Category Archives: auto news

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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Annals of EV Marketing – GMC and EarthCruiser

GMC claims that by working with EarthCruiser’s research and design division, and informed by its extensive experience in the field, GMC will produce a next-generation “upfit for electric vehicles that will be integrated onto the HUMMER EV Pickup.” In short here comes more premium-priced trucks. Continue reading

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Subaru to Launch Forager Granola on 1 April

“The closest thing you’ll find to eating compost for breakfast, Subaru Forager Granola is a companion snack to power you through life’s crunchiest pursuits. The ultimate driver’s seat treat (just ignore the crumbs) Forager can power even the busiest days, whether you’re scouting out trees to hug, talking to plants, or searching for a spot for your latest bumper sticker,” Subaru said in a release. Continue reading

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Chinese Vehicle Sales Still Slumping

However, the cumulative LV production from January to February in the world’s largest market, fell by -14% YoY. At the component level, passenger vehicle production in February increased by 12% YoY while cumulative PV production to February decreased by 14% YoY, the same as the decrease in LV overall. Light Commercial Vehicle output at 255,000 was up 9% YoY. but down by -17% YTD. The February selling rate was 21 million units/year, down 11% from a weak January, and the lowest rate since the Shanghai lockdown of April 2022. In YoY terms, however, sales (i.e., wholesales) increased by 14.3% against a low base, due to the timing of the Chinese New Year, said LMC. Continue reading

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Ford Collaborates with Chinese Huayou on EV Battery Nickel

“This framework gives Ford direct control to source the nickel we need – in one of the industry’s lowest-cost ways – and allows us to ensure the nickel is mined in line with our company’s sustainability targets, setting the right ESG standards as we scale,” said Lisa Drake, vice president for Ford Model e EV industrialization. “Working this way puts Ford in a position to help make EVs more accessible for millions and to do it in a way that helps better protect people and the planet,” claimed Drake. Unmentioned by Drake is that Vale is conducting research in bio-leaching, which eliminates acid for leaching metals from ore by using bacteria to convert the metals such as nickel into a soluble form. Continue reading

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