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Category Archives: manufacturing
GM Investing in Full-Size Truck and SUV Production
Significant amounts will be spent on updating full-size truck and SUV production. GM declined to release product details, timing, performance and other aspects related to GM’s next gen V8 engine. As with other automakers, vehicles with internal combustion engines (ICEs) will still play a role as GM converts to EVs. ICEs power GM’s most profitable vehicles. GM said its spending and plans for U.S. manufacturing sites totals more than $37 billion since 2013, including the Ultium Cells joint venture plants. Continue reading
Milestones – Honda Makes 30 Millionth US Vehicle
This was a significant move at the time since Honda was the first Japanese automaker to produce cars in the US. It arguably forced Toyota and Nissan and other offshore makers to follow. Since then, Honda has invested $16 billion in Honda US manufacturing facilities for auto and associated components for autos. During 2022, more than two-thirds of all Honda and Acura vehicles sold in America were made in the US. Continue reading
EV Battery Gold Rush Down Under – Stellantis and Element 25
The deal with Element 25 – similar to ongoing EV battery supply chain moves at other automakers – is key to Stellantis’ stated electrification strategy, which includes securing substantial supplies of raw materials for battery electric vehicle (BEV) production. Manganese is a stabilizing element in the cathode of EV batteries. Continue reading
Drowning Risk – Body Glove Tandem Inflatable Paddle Boards
Surf 9 is recalling Body Glove Tandem and ULI Inflatable Paddle Boards because of a drowning risk. The paddle boards were sold exclusively at Costco (Costco item# 2622049), The US Consumer Product Safety Commission said today in a release. Continue reading
Japanese Global Sales Weak in November. China is a Disaster
The global sales results of major Japanese automakers just released for November of 2022 show weakness and an uncertain outlook for 2023. The world’s largest car market, China, as well Putin’s war against Ukraine are major culprits. This in our view significantly clouds the outlook for 2023. However, Toyota Motor is showing resilience to the sales flu thus far as winter sets in. Continue reading
Honda Alabama Begins Making Largest Pilot SUV Ever
The largest Honda SUV ever, the new Pilot is longer and wider than its predecessor. It’s available in five trim levels: Sport, EX-L, Touring, Elite and TrailSport**. The mid-sized, three-row SUV has a new, stronger and more capable platform that also provides more passenger and cargo space. With a new optional opening panoramic sunroof, the new Pilot is the only vehicle in its class to combine 8-passenger seating and this type of roof. Continue reading
Mercedes-Benz Outlines EV Drive Systems Production Sites
The new Mercedes-Benz powertrain production network was achieved following what were likely dicey discussions with German employee representatives. Mercedes says this resulted in agreements to further increase flexibility and efficiency at the various locations, paving the way for securing the future of the plants. In line with the implementation of the Mercedes-Benz Business Plan, the company is investing a mid-single-digit billion-euro amount in its European powertrain production locations. Thus far worker protest or strikes are apparently non-existent. Continue reading
Ram Recalls 1.3 Million Pickups for Sudden Tailgate Openings
Chrysler (FCA US, part of the Stellantis mega-merger) is recalling more than 1.3 million 2019-2022 model year Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500 pickup trucks. The tailgate may not latch properly due to misaligned tailgate strikers, which could result in the tailgate opening while driving. Misaligned tailgate strikers may cause a failure to properly latch the tailgate. An improperly latched tailgate may result in an unintended tailgate opening while driving or stationary.
Customers, however, will not be notified until January 2023. Stellantis advises owners to secure cargo in the beds. Vehicles equipped with Ram’s multi-function tailgate and Ram 1500 Classic pickups are unaffected. Also excluded are vehicles equipped with sensors that alert drivers to insecure tailgates. Continue reading
Posted in customer satisfaction, manufacturing, quality, recalls, safety
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, Ken Zino, nhtsa, ram pickup recalls
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GM BrightDrop Expands to Canada with Ingersoll EV Plant
With taxpayer-financed support from both Canadian governments, GM has retooled the CAMI Assembly plant become the new global manufacturing home of BrightDrop’s fully electric delivery vans starting with the BrightDrop Zevo 600 electric delivery van. CAMI expects to produce 50,000 Zevo vans annually by 2025. Scaled production is expected to begin with Zevo 600 models in January 2023 and Zevo 400 models in late 2023. In the US, BrightDrop completed delivery of the first Zevo 600s to FedEx last year. Continue reading
November US New Vehicle Sales Forecast Record Consumer Spending of $42.8B. Global Sales Good, but Fluid
New-vehicle transaction prices continue to rise, but slower than earlier this year. The average price in November will set a record for the month of $45,872, an increase of 3.1% from a year ago. The record transaction prices mean that buyers are predicted to spend nearly $42.8 billion on new vehicles this month, the highest level ever for the month of November and a 7.0% increase from November 2021 as the Biden Administration recovery continues. Continue reading
Milestones: 75 millionth Opel – Grandland GSe
Opel recently announced that it would revive GSe as a new sub-brand for electrified models with GSe now standing for Grand Sport electric. The Opel Grandland GSe follows the Astra GSe and the Astra Sports Tourer GSe. Opel claims it is a high-performance, plug-in hybrid with electric all-wheel-drive in the SUV compact class, arguably the fastest growing segment in Europe and Asia. Continue reading
Stellantis Hordain to Build Hydrogen-powered, Electric and Combustion Engine Commercial Vehicles
Starting in 2024, the site Hordain will have a mini-mass production capacity of 5,000 vehicles per year of hydrogen-powered utility vehicles. This Stellantis said in a release reaffirms its goal to be the first mass-produced manufacturer of hydrogen-powered utility van vehicles. There is also a labor relations aspect to the move. Stellantis has 12 industrial sites in France, and unlike Ford Motor Company it has a stated “ethical desire not to separate its electric and internal combustion engine businesses, to engage all its employees in the energy transition.” Continue reading
BYD Toyota EV Technology Company Debuts bZ3 EV in China
It’s a risky strategy that has proven successful so far, but doing business with totalitarian governments can cause disastrous consequences as Putin’s war on Ukraine demonstrated for European companies doing business in the region. Continue reading
BMW Group to Spend $1.7B to Make Electric Vehicles in US
The new Woodruff factory will encompass over 1 million sq. ft. and produce next generation batteries for fully electric vehicles. About, and 300 new jobs will be created on site. Plant Spartanburg currently produces lithium-ion battery modules for the two plug-in hybrid electric vehicles built at the plant, the BMW X3 xDrive30e and BMW X5 xDrive45e. In 2021, ~70,000 electrified BMWs were built on site. Continue reading
US Trade Deficit Grows in 2022 as Economy Recovers
For 2022, the goods and services deficit increased $103.0 billion, or 12.2% from 2021. This is the largest deficit on record as the economy continued to recover as consumers and businesses purchased higher amounts of machinery, car components, industrial supplies, medicines among other things. Exports increased $453.1 billion or 17.7% . Imports increased $556.1 billion or 16.3%. Continue reading →