Posts tagged ‘cars’
New Government Report: Motor Vehicle Supply Chain
Motor Vehicle Supply Chain: Effects of the Japanese Earthquake and Tsunami
by Bill Canis
Paperback, 16 pages, 2011, $15.00
ISBN: 1437987188
The March 2011 Great Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami devastated the northeast coast of Japan. The resulting destruction of several nuclear reactors in the region cut off electricity for homes and industry. Manufacturing facilities which are integral to the global motor vehicle supply chain were also affected. Some of these factories that were forced to close provided parts and chemicals not easily available elsewhere. Contents of this report: Introduction; Overview of the Motor Vehicle Industry; The U.S. Motor Vehicle Supply Chain; High Technology Components Change Manufacturing Dynamics; Events in Japan Affect U.S. Motor Vehicle Manufacturing and Retailing; What is the Near-Term Impact in the U.S.?
Purchase this print-on-demand publication for $15.00:
New Government Report: Alternative Fuels and Advanced Technology Vehicles
Alternative Fuels and Advanced Technology Vehicles: Issues in Congress
by Brent D. Yacobucci
Paperback, 20 pages, 2010, $20.00
ISBN: 9781437941234
“Alternative fuels and advanced technology vehicles are seen as integral to improving urban air quality, decreasing dependence on foreign oil, and reducing emissions of greenhouse gases. However, major barriers — especially economics — prevent the widespread use of these fuels and technologies.
Contents of this report: (1) Introduction; (2) Background and Analysis: Fuel Tax Incentives; Ethanol and MTBE; The Renewable Fuel Standard; Ethanol “Blend Wall”; Cellulosic Biofuels; Ethanol Imports; Vehicle Purchase Requirements, and Tax Incentives; Biodiesel and Renewable Diesel; Hydrogen and Fuel Cells; Hybrid Vehicles; (3) Alternative Fuel and Advanced Vehicle Technology Provisions in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. ”
Purchase this print-on-demand publication for $20.00:
New Government Report: Teen Driver Safety: Additional Research Could Help States Strengthen Graduated Driver Licensing Systems (ISBN: 1437934242)
Teen Driver Safety: Additional Research Could Help States Strengthen Graduated Driver Licensing Systems (ISBN: 1437934242)
By Susan Fleming (Paperback, 56 pages, 2010, $20)
AAA is promoting a graduated driver’s license in North Dakota, since teen drivers ages 16 to 20 have the highest fatality rate of any age group in the U.S.
As a result, states have increasingly adopted laws to limit teen driving exposure, such as Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) systems, which consist of three stages: a learner’s permit allowing driving only under supervision; intermediate licensure allowing unsupervised driving with restrictions; and full licensure. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) supports state teen driver safety programs.
This report identifies: (1) key GDL system requirements and the extent to which state programs include these requirements; and (2) challenges states face to improve teen driver safety and how states and NHTSA have addressed the challenges. Illustrations.
New Government Report: U.S. Motor Vehicle Industry: Confronting a New Dynamic in the Global Economy (ISBN: 9781437931960)
U.S. Motor Vehicle Industry: Confronting a New Dynamic in the Global Economy (ISBN: 9781437931960)
By Bill Canis and Brent D. Yacobucci (Paperback, 68 pages, 2010, $30)
An in-depth analysis of the 2009 crisis in the U.S. auto industry. and its prospects for regaining domestic and global competitiveness. Analyzes business and policy issues arising from the restructurings within the industry.
The year 2009 was marked by recession and a crisis in global credit markets; the bankruptcy of GM and Chrysler; the incorporation of successor companies; hundreds of parts supplier bankruptcies; plant closings and worker buyouts; the cash-for-clunkers program; and increasing production and sales at year’s end.
Also examines the successes of Ford and the increasing presence of foreign-owned OEM (original equipment manufacturers), foreign-owned parts manufacturers, competition from imported vehicles, and a buildup of global over-capacity that threatens the recovery of U.S. domestic producers.
New Government Report: Unintended Acceleration in Passenger Vehicles
Unintended Acceleration in Passenger Vehicles
By Suzanne M. Kirchhoff and David Randall Peterman
(Paperback, 33 pages, 2010, $20)
Congress is considering legislation to strengthen federal regulation of auto safety, in response to hundreds of reported accidents, and more than 50 fatalities, that may be linked to sudden acceleration in certain makes of Toyota and Lexus vehicles.
Contents of this report: (I) Introduction: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA); (II) Federal Oversight of Auto Safety: Sudden Acceleration Complaints; Audi Historical Precedents; Toyota-Related Complaints Since 2000; NHTSA Response to Toyota Complaints; (III) Toyota Overview; Toyota Corporate Structure; Black Box Availability; Recall Impact on Toyota Sales; Toyota Lobbying; (IV) Policy Issues and the Congressional Response: Does NHTSA Have Enough Resources for Defects Investigation?; Is the Toyota Issue a Sign of Broader Problems Within the Auto Industry?; Are Electronics and Software Testing Stringent Enough?; Electronic Throttle Problems; (V) Congressional Options. Figures.
New Government Report: Consumer Action Handbook, 2010 Edition
Consumer Action Handbook: 2010 Edition
Edited by Stephen R. Leeds (Paperback, 169 pages, 2010, $30)
Contents:
Part I — Be A Savvy Consumer: Buyer Beware; Banking; Cars; Credit; Financing Your Education; Employment; Food and Nutrition; Health Care; Housing; Insurance; Internet; Investing; Phones; Privacy Protection and Identity Theft; Smart Home Shopping; Telemarketing and Unwanted Mail; Travel; TV; Wills and Funerals.
Part II — Filing a Complaint: Contact the Seller; Contact Third Parties; Sample Complaint Letter: Dispute Resolution Programs; Small Claims Court; Legal Help and Information; Report Fraud and Safety Hazard.
Part III — Key Information Resources: For Teachers; For Persons with Disabilities; For Military Personnel.
Part IV — Consumer Assistance Directory. Illustrations.
New Government Report: Auto Industry: Lessons Learned from Clash for Clunkers Program
Auto Industry: Lessons Learned from Cash for Clunkers Program
by A. Nicole Clowers (Paperback, 43 pages, 2010, $25)
In July and August 2009, the federal government implemented the Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save (CARS) program, or “Cash for Clunkers,” a temporary vehicle retirement program that offered consumers a monetary credit ($3,500 or $4,500) to trade in an older vehicle for a new, more fuel-efficient one.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) was responsible for administering the program, and GAO was required to review the program’s administration.
This report examines (1) what is known to date about the extent to which the CARS program achieved its objectives; (2) what stakeholders’ experiences were with the CARS program; and (3) how the CARS program compares to other selected domestic and international vehicle retirement programs. Tables and figures.
New Government Reports: Supreme Court Rulings on Enemy Combatants, Senate Filibusters, Threat of Bioterrorism, National Broadband Plan, All-Terrain Vehicles (ATV)
New government reports this week:
1) Judicial Activity Concerning Enemy Combatant Detainees: Major Court Rulings
by Jennifer K. Elsea and Michael John Garcia (Paperback, 18 pages, $15)
As part of the conflict with Al Qaeda and the Taliban, the U.S. has captured and detained numerous persons believed to have been part of or associated with enemy forces. Over the years, federal courts have considered a multitude of petitions by or on behalf of suspected belligerents challenging aspects of U.S. detention policy.
Although the Supreme Court has issued definitive rulings concerning several legal issues raised in the conflict with Al Qaeda and the Taliban, many others remain unresolved, with some the subject of ongoing litigation. This report discusses major judicial opinions concerning suspected enemy belligerents detained in the conflict with Al Qaeda and the Taliban.
The report addresses all Supreme Court decisions concerning enemy combatants. It also discusses notable circuit court opinions addressing issues of ongoing relevance to U.S. detention policy. The report also addresses a few notable decisions by federal district courts that are the subject of ongoing habeas litigation.
Finally, it describes a few federal court rulings in criminal cases involving persons who were either involved in the 9/11 attacks or were captured abroad by U.S. forces during operations against Al Qaeda, the Taliban, and associated entities.not convicted.
2) Filibusters and Cloture in the Senate
by Richard Beth, Valerie Heitshusen and Betsy Palmer (Paperback, 22 pages, $15)
Contents: (I) The Right to Debate: The Right to Recognition; The Right to Speak at Length and the Two-Speech Rule; The Motion to Table; (II) The Conduct of Filibusters: Germaneness of Debate; Yielding the Floor and Yielding for Questions; Quorums and Quorum Calls; Roll Call Voting; Scheduling Filibusters; (III) Invoking Cloture: Matters on Which Cloture May be Invoked: Timing of Cloture Motions; (IV) Effects of Invoking Cloture; (V) The Impact of Filibusters. Tables.
3) Federal Efforts to Address the Threat of Bioterrorism: Selected Issues for Congress
by Frank Gottron and Dana A. Shea (Paperback, 13 pages, $10)
The federal government’s efforts to address the perceived threat of bioterrorism span many different agencies and are organized and directed through several strategy and planning documents. These agencies have implemented numerous disparate actions and programs in their statutory areas to address the threat.
Despite these efforts, many experts, including congressional commissions, non-governmental organizations, and industry representatives, have highlighted weaknesses or flaws in the federal government’s biodefense activities.
4) Connecting America: The National Broadband Plan
by FCC Staff (Paperback, 360 pages, $45)
Broadband is the great infrastructure challenge of the early 21st century. The number of Americans who have broadband at home has grown from 8 million in 2000 to nearly 200 million last year.
But approximately 100 million Americans do not have broadband at home. Broadband-enabled health IT can improve care and lower costs by hundreds of billions of dollars in the coming decades, yet the U.S. is behind many advanced countries in the adoption of such technology.
In early 2009, Congress directed the Fed. Communications Comm. (FCC) to develop a National Broadband Plan to ensure that every American has “access to broadband capability.”
To fulfill Congress’s mandate, this plan seeks to ensure that the entire broadband ecosystem — networks, devices, content and applications— is healthy. It makes recommendations to the FCC, the Executive Branch, Congress and state and local governments. Figures.
5) All-Terrain Vehicles: How They Are Used, Crashes, and Sales of Adult-Sized Vehicles for Children’s Use
by Susan Fleming (Paperback, 68 pages, $20)
All-terrain vehicles (ATV), which are off-road motorized vehicles, have become increasingly popular. However, ATV fatalities and injuries have increased over the last decade and are a matter of concern to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (Commission).
Many ATV crashes involving children occur when they are riding adult-sized ATVs. Manufacturers and distributors have agreed to use their best efforts to prevent their dealers from selling adult-sized ATVs for use by children under the age of 16.
This report examines (1) how ATVs are used and the advantages of their use and (2) the nature, extent, and costs of ATV crashes. The report reviewed ATV use and crash data and discussed these issues with Commission staff, industry officials, user groups, and safety stakeholders. Includes recommendations. Figures.
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