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Category Archives: news analysis
January 2024 EU New Car Registrations Up 12%
In January 2024, the EU new car market rallied from the slowdown experienced in December 2023, with year-on-year car registrations increasing by 12.1% to 851,690 units. The trade bloc’s major markets all saw significant growth, with Germany (+19.1%), Italy(+10.6%), France (+9.2%), and Spain (+7.3%) posting either high single-digit or double-digit gains, according to ACEA.*
The EU diesel car market contracted by 4.9% in January. However new battery-electric car sales surged by 28.9% to 92,741 units, representing a total market share of 10.9%. The four largest markets in the region, together covering 66% of all battery electric car registrations, recorded double-digit gains: Belgium (+75.5%), the Netherlands (+72.2%), France (+36.8%), and Germany (+23.9%). Continue reading
US Vehicle Transaction Prices Down in January
The automobile market is not contributing to inflation. The extensively covered January Consumer Price Index (CPI), a key measure of inflation is widely misrepresented in AutoInformed’s opinion.
Cox Automotive* said today that it observed declines in retail vehicle prices last month, according to actual transaction data. Kelley Blue Book reported that average transaction prices for new vehicles were down by 3.5% year-over-year, Another Cox measure, Dealertrack data show average used retail prices down slightly less. “Both measures indicate the retail auto market is not pushing overall inflation higher,” Cox said. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, blog, economy, new vehicle, news analysis, prices, sales
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Biden Administration Recovery, Bidenomics, Cox Automotive, Jonathan Smoke, kelley blue book, Ken Zino, Manheim
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Germany Bucks Death of the Diesel Trend
GlobalData* said today that the 2023 full-year car diesel share in Western Europe is confirmed at 15.8% with 1,830,000 units sold for a 15.8% market share. January 2024 was another month of low Month-over-Month variation in the share of new … Continue reading
Do Media Have the Electric Vehicle Market Collapse Wrong?
The European Passenger Vehicle (PV) Battery Electric Vehicle market EV market grew ~32% with positive growth in all months except December during 2023. This growth was better than many forecasters indicated at the start of last year (and better than in 2022), with some predicting no growth. BEV sales volume came in at just under 2.1 million units. This is 500,000 more than were sold in 2022.
“It is clear there has been some recent slowdown in the market, but it depends where you look. Some brands are doing considerably better than others, with the likes of MG and Tesla standing out as strong performers in 2023,” the respected consultancy GlobalData said today. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, blog, connected vehicles, economy, electric vehicles, environment, fuel economy or emissions, global warming, news analysis, sales
Tagged Al Bedwell, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, BEV market, carlos tavares, European BEV demand and forecasts, EV technology and pricing, GlobalData, Hyundai Casper, Ken Zino, mg, Stellantis, tesla
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California – Equitable EV Charging for Multi-Family Housing?
“The State of California is leading the way to transition our transportation system to 100% zero-emission vehicles, but the millions of drivers who don’t have access to at-home charging are at risk of being left behind,” said McCarty. “If we want all Californians to have access to electric mobility, we must provide them with convenient and affordable public charging options where they already park: the curb.” Continue reading
Posted in alternative fuels, connected vehicles, economy, electric vehicles, environment, global warming, news analysis, public health
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, FLO Charging Solutions USA, It's Electric Inc, Ken Zino, Kevin McCarty, Louis Tremblay, Nathan King
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Stellantis Posts Record 2023 Results – €18.6B Net
“As we just passed the three-year mark since Stellantis’ inception, I warmly thank our teams who are executing at the highest levels and contributing greatly to our growth story, even in the strongest of headwinds. Today’s record financial results are proof that we have become a new global leader in our industry and will remain rock solid as we look to a turbulent 2024. Thanks to our flexible technology and product roadmap, we are prepared to address the various scenarios that could arise and to continue delivering on our Dare Forward 2030 targets,” said Carlos Tavares, CEO. Continue reading
Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, economy, electric vehicles, engineering, environment, financial results, manufacturing, marketing, milestones, mobility company, news analysis, results, sales
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, carlos tavares, Ken Zino, NYSE: STLA, Stellantis earnings and strategy, STLA platforms
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GM Expands Super Cruise Network in North America Again
“GM is all-in on safely deploying Super Cruise as we make the technology available on more vehicles, more roads and for more people to enjoy. A key part of that is expanding the road network, in this case nearly doubling it again, with LiDAR mapped highways. High precision LiDAR mapping gives us an operating domain where we are confident in Super Cruise’s abilities, “said Anantha Kancherla, GM vice president of ADAS. Continue reading
Annals of Marketing – G-Class Stronger Than Diamonds
Mercedes-Benz today announced a global campaign with the G-Class Stronger Than Diamonds edition, claimed to be “a very special symbol of love limited to just 300 units worldwide.” The marketing campaign, dubbed “A love that lasts forever. Stronger than diamonds,” is on Mercedes-Benz social media channels. Continue reading
BMW i Ventures Invests in Skylo Technologies
Skylo has launched its initial service across US, Canada, and Europe, in partnership with major chipset makers including Qualcomm, Samsung, MediaTek, and Sony, together with the leading device OEMs and mobile carriers, such as Deutsche Telekom. Continue reading
Posted in aftermarket, auto news, connected vehicles, electronics, marketing, milestones, mobility company, news, news analysis, software defined vehicles, software defined vehicles
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, BMW i Ventures, Kasper Sage, Ken Zino, Parth Trivedi, Skylo Technologies
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Daihatsu Ousted from CJPT for Certification Fraud
“CJPT has decided to accept Daihatsu’s request based on the belief that the continued inclusion of Daihatsu in activities will not gain the understanding of the public needed to progress its projects to build the future together,” CJPT said. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, autonomous vehicles, blog, connected vehicles, engineering, environment, fuel economy or emissions, global warming, news analysis, public health, transportation
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, CJPT, Commercial Japan Partnership Technologies Corporation, Daihatsu, Ken Zino, toyota motor
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Kia Recalls 2024 Tellurides for Sudden Engine Failures
Kia America (Kia) is recalling 2024 Telluride vehicles because the engine valve springs may break while driving, which can result in a sudden loss of power and possibly create a hole in the engine block, which is a fire hazard. Abnormal engine noise, check engine light illumination, and a rough running engine are warning signs that the driver may notice before the engine fails. Tellurides are made in Georgia at a non-unionized plant.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration today released the required recall filing. Kia told NHTSA that “The engine valve springs may break while driving due to fatigue cracking as a result of damage to the springs during manufacture by the supplier. A broken valve spring may result in a loss of motive power. In rare cases, a hole in the engine block may occur due to a broken valve entering the combustion chamber.” Continue reading
Posted in customer satisfaction, manufacturing, news analysis, quality, recalls, safety
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Daewonkangup valve spring recall, Ken Zino, kia recalls, Kia SC296, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, NHTSA 24V077
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Mercedes-Benz Recalls GLC models for Headlight Glare
Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) is recalling more than 15,500 vehicles because the headlights may be incorrectly adjusted too high during production and create a glare for oncoming traffic. As such, these luxury vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, “Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment.”
The recall was made public today by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Th recall appears to have been set in motion by an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rating of GLC (253 platform) vehicles more than one year ago, including their headlamp adjustments. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, manufacturing, news analysis, public health, quality, safety
Tagged AMG recalls, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, FMVSS 108, Ken Zino, Mercedes-Benz recalls, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, NHTSA 24V070
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Chevy Silverado, GMC Sierra Pickup Recall for Bad Tailgates
Only 2500 and 3500 (HD) series vehicles that are equipped with the manual gate with power lock and release (RPO QT5) are affected by this recall. HD series vehicles with other tailgate configurations are not affected by this recall, GM said in the filing. GM has also stopped delivery of the vehicles. It is a violation of federal law for a dealer to deliver a new motor vehicle or any new or used item of motor vehicle equipment until the defect is remedied. If the driver does not manually close the gate before beginning a drive, cargo in the bed of the truck may exit the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, electronics, engineering, news analysis, quality, recalls
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, GM Chevrolet tailgate recall N232426400, GM Safety Field Action Decision Authority, Ken Zino, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, NHTSA24V060
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Record Consumer Spending Forecast for US February Sales
Total new-vehicle sales for February 2024 in the US, including retail and non-retail transactions, are projected to reach 1,214,600 units, a 1.4% increase from February 2023, according to a joint forecast from J.D. Power and GlobalData* issued today. The seasonally adjusted annualized rate (SAAR) for total new-vehicle sales is expected to be 15.4 million units, up 0.4 million units from February 2023 as the Biden Administration economic recovery continues. Consumers are expected to spend ~$40.8 billion on new vehicles this month. This is the highest on record for the month of February, and 4.1% higher than February 2023. Continue reading →