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Category Archives: marketing
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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US Auto Sales Hitting Streak – 20 Months of Growth in March
US Light Vehicle (LV) sales grew 5.5% year-on-year (YoY) in March to 1.44 million units, according to an analysis just released by the respected GlobalData consultancy.* This means that under the Biden Administration the economy had another month of YoY … Continue reading
Posted in auto news, economy, marketing, news analysis, results, sales
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Biden Administration economy, Bidenomics, David Oakley, GlobalData, Jeff Schuster, Ken Zino, March 2024 US light vehicle sales
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Auto Industry Continues to Rebound from Pandemic Lows
Cox Automotive* experts on a media call today said U.S. new-vehicle sales in Q1 will increase 5.6% year-over -year (YoY) and reach 3.8 million units. The YoY increase in Q1 sales implies that the new-vehicle market in the U.S. continues to recover slowly from the 10-year low – 13.8 million total sales – recorded in 2022. AutoInformed notes that the Biden Administration recovery continues despite the Federal Reserve’s efforts to harm the economy by keeping interest rates unduly high. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, economy, electric vehicles, manufacturing, marketing, news analysis
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Biden Administration economic recovery, Charlie Chesbrough, Cox Automotive, Jonathan Smoke, Ken Zino, Stephanie Valdez Streaty
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Hyundai 2025 Santa Cruz Debuts in New York
Hyundai today unveiled a revised 2025 Santa Cruz Sport Adventure Vehicle in a world debut at the New York International Auto Show. Santa Cruz has mildly redesigned exterior and interior surfaces, along with new infotainment and additional advanced driver assistance systems. The 2025 Santa Cruz arrives at Hyundai dealerships this summer.
“The development goal for freshening Santa Cruz was to give it an even bolder, stronger design. We also wanted Santa Cruz to be more capable, and the available XRT trim delivers with all-terrain tires, front tow hooks and improved off-road capability,” said José Muñoz, president and Global COO of Hyundai Motor Company. “Customers are going to appreciate all the new design details and enhancements inside and out. Santa Cruz is a true sport adventure vehicle.” Continue reading
March US Vehicle Sales Up. Record Q1 Consumer Spending!
Total US new-vehicle sales for March 2024, are projected to reach 1,525,700 units, a 12.1% increase from March 2023, according to a joint forecast today from J.D. Power and GlobalData.* The seasonally adjusted annualized rate (SAAR) for total new-vehicle sales is expected to be 16.4 million units, up 1.6 million units from March 2023. New-vehicle total sales for Q1 2024 are projected at 3,830,500 units, a 4.5% increase from Q1 2023 when adjusted for selling days as the Biden Administration recovery continues.
New-vehicle retail sales for March 2024 are also expected to increase when compared with March 2023. Retail sales of new vehicles are forecast at 1,225,000 units, a 10.7% increase from March 2023. New-vehicle retail sales for Q1 2024 are projected at 3,066,500 units, a 4.5% increase from Q1 2023 when adjusted for selling days. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, economy, marketing, milestones, news, news analysis, results, sales, transportation
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Bidenomics, David Oakley, Elizabeth Krear, GlobalData, j.d power, Ken Zino, March US new vehicle sales, Thomas King
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Annals of Marketing – Honda Prologue AI Dream Generator
Honda said today it is celebrating the launch of the all-new 2024 Prologue, its first all-electric SUV, by taking families on an “unforgettable” trip powered by AI. The so-called artificial intelligence “Dream Generator” was developed for Honda in collaboration with Amazon Ads Brand Innovation Lab. It is said to create stories by combining user-provided inputs with AI-generated visuals to produce a custom and shareable animated film. Each member of the family is in the figurative driver’s seat as they build a Prologue adventure, say, through jungle terrain inhabited by dinosaurs, above the roads in a magic cloud world, through a microscopic garden jungle teeming with bugs or to outer space. Continue reading
Posted in connected vehicles, electronics, marketing, milestones, mobility company, new vehicle, shows and events
Tagged animation cels, artificial intelligence, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Disney animation methods, Honda Dream Generator, Honda Marketing, Kate McCagg, Ken Zino, Phil Hruska
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February Global Light Vehicle Sales at 85M Annual Rate
The Global Light Vehicle (LV) selling rate rose to 85 million units annually in February2024, according to an analysis just released by the respected consultancy GlobalData.* This is an increase from 82 million units/year in January, which is still anemic compared to the second half of 2023. More than 6 million vehicles were sold in February, although year-over year (YoY) it was down -2.8% YoY largely due to a withering in China.
“Many key markets saw moderate selling rate growth in February. In Europe, it was a mixed picture as Western Europe’s selling rate grew while Eastern Europe’s rate slowed. China’s selling rate improved moderately from January, though it remains somewhat weaker than at the end of 2023. In the US, prices continued to ease, and incentives ratcheted up, supporting market expansion,” the Global Light Vehicle Sales Forecasting Team said. Continue reading
EV Grumblings – Auto Execs Waffling on Growth
With hybrid electric vehicle sales soaring, and the badly needed EV charging infrastructure lagging, there is considerable discussion among auto executives and industry pundits about the EV market.*
As always a walk – or in this case an electrified drive – into the unknown provokes considerable speculation and anxiety about where things are headed. Compounding the EV market grumblings are the intensive capital investments involved and the dire state of our climate with the deleterious effects of global warming increasingly laying waste to large areas of the planet. Continue reading
Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, customer satisfaction, economy, electric vehicles, environment, global warming, marketing, news analysis, public health
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, center for automotive research, EV charging availability anxiety, GlobalData, GlobalData Powertrain Forecasts, Ken Zino, Matt Lucki, Snehasis Ganguly
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EV Grumblings – Tire Replacement Rates?
J.D. Power said today that early data from its unpublished 2024 U.S. Original Equipment Tire Customer Satisfaction Study shows that EV tires may fall short of meeting this expectation, with a higher replacement rate in years One and Two of ownership than with internal combustion vehicle tires. (see AutoInformed: J.D. Power – Vehicle Dependability Down Again)
In what could be a stretch of a still to be verified conclusion based on a much needed larger sample size that doesn’t yet exist, Power claimed that “more than a quarter of new vehicle shoppers who are considering an EV cite reliability as a factor in this decision.” Well, duh, they might also prioritize other things such as saving the planet, eschewing fossil fuels, and charging at home. How this sorts out in a changing marketplace remains to be seen. Power did say that the gap in replacement rates appears to be closing. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, awards, blog, customer satisfaction, electric vehicles, global warming, marketing, news, news analysis, people, public health, transportation
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, BFGoodrich, Bridgestone, Continental, Cooper, Dunlop, EV Grumblings, Falken, Firestone, General, Giti, goodyear, hankook, j.d power, J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Original Equipment Tire Customer Satisfaction Study, Ken Zino, Kumho, michelin, Nexen, Nitto, Pirelli, Toyo, Vogue, Yokohama
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Annals of Marketing and Racing – Cadillac Opulent Velocity
Cadillac said today that its view what the future of electric performance is contained in teaser look released of the Opulent Velocity concept vehicle. It is designed to market the past, present and future of Cadillac and its performance brand, V-Series. In marketing speak, Opulent Velocity represents the duality of the Cadillac brand defined in the name, Opulent + Velocity.
“Opulent Velocity is designed to foreshadow a zero emissions expression of performance and modern luxury leadership,” said Bryan Nesbitt, executive director, Cadillac Global Design. “We will share more later this year, so stay tuned.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, design and styling, marketing, new vehicle, performance, racing
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Brandon Vivian, Bryan Nesbitt, Cadillac V-Series, Ken Zino, Opulent Velocity, Sebring International Raceway
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Taycan Turbo GT Sets Records at Laguna Seca, Nürburgring
Porsche said today that the upcoming Taycan Turbo GT with Weissach package set the fastest electric production car lap at Weathertech Raceway Laguna Seca. The Taycan is scheduled to go on sale this spring as part of the expansion of the premium line of its all-electric sports sedan to include the Taycan Turbo GT and the Turbo GT with an optional Weissach package. The Weissach setup is built for the track and eliminates the rear seats for a higher power-to-weight ratio. At peak power, both models can deliver more than 1100 PS (pferdestarke) or 1084.51 horspower. Continue reading
Posted in electric vehicles, marketing, milestones, new vehicle, news analysis, performance, racing, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino, Laguna Seca, nürburgring, Taycan Turbo GT with Weissach package
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Acura 2024 ZDX Qualifies for $7500 EV Taxpayer Subsidy
Acura has released the power ratings for the 2024 ZDX all-electric SUV, and the high-performance ZDX Type S – the most powerful Acura ever. With a performance-tuned dual-motor AWD powertrain, ZDX Type S delivers a claimed 500 maximum horsepower and 544 lb.-ft. of maximum torque1 – more than the Acura NSX Type S supercar. ZDX A-Spec buyers can choose between a rear-wheel drive single-motor powertrain with 358 hp and 324 lb.-ft. of max torque or a more powerful dual-motor all-wheel drive configuration with 490 hp and 437 lb.-ft. of maximum torque. Continue reading
Honda Prologue SUV EV Gets $7500 Tax Subsidy
American Honda Motor said today that most all-new 2024 Honda Prologue models, the first all-electric Honda SUV, will qualify for the US $7500 EV tax credit. The federal tax credit applies to the purchase of all 2024 Prologues built after 25 February 2024. All 2024 Prologues will qualify when leased as do other EVs because of a quirk in the tax code. Prologue is arriving at Honda dealerships in the coming weeks, with a 296-mile EPA range rating. Prices before the credit range from ~$42,000 to $52,000. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, connected vehicles, electric vehicles, environment, fuel economy or emissions, global warming, marketing, mobility company, new vehicle, news analysis
Tagged 2024 Honda Prologue EV, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Honda Home Electrification, Ken Zino, Lance Woelfer, lithium ion batteries
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February Western European Passenger Car Sales Up 8%
The Western European passenger car (PV) selling rate rose month-on-month to 12.8 million units on an annual basis according to an analysis just released by the respected consultancy GlobalData.* (see Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on European Passenger Car Sales Soft … 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 →