Category Archives: auto news

US Pedestrian Fatalities Highest Since 1990!

“While we have made progress reducing fatalities among many other road users in the past decade, pedestrian deaths have risen 35%,” said GHSA Executive Director Jonathan Adkins. Continue reading

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Update – BMW, Bosch, Daimler Autonomous Driving Forays

Daimler’s has programmed its systems largely in-house right from the very beginning. During 2019 that will end with the launch in San José, Silicon Valley, of its first pilot program with German uber-supplier Bosch, on self-driving vehicles – read Daimler and Bosch Target San José for Automated Ride-Hailing, which will explore Levels 4/5 in urban environments. Continue reading

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Daimler and BMW JV on Automated Driving Technologies

The development of current-generation technologies and ongoing collaborations of the two companies will remain unaffected and continue as before. As a further hedge of the hedge, “the Daimler AG and BMW Group will also explore additional partnerships with other technology companies and automotive manufacturers that could contribute to the success of the platform.  Continue reading

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Honda Sets Records for Worldwide Vehicle Production

Total domestic automobile sales in the Japanese market for the month of January 2019 experienced a year-on-year increase at 75,776 (+24% )f or the fourth consecutive month since October 2018. New vehicle registrations experienced a year-on-year increase for the first time in two months (since November 2018). Continue reading

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Trade Wars: FCA to Expand Production Capacity in Michigan

Given his vast international experience, Manley appears ideal to negotiate the choppy waters of ongoing and yet unknown trade wars and protect FCA’s investment of nearly $14.5 billion since 2009, with ~30,000 jobs created to date. All automakers are against Trump trade policy by twitter. Continue reading

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Millennials – Soon Largest Generation in US electorate

The growing gap by education is even more apparent when looking at annual household income of the elite. For households headed by Millennials ages 25 to 37 in 2018, the median adjusted household income was about $105,300 for those with a bachelor’s degree or higher, roughly $56,000 greater than that of households headed by high school graduates. The median household income difference by education for prior generations ranged from $41,200 for late Boomers to $19,700 for the Silent Generation when they were young. Continue reading

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HondaJet Sales First in Class for Second Consecutive Year

Honda Aircraft Company has changed its aircraft production line from the original HondaJet to the HondaJet Elite and will continue to offer the performance package developed by the Advanced Performance Modification Group (APMG) for the original HondaJet. The company expects to maintain production of four to five aircraft per month. Continue reading

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Whoops! Now Ford Motor Has Emissions Problems

Ford says it is now taking several actions, including hiring an unnamed outside firm to investigate the vehicle road load specifications used in Ford testing and applications to certify emissions and fuel economy. Road load can of course be manipulated since it is used in vehicle dynamometer testing, including for fuel economy ratings and emissions certifications. Continue reading

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Unions Protest Closing of Ford Plant Leningrad Region

Although the closure of the Vsevolozhsk plant has not been confirmed, Ford announced in January 2019 that it would review its development strategy in Russia. Depending on the review, the plant in Vsevolozhsk and two plants to produce cars and engines in the Republic of Tatarstan may be closed. Continue reading

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Not Cars – McLaren and L’Amy Sunglasses?

Available as both sunglasses and prescription eyeglasses, a claimed unique style is created by L’Amy in partnership with design teams from both McLaren Automotive and McLaren Racing. The lenses, including the option of Leica sun lenses, are fixed within the frames at two contact points. As well as a dramatic appearance, the “floating” structure ensures the glasses are light and strong. Continue reading

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Chinese Junk Watch – Crate and Barrel Milk Bottles

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled milk bottles and contact Crate and Barrel to receive a full refund. The firm has acknowledged one report of the straw breaking. No injuries have been reported. Continue reading

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BMW Baggage

BMW is continuing its merchandising with Montblanc via a five-piece luggage set that’s made-to-measure for the trunk (AKA boot) of the BMW 8 Series Coupé. Manufacturer’s recommended retail price is €14,900. Continue reading

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Ford Exits Heavy Truck Business in South America

Most of these pre-tax special item charges and cash outflows of 4460 million will be recorded in 2019 and are part of the $11 billion in EBIT charges with cash-related effects of $7 billion the company expects to take in the redesign of its global business. Continue reading

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Audi Expands Traffic Light Information to Reduce Stops

Green Light Optimized Speed Advisory can provide speed recommendations to Audi drivers of some 2017 and newer models that can assist drivers in catching the “green wave,” helping to reduce the number of stops at red lights. Continue reading

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Global Light Vehicle Sales Start New Year with a Whimper

A worrisome ghost dancing across AutoInformed’s screen is that 2019 began in a cowed manner in most major markets with the weakness that has been evident for several months continuing. Chinese LV sales were again the most influential for the global market, with another double-digit YoY decline. China of course us is enmeshed in a Trump tariff tirade. Continue reading

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