Tag Archives: zino

2011 Collision Cost Booklets from NHTSA Now Available

The result, according to NHTSA, is that “it is unlikely that your total premium will vary more than 10% depending upon the collision loss experience of a particular vehicle,” which begs the question if this mandated government exercise is worth the walk? Continue reading

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Rolls-Royce to Debut Electric Phantom Concept at Geneva

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars today confirmed the existence of the Phantom Experimental Electric, an electric Phantom concept car that will debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March. Continue reading

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BMW i, an Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Sub-Brand, Debuts

Both the i3 and i8 models are clearly designed to garner credits so that BMW can continue to sell conventional cars and trucks that emit higher levels of CO2; both use extensive amounts of aluminum and other light weight materials to partially offset the mass of the lithium ion batteries. Continue reading

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Prius, Priuses, Prium and Prien? No, Toyota Prii is the Plural

Toyota Motor Sales announced yesterday at the Chicago Auto Show that the official plural of Prius is now ‘Prii.’ This Prii name is the result of a contest that launched in January at the North American International Auto Show in … Continue reading

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New Toyota Ads Debut on Monday Touting “Why It’s the Best-Selling Brand in America.” Sales Slowly Coming Back?

“#1 for a Reason.” includes rebates and 0% financing for 60 months across most of Toyota’s core vehicles. Continue reading

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Ford Sollers to Build and Sell Vehicles in Russian Federation

Manufacturers of cars and auto components that apply “industrial assembly” processes in Russia are eligible for reduced taxes and duties from the Russian Federation. Under the new policy, customs duties are to decrease to 0 to 5% of the cost of auto components compared to 12%. Continue reading

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Nissan Americas Appoints Former GM Engineer to Head Research & Development, Replacing Japanese Executive

Nissan Americas today announced the appointment of Carla Bailo, 50, as senior vice president, Research & Development-Nissan Americas, effective April 1. Bailo succeeds Motohiro Matsumura, currently president, Nissan Technical Center North America (NTCNA), who will be returning to Nissan Motor Company in Japan to an as yet unnamed position. Continue reading

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Volkswagen to Debut Revised Tiguan at Geneva Motor Show

With more than half a million of the multi-activity-vehicles delivered by VW since its debut in 2007, the Golf derived compact follows a design trend – now widely imitated – that was established by Renault with its Megane Scenic back in 1997. Continue reading

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U.S. Vehicle Sales Forecast to be Up in February from January

If sales continue to grow, what are now isolated shortages of some vehicles will become greater, and prices will rise. Suppliers, who drastically trimmed output during the past three years, are showing signs of not being able to keep up. Continue reading

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American Honda Recalls 2009-2010 Fit Models for Stalling

Toyota or the “Toyota Recall Effect” was the big reason that 2010 was the second highest recall year on record. However, a quick scan of previous Honda recalls questions whether the long-standing Japanese reputation for quality is as accurate as previously portrayed by the media. Continue reading

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Senate Dithers as Highway Trust Fund Goes Broke

During a hearing today in Washington, Democrats and Republicans postured over President Barack Obama’s proposal for a six-year, $556 billion highway bill with none of the partisans suggesting how it will actually be paid for.

This ducks the real issue of the ongoing decline in highway trust fund revenues that built the interstate system during the 1950s and contributed to what was then a booming American economy. Continue reading

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General Motors Recalls Cadillac CTS for Suspension Failures

General Motors is recalling 2009-2010 Cadillac CTS models because the rear wheels can suddenly splay, sending the CTS out of the driver’s control.

The problem is caused by improperly made rear toe link fasteners. Continue reading

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European Car Sales Decline in January

For U.S. taxpayers with substantial stakes in Fiat-controlled Chrysler and GM there were uneven results. Chrysler sold a mere 2,353 vehicles in January, down 24%. However, CEO Sergio Marchionne maintains that Lancia can help Chrysler sales by distributing its cars, and Jeep has substantial room for growth.

The Opel/Vauxhall subsidiary of GM posted a rise of 6% to 72,553 vehicles helped by growth in Germany. Opel, with more than 40,000 employees in Europe, lost the owners of GM, including U.S. and Canadian taxpayers more than $1.1 billion in the first three quarters of 2010, with the final results not in yet. Continue reading

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Ford Europe Sales Flat; Down Again in Western Europe

Ford now appears caught by two unforeseen macro-economic trends that are largely beyond its short term control – the collapse of Western European economies where Ford is a major player, and the growth of India and China, where Ford is a minor factor. Continue reading

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Global Vehicle Sales to Top 72 Million in 2011 in Latest Forecast

The sale of new cars and light trucks in 2011 are projected to reach 76.5 million units, which would surpass the record of 72 million light vehicles sold 2010, according to J.D. Power and Associates Automotive Forecasting. If accurate, this … Continue reading

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