Auto Sector Stocks (Page 79)

It was mid-December when I wrote the potential for a breakout to the upside held a high degree of probability. With today’s trading, the technical breakout has now occurred for Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F).

With press review days a week away, rumors and auto web reports say the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit will have a heavy focus on smaller cars. Question is, will the public be convinced to buy them?

Despite the well-known adage that investors hate uncertainty, those same investors will still play under the shadows of that phenomena in 2012. Question is: How might auto stock investors perform any better amidst the uncertainties in 2012?

With Friday being the last trading day of 2011, it’s time to look at the weekly chart of the Auto Sector Stocks for the year to see if there are any investing insights, opportunities and strategies for 2012, especially for January when the 2012 NAIAS takes place in Detroit.

Officials from the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), with Bellingham, Wash. Mayor Dan Pike, joined local business leaders as they celebrated the ground breaking of the state’s first AeroVironment DC fast charger and its segment of the West Coast Electric Highway.

Wall Street Journal and other sources in China reported today on the country’s change in rare-earth export quotas. However, there really doesn’t seem to be much change, especially the Chinese rationale behind the quotas.

As the second part of a new, end-of-year recognition awards, and hopefully the start of a TorqueNews tradition under the automotive technology category, the Best of the Best Advanced Automotive Technology 2011 goes to the Electric Supercharger of Controlled Power Technologies, which was recently acquired by Valeo.

As part of a new end-of -year recognition, and hopefully the start of a TorqueNews tradition, two recognition awards will be given under the automotive technology category based on a set of criteria. The first is the Best of the Best Production Automotive Technology 2011 which goes to the Buick eAssist.

Who knew that OnStar would one day help recover a GM competitor’s stolen vehicle? That’s precisely what happened to an owner of a Chrysler 300 in Oregon who purchased the new retail product called OnStar FMV.

Just a few weeks ago we reported at TorqueNews on engineers from General Motors Company (NYSE: GM) doubling the life of brake rotors with metal treatment process used to treat power train parts. Well, a new design is now being developed by GM engineers in the form of an insert that practically eliminates unwanted brake squeal.

Most buyers of electric cars such as the Chevy Volt are already shopping in the market segment whereby they can afford the vehicle without subsidies. So, why are they still getting them?

Toyota stock traded barely up today; meaning the stock didn’t even react much to Moody’s downgrade of Toyota’s US financial arm, Toyota Motor Credit Corporation (TMCC) either. However, news of improvement in 2012 profits was balanced by news of a Yen appreciation effect.

Judi has received multiple calls from GM and now a survey from J.D. Power and Associates to provide feedback on her recent purchase of her 2012 Chevy Cruze. Question is: Why doesn’t GM understand its own success here, when all they have to do is recall what Henry Ford did? Modifying a famous political line, it’s the “personal” economy, stupid!

GM may be avoiding public perception at its own peril once again. After all, GM and its CEO, Dan Akerson, may have the grand desire and the ability to build 60,000 Chevy Volts in 2012, but the more fundamental question is: Can GM sell all 60,000 Volts in 2012 at its present price?

Regardless of which sectors rise or fall, the name of the investing game is to make money. So, here is a list of 7 ideas for your 2012 Auto Sector and Investor resolution list.

Cyclone Power Technologies Inc. (OTCQB: CYPW), developer of the all-fuel, clean-tech Cyclone Engine, announced today that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire the assets and business of Advent Power Systems, Inc., Cyclone's exclusive military licensee since 2006.

The second phase of the General Motors Company (NYSE: GM) China Advanced Technical Center (ATC), the most comprehensive advanced automotive technology development center in China, is on track to open in the second half of 2012.

OnStar and Cadillac are showcasing their latest technologies at the 2012 International Consumer Electronics Show (2012 CES) from Jan. 10-13 in Las Vegas.

G-Oil, America’s first and only API and USDA certified bio-based full synthetic motor oil, announced that it will sponsor driver Tayler Malsam and the TriStar Motorsports Toyota Camry team for the 2012 NASCAR Nationwide Series.

Touting 2011 as the Year of the Electric Vehicle and that the EV is here to stay, the Copper Development Association (CDA) also reports that special thanks must go to the metal, copper, as a mighty contributor to the innovative technology that supports electric vehicles – from charging stations to power electronics and batteries.

Pike Research has prepared a white paper that makes ten predictions about the continuing evolution of the market in 2012 and beyond.

It does not come up all the time or on every stock, but when a converging wedge pattern appears on a stock chart, astute traders take notice; and such is the case with the stock for Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F).

Trade friction may be the political rhetoric of choice, but traders worldwide know China’s retaliation is also a major shot over the U.S. economic bow; and, this time, the US auto industry is affected.

Imagine doubling the life of brake rotors. Not only does the new metal-treatment process save consumers hundreds of dollars, but it saves GM on warranty costs, a key line item on the corporate balance sheet.

Think no cell phone calls in or out, no texting, no updating, if the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has its way.

GE Energy (NYSE: GE) has reached an agreement with Amazon.com (Nasdaq: AMZN) to sell its award-winning GE WattStation(TM) Wall Mount electric vehicle (EV) charger directly to U.S. consumers through the online retailer’s popular website.

Since his presentation at the DRI Strictly Automotive Seminar, Fred Fresard, a partner in law firm Dykema’s automotive practice, spoke on the phone with TorqueNews regarding the post-test, single Chevy Volt fire as the result of a NHTSA crash test, and the how plaintiffs are getting in line over energy storage systems for EVs and HEVs.

Ford has announced they will begin to payout a quarterly stock dividend again. This comes after a 5 year hiatus in dividend payouts by Ford.

Despite a short-squeeze breakout to the upside that started in early October, Tesla Motors (Nasdaq: TSLA) stock reacted negatively this past week to more than just news about a downgrade by Morgan Stanley.

Auto sector stock companies take note: No matter a firm's innovation strategy, Booz & Company reports that culture is key to innovation success, and its impact on performance is measurable.