Monthly Archives: November 2016

Record Number of Auto Buyers Underwater on Trade-Ins

A growing number of auto shoppers have negative equity – underwater in industry terms – on their trade-ins when they’re purchasing their next vehicle. Per Edmunds data, an estimated 32% of all trade-ins toward the purchase of a new vehicle through Q3 of 2016 were underwater. Continue reading

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Porsche Opens Experience Center in Los Angeles

Alongside China, North America is one of the most important sales regions for Porsche. In California alone, Porsche Cars (and crossover SUVs) North America sold around 23% or 12,000 out of a total of almost 51,800 vehicles in the U.S. during 2015. Continue reading

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Volkswagen Passat GT Concept at Automobility LA

Year-to date diesel emissions defeat-device Volkswagen sales are at 256,047 (-13.09%) with the Passat at 59,320 for a -17.4% drop. The German automaker is strapped for cash, hence the trim package on an aging design. Continue reading

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Chevrolet Spark ACTIV Debuts. On Sale Early 2017

Spark is a relative bargain in the B-car segment. But tiny car means tiny sales. Year-to-date Spark sales at 30,000 are flat compared with a year earlier, while Suburban (45,932), Tahoe (62,802) and Trax (81,976) sales are up 15% to 22%. The car depression is widespread at the Detroit Three. GM has just announced plans to cease third shift operations in January at Lordstown (Chevrolet Cruise) and Lansing Grand River (Cadillac ATS and CTS, Chevrolet Camaro) due to waning demand. More than 2,000 employees will be out of work. Continue reading

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Toyota with Plethora of Patents Tops at 2016 R&D Awards

Toyota has been awarded more patents than any other automaker over the past 8 years. Continue reading

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Trump versus Auto Industry – Outcome Could be Ugly

The crucial question – and unknown – is to what extent campaign rhetoric translates into real policy decisions under a Trump administration. In gridlocked Washington, this won’t be known for, well, who knows how long? Continue reading

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15,000 Steelworkers March to EU Headquarters in Brussels

Over the past seven years, more than 80,000 steelworkers lost jobs in the European industry. Continue reading

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Toyota to Export from Turkey the C-HR to Canada and U.S.

The election of the Donald Trump TI model (Tariff Isolationist)* brings an interesting twist to the announcement today that Toyota will export into Canada and the U.S. its new compact C-HR crossover, which debuted last November as a Scion concept in Los Angeles. (Maybe it should have been called the Scion RIP?) Continue reading

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Honda Has Sophisticated Language Analysis Technologies

Successful development of language software that doesn’t require precisely phrased commands has enormous potential in vehicles and other applications – think Siri squared or Asimo to the third power. Continue reading

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Is Renault Joining VW in Failed Diesel Emission Tests?

In a tersely worded statement this afternoon, Renault Group acknowledged that a French Government Agency forwarded a file on failed diesel emission tests to prosecutors, who now must decide the next steps. Continue reading

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Planet M Buys Space at 2017 NAIAS

Planet M was launched in June 2016 as a collaborative branding effort to promote Michigan as the “epicenter of mobility.” The messaging pushes Michigan’s leadership in talent development, auto R&D and vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) testing. Continue reading

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Regulations Keep Motorcycle ABS Growing

The theory is that motorcycle ABS gives riders more confidence, allowing them to react faster and brake harder. ABS prevents the wheels from locking during emergency braking, so the bike remains stable, helping riders to stay upright. However, some studies on automobiles with ABS show that it allows driver’s to be more aggressive. Continue reading

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Renault Group Links with Computer Vision Firm Chronocam

In the latest development on the rapidly moving road to autonomous vehicles, Renault now has an agreement with Chronocam SA, a developer of vision sensors and “computer vision solutions.” Continue reading

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Strong Yen Hurts Toyota Motor Profits as Sales Rise

Nevertheless, TMC’s Board of Directors agreed to pay 100 yen per share as the interim dividend on common shares, and have also resolved to buy back up to 200 billion yen, or 40 million shares, of the company’s common stock. Continue reading

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BMW Motorrad Reveals HP4 RACE in Milan

At this year’s EICMA trade show in Milan, BMW Motorrad showed a peak at what it is calling “the most exclusive model in its history,” the BMW HP4 RACE. Continue reading

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