtually all automakers. The privately-held Edmunds declined to provide any information to AutoInformed about … Continue reading

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Chevrolet Camaro Convertible Goes to Super Bowl XLV MVP

Controversy surrounds this years Super Bowl, when it was revealed that women at the Ocean Sky “sweatshop” in El Salvador are paid just eight cents for each $25 NFL T-shirt they sew, according to the National Labor Committee.

Their wages amount to just 3/10ths of one percent of the NFL shirt’s retail price, according to the non-profit pressure group. One wag suggests that this gives a whole new meaning to one Super Bowl team – the Steelers. Continue reading

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Ultracapacitors to Challenge Batteries in Stop/Start Vehicles?

Pike Research that claims worldwide sales of ultracapacitors will grow tenfold from $28 million in 2011 to $284 million by 2016, with cumulative revenue of $901 million during that period. Continue reading

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Toyota Opens Two New Product Quality Field Offices in U.S.

Based on the illegal actions of Toyota’s Japanese executives, Toyota was fined $50 million by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for its failure to promptly act on safety defects last year. (See Toyota Motor Fined Another $32.425 Million for Safety Defects) Continue reading

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National Hot Rod Association Tax-Exempt Status Attacked

The IRS has received a complaint challenging the tax-exempt status of the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) from the Washington law firm of Caplin & Drysdale. The complaint alleges that the drag racing organization’s activities mimic those organized by for-profit automobile entertainment companies. Continue reading

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EPA, DOT and California Want Higher Light Vehicle Fuel Economy Rules in Place by September. Jobs Are at Stake

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the state of California today announced a timeframe for proposing what will no doubt be increased fuel economy and lower greenhouse gas standards for model year 2017-2025 cars and light-duty trucks. Continue reading

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Camaro Sales Top Mustang for First Time Since 1991!

With a sales growth rate in 2010 of three times that of the Ford Mustang, the Chevy Camaro took the annual sales leadership for the first time since 1991. Continue reading

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Significant Auto Industry Stories of 2010

As 2010 dwindles it’s time to reflect on the significant automotive stories of the year from a perspective that attempts to ignore the daily hysteria of the “gotcha” playing media. The longer term effects and significance of the following stories … Continue reading

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Ex Car Czar Rattner Settles Bribery Charges for $10 Million

Steven Rattner, the Obama Administrations’ former “car czar,” has settled bribery charges in New York by paying a $10 million fine and agreeing to banishment from appearing before any public pension fund within the State of New York for five years. … Continue reading

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Ford Recalls F-Series, Edge, Lincoln MKX for Fires. “Toyota Effect” at NHTSA as Makers Now Rush to Recall Defects

Ford Motor Company in the U.S. is recalling thousands of 2011 F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles for fires. A Mexican-built control computer from Lear Corporation can burst into flames without warning. At least two of … Continue reading

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