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Category Archives: news analysis
UAW Loses Mercedes Alabama Vote
Workers at Mercedes in Alabama narrowly defeated a vote (2642 or 56% against with 2045 for) to join the UAW* in an election that was made public late Friday night. This was in stark contrast to the record contract approved by workers at Daimler Truck or the ratification of the union at Volkswagen in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Alabama has been a so-called “right to work state” (for less?) since 2016, meaning that union-membership is not required for employment. By late February, less than two months after Mercedes workers went public with their drive to join the UAW, a majority of them had signed union cards. Whether this is the end of the matter is far from clear. The UAW lost the vote at VW two times prior to its win.* Continue reading
Posted in auto news, economy, electric vehicles, global warming, labor issues, manufacturing, mobility company, news analysis
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, CAR Center for Automotive Research, EQE and EQS electric vehicles, GLE and GLS SUVs, Ken Zino, Mercedes-Benz Plant Tuscaloosa, nlrb, Shawn fain, uaw
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Nissan to Use Only Low-CO2 Emission Aluminum by 2030
Aluminum accounts for approximately 10% of vehicle weight. By using low CO2 emission aluminum, Nissan said this is A significant step towards achieving carbon neutrality. Nissan aspires to achieve carbon neutrality in the entire lifecycle of its vehicles by 2050. Continue reading
Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, energy, environment, global warming, mobility company, news analysis, public health
Tagged 7201T, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, coal-fired power generation, Ken Zino, low-CO2 emission aluminum
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April Global Light Vehicle Sales Tick Up Slightly
The Global Light Vehicle (LV) selling rate was 86 million units annually in April 2024, a modest improvement on the previous month, according to an analysis just released by the respected GlobalData consultancy.* With 6.8 million vehicles sold in April, this was a 2.8% improvement year-on-year (YoY), with year-to-date (YTD) sales increasing 3.8%.
Regional selling rates continued to see mixed results GlobalData said. In the US, the selling rate grew month-on-month (MoM). China’s selling rate eased despite the continuation of the price war. Europe also saw a moderate contraction in the selling rate in April versus March. In Japan, sales bounced back after production disruptions at major brands. Continue reading
Honda and IBM MoU on Software-Defined Vehicles
“The MOU outlines areas of potential joint research of specialized semiconductor technologies such as brain-inspired computing *[2 ] and chiplet technologies, with the aim to dramatically improve processing performance while, simultaneously, decreasing power consumption. Hardware and software co-optimization is important to ensure high performance and fast time to market. To achieve such benefits and manage design complexity for future SDVs, the two companies also plan to explore open and flexible software solutions,” Honda said in a release from Tokyo. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, autonomous vehicles, connected vehicles, electronics, milestones, mobility company, news analysis, software defined vehicles, software defined vehicles
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, automotive software, hardware and software co-optimization, Honda and IBM, Ken Zino, software-defined vehicles
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NHTSA Again Warns Drivers on Steering Wheel Decals
NHTSA said it is aware of at least one other driver who suffered a severe injury from an aftermarket steering wheel decal in a vehicle crash. In that case, the driver lost sight in one eye after the rhinestone-adorned decal dislodged from the steering wheel and hit the driver in the face. Continue reading
Posted in aftermarket, auto news, design and styling, news analysis, public health, safety
Tagged aftermarket steering wheel decals, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nhtsa, NHTSA Consumer Alert
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Kia and Hyundai Models Have Highest Theft Rates in 2023
Kia and Hyundai vehicles experienced the highest theft rates in 2023, breaking the years-long trend of full-size pickups topping the list, according to a new report issued by the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB). Social media posts explaining how to steal these vehicles likely played a factor in the latest data.
“These rankings highlight the persistent threat of vehicle theft across the country,” said NICB President and CEO David J. Glawe. “NICB works with law enforcement agencies and industry partners to deploy advanced technologies and strategies to combat vehicle theft from organized criminal networks and individuals. Even as we work to deter crime, it is crucial for owners to remain vigilant and take proactive measures to protect their vehicles.” Continue reading
Posted in aftermarket, auto news, fools 'n frauds, insurance, news analysis, people
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, David J. Glawe, Ken Zino, National Insurance Crime Bureau, nicb, popular stolen vehicles, social media on how to steal vehicles, stolen vehicle trends
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Chinese EV Trade War Commences
The Biden Administration has announced today that it will increase tariffs under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 passed overwhelmingly under the Republican President Gerald Ford administration on $18 billion of imports from China to protect American workers and businesses.
“The President’s actions reflect the conclusions of U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai’s mandatory four-year review that China continues to engage in unfair practices, such as forced technology transfer and restrictions and intellectual property theft from U.S. companies,” media were told on a background briefing by National Economic Advisor Lael Brainard and Senior Administration Officials. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, AutoInformed Editorial, blog, economy, electric vehicles, fuel economy or emissions, manufacturing, milestones, news analysis, transportation
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, department of energy, Ken Zino, Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, Section 301 tariffs, solar cell imports from China, steel and aluminum imports from China, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai
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VW Microbus Will Come to the US in Three Trims
Volkswagen of America today said that the 2025 ID. Buzz, the electric powered nostalgia marketing, Microbus* will be offered in three trims, unlike the untrimmed original owners — Pro S and Pro S Plus, along with a launch-only 1st Edition—with a 91 kWh battery and 282 horsepower for rear-wheel drive models; 4Motion® all-wheel-drive models will have maximum horsepower of 335. Range and pricing will be announced closer to launch. Continue reading
DOT Funds New Climate and Transportation Research Center
The announcement came, perhaps not coincidentally but certainly fortuitously after the current occupant, aka Donald Trump, of a courtroom in Manhattan who is being tried for fraud, asked the oil and gas industries for $1 billion in political contributions so that he can stop all work on decarbonization and climate change. Continue reading
Posted in news analysis
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, DOT Climate Change Center, Dr. Robert C. Hampshire, Ken Zino, Texas Southern University, U.S. Department of Transportation, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, University of California, University of Vermont
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Porsche 911 Hybrid Debuts on 28 May
Porsche said this morning in in Stuttgart that a hybrid-drive 911 sports car has completed development and will premiere on 28 May 2024. It is said to be 8.7 seconds faster than its predecessor on the Nürburgring, the track that is often used by marketers of performance sports cars for bolstering credulity of claims. Porsche performance claims have an extremely high degree of certainty in AutoInformed’s experience. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, electric vehicles, environment, fuel economy or emissions, global warming, milestones, news analysis
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Frank Moser, Jörg Bergmeister, Ken Zino, nürburgring, porsche 911
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Honda Post Record Operating Profit of $7B in FY 24
“In FY25, we will steadily proceed with dedicating resources towards electrification and aim to achieve operating profit of ¥1 trillion 420 billion and an operating profit margin of 7%, which is one year ahead of our original target,” said Toshiro Mibe, Director, President and Executive officer. He was the first Honda chief executive in history to attend the annual results conference. Normally, the finance staff conducts it with regional operating officers. Continue reading
Subaru to Relocate and Expand Central Region Office
“We are excited to expand our footprint and capabilities in the southern U.S., further supporting our customers and retailer network. Dallas is a vibrant area with diverse talent that will add fresh perspectives and further enhance our company culture,” said Jeff Walters, President and Chief Operating Officer at Subaru of America. Last year, Subaru sold 632,086 vehicles in the U.S. through a network of more than 630 retailers. Continue reading →