Archive for January, 2010
Ford Earns $2.7 Billion Profit for ’09
Posted on 28. Jan, 2010 by admin.
Coming off the brink of disaster for the auto industry, Ford says it earned a profit of $2.7 billion in 2009, its first full-year profit since 2005.
This came after a fourth-quarter earnings report of $868 million, Ford’s third consecutive quarterly profit. Surprising shareholders, the media and many analysts, the situation is a far cry from 2008, when Ford was $14.6 billion in the red.
How much of that success was propped up by government programs like Cash for Clunkers will remain debatable, but Ford has already said it expects to turn a similar profit in 2010, beating its goal to return to profitability by 2011. With the economy slowly on the mend, Ford could take advantage of its decision not to take Treasury money and cash in on the halo around its brand.
What this profit means for workers is a restored profit-sharing agreement with the United Auto Workers. Each of its 43,000 eligible hourly workers will receive $450, and salary workers will reap the benefits of restored merit pay increases and 401(k) matches that were halted during the automaker’s down years.
Ford Posts $2.7B Profit for 2009; Restores Profit Sharing with UAW (Detroit News)
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Spied! Next-Generation Global Chevrolet Colorado
Posted on 28. Jan, 2010 by admin.
Photos by Brian Williams for Brenda Priddy & Company
We've officially heard from Ford that it's uncertain if the company's upcoming global “T6″ Ranger small truck will be available in North America after production of the U.S.-built Ranger ends in 2011. Now, the same pattern appears to be playing itself out for the Ranger's rival, the Chevrolet Colorado.
We've just received photos of a next-generation global Chevrolet Colorado mule out for a chilly test drive. Though it looks almost identical to the current Colorado that's built in Shreveport, La., there are a few notable differences we can see in the undisguised front end. The tester's upper headlight profile is shorter than the U.S.-built Colorado's, and it also has a new front bumper.
2010 Chevrolet Colorado built in Shreveport, La. in a GM stock photo
And although you can't see it in the pictures, the test truck was powered by a diesel engine, something that's neither available nor planned for the U.S. Colorado. This truck actually has more in common with the overseas-sold Isuzu D-Max diesel mule that was caught testing in the U.S. last winter, including identical wheels.
The current-generation Colorado and D-Max were engineered by GM and Isuzu on a common platform. It's likely the next-gen global Colorado will be a variation off of it.
Our sources say not to get our hopes up for a successor to the Colorado in the U.S. Last year, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal said it was GM's plan to end production at the Shreveport plant (where the Hummer H3 and H3T are also produced) by 2012. GM, however, doesn’t plan to shutter its Chevy Colorado production facility in Thailand. The company recently received $445 million in loans to expand the plant for the next-gen Colorado and to produce its diesel engines there.
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Two Toyota Recalls Explained
Posted on 28. Jan, 2010 by admin.
After last night’s news that Toyota is adding another 1.1 million vehicles to an October 2009 recall involving floormats getting stuck under accelerators, we think it's a good time to explain the two recalls and the vehicles included in each one. In all, 13 models are included in both recalls, totaling nearly 6 million cars, and 1.7 million of those are involved in both recalls.
Last week, Toyota announced a recall of 2.3 million vehicles because of a faulty accelerator pedal that could become stuck and lead to unintended acceleration. This recall is for a completely separate issue than the floormat-related recall. However, both lead to the same end result — unintended acceleration. The vehicles in the accelerator pedal recall include:
- 2009-10 RAV4
- 2009-10 Corolla
- 2009-10 Matrix
- 2005-10 Avalon
- Certain 2007-10 Camry models
- 2010 Highlander
- 2007-10 Tundra
- 2008-10 Sequoia
- 2009-10 Pontiac Vibe
According to CTS Automotive Products, the supplier of the faulty part, there have been no accidents or injuries due to the faulty pedal. No Camry Hybrid models are included in this recall, and some of the model year Camrys actually have a different pedal installed than the one affected by the recall; only a qualified technician will be able to tell the difference between the two pedals. All sales of these recalled models have been halted. New parts are on their way to assembly plants, but there has been no word on a fix for current owners.
The earlier floormat recall was announced after a fatal accident involving a Lexus sedan. This is a wider ranging recall involving more models and brands, including Lexus; it was just expanded by 1.1 million vehicles to 5.9 million vehicles. The vehicles in the floormat recall include:
- 2007-10 Camry
- 2005-10 Avalon
- 2004-09 Prius
- 2005-10 Tacoma
- 2007-10 Tundra
- 2008-10 Highlander
- 2009-10 Corolla
- 2009-10 Venza
- 2009-10 Matrix
- 2009-10 Pontiac Vibe
- 2007-10 Lexus ES 350
- 2006-10 Lexus IS 250 and IS 350
A series of steps have been developed to fix the problem involving the floormats, including shortening the gas pedal. In some cars, a brake-override system will be installed to allow drivers of runaway vehicles to stop the car.
You can follow all of our coverage of the recall by using this link.
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Reader Review of the Week: 2010 Honda Ridgeline
Posted on 28. Jan, 2010 by admin.
In one comma-crammed sentence, “Ridgeline Driver” from Springfield, Va., describes the elements that make his 2010 Honda Ridgeline an excellent vehicle. Read on after the jump to find out what excites him about the Ridgeline and what the one drawback is. Then, be sure to visit our reader review page to post your own here.
“My 2010 Honda Ridgeline has everything I could imagine in a vehicle. It fits my four-person family, my kids (teenagers) think it’s cool, it has great handling, great cargo capacity, it’s fun to drive, has plenty of compartments, a great stereo, killer A/C, power back windows that produce a wonderful draft when the sunroof is open and so much more.
“I can’t say enough about how well it drives and the cargo capacity. That trunk and fold-up back seats are ingenious.
“As I’ve told many people, the only flaw in the whole vehicle is the gas mileage (15 or 16 city and 19 highway).”
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Toyota Says Accelerator Fix Underway
Posted on 27. Jan, 2010 by admin.
At 7:19 p.m. Wednesday, Toyota announced that the supplier of the faulty accelerator pedals involved in the recall of 2.3 million vehicles has revised its design for future vehicles. That means vehicles built at Toyota assembly plants in the future will presumably not have the same issue with pedals getting stuck. A timeframe on when these new vehicles will be on dealer lots was not announced.
Toyota also says that it and the supplier are still working on a fix that can address the current cars in owners’ hands.
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Toyota Expands Floormat Recall: 1.1 Million More Vehicles
Posted on 27. Jan, 2010 by admin.
After business hours on Wednesday and shortly before the State of the Union address, Toyota alerted select media outlets that it would be expanding its October recall due to floormat entrapment by another 1.1 million vehicles, bringing that recall's total to nearly five million vehicles. The new vehicles included in this recall expansion include:
- 2008-2010 Highlander
- 2009-2010 Corolla
- 2009-2010 Venza
- 2009-2010 Matrix
- 2009-2010 Pontiac Vibe
Some of these vehicles are also included in the more recent recall of 2.3 million vehicles due to a faulty accelerator pedal.
We’re expecting more from the NHTSA on this latest development but the Detroit News is reporting that Toyota will repair or replace the pedals, replace floormats and in some cases will make software modifications and reshape the actual floor of the vehicles.
These solutions seem radical for a floormat recall and we will follow up with Toyota on when these fixes will be made.
While there is no specific mention of it, we suggest owners of these vehicles remove their floormats immediately until more information is known.
Toyota to recall another 1.1M vehicles (Detroit News)
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Why You’re Going to Need a Pickup Truck to Save the Whales
Posted on 27. Jan, 2010 by admin.
Bridgestone is gearing up to advertise its tires during the Super Bowl. A sneak preview of one of its TV spots shows why you'll never save the whales driving a hybrid car. You'll need a pickup truck for that job.
The commercial is called “Whale of a Tale” and it features “Three young men … on an adrenaline-packed drive toward the coast. Nothing too unusual about it, unless you consider having a live killer whale as the fourth passenger unusual.”
The three guys and a cetacean are riding in 2002-06 Cadillac Escalade EXT. We always knew its Midgate would come in handy some day!
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GM Capitalizes on Toyota Recall with Incentives
Posted on 27. Jan, 2010 by admin.
GM announced today it will offer interest-free loans and other incentives. In and of itself, this is no big deal, but GM is making the offer exclusively to Toyota owners who may now want to get rid of their vehicles because of the recall involving faulty gas pedals.
The Detroit automaker is responding to thousands of inquiries from Toyota owners, said Steve Hill, GM general manager of retail sales.
The incentives include zero percent financing for 60 months on most models and $1,000 to Toyota owners toward a down payment on a GM vehicle. It will also throw in $1,000 to help pay off the lease on that Toyota. It is unclear if this is on top of current incentives.
GM says the offer will run through the end of February.
GM Offers Incentives to Lure Fearful Toyota Owners (ABC News)
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What to Do If Your Toyota Accelerates Unintentionally
Posted on 27. Jan, 2010 by admin.
We know there’s a lot of news circulating about the Toyota recall, so we just wanted to make sure you know what to do if you experience unintended acceleration. In that situation, Toyota recommends the following:
- If you need to stop immediately, the vehicle can be controlled by stepping on the brake pedal with both feet using firm and steady pressure. Do not pump the brake pedal, as it will deplete the vacuum utilized for the power brake assist.
- Shift the transmission gear selector to the Neutral (N) position and use the brakes to make a controlled stop at the side of the road and turn off the engine.
- If unable to put the vehicle in Neutral, turn the engine OFF. This will not cause loss of steering or braking control, but the power assist to these systems will be lost.
- If the vehicle is equipped with an Engine Start/Stop button, firmly and steadily push the button for at least three seconds to turn off the engine. Do NOT tap the Engine Start/Stop button.
- If the vehicle is equipped with a conventional key ignition, turn the ignition key to the ACC position to turn off the engine. Do NOT remove the key from the ignition, as this will lock the steering wheel.
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Not All Toyota Camrys Affected by Recall
Posted on 27. Jan, 2010 by admin.
In yet another confusing turn in Toyota’s most recent recall, not every gasoline-powered 2007-10 Camry is affected by the recall of 2.3 million Toyotas. Camrys are built on multiple assembly lines and plants, and the faulty part was not used on all of them. The only line that did not receive the part is the Camry Hybrid line in Georgetown, Ky., plant, according to Toyota.
Other Camrys, which were built side by side at that same Kentucky factory, were made with either a faulty or unaffected part. That is making it hard for Toyota to tell us an easy way for owners and perspective buyers to inspect a Camry for the faulty part. There’s no set of vehicle identification numbers to look for at this time, and the point of assembly also will not clarify which models are which.
Unlike what we’ve read in other published reports, Toyota spokesman John Hanson says the average owner won’t likely be able to tell the difference between the parts. However, a trained technician would be able to tell, and a dealer is allowed legally to sell those inspected Camrys to buyers.
We’re unsure if anyone has attempted to buy a new Camry since the recall, but do not be quick to say a dealer is doing something wrong if he’s selling a Camry. We’d caution any buyer to do their due diligence if they’re contemplating a new or used Camry purchase.
