Category Archives: auto news

FCA + PSA = Massive Job Losses

For enthusiasts as well a workers there are other threats. How about a spin-off FCA’s expensive low-return Alfa Romeo/Maserati operations? Simple math here: It would provide funds for the new FCA-PSA group while improving its utilization rate. Continue reading

Posted in autonomous cars, economy, fuel economy or emissions, mobility company, news analysis | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Lithium Mustang Project at SEMA

The fact remains that electrification can be a boon to performance enthusiasts as witnessed by a so-called Phi-Power dual-core electric motor and dual power inverters – fueled by an 800-volt Webasto battery system that can discharge a mega-watt of electrical energy. At 800 volts, that’s twice the voltage of most electric cars on the road today. Continue reading

Posted in aftermarket, concept, electric vehicles, environment, performance | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

UAW Negotiators Send Tentative Agreement to Ford Council

“Out of respect for our members, we will refrain from commenting or releasing full details of the agreement until the UAW-Ford Council leaders meet and review the details,” said Gamble. Continue reading

Posted in labor issues | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Akio Toyoda Wants Mobility Centered on People

Wacky marketing babble alert: “Through the evolution of artificial intelligence, I think that cars, too, can also become able to communicate with people and their hearts. that’s right… I think cars of the future will be like horses. Continue reading

Posted in alternative fuels, concept, design and styling, electric vehicles, energy, environment, global warming, milestones, mobility company, news analysis, people, shows and events, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

UAW Members Okay Contract with GM. Ford Motor Next

The contract achieved most but not all of the demands, notably Lordstown will no longer be a GM plant. Ford Motor is the next company to agree with or slightly modify the pattern agreement, followed by FCA. Continue reading

Posted in economy, labor issues | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

China – SEC Charges 18 Traders for Stock Manipulation

According to the SEC’s complaint, the traders used multiple accounts to place several small sell orders to drive down a stock’s price before using a different set of accounts to buy larger amounts of the stock at the artificially low prices. After amassing their position, the traders placed several small buy orders to push up prices so they could then sell their stock at artificially high prices. Continue reading

Posted in fools 'n frauds, litigation | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Another Weird and Wacky Tokyo Motor Show to Open

The theme for this year’s show, “Open Future,” is expanded beyond automobiles, motorcycles and commercial vehicles and auto-related displays. It broadens to include developments (and rentals) from other industries. In short, the traditional auto show as we know it is no longer sustainable. Continue reading

Posted in auto news, autonomous vehicles, marketing, milestones | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Electrify America, Hubject Announce Launch of Plug&Charge

By offering the Plug&Charge in North America, drivers using Electrify America stations will have faster charging session authentication and authorization. Continue reading

Posted in electric vehicles, environment | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Group Renault Debuts Hydrogen in Light Commercial Vehicles

The hydrogen fuel cell provides the additional energy for up to 3 times more range than 100% electric vehicles, with a charging time of only 5 to 10 minutes. However, the crucial WLTP emission certification is not yet completed. Automakers in the EU – and ultimately globally – are being forced to offer zero-emission vehicles to comply with new regulations to cut emissions. The current preferred choice, of course, is a battery-electric hybrid system. Toyota and Hyundai sell hydrogen light-commercial vehicles. Continue reading

Posted in alternative fuels, electric vehicles, fuel economy or emissions | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Mitsubishi Electric Claims Level 4 Autonomous Driving Without High Definition Maps or Auto Parking

Mitsubishi Electric said it expects to realize fully autonomous driving in designated areas (Autonomous Driving Level 4 > see SAE Autonomous Driving Levels) by implementing proprietary traffic-control technologies, which are currently deployed for both railways and aircrafts, and artificial-intelligence (AI) technology dubbed MAISART. (roughly – Mitsubishi AI creates State-of-the-ART in technology) Continue reading

Posted in autonomous cars, concept | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

SEMA Sues U.S. DOT for Stopping Replica Car Law

Another Agency run by President Trump’s political appointees is allegedly defying a 2015 law – the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act) – passed by Congress to let low-volume automakers sell up to 325 replica cars each year that resemble production vehicles manufactured at least 25 years ago. Continue reading

Posted in aftermarket, manufacturing, performance | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

John Doonan Leaves Mazda Racing for IMSA Presidency

Since his first day on the job is next Monday, the quick driver change in an undercut pit stop likely caught Mazda unaware, since it remained on the trailer with no simultaneous release or web site acknowledgement. Continue reading

Posted in auto news | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

GM-UAW Negotiators Have Tentative Agreement

Actually, the agreement will not be ratified until UAW-GM membership across the U.S. votes to approve it. Continue reading

Posted in labor issues | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Ghosn Shakeout is Ongoing as Thierry Bolloré, CEO Renault SA, is Fired by the Board of Directors

The Carlos Ghosn matter has turned into farce as investigations into Nissan and its JVs with Renault  0n corporate governance practices post Carlos Ghosn revealed layers of incompetence and/or malfeasance, as well as various degrees of criminal activity that are rarely observed in western corporations. Continue reading

Posted in fools 'n frauds, litigation | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

CAR – Estimated Costs of the UAW-GM Strike are Low

CAR estimates the U.S. employment multiplier for UAW-GM jobs is 11.5.This means that when UAW-GM workers are at work producing vehicles, engines, transmissions, stampings, parts, and components, every UAW-GM job supports 10.5 other jobs in the U.S. economy, with 3.2 of those jobs in the production-focused U.S. supplier sector.
Continue reading

Posted in financial results, labor issues | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment