Category Archives: auto news

Aston Martin: 100th anniversary of First Grand Prix in France

Ahead of Sunday’s Grand Prix, four-time F1® world champion Sebastian Vettel drove TT1 – warmly nicknamed ‘Green Pea’ – around Circuit Paul Ricard, 100 years after the celebrated car took to the road circuit of Strasbourg for a 60-lap, 800 km race as one of two Aston Martin entries. Continue reading

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At Last? Cadillac Reveals CELESTIQ Concept EV

Whether this is electrifying or compelling enough to send customers back to the fallen brand, time will tell. It is being billed as Cadillac’s electric future that is “inspired by the brand’s 120-year heritage. Continue reading

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J.D. Power: Gasoline Powered Vehicle Satisfaction Drops

However, high gas prices have led to a noticeable decrease in fuel economy/range satisfaction among owners of gas-powered vehicles, according to the J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study released today. The gap between economy/range is only 7 points on a 1,000-point scale. Continue reading

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EV Battery Gold Rush: Ford Has New Battery Capacity Plan

Center for Automotive Research data show that Ford is only one maker in the crowd as automakers invest billions in north American EV and battery manufacturing facilities. For almost two decades, the CAR Automotive Communities Partnership (ACP) has tracked announced automotive manufacturing investments In North America. The ACP Book of Deals investment database shows the sector’s commitment to the transformation. According to data collected for the Book of Deals, in 2021, automakers announced $36 billion of investments to build facilities dedicated to manufacturing EVs and batteries. In the first five months of 2022, automakers announced $24 billion in EV-related investments, almost double the investments announced by the same time last year. Continue reading

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Hot, Fast Company: Penske Automotive Increases Dividend 6%

Penske Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE: PAG) – an international transportation services company, a significant force among premier auto and commercial truck retailers, and a successful racing organization – today announced that its Board of Directors has increased the  dividend by $0.03 per share. Continue reading

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Japan: Research Association of Biomass Innovation for Next Gen Fuels

The goal is for bio-ethanol fuel production to achieve carbon neutral society. ENEOS Corporation, Suzuki Motor Corporation, Subaru Corporation, Daihatsu Motor Co. Ltd, Toyota Motor Corporation and Toyota Tsusho Corporation have established next gen auto fuels group on 1 July 2022 to study ways to optimize the process of producing fuel. Continue reading

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All Porsche Taycan EVs Can be Upgraded to 2023 Specs

“This campaign will allow our customers to benefit from the continuous further development of the Taycan. We have extensively optimized the model series in almost every respect since 2019,” said Kevin Giek, Vice President Model Line Taycan. Continue reading

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VW Group Changes EV Strategy, Leadership in North America

Scout will launch all-electric pick-up trucks and SUVs in the U.S. market. Volkswagen, of course, has been haunted for years by its deliberate cheating on deadly diesel emissions levels by using defeat software on EPA compliance tests that made the diesels look compliant when they were far from it*. VW did not say anything about the name Scout, of International Harvester fame, the name it acquired as part another business deal back in 2021. Continue reading

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IMSA LMDh: Cadillac and Porsche Testing Together

This is where Porsche comes in. The sessions at Sebring International Raceway were the first collaborative LMDh test as Cadillac was joined by Porsche on the track. The cooperation between the OEs during the development of the spec hybrid system will contribute to the success of the broader program, according to GM sports car program manager Laura Wontrop Klauser. Continue reading

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Detroit Auto Show Links with Wayne State University in 2022

“Students will be directly engaged with the show, managing and completing a demographic study of the various audiences that the show attracts. We are also delighted that the Mike Ilitch School of Business is hosting a mobility conference in association with the Public Show,” said Rod Alberts, Executive Director of the Detroit Auto Show. Continue reading

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Tilt! Stellantis and GAC to Stop Jeep China JV

Stellantis and GAC will proceed to an “orderly termination of local Jeep production, while Stellantis will recognize a non-cash impairment charge of approximately €297 million in first half 2022 results.” Continue reading

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First Look – Toyota Crown Returns to the US

Available in three grades: XLE, Limited and Platinum, Toyota Crown will offer a choice of two different hybrid powertrains: HYBRID MAX or the fourth generation Toyota Hybrid System (THS). The HYBRID MAX powertrain, exclusive to the Platinum grade, is Toyota’s latest performance hybrid that puts out a manufacturer estimated 340 net horsepower. Continue reading

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Electric Vehicle Shoppers Unhappy with Makers’ Websites

The study also shows an increase in satisfaction when shoppers engage with manufacturer website tools, though BEV shoppers are still less satisfied than non-BEV shoppers. This “wave” (latest research)  finds that overall satisfaction averages 711 on a 1,000-point scale for the premium segment and 705 for the mass market segment, down 13 and 6 points, respectively, from the previous wave. Continue reading

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GM and Pilot to Build Coast-to-Coast EV Fast-Charging Grid

The network of 2000 charging stalls, co-branded “Pilot Flying J” and “Ultium Charge 360”, will be powered by EVgo eXtend and open to all EV brands at up to 500 Pilot and Flying J travel centers. GM customers will receive special benefits such as exclusive reservations, discounts on charging, a streamlined charging process through “Plug and Charge” and integration into GM’s vehicle brand apps providing real-time charger availability and help with route planning. This collaboration is targeting the installation of charging stalls at 50-mile intervals across the US. For GM, this development is one more step in its ~$750 million investment in EV charging infrastructure. Continue reading

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Automobili Pininfarina: Battista Hyper GT Starts Production

Production of  the Battista*, said to be the world’s first pure-electric hyper GT, has begun in a dedicated new Atelier space in Cambiano, Italy, Automobili Pininfarina** said today. Located in the Piemonte region of Italy, this  is a milestone in … Continue reading

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