Category Archives: news analysis

General Motors Announces ~7000 US Manufacturing Jobs

GM also said it will begin work on in-sourcing axle production for its next generation full-size pickup trucks, including work previously done in Mexico, to operations in Michigan, creating 450 U.S. jobs. Continue reading

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CAFE, Global Warming Rules Approved for 2022-25

In a parting shot to Twit-nitwit Trump who wants to despoil the environment because global warming is all a “Chinese hoax,” EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy says it will maintain the current greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions standards for model years 2022-2025 cars and light trucks. Continue reading

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Ford Motor Says 2017 Profit Will be Lower Than 2016

The bad news is that the ongoing increase of incentives, longer loan terms, growing sub-prime lending – including on trucks – and the fact Ford can’t give away a car in the U.S. is potentially troubling. Helped by incentives of more than $8,000 at year end, the Ford F-Series pickup retained its title as the best-selling vehicle in the land at 820,799. Predicting lower performance for 2017 is a warning that won’t help Ford’s weak share price. Continue reading

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2017: General Motors Bullish – More Stock Buybacks

GM’s 2017 outlook is based on – what else – an expected strong performance in North America and China, growth of GM Financial, continued cost efficiencies, improvement in South America and an ongoing vehicle launch cadence. Continue reading

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FAA Changes Pilot Medical Rules. Implications for Drivers?

The new regulation has further potentially broad implications for drivers since it dovetails with two other federal actions or desires. Continue reading

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Ford to Bring Back Ranger Pickup to North America

Ford is bringing back the Ranger midsize pickup truck to its North American vehicle lineup in 2019 and a Bronco midsize SUV to its global vehicle portfolio in 2020. Continue reading

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US Auto Sales at 17.5 Million Set New Record in 2016

For the second year running U.S. light vehicle sales set a record with 17,550,351 sold during 2016. This surpasses the previous 2015 record year of 17,479,469. This is only partially good news for some automakers. Continue reading

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Trump Triumphs? Ford Cancels Mexico Plant

This appears to be a partial victory for the twit tweets of Donald Trump that are centered around U.S. jobs. About 700 jobs will eventually be created. However, Ford will build its next-generation Focus at an existing plant in Hermosillo, Mexico “to improve company profitability.” Continue reading

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Un-Sweet Tweet – Trump Outburst Against Chevrolet Cruze

Incoming U.S. President Donald Trump today raged against General Motors, threatening to impose a “big border tax” for making some Chevrolet Cruze cars in Mexico. Continue reading

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Michigan Makes Rules for The Research, Testing, Use, and Ultimately Public Sale of Autonomous Vehicles

The law establishes the Michigan Council on Future Mobility, as part of the Michigan Department of Transportation, that will recommend policies to set industry standards. It also will regulate connected vehicle networks and how traffic data, such as vehicle crashes, will be collected and shared.

Lobbyists from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), Ford Motor, General Motors, Toyota Motor, and Google, as well as ride-hailing companies Uber and Lyft had a large say in the regulations.
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Luxury SUVs Will Outsell Luxury Cars for the First Time?

However, overall sales of luxury vehicles are expected to remain flat in 2016 compared to last year. Nonetheless, SUVs are bringing sales to brands that have been considered niche players. Jaguar and Volvo are enjoying the most gains, based on sales or leases of the Jaguar F-Pace and Volvo XC90. Continue reading

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EPA Keeps 54.5 MPG Fuel Economy Rules in Place

Automakers are squealing about the just announced EPA plan to keep 54.5 mpg fuel economy regulations in place after a detailed technical analysis of the industries progress thus far. The agency’s rule still must be finalized after a 30-day comment period that would close before Donald Trump’s inauguration. Continue reading

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Holiday Travel Put at 36.8 billion Miles

Americans are expected to log 36.8 billion miles on the road visiting family and friends – a 46% increase (11.6 billion miles) compared to 2015. Continue reading

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Bahrain – Audi One, Two. Porsche Wins Drivers’ Title

In its last race in World Endurance Cup, Audi dominated Bahrain by taking the first two spots on the podium. However, the new WEC driver world champions, Romain Dumas (FR), Neel Jani (CH) and Marc Lieb (DE) in the #2 Porsche only came in sixth after contact with another car early in the race. Continue reading

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Bosch CEO – Car as We Know It Will Soon Be History

Between 2017 and 2022, the global market for connected mobility is expected to grow by nearly 25% annually. Just a few years from now, cars will be an active part of the internet of things (IoT), able to communicate with other connected modes of transportation, and even with the smart home. Continue reading

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