Tag Archives: autoinformed

Appeals Court Affirms Right to Organize at Mercedes-Benz

The latest union busting dispute comes at a time when IndustriALL, a growing global coalition of unions representing 50 million members, elected Jörg Hofmann from Germany as President. Hofmann comes from German metalworkers’ trade union, IG Metall, where he is also President. Continue reading

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NADA – Washington Policy Goals Thwarted by Regulations

Solutions to other problems require nuanced thinking and practical, non-traditional methods. These, in AutoInformed’s weary experience, can be beyond the intellectual capabilities of lobbying or pressure groups, regulators and politicians. And, of course, some groups are downright opposed to reform, no matter what their public position is. Continue reading

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China, U.S. Increase Cadillac September Sales

Cadillac sold 30,061 vehicles globally in September, an increase of 22%. This is the fourth consecutive month of double-digit increases. Continue reading

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Honda to Make Small Gas and Electric Scooters for Yamaha

Because of the diversification of the types of short-range transportation, including power-assisted bicycles and mini-vehicles, the market for scooters in Japan has been shrinking in recent years. Continue reading

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Chevrolet Colorado ZH2 Fuel Cell Ready for Army Testing

GM and TARDEC developed the Colorado ZH2 contract to concept in less than a year. Who paid for what was not specified, but it certainly wasn’t Donald Trump’s non-tax dollars. Continue reading

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Chilly September as U.S. Light Vehicle Sales Slow

U.S. light vehicle sales in September once again slowed from the record-setting pace established at the beginning of the year. Continue reading

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Bentley Testing Concierge Fuel Service in California

Owners open a Filld for Bentley app, choose a delivery time, and their fuel will be delivered wherever and whenever they require. This first-ever Connected Car integration means that customers don’t need to unlock the fuel cap themselves, or identify the car’s exact location as this is done for them securely through the Filld for Bentley service. Bentley predicts additional future benefits, including predictive fuel ordering where the car places an order for itself based on fuel level, location and customer preferences. Continue reading

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UK Wedding Cars Getting Less Snobby. Maybe

The company says it has collection of cars representing motoring over the past nine decades, many more of these cars are now being rented out for bride and groom transport to and from the church. In recent months, the company has supplied a unique Aston Martin Lagonda “Wedge” and a Jensen Interceptor S Type for weddings. Continue reading

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Daihatsu Takes Lead from Toyota in Emerging Markets

Toyota under intense competitive pressure from global automakers (Honda comes to mind) is experimenting with a different organizational approach to getting cars to market. Continue reading

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Magna Expending in Active Aerodynamics

A vehicle’s aerodynamic profile is a major contributor to its fuel economy, of course, which is inversely is proportional to CO2 emissions. Thus, the higher the fuel economy, the lower the production of CO2, a greenhouse gas. Expect to see many more active aerodynamics – deflectors, spoilers, wings, splitters in the near future – because they can increase fuel economy by 1% or more. Continue reading

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Toyota of Corvallis – World’s First Net Zero Energy Dealership?

Net Zero Energy means that at the end of the year the building has produced more power than it used. Continue reading

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More Airbag Recalls from BMW, Toyota and Volvo

Only at BMW is the supplier Takata responsible for once again defective welds on its PSDI-X inflator. The Toyota recall involves Chinese supplier ARC Qing Hua (Xian) Automotive Company. Volvo did not name the supplier. Continue reading

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FTC Says Sage Auto Group Uses Deceptive Tactics

This is the FTC’s first action against an auto dealer for so-called “yo-yo” financing tactics: using deception or other unlawful pressure tactics to coerce consumers who have signed contracts and driven off the dealership lots into accepting a different deal. The FTC also alleges that the defendants packed extra, unauthorized charges for “add-ons,” or aftermarket products and services, into car deals financed by consumers. Continue reading

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U.S. September Vehicle Sales Down. Record Incentives

Retail sales year to date through September are expected to be down 1.3%, compared with the same period in 2015, while total sales are expected to be up 0.5%. Continue reading

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Lithium Battery Fires – FAA Emergency Order to Braille

Despite FAA warnings, Braille Battery failed to ship lithium ion batteries in accordance with “appropriate regulations and continued to offer for air transport lithium ion batteries that were not properly tested, violating the HMR. Continue reading

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