Tag Archives: zino

NRC Sends more Experts on Nuclear Reactors to Japan

In what is a politically sensitive area in Japan, as a result of the U.S.’s deployment of nuclear weapons on Hiroshima, home of Mazda, and Nagasaki that ended the war in 1945, NRC said that “only if asked” would it be part of the Japanese government’s decision making process” on the reactors. Continue reading

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Kia Recalls 2006-2008 Optima Sedans for Bad Shift Cable

If the driver leaves the vehicle without engaging the parking brake, there is a possibility that the vehicle can roll creating the risk of a crash. Continue reading

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Renault Spy Case Executive Firings Wrong Prosecutor Says. French Government Investigations Continue into the Fraud

The board of directors of Renault met today in an unscheduled meeting after a French prosecutor said earlier that three executives dismissed by Renault are innocent of claims by Renault that industrial spying was going on and that the executives were depositing payments into bank accounts in Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Continue reading

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Auto Production in Japan at Standstill as Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Mazda, Subaru Shut. More Earthquakes Coming?

Auto production in earthquake racked Japan is at a standstill this morning as most automakers closed plants even in non quake areas for announced times of three days to a few weeks. In fact, no company can be sure when they will reopen plants. Moreover, rolling blackouts will disrupt public transportation and production throughout the country for unknown periods of time as damaged nuclear powerplants are repaired or scrapped. Continue reading

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Huge Earthquake Rocks Northern Japan, Tsunami Follows; Effect on Japanese Auto Exports and Yen Value Unknown

The earthquake has also shut down an unknown number of Japanese automaker and parts supplier plants at a time when car sales are rising and exports are needed to meet growing demand in the U.S. and elsewhere. Continue reading

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Another GM Top Management Change as CFO Liddell Resigns

It appears that the outside financial gunslingers brought in by Treasury – notably Ed Whitaker retired from ATT and Chris Liddell from Microsoft had short term personal goals as to how long they would run the historic and now recovering auto giant. This begs the question as to how long the current CEO Dan Akerson, who came from Wall Street, will stick around, and puts a stop to speculation that Liddell, 52, was the obvious heir apparent for Akerson’s job. Continue reading

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BMW on Record 2010 Earnings Proposes Record Dividends

As a result of the strong comeback the BMW Board of Management and the Supervisory Board will propose that the dividend be increased to €1.30 (2009: 0.30) per share of common stock and €1.32 (2009 € 0.32) per share of preferred stock at the annual meeting in May.

Both proposed dividends are record highs. The odds that shareholders will vote down such increases are close to nil. Continue reading

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Another Computer Software Glitch as GM Recalls 2011 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac SRX Models for Failed Defrosters

General Motors is recalling 2011 model Buick LaCrosse sedans and Cadillac SRX crossover models because the software in the electronic climate control module may prevent adjustment of the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system settings. When this happens, the driver will not be able to control the heating, cooling, and ventilation for the vehicle. Decreased visibility can result in an accident. Continue reading

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Volkswagen Recalls Routan Minivans for Engine Shut Offs

It is the same recall that was announced by Chrysler earlier this week because a Mexican-built part from Continental apparently is defective. Chrysler supplies Routan minivans to Volkswagen. Continue reading

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World First – Suzuki Fuel Cell Motorcycle Street Legal in EU

The upshot is that zero emission motorcycles are now a step closer to becoming commercially available, and since motorcycles don’t come in right-hand-drive versions, the motorcycle could – in theory – be produced and sold throughout Europe. Continue reading

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Toyota Starts a Sweeping Reorganization – “Global Vision”

Vowing that “Toyota will lead the way to the future of mobility,” Toyoda, the scion of the founding family, said the executive staff would be streamlined and more decision making power would now reside in the regions.

The unintended acceleration and stuck gas pedal recalls were only undertaken by Toyota after years of neglect when U.S. Department of Transportation officials flew to Japan and insisted on the safety recalls. U.S. Toyota executives were only responsible for sales matters and were powerless to address the issue. Subsequently, DOT imposed record multi million dollar fines on Toyota for delays in addressing the deadly problem.
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New Chevrolet Colorado Concept Begs the Fuel Economy Question: Where oh Where is Ford’s Small U.S. Pickup?

Ford, which once dominated the compact pickup truck segment in the U.S., has said that it will close its Twin Cities, Minn, Ranger plant at the end of this year, offering instead more fuel efficient models of the gigantic F-150 pickup the best selling vehicle in the U.S. at 74,000 units year-to-date. The Toyota Tacoma is currently the best selling mid-size pickup truck in the U.S. at more than 15,000 units year-to-date, outselling an ancient Ranger – last major redesign was in 2001 – by more than 2:1. Continue reading

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Department of Transportation Releases New “Faces of Distracted Driving” Video. Deadly DD Epidemic Continues

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today released the latest video in the U.S. Department of Transportation’s “Faces of Distracted Driving” series.

The video features Loren Vaillancourt, whose 21-year-old brother Kelson was killed in a 2009 distracted driving crash in Huron, South Dakota. Continue reading

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Toyota Recalls Trucks For Tire Pressure Monitor Defect

About 22,000 trucks are affected in the U.S. and had optional wheels with LT tires instead of the standard P-metric tires installed during truck manufacturing in California, Indiana and Texas. Either Toyota vehicle processing centers or Toyota dealers could have switched the wheels and tires. Continue reading

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U.S. Treasury to Sell $2.7 Billion of Ally Preferred Securities

As part of this corporate welfare program, Treasury invested a total of $17.2 billion in a failing Ally. This was the result of what critics called reckless lending practices in the home mortgage markets, which caused huge Ally losses when the housing bubble burst in 2009. Continue reading

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