Category Archives: manufacturing

GM Creates New VP of Batteries Position

Posted on 8 February 2024 by Ken Zino

General Motors (NYSE: GM) said today that it has hired Kurt Kelty, a battery expert and former Tesla executive, to be vice president of Batteries, reporting to GM President Mark Reuss. Kelty in a new position at GM will be charged with GM’s battery cell strategy and what it is calling an “end-to-end approach.” This will include the use of raw materials, research, developing and investing in new technology, commercialization of cells and packs, and end of life opportunities.

“The foundation that GM has established coupled with Kurt’s exceptional battery expertise in leading battery chemistry development, establishing partnerships, building out supply chains and partnering closely with teams that have developed leading battery systems will help us achieve our electrification goals and position GM as a leader in EV technology,” said Reuss. Continue reading →

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Toyota Motor Q3 Profit Soars to ¥4.24 Trillion

Posted on 6 February 2024 by Ken Zino

“The increase in profits for fiscal year 2024 has been mainly due to the new car business, and our ‘transformation into a mobility company’ initiative is still a work in progress. We aim to further strengthen our value chain by leveraging our strength (asset) of having 100 million cars owned by our customers,” Toyota said. Continue reading →

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Kia Recalls Niro EV and EV6 Models for Driveshaft Failures

Posted on 5 February 2024 by Ken Zino

Due to a manufacturing error by the supplier, Hyundai WIA, the left hand drive shaft in the subject Niro EV vehicles and rear inner drive shaft in the subject EV6 vehicles may have been improperly heat-treated. An improperly heat-treated drive shaft may break under load resulting in a sudden, unexpected loss of motive power, thereby increasing the risk of a crash. Continue reading →

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Polestar 4 now on Sale in Europe and Australia

Posted on 31 January 2024 by Ken Zino

“The introduction of Polestar 4 into all our markets through the course of 2024 is key to our success, adding this third model to our line-up. Polestar 4 tackles the premium performance class in the D-SUV segment. Polestar 4’s innovative interpretation of an SUV coupé offers great interior space and a stunning appearance,” said Thomas Ingenlath, Polestar CEO. Continue reading →

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Group Troubles Move Forward Akio Toyoda’s Vision Speech

Posted on 30 January 2024 by Ken Zino

Toyota Motor Corporation Chairman of the Board of Directors Akio Toyoda (aka Morizo) today spoke to an audience of chairmen, presidents, and front-line leaders from 17 Toyota Group companies [1] at the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology [2] on the company’s founding principles and outlining his vision for the Group’s future direction – called “Inventing our path forward, together.”

While originally planned for 14 February 2024, the birthday of company founder Sakichi Toyoda, the speech was brought forward in light of recent “irregularities” at Group companies. Continue reading →

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Donald Trump is a Scab – UAW Endorses President Biden

Posted on 25 January 2024 by Ken Zino

“This November, we can stand up and elect someone who wants to stand with us and support our cause. Or we can elect someone who will divide us and fight us every step of the way,” said UAW President Shawn Fain. “That’s what this choice is about. The question is, who do we want in that office to give us the best shot of winning? Of organizing. Of negotiating strong contracts. Of uniting the working class and winning our fair share once again, as our union has done so many times in our nation’s history. We need to know who’s going to sit in the most powerful seat in the world and help us win as a united working class,” said Fain. Continue reading →

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GM and Honda Fuel Cell JV Starts Mass Production

Posted on 25 January 2024 by Ken Zino

“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 →

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Ford Recalls 1.88 Million Explorer SUVs for Trim Detachment

Posted on 24 January 2024 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is recalling ~1,880,000 (~2.2 million globally) model-year 2011-2019 Explorer SUVs because the A-pillar trim retention clips may not be properly engaged. This allows the trim to detach creating a safety hazard for other vehicles, which Ford initially maintained was not a safety problem. Continue reading →

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Stellantis Reveals STLA Large EV Platform

Posted on 19 January 2024 by Ken Zino

“Our goals for our STLA platforms are ambitious but this is what our customers need from us today,” said Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares. “Creating a family of vehicles from a well-engineered set of components that is flexible enough to cover multiple vehicle types and propulsions, over-performing any of our current products, will address each of our iconic brands’ customers. The flexibility and agility of this platform is its hallmark and will be a driving force for our success in the shift to electrification in North America.” Continue reading →

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Ford Cuts F-150 Lightning Production. Ups Bronco and Ranger

Posted on 19 January 2024 by Ken Zino

“We are taking advantage of our manufacturing flexibility to offer customers choices while balancing our growth and profitability. Customers love the F-150 Lightning, America’s best-selling EV pickup,” said Ford President and CEO Jim Farley, who last year was boasting about his ability to increase prices on the Lightning. “We see a bright future for electric vehicles for specific consumers, especially with our upcoming digitally advanced EVs and access to Tesla’s charging network beginning this quarter,” Farley claimed.

Ford of course is hemorrhaging red ink in it’s EV business as Tesla (Cybertruck), GM (Chevy, Cadillac Lyric SUV, GMC, Hummer) and Stellantis – (electrified Jeeps) increase theirs. Ford’s EV business – Model e – lost $1.3 billion on electric vehicles even though it reported 44% higher shipments of electric vehicles, and 26% revenue growth during Q3 of 2023. Continue reading →

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BMW Motorrad in 100th Year Posts Highest Sales Ever

Posted on 18 January 2024 by Ken Zino

“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 →

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Western European Market Diesel Car Sales Down in 2023

Posted on 18 January 2024 by Ken Zino

“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 →

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Noto Aftershocks – Toyota Japanese Plants to Run on Monday

Posted on 6 January 2024 by Ken Zino

“In regard to Toyota Motor Corporation’s plant operation schedule for January 8 onward, after much consideration, we have made the decision to operate our vehicle plants in Japan. Many of our local suppliers and their affiliates were affected by the earthquake. Therefore, we will utilize parts in stock outside the affected areas, Toyota said. Continue reading →

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Hyundai Motor, Kia, Gore to Develop Hydrogen Fuel Cell PEMs

Posted on 4 January 2024 by Ken Zino

“We are entering the next chapter of our partnership with Gore,” said Chang Hwan Kim, Head of Battery Development and Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Development at Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Corporation. “By leveraging the 15 years of collaboration, we will acquire advanced fuel cell technology and lead the fuel cell electric vehicle market, accelerating the movement towards a sustainable future.” Continue reading →

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Bidenomics – Sales Soaring as US Auto Market Ends 2023

Posted on 4 January 2024 by Ken Zino

“December has traditionally been a good time of year to buy a vehicle as automakers seek to hit year-end targets, but that had been less true in recent years amid tight inventory levels. However, with stocks now significantly replenished across the industry, discounting was back on the agenda last month. Consumers who have been sitting on the sidelines appear to have been willing to jump back into the new vehicle market again, although it also seems that fleet deliveries accounted for some of the December surge,” said David Oakley, Manager, Americas Sales Forecasts, GlobalData. Continue reading →

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