Hyundai And KIA Settle With U.S. Regulators
South Korean based Hyundai and Kia were fined $100 million by U.S. regulators for violating the Clean Air Act. The automakers were accused of over exaggerating the fuel efficiency of 1.2 million vehicles. Michelle Krebs, Director of Automotive Relations for AutoTrader Group shared her views with Benzinga. “What I think is clear is the Congress is putting pressure on federal agencies to do their jobs in terms of protecting consumers, from misinformation regarding fuel economy to fixing cars that have deadly flaws,” Krebs said. “The agencies are clamping down on automakers. I'd expect to see more of that in the future.”Twitter Invaluable Towards Cars Sales, Experts Disagree
MarketShare, a marketing analytics company studied the impact Twitter Inc TWTR had on auto sales for more than 20 volume midsize and luxury compact cars. The analysts Benzinga spoke with expressed mixed views on the importance of Twitter in generating car sales. Michelle Krebs told Benzinga that based on surveys conducted by AutoTrader, car buyers, including millennials, do not use social media to buy cars. Social media is a way for automakers and dealers to build relationships and not serve as a “selling tool” with owners and potential buyer.Volkswagen, Mercedes Shun Google; General Motors Embraces Android
Volkswagen Group and Mercedes-Benz are leading a charge to convince automakers to establish separate platforms for data on vehicle and not to embrace Google Inc's GOOGGOOGL systems. The German manufacturers argued that they will be handing over sensitive data to Google. “We seek connection to Google's data systems but we still want to be the masters of our own cars,” Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn said. Meanwhile, General Motors Company GM is gearing up to roll out Android enabled cars as soon as 2016, according to Harman International, the firm General Motors tapped to create a next-generation “infotainment system.” Bill Visnic, senior analyst at Edmunds told Benzinga it “makes perfect sense” for automakers to turn to established infotainment developers. By doing so, manufacturers like General Motors are able to utilize Google's expertise and experience. At the same time it should help facilitate cross-platform integration for consumer devices and data.General Motors Could Face $2 Billion Charge If Shield Crumbles
General Motors could face a $2 billion charge if it were to lose a lawsuit over the company's responsibility for vehicles it built and sold before its July 2009 bankruptcy. General Motors argues that a bankruptcy shields the “New General Motors” from the pre-2009 “Old General Motors.” Nevertheless, General Motors has already set aside $600 million to compensate people who were injured or lost someone affected by its cars.“If GM's executives truly weren't aware of the ignition switch problem during bankruptcy then the shield it provides will legally hold up,” Brauer told Benzinga. “These ignition switches have caused injuries and fatalities, but GM's executive team has been very proactive and cooperative since discovering issue.” “Let's not forget GM was in a dire financial situation not that long ago,” Brauer added. “The company has largely recovered and is making money, but we shouldn't assume GM sits on a bottomless pit of money. A reasonable compensation package for impacted car owners is what GM should offer, and they have.”
© 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Comments
Trade confidently with insights and alerts from analyst ratings, free reports and breaking news that affects the stocks you care about.