News Opinion (Page 108)

Many look to electric cars not for ecological reasons, but because of greater efficiency, they're cheaper to drive.

It was recently announced that Saab, the venerable Swedish automaker, filed for bankruptcy protection. Saab did not need to do this though, as it had a chance with two Chinese firms to pull itself out from the dire financial situation it found itself in. However, General Motors (GM), blocked the deal. This begs the question... why can't Saab get a bailout?

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.

Recently the Chevy Volt, General Motor's (GM) venerable electric-hybrid car, turned one-year old. This marks an important occasion for GM that they have been able to sell and bring to market this electric-hybrid car. The real question for GM, what's next?

In keeping with the themes of the season, the truth has to be told. GM is the Scrooge that has successfully put Saab into bankruptcy by refusing to let the company be sold to Chinese investors.

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.

With the exception of the parallel-powered hybrids and the dual-mode Chevy Volt, the auto industry has hampered its own gains in engine efficiency for decades. Reason: Intentional limits placed on its own thinking about what should constitute the internal combustion engine (ICE).