Tag Archives: automotive news

Three Problem Areas for Toyota in U.S. from Japan Earthquake

Posted on 1 April 2011 by Ken Zino

During a press call to discuss March sales results today, Bob Carter, Toyota Division group vice president and general manager, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. (TMS) said “The events in Japan had little if any impact on March sales.”

However, that doesn’t mean that Toyota no longer faces production and resulting sales problems because of the plant shutdowns caused by the Japan earthquake, tsunami and nuclear power plant meltdowns. Continue reading →

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Ford Motor Company Outsells General Motors in March as U.S. Sales Increase 19%! Ford Q1 Sales also Strong at Plus 6%.

Posted on 1 April 2011 by Ken Zino

Ford is clearly benefitting from relatively fresh products, a shift away from trucks to cars and improved fuel efficiency in most vehicle lines as gasoline prices continue to rise above $3.50 a gallon. Continue reading →

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Toyota U.S. Sales Down 5.7% in March. Q1 Plus 12.5%. Nissan, Honda Post Double Digit Gains as Toyota’s Troubles Go On

Posted on 1 April 2011 by Ken Zino

Toyota Motor Sales (TMS) U.S.A. today reported March sales results of 176,222 units, down 5.7% from a year ago on a volume basis. The Toyota Division posted March sales of 155,540 units, a decrease of 6.7% from the year-ago month. The Lexus Division reported total sales of 20,682 units, up 2.3% March. Overall, based on preliminary numbers, it looks like the industry is up roughly 12%. Continue reading →

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General Motors U.S. Sales Up 11% in March, Q1 Up 26%

Posted on 1 April 2011 by Ken Zino

Dealers for General Motors Company reported 206,621 total sales during March in the U.S., an increase of 11%, and a 17% increase in GM retail sales. Discounted fleet sales were 27% of the total.

For the first three months, total GM sales increased 26% to 592,545 units compared to a year earlier. As a result, each of GM’s remaining brands – Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac – gained retail and total market share during the quarter, a welcome reversal of a declining trend that was underway for five decades and ultimately led it GM’s bankruptcy in 2009. Continue reading →

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Toyota Raises U.S. Prices as Yen Strengthens from Earthquake

Posted on 1 April 2011 by Ken Zino

The huge amounts of money going back to Japan has caused the Japanese Yen to strengthen as it now is trading well below ¥90:$1. Current Japanese automaker business plans were set and 96 Yen to the U.S. Dollar, and at that rate executives said profitability was a struggle. Continue reading →

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GM Sells its Stake in Delphi Automotive for $3.8 Billion

Posted on 31 March 2011 by Ken Zino

General Motors Company (NYSE: GM) late today announced the sale of its Class A Membership Interest in Delphi Automotive LLP (Delphi) back to Delphi for $3.8 billion. Continue reading →

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Ally, formerly Bankrupt GMAC, Files With SEC for IPO

Posted on 31 March 2011 by Ken Zino

Ally’s is one of the leading suppliers in the U.S. of wholesale dealer loans, and is the leading retail provider of vehicle finance. Ally’s taxpayer-financed bailout remains a vital aspect to the thus far successful reorganizations of General Motors and Chrysler. U.S. (and Canadian taxpayers) have large interests in those recovering automakers, as well. Continue reading →

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Reducing Oil Imports – Assumptions in New Independence Plan

Posted on 31 March 2011 by Ken Zino

In 2008, America imported 11 million barrels of oil a day. By 2025 the U.S. will have cut that by one-third – about where we were in 1975, according to an energy independence plan outlined by President Obama yesterday. Continue reading →

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Chevrolet Miray Hybrid Electric Debuts at Seoul Motor Show

Posted on 31 March 2011 by Ken Zino

Chevrolet introduced the Miray concept hybrid electric vehicle at the 2011 Seoul Motor Show today. The roadster is significant because it was developed at the General Motors Advanced Design Studio in Seoul, increasingly the source of small car work for … Continue reading →

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President Obama outlines Energy Independence Plan, Touting Alternative Fuels, “Safe” Nuclear Power, 33% cut in Oil Imports

Posted on 31 March 2011 by Ken Zino

The President ordered that 100% of federal fleet purchases by 2015 will be alternative fuel, hybrid or electric vehicles – in a taxpayer-fueled bonanza for some automakers. Continue reading →

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Steelworkers follow UAW and Ratify Contract with Dana

Posted on 30 March 2011 by Ken Zino

The contract has implications for the United Autoworkers Union as it enters negotiations this summer with automakers since the Dana contract reduces but does not eliminate the gap in the existing two-tier wage structure with Goodyear.
The UAW is fiercely divided over the two-tier issue, which allows new hires at $12 an hour, while veterans get $28. UAW president Bob King insists that reduced wages for new workers are necessary, while opposition groups within the union are calling for its end.
Continue reading →

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New U.S. Segment – Compressed Natural Gas Taxis?

Posted on 29 March 2011 by Ken Zino

Taxis running on compressed natural gas have been in use for decades in Japan’s cities. They are clean, quiet and to the surprise of visiting New Yorkers – meticulously maintained. Now there is a mini-movement of sorts underway in the U.S. as taxpayer subsidies and rising gasoline prices are increasing the demand for conversions of conventional gasoline engines to run on compressed natural gas. CNG is a fuel that has been in use in the U.S. for decades as well, but mostly in industrial applications. Continue reading →

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EU Proposes Banning Cars from Cities. Automakers Protest

Posted on 28 March 2011 by Ken Zino

The European Commission today adopted 40 initiatives that it claims will increase mobility, dramatically reduce Europe’s dependence on imported oil and cut carbon emissions from transportation by 60% by 2050. It also requires the investment of €1.5 trillion or $2.1 trillion across the EU. Continue reading →

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Mazda Stops U.S. Dealer Orders for Japanese made Vehicles

Posted on 28 March 2011 by Ken Zino

Mazda Motor has temporary stopped orders for Japan-built vehicles from its dealers in the U.S. as a result on ongoing production interruption caused by the Japan earthquake on March 11. Mazda temporarily resumed partial production at its Hiroshima and Hofu plants on March 22, producing replacement parts and parts for overseas production and vehicles utilizing “in-process” inventories. Mazda indefinitely suspended the production of vehicles utilizing “in-process” inventory at its Hofu plant today. Continue reading →

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Honda Recalls 2011 Odyssey Again. Window Glass Can Shatter

Posted on 26 March 2011 by Ken Zino

American Honda is recalling 2,800 model-year 2011 Odyssey vehicles in the U.S. to replace the side window glass in one or both of the front doors. It was the second Odyssey recall of the month, following an earlier one to replace a front windshield wiper linkage rod that could break. Continue reading →

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