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Category Archives: blog
Daihatsu Ousted from CJPT for Certification Fraud
“CJPT has decided to accept Daihatsu’s request based on the belief that the continued inclusion of Daihatsu in activities will not gain the understanding of the public needed to progress its projects to build the future together,” CJPT said. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, autonomous vehicles, blog, connected vehicles, engineering, environment, fuel economy or emissions, global warming, news analysis, public health, transportation
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, CJPT, Commercial Japan Partnership Technologies Corporation, Daihatsu, Ken Zino, toyota motor
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Cox Automotive – US Vehicle Market Off To Slow Start, But…
Chief Economist of Cox Automotive* Jonathan Smoke said this morning that the US auto market is off to a slow start. However, the two-handed economist said that “We are seeing more positive momentum in the used-car market and in fixed operations. Tax refunds are just now starting to flow, and that should bring the strongest used-car market performance for the year.”
“We’re only halfway through January with the credit card spending data. But so far it appears that the consumer is holding up with spending growth stable relative to the level of spending growth we had at the end of last year. That was slower than we had seen previously in 2023. But it is enough. To produce growth of roughly 4% in nominal terms in consumer spending, and that’s enough to keep the economy moving forward,” Smoke said.** Continue reading
GM and Honda Fuel Cell JV Starts Mass Production
“This is a historic day for the industry as GM and Honda are the first full fuel cell system manufacturing joint venture to begin volume production of fuel cells for transportation and beyond,” said FCSM president Suheb Haq. “We begin the process with raw materials for membrane and electrode all the way through completed systems. Ongoing investment and commitment by both companies is driving our success at FCSM. This commitment aligns with our mission of making high quality, durable and affordable hydrogen fuel cell systems for a wide range of applications and customers.” Continue reading
Posted in alternative fuels, blog, electric vehicles, engineering, environment, fuel economy or emissions, manufacturing, milestones, mobility company, news analysis, public health, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Brownstown Michigan, FCSM, Fuel Cell System Manufacturing, hydrogen fuel cells, Jay Joseph, Ken Zino, Suheb Haq
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Like the Weather, Grey is Top Car Color in Old Blighty
“2023 was a bumper year for the British new car market, as buyers continued to gravitate towards familiar monochrome hues for another year – even as ever more motorists embrace new technologies. Car manufacturers have diligently expanded their offerings, with a huge selection of color options available across hundreds of models and thousands of specification options. The extensive variety allows drivers flexibility in choosing a tint that embodies their individuality and style,” said Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive.
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Posted in blog, customer satisfaction, design and styling, people
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Channel Islands, Great Britain, Ken Zino, Mike Hawes, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders
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US Postal Service Unveils First EV Charging Stations
“The improvements we need to achieve in sustainability are an integral outgrowth of the broader modernization efforts we have undertaken through our 10-year Delivering for America plan,” said Postmaster General Louis DeJoy. “As we transform our operating processes and invest in new automation, new technologies, and upgraded facilities and vehicles, we will generate significant efficiencies that reduce our costs, slash our carbon footprint and minimize waste. We are grateful for the support of Congress and the Biden Administration through Inflation Reduction Act funding, which helped enable the electrification in evidence here today.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, blog, economy, electric vehicles, environment, news analysis, shows and events, transportation
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Biden Administration, Inflation Reduction Act funding, John Podesta, Ken Zino, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, Sorting and Delivery Center, United States Postal Service, USPS
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GMC to Add New Markets – Australia, New Zealand, China
GMC (NYSE: GM) said today that it is adding three new international markets. The premium truck brand at General Motors said customers in Australia, New Zealand and China will have the choice of the Yukon full-size SUV in these high-growth markets. China sales are expected to begin in 2024, with Australia and New Zealand following in 2025. This announcement follows the launch of GMC in South Korea in 2023 with the GMC Sierra LD pickup truck, pioneering the premium pickup market in the country. These new markets add to GMC sales in the US, Mexico, Canada and Middle East. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, blog, connected vehicles, economy, electric vehicles, marketing, milestones, news analysis, shows and events
Tagged AT4, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Denali, Duncan Aldred, GMC 2023 sales, GMC export markets, Ken Zino, Sierra LD, Yukon and Yukon XL
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BMW Motorrad in 100th Year Posts Highest Sales Ever
“I would like to thank our customers all over the world for the great trust they have placed in us again in 2023. With a record result in our anniversary year, BMW Motorrad remains the world’s number one in the premium motorcycle and scooter segment and once again demonstrates the brand’s successful strategic orientation. Our market leadership in numerous segments is based on innovation leadership, our highly attractive product range and our strong brand. Based on these three main success factors, BMW Motorrad is ideally positioned and I am very confident about the year 2024,” said Markus Flasch, Head of BMW Motorrad. Continue reading
Posted in blog, manufacturing, marketing, mobility company, motorcycles, news analysis, sales
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, bmw motorrad, C 400 GT, F 750 GS, Ken Zino, M 1000 RR, Markus Flasch, R 1250 GS, R 1300 GS, Stephan Reiff
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Western European Market Diesel Car Sales Down in 2023
“The slowdown in BEV growth will no doubt have boosted the internal combustion engine (ICE) sector to some degree and perhaps fed into the relatively buoyant end to the year as far as diesel is concerned,” said GlobalData. “All markets ended 2023 with a smaller diesel share than seen in 2022 except one. Our figures indicate that Germany, with a diesel share of 24.4% for 2023 saw a rise from the 2022 value of 23.6%. Diesel demand has held up well in the country, supported by plenty of product from the dominant domestic brands and driving patterns that highlight the value available from diesel versus alternatives very well.” Continue reading
Fleet or Fire Sale? SIXT to Buy 250,000 Stellantis Vehicles
SIXT rental customers will have choices of vehicles of Stellantis including Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Citroën, Dodge, DS Automobiles, Fiat, Jeep®, Lancia, Opel, Peugeot, Ram, Vauxhall and Maserati. The deliveries to SIXT will include a variety of classes from city cars to SUVs to vans and trucks, including 7- and 9-seaters, as well as a full range of propulsion types, including battery electric vehicles, with the latest software and infotainment tech features. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, blog, car sharing, connected vehicles, electric vehicles, marketing, mobility company, news analysis, sales, transportation
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino, Konstantin Sixt, Mobilisights, Sixt SE. Carlos Tavares
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Kristian Aquilina New GM Canada President
“Our Canadian manufacturing plants are also set to thrive with recent new investments in Oshawa Assembly, St. Catharines Propulsion Plant and CAMI Assembly. The Canadian Technical Centre continues to be a hotbed of innovation in software, R&D and advanced vehicle testing. We’ve also just begun to tap into the potential for Canada in the emerging raw mineral and EV battery supply chain, beginning with the new Ultium CAM processing facility in Bécancour, Quebec,” Aquilina said. Continue reading
EPA Wants Stronger Standards for Solid Waste Burning
“President Biden believes every person deserves clean air to breathe and the opportunity to lead a healthy life, and EPA’s proposal is just the latest action to achieve this vision. By reducing harmful pollution and improving air quality, this rule will also advance environmental justice for nearby communities already overburdened with pollution,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “EPA is committed to working with communities and state, local, and Tribal governments to ensure that large facilities burning municipal waste utilize the most up-to-date and cost-effective control technologies to reduce pollution and protect public health.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, blog, environment, fuel economy or emissions, milestones, news analysis, public health
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Biden-Harris Administration, cadmium, carbon monoxide, clean air act, dioxins/furans, hydrogen chloride, Ken Zino, lead, mercury, Michael S. Regan, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, solid waste incinerators, sulfur dioxide, US Environmental Protection Agency
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New Toyota, Lexus Airbag Recall ~1 Million US Vehicles
The recalled cars, SUVs and vans have the so-called Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensors in the front passenger seat that could have been improperly manufactured, causing a short circuit. This would prevent the airbag system from properly classify the occupant’s weight, and the airbag may not deploy as designed in certain crashes, increasing the risk of injury. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, blog, customer satisfaction, electronics, manufacturing, quality, recalls, safety
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino, New Toyota and Lexus Airbag Recall, nhtsa, Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensors
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November 2023 EU Car Market Grows on Mixed Results
In November 2023, the EU’ car market grew by 6.7%, according to data just released by ACEA.* This was the sixteenth consecutive month of expansion. There were substantial double-digit gains in some markets, including two of the largest: Italy (+16.2%) and France (+14%).
However, the German car market retracted, recording a -5.7% decline compared to November 2022, which provided a small base line for comparison across the EU. Overall new car registrations were +6.7% in November; with a battery electric market share at 16.3%. Eleven months into 2023, new car registrations increased by 15.7%, reaching nearly ten million units. With the exception of Hungary, all EU markets grew during this eleven-month period. The four largest markets contributed to this trend: Italy (+20%), Spain (+17.3%), France (+16.2%), and Germany (+11.4%). Continue reading
Toyota Cleans Daihatsu House Over False Tests
“President-to-be Inoue has for many years been working on structural reform of Toyota’s Latin American business, including a renewed regional management system involving Brazil and Argentina. Despite the many difficult decisions he has had to make, he is a leader who has moved reforms forward by implementing thorough dialogue with front-line members. Utilizing this experience, he will lead the revitalization of Daihatsu as the person responsible for ‘on-site management,’ Executive Vice President-to-be Kuwata will promote corporate cultural and organizational reform initiatives by leveraging his experience in human resources and on-site management,” Toyota said. Continue reading →