Category Archives: auto news

Two Bronco Heritage Models New for 2023

Ford will build 1966 units of each Heritage Limited Edition model to commemorate the year the original Bronco debuted, which given the ongoing parts shortages likely will result in fewer less expensive versions. Continue reading

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First Look – All Electric Mercedes EQS SUV

First Look: All Electric Mercedes EQS SUV 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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Transportation Unemployment Now at Pre-Pandemic Levels

This means that the July 2022 rate – by falling 3.1 percentage points from 7.3% in July 2021 – is now same as the pre-pandemic July level of 4.2% in July 2019. Unemployment in the transportation sector reached its highest level during the COVID-19 pandemic (15.7%) in May 2020 and July 2020 under the failed policies and denials of what would become the voted-out Trump Administration in November 2020. Thus the Biden Administration policies continue to strongly benefit the economy and US workers. Continue reading

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Back to School – E Before Q at MBUSA

The program is hosted in Alabama and will provide a three-day training session designed to educate, and electrify Mercedes-Benz team members nationwide. Continue reading

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Stellantis: $99 Million for New Engine at Three N.A. Plants

“Today’s $83 million investment from Stellantis at the Dundee Engine Complex is a win for our auto workers and will help us secure the future of hybrid and electric vehicle manufacturing right here in Michigan,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan. Continue reading

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Stellantis: Record First Half 2022 at €8.0 Billion Net Profit

Stellantis N.V. (NYSE / MTA / Euronext Paris: STLA), the mega merger of  FCA and Peugeot, posted record profitability during the first half or 2020 because of increasing sales of low emission vehicles (LEV), which include battery electric (BEV), plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and fuel cell electric vehicles. Stellantis said it ranked second in the EU30 market for BEV and LEV sales) and third in the U.S. market for LEV sales. Stellantis’ global BEV sales were up nearly 50% y-o-y to 136k units in H1. The Company now offers 20 BEVs, with an additional 28 BEVs to be launched through 2024. 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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GM and LG Chem Have Deal on Battery Materials

The supply agreement – the latest in the EV battery ‘gold rush’ – will help GM meet its growing EV production needs. CAM is a key battery material consisting of components such as processed nickel, lithium and other materials representing about 40% of the cost of a battery cell. Continue reading

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GM: Virtual EV Specialists Available for Free Consult

The online program offers a space (screen?) for real conversations about EVs. EV Live will also help prepare GM dealers, employees, fleet and commercial customers, utilities and third-party collaborators for the all-electric future that virtually all automakers and some policy people think is coming. Continue reading

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