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Category Archives: connected vehicles
Significant 2024 Automotive Stories and Trends
Once again at the beginning of 2025 AutoInformed notes – matter-of-factly – that its vision is 20-20 on the consequences of long past occurrences. However, in the here and now our perception is cloudy. We do not have the advantages of historians re-assessing events years later with help from other news outlets, blogs, letters, memoirs, magazines and whatever new forms of expressed thought emerge. Thus far the most valued revisions and nuanced interpretations appear in books and essays after more documents and perspectives surface from the players or perpetrators engaged in them. These are not yet available, and under Trump 2.0 they would likely be banned anyway. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, AutoInformed Editorial, car sharing, connected vehicles, economy, environment, fools 'n frauds, global warming, labor issues, manufacturing, marketing, news, news analysis, sales, transportation
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Biden Administration, George Santayana, industrial policy, Ken Zino, Trump 2.0, X @KenAutoinformed
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BMW i Ventures Buys into Phoenix Tailings
BMW i Ventures announced today an investment in Phoenix Tailings, a inventive metals production company dedicated to creating a zero-waste, zero-emission future. The Series B financing, which was led by Envisioning Partners and included additional participation from Yamaha Motor Ventures and Escape Velocity, will enable Phoenix Tailings to scale its rare earth processing operations to produce ~200 tons of rare earth metals annually. The output can be used in electric motor magnet , batteries, semiconductors – among other applications.
Phoenix Tailings says it was “founded in Cambridge, Massachusetts to transform how critical metals are produced – metals essential to the technologies that power modern society.” The nascent firm was heavily subsided by U.S. taxpayers via the United States Departments of Energy and Defense, as well as the State of Massachusetts. With the monies, Phoenix Tailings secured initial off-take agreements, validated its technology to process mining waste, and hired a team of workers to make the metals. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, car sharing, connected vehicles, economy, electric vehicles, electronics, environment, global warming, insurance, manufacturing, milestones, news, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, BMW i Ventures, electric motor magnets, Escape Velocity, Ken Zino, Nick Myers, Phoenix Tailings, US taxpayer subsidies, X @KenAutoinformed, Yamaha Motor Ventures
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GAC Honda Automobile Plant Starts Making EVs
Honda Motor (China) Investment Co., a wholly-owned Honda subsidiary in China, announced today that GAC Honda Automobile Co., Ltd. (GAC Honda), a Honda automobile production and sales joint venture in China, began operation of its newly-constructed plant for new energy vehicle (NEV) production, named the Development District NEV Factory. The new factory is located in the Guangzhou Economic and Technological Development District in Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, China. Under communist Chinese industrial policy 50% of the JV is owned by GAC.
The latest NEV production plant has state of the art production equipment to achieve a highly efficient, smart, and low-carbon production system. The stamping and welding processes completely eliminated logistics personnel by automating parts logistics. AI-based welding strength inspection was adopted for the first time at any Honda plant. In the assembly process, approximately 30% of the entire process is automated to achieve a highly efficient production line. Continue reading
Posted in connected vehicles, economy, electric vehicles, environment, global warming, manufacturing, news analysis, public health
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Chinese EV trade wars, Chinese Ministry of Ecology and Environment, GAC Honda Automobile, Guangdong Province, Ken Zino, X @KenAutoinformed
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Hyundai to Give Free NACS DC EV Adapters
Starting in the first quarter of 2025, current and new Hyundai EV owners* who have purchased or leased their vehicle on or before 31 January 2025 will be able to request a free NACS adapter (shipping included) through the MyHyundai owner portal, the Korean company said today. The 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 is the first non-Tesla vehicle on sale to have a factory-installed native NACS port. [footnote 1] Adapters will also be available for purchase through Hyundai authorized dealers. Continue reading
Posted in connected vehicles, electric vehicles, global warming, news analysis
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, CCS-port ready Hyundai models, DC fast charging stations, Genesis, Hyundai EV drivers, Ken Zino, Olabisi Boyle, X @KenAutoinformed
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Nissan and Honda Sign Integration MOU!
Nissan Motor Co. (7201T. NSANY ADR) and Honda Motor Co. (NYS: HMC) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to start discussions and considerations toward a business integration between the two companies through the establishment of a joint holding company. In effect this will be the merger of the two companies with Honda as the stronger member so to speak given Nissan’s perilous operating results. It also raises questions about the continuance of Honda’s business ventures with General Motors.* What it does potentially do is create the world’s third largest automaker with potential annual sales of ~8-9 million, behind Toyota and struggling Volkswagen.
AutoInformed opines that as with all such complex multi-national corporate mergers, the details at the outset and more importantly in the final agreements and their implementation are key to its success. Given the twists and turns of the road and diverse corporate cultures of the participants – where there are no balance sheet entries – this is an endurance race that makes the 24 hours of Le Mans look like a 30-second TV spot. It also likely makes the venture subject to US SEC regulations, including form 4F and forward looking statements. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, car sharing, connected vehicles, economy, electric vehicles, engineering, manufacturing, marketing, milestones, mobility company, news analysis, people, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, carlos ghosn, General Motors and Honda, Honda Motor Co and Nissan Motor Co integration MOU, Ken Zino, Makoto Uchida, Nissan Mitsubishi, Toshihiro Mibe, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Form F-4, X @KenAutoinformed
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EU Car Sales Weak Again in November
During November 2024, new EU car registrations fell by 1.9%. France led with a sharp 12.7% decline, followed by Italy (-10.8%), while the German market (0.5%). stagnated slightly [read AutoInformed on November Western European Car Sales Up]* Among the four most significant EU markets, only Spain recorded positive growth (6.4%), according to data from the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association, aka ACEA derived from its French name.**
“Eleven months into 2024, new car registrations remained stable (+0.4%), reaching 9.7 million units. While the market in Spain performed positively (+5.1%), declines were witnessed in France (-3.7%), Germany (-0.4%), and Italy (-0.2%),” ACEA said in its monthly sales release. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, car sharing, connected vehicles, economy, insurance, manufacturing, marketing, news analysis, results, sales, shows and events
Tagged acea, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, EU Car Sales November 2024, European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association, Ken Zino, X @KenAutoinformed
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Supply Chain Resilience – U.S. DOT Four-Year Review
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) today released a four-year review of the Supply Chains for the Transportation Industrial Base– a new assessment of progress made strengthening supply chains. It’s part of the White House Council on Supply Chain Resilience, which when t was established in January 2021 saw America’s supply chains in poor shape from the COVID-19 pandemic and decades of under-investment.
“In less than four years, we’ve gone from supply chain disruptions unlike anything we’ve seen in peacetime, to much higher levels of resiliency and reliability. That work has helped make it possible to move record levels of cargo in and out of the U.S., bring shipping costs down, and ensure essential goods arrive on time,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, car sharing, connected vehicles, economy, manufacturing, news, news analysis, transportation
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Biden-Harris Supply Chain Disruptions Task Force, Freight Logistics Optimization Works, Ken Zino, Office of Multimodal Freight Infrastructure and Policy, Republican government shutdowns, supply chain resilience, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, X @KenAutoinformed
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CarMax FY Q3 Net Profit Up 1.2%
CarMax (NYSE: KMX) today reported results for the third quarter ended November 30, 2024. Total gross profit of $677.6 million increased by 10.6% year-over-year (YoY) because of higher volumes and margins. Gross profit per retail used unit was $2306, in line with the prior year’s Q3. Gross profit per wholesale unit was $1015, up $54 per unit. Extended Protection Plans (EPP) margin per retail unit of $573, was an increase of $53.
“I am pleased with the positive momentum that we are driving across our diversified business model. Our solid execution and a more stable environment for vehicle valuations enabled us to deliver robust EPS growth driven by increases in unit sales and buys, solid margins, growth in CAF income, and ongoing management of SG&A,” said Bill Nash, president and chief executive officer. Continue reading
US Auto Sales Forecast Trump Bump or Bumpy 25?
The experts at Cox Automotive said today that the U.S. Automotive forecast for 2025 is likely positive with what they termed the Goldilocks economy – not too hot nor too cold but just right.
“Instead of a slowing economy, we have a stabilizing economy and most importantly, a stabilizing labor market,” said the estimable Jonathon Smoke Cox, Automotive chief economist. “We can stop fretting about a soft landing and acknowledge we’ve navigated restrictive rates, slowing job growth and increasing unemployment. But as we end 2024, momentum is back on our side. And the labor market is expected to remain at full employment,” said Smoke. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, car sharing, connected vehicles, economy, electric vehicles, manufacturing, marketing, news analysis, sales, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Charlie Chesbrough, Jonathon Smoke, Ken Zino, Stephanie Valdez Streaty, X @KenAutoinformed
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Toyota Slashes 2025 Electric Vehicle Prices $6000
Toyota said today in Plano Texas that the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price* (MSRP) for the 2025 bZ4X is $6000 lower for the XLE grade and $5380 lower for the Limited grade.** The 2025 bZ4X also adds a new Nightshade edition, making it the first-ever Toyota Nightshade BEV. There is more standard driver assistance technology on the Limited grade, including Traffic Jam Assist, Lane Change Assist, and Front Cross Traffic Alert.
“For drivers thinking about going all electric, the Toyota bZ4X just made the choice even easier,” Toyota said. “With a smooth, quiet ride, and an EPA estimated range rating of up to 252 miles on FWD models, the bZ4X is a great value for drivers that want a BEV from a trusted brand. For 2025, that value starts at an MSRP of $37,070 on the XLE FWD grade, a reduction of nearly 14-percent. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, car sharing, connected vehicles, electric vehicles, environment, global warming, marketing, news analysis, shows and events
Tagged 2025 bZ4X Nightshade edition, 2025 Toyota bZ4X, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino, X @KenAutoinformed
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November Global Light Vehicle Sales Rate 93 Million
The Global Light Vehicle (LV) selling rate for November* stood at 95 million units/year, according to an analysis released today by the respected GlobalData consultancy.** a small improvement on the previous month, and the best result so far in 2024. Market volumes continued to grow in November as YoY sales were up 6% compared to November 2023. YTD sales stood at 80 million units.
“In November, sales saw sustained growth in key markets like the US and China. Chinese consumers are capitalizing on scrappage subsidies and a very competitive pricing environment. In the US, an extra selling day compared to the previous year contributed to increased sales YoY. Sales in Western Europe remain lackluster, mirroring previous trends, as political and economic challenges persist, exacerbated by recent government turmoil in Germany and France,” the Global Light Vehicle Sales Forecast Team said. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, car sharing, connected vehicles, economy, manufacturing, marketing, news analysis, results, sales, transportation
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, GlobalData, Ken Zino, November Global Light Vehicle Sales, oxford economics, X @KenAutoinformed
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December U.S. Auto Sales Start Strong
The Q4 2024 Cox Automotive Dealer Sentiment Index (CADSI) released today shows growing optimism among U.S. auto dealers. Despite current weak market conditions, the post-election survey indicates increasing dealer confidence. The final Auto Market Report video of the year, noted that after a very strong November, December appears to be off to a strong start.
“We saw a surge in the outlook, technically the largest surge we have had quarterly in the history of the data,” said Cox Automotive Chief Economist Jonathan Smoke. “It is the best fourth quarter since 2021, which was the most profitable quarter in dealer history.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, car sharing, connected vehicles, economy, marketing, news analysis, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Cox Automotive Dealer Sentiment Index, Jonathan Smoke, kelley blue book, Ken Zino, X @KenAutoinformed
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Stellantis and CATL JV for LFP Battery Plant in Spain
Stellantis (NYSE: STLA )* and CATL (Shenzhen 300750) today announced they have reached an agreement to invest up to €4.1 billion to form a joint venture that will build a large-scale European lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery plant in Zaragoza, Spain. Designed to be carbon neutral, the battery plant will be implemented in several phases and investment plans. The transaction is expected to close during 2025 and is subject to customary regulatory conditions.
“Stellantis is committed to a decarbonized future, embracing all available advanced battery technologies to bring competitive electric vehicle products to our customers,” said Stellantis Chairman John Elkann. “This important joint venture with our partner CATL will bring innovative battery production to a manufacturing site that is already a leader in clean and renewable energy, helping drive a 360-degree sustainable approach. I want to thank all stakeholders involved in making today’s announcement a reality, including the Spanish authorities for their continued support.” Continue reading
Posted in connected vehicles, environment, fuel economy or emissions, global warming, manufacturing, news analysis, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, battery electric vehicles, CATL, John Elkann, Ken Zino, lithium iron phosphate, Robin Zeng, Stellantis, X @KenAutoinformed, Zaragoza Spain
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New Tesla Recall for Bad Computers
Tesla, Inc. is recalling ~240,000 2024-2025 Model 3, Model S, 2023-2025 Model X, and 2023-2025 Model Y vehicles because a computer circuit board may short circuit, according to documents made public today by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
“On a small percentage of affected vehicles, upon vehicle power up, a reverse current may cause a shorting failure on the car computer board, resulting in the loss of rearview camera functionality,” Tesla said in the mandatory safety defect recall filing. Continue reading →