Category Archives: news analysis

NASCAR Still Racing So Far, Buffers and Restrictions Added

Posted on 11 March 2020 by Ken Zino

NASCAR has added an infectious disease specialist to its consulting physician group to provide technical assistance and to inform policy. In following with these discussions and guidance from this counsel, NASCAR is implementing several adjustments to race event operations effective this weekend at Atlanta and remaining in effect indefinitely. Continue reading →

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COVID-19: Fiat Chrysler Starts Work from Home, Distances Workers, Prepares for Possible Temporary Factory Shut Downs

Posted on 11 March 2020 by Ken Zino

Beyond the measures already taken in support of government directives, FCA said it will act to minimize the risk of spreading the contagion between employees. These include intensive sanitation of all work and rest areas, changing rooms and washrooms. To enable greater spacing of employees at their workstations, daily production rates will be lowered to accommodate the adapted manufacturing processes. Continue reading →

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FAA Helping Airlines on COVID-19 Cancellations

Posted on 11 March 2020 by Ken Zino

The FAA is waiving the 80% use requirement through 31 May 2020 for U.S. and foreign airlines that have affected flights. In doing so, the FAA “expects that U.S. carriers will be accommodated with reciprocal relief by foreign authorities at airports in their countries and may determine not to grant a waiver to a foreign carrier whose home jurisdiction does not reciprocate.” Continue reading →

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COVID-19 Chaos as LMC Automotive Cuts Global Light Vehicle Sales Forecast by 3.7 Million Units

Posted on 11 March 2020 by Ken Zino

Whether you believe there is a public overreaction or that COVID-19 is actually a public health crisis headed for pandemic status, there is no denying the expected negative impact it will have on the economy and auto industry. Continue reading →

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COVID-19: 2020 New York International Auto Show Delayed

Posted on 11 March 2020 by Ken Zino

As AutoInformed said then, “The show’s fate of course will be determined by public health departments at the city, state and federal levels. At the moment there is no known vaccine for preventive or ameliorative use against COVID-19.” This still applies despite of the denials and obfuscation of the  central government.  Continue reading →

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Trump Deficit Growing: $625 Billion FYTD – $80B Higher YoY

Posted on 8 March 2020 by Ken Zino

Net interest on the public debt rose by $5 billion (or 17%), mostly because of a different rate of inflation. Continue reading →

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More Management Changes at Profit Challenged Daimler

Posted on 5 March 2020 by Ken Zino

The reorganization at Daimler continued today at Daimler in Investor Relations and Greater China. Olaf Schick is to take over Finance & Controlling at Daimler Greater China replacing Steffen Hoffman. Hoffmann will take over as Head of Investor Relations on 1 April 2020  with the current head, Björn Scheib, leaving the company by “mutual agreement,” after 11 years in the position. Continue reading →

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Coronavirus Spreads – Geneva Motor Show Cancelled

Posted on 28 February 2020 by Ken Zino

The Swiss Federal Council today decreed that no events with more than 1,000 people are allowed to take place until 15 March 2020. The decision came just 3 days before the opening of the exhibition to the media. The situation changed with the appearance of the first confirmed coronavirus diseases in Switzerland. It has of course appeared in the U.S., which appears to be completely unprepared. Continue reading →

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Electric Vehicles – a Virus That Can’t Be Controlled?

Posted on 27 February 2020 by Ken Zino

Riddell in essence poses this riddle: When buying an IC car today, a larger engine is a big cost option, and for a BEV, a bigger ‘gas tank’ is a major, high-cost feature. Will this continue? Can this continue? Based on past behaviors, cost is a major inhibitor to adaption of advance technologies. Continue reading →

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Daimler Facing Profit and Sales Declines Reorganizes

Posted on 21 February 2020 by Ken Zino

“This will have a negative impact on our earnings in 2020 and 2021. To remain successful in the future, we must therefore act now and significantly increase our financial strength.” Continue reading →

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Politics of Racing – Aston Martin Balks at Valkyrie Program

Posted on 19 February 2020 by Ken Zino

This means the oft-hyped Valkyrie Hypercar will not make its WEC debut at Silverstone in August 2020 or compete in the 2021 24 Hours of Le Mans. Continue reading →

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U.S. Sales in 2020 – SUVs Will Govern a Down Market?

Posted on 15 February 2020 by Ken Zino

Compact SUVs during 2019 were the largest segment in the US and declined with the slowing market with a 19.2% share. For 2020, LMC forecasts 20%, thanks to the first full year of sales of the new Ford Escape as well as the ongoing popularity of the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V. Continue reading →

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Midwest Automotive Media Pick 2020 Kia Telluride and Lincoln Aviator as Family and Luxury Vehicles of the Year

Posted on 6 February 2020 by Ken Zino

Voting took place at both the Spring and Fall Rallies, which narrowed down the field of contenders. Mainstream finalists were the Ford Escape, Ford Explorer, Honda Passport, Hyundai Palisade, Jeep Gladiator, Kia Telluride, Mazda 3, and Subaru Outback. The finalists in the luxury category were the BMW X7, Cadillac XT6, Lincoln Aviator, Lincoln Nautilus, and Mercedes-Benz AMG CLS 53 Coupe. Continue reading →

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Global Light Vehicle Sales Slump. The Party’s Over?

Posted on 31 January 2020 by Ken Zino

LMC posits we must look at why the market has dropped 5 million units below the 2017 record. A recent blog entry entitled 2019 Review highlights some of the challenges faced by the auto industry. Chief among them are developments in China, with a protracted hangover from the temporary tax cuts of a few years ago, disruption coming from the launch of State VI-compliant vehicles (which varies region by region), along with a slowing economy. Continue reading →

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Groupe Renault Changes Execs – outsider Luca de Meo as CEO, Clotilde Delbos Deputy CEO

Posted on 28 January 2020 by Ken Zino

De Meo becomes the second executive to lead Renault (RNLSY) since Ghosn was arrested in Japan in 2018 and subsequently charged with financial fraud. Ghosn’s successor at Renault, Thierry Bollore, left last fall, in part it seems because he was a Ghosn protégé and after the collapse of a proposed merger with Fiat Chrysler in June that Nissan nixed. Continue reading →

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