Automotive

Shows Nearly 200 Models Available That Achieve 30mpg Or More On Highway

November 5, 2009 -- According to the recently released Department of Energy-Environmental Protection Agency Fuel Economy Guide, for 2010 there will be 193 models available that achieve fuel economy ratings of 30 miles per gallon or greater on the highway. This signifies a 47 percent increase over 2009 and further underscores automakers’ commitment to bringing cleaner, safer and more fuel efficient vehicles to consumers.    » read more »

TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION (TMC) announced financial results for the six months ended September 30, 2009.

On a consolidated basis, the net revenues for the first half of the fiscal year totaled 8.378 trillion yen, a decrease of 31.3 percent compared to the same period last fiscal year. Operating income decreased from 582.0 billion yen to a loss of 136.9 billion yen, while income before income taxes and equity in earnings of affiliated companies was a loss of 63.0 billion yen. Net income* decreased from 493.4 billion yen to a loss of 56.0 billion yen.
* Net income attributable to Toyota Motor Corporation    » read more »

November 10, 2009 -- Shanghai – General Motors Company announced that the automaker and its joint ventures in China today surpassed 1.5 million units in sales for 2009. With a strong October, the GM China family continued its string of record monthly sales that began at the start of the year.

“This has been a year of records for GM in China,” said Kevin Wale, President and Managing Director of the GM China Group. “It is GM’s priority to put the customer at the center of everything we do. This is reflected in our vehicle design, engineering and production.”    » read more »

Letter urges Trade Ambassador Kirk to work toward opening South Korean and Japanese markets for U.S. automobile companies

November 6, 2009 -- (Washington D.C.) -- Congressman Sander Levin, Chairman of the House Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee, released a letter today to U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk urging that more be done to open South Korean and Japanese automobile markets.

During recent Korean and Japanese auto incentive programs, similar to the “Cash for Clunkers” program, market share for all foreign brands declined even further. The letter was signed by Senators Levin and Stabenow; Ways and Means Chairman Charles Rangel; Reps. Dingell, Upton, Ehlers, Kildee, McCotter, Peters, Sutton and Miller.    » read more »

November 5, 2009 -- Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) today introduced legislation that offers incentives for the purchase of more energy-efficient motors. The bill will create jobs and help our nation transform to a clean energy economy.

Baldwin’s bill, co-sponsored by Rep. Mike Ross (D-AR), directs the U.S. Department of Energy to establish an Energy-Efficient Motor Rebate Program for the purchase of high-efficiency electric motors, thereby making them more affordable. The purpose is to offset the cost difference between the purchase of new high-efficiency motors and the repair or replacement of older, more inefficient motors.    » read more »

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 »