Monthly Archives: June 2021

Sports Car Market Magazine Hooks Hagerty as Sponsor of The SCM Modern and Classic Touring Series. AMG Invitational First

The four-day, 1000-mile tour of Oregon back roads will be for AMG cars from 1967 to the present. It’s all-inclusive, offering six nights of accommodations, meals, custom swag, nightly “Conversations with Collectors,” and talks led by AMG experts. Entries for other modern specialty Mercedes will be considered. Continue reading

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Ford Leads NA Production Cuts from Semiconductor Shortage

Six months into the semi-conductor shortage it is obvious that not all automakers are affected in the same way. The Renesas fire in Japan hit Ford Motor hard, making the problem much worse for the struggling automaker. The fact is some automakers have been hurt worse than others. Ford Motor looks to have been affected the most, as shortage-related plant shutdowns left its facilities running at just 55% of total capacity through May of 2021. Ford’s estimated volume loss in the first half of this year is more than  50% greater than that recorded by the next manufacturer in line – and the largest in North America – GM, according to consultancy LMC. Continue reading

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Toyota to Reproduce Original Supra Spare Parts

“In support of customers who wish to continue driving older vehicles that are full of memories and that they truly love, the project reproduces spare parts that have been discontinued, and sells them as genuine parts. For the A70 and A80 Supra, this will be the first addition since spare parts were announced in 2020,” Toyota said in a release. Continue reading

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General Motors Launches New Fund to Advance Climate Equity

The company also announced the creation of a new $25 million Climate Equity Fund, “dedicated to helping close equity gaps in the transition to electric vehicles and other sustainable technology.” The philanthropic fund joins the company’s $35 billion global investment in EV and AV programs, research, technology, manufacturing and charging infrastructure.   Continue reading

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GM’s CAMI Assembly Hastens BrightDrop EV600 Production

Today, General Motors announced the accelerated timeline for plant conversion and production of the BrightDrop* electric EV600 light commercial vehicle at CAMI Assembly in Ingersoll, ON. Working with suppliers in the United States, BrightDrop as announced will start initial production of EV600s later this year. Now, during April 2022, Chevrolet Equinox production will end at CAMI and the BrightDrop equipment will be moved to Ingersoll, reducing the time required for plant changeover. GM says it expects to handle what is currently high demand for Equinox with other plants as CAMI retools for BrightDrop production. Continue reading

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Honda Prologue EV – Vapor Ware Until 2024

An all-new SUV coming to market in early 2024, the battery-electric Honda Prologue notably lacks any specific details about the new vehicle. Presumably, they will be released as slowly as possible over the coming months to give the impression that the Japanese company once known for its innovations in powertrains is not being left behind in the CO2-free exhaust of major players such as General Motors, BMW, Ford, VW and countless others. Continue reading

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Botched Vaccinations Haunt EU Vehicle Sales During May

Volkswagen Group took its second highest monthly market share since 2001. The German manufacturer’s share totaled 28.14% during May, second only to April 2020 when had  29.23% as competitive sales were hit to a greater degree by the onset of the pandemic in Europe. The results in May were due to strong performance from brands such as Audi, Skoda, Seat, and Cupra, formerly known as SEAT Sport. Total sales were boosted by increasing consumer demand for EVs and SUVs – with Volkswagen Group now leading in Europe across both segments. Continue reading

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NHTSA Shouldn’t Cut National Autonomous Vehicle Regs!

AutoInformed thinks that more than US auto industry jobs are at stake here. AV technology can reduce congestion, improve safety for passengers and pedestrians, and spur unknown innovations to help the United States lead the global automotive industry. Continue reading

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Production Porsche 911 GT2 RS Sets Record at Nürburgring Nordschleife at 6:43.300. Equal to 6:38.835 on the Old Track

The best time of 6:43.300 minutes was achieved on 14 June, in the presence of a notary, with Porsche development driver Lars Kern at the wheel of the 515 kW (700 PS) 911 GT2 RS. The standing record in class was 6:48.047 by a Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series, which is now 4.747 seconds off the pace. Continue reading

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Toyota Unveils the New Land Cruiser

Toyota showed its new Land Cruiser in a Middle East-centered online reveal that largely ignored the US since it is coming here only as a Lexus LX600 sometime during 2022 at a starting price North of the current $85,665.  Continue reading

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EU Parliament Confirms Deal on Climate Neutrality by 2050

This transforms the European Green Deal’s political commitment to EU climate neutrality by 2050 into a binding obligation. It gives European citizens and businesses the legal certainty and predictability they need to plan for this transition. After 2050, the EU will aim for negative emissions. Parliament has played a significant role in pushing for more ambitious EU climate legislation and declared a climate emergency on 28 November 2019. Continue reading

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Mazda “Sustainable Zoom-Zoom 2030.” We’re Not Kidding

Marketing babble alert> “Sustainable Zoom-Zoom 2030”  is built from Mazda’s revised Medium-Term Management Plan and its desire to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, both of which were announced in the past year. Continue reading

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EPA Range of 270, 260 miles for Mach-E GT, GT Performance

With torque1 of 634 lb.-ft. and 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds, the Mustang Mach-E GT Performance Edition has an EPA-estimated range of 260 miles while the Mustang Mach-E GT has an EPA-estimated range of 270 miles. Your mileage can and likely will vary. Continue reading

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Volkswagen ID.4 – Most Affordable AWD Electric Vehicle in US?

With two electric motors, 295 horsepower and an estimated 0-60 mph time of 5.7 seconds for the AWD Pro model, the ID.4 AWD offers competitive performance and all-weather traction3. It combines the permanent magnet synchronous electric motor on the rear axle of the standard ID.4 with a new asynchronous electric motor on the front axle. Continue reading

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Toyota Starts Free Autonomous Shuttle in Indianapolis

he route was designed to increase mobility options by providing a connection from the Vermont Station – along IndyGo’s Red Line – to areas west of downtown. The route also circles the IU Health University Hospital and the Riley Hospital for Children campuses. Riders can plan their trips on Google Maps and see live updates of a shuttle’s location.  Continue reading

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