Tag Archives: automotive news

Honda to Recycle Rare Earth Metals from Nickel-Metal Hydride Batteries in World’s First Mass Production Process

Posted on 17 April 2012 by Ken Zino

Honda previously had been applying a heat treatment to used nickel-metal hydride batteries and then recycling nickel-containing scrap as a raw material for stainless steel. Now, the successful stabilization of the extraction process at a Japan Metals plant makes possible the extraction of rare earth metals with what’s said to be purity as high as that of newly mined and refined metals. Rare earth metals are in high demand and short supply. Since they are critical for the production of electric motors, demand will grow as the production of hybrids and EVs increase at automakers. Right now China controls 90% of the world’s supply of rare earth metals, and exports are tightly regulated. Continue reading →

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March, Q1 EU Sales Drop Again. Eurozone Crisis Continues

Posted on 17 April 2012 by Ken Zino

If this trend keeps up, and given contractionist policies of the EU governments, there is no reason to predict any economic stimulus, 2012 might see an even greater drop in auto sales than those incurred during the Great Recession in 2008-2009. Continue reading →

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Energy Research to be Coordinated by Three Federal Agencies

Posted on 16 April 2012 by Ken Zino

In a public relations move that clearly has political value during an election year with skyrocketing energy prices, the U.S. Department of Energy, Environmental Protection Agency and Department of the Interior are supposed to work together “to ensure that continued expansion of natural gas and oil production happens safely and responsibly.” Continue reading →

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EPA Releases 2010 U.S. Greenhouse Gas Inventory

Posted on 16 April 2012 by Ken Zino

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released today the 17th annual U.S. greenhouse gas inventory. The final report shows overall emissions in 2010 increased by 3.2% from the previous year because the economy expanded slightly. In addition, a factor was an … Continue reading →

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Anti Nuke Weapons Group Says Porsche Ends Iran Business

Posted on 16 April 2012 by Ken Zino

United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) joined New York City Public Advocate Bill de Blasio in announcing that Porsche AG has ended its business in Iran. In a statement, the pressure group headed by former U.S. Ambassador Mark D. Wallace, said Porsche officials have confirmed that the company is no longer “engaged in any business or providing any goods or services in Iran,” and “has no intention to conduct business in Iran in the near future.” Continue reading →

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Enclave, Traverse and Acadia Recalls for Bad Wipers at GM

Posted on 16 April 2012 by Ken Zino

GM is only recalling the models registered in Snow Belt states. Critics of such limited safety recalls maintain that they do not fix all the potentially affected vehicles. Dealers will tighten the wiper arm nuts. Continue reading →

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Younger Passengers Least Likely to Protest Distracted Driving

Posted on 16 April 2012 by Ken Zino

Young drivers are nearly three times as likely to report having been reading or sending a text or e-mail when such an incident occurred as compared to drivers age 25 and higher. In addition, drivers younger than 25 are two to three times more likely to drive while sending or reading a text message or email. Reports of texting while driving drop sharply as age increases. Continue reading →

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Fire Recall Covers More Rolls-Royce and BMW Turbo Models

Posted on 16 April 2012 by Ken Zino

The root cause is a circuit board in the Pierburg-supplied pump that can overheat. Several cases of engine compartment fires and totaled vehicles have been reported, according to an ongoing National Highway Traffic Safety Administration defect investigation. Continue reading →

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Taxpayers to Turn Profit from Controversial TARP Bailouts

Posted on 14 April 2012 by Ken Zino

TARP, arguably the most contentious of the Federal government’s attempts to stop the U.S. and global economies from sliding into another Great Depression or worse, prevented the collapse of the financial system by bailing out profligate and reckless Wall Street firms. To date not one person has been successfully prosecuted for the rampant financial fraud that caused the housing and stock markets to collapse. Continue reading →

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Global Auto Sales Forecast to Top 79 Million in 2012

Posted on 13 April 2012 by Ken Zino

The positive trend in auto sales is pointing to the best year since 2007, before the reckless practices of Wall Street sent economies into the Great Recession, and caused large unemployment rates and deficits in most countries. Continue reading →

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NSC Says Much Work Needs to be done on Distracted Driving. Again Urges Total ban on all Cell Phone Use

Posted on 13 April 2012 by Ken Zino

Determining the scope of the cell phone distracted driving problem remains a challenge. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and NSC claim the actual number of crashes involving cell phone distracted driving is higher, likely much higher, than reported figures. Continue reading →

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One in Five Americans Blissfully Untroubled by the Internet

Posted on 13 April 2012 by Ken Zino

One out of five American adults does not use the internet, according to the latest study by the Pew Internet Project, which has been closely tracking the internet since 2000. Senior citizens, Spanish speakers, adults with less than a high school education, and those living in households earning less than $30,000 per year are the least likely adults to have internet access. Continue reading →

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Local News is Newspaper Strength in Shifting Media Fare. Duh

Posted on 12 April 2012 by Ken Zino

What this means to struggling local newspapers is unclear. Nevertheless as a group, local news consumers are more likely than others to prefer newspapers for almost all of 16 topics asked about in the survey—including crime, local politics, community events, arts and culture, local schools, taxes, government activity, restaurants, other local business, housing issues, job openings, and local zoning issues. Continue reading →

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Hapless SEC Sues AutoChina for Alleged Stock Manipulation

Posted on 12 April 2012 by Ken Zino

AutoChina (OTC: AUTCF), China’s largest commercial vehicle sales, servicing, leasing, and company said the SEC’s complaint is without merit, thereby setting up an intricate and lengthy court battle with the watchdog that does not bark. SEC claimed that AutoChina senior executive and director Hui Kai Yan, a former AutoChina manager, and others fraudulently traded AutoChina’s stock to boost its daily trading volume. Continue reading →

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State Tax Collections Increase $62 Billion in 2011

Posted on 12 April 2012 by Ken Zino

Politicians will have more money to spend – or squander – depending on your viewpoint, according to a new U.S. Census Bureau report released today. State government tax collections increased $62.1 billion to $763.7 billion in fiscal year 2011. Continue reading →

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