Category Archives: news analysis

Ford “Suspends” Russian Van Manufacturing and Sales

Today Ford Motor said its Russian operations of commercial van manufacturing and Russian sales through a minority interest in the Sollers-Ford joint venture are suspended effective immediately. Continue reading

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Ukraine – EU Truck Sectors at Immediate Risk. Others to Unfold

Putin’s war against Ukraine continues to present uncertain, but no doubt negative impacts on the global auto industry. The Medium and Heavy Truck segments throughout the European region are now clearly under extreme risk. Other collateral risks – such as the shutdown of Toyota in Japan this morning because of a cyber-attack – will only become apparent after they happen in AutoInformed’s view. Continue reading

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Ukraine – Commerce Puts Restrictions on Exports to Russia

The export control measures are the most comprehensive application of Commerce’s export authorities on U.S. items, including technology, as well as on foreign items produced using U.S. equipment, software, and blueprints, targeting a single nation. These were implemented with the cooperation of the United States, the European Union (EU), Japan, Australia, United Kingdom, Canada, and New Zealand. More nations are expected to align their export control policies and requirements with todays actions. “If necessary, based upon any subsequent destabilizing actions by Russia, the U.S. government will follow up in the days to come with additional stringent economic measures,” Commerce said. Continue reading

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First Responder Network – Big Government at Its Best

In 2012, Congress enacted a law to create the First Responder Network Authority within the Department of Commerce to ensure the building, deployment and operation of FirstNet – America’s only nationwide public safety broadband network. Since then FirstNet Authority has developed the network in collaboration with the public safety community. Continue reading

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Aston Martin Adds Jobs to Build DBX707 SUVS in Wales

DBX707 is extensively revised in what has become an ultra-competitive luxury SUV segment. Starting with the powertrain, a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8, now has ball bearing turbochargers and a new engine calibration for more power and torque. Also new to Aston Martin’s flagship high performance SUV is a 9-speed ‘wet clutch’ automatic transmission. Capable of managing much increased torque loadings compared with a regular torque converter automatic. The high-performance transmission allows output of the 4.0-literV8 to increase to  707PS and 900Nm, increases of 157PS and 200Nm compared to the DBX (V8). Continue reading

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Majorities of Americans Say Union Membership Decline is Bad

 “In the survey, 58% of U.S. adults say the large reduction over the past several decades in the percentage of workers who are represented by unions has been somewhat or very bad for the country, while 61% say this has been bad for working people,” said Ted Van Green* of Pew Research. Continue reading

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Honda Motor to Make Sweeping Organizational Changes in April to Survive and Sustain Itself as a Mobility Company

Translation: The changes are needed to survive the electrification business, new business, and combined solution business, which will require bolstering the development of software, as well as the strengthening the development of core electrification technologies. Continue reading

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Redwood, Ford, Volvo Recycling EV Batteries from California

The first major surge of end-of-life electric vehicles is a few years away, but Redwood is already working the system. Annually, 6 GWh of lithium-ion batteries –  equivalent to 60,000 EVs, are handled by Redwood in Nevada. It claims that is most of the recycled lithium-ion batteries in North America today. Continue reading

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BMW Manufacturing is Largest US Auto Exporter Again

Forget Trump’s wrong assertion that trade is a zero-sum game and failed trade war, BMW Manufacturing led the US in automotive exports by value for the eighth consecutive year, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce. During 2021, BMW Plant Spartanburg exported 257,876 BMWs with a total export value of more than $10.1 billion. Continue reading

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Biden Administration Cuts Republican Budget Deficit by 66%

Biden Administration Cuts Republican Budget Deficit by 66% Continue reading

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NADA – Light Trucks Dominating Market

According to J.D. Power, the average transaction price for a new light vehicle in January 2022 is expected to reach $44,905. High transaction prices continue to be supported by strong demand and very low OEM discounting. Average incentive spending per unit in January 2022 should total just $1,319, down by $2,163 from January 2021, J.D. Power says. Continued high demand for used vehicles has increased consumers’ equity in their trades. J.D. Power expects the average consumer trade-in equity to be up by 88% year over year for January 2022. Continue reading

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January 2022 US Sales Off 9%. Chips, Supply Chain Issues Bite

Even with an average $45,000 transaction price squeezing people, retail demand remained the driving force of the market because the wealthy fared very well during the Covid crisis. The Biden Administration’s economic recovery, in AutoInformed’s view, also played a huge roll with its surging job creation and forward thinking Build Back Better strategy universally opposed by the Republicans who are largely responsible for the covid disaster that destroyed the US economy. Continue reading

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GM Posts Record $10.4B Earnings in 2021

Part of the record results came from execution by an all-star management team of a timely strategy, part from strong demand for what in AutoInformed’s view are the strongest product lines in GM’s history. However, vehicles it sold globally dropped to 6.3 million, -8% from 2020 and a drop of -18% from Covid-free 2019. Continue reading

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Rolex 24 – Cold Beginning to Start a Sizzling Racing Season

GTD Pro – a new class this year – was the most entertaining racing in AutoInformed’s view. This was a take no prisoners bumping, sideswiping paint-swapping exhibition at high speeds. Mathieu Jaminet and the No. 9 Pfaff Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3 R emerged from a door-banging match with the nearly identical No. 2 KCMG Porsche driven by Laurens Vanthoor through Daytona International Speedway’s Le Mans Chicane on the very last lap of the Rolex 24 At Daytona. It was that way for the two factory Porsche drivers during the final two hours. Continue reading

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First Mazda CX-50 off line at Toyota JV in Alabama

Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) produced the first 2023 Mazda CX-50 at Mazda’s new Huntsville, Alabama plant. Mazda Toyota Manufacturing (MTM) is a $2.3 billion joint venture between Mazda Motor and Toyota. The CX-50 is made for the North American … Continue reading

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