Technology: Simply Amazing! (The Promises, Not the Gas Savings) August 6, 2006
Claims of astounding mileage gains have increased as gizmos promising gas savings have proliferated, draining the pockets of gullible drivers seeking relief from high gas prices. THE federal Environmental Protection Agency maintains a full laboratory where it will gladly test a miraculous fuel-saving device for $30,000. But so far, the biggest customer of the lab has been the Federal Trade Commission, which uses it to debunk false advertising claims. Such claims of astounding mileage gains have increased as gizmos promising gas savings ? some newly hatched and others a fresh twist on old themes ? have proliferated, draining the pockets …
People: America?s Elder Statesman of Speed
An exhibit that opened last month at the Saratoga Automobile Museum, ?John Fitch: An American Racing Hero,? pays tribute to this long, diverse career. AUTO racing may not offer the equivalent of a golfer shooting his age, but John Fitch, who turned 89 last week, plans something like it in October. That is when he hopes to break a speed record at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, a feat that will require a speed almost twice his age. If he sets a new record for the class, it will be just another mark in a lifetime of automotive achievements …
Behind the Wheel: 2007 Mercedes-Benz GL450: A Magic Bus Among the Mastodons
Rather than being a knockoff, the GL450 is actually quite the trendsetter and among the quickest, creamiest-driving big trucks this reviewer ever tested. NOTHING against Mercedes-Benz, but I found myself reluctant to drive the company?s big new sport utility vehicle, the GL450. Aside from the environmental bull?s-eye on their back, big S.U.V.?s usually reside at the bottom of my personal list of thrill rides, and I?d already spent several weeks waving from a procession of S.U.V. parade floats: the Audi Q7, the Cadillac Escalade and three varieties of Range Rover. Ask anyone what the world needs now, and one of …
Automaker Reaches Settlement in Sexual Harassment Suit August 5, 2006
Toyota said it had reached a settlement in a sexual harassment lawsuit filed against a former top executive by another employee. DETROIT, Aug. 4 ? Toyota said on Friday that it had reached a settlement in an embarrassing sexual harassment lawsuit filed against a former top executive by another employee. Both have since left the automaker.The suit was filed in May by Sayaka Kobayashi, who sought nearly $200 million in damages.Ms. Kobayashi had worked as an assistant to Hideaki Otaka, who served until May as president and chief executive of Toyota Motor North America, which oversees the company?s manufacturing …
Fuel-Efficient Cars Help Toyota to Strong Profits August 4, 2006
Toyota passed Ford Motor Company in July sales to rank as the second-biggest automaker behind General Motors. TOKYO, Aug. 4 ? Toyota Motor Company said its income jumped 39.2 percent to $3.2 billion during the second quarter, boosted by strong sales of fuel-efficient vehicles in the United States, where it passed Ford Motor Company in July sales to rank as the second-biggest automaker behind General Motors.Toyota, which already ranks as No. 2 in the world, appears on pace to pass G.M. as the world?s biggest auto company, perhaps as soon as this year.Toyota, which earned $2.3 billion in last year?s …
G.M. Hopes a Line of Pickups Will Lead Back to Prosperity August 3, 2006
G.M. said its 2007 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra trucks would begin arriving at dealerships in October, 13 weeks ahead of schedule. MILFORD, Mich., Aug. 2 ? Even as surging gasoline prices deflate sales of trucks and sport utility vehicles, General Motors is rushing a new line of full-size pickups to showrooms in the hopes of strengthening its turnaround effort.G.M. introduced its 2007 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra at its testing facility here on Wednesday and said the trucks would begin arriving at dealerships in October, 13 weeks ahead of the original schedule. G.M.?s chief executive, Rick Wagoner, called the …
G.M. Restates Loss and Sees Possible Delay in Deal for Finance Arm August 2, 2006
The General Motors Corporation increased its second-quarter loss by $200 million on Tuesday, the third time the company has adjusted results after announcing them. DETROIT, Aug. 1 ? The General Motors Corporation said Tuesday that its deal to sell a controlling interest in its financing subsidiary could be delayed until next year and said it had increased its second-quarter loss by $200 million.The restatement is the third time this year that G.M. has adjusted its results after announcing them. Further, G.M. said it might make further adjustments until it closes its agreement to sell a stake in its finance arm, …
Market Place: Japan Makes More Cars Elsewhere August 1, 2006
Hitting a milestone, Japanese carmakers produced more vehicles abroad than at home for the first time last fiscal year. TOKYO, July 31 ? Hitting a milestone, Japanese carmakers produced more vehicles abroad than at home for the first time last fiscal year, an industry group announced Monday. The 12 car and truck makers in Japan, which include Toyota, Honda and Nissan, built 10.93 million vehicles at their overseas factories in the year ended March 31, according to a report by the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association. That compares with 10.89 million vehicles that they produced in Japan, the group said.The …
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