Automotive

November 04, 2009 -- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued a statement today correcting inaccurate and misleading information put out by Toyota concerning a safety recall involving 3.8 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles:    » read more »

November 4, 2009 -- Washington DC – U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski announced Wednesday that they are launching a joint effort to evaluate technologies that may help curb the dangerous epidemic of distracted driving.

The DOT-FCC partnership will also include outreach efforts to educate the public about the dangers of texting while driving, talking on cell phones while driving, and other distracting behavior that can lead to deadly accidents.    » read more »

November 05, 2009
MONTGOMERY - Alabama is reaping rewards from Kia’s decision to build its first U.S. assembly plant just a few miles across the state line in Georgia.

The Alabama Development Office reports Kia is responsible for more than 3,600 new jobs at automotive supplier plants located in Alabama. Those workers are employed at 34 different plants in Alabama, including 12 new suppliers that located in the state since Kia announced its decision in March 2006.

Twenty-five of those 34 plants supply both Alabama’s Hyundai plant and the Kia plant in Georgia.    » read more »

October 30, 2009 -- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is alerting consumers to immediately stop using Mia Moda Viva and Viva Supreme infant child restraint systems due to safety defects. Owners will need to obtain another seat; young children should never be transported in a motor vehicle without a proper safety restraint system.

Lerado, the manufacturer, is recalling 5,540 seats and bases because they could fail to adequately restrain a child in the event of a crash. The restraint’s harness splitter plate located on the rear of the seat has sharp edges which could cut the harness straps. In addition, the restraint’s base is vulnerable to cracking during a crash.    » read more »

November 2, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC – Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced that the Department of Energy is providing up to $5.5 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to support the X PRIZE Foundation’s work to inspire a new generation of energy efficient vehicles. As part of the Automotive X PRIZE competition, teams design innovative, commercially-viable, high-efficiency vehicles that will help break our dependence on oil and stem the effects of climate change.    » read more »

Benefits from Higher MPG Levels Will Outweigh Modest Impact of Cap and Trade on Gas Prices; Net Gas Cost Savings For U.S. Motorists Seen Through Combined Impact Of Two Climate-Related Measures

November 3, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. -- Good news for American motorists: Despite doomsday prediction from energy-industry-funded interest groups, U.S. consumers actually will see a net reduction of $13 billion in 2020 and $46 billion in 2030 in their gasoline expenditures ($100 and $326 in average net savings per household, respectively) if Congress moves ahead to impose a cap-and-trade system, according to a new analysis from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE).    » read more »

Honda and Acura models post double-digit gains

11.03.09 -- American Honda Motor Co., Inc., posted total October vehicle sales of 85,502, a decline of 4.0 percent compared to October 2008, based on the daily selling rate*. Honda Division posted October sales of 75,751, a decline of five units versus October 2008.

Honda total car sales decreased by 4.4 percent, to 44,537. Honda light-truck sales decreased 2.3 percent, to 31,214. Models showing sales increases included Accord with sales of 23,210, up 13.1 percent; CR-V with sales of 15,667, up 14.7 percent; and Pilot with sales of 6,339, up 22.7 percent.    » read more »

November 4, 2009 -- Tokyo — Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) announces it plans to withdraw from the FIA Formula One World Championship (F1) at the end of the 2009 season.

TMC, which had viewed its participation in F1 as contributing to the prosperity of automotive culture, remained dedicated to competing at the pinnacle of motor sports, even in the face of the abrupt economic changes that started last year. However, when considering TMC's motor-sports activities next year and beyond from a comprehensive midterm viewpoint reflecting the current severe economic realities, TMC decided to withdraw from F1.    » read more »

TORRANCE, Calif. (November 3, 2009) – Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., today reported October sales of 152,165 vehicles, a decrease of 3.5 percent from last October, on a daily selling rate basis.

The Toyota Division posted October sales of 132,663 units, a decrease of 5.8 percent from the same period last year. The Lexus Division reported October sales of 19,502 units, an increase of 15.5 percent over the year-ago month.

Toyota Division    » read more »

Ford, Lincoln and Mercury October U.S. sales totaled 132,483, up 3 percent versus a year ago and 21 percent higher than September

DEARBORN, Mich., Nov. 3, 2009 – Ford, Lincoln and Mercury October U.S. sales totaled 132,483, up 3 percent versus a year ago and 21 percent higher than September. This marks the third time in the last four months Ford sales have increased.

“Consumer demand for our new high-quality, fuel-efficient products is driving Ford’s market share gains,” said Ken Czubay, Ford vice president, U.S. Marketing Sales and Service. “Ford vehicles are among the ‘freshest’ available by any automaker – with more than 80 percent of our sales in October coming from our new 2010 models.”    » read more »

10/29/09 -- Today Congressman Tim Bishop made the following statement at a Transportation & Infrastructure Committee on the Problem of Distracted Driving:

It is the responsibility of this committee to ensure that our nation’s roadways are not only up to the task of connecting our communities and promoting commerce, but also with protecting the safety of American’s, both directly and indirectly involved with transportation.    » read more »

Bloomington, IL.– October 30, 2009 – State Farm applauds Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) for sponsoring the Distracted Driving Prevention Act of 2009. The company said this legislation (S. 1938) is a good first step toward addressing the problem of distracted driving and its threat to the lives and safety of millions of drivers, passengers and pedestrians.    » read more »

Cash Flow Turns Positive; North America Profitable

DEARBORN, Mich., Nov. 2, 2009 – Ford Motor Company [NYSE: F] today reported net income of $997 million, or 29 cents per share, in the third quarter as strong new products, structural cost reductions and improved results at Ford Credit lifted the company’s results despite continued weak global economic conditions. This is a $1.2 billion improvement compared with the same period last year.    » read more »

Transit Connect BEV is the first production vehicle from accelerated electric vehicle strategy

DEARBORN, Mich., Oct. 30 – Ford Motor Company announced today that Azure Dynamics Corporation (TSX: AZD) has joined in a collaborative effort to deliver a pure battery electric Ford Transit Connect van for the United States and Canadian markets in 2010. Azure will integrate its Force Drive ™ battery electric drive train in the Transit Connect van for commercial fleet and retail use.

The collaboration with Azure Dynamics for the Transit Connect BEV will build on the existing business relationship between Ford and Azure as well as their shared experience with battery supplier, Johnson Controls-Saft.    » read more »

October 29, 2009 -- WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., announced that Tenneco Inc. will receive a $24 million conditional loan from the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing (ATVM) Incentive Program. The ATVM program is intended to help the automotive industry meet or exceed the Administration’s new fuel economy standards and help America regain its competitive edge in world markets.

The loan will support the development of fuel efficient emission control components for advanced technology vehicles. Sen. Stabenow authored the language that created this program, and was included in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 .    » read more »