Category Archives: news analysis

US Retail New Vehicle Sales to Decline in July. Prices Up

Higher prices along with a rising interest rates are leading to monthly loan payments reaching new all-time highs. After breaking $700 for the first time ever in July, the average monthly finance payment in August is forecast to hit a record $716, up $78 from August 2021. That translates to a 12.2% increase in monthly payments from a year ago, which is above the 11.5% increase in transaction prices. Continue reading

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CJPT expels Hino over Emission Data Certification Fraud

In a move that appears to be an attempt to isolate Hino’s owner Toyota from the ongoing legal and other liabilities in the matter that started in 2003, Akio Toyoda, President of Toyota Motor Corporation “suggested that the misconduct committed by Hino is incompatible with CJPT’s * aspirations and goals and that the continued inclusion of Hino in activities will not gain the understanding of its customers and the public,” the Toyota statement said. Continue reading

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Canadian Industrial Policy Actively, Successfully Pursuing EV Climate and Economic Benefits with New Mercedes, VW MOUs

Free market ideologues, many of them backed by fossil-fuel-providers, disdain such progressive thinking and are positively scornful of a federally directed industrial policy such as the tiny one established in the Biden Administration’s Inflation Reduction Act. Not a single Republican voted for it. This, arguably, is the US’ first significant climate law since Congressional hearings were first conducted on the environment 40 years ago. It’s also significant change in political philosophy toward rational thinking over ideology. Continue reading

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Club of 25: McLaren Solus GT revealed

That virtual-to-reality world is tiny. A special commission for just 25 customers with all cars already sold. The single-seat, closed-cockpit track car was unveiled during Monterey Car Week in California by Michael Leiters, McLaren Automotive Chief Executive Officer Continue reading

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ZDX and Type S To Be Acura’s First Pure EVs in 2024

Acura today announced that its first full-electric SUV coming to market in 2024 will be named the Acura ZDX. Acura will also launch with a ZDX Type S performance variant. The ZDX will be the first production model to use many of the styling themes of the new Acura design direction introduced during Monterey Car Week in the form of the Acura Precision EV Concept. Continue reading

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Covid Recovery: GM Stock Dividend Returns

GM suspended its quarterly dividend in April of 2020 in response to uncertainty caused by the global coronavirus pandemic. While some uncertainty still exists, AutoInformed thinks that the ongoing successes of the Biden Administration’s public health and employment policies – particularly the passage of the Stop Inflation Recovery Act of 2022 – are reasons for optimism. Continue reading

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Success Threatens EVs as Public Charging Lacks Juice

“Public charging continues to provide challenges to overall EV adoption and current EV owners alike,” said Brent Gruber, executive director of global automotive at J.D. Power. “Not only is the availability of public charging still an obstacle, but EV owners continue to be faced with charging station equipment that is inoperable. The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program promises to provide funds to states for building out their EV public charging infrastructure.” Continue reading

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BMW M is Testing a High-Performance EV Prototype

The testing at the moment centers on a four-wheel drive system with four electric motors and an integrated driving dynamics control system. BMW claims that together they provide an unprecedented level of performance and experience. If successful – not a bad bet – it could bring another aspect to the meaning of amped-up AutoInformed opines. Continue reading

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VW Recalls Audi, Golf Models for Exploding Airbags

In the required NHTSA filing made public today VW Group said, “Audi is aware of one customer claim due to this issue.” The issues are an inflator explosion that may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in serious injury or death. And/or an improper air bag deployment may not properly restrain the occupant, increasing their risk of injury in a crash. Continue reading

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Western European Car Sales Point to a Recession

Well partially yes, but AutoInformed’s reading of economic data leads us to believe that Europe is in an ongoing recession as the US economy is growing. LMC’s take is, arguably, more optimistic than ours. Continue reading

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Police Pickup: 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning Pro SSV

Ford, which is badly behind in EV sales and development – it made 14,000 EVs in June – has an opportunity here. Ford has been providing police departments with the than 70 years. Ford Pro customers include more than 12,000 police departments across the country now. Ford said “its police vehicle lineup outsells all other police vehicles combined1. The company attributes this success and customer loyalty to the automaker’s close collaboration with its customers through the Ford Police Advisory Board. Continue reading

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Ford Motor Posts Good Earnings But Weak Net Income

However, Ford’s net income was $667 million, a margin of 1.7%, which included a mark-to-market loss of, gulp, $2.4 billion on Ford’s stake in Rivian. Ford is also in the process of slashing costs under its latest restructuring plan, but refused to comment on pending job cuts, which are being reported as around 8000, only to confirm that there are too many people employed at Ford. Continue reading

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US July Sales Forecast Down. Prices, Profits Still Records

Total new-vehicle sales for July 2022, including retail and non-retail transactions, are projected to reach 1,159,700 units, a 5.7% decrease from July 2021. Comparing the sales volume without adjusting for the number of selling days translates to a decrease of 9.2% from 2021. The seasonally adjusted annualized rate (SAAR) for total new-vehicle sales is expected to be 13.7 million units, down 0.9 million units from 2021. Continue reading

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Penske Automotive Group: Record Q2 Earnings of $500 Million

Penske Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE: PAG) today said it set all-time record quarterly earnings during Q2 of 2022 as earnings before taxes increased 8% to $500 million. Income From Continuing Operations increased 10% to $374 million. Earnings per share increased … Continue reading

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GM Q2 Earnings at $2.3B Off -$1.1B YoY

This was a significant drop of $1.1 billion in a year-over year comparison as net pricing increases, strong demand and more upscale vehicle sales were more than offset by disrupted production, increased costs and lost sales (90,000 built but not complete?) from lean inventories especially in June. In a word – semiconductors. Continue reading

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