Tag Archives: automotive news

Honda Verifies Congestion Reduction System During Public Road Tests

Posted on 21 March 2013 by Ken Zino

Honda Motor Company conducted public-road testing of its new traffic congestion minimization technology in Indonesia and claims it verified its effectiveness in delaying the development of congestion, and improving fuel efficiency by more than 20%. Continue reading →

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Scientists Urge Strong Government Policies to Cut Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Develop Alternative Fuels. Caveats Abound

Posted on 21 March 2013 by Ken Zino

The study was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Efficiency and Renewable Energy. Not surprisingly, it also calls for “strong government policies to overcome high costs and influence consumer choices.” Continue reading →

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Opel Union Members in Germany Vote Down Labor Deal

Posted on 21 March 2013 by Ken Zino

Today, IG Metall union member employees of Adam Opel AG in Bochum voted against a revised labor agreement that would have offered their location some long-term jobs while cutting others. Since Opel management at the loss making GM subsidiary previously said that no further negotiations on the proposed labor agreement will take place, the production of the Zafira Tourer and the exclusion of compulsory separations will run out by the end of 2014. Continue reading →

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New Regulations for Safety, Emissions Hurt Micro-Cars

Posted on 21 March 2013 by Ken Zino

While there is a clear emerging global trend of rising demand for small and inexpensive cars, regulations are increasing their costs. Since 2010, supply by automakers has been growing as they offer products in the range of €10,000 (~$13,000). Some vehicles in this price range are micro-cars, such as the Piaggio, NT3, Renault Twizy ZE, Tata Nano, and Opel Rak-e, all unheard of in the United States. However, there are two A-segment vehicles playing in this space, the Skoda Citigo and Daimler Smart ForTwo, which is on sale in the U.S. Continue reading →

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March U.S. Auto Sales Forecast Up 8%. Six-Year Loans at Record Levels

Posted on 21 March 2013 by Ken Zino

Part of the reason for increasing sales appears to be the direct result of the U.S Treasury continuing increase in the money supply by running government printing presses non-stop in an attempt to keep the economy expanding. As a result, easy credit has returned to the marketplace. Customers also appear to be ignoring, if not mocking, the dire predictions of crisis, tragedy and collapse by bickering politicians in Washington. Continue reading →

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2014 Chevrolet Camaro SS Debuts in New York Next Week

Posted on 20 March 2013 by Ken Zino

A refreshed Chevrolet Camaro SS will debut at the New York International Auto Show next week. The planned 2014 model is being called by GM the most significant change for the fifth-generation Camaro, which has been the most popular sports car in America for three consecutive years. Continue reading →

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President Obama Calls for $2 Billion Energy Security Trust Using Fossil Fuel Development Taxes to Wean U.S. from Oil and Gas

Posted on 20 March 2013 by Ken Zino

Leaving aside the controversy over President George W. Bush’s plan to do so under the flawed Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, which mandates ethanol that apparently is now adding $1 per gallon to the price of gasoline, the question remains is this just Washington politics from an Administration whose approval rating is dropping or sound national policy? Continue reading →

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Software Glitch Causes Cadillac SRX, Buick LaCrosse Recalls

Posted on 20 March 2013 by Ken Zino

General Motors is recalling 2013 Buick LaCrosse and Cadillac SRX vehicles because the software can suddenly change the transmission shifting from manual to automatic mode even though the driver is manually controlling the shifting through the so-called Driver Shift Control. Continue reading →

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Limited Run of 2014 SRT Viper TA Coupes Coming this Fall

Posted on 20 March 2013 by Ken Zino

Chrysler Group’s SRT will offer 33 street-legal and single-spec 2014 SRT Viper TA (Time Attack) in special “Crusher Orange” beginning in the third quarter 2013. The performance package is designed to provide excellent road course handling. The SRT Viper TA makes its public debut next week at the New York International Auto Show. Continue reading →

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EU Car Sales Drop 10.5% During February to 795,482

Posted on 19 March 2013 by Ken Zino

Passenger car registrations plummeted in the 27 markets of the EU during February of 2013 to fewer than 800,000 units, a 10.5% drop from the same month last year. In February, the UK was the only country to post growth (+7.9%). All other major markets faced a downturn ranging from -9.8% in Spain to -10.5% in Germany, -12.1% in France and -17.4% in Italy. Continue reading →

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Cadillac Twin-Turbo Debuts in All-New 2014 CTS Sedan

Posted on 18 March 2013 by Ken Zino

Cadillac announced today a new 420 horsepower, turbocharged V6 engine and eight-speed transmission that will be used on the all-new 2014 CTS midsize sedan that debuts next week at the New York Auto Show. Cadillac said the force-fed V6 engine is the most power-dense six-cylinder engine in the mid-size luxury segment – displacing 3.6-liters at118 horsepower per liter (88 kW/liter). Continue reading →

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Nissan Recalls Popular 2013 Models for Bad Passenger Airbags

Posted on 18 March 2013 by Ken Zino

Nissan is recalling numerous 2013 model Altima, Leaf, Pathfinder, Sentra, and Infiniti JX35 vehicles because the passenger side airbag is defective. Sensors within the so-called passenger Occupant Detection System may have been manufactured out of specification for several months. This may cause the system to malfunction and permanently suppress the passenger airbag on some of Nissan’s most popular vehicles. Continue reading →

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BMW Group Posts Best Year in History During 2012

Posted on 18 March 2013 by Ken Zino

The BMW Group increased revenues during 2012 by 11.7% to €76.8 billion (~$99.7 billion) based on sales of 1,845,186 of BMW, Mini and Rolls-Royce brand vehicles delivered to customers worldwide, making it the largest maker of luxury automobiles. The Group also sold more than 117,000 motorcycles. Continue reading →

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Volkswagen Group Posts Record Profit of €11.5 Billion in 2012

Posted on 16 March 2013 by Ken Zino

Volkswagen Group’s sales revenue increased by 20.9% to €192.7 billion ($252 billion) in fiscal year 2012 a sizable gain from €159.3 billion in 2011. Operating profit rose to a record €11.5 billion, but this was only a slight increase from €11.3 billion the year before. Continue reading →

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Dissident Shareholders Challenge Ford Family Control Again on Annual Meeting Ballot. One Share, One Vote Sought

Posted on 15 March 2013 by Ken Zino

The Ray T. and Veronica G. Chevedden Family Trust of Los Angeles, California will present a proposal at the Ford Motor Company Annual Meeting that seeks to end the Ford family control of the automaker via their special voting rights of Class B stock. “It is time that the 57-year practice (1956-2013) of disenfranchising Ford public shareholders be changed for the common benefit of all shareholders,” the proposal says. Continue reading →

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