Posts Tagged ‘automakers’

1. Automakers Scramble to Avoid Resin-Related Shut Down

   Posted on April 29th, 2012 by admin

   Automakers Scramble to Avoid Resin-Related Shut Down
   News from CNBC.com:

   As more than ninety automakers rolled out their newest models at the Beijing Auto Show Monday, there is growing optimism the industry will avoid production shutdowns due a shortage of a resin used in auto parts.

   Phil Banko | Photographer’s Choice | Getty Images

   The resin, commonly called nylon-12, has been in short supply since an explosion at a German plant halted production of a key ingredient used in making the resin.

   “We’re pretty sure that we’ve got our hands on this,” General Motors</…………… continues on CNBC.com

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   AutoZone, Other Auto Parts Stocks Hit New Highs
   News from Investor’s Business Daily:

   It’s a good time to be an auto parts retailer.

   Shares of AutoZone (AZO), O’Reilly Automotive (ORLY) and Advance Auto Parts (AAP) have jumped to new highs as cash-strapped consumers keep their cars longer and seek lower repair costs by either fixing their own vehicles or taking them to independent mechanics, who often buy parts at retailers rather than through more expensive dealers.

   AutoZone, the biggest auto parts retailer, is 3% past a 386.10 buy point from a flat base.

   Profit for the fiscal third quarter ending in May is seen rising just 18% following gains of 24%, 24% and 27% in the three prior quarters. Sales over the p…………… continues on Investor’s Business Daily

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2. Automakers unveil new models at Beijing show

   Posted on April 24th, 2012 by admin

   Automakers unveil new models at Beijing show
   News from BusinessWeek:

   By JOE McDONALD

   • order a reprint
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   • BusinessWeek

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   INDYCAR: Shank Enters Jay Howard For Indy; Needs Engine
   News from SPEEDtv.com:

   INDYCAR: Shank Enters Jay Howard For Indy; Needs Engine

   Michael Shank Racing has filed its entry for the Indy 500 with Jay Howard and has all of its funding in place, but tells SPEED.com they still need an engine.

   He won America’s most prestigious 24-hour race as an underdog entrant less than three months ago, and now Michael Shank hopes to keep the underdog streak alive by achieving his life-long dream of fielding a car in America’s most famous auto racing event.

   As a product of the American open-wheel scene, Shank, a native of Ohio, transitioned from the cockpit to team ownership in the late 1990s, fielding F2000 and Atlantic teams before making the switch to sports cars in the GRAND-AM Rolex Series. Since establishing himself as one of the most respected team owners in the GRAND-AM, Shank has been on a quest to add a full-time program IndyCar program and is tantalizing close to…………… continues on SPEEDtv.com

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3. Automakers Give Disregarded Diesels A Second Look

   Posted on January 30th, 2012 by admin

   Automakers Give Disregarded Diesels A Second Look
   News from NPR:

   Martin Meissner/AP

   A visitor looks at a Citroen diesel engine at the Geneva Motor Show in Switzerland in 2010. Diesel is popular in Europe but not the U.S.; now, automakers are giving the technology more consideration as a means to meet new fuel economy standards.

   Automakers are working in many ways to meet new tough fuel economy standards — both national goals set by the Obama administration and state standards, like California’s new rules passed Friday requiring that 15 percent of new vehicles sold in the state must produce little or no air pollution by 2025.

   But carmakers aren’t just turning to new technologies like hybrid and NPR

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   Car Review: the 2012 Hyundai Genesis offers luxury, styling and comfort
   News from Washington Times:

   DALLAS, January 30, 2012 — While not a new car on the market this year, the 2012 Hyundai Genesis has made some changes, notably adding a 5.0-liter V8 to the options along with giving the existing V6 model more power and offering the eight-speed automatic transmission as the norm.

   The 2012 Hyundai Genesis equals luxury.

   Nice styling means this Hyundai is a looker, falling into the luxury sedan category with the likes of the Buick LaCrosse, Chrysler 300, Ford Taurus, and Toyoto Avalon coming in as competition.

   There are three trims available on the Hyundai Genesis and all are rear-wheel-drive in 3.8, 4.6, or the 5.0 R-spec trim levels.

   On the 3.8 trim there’s 17-inch wheels, automatic headlights, fog lights, heated mirrors, keyless ignition/entry, cruise control, dual-zone automatic climate control, an eight-way power driver seat, four-way powe…………… continues on Washington Times

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4. Detroit Three automakers stall out in coastal markets

   Posted on October 7th, 2011 by admin

   p>FORTUNE — When the 2011 model year came to a close at the end of September, the Detroit Three had much to congratulate itself for.

   Competing against their Japanese rivals (admittedly handicapped by an earthquake and tsunami), they made some nice gains. General Motors (GM, Fortune 500) and Chrysler notched some improvements in market share, Chrysler climbed back into fourth place in U.S. sales ahead of Honda, and the Chevrolet Cruze emerged as a top-seller in the hotly contested compact segment.

   One significant set of important customers , however, continues to elude the domestics and those are the ones on the East and West coasts. Despite years of trying, GM, Ford (F, Fortune 500), and Chrysler remain laggards in these markets, which are critical not only because of their size but also because of their influence.

   “Trends start on the coasts and in bigger city centers and filter themse …CNN
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5. Automakers aren’t out of the woods yet

   Posted on September 8th, 2011 by admin

   p>FORTUNE — Just when automakers appeared to be gaining some much-needed momentum, they hit another wall. Weak economic conditions have prompted analysts to lower their vehicles sales forecasts for this year and next. Now, the hangover of bankruptcy, recession and the Japanese earthquake in March appears far from over.

   If fears of weaker sales become reality, auto plants will produce fewer vehicles and employ fewer workers, while importers could cut shipments from Japan, Europe and South Korea. Consumers, meanwhile, will continue to try and save money in 2011 and 2012 by driving their old cars a little while longer. The seasonally-adjusted annual rate of vehicle sales fell to 12.1 million in August from a 12.2 million rate in July.

   An exception to the forecast could be the supply of cars from Japan, which was disrupted by the March 11 earthquake and resulting tsunami. Japanese factories are recovering from the disaster.

   In the U.S. “the jobs just aren’t there,” says George Magliano, senior auto economist for IHS Automotive. He’s not talking about a decimated Detroit, but the current overall U.S. unemployment rate, which hovers over 9%. “People would like to buy new cars, but they’re being pushed out of their homes. Economic weakness is leaching into their stock portfolios.”

   Magliano says the average age of a car on U.S. roads has risen above 10 years, the highest in …CNN
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6. Why can’t U.S. automakers build a good small car?

   Posted on April 1st, 2011 by admin

   span class=”captionname”>1974 AMC Gremlin By Alex Taylor III, senior editor at largeMarch 30, 2011: 11:53 AM ET

   FORTUNE — Small cars are the opening bet in becoming a truly global automaker — and the Detroit Three have been bluffing for 40 years. They have promised to deliver a superior product again and again, but have never succeeded.

   This year, they are trying a new way. General Motors (GM) is launching the Chevy Cruze and Sonic, Ford (F, Fortune 500) has come out with the Focus and Fiesta, and Chrysler will debut the Fiat 500. With gas prices going up and up, success is becoming more urgent.

   Already there are some disquieting signs. In its May issue, Car & Driver ranks the Cruze fourth out of five small cars tested and awarded the backhanded compliment that Chevrolet had made a competitive small car “just as the segment turns into a master class.” The Focus was judged the best of five cars tested, but it was developed at Ford of Europe, not in Dearborn.

   The Detroit Three’s frustration goes all …CNN
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7. Japanese automakers extend plant shutdowns

   Posted on March 17th, 2011 by admin

   div class=”txt timestamp” content=”2011-03-16T17:43:35″>updated 3/16/2011 1:43:35 PM ET 2011-03-16T17:43:35

   WASHINGTON — Japanese auto companies on Wednesday extended shutdowns of car-assembly plants affected by the country’s devastating earthquake and tsunami, but in a sign of progress, some parts factories in Japan plan to resume production later this week.

   Toyota Motor Corp., the world’s biggest automaker, said it will extend production halts at its car plants through March 22, affecting about 95,000 vehicles. The company halted production beginning March 14.

   But Toyota will resume production on Thursday at factories that make replacement parts for vehicles already on the road. And it will restart plants on March 21 that make parts for overseas factories.

   Japan is the world’s second-largest producer of automobiles after China, and is a top trade partner with the United States, which imported 1.2 million vehicles from Japan in 2009. The earthquake, tsunami and radiation from damaged nuclear power plants have raised concerns of falling supplies of high-mileage cars made only in Japan. Those models include the Honda Fit and Toyota Yaris and hybrids such as the Toyota Prius.

   Among other affected plants:

   • Nissan Motor Co …MSNBC

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