Category Archives: news analysis

Covid Pandemic Recovery Shows US Population Growing

Eventually the shifts in population will have effects on the automobile and transportation businesses as the economy evolves toward a sustainable future and the adoption of EVs, construction equipment, railroads and airplanes with non-fossil fuels, which local politicians will either support or sabotage. As the nation ages, there are also other mobility questions. Continue reading

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December US Sales Up. Transaction Prices at Record Highs

Total new-vehicle sales for December 2022, including retail and non-retail transactions, are forecast to reach 1,254,700 units, a 5.3% increase from December 2021, according to a joint forecast from J.D. Power and LMC Automotive.* December 2022 has the same number of selling days as December 2021. The record transaction prices means that buyers are on track to spend nearly $48.2 billion on new vehicles this month, a slight -0.3% decrease from December 2021. Continue reading

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Safety First – NASCAR and RealResponse to Provide Participants with Anonymous Squawk Tool

This appears to be a response to the critics of the Next Gen car introduced for the 2022 season, which injured some during rear impacts – either being hit from behind or spinning off backwards into a wall. It clearly poses image problems for NASCAR, if drivers or fans or media think safety is not being, well, emphasized. The next Gen Car did in our view result in some positives. There were 19 different race winners, 20 adding the All-Star Race Ryan Blaney won, five first-time winners,  and a strong championship fight. Continue reading

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US Wholesalers at $9671 Billion Post 20% Increase in 2021

The latest data along with plummeting fuel prices and decreasing inflation are evidence that the Biden Administration economic program is producing promised results in spite of ongoing Republican opposition. In fact, some maintain that the Democrats are now the party of business after the disastrous Trump years. Continue reading

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Mercedes-Benz Outlines EV Drive Systems Production Sites

The new Mercedes-Benz powertrain production network was achieved following what were likely dicey discussions with German employee representatives. Mercedes says this resulted in agreements to further increase flexibility and efficiency at the various locations, paving the way for securing the future of the plants. In line with the implementation of the Mercedes-Benz Business Plan, the company is investing a mid-single-digit billion-euro amount in its European powertrain production locations. Thus far worker protest or strikes are apparently non-existent. Continue reading

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EPA Automotive Trends – 2021 Fuel Economy at Record High. Emissions at Record Low.

Without question advancements in technology and government regulations are prodding industry to reach these carbon reduction achievements. In model year 2021, hybrid vehicles reached a new high of 9% of all production. These vehicles can use a larger battery to recapture braking energy and provide power when necessary, allowing for a smaller, more efficiently operated engine. Continue reading

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November Global Light Vehicle Selling Rate Lessens

In crude registration terms, November rose 3.2% YoY (year-on-year) to 7 million units. The year-to-date (YTD) figure now stands at under 1% below the corresponding period in 2021, though this is a weak base for comparison., LMC noted. China’s market decelerated sharply in November. In YoY terms, sales fell by 7% in November, ending five straight months of strong rebound. North America and Europe are still struggling YTD as supply-side factors continue to hamper sales. Continue reading

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US Airlines Add Jobs for 18th Consecutive Month of Growth

Scheduled US passenger airlines added 3398 full-time equivalents* in October for 18th consecutive month of job growth, the USDOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics said today as the Biden Administration economic recovery continued. Continue reading

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Biden Admin Making American Manufacturing Great Again

It is the latest fulfillment of the Biden Administration’s pledge to protecting American jobs, as well as the Constitution, in stark contrast to the last mis-administration. In Michigan, the Department of Energy also launched next steps in the Battery Workforce Initiative (BWI), a program geared toward supporting workforce training for good clean energy manufacturing jobs and the development of strategies to bring supply chains back home from overseas. Continue reading

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Chief Marketing Officer Suzy Deering Abruptly Flees Ford Blue

Let the media speculation begin. However, as we have noted Ford Blue – the old internal combustion engine business that is being phased out, is not the future of Ford Motor. Neither now is it the future of Ms. Deering. Continue reading

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November Breaks Covid Fever in Western Europe Sales

The Western Europe passenger vehicle selling rate rose from 10.3 million units/year in October to 12.2 million units/year in November – the second strongest performance of the year behind August, according to data just released by the LMC Automotive consultancy*. … Continue reading

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November US Light Vehicle Sales Up. Uncertainty Remains

General Motors led the market, with a 17.6% share, 2.4 pp ahead of Toyota Group. Stellantis saw the largest YoY decline of the major automakers, down by 13.2% YoY. Honda Group continued to struggle with a -6.1% YoY drop. Continue reading

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Biden Administration Prevents Nationwide Rail Shutdown

Once again the  President appears to have out-foxed unwitting Republican obstructionists. In response to a question about paid sick leave, he said, “As soon as I can convince our Republicans to see the light.” Thereby once again using success to highlight opposition policy failures.

Biden also took the opportunity to reiterate the economic progress the Administration continues to make after the unending disasters and corruption of the previous Republican Administration. Republicans were thumped in the mid-term elections of course. Continue reading

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Auto, Other Industries Pushing for Rail Strike Intervention. Biden Asking for Action from Do Nothing Senate Republicans

President Biden: “Let me say that again: without action this week, disruptions to our auto supply chains, our ability to move food to tables, and our ability to remove hazardous waste from gasoline refineries will begin. The Senate must move quickly and send a bill to my desk for my signature immediately.” Continue reading

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Federal Reserve Chair Powell Says Inflation Remains Too High

The remarks today are important to the US auto industry since it is responsible for a total of 10.3 million American jobs, or about 8% of private-sector employment as well as $650 billion in direct, indirect, and induced paychecks, according to the Alliance for Automotive Innovation*. More than $272 billion annually is contributed in the form of federal, state, and local tax revenues. This includes more than $70 billion in income taxes and $10 billion in corporate profit taxes.

Auto companies in our view need to demonstrate a degree of flexibility and speed of analysis and reaction that – much like the Covid Pandemic and Putin’s war against Ukraine – were not part of the usual operating procedures. Continue reading

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