Tag Archives: zino

Chevrolet Colorado Show Truck Unveiled in Bangkok

Chevrolet today unveiled its Colorado Show Truck on the eve of the Bangkok International Auto Show, where it is making its global public debut.

The is said to be concept virtually identical to the next-generation Colorado mid-size pickup truck that goes on sale in Thailand later this year, and will eventually be on sale in the U.S. Continue reading

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Opel Shuts German, Spanish plants for Japanese Parts Shortage; Management Shifts as Stracke Returns as Opel CEO

There is a certain amount of friction between Opel and Chevrolet factions inside GM as both brands compete for the same customers, and Chevrolet increasingly turns to GM’s Korean subsidiary Daewoo as a source for small cars that Opel once designed exclusively. Opel’s future is clearly as a regional European brand in a market where it is struggling. Continue reading

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Continental Tire Tread Separation Recall on Ford F-Series. Explorer Firestone Tire Failure Drama Now in Sequel

Continental Tire is recalling 390,657 tires installed on Ford F-250 and F-350 heavy duty pickup trucks in the U.S. About 65,000 trucks are potentially affected by a tire tread separation defect – the same problem as the infamous Firestone tire recall on the Ford Explorer that dominated headlines a decade ago. Continue reading

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Former Ford Plant in Norfolk Virginia Sold to Belgium Firm

Ford Motor Company today announced the sale of its Norfolk Assembly Plant in Virginia to Atlanta-based Jacoby Development. As part of the transaction, Jacoby, in turn, sold a portion of the 100-acre former Ford Plant to Belgium-based Katoen Natie (KTN), a global logistics provider. Terms of the sale were not disclosed. Continue reading

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Is Coca-Cola Part of Japan’s Nuclear Power Problem?

The Coca-Cola statement on the Japanese triple crisis of earthquake, tsunami and nuclear power disaster is straightforward. Coca-Cola sends condolences, pledges $7.3 million in cash and products, and is running TV and radio ads to encourage energy conservation. What’s missing … Continue reading

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Japanese Earthquake Shuts GM Truck Plant in U.S.

General Motors is the first auto company to announce that it will stop production at a U.S. plant due to a parts shortage resulting from Japan’s tripe tragedies of earthquake, tsunami and nuclear meltdowns.

GM’s Shreveport Assembly in Louisiana will be closed next week. Continue reading

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Honda Recalls Odyssey Minivan for Bad Windshield Wipers

Honda is recalling 33,341 model-year 2011 Odyssey vehicles in the U.S. to replace the front windshield wiper linkage rod. If the windshield wipers are frozen to the windshield with heavy ice and the wipers are turned on without freeing them … Continue reading

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Vehicle Dependability at Record, but Electronic Problems Grow

Overall vehicle dependability has slightly improved from 2010, but automakers are having difficulty overcoming problems with newer technologies and features, according to the J.D. Power and Associates. The study measures problems experienced during the past 12 months by original owners … Continue reading

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Sales of Fuel Efficient 4-Cylinder Engines Double at Chevrolet

There’s no better example of how rising fuel prices have changed the auto industry than the ongoing shift in demand for more efficient engines. The trend led by customer demand is also reinforced strongly by the first government increase in Corporate Average Fuel Economy in decades, which finally prompted reluctant auto executives to invest in technologies that produce significant decreases in the amount of fuel needed per mile traveled. Continue reading

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Porsche Cajun SUV to be Built alongside Larger Cayenne in Leipzig, Eastern Germany. Huge Plant Expansion Planned

Thus the fifth model in the Porsche line is scheduled to appear at the renowned sport car maker that ironically now sells more sedans and trucks than 911 and Boxster models. Cajun will be the least expensive Porsche when it appears. Continue reading

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House Bill Says Greenhouse Gases not Air Pollutants. Republican Attack on EPA Despite Supreme Court Ruling

Since nothing in the Act precludes states from pursuing their own GHG policies, this is a severe setback for automakers that need one coordinated national standard for fuel economy and CO2 emissions. Continue reading

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U.S. Bound Infiniti Models Damaged in Japanese Port; Nissan to Reopen Some Japanese Plants. V6 Engines a Problem

Nissan says that about 1,300 Infiniti vehicles were damaged in port in Japan due to the earthquake and tsunami. However, this equates to a few days’ supply for the luxury brand, which is heavily dependent on Japanese imports for most of its premium vehicles. Continue reading

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Toyota Extends Production Shut Down at all Japanese Plants

Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) has decided to continue the vehicle-production halt started on March 14 at all plants in Japan, including subsidiary vehicle manufacturers, through March 22. Originally Toyota and other major Japanese automakers had said some shut downs would be for a couple of days. Continue reading

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BMW Says Record Sales and Earnings Coming in 2011

The BMW Group during 2011 will improve on record earnings set in 2010 and increase them again in 2012 claimed Norbert Reithofer, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG on Tuesday in Munich.

It was the latest sign that the auto industry is coming back, especially in high margin luxury vehicle segments. The BMW prediction follows records the world’s larger luxury make set in 2010. Continue reading

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How Long Will U.S. Japanese Buyers Wait for Earthquake Delayed Vehicles and Where Will They Go if They Defect?

While U.S. sales executives at Japanese companies are taking an optimistic “wait and see” attitude about the effects on sales of Japanese brands of Japan’s triple tragedies – earthquakes, tsunamis, nuclear meltdowns – they also acknowledge that since Japanese imports … Continue reading

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