Category Archives: auto news

Ford Oakville Assembly in Canada to Convert to EVs

Ford Motor (NYSE: F) said today it is investing C$1.8 billion in its Oakville Assembly Complex to make it  into a high-volume hub of electric vehicle manufacturing in Canada. The property, to be renamed Oakville Electric Vehicle Complex, will begin to retool and modernize during Q2of 2024 to prepare for production of next-generation EVs. Continue reading

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GM Ventures is Investing in EnergyX for EV Batteries

EnergyX’s direct lithium extraction technology, so-called DLE, can make lithium metal directly from brine and possibly in anode-ready form for EV batteries. GM said this enables a “more cost-effective and sustainable lithium recovery to unlock a vast lithium supply chain in North America that may otherwise be unviable.” Continue reading

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Ford – Most Hourly Workers, US-Assembled Vehicles, Exports

“Ford has bet on American workers, including the UAW, more than any other automaker. This commitment combined with great product and innovation, has earned us the loyalty of customers and returned Ford to America’s best-selling brand so far this year. We could make different decisions, as many others have done to reduce costs, but Ford is different. We will find ways to be lean and competitive while investing in our home market,” claimed Jim Farley, Ford president and CEO. This is, of course,  a UAW contract negotiation year starting this summer with many recent Ford jobs going to Southern states hostile to unions. Continue reading

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First Look – 2025 Ram 1500 REV

As is the case with GM and Ford Motor EV pickup offerings now on sale,  vehicle-to-vehicle, vehicle-to-home and vehicle-to-grid bi-directional charging thus far in theory provides the 1500 REV with the flexibility to charge another Stellantis battery-electric vehicle or send power back to the grid. The truck can also power a home during a storm, run a tailgate party, and provide power at a camp or jobsite. Continue reading

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Illegally Towed Vehicles – DOJ Helping Service Members

Under the proposed consent order, which awaits approved by the court*, Steve’s Towing will pay $67,500 to the seven SCRA-protected service members referenced in the United States’ complaint, up to $12,500 to compensate additional SCRA-protected service members whose vehicles Steve’s Towing may have sold without first obtaining court orders and a $10,000 civil penalty. Steve’s Towing will also be required to provide SCRA training to its employees and to develop new policies and procedures consistent with the SCRA.This of course comes at a time when local, state and nationally elected Republicans are trying to de-fund and disrupt the US justice system. Continue reading

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First Look – 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid

Cross Hybrid debuts the Fifth Generation of the Toyota Hybrid System with increased performance and efficiency. In a bow to America’s large appetite for cross-overs and trucks, it comes only in all-wheel drive as a version of the so-called TNGA-C platform. It also a higher sight-lines, and higher prices ranging approximately from more than $30,000 to more than $35,000. The non-hybrid version starts at ~$25,000.  Continue reading

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EPA Proposes to Reduce Toxic Chemical Plant Air Pollution

EPA’s proposal would modernize several regulations that apply to chemical plants, including plants that make synthetic organic chemicals, and regulations that apply to plants that make polymers such as neoprene. The proposed updates would reduce 6053 tons of air toxics emissions each year, which are known or suspected to cause cancer and other serious health effects. Those reductions include a 58 ton per year reduction in ethylene oxide (EtO) and a reduction of 14 tons per year in chloroprene. Continue reading

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FAA Grants $19M for University Research on Noise Reduction

“Research is the gateway to breakthroughs. With the best minds, we can reduce noise and fly with net-zero emissions by 2050,” said Acting FAA Administrator Billy Nolen. Continue reading

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Toyota, Huntsville Utilities Announce 168-acre Solar Plan

The solar project is expected to generate 62,000 megawatt hours annually, reducing ~22,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions per year. That’s enough solar energy to power more than 5600 U.S. homes. This project is the latest step towards achieving Toyota’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality in its operations by 2035. The solar facility is scheduled to begin generating solar energy in summer of 2024. Continue reading

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Bosch to Build First Automated Battery Recycling Plant

The Bosch Group estimates that electric vehicles will comprise ~70% of all newly registered passenger cars in Europe by 2030. This is increasing demand for batteries and for the recycling of the raw materials they contain, such as lithium, cobalt, … Continue reading

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GM Defense Gets US Army OK for Infantry Squad Vehicle

“We do not anticipate changes in production volume through September 2023,” said a GM Defense spokesperson. “Achieving full rate production affirms the engineering and manufacturing processes that support the Infantry Squad Vehicle are meeting our U.S. Army customer needs and that production can be scaled to meet increased demand in the future. This important milestone adds credibility to the ISV program and validates our continued efforts to successfully deliver advanced commercial technologies to soldiers.” Continue reading

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Ford Motor Q1 2023 US Sales Up 10%

Ford Motor’s (NYSE: F) overall vehicle sales – Ford Blue, Ford Pro, Model e and Lincoln – totaled 475,906, up 10.% with estimated share up over a year ago, the Dearborn based automaker said this morning. Sales increased in the usual areas across Ford’s strengths, including trucks (up 19.6%); three-row SUVs (up 47.6%); Bronco brand (up 18.3%); Ford Pro Transit van (up 86%); Mustang (up 5.2%) and electric vehicles (up 41%) on a  year-over-year basis, which given last year’s dismal performance increased the percentage gains markedly. Continue reading

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Stellantis Simplifies European Financing and Leasing Services

“Today marks the birth of Stellantis Financial Services, a major player in European automotive financing, and of the new consolidated Leasys,” said Philippe de Rovira, Stellantis Chief Affiliates Officer. “This simplification allows for superior agility to serve our customers, better support of the commercialization across Stellantis brands**, and strengthened competitiveness by leveraging various synergies.” Continue reading

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Toyota Motor North American Sales in March and Q1 Drop 9%

“With 22 electrified vehicle options between both the Toyota and Lexus brands, the most among any automaker, we’re giving customers a choice that fits their lifestyle, pocketbook and needs,” said Jack Hollis, executive vice president, sales, TMNA. “We continue to make improvements to our vehicle inventory to satisfy customer demand, while doing all we can to exceed expectations as we introduce more electrified vehicles throughout the balance of 2023,” Hollis said. He did not address the disconnect between a growing overall market and TMNA’s decline. Continue reading

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GM Q1 2023 US Sales Increase 18% as Trucks and SUVs Lead

General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) and its dealers delivered 603,208 vehicles during Q1 in the US. This is  an 18% increase during the first quarter of 2023 compared year-over-year. GM also estimated that its market share increased by 1.5 percentage points, which would be the largest increase of any automaker. Complete competitive data won’t be available until later this week. GM sold 270,376 full-size and mid-size pickup  trucks and full-size SUVs during Q1. Continue reading

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