Tag Archives: Ken Zino

Anheuser Busch Pays $500,000 to Settle Air Quality Violations

Anheuser Busch agreed to pay the $500,000 fine and to comply with all applicable CARB programs. The company also agreed to instruct its vehicle operators to comply with California’s anti-idling regulations, ensure that staff responsible for compliance with smoke-inspection program attend training classes, and provide documentation to CARB that the smoke inspection requirements are being met for the next two years. Continue reading

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Audi, Ferrari, Maserati Recalling Defective Airbags

Audi, Ferrari and Maserati are recalling more than 140,000 vehicles from 2015 to 2019 model years because the airbags are unsafe with either sudden deployment or no deployment during operation. The Audi defect (19V415) is caused a loose contact. The … Continue reading

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California Air Resources Board Has Airport Shuttles Transitioning to Zero-Emission Technology by 2035

With almost 1,000 airport shuttles in operation, the regulation is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 500,000 metric tons, with a beneficial economic impact for shuttle fleets owners of an estimated $30 million in reduced fuel and maintenance costs. CARB is also developing a proposal that would achieve additional emission reductions by requiring zero-emission airport ground equipment. Continue reading

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First Half of 2019 to Deliver Lowest US Retail Sales Since 2013

“The decline in new sales have been disappointing, but it’s important not to overlook the effect of growth in the used-vehicle market,” King said. “Used sales at franchised dealers are expected to increase by nearly 9% through the first half. Most significant for retailers is the greater profit opportunity due to higher front-end gross and F&I income earned compared with new vehicles. Overall combined new and used retailer profits through the first half are on pace to reach $23.4 billion, up 3.7% from last year. Shifting away from the traditional focus on volumes, 2019 remains on target to be one of the best years recorded.” Continue reading

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Driving 2020 Explorer: Big Size and Complexity, Bigger Price

The 2020 Explorer is a credible SUV offering surrounded by other strong offerings. Pricing and marketing are the potential issues. Then there’s the test drive problem – fewer and fewer prospective buyer’s actual drive a prospective new vehicle und the conditions they will use it. Some don’t test drive at all, preferring web-page touring to tire turning. Continue reading

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Nissan Shareholders Elect 7 Independent Directors Out of 11

The new board of directors comprises 11 individuals, seven of whom are independent outside directors. Power appears to be evenly split between Renault and Nissan despite Nissan’s and the Japanese government’s interest in asserting more control. Renault, which owns 43% of Nissan and the French government, which owns 15% of Renault, are pushing for a merger. Paper organization charts are not always how business is conducted in mega, joint venture corporations. So, it will take some time to see how this works out as the Ghosn matter proceeds through the Japanese “legal” system. Continue reading

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BMW Group Power BEV – A Regulation Forced Car

In  a brand defensive move – increasingly difficult with regulation spec vehicles – chassis and powertrain engineers worked to maximize the car’s performance. Key to its dynamic attributes is that the two electric motors at the rear axle are controlled separately. This allows so-called  e-torque vectoring, which enables maximum drive power to be translated into forward propulsion even in extreme driving maneuvers, it’s claimed. Continue reading

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IndyCar – Honda Powered Rossi Dominates Road America

This gave Rossi a second victory in the 2019 NTT IndyCar Series, and the seventh of his four-year career. In what was a yawner of a race, it closed the 27-year-old Californian within seven points of the championship lead with seven races remaining. Continue reading

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Ford and Austin Launch Mobility Challenge Program

The goal is to help improve the quality of life for Austin residents and visitors through dynamic mobility options that complement the existing transportation system. Continue reading

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Giant Porsche Recall for Unintentional Rollaways

This safety defect could allow the driver to move the shift lever to Park and remove the ignition key, while the transmission may not be in Park, with no warning message or audible chime. Continue reading

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Roadkill Nights – Drag Racing Back on Woodward Avenue

Roadkill is now the  traditional kick off to southeast Michigan’s week-long celebration of classic cars and car culture. There will be  thrill rides in the 717-horsepower Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and the 707-horsepower Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat models, more participants in the celebrity showdown races, and an overall $40,000 purse with $10,000 going towards United Way. Continue reading

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Walmart Guilty of Violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act

Walmart consented to the SEC’s order finding that it violated the books and records and internal accounting controls provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Continue reading

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UAW Post Chattanooga Loss Calls for Labor Law Reviews

In the end, the difference between a unionized workplace and one without real worker representation was narrow: 833 employees voted against union representation and 776 in favor, a difference of merely 29 votes. Continue reading

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Renault, Nissan Ink Deal with Waymo on Driverless Mobility

The agreement is claimed to be designed to bring together the “strengths of each party and expand expertise by assessing market opportunities, working together to research commercial, legal and regulatory issues related to driverless transportation-as-a-service offerings in France and Japan.” Continue reading

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Trade Wars: Commerce Finds Dumping, Countervailable Subsidies of Chinese and Thailand Propane Cylinders

During 2017, imports of steel propane cylinders from China and Thailand were valued at an estimated $89.8 million and $14.1 million, respectively. In addition, Commerce found that exporters from China received countervailable subsidies at rates from 37.91 to 142.37%. Continue reading

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