Michigan Radio: Tracy Samilton

EPA's Push For More Ethanol Could Be Too Little, Too Late

Michigan Radio: Tracy Samilton — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 07:23:00 +0000

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency could soon issue a final ruling that aims to force oil companies to replace E10, gasoline mixed with 10 percent ethanol, with E15.

This move could come just as widespread support for ethanol, which is made from corn, appears to be eroding.

Mike Mitchell was once a true believer in ethanol as a homegrown solution to foreign oil imports.

Profit-Sharing Checks Replace Autoworkers Raises

Michigan Radio: Tracy Samilton — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 10:33:00 +0000

Transcript

STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:

The Ford Motor Company also announced its earnings yesterday, saying it had a pre-tax profit of $8 billion for 2012. And that gives union employees a reason to celebrate. They will each get a profit sharing check of $8,300 - a record high amount.

There's also some good news coming for General Motors workers, as Michigan Radio's Tracy Samilton reports.

TRACY SAMILTON, BYLINE: GM hasn't announced earnings yet, but the company was roughly as profitable as Ford in the first nine months last year.

Toyota Regains No. 1 Sales Position

Michigan Radio: Tracy Samilton — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 09:22:00 +0000

After careening from back-to-back crises — recalls and the tsunami — Toyota is No. 1 in worldwide sales again. Toyota says it sold at least 9.7 million vehicles in 2012. General Motors reports it sold 9.3 million. Both companies say it doesn't really matter which one is in the top spot.

Ford To Try Bringing Luxury Back To Lincoln

Michigan Radio: Tracy Samilton — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 21:31:00 +0000

Ford Motor Company is changing the name of it Lincoln brand to the Lincoln Motor Company. Ford is also planning to sell the hybrid version of their flagship sedan, the new MKZ, for the same price as the gasoline version.

GM Quarterly Earnings Exceed Expectations

Michigan Radio: Tracy Samilton — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 09:10:00 +0000

Even facing economic headwinds in Europe and South America, GM's quarterly earnings came in well above analysts' estimates, and its stock soared.

Study To Test 'Talking' Cars That Would Warn Drivers Of Unseen Dangers

Michigan Radio: Tracy Samilton — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 21:50:00 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j676bIqL4-8

States Ask Detroit: 'Build Us A Natural Gas Car, Please'

Michigan Radio: Tracy Samilton — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 08:57:00 +0000

More than 20 state governors are taking an unusual step to boost the natural gas vehicle industry. Independent of the federal government, they're asking Detroit carmakers to build them a new kind of car: a midsize sedan that runs on compressed natural gas instead of gasoline.

The governors are hoping to boost demand for natural gas cars with their collective buying power.

Ford's Little Engine That Could Challenge Hybrids

Michigan Radio: Tracy Samilton — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 21:47:00 +0000

Ford Motor Co. intends to prove that good things come in small packages — really small packages. The company has taken engine downsizing to a new level with its new three-cylinder EcoBoost engine, which has been introduced in Europe and is set to hit the U.S. market next year.

The EcoBoost offers more power than many conventional four-cylinder engines, with fuel economy numbers a hybrid could envy.

GM Retirees Face Friday Pension Deadline

Michigan Radio: Tracy Samilton — Fri, 20 Jul 2012 08:39:00 +0000

Transcript

STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:

You've got to escape from your Escape.

Now, today is an important day for more than 40,000 salaried retirees of General Motors. They're facing a major financial decision.

New Schedules Push Graveyard Shift Off The Clock

Michigan Radio: Tracy Samilton — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 21:39:00 +0000

As car companies struggle to meet growing demand, the third shift is making a comeback. But many factories running on three shifts are doing it differently from in the past. And that new "three crew" shift pattern could make what's normally a hard job even harder.

At Ford's Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, employees work 10-hour shifts four days a week. The so-called A crew gets days, while the B crew gets afternoons. But the C crew shift rotates its start time every week. On Fridays and Saturdays, workers start at 6:00 a.m.