Tag Archives: automotive news

Thanksgiving for Our Democracy

Posted on 22 November 2012 by Ken Zino

What is often called the most American of holidays, Thanksgiving, had its roots in pilgrim and other colonial celebrations of refugee and immigrant survival and bountiful harvests going back to the early 17th century. Continue reading →

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Toyota Recalls 150,000 Tacoma Pickups for Rust and Corrosion

Posted on 21 November 2012 by Ken Zino

Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. is recalling 150,000 Tacoma pickup trucks from the 2011 to 2004 model years because corrosion can suddenly jettison the spare tire from under the bed. While U.S. Tacoma sales for those years are much higher, only vehicles originally sold or currently registered in 20 cold climate states and the District of Columbia will be inspected and have the spare tire carrier assembly replaced if need be. Critics of such limited actions maintain they do not fix all the potentially unsafe vehicles. Automakers use them to cut down on the costs of a full recall. Continue reading →

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U.S. Auto Sales to Continue Upward in Latest November Forecast

Posted on 21 November 2012 by Ken Zino

November U.S. auto sales for new retail vehicles are now predicted at 931,900 cars and light trucks, a 14% bump up year-over-year, which would mean a seasonally adjusted annualized rate or SAAR of 12.9 million units. If accurate, November would see the highest retail rate for the auto industry since January 2008, before the corrupt practices of Wall Street collapsed the global economy and caused the Great Recession alter that year. Retail transactions are said to be the most accurate measurement of true underlying consumer demand for new vehicles. Continue reading →

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Mazda Atenza on Sale in Japan, Comes to U.S. Next Year as Mazda6

Posted on 21 November 2012 by Ken Zino

The Mazda6 is due in the U.S. next year where the family car market is much larger and much more competitive. Year-to-date Mazda sold 31,000 of the older 6 sedan in a segment dominated by the newly revised Toyota Camry, Honda Accord models, both of which are now selling almost 30,000 units a month and the Nissan Altima at 26,000 a month. Two Japanese variations of the new Mazda6 present additional sales opportunities for the U.S. subsidiary. Continue reading →

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Lang Lang becomes Volkswagen Group Promoter

Posted on 21 November 2012 by Ken Zino

Lang Lang, a pianist, and Volkswagen Group, an automaker, signed a multi-year cooperation agreement today for an undisclosed amount. As part of the deal, Lang Lang will arrive, arrive at his concerts all over the world in vehicles provided by Volkswagen. Continue reading →

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Coda Automotive Offers Level 2 EV Charger as Incentive

Posted on 19 November 2012 by Ken Zino

n the latest attempt to boost slow EV sales, Californian-based Coda is offering a $2,000 level 2 charging station to buyers of its compact sedan. The 31kWh 2012 Coda sedan, which is built in China from an old Mitsubishi Gallant platform, has a suggested retail price of $37,250. In California, the only place thus far Codas are available, federal and individual state tax subsidies and credits can bring the price down to $27,250 before the promotion. Continue reading →

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Milestones: One Million Fiat 500 Cars. EV Comes to California in 2013

Posted on 19 November 2012 by Ken Zino

The one-millionth Fiat 500 left the Fiat Auto Poland production line. Since its reappearance in 2007, the tiny Cinquecento or 500 has been sold in more than 100 countries – from Italy to Brazil, South Africa to Japan, and the United States to the Middle East – while also being produced in Toluca, Mexico, since 2011 as a requirement for taxpayer funding for fuel efficient cars that was part of the conditions for Chrysler’s bankruptcy bailout. More than 70,000 have now been sold in the U.S. The 500 in its most fuel-efficient manual transmission version is rated at 31 mpg city and 40 mpg highway by the EPA. Continue reading →

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Hot Wheels Camaro to be Real in Full-Size Production Model

Posted on 19 November 2012 by Ken Zino

Life Imitating art, or rather toys for boys and girls and toys for men and women? Chevrolet has confirmed that the Camaro Hot Wheels concept that debuted at SEMA will appear at Chevrolet dealerships early next year. This is the first time a full-size production version of a toy car has been offered for sale by a manufacturer after decades, if not centuries, of the opposite practice. Continue reading →

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EU Car Sales Continue to Evaporate in October – Off -5%

Posted on 19 November 2012 by Ken Zino

The economic decline of the European Union continued in October as sales of new passenger cars contracted by 5% to 959,412 compared to October of 2011. It was the thirteenth straight month of sales declines across the economically embattled Eurozone as the trade bloc comprised of 27 bickering nations is unable to move out of the economic doldrums. Continue reading →

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Bankrupt American Suzuki can sell off Cars with Ally Credit

Posted on 16 November 2012 by Ken Zino

American Suzuki Motor Corporation today said that it has received Bankruptcy Court approval of an agreement with Ally Financial to continue providing dealer and buyer financing while it sells off its remaining inventory of small cars. The U.S. Treasury, courtesy of taxpayers, currently holds about 74% of Ally common equity after a bailout, and $5.9 billion in mandatory convertible preferred securities, which have a dividend rate of 9%. Continue reading →

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Bailout Benefits Multiply as Chrysler adds 1,250 Detroit Area Jobs

Posted on 16 November 2012 by Ken Zino

Chrysler Group will invest nearly $240 million to increase engine capacity and add about 1,250 new jobs at several southeastern Michigan plants. In the latest example of the ongoing wealth creation, that was a direct result of the Obama Administration’s forced bankruptcy reorganization of Chrysler and General Motors, CEO Sergio Marchionne said, “All of these investments are the direct result of a lot of people who have battled courageously to bring Chrysler back to a state of growth. Continue reading →

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BP in Plea Deal Pays $4 Billion for Deepwater Horizon Gulf Oil Spill. Highest Execs Free from Criminal Charges as Stockholders Pay Fines

Posted on 15 November 2012 by Ken Zino

BP shareholders will pay $4 billion in criminal fines and penalties because of the Deepwater Horizon Oil spill that killed 11 people and caused the largest environmental disaster in U.S. history. The highest BP executive are now clear of future criminal charges as the result of the plea bargain where stockholder will pay fines for causing the monumental oil pollution that is still despoiling the Gulf Coast coast. During the disaster, BP publicly maintained that 5,000 gallons of oil were spewing forth daily into the Gulf, when in fact 60,000 gallons a day were gushing into the water and destroying the ecosystem. Continue reading →

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GM, ABB Demonstrate Chevrolet Volt Battery Reuse for Backup Power

Posted on 14 November 2012 by Ken Zino

General Motors and ABB today showed that by repackaging five used Chevrolet Volt batteries into a modular unit, it is in theory capable of providing two hours of electricity for three to five U.S. homes. General Motors will have up to 500,000 vehicles on the road with some form of electrification by 2017 with a focus on plug-in technology, the company’s top product development executive said Wednesday. Continue reading →

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Chinese Motorcycles, RVs and Engines Violate Clean Air Act

Posted on 14 November 2012 by Ken Zino

Senior executives at two vehicle and engine importers in California will pay a $50,000 penalty because the products sold were in violation of Clean Air Act regulations. The defendants, Yuan Cheng International Group, Inc. (YCIG) and NST, Inc. (NST), located in Montclair, California, allegedly imported and sold vehicles and engines from China that had excessive levels of emissions. Continue reading →

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Toyota Recalls 2.7 million Cars for Sudden Stops, Steering Failures

Posted on 14 November 2012 by Ken Zino

Toyota is recalling almost three million cars including Prius hybrid and Corolla models around the world because the hybrid engine can shut down suddenly or steering can fail completely. The gigantic recall is caused by a bad cooling pump in the hybrid system and a defective steering shaft in hybrids and other cars. More than 1.5 million vehicles are being recalled in Japan, with at least another 1.2 million in other parts of the world. Continue reading →

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