Tag Archives: autoinformed

Dale Earnhardt Jr Wins the first of two NASCAR Sprint Cup Can-Am Duel Races

Posted on 19 February 2016 by Ken Zino
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Nissan – Unfit as Rio Olympic Games Sponsor?

Posted on 18 February 2016 by Ken Zino

In December 2015, following a six-month investigation, the US National Labor Relations Board filed a formal complaint against Nissan charging the company with breaking the law for threatening to terminate workers for union activities, for threatening workers with plant closure for choosing a union, and for unlawfully imposing a uniform policy after hundreds of Canton workers began wearing pro-union t-shirts. Continue reading →

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Corporate Name Change Games at GM Powertrain, Now, Global Propulsion Systems

Posted on 17 February 2016 by Ken Zino

Today after 24 years General Motors renames GM Powertrain to GM Global Propulsion Systems. So what? Continue reading →

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African American History Month

Posted on 17 February 2016 by Ken Zino

Each year, U.S. presidents proclaim February as National African-American History Month. What happens in the future if racist Republicans take the White House, notably with emphasis on white by hater Mr. Trump, is unknown. I thought my ancestors settled this argument fighting for the Union during the 1860s. Subsequent Constitutional amendments made it American law. Continue reading →

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Ford Explorer Wheelchair Conversion by BraunAbility – a First?

Posted on 17 February 2016 by Ken Zino

The world’s best-selling SUV for 25 years, Ford Explorer, is now said to be the world’s only volume-production ‘wheelchair-accessible” SUV. The claim here in a world of marketing hype is the definition of “volume.” Other makers and aftermarket suppliers are in the mobility business for people with special needs. Continue reading →

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Porsche Puffs Le Mans 919. With Good Reasons

Posted on 17 February 2016 by Ken Zino

As part of the marketing of the very expensive, competitive racing series, the Porsche 919 hybrid’s engine will be on display at race events, exhibitions and, of course, in the Porsche Museum at Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen. Continue reading →

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NASCAR, Mack Trucks Announce Multi-Year Decal Deal

Posted on 16 February 2016 by Ken Zino

The trucks will be equipped with a 505-horsepower, 13-liter Mack MP8 engine, a so called mDRIVE automated manual transmission and GuardDog Connect telematics system that big brother like monitors the truck’s performance, alerting customers to “potential concerns.” Continue reading →

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Many More Takata Airbags Recalled in Ongoing Safety Scandal

Posted on 16 February 2016 by Ken Zino

BMW, Daimler Vans – including Sprinter Vans labeled Mercedes-Benz, Dodge and Freightliner – Ford, Honda, Acura, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz including Chrysler, and Volkswagen and Audi have now expanded their Takata airbag recalls recalls to include vehicles equipped with driver-side air bag inflators that Takata has declared defective. Continue reading →

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The Un-luck of the Irish – St. Patrick’s Day Drunks

Posted on 16 February 2016 by Ken Zino

St. Patrick’s Day – when it’s said everyone is Celtic – is sometimes heartbreaking because of drunk drivers behind the wheel. NHTSA says that during St. Patrick’s Day from 2009 to 2013, there were a total of 276 lives needlessly lost in drunk-driving crashes. Continue reading →

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Webber Landscapes and Silverado Brandscapes

Posted on 16 February 2016 by Ken Zino

“We are a trade. We are real. We do something that is very valuable to America,” says Webber. “And to have the right equipment makes it easier and better in our bottom line.” Continue reading →

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Mazda Begins Production of CX-9 in Hiroshima

Posted on 15 February 2016 by Ken Zino

This three-row seat CX-9 is long overdue for a major overhaul in an ultra-competitive field, but Mazda’s fragile financial position (net income -25% in Q1 of Japanese FY 2016) saw it mildly freshening the Ford Edge-based platform since its 2007 introduction. That’s a long time in car life years. Such vehicles turn into, well, dogs. Continue reading →

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NHTSA Warns About Keyless Ignition Dangers

Posted on 12 February 2016 by Ken Zino

Without the machine-cut steel key and an ignition interlock safety system, a driver could walk away from the vehicle without putting the car in ‘Park”, leaving it able to roll away. If the ignition is left on, the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning could also occur in a garage or enclosed space. Continue reading →

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Mercedes-Benz Tuscaloosa Starts GLS Production

Posted on 12 February 2016 by Ken Zino

During 2015, Mercedes-Benz renewed almost its entire range of SUVs. The new models are successful – sales of the GLC, the updated GLE and the new addition to the SUV portfolio, the GLE Coupé, are at record levels. Continue reading →

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NHTSA – Artificial Intelligence is ‘Driver’ in Autonomous Cars

Posted on 11 February 2016 by Ken Zino

“Google says its robot technology failed and handed over control to a human test driver 272 times and the driver was scared enough to take control 69 times,” said John M. Simpson, Consumer Watchdog’s Privacy Project Director. Continue reading →

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Sprinter Extreme Concept – Strong, Work Ready

Posted on 11 February 2016 by Ken Zino

Take the heavy-duty Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Cab Chassis, hire long-time Benz customer RENNtech, and present the Sprinter Extreme as the ultimate work machine concept. That’s what Mercedes-Benz did today in Chicago. Stretching more than 20 feet from bumper-to-bumper, it’s over 95″ tall. Hauling 6400 pounds of payload and a towing capacity of 7500 pounds, it’s an impressive heavy-duty truck that looks like it came from Jurassic Park.

“Unlike most concepts, the foundation for the Sprinter Extreme can be ordered at a Mercedes or Freightliner dealership today with the help of our MasterUpfitter program.” says Bernie Glaser, Vice President of Mercedes-Benz Vans USA. Continue reading →

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