Category Archives: auto news

Italian Metalworkers Strike to Halt Non-Essential Production

Posted on 28 March 2020 by Ken Zino

It is  AutoInformed’s view a clear demonstration of strong support for union appeals both in Lombardy and at the national level, demanding the closing of all non-essential production activities. Continue reading →

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Mercedes-Benz Offers Medical Component Production

Posted on 27 March 2020 by Ken Zino

“With our highly competent team and years of experience in 3D printing technology, we are ready to make our contribution to the production of medical devices,” says Jörg Burzer, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz AG. Continue reading →

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Ventec Life Systems and GM to Mass Produce Ventilators

Posted on 27 March 2020 by Ken Zino

Under Trump Administration do-nothing policies that refused until this morning to invoke the Defense Production Act (while criticizing GM? Insiders say that GM was waiting for Government Agency approvals). There are now clearly global back-orders of critical care ventilators capable of supporting patients fighting COVID-19. Nonetheless, companies are adding thousands of units of new capacity with a significantly expanded supply chain capable of supporting high volume production. GM is contributing its resources at cost. Continue reading →

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FCA Expands Coronavirus Relief – 1 Million Meals for Kids

Posted on 27 March 2020 by Ken Zino

FCA said publicly yesterday its plants across the U.S. and Canada, as well as headquarters operations and construction projects, are to remain closed only until 14 April, dependent upon the various states’ stay-in-place orders and the readiness of each facility to return to production. (FCA to Restart of North American Operations?) The UAW is apparently not pleased with the decision that threatens the health and safety of its members. (UAW Balks at Reopening Workplaces) Continue reading →

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Bosch Develops Quicker Test for COVID-19

Posted on 26 March 2020 by Ken Zino

The newly developed test, which apparently has not been certified yet by a major health or regulatory organization, will be available in Germany starting in April, with other markets in Europe and elsewhere to follow at an unknown time in the future. Continue reading →

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LMC Automotive Now Projects Double the Decline of the Great Recession in Light Vehicle Sales During 2020

Posted on 26 March 2020 by Ken Zino

LMC currently is forecasting 2020 global Light Vehicle sales to fall below 77 million units, a decline of nearly 14 million units or -15% from the 2019 level. For comparison, global Light Vehicle sales fell 6 million units from 2007-2009 to 64 million units, a two-year decline of 8.7%, or 4.5% CAGR. Continue reading →

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FCA to Restart of North American Operations?

Posted on 26 March 2020 by Ken Zino

Note the irony of an Italian owned company where COVID-19 is raging unabated, assuming a business as usual approach to the global pandemic where the untied sates is now leading in the rate of diagnosis of the virus. Continue reading →

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UAW Balks at Reopening Workplaces

Posted on 26 March 2020 by Ken Zino

“The only guideline in a boardroom should be management asking themselves, “Would I send my family — my own son or daughter — into that plant and be 100% certain they are safe?” – UAW President Rory L. Gamble Continue reading →

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Goodwood Festival of Speed Postponed

Posted on 26 March 2020 by Ken Zino

Plans for the Goodwood Revival will continue to be reviewed, in the hope that the event will be able to go ahead as planned on September 11-13. A new date for the postponed 78th Members’ Meeting is also being reviewed. Continue reading →

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Ford to Restart Production at North American Plants?

Posted on 26 March 2020 by Ken Zino

Since Michigan is currently running out of hospital beds and testing remains limited to non-existent, this is a high risk strategy that could increase the spread of the sickness and the death tally of the COVID-19 pandemic. Continue reading →

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Mercedes-Benz Trucks Replaces Mirrors with Cameras

Posted on 25 March 2020 by Ken Zino

The advantage is prominent at turns and junctions, when maneuvering and in tight bends. The driver must no longer look as far to the right or left to see traffic to the rear. Mirrors are mounted in a fixed position so that when cornering the driver may lose sight of the end of the semitrailer. Continue reading →

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Toyota Research Institute Launches AI Study of Human Behavior

Posted on 25 March 2020 by Ken Zino

Translation: A computer can take control of a vehicle if the driver is doing something dumb. This is an extension of  so-called driver assist systems (intelligent cruise control, pre-crash braking and belt tightening, automatic emergency dialing, lane wandering alerts and such that are already in widespread use in luxury vehicles) and a necessary step on the bumpy road to autonomous vehicles. There also are much broader applications in human enterprises to help people think. Continue reading →

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Mazda Stops Asian, Japanese and Mexican Production

Posted on 24 March 2020 by Ken Zino

Mazda intends to transfer part of the production originally scheduled for this period to the second quarter of the fiscal year ending March 2021 or later as it monitors how the situation develops. Continue reading →

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Aston Martin Stops All Manufacturing Operations in UK

Posted on 24 March 2020 by Ken Zino

The period of manufacturing suspension is initially planned to Monday 20 April 2020, however, Aston will continue to review the situation and will look to resume operations when it is reasonable to do so. Continue reading →

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Ford to Delay N.A. Plants Resuming Production

Posted on 24 March 2020 by Ken Zino

“In light of various governments’ orders to stay and work from home, Ford is not planning to restart our plants in the U.S., Canada and Mexico on Monday, March 30 as originally hoped.” Continue reading →

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