Category Archives: news analysis

Porsche 911 Hybrid Debuts on 28 May

Posted on 13 May 2024 by Ken Zino

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 →

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Honda Post Record Operating Profit of $7B in FY 24

Posted on 10 May 2024 by Ken Zino

“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 →

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Toyota Motor Posts Record FY24 Net Income of $39.1B

Posted on 10 May 2024 by Ken Zino

“We faced many challenges, including those posed by COVID-19 and production restrictions due to tight semiconductor supplies, but the results showed the efforts of each front-line employee, including those of our suppliers and dealers, each recognized what they needed to do and acted accordingly, and a management structure and profit structure that was built to be resilient to crises,” said Koji Sato, president. Continue reading →

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Nissan Motor Posts FY Net Profit of $2.7 billion

Posted on 10 May 2024 by Ken Zino

Global sales remained at 3.44 million units, which were squeezed by intensified s competition. Nissan’s consolidated net revenue was ¥ 12.686 trillion. The operating profit of ¥568.7 billion translates to an operating margin of 4.5%. “This was due to logistics, other risks such as the Noto Earthquake and various cost relief made to suppliers such as inflation, and other factors,” Nissan said. Continue reading →

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Hyundai Capital America Fined for Civil Rights Violations

Posted on 9 May 2024 by Ken Zino

“Members of our Armed Forces should not have to worry about having their cars repossessed while they are in military service,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. Continue reading →

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BMW Group – Good Q1 Earnings on Slight Sales Increase

Posted on 8 May 2024 by Ken Zino

The BMW Group said today in Munich that during Q1 of 2024 it delivered 594,533 automobiles. This means, the company posted a tiny increase of 1.1% compared to the previous year. Throughout the three-month period, the major automotive markets largely showed an upward trend based on pent up demand and increased sales in the mid-price volume segment. Continue reading →

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Greenhouse Gases – EPA Final Rule for Oil and Gas Sector

Posted on 6 May 2024 by Ken Zino

“As we implement the historic climate programs under President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, EPA is applying the latest tools, cutting edge technology, and expertise to track and measure methane emissions from the oil and gas industry,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Together, a combination of strong standards, good monitoring and reporting, and historic investments to cut methane pollution will ensure the U.S. leads in the global transition to a clean energy economy,” Regan said. Continue reading →

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The April 2024 U.S. Jobs Report –  is Stable Good?

Posted on 3 May 2024 by Ken Zino

The U.S. labor market added 175,000 jobs in April, the White House said today via its Council of Economic Advisors. More than  60% of private-sector industries added jobs. The unemployment rate ticked up slightly to 3.9% – it went from 3.83% to 3.86% – and the labor force participation rate held steady at 62.7%. AutoInformed sees nothing in the report that is practically worrisome to the auto industry. What will be telling is if the companies can adjust supply to demand without incurring losses. Continue reading →

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April 2024 US Vehicle Sales Drop Slightly

Posted on 2 May 2024 by Ken Zino

“Calendar effects meant that it was always going to be challenging to match last year’s sales in April. However, with replenished inventory levels helping the market to recover a year ago, the industry is now facing a higher bar in order to keep growing,” said David Oakley, Manager, Americas Sales Forecasts, GlobalData. Continue reading →

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Mercedes-Benz Q1 2024 Profit Drops 25% as Sales Slump

Posted on 1 May 2024 by Ken Zino

Mercedes-Benz Group AG (MBG.DE) has reported Group Earnings Before Interest and Taxes (EBIT) of €3.9 billion (Q1 2023: €5.5 billion) a surprising drop of -25% but in line with struggles at European-based Volkswagen Group and Stellantis. Continue reading →

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Penske Automotive Group 2024 Q1 Earnings Drop

Posted on 1 May 2024 by Ken Zino

“Our retail automotive service and parts revenue grew 9% to a quarterly record of $746 million. During the quarter, we experienced a recovery across our used vehicle retail automotive operations with profitability improving sequentially by $428 per unit retailed. Further, I was pleased with our focus on controlling costs as selling, general, and administrative expenses as a percentage of gross profit improved by 30 basis points sequentially to 70.7%,” said Roger Penske Chair and CEO. Continue reading →

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Stellantis Q1 Revenues, Shipments Drop – Transition or Trend?

Posted on 30 April 2024 by Ken Zino

Stellantis reiterated a minimum commitment of double-digit Adjusted operating income (AOI) margin in 2024, as well as positive Industrial free cash flow, despite macroeconomic uncertainties. Stellantis claimed that it is on track to deliver total capital returns in 2024 more than €7.7 billion, for an 11% yield as a percentage of Stellantis market capitalization on 1 January 2024. It is likely that its value will go down in the short term. The company, in AutoInformed’s view is in a transition that requires the balancing of market share, product cost, revenue and development of new offerings. It is not alone among automakers. Continue reading →

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NHTSA Makes Automatic Emergency Braking Mandatory

Posted on 30 April 2024 by Ken Zino

“The new vehicle safety standards we finalized today will save hundreds of lives and prevent tens of thousands of injuries every year,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is not only making historic investments in transportation, but it’s also ushering in a new era of safer travel by ensuring new cars and light trucks are equipped with automatic emergency braking, making our roads safer for drivers and pedestrians alike.” Continue reading →

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National Labor Relations Board Certifies VW Chattanooga UAW

Posted on 30 April 2024 by Ken Zino

The National Labor Relations Board has certified the results of the election in which Volkswagen Chattanooga employees voted for representation by the United Auto Workers. The battle with VW management – a later day version of the Ford Rouge battle of the bridge, included disgraceful interference by VW management instead of the neutrality stipulated under US labor laws. The Chattanooga plant has now become the symbol and rallying point of the tough fight for workers’ rights, bringing national or global attention to the struggles and potential of unionizing in the low-wage South. Continue reading →

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NHTSA Investigation Opened on Ford Blue Cruise Fatalities

Posted on 29 April 2024 by Ken Zino

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is conducting a preliminary investigation of Mustang Mach-E electric vehicle crashes with Blue Cruise autonomous driving on freeways at night according to documents made public by the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) today. The crashes which killed three people occurred when Blue Cruise was in use just before the collisions. Continue reading →

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