Category Archives: news analysis

FCA US Recalls 332,000 Vehicles for Bad Airbags

In the required filing just made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, FCA said “A disrupted connector on the buckle switch hall effect may affect the conduction on the connectors of the seat wiring and buckle which may cause the front seat air bag to not perform as expected during a crash.” The part in question was made by ZF Group in Italy as Molex part number 98817-1025. Continue reading

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Takata Airbag Shrapnel – BMW Recalls 400,000 3-Series Models

The original steering wheel may have been replaced with a sport or M-sport steering wheel equipped with a Takata inflator that can explode during deployment. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death. Continue reading

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IIHS Pooh-Poohs Merits of Partial Automation Systems

“Everything we’re seeing tells us that partial automation is a convenience feature like power windows or heated seats rather than a safety technology,” said IIHS President David Harkey. Continue reading

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Largest Ever Clean Air Act Fine Imposed on Marathon Oil

The Justice Department and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have reached a settlement with Marathon Oil Company* over Clean Air Act violations at the company’s oil and gas production operations on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation in North Dakota. The settlement requires that Marathon pay a civil penalty of $64.5 million, the largest ever for violations of the Clean Air Act at stationary sources, which include downstream facilities such as oil and gas tank systems. Under the settlement agreement, Marathon will implement extensive compliance measures to achieve major reductions in harmful emissions from more than 200 facilities across the state. Continue reading

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NHTSA Issues Consumer Alert on Faulty Replacement Airbags

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that used car buyers and owners need to be aware of cheap, substandard replacement air bag inflators that can cause death or serious injury in a crash. In the last year, three people have been killed and two people have suffered life-altering, disfiguring injuries due to these faulty aftermarket replacement air bag inflators. Continue reading

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New MG HS SUV Debuts at Goodwood Festival of Speed

The outgoing HS SUV has been immensely popular,” said David Allison, Head of Product and Planning at MG Motor UK. “However, the new SE and Trophy models raise the bar with even more equipment and functionality, a distinctive MG appearance that sets the HS apart from other SUVs and a choice of advanced petrol and plug-in hybrid powertrains. This strong MG all-rounder is now adding even more to its game.” Continue reading

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Stellantis Sales Up in EU for First Half of 2024

“We will sustain our growth by seizing opportunities and managing disruptions,” said Uwe Hochgeschurtz, Stellantis Chief Operating Officer, Enlarged Europe. “With our solid market position, strategic partnerships, and robust product lineup, we enter the year’s second half with strong momentum. Continue reading

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Toyota Joins IONNA EV Charging Network in North America

IONNA and Toyota Motor North America (NYSE: TM) said today announced that Toyota has joined seven other automakers as an investor in IONNA* to support the build-out of its charging network for battery electric vehicles (BEVs) across North America. This … Continue reading

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Global Automakers in the US Out-Build Detroit 3 During 2023

The American International Automobile Dealers Association (AIADA) and Autos Drive America in their 2024 Economic Impact Report say that during 2023, for the first time, international automakers in the United States out-produced the Detroit 3 automakers. Last year, Autos Drive America’s members produced 4.9 million light vehicles in the U.S. compared to 4.6 million produced by the Detroit 3. In total, last year 8.7 million new vehicles were sold in 9401 international nameplate dealership franchises, accounting for 57% of all new vehicle sales in 2023. Continue reading

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VW Group – €2.6 Billion Exposure Over EV Plant Closing

In an ad hoc release late yesterday, the Volkswagen Group slashed its annual financial results forecast over the costs of the potential shutting down of an Audi EV plant in Brussels. In total, this will lead to a “burden on the operating result of up to €2.6 billion in the 2024 financial year.” Continue reading

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Biden Administration – $1.6B in Semiconductor Manufacturing

The US Department of Commerce today published a Notice of Intent (NOI) to open a competition for new research and development (R&D) activities that it said will establish and accelerate domestic capacity for semiconductor advanced packaging. The CHIPS for America program predicts that up to $1.6 billion in funding will go to five R&D areas. These were first outlined in the vision for the National Advanced Packaging Manufacturing Program (NAPMP). Through potential cooperative agreements, CHIPS for America would make several awards of ~$150 million federal funding per award in each research area. Continue reading

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Biden Administration Sets Job Creation Record at 15.7 million

“Too many Americans are still feeling squeezed by the cost of the living. I’m fighting to lower costs by taking on corporate price gouging, capping the cost of insulin and prescription drugs, and calling on Congress to lower rent by building 2 million new homes. Congressional Republicans have a different vision that sides with billionaires and special interests and will supercharge inflation. They’ll impose high consumer tariffs that will cost middle class families thousands of dollars each year, give a giant tax cut to the wealthy, repeal the Affordable Care Act, and allow big corporations to keep ripping off Americans. While they fight for Park Avenue, I’ll keep fighting for working families like the ones I grew up with in Scranton,” said President Biden  in a White House statement. Continue reading

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Chinese Light Vehicle Market Recuperating In May

During May 2024, the Chinese Light Vehicle (LV) market showed a firm uptick with continuous structural optimization, according to an analysis and data released by the respected GlobalData consultancy.* Within the LV segment, Passenger Vehicle (PV) sales, influenced by the … Continue reading

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CDK Cyberattacks Wound June US Light Vehicle Sales

“Although the industry has become accustomed to dealing with adversity in recent years, the CDK cyberattack was another curve ball that disrupted activity on a number of levels during June. Many dealers that use CDK’s software found it difficult to conduct normal business operations, although reports suggest that workarounds were found in many cases,” said David Oakley, Manager, Americas Sales Forecasts, GlobalData. Continue reading

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Stellantis Adds Another $55 Million to Archer Aviation

“Few things rival the excitement of seeing a dream take flight. I applaud the innovation, expertise and hard work of the engineering and manufacturing teams from Stellantis and Archer,” said Carlos Tavares, Stellantis CEO. “With this additional investment in Archer, we remain on course for a future where freedom of mobility extends beyond today’s roads.” Continue reading

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