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26 Jan 2012 23:41

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U.S.: California’s new “Clean Car” regulations: Necessary or too costly?

  • We can’t afford to wait. We have to act on these issues now. Our projections show continued growth in population and vehicle miles traveled, which will affect air quality for years to come.
  • Mary Nichols, the chairman of the California Air Resources Board • Discussing why new ‘Clean Car’ regulations are necessary. California’s new bill, which would require vehicles to cut down on pollutants by 75 percent, would start in 2015, and the rules would tighten further by 2025. This could be a step in the right direction for such a smog-ridden state, but opponents say that it would hurt consumers and car manufacturers, claiming it raises the price of a new vehicle by $3,200. The new standards could inspire other states to follow suit. source

09 Jan 2012 11:18

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Biz: Auto industry recovery: Detroit Auto Show reflects a reversal of fortunes

  • 4-9% expected increase in U.S. auto sales in 2012 source
  • » Pulling out the big guns: This week’s Detroit Auto Show is a giant coming-out party for an auto industry that was struggling to keep the engine running just a couple of years ago. But, while those times are certainly not gone entirely, they’ve certainly improved in recent years, which reflects in the boldness of this year’s models. In fact Chrysler, the weakest of the the three auto companies, is actually looking like a bright spot for Fiat, whose Chief Executive, Sergio Marchionne, invested in the company at its weakest point. “He entered Chrysler at rock bottom and will now capitalize on a U.S. recovery — the timing was perfect,” said automotive analyst Philippe Barrier. But maybe you’re like us and you don’t care about the specifics of the recovery and just want to see cool new cars. Well, the Detroit Free Press has you covered.

21 Jan 2010 23:32

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Biz: Toyota decides to recall even more cars, just for the heck of it

  • 2.3 million cars on top of the 4.2 million already recalled source

05 Aug 2009 10:31

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Biz, U.S.: Obama’s looking to build incentive for electric cars in the rust belt

  • $2.4 billion amount of money Obama plans to grant to various companies to push electric vehicle manufacturing
  • eleven grants to make electric vehicles are going to recession-stricken Michigan; seven more are going to Indiana source

10 Jul 2009 17:37

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Biz, Tech: GM takes a cue from Beanie Babies, plans to hawk stuff on eBay

OK, we kid, we kid, it is a viable business plan, but it is, pardon our pun, kind of a left turn for the company. source

06 May 2009 10:55

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Biz: Ford invests lots of money into its long-term future

  • $550 million in plant upgrades to improve its Focus source

22 Apr 2009 22:22

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Biz, U.S.: GM: What’s a good way to clear car inventory? Stop making cars.

  • 15 car plants will shut down for nine weeks later this summer. Wow, that just sucks. o_O
  • 72% of pay will go to furloughed union employees with sudden unwanted vacations source
 

18 Feb 2009 10:11

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Biz: But what does this mean for Hummer stretch limos?

Hummer is one of three GM brands on the chopping block. Wanna buy it? It’s going cheap. source

03 Feb 2009 22:57

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Biz: Auto sales sucked in January, and then some

  • -37% decline in sales from January 2008. Oof. source