Tag Archives: zino

GM Says No To More Taxpayer Funding. Withdraws Federal Loan Application for Advanced Technology Vehicles

Posted on 27 January 2011 by Ken Zino

General Motors today announced it is withdrawing its $14.4 billion application for direct loans from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) that it submitted in October of 2009 after it had emerged from bankruptcy. Continue reading →

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General Motors Declares Quarterly Dividend on Preferred Stock

Posted on 26 January 2011 by Ken Zino

General Motors Company (NYSE: GM, TSX: GMM) today announced that its Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.647 per share on its Series B mandatory convertible junior preferred stock. Continue reading →

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Ford Recalls 425,000 Windstar Minivans for Bad Steering

Posted on 26 January 2011 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company is recalling 1999 to 2003 model Windstar minivans because the steering can fail after the front suspension rusts away. More than 25,000 of the Canadian-built Windstar minivans are prone to rusting problems. Continue reading →

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Construction of Nissan Leaf Electric Vehicle Battery Plant in Tennessee Well Underway

Posted on 26 January 2011 by Ken Zino

Construction is progressing on Nissan’s manufacturing facility in Smyrna, Tennessee, which will produce lithium-ion batteries for the Leaf electric vehicle. Continue reading →

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GM Invests in Envia Systems’ Battery Cathode Material

Posted on 26 January 2011 by Ken Zino

General Motors Ventures LLC has invested $7 million in Envia Systems get access to what is said to be an advanced lithium-ion cathode technology that delivers a battery with higher cell energy density and lower cost. Continue reading →

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Refinery to Pay $5.3 Million Penalty for Clean Air Act Violations

Posted on 26 January 2011 by Ken Zino

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Justice announced today that Hovensa LLC, owner of the second largest petroleum refinery in the United States, will pay a civil penalty of more than $5.3 million and spend more than $700 million in new pollution controls to resolve Clean Air Act violations at its St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands refinery. Continue reading →

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Toyota Recalls Lexus GS 300, 350, IS 250, IS 350 Cars for Fuel Leaks and Possible Fires

Posted on 26 January 2011 by Ken Zino

Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A. today announced a safety recall of approximately 245,000 Lexus models because a leaking fuel pressure sensor that could cause a fire.

Toyota Motor Corporation is also conducting a larger recall outside the U.S. for a similar safety defect involving 1.3 million vehicles to fix a different fuel delivery pipe and a high pressure fuel pump check valve. TMC’s recall announcement does not involve vehicles sold in North America. Continue reading →

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Car Buyers Avoiding Toyota, Edmunds Claims

Posted on 25 January 2011 by Ken Zino

Car buyers are avoiding shopping for Toyota brands, according to data provided by Edmunds.com, an online web site covering the automobile business that sells advertising to virtually all automakers. The privately-held Edmunds declined to provide any information to AutoInformed about … Continue reading →

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Chevrolet Camaro Convertible Goes to Super Bowl XLV MVP

Posted on 25 January 2011 by Ken Zino

Controversy surrounds this years Super Bowl, when it was revealed that women at the Ocean Sky “sweatshop” in El Salvador are paid just eight cents for each $25 NFL T-shirt they sew, according to the National Labor Committee.

Their wages amount to just 3/10ths of one percent of the NFL shirt’s retail price, according to the non-profit pressure group. One wag suggests that this gives a whole new meaning to one Super Bowl team – the Steelers. Continue reading →

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Ultracapacitors to Challenge Batteries in Stop/Start Vehicles?

Posted on 25 January 2011 by Ken Zino

Pike Research that claims worldwide sales of ultracapacitors will grow tenfold from $28 million in 2011 to $284 million by 2016, with cumulative revenue of $901 million during that period. Continue reading →

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Toyota Opens Two New Product Quality Field Offices in U.S.

Posted on 25 January 2011 by Ken Zino

Based on the illegal actions of Toyota’s Japanese executives, Toyota was fined $50 million by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for its failure to promptly act on safety defects last year. (See Toyota Motor Fined Another $32.425 Million for Safety Defects) Continue reading →

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National Hot Rod Association Tax-Exempt Status Attacked

Posted on 24 January 2011 by Ken Zino

The IRS has received a complaint challenging the tax-exempt status of the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) from the Washington law firm of Caplin & Drysdale. The complaint alleges that the drag racing organization’s activities mimic those organized by for-profit automobile entertainment companies. Continue reading →

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EPA, DOT and California Want Higher Light Vehicle Fuel Economy Rules in Place by September. Jobs Are at Stake

Posted on 24 January 2011 by Ken Zino

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the state of California today announced a timeframe for proposing what will no doubt be increased fuel economy and lower greenhouse gas standards for model year 2017-2025 cars and light-duty trucks. Continue reading →

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Workers Paid Eight Cents for Each $25 NFL T-shirt!

Posted on 24 January 2011 by Ken Zino

Women at the Ocean Sky “sweatshop” in El Salvador are paid just eight cents for each $25 NFL T-shirt they sew, according a press release just issued by the National Labor Committee.

Their wages amount to just 3/10ths of one percent of the NFL shirt’s retail price, according to the non-profit pressure group with un-posted sources of funding. Continue reading →

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Toyota Number One in 2010 Sales, Beating General Motors

Posted on 24 January 2011 by Ken Zino

In the closely fought global car wars, Toyota Motor Corporation just barely maintained its Number One position in 2010, beating a resurgent General Motors Company, according to sales numbers released today.

Toyota’s worldwide sales in calendar year 2010 tallied 8,418,000, an increase of 8% compared to 2009. General Motors reported that it delivered 8,389,769 vehicles globally, a 12.2% increase from 2009 deliveries of 7,477,178. The third place automaker, Volkswagen group had reported earlier 2010 sales of 7.14 million, a 13.5% improvement from 2009. Continue reading →

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