Category Archives: news analysis

President Biden Targets 50% Electric Vehicle Sales in 2030

The weak points in the plan is allowing for hybrids, and worse plug-in hybrids, which have laughable range running as an EV. However this is a politically needed SOP for most automakers that have been slow to embrace pure EVS. This is industrial policy on a grand scale that proponents argue is needed to survive in the global economy. Less than 4% new vehicles sold in the U.S. during June were electric or plug-in hybrids. This puts the Republicans in a tough spot. Helping Big Business – in effect tax cuts for the rich – is their highly selective policy. But creating middle class jobs while acknowledging Global Warming and setting policy that benefits all of “we the people” is counter to their failed attempts at governing for the selective few. Continue reading

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GM Posts Record Q2 Earnings of $4.1B Amid Delta Doubts

With GM’s evolving view on Automobility it is placing itself squarely in the middle of a global battle royal among other automotive giants such as Toyota, Stellantis and Volkswagen Group, by developing a full EV portfolio that doesn’t depend on “partial solutions” like hybrids and “electrified” ICE vehicles. Continue reading

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Super Car First Look – Honda NSX Type S

Honda Motor today released early information on a new limited production NSX Type S, which is scheduled to be officially introduced before the end of August 2021. The new NSX Type S will be the final model of the second-generation NSX. … Continue reading

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Renault Group Boasts €2B Fixed-Cost Cuts Ahead of Plan

“These results are the fruits of our strategic Renaulution plan, focused on profitability. They mark only the first step in our turnaround, which should accelerate with the arrival of the new vehicles in preparation. I would like to thank all our employees for their commitment in achieving these results,” declared Luca de Meo, CEO of Renault Group. To AutoInformed, it seems premature to have a French victory toast at this point in the ongoing covid and automotive wars. C’est fous. Continue reading

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Daimler Boards Approve Spin Off of Mercedes-Benz Cars and Daimler Truck as Two companies. Shareholder Vote in October

In a high stakes move by the Daimler AG Board of Management and Supervisory Board (ticker symbol DAI) to separate two very different businesses and insulate the parent company from financial threats that Global Warming, connected and autonomous vehicles and automaker upheavals are causing, approved making Mercedes-Benz Cars and Daimler Truck independent companies. Continue reading

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Tesla Model 3 – Europe’s Second Best-Selling Car in June 21. Low Emission Cars at Record Share. Makers Lagging Buyers

Notably, low emissions cars (BEV and PHEV) continued to perform well, recording a new record total market share of 18.5% – up from 8.2% in June 2020. Registrations of BEVs totaled 126,000 units during the month, ahead of the 104,000 registered PHEV units. Yes that’s right pure EVs out sold hybrids, which were at the center automakers plans to fight emissions and global warming. Fiat, Tesla, Skoda, Volkswagen and Ford gained the largest market share in the BEV market while Cupra, Jeep, Volkswagen, Renault and Seat posted the highest market share gains in the PHEV market. Continue reading

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Ford Motor Posts Q2 Revenue $26.8B, Net Income $56M, Earnings $1.1B as Market Share Drops

During April with the semiconductor situation worsening, Ford said it expected to lose about 50% of its planned second-quarter production, which would have resulted in a loss in the period. Ford did better than that using the strong demand from the Biden Administration economic boom to improve revenue and profits through lower incentives and a more expensive and profitable mix of vehicles. These generated company-wide adjusted earnings of $1.1 billion before interest and taxes. Continue reading

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Penske Automotive Posts Record Q2 Results

“Our business produced an all-time record second quarter driven by strength across all areas of our business. Strong volume and vehicle margins, improving service and parts operations, a growing Class 8 commercial truck market, record performance at Penske Transportation Solutions, and continuing cost controls all contributed to the record performance. I am particularly pleased with the continued expense discipline driving an 1,860-basis point improvement in selling, general, and administrative expense as a percent of gross profit,” said Chair and CEO Roger Penske. Continue reading

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California Greenhouse Gases – Emissions Drop Continues

“This inventory is good news, but much larger reductions are needed to reach the ambitious 2030 target — an additional 40% reduction below the original 2020 limit,” said CARB Chair Liane M. Randolph. “We are now once again witnessing massive wildfires and recurring heat waves while large parts of our state are suffering from extreme drought. This is a clear call to redouble our efforts to protect those communities already hard hit by pollution and climate change, and to move with all possible speed to achieve carbon neutrality by mid-century as quickly as possible.” Continue reading

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Mercedes-Benz – New Platforms Electric Only From 2025

AutoInformed thinks it was prompted by runaway global warming and the increasing desire of consumers – and above all regulators and nations of affluent people – to eliminate fossil fuels. Daimler investments into combustion engines and plug-in hybrid technologies will drop by 80% between 2019 and 2026. Continue reading

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Commerce to Make $3B Economic Development Investment

“President Biden’s American Rescue Plan delivered direct relief to the American people and was the first step to energizing the American economy following the devastating impacts of the coronavirus pandemic,” said Secretary Raimondo. “Now, its medium-term investments will allow communities around the country not only rebuild but re-imagine their economy for the future.” First announced on April 14, the plan has faced Republican opposition obstructionism because it apparently helps the working class and is that their usual program of ultra-rich welfare. Continue reading

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Sedan Trends – Passat is Passe’ – VW Kills US Production

During the second quarter, light-trucks, crossovers and sport utility vehicles (SUVs), were 76.9% of all new vehicles sold in the US market. The segment is expected to continue to move towards an 80% market share. Pickups accounted for 17.6% of sales for the first half of 2021, down from 20.0% compared to the first half of 2020; crossovers represented 45.9% of sales, up from 41.8% one year ago. Continue reading

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EU Gets Tougher on Climate Change – Wants All EVs by 2035

Let the adverse lobbying begin by the plump, wealthy sacred cows of the polluting establishment – including countries such as Germany with a strong carbon-based economy and its global auto industry – who face butchering by increasing market incentives for consumers to force them to speed the move away from fossil fuels as not only the climate clearly heating up and changing – deadly floods in Germany and Belgium, as well as floods and fires in the Americas, scorching temperatures globally – but the political climate is heating up to do more now over what is clearly the growing negative effects of runaway climate change. Continue reading

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GM’s Ultium Charge 360 Fleet Customers Can Now Access Preferred Electric Vehicle Charging Providers

The Ultium Charge 360 fleet service “will be one of the industry’s most holistic solutions offering, where available.” In addition, Ultium Charge’s approach will help to enable support for home charging and provide drivers access to more than 60,000 public places to charge while en route. As part of the solution, GM is working with preferred providers, including four depot infrastructure providers – eTransEnergy, a Duke Energy company; EVgo; In-Charge Energy; and Schneider Electric. Continue reading

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Automated Mapping – Toyota to Buy CARMERA

If the deal is closed, the CARMERA team will report into the Automated Mapping Platform (“AMP”) organization of Woven Alpha. Woven Alpha explores new strategic areas for business expansion and incubates several projects such as Woven City and Arene, which is Woven Planet’s open software platform. AMP is a connected crowd-sourced software platform that helps the creation, development and distribution of high-definition maps―a key aspect of so-called smart and safe automated mobility. Continue reading

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