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Recent Posts
- US Justice Department Expands Carjacking Task Forces
- EV Grumblings – 2025 Toyota Camry Will Be Hybrid Only
- GM Energy Offers Electric Vehicle-to-Home Charging
- March 2024 Global Light Vehicle Sales Effectively Flat
- EV Grumblings – Ford Cuts 2024 F-150 Lightning Prices
- UAW Practice Picketing at Daimler Truck in the US South
- Ford Again Recalls Bronco Sport and Escape SUVs for Fires
- Honda EV Hub in Ohio is Retooling
- EPA – U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Increase in 2022
- New Grille and Battery for 2025 Mercedes-Benz EQS
- March Western European Passenger Vehicle Sales Up. But…
- EPA – Final Rule on Chemical Plant Cancer Causing Toxins
- More US Jobs Coming from Chips and Science Act
- SEC Gets Final Judgment Against Volkswagen on Dieselgate
- Mercedes-Benz Alabama Workers Ask NLRB for Union Vote
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- Janet L. Yellen on EPA Celebrates Inflation Reduction Act Anniversary
- Lael Brainard on Auto Industry Continues to Rebound from Pandemic Lows
- United Auto Workers Union on EPA Finalizes Vehicle Pollution Standards for 2027-32
- Sam Fiorani on Bidenomics and the State of the Union
- Gary Wilson on GM Expands Airbag Recalls Over Supplier ARC’s Objections
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Category Archives: auto news
EV Grumblings – 2025 Toyota Camry Will Be Hybrid Only
The 2025 Toyota Camry sedans are expected to arrive at Toyota dealerships in late spring 2024 with a starting Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $28,400* – more than $400 less than the outgoing Camry Hybrid base grade and includes more standard features. It is a formidable entry in AutoInformed’s view. Continue reading
GM Energy Offers Electric Vehicle-to-Home Charging
“GM Energy is committed to making the transition to an all-electric lifestyle an even more compelling option by simplifying all aspects of personal energy management,” said Wade Sheffer, vice president of GM Energy. “With the introduction of these new offerings, it has never been easier for our customers to access the expanded benefits of a holistic EV ecosystem, helping to mitigate the impacts of power outages and having the ability to offset certain energy costs over time.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, connected vehicles, electric vehicles, energy, environment, global warming, milestones, mobility company, news analysis
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, GM Energy, GM Energy PowerShift Charger, Ken Zino, v2h, vehicle-to-home bidirectional charging, Wade Sheffer
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March 2024 Global Light Vehicle Sales Effectively Flat
The Global Light Vehicle (LV) selling rate stood at 85 million units/year in March, roughly the same with February 2024, according to numbers and analysis released by the GlobalData* consultancy. Worldwide, 8.0 million vehicles were sold last month, a 2% … Continue reading
EV Grumblings – Ford Cuts 2024 F-150 Lightning Prices
Ford Motors (NYSE: F) said today that online orders are open for the 2024 Ford F-150 Lightning trucks, now shipping from the Rouge Electric Vehicle Center. In January Ford dropped a shift at Rouge because of weak demand for the Lightning, the top-selling electric pickup in the US. Competition is reducing demand and trimming margins. The previously announced MSRP of the 2024 F-150 Lightning is being reduced. The so-called F-150 Lightning Flash™, is now available with a starting MSRP under $70,000, and comes with an extended-range battery. Continue reading
UAW Practice Picketing at Daimler Truck in the US South
Daimler Truck workers from six different local unions in North Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee continue to conduct so-called “practice pickets” to demonstrate that they are strike-ready when their contract expires on 26 April. Practice pickets are not work stoppages or walkouts am no entrances will be obstructed. Workers will report to their shifts as usual. Continue reading
Ford Again Recalls Bronco Sport and Escape SUVs for Fires
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is recalling more than 420,00 2022-2023 Bronco Sport and 2022 Escape vehicles because of engine fires. Affected SUVs are equipped with 1.5-liter engines where a fuel injector may crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment, Ford said in the required filing that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration made public this morning. This is an expansion of a previous fire recall since the original remedy was inadequate on what was then called the Dragon engine. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, electronics, news analysis, public health, quality, recalls
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ford Bronco recalls, Ford Escape recalls, Ford recall 24S16, Ken Zino, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, NHTSA 24V187
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Honda EV Hub in Ohio is Retooling
Non-unionized Toyota Motor, Honda and Hyundai, among other manufacturers in the US, have been increasing wages in an attempt to stop what appears to be impending successful UAW organizing efforts at plants owned by off-shore automakers following the UAW Detroit Three contract sweep last October. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, connected vehicles, economy, electric vehicles, environment, labor issues, manufacturing, mobility company, news analysis
Tagged american honda, Anna Engine Plant, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, East Liberty Auto Plant, Ken Zino, Marysville Auto Plant
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EPA – U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Increase in 2022
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today released its latest annual Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks (GHG Inventory),* which presents an overview of annual greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 to 2022. Net U.S. greenhouse gas emissions were 5,489 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2022, a 1.3% increase in emissions from 2021. EPA said the increase is mostly due to higher energy use in 2022, reflecting the continued recovery in economic activity following the height of the coronavirus pandemic. Crucially, emissions have declined 17% overall since 2005. Continue reading
Posted in economy, environment, fuel economy or emissions, news analysis, public health
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, carbon dioxide, hydrofluorocarbons, Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Joseph Goffman, Ken Zino, methane, nitrogen trifluoride, nitrous oxide, perfluorocarbons, sulfur hexafluoride, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
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New Grille and Battery for 2025 Mercedes-Benz EQS
Mercedes‑Benz said today that the EQS Sedan for 2025 model year has numerous upgrades with a new larger 118-kWh battery for increased electric range, a front fascia with a new grille and the Mercedes-Benz standing star on the hood, as well as new standard and optional equipment. The 2025 Mercedes-Benz EQS Sedan arrives at U.S. dealerships later in 2024. The EQ brand is all electric, of course. The EQS SUV is a two- or three-row large vehicle produced at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Tuscaloosa, which is currently, so to speak, experiencing labor issues. Continue reading
March Western European Passenger Vehicle Sales Up. But…
The Western Europe passenger vehicle (PV) selling rate slipped backwards in March, to 11.3 million units/year, with 1.3 million vehicle registrations, according to the respected GlobalData* consultancy. This is 2.5% below March of 2023. However, year-to-date (YTD) sales increased by … Continue reading
Posted in auto news, economy, manufacturing, marketing, new vehicle, news analysis, results
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, GlobalData, Ken Zino, March EU passenger vehicle sales, March Western European Passenger Vehicle Sales
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EPA – Final Rule on Chemical Plant Cancer Causing Toxins
Today’s action applies to certain equipment and processes at ~200 plants that make synthetic organic chemicals and a variety of polymers and resins, including neoprene. Once implemented, it will reduce both EtO and chloroprene emissions from covered processes and equipment by nearly 80%. Long-term exposure to these two chemicals can increase the risk of certain types of cancer, such as lymphoma, leukemia, breast cancer and liver cancer. EPA also expects the rule to better protect children, who are more exposed and more susceptible to the effects of toxic chemicals including EtO and chloroprene. Continue reading
Posted in news analysis
Tagged 1.3-butadiene, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, benzene, Earthjustice, ethylene dichloride, ethylene oxide and chloroprene, Ken Zino, Michael S. Regan, Patrice Simms, smog-forming volatile organic compounds, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, vinyl chloride
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More US Jobs Coming from Chips and Science Act
With investments such as those at TSMC Arizona, the United States is now on track to produce roughly 20% of the world’s leading-edge chips by 2030. With total capital expenditures of more than $65 billion, TSMC Arizona’s investment is the largest foreign direct investment in a greenfield project in U.S. history. Continue reading
Posted in economy, electric vehicles, electronics, manufacturing, milestones, news analysis
Tagged 2 Nanometer or More Advanced Chips, AMD, apple, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Bidenomics, CHIPS and Science Act, Dr. Mark Liu, Ken Zino, large-scale datacenters, machine learning, NVIDIA, President Joe Biden, Qualcomm, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, The U.S. Department of Commerce, TSMC Arizona Corporation
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SEC Gets Final Judgment Against Volkswagen on Dieselgate
The final judgment orders VWGOAF to pay $34.35 million in disgorgement and $14.4 million in prejudgment interest. Following the entry of the final judgment, the SEC dismissed its outstanding claims against VWGOAF’s ultimate parent company, Volkswagen AG, and Volkswagen AG’s former CEO, Martin Winterkorn. The Court had previously dismissed the SEC’s claims against VW Credit, Inc. on 20 August 2020. These actions have resolved the SEC’s case against Volkswagen in its entirety. Continue reading
Posted in environment, fools 'n frauds, fuel economy or emissions, litigation, marketing, news analysis, public health
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino, sec, Securities Act of 1933, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Volkswagen Group of America Finance, VWGOAF
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Mercedes-Benz Alabama Workers Ask NLRB for Union Vote
Energy appears to be on the side of the union. Alabama has been a so-called “right to work state (for less?) since 2016, meaning that union-membership is not required for employment. By late February, less than two months after Mercedes workers went public with their drive to join the UAW, a majority of them had signed union cards.
The Mercedes workers are part of the growing national movement of non-union autoworkers organizing to join the UAW in the wake of the historic Stand Up Strike victory at the Big Three auto companies last fall. More than 10,000 non-union autoworkers have signed union cards in recent months, with public campaigns launched at Mercedes, Volkswagen, Hyundai in Montgomery, Ala., and Toyota in Troy, Mo. Workers at least two dozen other facilities are also actively organizing. The main event in this fight will likely be at Tesla in AutoInformed’s view with Twitter owner Elon Musk, mustering all the anti-worker tweets he can. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, economy, labor issues, manufacturing, milestones, news analysis, people
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, elon musk, Ken Zino, Mercedes-Benz Tuscaloosa Alabama, National Labor Relations Board, tesla, uaw
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US Justice Department Expands Carjacking Task Forces
The Justice Department today announced that 11 U.S. Attorneys’ Offices have now established a carjacking task force to concentrate resources on the public safety threat. This latest move builds on the early efforts and best practices learned from carjacking task forces in the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the District of Columbia, Northern District of Illinois, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and Middle District of Florida where available data show that carjacking rates are now falling. Continue reading →