Tag Archives: automotive news

Car Spy Jim Dunne Catches a Revised 2015 Ford Mustang

Posted on 13 December 2012 by Ken Zino

Jim Dunne caught a look at what Ford Motor is working on for the 2015 model year Mustang, which he opines will have an independent rear suspension. At least that’s the impression he got from viewing this rear view of a Ford Mustang test vehicle. Taillights, upper panels and the license plate mount are the same as current Mustangs, so why cut out the lowest panel? Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, engineering, new vehicle | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Nissan to Add 15 Hybrid Models by 2016

Posted on 12 December 2012 by Ken Zino

Nissan Chief Operating Officer Toshiyuki Shiga said today in Yokohama that the Japanese automaker plans to add 15 hybrid models by 2016. Long decried by Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn, who is betting billions through the Renault Nissan Alliance to develop and sell electric vehicles after he dismissed Toyota’s early hybrid efforts, the Number Two Japanese maker is finally bowing to the reality that hybrids are a short-term solution to increasing fuel economy that buyers will consider. Continue reading →

Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, electric vehicles | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

EPA to Review Consumer Reports Data Claiming Ford C-Max and Fusion MPG Claims are Bogus in Real World Driving

Posted on 12 December 2012 by Ken Zino

The U.S. Environmental Protection agency will review Consumer Reports data claiming that Ford’s 47 mpg hybrid mileage claims were not realistic during real world – as opposed to computerized dynamometer – driving conditions. Continue reading →

Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, fuel economy or emissions | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

GM’s Changwon Assembly to Add 3MW of Solar Panels

Posted on 12 December 2012 by Ken Zino

General Motors’ Changwon Assembly plant in South Korea will install solar panels that can make three-megawatts of electricity on its 688,000 square-foot rooftop. When running at full capacity, the solar panels of Changwon by converting sunlight into electricity will generate enough energy to cut carbon emissions at the facility by 2,400 metric tons per year. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, environment, manufacturing | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Japanese, South Korean Automakers to offer Fuel Cell EVs by 2015

Posted on 12 December 2012 by Ken Zino

Japanese and South Korean automakers are optimistic about commercializing fuel cell electric vehicles by 2015, according to a new study. Mercedes-Benz is also known to be pursuing the advanced technology that in theory is emission free with demonstration units due in 2014. Continue reading →

Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, energy | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Honda Claims Ecological Paint Breakthrough

Posted on 12 December 2012 by Ken Zino

Honda Motor Company said today that it would put into production a new paint process that uses less energy. Starting next July a new painting technology at its Yorii Plant at Saitama Factory in Japan will eliminate a middle coating process from a commonly used 4-coat/3-bake auto painting process. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, fuel economy or emissions, manufacturing | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ford Changes Software to Stop New Escape and Fusion Fires

Posted on 11 December 2012 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company will change computer software to stop fires on 2013 Escape SUV and Fusion sedan models- both redesigned for 2013. At the end of November Ford recalled two of its best selling vehicle lines equipped with a 1.6-liter engine – both redesigned for 2013 – without having a fix after at least 13 fires were reported. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

U.S. Treasury Sells Final Shares of AIG Common Stock. Taxpayers Earn $22.7 Billion! More Profits to Come from the Bailout

Posted on 11 December 2012 by Ken Zino

Along with today’s stock sale, the return to date on the Federal Reserve and Treasury’s combined $182 billion commitment to bailout AIG during the financial crisis is now $22.7 billion. Treasury has now earned a positive return of $5 billion and the Federal Reserve has posted a profit of $17.7 billion. Continue reading →

Posted in economy, financial results, fools 'n frauds, milestones, news | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Fiat to Expand Jeep Sales to India by Late 2013

Posted on 11 December 2012 by Ken Zino

Fiat will sell Jeep brand vehicles in India by late 2013 as part of a larger business plan to launch nine new or refreshed models under the Fiat and Jeep in the next few years. The first step will be the importation of the existing Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Grand Cherokee models, which will be arrive toward the end of 2013. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, milestones, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Another Ford Recall – 2013 Fusion Models have Hazy Headlights

Posted on 10 December 2012 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor is recalling 2013 Fusion sedans because of defective headlights. Due to a faulty manufacturing process affecting more than 19,000 of the Mexican-built sedans, the headlights can become hazy in use, reducing the brightness of the low-beam lamp. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, manufacturing, recalls | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Consumer Reports Claims 47 MPG Ford Hybrid Claims are Bogus in Real World Driving. Another EPA Mileage Scam Exposed?

Posted on 7 December 2012 by Ken Zino

Consumer Reports say that it can’t duplicate Ford Motor’s 47 city/47 highway/47 comb­­­ined mpg claim for the new Fusion and C-Max hybrids. In CR tests, the Fusion Hybrid provided 39 mpg overall, 35 city and 41 during highway conditions. For the C-Max Hybrid, CR got 37 mpg overall, with 35 and 38 for city and highway. “These two vehicles have the largest discrepancy between our overall-mpg results and the estimates published by the EPA that we’ve seen among any current models,” said CR. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, fuel economy or emissions, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Richmond Towing Company Takes Car and Driver Home for $50

Posted on 6 December 2012 by Ken Zino

Seibert’s Towing a Richmond Virginia firm, is running a new “Toast’d Tow” program that returns drivers and their cars home for just $50 between 10pm and 4am. Toast’d Tow operates seven nights a week, giving holiday revelers another option for getting home safely – car included. Delivery of drivers and vehicles outside the city limits incurs an additional $1.50 per mile charge. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, people, safety | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

International Auto Fraud Ring Busted in Four Countries

Posted on 6 December 2012 by Ken Zino

Law enforcement officials in Romania, the Czech Republic, the United Kingdom and Canada arrested six Romanian nationals today for their alleged involvement in a sophisticated multimillion-dollar auto fraud scheme. The U.S. Department of Justice said the defendants were responsible for saturating Internet marketplace websites including eBay, Cars.com, AutoTrader.com and CycleTrader.com with detailed advertisements for cars, motorcycles, boats and other high-value items generally priced in the $10,000 to $45,000 range. Unbeknownst to the buyers, however, the merchandise did not exist. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, fools 'n frauds, litigation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

EPA Releases 2013 Vehicle Model Fuel Economy Guide

Posted on 6 December 2012 by Ken Zino

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has just released the 2013 Fuel Economy Guide, which covers efficient and low-emission vehicles in a variety of sizes. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, fuel economy or emissions | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Milestones: Honda Builds 1 Millionth U.S. Made Auto for Export

Posted on 6 December 2012 by Ken Zino

Honda has built a silver 2013 Honda Accord EX-L Sedan that will be shipped to South Korea – the 1 millionth Honda automobile to be exported from the U.S. Continue reading →

Posted in manufacturing, milestones | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment