Tag Archives: zino

Chrysler Recalls Town & Country and Dodge Caravan Minivans and Dodge Journey SUVs for Abrupt Engine Shut Offs

Posted on 4 March 2011 by Ken Zino

A Mexican-built part from Continental apparently is the cause of the engine shut down defect, according to Chrysler. Chrysler said there are hundreds of warranty claims and at least two rear end accidents alleged to have been cause by the safety defect. Continue reading →

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Labor Group Blasts Ford for Chinese Sweatshop Abuses

Posted on 3 March 2011 by Ken Zino

The Institute for Global Labor & Human Rights released a new report today that said Ford Motor Company is guilty of worker rights violations at what it terms is a Chinese sweatshop that supplies Ford. Continue reading →

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Hertz to Offer Rental Renault Electric Vehicles in Europe

Posted on 3 March 2011 by Ken Zino

Hertz said that it plans to add 500 units of the Renault EV range to its fleet over the next two years in what can be characterized as a modest effort to see if there really is a rental market for EVs. Avis claims it has similar, but thus far vague plans in Europe for renting rival Citroen EVs as well.< Continue reading →

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Honda Recalls Civic Hybrid Models for Electrical Failures

Posted on 3 March 2011 by Ken Zino

It is no longer a given – or it shouldn’t be – among shoppers or government safety officials that the Japanese are automotive quality leaders. Continue reading →

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Spiders Cause Mazda 6 Fuel System Recall?

Posted on 3 March 2011 by Ken Zino

Mazda is recalling 2009 and 2010 Mazda 6 models built at the Flat Rock, Michigan plant because spiders can weave a web in the evaporative canister vent line, causing a blockage that leads to fuel tank cracks and leaks during normal operation. Continue reading →

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Ford Recalls Ranger Pickup Trucks for Fuel Leaks

Posted on 3 March 2011 by Ken Zino

This latest Ford recall is the fifth of 2011 according to a Ford spokesperson, and thus far more than half of the nine safety recalls Ford had in 2010. Continue reading →

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Fatal Intersection Crashes Declining

Posted on 3 March 2011 by Ken Zino

A new study issued today by the National Safety Council says that fatal crashes at intersections with traffic lights decreased by 17%, and fatal crashes at intersections involving red-light running decreased by 27% from 2005 to 2009. The study analyzed … Continue reading →

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Used Vehicle Sales Up 12% in February

Posted on 2 March 2011 by Ken Zino

It’s not only the new vehicle market that’s showing signs of revival in February – used vehicle sales are up as well, with more than 1.8 million units changing owners. This healthy sales trend comes during February, traditionally the slowest … Continue reading →

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BMW, Peugeot Citroën to Invest €100 Million in Hybrid JV

Posted on 2 March 2011 by Ken Zino

Component parts will be used in various BMW and PSA vehicles starting in 2014. Toyota, of course, is the global leader in hybrid technology that was once dismissed by European automakers as not promising. The JV will focus on battery packs, generators, power electronics, chargers, and software for hybrid systems. Continue reading →

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China Rules as GM Sets February Sales Record

Posted on 2 March 2011 by Ken Zino

General Motors and its eleven government-mandated Chinese joint ventures sold 184,498 vehicles in February, setting a new record for the month, but not, repeat not, outperforming its amazing sales of 207,000 in its home U.S. market. Continue reading →

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General Motors, Toyota Post Huge February Sales Gains as SAAR Soars to 13.4 Million. Ford and Chrysler Losing Ground?

Posted on 2 March 2011 by Ken Zino

U.S. vehicle sales in February jumped to a surprising 13.4 million units on a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) as easier credit, liberal incentives and rising truck sales boosted the market. The clear winners were a resurgent General Motors and … Continue reading →

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Infiniti to Go F1 Racing Via Renault – Branding Nightmare?

Posted on 1 March 2011 by Ken Zino

Nonetheless, Renault’s presence continued after 35 years of competition in what boosters maintain is the preeminent motor racing series in the face of financial and sex scandals that rival the antics of Hollywood personalities and the imaginations script writers. Continue reading →

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Accelerator Pedal Recall Causes More Lexus and Toyota Recalls! Technicians Did Not Correctly Replace the Carpeting. Original Recall Now Expanded to Include More Toyota Vehicles

Posted on 25 February 2011 by Ken Zino

Why owners should trust technicians to correctly perform a second modification is a question that will surely be debated. Continue reading →

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General Motors Posts 2010 Net of $4.7B on $135.6B of Income

Posted on 24 February 2011 by Ken Zino

General Motors Company (NYSE: GM) today announced its calendar year 2010 results of $4.7 billion of net income per share of common stock for its first full year of operations after it emerged from bankruptcy as a U.S. and Canadian taxpayer owned automaker. Continue reading →

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Taxpayer Subsidized Ethanol Caught in Partisan Budget Battle

Posted on 22 February 2011 by Ken Zino

The politics of ethanol, virtually all of it corn derived and therefore benefiting big money farm lobby interests, are as tangled as it gets. Taxpayers would be better off if legislators were required to wear NASCAR-style uniforms with the patches of the organizations that are their major, err, sponsors, to put it politely in pay to play Washington where campaign contributions from special interests determine policy not national interests. Continue reading →

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