Raybestos and Joe Gibbs Racing Announce New Partnership
Raybestos Chassis named Official Chassis of Joe Gibbs Racing; JGR team to run Raybestos calipers, rotors and pads in ’09 NASCAR competition.
Automotive Industry Awaits Word on Auto Loans from Bush Administration; Association Leaders React to the News
The White House said no decision will be made today, but action will be taken soon.
Automakers Introduce ‘EcoDriving’ National Fuel Use/CO2 Reduction Program
The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, a trade association comprised of car and light truck manufacturers including BMW Group, Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi Motors, Porsche, Toyota and Volkswagen, have launched a nationwide effort to save consumers money at the gas pump, reduce fuel use and cut carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. The initiative, called EcoDriving, is also being supported by the Environmental Defense Fund. By following a set of what the Alliance calls “subtle and easy-to-use” best practices for driving and vehicle maintenance, a typical EcoDriver can improve mileage by about 15 percent.
Major Automakers Top Fortune’s Global 500 List
General Motors managed to squeeze into the top 10 companies listed on Fortune magazine’s Global 500 list – the magazine’s annual ranking of the world’s largest corporations. While GM, listed at No. 9, ranked higher than Daimler (No. 11) and Ford (No. 13), it was still trumped by Toyota Motor Co. (No. 5), one of several foreign automakers that has seen a spike in sales the past few years as consumer interest in more fuel-efficient, ‘eco-friendly’ vehicles grows.
Herman Trend Alert: Thriving in Economic Crisis
Some enterprises are thriving through this period of economic crisis. First, the sales of fuel efficient, mostly small cars are booming. Toyota dealerships have only 15-days inventory of Corollas on their lots. In May, Honda’s modest Civic became the No. 1 selling car in the United States. Logistics alternatives to diesel-consuming trucks that are more efficient at moving goods, like railroads, are also doing well.
DENSO Announces Senior Management Changes
KARIYA, Japan — DENSO Corp. has announced several management changes, voted upon yesterday at the company’s shareholders meeting. The following changes were effective as of June 25. New Directors appointed to the Board: Koichi Fukaya, Vice Chairman (from President and CEO) Nobuaki Katoh, President and CEO (from Senior Managing Director) Hiromi Tokuda, Executive Vice President
Alldatadiy.com Adds 2007 Makes and Models
Alldatadiy.com has added new OEM information for several 2007 makes and models to its Web site. This new information includes 2007 models from Toyota, Isuzu, Subaru, Hummer, Scion, Honda, Saturn, GMC, Pontiac, Chevy, Mitsubishi, Cadillac, Lexus and Buick. "The information found on Alldatadiy.com is the same information that professional repair shops use on a daily
DENSO Announces Changes to Board of Directors and Managing Officers
KARIYA, Japan – DENSO Corp. has announced changes to its board of directors and managing officers, which will take place after its annual shareholders meeting on June 25. New Directors appointed to the Board: Koichi Fukaya, Vice Chairman (from President and CEO) Nobuaki Katoh, President and CEO (from Senior Managing Director) Hiromi Tokuda, Executive Vice
Hybrid Registrations Continue to Rise, According to Polk
Nationwide registrations for new hybrid vehicles rose to 350,289 in 2007 — a 38 percent increase from 2006, according to R. L. Polk & Co. The Toyota Prius continued to lead the segment with 179,178 total new registrations – 51.2 percent of hybrid market share. "Auto buyers are benefiting from new hybrid launches and fleecing of old models that didn’t work. There is a lot of excitement being generated within the industry as manufacturers adjust plans to adapt to consumer demand," said Lonnie Miller, director of Industry Analysis at Polk.
GM, Ford Cited for Quality Gains, But Asian Brands Prevail
Foreign automakers dominate the market for reliability and design in the eyes of Consumer Reports, while a Detroit model cracked the magazine’s top picks for the first time since 2005. The influential magazine applauded Ford Motor Co. and General Motors Corp. in its annual automotive report on Thursday for making improvements. The lone Detroit model to win a category was the Chevrolet Silverado in pickups. The reviewers cited Ford for improving quality, and praised some of GM’s newer models, such as its midsize sedans. But the highest honors were still dominated by Asian brands.