Tag Archives: zino

General Motors to Introduce 20 New Models in China, Add Jobs

The world’s largest auto market, China, has been good to General Motors, the world’s largest automaker. So no surprise when General Motors Chairman and CEO Dan Akerson said today in Beijing that GM will introduce more than 20 new and upgraded models during the next two years, as well as strengthen Chinese product development capability. Continue reading

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Mercedes-Benz Wants Smart Distribution Back from Penske

Smart had U.S. sales of 5,927 in 2010 compared with 14,595 in 2009, a -59.4% decrease. The tiny two-seat car, designed by Mercedes more than 20 years ago, is struggling in the marketplace. However, credits for the sale of small cars will be crucial going forward for makers of larger, gas guzzling luxury cars. Continue reading

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Infiniti Etherea Debuts at Geneva Motor Show in March

Infiniti today released photos of a compact concept car that will debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March. Etherea is said to combine the elements of a coupe, sedan, hatchback and crossover in one “highly sculptural” form. Continue reading

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Ram Tradesman – A Truck for Those Who Shower After Work

Ram Tradesman, which goes on sale this spring. Instead of marketing a pickup truck as a fashion accessory for Saturday night cowboys, the Tradesman package is named for the people who take a shower after work, not before.

The Tradesman at $22,780, including a $975 destination charge, is said to be a value-priced option package designed for small businesspeople, construction sites and commercial fleets. Continue reading

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CAR Says Electric Vehicles Will Follow the Incentives at the Federal, State and Local Levels. Budget Battles Loom?

Executive summary – taxpayer money on the hood moves the sheet metal, but auto company press release predictions are dubious. Continue reading

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General Motors Joins Toyota in Helping Child Injury Group

General Motors has joined the advisory board of the Center for Child Injury Prevention Studies (CChIPS) at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute. GM researchers will help CChIPS faculty in a study aimed at improving safety belt performance and decreasing the child injury rate during vehicle crashes. Continue reading

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Roush Begins Making Blink Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

Ecotality home charging stations are said to offer advantages over conventional charging stations, including advanced energy monitoring capabilities that allow homeowners to optimize their energy usage and charge their vehicles when rates are lowest. The Blink Network charger interface is the hub where users can receive information about their EV and Blink Home Charging Station including charge status, statistics and history. Continue reading

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Nissan Building Battery Plant in Portugal for Electric Vehicles

Both Nissan and Renault are betting heavily on the market acceptance of electric vehicles in mature markets, starting with the Leaf now in limited production. By 2012 the Alliance will offer four electric vehicles, and more new models are planned from 2014 to 2016. Renault and Nissan plan to sell a cumulative 1.5 million EVs worldwide by 2016. Starting in 2015 the Alliance will have a production capacity of 500,000 EVs a year. Continue reading

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General Motors Sets January Vehicle Sales Record in China

General Motors had a record sales month in China in January, as GM’s two largest manufacturing joint ventures new monthly highs for vehicle sales in the world’s largest auto market of more than 18 million vehicles. It’s a continuation of GM’s strong performance in China during 2010, where it sold more cars and trucks than it did in the U.S. Continue reading

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Ford to Issue Common Stock to Reduce Debt by $3 Billion

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) said today that it will convert some of its $16 billion in outstanding debt to shares of common stock. In so doing, the second largest Detroit automaker will take a charge of $60 million against its first quarter earnings.

Ford is still listed as below investment grade by the rating agencies – Moody’s Investors Service (Ba2) and Standard & Poor’s B+. Both are junk ratings that raise borrowing costs and limit large mutual funds from buying Ford bonds. Ford lost its investment grade rating in 2005. Continue reading

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Renault Group Reveals Its 2016 Plan – Largely Outside Europe

The plan is heavily dependent on cost cutting, growth in emerging markets, and success of electric vehicles. In a statement that disappointed analysts, and sent the stock price down, Ghosn dismissed out of hand a merger with Nissan, claiming it was culturally impossible. Continue reading

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UK Businesses Balk at Killing of Plug-in Hybrid, EV Subsidies

This issue pits fiscal conservatives against environmentalists, with special interest or pressure groups angling for advantage. The British drama will likely be replayed in the U.S. this year for the same reasons. Nuances of policy debates are likely lost on taxpayers who fear for their financial futures, and politicians who pander to short term fears. Continue reading

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Nissan Posts Strong Q3. Ups Fiscal Year Forecast to ¥535 B

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. reported consolidated net revenues of ¥6.4 trillion, 19.4% higher than the year-ago level. Operating profit increased 96.1% to ¥448.9 billion for the first nine months of its fiscal year, the second largest automaker in Japan said in a statement. Continue reading

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Acura 2012 TL Luxury Sedan Debuts at Chicago Auto Show

Parent company Honda is expected to report strong financial results tomorrow in Tokyo, roughly twice that of global sales leader Toyota, but its U.S. sales results have been tracking below overall market growth recently Continue reading

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Early February U.S. Vehicle Sales Up by 17% from 2010. Significant Market Warming or Just a So What?

Both the number of people shopping for a new vehicle and the number who actually buy one are up during early February vehicle sales reports from car dealers. This could mean monthly sales in the 920,000 – 950,000 range, according the CNW Research, an industry consultancy. Continue reading

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