Tag Archives: automotive news

Ford, University of Michigan Hunt Smelly Microbes in Auto Interiors

Ford Motor Company and University of Michigan Researchers are studying microbes in automobiles that spread over interior surfaces causing discoloration and odors. Ford wants to know where microorganisms grow to develop antimicrobial additives for its coatings on interior surfaces. Continue reading

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Toyota Makes $3.2 Billion Because of Sales Increases, Cost Cutting

Toyota Motor Corporation in Japan this morning reported Q2 Japanese fiscal year revenues of ¥5.4 trillion ($68.4 billion *), up 18.2% and operating income of ¥340 billion ($4.3 billion) vs. ¥75.4 million last year. Net income was up 220% to ¥257.9 billion yen ($3.2 billion). As a result, Toyota increased the dividend on its stock to ¥30 per share, Continue reading

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1940 Ford Coupe Steel Bodies on Sale Again. Hot Rodders Rejoice!

This sure beats cutting out rust, filling by welding and smoothing with Bondo: Ford Motor has licensed reproduction steel bodies of one of the all time favorite street and strip machines – the 1940 Ford Coupe. A nascent restoration or what could become a flame-painted hot rod is available now with prices starting at $11,900, plus shipping, from Dennis Carpenter Ford Restoration Parts. Continue reading

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Chinese Auto Industry Initial Quality at All Time High

Chinese automakers made large improvements in initial quality during 2012, narrowing the gap between domestic and international brands. As a result, the auto industry in the world’s largest auto market set a record low in overall average problems per vehicle. Continue reading

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Hyundai and Kia Caught in EPA Mileage Rating Fraud

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced that Hyundai Motor America and Kia Motors America will lower their fuel economy (mpg) estimates for the majority of their model year 2012 and 2013 vehicles after EPA testing found “discrepancies” between agency results and data submitted by the company. The fraud produced mileage claims that could be as much as 6 mpg higher than EPA tests showed. About 900,000 vehicles are affected in the largest mileage scam to date. Continue reading

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New 2014 Lincoln Compact SUV Caught by Jim Dunne

Look at what Lincoln is planning for the small SUV market of 2014. The 2014 Lincoln prototype is based on the all-new 2013 Ford Escape architecture – wheelbase, drive train, 2-/4-wheel drive, 5-place seating, maybe a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, with its alleged fuel economy advantages? Continue reading

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General Motors U.S. Sales Increase 5% in October

General Motors Company today reported October sales in the United States of 195,764 vehicles, an increase of 5% compared to October 2011. Overall industry growth was 7% for the month, and the industry is running at a seasonally adjusted annual rate or SAAR of more than 14 million retail units. GM’s year-over-year sales to retail customers were up 7%, and sales to fleet customers were down 2%. Continue reading

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Ford’s Mulally to Remain as President CEO through at Least 2014

Ford Motor Company Executive Chairman Bill Ford said today that Alan Mulally plans to continue to serve as Ford president and CEO through at least 2014. Mark Fields was named the company’s chief operating officer effective 1 December. The announcement has industry observers debating whether Fields is ultimately talented enough to lead the U.S.’s second largest automaker. Fields will continue to report to Mulally, as will the company’s chief financial officer, general counsel and group vice president of Human Resources and Corporate Services. Continue reading

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Ford Motor U.S. Sales Flat in October – Second Month on Hold

Ford Motor Company posted weak sales of 168,456 total vehicles in October, unchanged from a year ago in an industry that grew more than 8%. Retail sales were up 2% compared to last year. It was Ford’s second straight no-growth month of the year. Continue reading

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Chrysler Group U.S. Sales Up 10% in October

Chrysler Group today reported U.S. sales of 126,185 units, a 10% increase compared with sales in October 2011 (114,512 units) It was the Group’s best October sales since 2007, and it appeared inline with industry growth of 8% based on preliminary numbers. Continue reading

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Ally Financial Repays $2.9 Billion of FDIC Debt

Ally Financial today announced it has repaid $2.9 billion in debt issued under the FDIC’s Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program (TLGP). The bank holding company issued this debt on 30 October 2009 with a maturity date of 30 October 2012. The final Ally debt guaranteed under the TLGP will be repaid in December 2012 and totals $4.5 billion. Continue reading

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Nissan Canada Head Retires, Prompting Changes in the Americas

Nissan today announced that Allen Childs will retire as president, Nissan Canada, following two decades with the company. He will be replaced by Christian Meunier, currently president, Nissan Brazil, who will become president of Nissan’s third largest market in the Americas. Continue reading

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General Motors Posts Q3 Profit of $1.5 Billion, off -$200 Million. Ideologues Out in Full Force for Halloween and the Election

General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) today announced third quarter net income of $1.5 billion, a drop of -$200 million from the same period in the prior year. This works out to $0.89 per share including special items, which reduced net income by $100 million and cut earnings per share by $0.04. In the third quarter a year ago, GM’s net income was $1.7 billion or $1.03 per share. The results represent a turnaround especially in view of Q1 of 2009 when GM lost almost -$10 per share.

In spite of wild claims – critics say deliberately false – from the repudiated Republican right about the auto bailout, GM is not going bankrupt. GM’s debt-to-equity ratio is only 25% of the overall auto industry average, and it now has more than $37 billion in liquidity. GM in the context of the current travails of the global auto industry is performing reasonably well. Continue reading

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Fiat Group Doubles Q3 Profit to €286 Million. Revenue €951 Million

The Fiat Group in Turin today recorded a Q3 profit of €286 million or $371 million (2011 €112 m) as Chrysler earnings in North America offset losses in Europe. Without Chrysler, Fiat would have lost -€281 million in the quarter. Continue reading

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NHTSA Forces BMW 7-Series Recall for Electronic Shifter Rollaways

BMW is recalling 2005-2008 7-Series vehicles equipped with the so-called Comfort Access option because the electronic key and shift by wire system can put the transmission in Neutral rather than Park. The recall, which affects more than 45,000 BMWs, came after NHTSA ungraded a preliminary inquiry to an engineering analysis last August. At that time NHTSA said that at least 14 accidents and five injuries had been reported with the start/stop “shift by wire” system in BMWs. Continue reading

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