Category Archives: auto news

Traffic Jam – Record 48.9m Independence Day Travel

Overall travel volume for the holiday is expected to rise 4.1% over last year, with an additional 1.9 million people planning road trips and other vacations to celebrate America’s birthday. Continue reading

Posted in news analysis, people, prices, transportation | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Asian Party is Over for Automakers

No doubt this hurts Asia-based automakers , but the  VW Group, Daimler Group, BMW Group and General Motors – are clearly endangered, because the region accounts for a significant share of their global volume. Continue reading

Posted in news analysis, sales | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Supreme Court Upholds Unconscious Driver Blood Drawing

Gerald Mitchell was arrested for operating a vehicle while intoxicated after a preliminary breath test registered a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) that was triple Wisconsin’s legal limit for driving. Continue reading

Posted in litigation, people | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

California Air Resources Board Has Airport Shuttles Transitioning to Zero-Emission Technology by 2035

With almost 1,000 airport shuttles in operation, the regulation is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 500,000 metric tons, with a beneficial economic impact for shuttle fleets owners of an estimated $30 million in reduced fuel and maintenance costs. CARB is also developing a proposal that would achieve additional emission reductions by requiring zero-emission airport ground equipment. Continue reading

Posted in environment, milestones, news analysis | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

First Half of 2019 to Deliver Lowest US Retail Sales Since 2013

“The decline in new sales have been disappointing, but it’s important not to overlook the effect of growth in the used-vehicle market,” King said. “Used sales at franchised dealers are expected to increase by nearly 9% through the first half. Most significant for retailers is the greater profit opportunity due to higher front-end gross and F&I income earned compared with new vehicles. Overall combined new and used retailer profits through the first half are on pace to reach $23.4 billion, up 3.7% from last year. Shifting away from the traditional focus on volumes, 2019 remains on target to be one of the best years recorded.” Continue reading

Posted in news analysis, sales | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Driving 2020 Explorer: Big Size and Complexity, Bigger Price

The 2020 Explorer is a credible SUV offering surrounded by other strong offerings. Pricing and marketing are the potential issues. Then there’s the test drive problem – fewer and fewer prospective buyer’s actual drive a prospective new vehicle und the conditions they will use it. Some don’t test drive at all, preferring web-page touring to tire turning. Continue reading

Posted in marketing, new vehicle | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Nissan Shareholders Elect 7 Independent Directors Out of 11

The new board of directors comprises 11 individuals, seven of whom are independent outside directors. Power appears to be evenly split between Renault and Nissan despite Nissan’s and the Japanese government’s interest in asserting more control. Renault, which owns 43% of Nissan and the French government, which owns 15% of Renault, are pushing for a merger. Paper organization charts are not always how business is conducted in mega, joint venture corporations. So, it will take some time to see how this works out as the Ghosn matter proceeds through the Japanese “legal” system. Continue reading

Posted in litigation, milestones, news analysis, people | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

BMW Group Power BEV – A Regulation Forced Car

In  a brand defensive move – increasingly difficult with regulation spec vehicles – chassis and powertrain engineers worked to maximize the car’s performance. Key to its dynamic attributes is that the two electric motors at the rear axle are controlled separately. This allows so-called  e-torque vectoring, which enables maximum drive power to be translated into forward propulsion even in extreme driving maneuvers, it’s claimed. Continue reading

Posted in alternative fuels, concept, electric vehicles | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Roadkill Nights – Drag Racing Back on Woodward Avenue

Roadkill is now the  traditional kick off to southeast Michigan’s week-long celebration of classic cars and car culture. There will be  thrill rides in the 717-horsepower Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and the 707-horsepower Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat models, more participants in the celebrity showdown races, and an overall $40,000 purse with $10,000 going towards United Way. Continue reading

Posted in marketing, performance, racing | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

UAW Post Chattanooga Loss Calls for Labor Law Reviews

In the end, the difference between a unionized workplace and one without real worker representation was narrow: 833 employees voted against union representation and 776 in favor, a difference of merely 29 votes. Continue reading

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

Trade Wars: Commerce Finds Dumping, Countervailable Subsidies of Chinese and Thailand Propane Cylinders

During 2017, imports of steel propane cylinders from China and Thailand were valued at an estimated $89.8 million and $14.1 million, respectively. In addition, Commerce found that exporters from China received countervailable subsidies at rates from 37.91 to 142.37%. Continue reading

Posted in alternative fuels, economy | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

FAA Issues Waiver for Drones with Parachutes, New Supersonic Rulemaking, 737 Max Modifications Still Stalled

This remains to be seen at the beleaguered agency that appears to be too close to the aircraft industry as the ongoing Boeing 737 Max software modifications needed to prevent additional fatalities appears to be stalled. Continue reading

Posted in electronics, engineering, litigation, news analysis, safety, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Hyundai, Kia Announce Autonomous Investment in Aurora

The move strengthens a partnership formed between the companies in 2018, under which Hyundai, Kia, and Aurora have been collaborating on self-driving technologies on Hyundai’s flagship fuel cell vehicle NEXO. With the new investment, the companies have agreed to expand research to a wide range of models and to build an optimal platform for Hyundai and Kia’s autonomous vehicles. Continue reading

Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, autonomous vehicles, electric vehicles, global warming, mobility company, news analysis, public health | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

GM Invests $150M in Flint to Increase Pickup Production

This news follows GM’s announcement last month to expand light-duty, full-size pickup production capacity in Fort Wayne, Indiana, in response to strong customer demand. (This news follows GM’s announcement last month to expand light-duty, full-size pickup production capacity in Fort Wayne, Indiana, in response to strong customer demand. (GM to Invest $1.2 Billion in Fort Wayne Pickup Plant) Continue reading

Posted in manufacturing, marketing | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ford House Previews Spring ‘Driven by Design’ Exhibit

Three rare vehicles never shown together will be the centerpiece: a breathtaking1939 Lincoln Continental prototype, the 1932 Ford Model 18 Speedster and 1934 Ford Model 40 Special Speedster. These three vehicles tell the story of Edsel Ford’s role in bringing design to Ford Motor Company. Continue reading

Posted in design and styling, milestones | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment