by Paul A. Eisenstein | Aug 5, 2009
Vice President Joe Biden will be taking a trip to Detroit, on Wednesday, where he’s expected to not only address issues of the economy and the struggling U.S. auto industry, but also to announce the first federal grants aimed at spurring the development of the...
by Ken Zino | Aug 5, 2009
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has announced a summit meeting next month to “address the dangers of text-messaging and other distractions behind the wheel.” In late September, senior transportation officials, elected officials, safety advocates,...
by Ken Zino | Aug 4, 2009
Toyota Motor Corporation lost more than $815 million in the first quarter of its fiscal year, as revenues declined 38% when compared with its first quarter of last year. The swing into negative numbers was breathtaking. Net income attributable to Toyota Motor...
by Ken Zino | Aug 4, 2009
Helped by the hefty infusion of government money into the marketplace, and a corresponding increase in showroom traffic, as well as additional manufacture rebates, the seasonally adjusted annual selling rate (SAAR) topped ten million for the first time this year....
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Aug 4, 2009
Despite clear signs of success, the U.S. Senate seems reluctant to approve an extension of the so-called Cash-for-Clunkers bill. The House authorized a $2 billion extension to the original, $1 billion fund, formally known as the Car Allowance Rebate System, or CARS,...
by John Day | Aug 4, 2009
We like to think of ourselves as a “mobile” society. A new generation of wireless technology will make that term more appropriate than ever. Autonet Mobile markets an electronic device that resembles the wireless router you may have in your home, and it...
by Joseph Szczesny | Aug 4, 2009
President Barack Obama’s energy czar, Carol Browner, made a quick visit to Detroit this week to discuss research and development in the auto industry. One thing that became apparent during her short stay in the Motor City, the U.S. Department of Defense is eager...
by Ken Zino | Aug 4, 2009
The following chart from AutoData Corporation breaks down results by automaker compared with one year ago. U.S. Light Vehicle Retail Sales – July 2009 Final Results July 2009 July 2008 % 2009 CYTD 2008 CYTD % General Motors Corp. 188,156 233,340 -19.4%...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Aug 4, 2009
The popular Cash-for-Clunkers program has helped spotlight efforts to improve automotive fuel economy. But that ignores what are quite literally the biggest gas guzzlers on the road: the nation’s fleet of heavy-duty trucks. Typically in use 24/7, it’s...
by Joseph Szczesny | Aug 3, 2009
Car sales showed some new life in July, thanks to the boost from the federally-funded Cash-for-Clunkers program. But it wasn’t a lot of life — and several manufacturers, among them General Motors, Toyota, Mercedes-Benz and BMW, posted fairly solid drops....
by Ken Zino | Aug 3, 2009
General Motors Company reported July sales of 189,443 vehicles this afternoon, which was down 19% from the year earlier period. The overall market only declined 12%, based on numbers from AutoData Corporation. However, GM sales executives, ever optimistic, were quick...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Aug 3, 2009
While virtually every luxury automaker has adopted some alphanumeric variation, Acura seems to have gone particularly out of its way to challenge potential buyers to keep up with its product line-up. It’s too bad so many folks find it difficult to distinguish a...
