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- Ken Zino on Ford Fuel Injector Leak Recall Now at ~694,000
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Tag Archives: autoinformed
Unions Protest Closing of Ford Plant Leningrad Region
Although the closure of the Vsevolozhsk plant has not been confirmed, Ford announced in January 2019 that it would review its development strategy in Russia. Depending on the review, the plant in Vsevolozhsk and two plants to produce cars and engines in the Republic of Tatarstan may be closed. Continue reading
Not Cars – McLaren and L’Amy Sunglasses?
Available as both sunglasses and prescription eyeglasses, a claimed unique style is created by L’Amy in partnership with design teams from both McLaren Automotive and McLaren Racing. The lenses, including the option of Leica sun lenses, are fixed within the frames at two contact points. As well as a dramatic appearance, the “floating” structure ensures the glasses are light and strong. Continue reading
Chinese Junk Watch – Crate and Barrel Milk Bottles
Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled milk bottles and contact Crate and Barrel to receive a full refund. The firm has acknowledged one report of the straw breaking. No injuries have been reported. Continue reading
BMW Baggage
BMW is continuing its merchandising with Montblanc via a five-piece luggage set that’s made-to-measure for the trunk (AKA boot) of the BMW 8 Series Coupé. Manufacturer’s recommended retail price is €14,900. Continue reading
Ford Exits Heavy Truck Business in South America
Most of these pre-tax special item charges and cash outflows of 4460 million will be recorded in 2019 and are part of the $11 billion in EBIT charges with cash-related effects of $7 billion the company expects to take in the redesign of its global business. Continue reading
Audi Expands Traffic Light Information to Reduce Stops
Green Light Optimized Speed Advisory can provide speed recommendations to Audi drivers of some 2017 and newer models that can assist drivers in catching the “green wave,” helping to reduce the number of stops at red lights. Continue reading
Global Light Vehicle Sales Start New Year with a Whimper
A worrisome ghost dancing across AutoInformed’s screen is that 2019 began in a cowed manner in most major markets with the weakness that has been evident for several months continuing. Chinese LV sales were again the most influential for the global market, with another double-digit YoY decline. China of course us is enmeshed in a Trump tariff tirade. Continue reading
Japanese-brand Automakers Generate 1.52 Million Jobs in US
It doesn’t estimate how many are lost to oversees manufacturing and imports. Thus, go the one-sided volleys in the ongoing automotive trade wars. Continue reading
Posted in economy, financial results, labor issues, manufacturing, news analysis
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, connected vehicles, jama, Ken Zino, Manny Manriquez, new vehicle reviews, Rutgers University Economics Professor Thomas J. Prusa, The Contribution of the Japanese-Brand Automakers to the United States Economy
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Trump Tariffs Hurt New Auto Prices, Jobs, Consumers
NADA is worried that under a 25% tariff on all imports and parts, “consumers would see the price of the typical vehicle sold in the United States rise by $4,400. Prices of U.S.‐assembled vehicles rise due to an increase in the cost of imported vehicle parts, adding $2,270 to the price. For the typical imported vehicle, these tariffs raise consumer prices by $6,875 per vehicle.” Continue reading
Posted in economy, labor issues, new vehicle, news analysis, people
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, center for automotive research, connected vehicles, Department of Commerce, Ken Zino, NADA President and CEO Peter Welch, new vehicle reviews
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Woodstock Revisited? Volkswagen ‘Light’ Bus Recreated
“The bus is really about being one people on one planet,” says Hieronimus, who is also a ‘symbologist’. “On every side of the bus is a story – many stories – and the stories all point to unification, working together and a higher consciousness, which is what Light really is all about.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, design and styling, people
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, connected vehicles, Dr. Bob Hieronimus, Ken Zino, new vehicle reviews, Orange Country Transporter Organization, Recreation of the Woodstock Light bus- Volkswagen Type 2 Van, VW Bus, Woodstock
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Battery Handlers or Sorters Untrained, at Risk from Lithium
Battery Council International says the lead battery recycling process was uniquely designed for lead batteries. Lead batteries have almost a 100% recycling rate. However, when lithium batteries enter the lead battery recycling stream, they pose a serious threat to lead battery recyclers’ employees and equipment. This is because lithium batteries can explode if they are crushed during the lead battery recycling process. Continue reading
Doomsday? No-Deal Brexit Impact on UK Light Vehicle Market
If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, then the LMC assumption would be that vehicles exported to the EU from the UK would be subject to a tariff of 10% as the UK would, by then, have become a ‘third country’ under EU trade rules. Continue reading
J.D. Power – Most Owners Love Their Three-Year-Old Wheels
“Vehicle dependability continues to improve, but I wouldn’t say that everything is rosy,” noted Dave Sargent, Vice President of Global Automotive at J.D. Power. “Vehicles are more reliable than ever, but automakers are wrestling with problems such as voice recognition, transmission shifts and battery failures. Continue reading
Posted in engineering, manufacturing, news analysis, quality
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, chrysler, connected vehicles, General Motors Company, J.D. Power 2019 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study, Ken Zino, lexus, new vehicle reviews, Toyota Motor Corporation
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Whoops! Now Ford Motor Has Emissions Problems
Ford says it is now taking several actions, including hiring an unnamed outside firm to investigate the vehicle road load specifications used in Ford testing and applications to certify emissions and fuel economy. Road load can of course be manipulated since it is used in vehicle dynamometer testing, including for fuel economy ratings and emissions certifications. Continue reading →