Tag Archives: zino

2012 Camaro ZL1 Coupe Debuts with 550 Horsepower; and Technology Rivaling Corvette and Cadillac at $50,000?

Posted on 9 February 2011 by Ken Zino

The 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 debuted today at the Chicago Auto Show. It will be without doubt the highest-performing Camaro, and Chevrolet claims that ZL1 is the most technically advanced car ever developed in its class.
Continue reading →

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DOT Releases Long Delayed Toyota Unintended Acceleration Report, Exonerates Self, Claiming It Was Right All Along

Posted on 8 February 2011 by Ken Zino

The self conducted NHTSA study if it found problems, of course, would make DOT – with a staggering $79 billion budget vulnerable to Congressional dictated reforms, as well as budget and staff cuts as the deficit debate heats up on Capital Hill. Continue reading →

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Toyota Motor Corporation Reports 5% Increase in Net Revenues for Nine Months as it Struggles in Europe and Japan

Posted on 8 February 2011 by Ken Zino

The world’s largest automaker is still feeling the negative effects of image damaging safety and quality recalls, the rise in the value of the Yen, and the contraction of its Japanese home market. Continue reading →

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Volkswagen and IG Metall Agree on Wage Raise, Bonus

Posted on 8 February 2011 by Ken Zino

Volkswagen and IG Metall agreed to a new contract late Monday night. Workers will receive a 3.2% increase in base pay effective May 1, 2011. Employees will also receive a one-time payment corresponding to 1% of his or her annual pay, but no less than €500, VW said in a statement. Continue reading →

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Milestones: 900,000 Mazda MX-5 Miata Roadsters Made

Posted on 7 February 2011 by Ken Zino

What Mazda dubs as the world’s best-selling two-seat roadster, the Mazda MX-5 Miata, has reached a new milestone of 900,000 units produced.

Nearly 45% of the two-seat Miatas made – about 388,000 – were sold in the United States since the Miata launched here in the last century. Continue reading →

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Ford Recalls New 2011 Explorer for Defective Seat Backs

Posted on 7 February 2011 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company is recalling 2011 model year Explorer sport utility vehicles because the second row seat backs are not strong enough to comply with U.S. safety standards during a crash. Dealers have been told to stop the sale of … Continue reading →

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Chrysler Challenges Nader, Center for Auto Safety, Disputing Need for a Jeep Grand Cherokee Recall for Rear Impact Fires

Posted on 7 February 2011 by Ken Zino

Ralph Nader and the Center for Auto Safety are calling on Chrysler to recall 1993-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee models because they are, allegedly, defective and subject to fires during rear-end collisions.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened an investigation into the claims, and of course Chrysler is cooperating, as required by U.S. safety regulations. Continue reading →

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Cell Phones Prevail as Dominant U.S. Electronic Device. Distracted Driving Enabler Now Owned by 85% of Adults

Posted on 4 February 2011 by Ken Zino

Cell phones are now the most prevalent electronic device among U.S. adults, with an 85% ownership rate, and 90% of all adults—including 62% of those ages 75 and older—living in a household with at least one working cell phone. Continue reading →

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Ford Recalls 281,000 F-Series Pickup Trucks for Door Popping

Posted on 4 February 2011 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company is recalling 281,000 F-Series pickup trucks made at its Kansas City and Dearborn plants for defective door latches that can pop open during a crash.

Model year 2009 and 2010 F-Series pickup trucks have a defective interior door handle module from supplier Brose. Continue reading →

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Ally Selects NADA Guide for Used Vehicle Financing

Posted on 3 February 2011 by Ken Zino

The National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) announced today that Ally Financial will use its used vehicle pricing information from the NADA Used Car Guide when underwriting consumer auto contracts in 38 states. Continue reading →

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Fight for Auto Repair Dollars Heats up at Ford and GM

Posted on 3 February 2011 by Ken Zino

Once upon a time in the new car business, dealers used the “back end” or the service bays to cover the entire cost of running the operation. Good dealers could have a “service absorption rate” of 100% or more, which … Continue reading →

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Cadillac CTS-V to Offer Black Diamond Tri-Coat Paint in March

Posted on 2 February 2011 by Ken Zino

Cadillac will offer a Black Diamond Edition of the performance CTS-V with what’s called tri-coat paint, dubbed Black Diamond. This marketing name for once actually describes the color.

Available on the CTS-V Sedan, Coupe and Wagon models, this will be the first use by an automaker of something called a “SpectraFlair” pigment in North America, after it showed in 2002 at the Specialty Equipment Manufacturer’s Show in Las Vegas. (Old naming habits die hard.) Continue reading →

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Renault Shifts Most of New €5.7 billion Investment out of European Plants. Promises No Job Losses in France

Posted on 2 February 2011 by Ken Zino

Renault SA (RNO.FR) said this morning that it is adjusting its industrial base and putting €5.7 billion ($7.9 b) investment into plants by 2013, largely in emerging markets. The French automaker was quick to add that France would remain the … Continue reading →

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Toyota Reports January Sales up 17%, as it Flings Incentive Gauntlet at Other Automakers with Cash and 0% Interest

Posted on 1 February 2011 by Ken Zino

Loyalty and conquest rates have returned to historical pre-recall levels,” said Bob Carter, Toyota Division group vice president and general manager, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., who went on to say Toyota intends to grow at greater than market rates this year, thus flinging the gauntlet Chevrolet and Ford executives whose brands surpassed Toyota brand in U.S. sales last year. Continue reading →

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Chrysler Group Reports January U.S. Sales Up 23%

Posted on 1 February 2011 by Ken Zino

Chrysler Group LLC today reported U.S. sales of 70,118, a 23% increase compared with sales in January 2010 (57,143 units), and ahead of the overall U.S. market growth of 17%.

Chrysler’s heavy reliance on truck and minivan sales – roughly 75% of total – was a factor as overall truck sales in the U.S. increased 29% in January. Continue reading →

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