Category Archives: news analysis

Ford Recalls 1.5 Million Focus Models for Bad Fuel Gages

The Ford recall announcement comes the morning after Ford Motor reported disappointing Q3 earnings which included major operational losses – Europe, China – as well as drops in market share for several regions. Consumer Reports yesterday also rated Ford Motor dependability – based on customer complaints – near the bottom of a list of all major automakers. Continue reading

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Subaru Sells One-Millionth Eyesight Driver Assist

The driver-assist technology has Pre-Collision Braking and Throttle Management; Adaptive Cruise Control; Lane Departure and Sway Warning; and Lane Keep Assist. All 2018 models equipped with Eyesight received the highest possible rating of “Superior” for front crash prevention from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Continue reading

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Ford Motor Creates Stand-Alone China Business to Stop Loses in Its Latest Asia Pacific Shakeup

The timing seems odd as Ford is entering a busy period of product renewal in China, including the current high-volume launches of the Ford Territory, Ford Focus and Ford Escort. It’s part of Ford China’s commitment to launch 50 new vehicles by 2025. Continue reading

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Group Renault Revenues of €11.5 billion in Q3 2018 or -6%

During Q3 2018, Group Renault revenues reached €11,484 million (-6.0%). At constant exchange rates, Group revenues decreased by -1.4%. Continue reading

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Daimler Takes Lead in F1 Driver and Maker’s Championship

Presumptive World Champion Lewis Hamilton came home in P3, racing to the 15th podium for Mercedes-Benz Power. It would be Hamilton’s fifth World Championship title – he needed to win to clinch before the next race in Mexico, with two more races remaining after that. If he hangs on in Mexico and Ferrari’s Sebastián Vettle has another fateful outing as he did yesterday, then he can join Juan Manuel Fangio with five titles. Continue reading

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Death of The Diesel – Q3 Daimler Earnings Guidance Cut

Largely affected are Mercedes-Benz Cars and Daimler Buses divisions and for the Daimler Group. They are now running at a loss now running at a loss. Continue reading

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Used Vehicle Incentives Decrease for the First Time in Years

Whether this is a trend that will save consumers money, or just a blip is debatable and contingent on the U.S. economy and the stated – but not yet implemented – Federal Reserve desire to raise interest rates. Continue reading

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More People Want Gun Ownership Controls Than Gun Rights!

“Overwhelming majorities of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents and Democrats and Democratic leaners (89% each) say mentally ill people should be barred from buying guns. Nearly as many in both parties (86% of Democrats, 83% of Republicans) favor barring gun purchases by people on federal watch lists. And sizable majorities also favor making private gun sales and sales at gun shows subject to background checks (91% of Democrats, 79% of Republicans),” according to Pew. Continue reading

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Mahindra, Ford Agree on Connected Car, Powertrain Sharing

Both companies “continue to make progress on the remaining MoUs signed earlier this year. This includes leveraging their respective strengths on product development for India and emerging markets, including co-development of compact SUVs and electric vehicles.” Translation: Ford can’t afford to develop EVs on its own. Continue reading

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Death Of The Diesel Continues As London Mayor Delivers Online Checker To Help Car Buyers Choose Cleaner Cars

The Mayor wants to help restore public confidence following the ‘dieselgate’ scandal, in which many Londoners wrongly brought ‘cleaner’ cars in good faith but later found out they had dirty polluting engines because of defeat devices or the official testing process not reflecting emissions in ‘real world’ conditions. Continue reading

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Variables Abound – Meet the New NAFTA

AutoInformed agrees that the text offers greater certainty about the future of North American automotive production, trade, and investments, the USMCA still must be signed, ratified, and the enabling legislation must be passed in each of the three countries before the agreement can go into effect on the target date of 1 January 2020. It’s by no means a sure bet. Continue reading

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Dieselgate – Audi Fines of ~$1 Billion hit Porsche Guidance. Porsche is Economical with the Truth on Ongoing Risks.

Porsche rules out however a spin off ala Ferrari that could value and independent company at more than $80 billion. The remaining outstanding fraud case from the noxious diesel emissions scandal is remains ongoing in Stuttgart, where state prosecutors are investigating the role Volkswagen’s sports car brand Porsche played in the sordid diesel affair. Continue reading

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Volvo Cars Canada Debuts First Vehicle Subscription Service

With a few clicks on a smartphone, Canadians can order a new car in less than 10 minutes. The Care by Volvo subscription includes services such as winter tire installation and storage, 24/7 roadside assistance, and a concierge service that assists Care by Volvo subscribers through every step of the process including coordinating delivery with their local Volvo retailer. Continue reading

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Ford Motor Company Q4 Dividend Remains $0.15

While the F-Series exceeded the 70,000-truck mark for the seventh straight month, selling 75,092 pickups in September, year-to-date the F-Series was down -8.8% in September and up 3% year-over year to date. Still, transaction pricing is running at record levels of $46,600 per truck, up $1,000 over a year ago. Super Duty transaction pricing totaled a record $59,100 per truck in September. How long can this last? Continue reading

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Beware of Self Interest in Mobility Promotion says NADA

“I get it. You can’t go to an automotive or a tech conference these days without hearing about the end of personal vehicle ownership,” he said. “But I’m asking you: Question the hype, ask for proof, and find out what they’re not telling you. The future will work itself out regardless. I just want us to be informed in the meantime.” Continue reading

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