Pato O’Ward Fastest in Practice for Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Pato O’Ward Fastest in Practice for Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix

Pato O’Ward was fastest during Friday practice for Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix.

The NTT Indycar Series runs its seventh round of the 2023 season with this weekend’s Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear. The new, 1.7-mile, nine-turn street circuit runs through parts of downtown and along Jefferson Avenue and back around to Atwater Street along the Detroit River, with a new split pit lane also part of the revived street race.

Pato O’Ward was fastest in during Friday practice for Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix.  O’Ward led the first practice with his fastest lap on the streets of Detroit course at 1:03.0773.  Scott Dixon in a Honda powered car was a mere 0.0986-second behind. (AutoInformed: Josef Newgarden Driving a Penske-Chevrolet Wins Accident Marred Indianapolis 500) Continue reading

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US Auto Sales Soar in May

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on US Auto Sales Soar in May

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Sales of light vehicles in the US increased by 22.6% at 1.36 million when compared year-over-year (YoY) in May, according to the latest numbers from the GlobalData* consultancy. However, the YoY result is distorted by abnormally weak year-ago sales, when a lack of inventory was severely hindering the industry.

“After a particularly robust result in April, it would not have been surprising if May sales were a little disappointing, but instead, we interpret May’s outcome as another encouraging one for the industry,” said David Oakley, Manager, Americas Sales Forecasts, GlobalData. Continue reading

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GM Expanding Ultium CAM EV Battery Joint Venture

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on GM Expanding Ultium CAM EV Battery Joint Venture

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General Motors (NYSE: GM) and POSCO Future M announced today the second phase of their Ultium CAM joint venture, an investment forecast to exceed $1 billion to increase production capacity of Cathode Active Material (CAM) for EV batteries. While CEO Mary Barra admits that GM was slow to embrace EVs, GM is now clearly among the leaders in what is the future of automobility. Today’s announcement is the latest in a series of actions GM has taken to build a more secure EV supply chain.

“Increasing CAM production capacity and adding pCAM to our joint venture is another significant step in building a more secure and sustainable North America-focused supply chain to support GM’s fast-growing EV production needs,” said Doug Parks, GM executive vice president, Global Product Development, Purchasing and Supply Chain. Continue reading

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Magna Buys Veoneer Active Safety Business

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Magna Buys Veoneer Active Safety Business

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Magna (NYSE:MGA; TSX:MG) said today that has completed the acquisition of Veoneer Active Safety from SSW Partners. The deal increases scale of sensor, software and systems engineering capabilities at the multi-national, Canadian based auto supplier. Magna is claiming it will generate more than $3 billion in sales in 2024, as the combined business builds a larger active safety portfolio across all relevant sensors, central computer systems and software in one of the growing market segments in automotive.

“Adding experienced talent and complementary capabilities to our strong foundation in active safety is core to our strategy of bringing more horsepower to this growing market,” said Magna CEO Swamy Kotagiri. “This strategic move enables us to provide even more options and advanced solutions to a broader range of customers.” Continue reading

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Ford Next with Uber to Offer Drivers Mustang Mach-Es

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Ford Next with Uber to Offer Drivers Mustang Mach-Es

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Ford Next is working through Uber on a new lease option for rideshare drivers who want an electric vehicle. Called Ford Drive, the pilot program offers Ford Mustang Mach-E models in San Diego, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. Ford Drive’s Los Angeles vehicle deliveries began today.

“We understand uptime and ease of use are critical to every rideshare driver. As more of them make the switch to electric vehicles, we’re building the Ford Drive program around their unique needs,” claimed Bill Knapp, who heads Ford Drive. Continue reading

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Stellantis, Vulcan Sign Deal for Renewable Energy at Mulhouse

Stellantis (NYSE: MTA. Euronext Paris: STLA), the mega-merger of FCA and PSA, and Vulcan Energy Resources Ltd. said today they have signed a “binding term sheet” for the first phase of a multi-phase project to develop new geothermal projects aimed at de-carbonizing the energy mix of Stellantis’ Mulhouse industrial site in France. The agreement represents the first joint project in France for the potential use of geothermal energy to de-carbonize and localize the energy supply for Stellantis’ European operations.

“Geothermal is one of many solutions we are exploring to achieve our carbon net zero goal by 2038, in alignment with our Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan,” said Arnaud Deboeuf, Stellantis Chief Manufacturing Officer. The agreement with Vulcan Energy is Stellantis’ second potential use of renewable geothermal energy to de-carbonize and localize its energy supply at an industrial site. Continue reading

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GM Adding Active Safety Systems to 98% of its 2023 Vehicles

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Chevrolet Tweaks Trailblazer SUV for 2024

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General Motors (NYSE:GM) said today in Detroit that five active safety features will come standard on all GM electric vehicles for the 2023 and following model years. This includes every new EV launching this year, such as the Chevrolet Blazer EV and Equinox EV. (AutoInformed.com on: Data Show GM Automated Safety Systems Prevent Crashes)

“GM has gone well beyond the safety commitment we made to our customers for the 2023 model year, with a handful of additional standard safety features shown to bring real-world results,” claimed John Capp, director, Vehicle Safety Technology, Strategy and Regulations. “As we look ahead toward a future vision of zero crashes, zero emissions and zero congestion, these technologies are significant building blocks with proven benefits for reducing common crashes.” Continue reading

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Toyota Motor Establishes Hydrogen Factory

Toyota Motor Corporation said this morning in Japan that it is establishing what it calls the Hydrogen Factory, a dedicated organization to accelerate customer-oriented product development and production in fuel cell or hydrogen-related products by strengthening alliances with local partners in Europe and China, where the hydrogen mobility market is rapidly expanding.

The goal is to promote sustainable commercialization of hydrogen fuels. The former Hydrogen business area will be abolished as a result. This is in keeping with the global auto industry’s moves toward sustainable fuels. Continue reading

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