Category Archives: auto news

Ford Motor Posts Q1 2024 Net Income of $1.3 Billion

Posted on 25 April 2024 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor (NYSE: F) late yesterday posted weak 2024 Q1 operating results of $42.8 billion in revenue (+1.3B YoY), net income of $1.3 billion (-1.1%), and adjusted EBIT of $2.8 billion (-6%) as global sales dropped 11,000 vehicles to 1,045,000. Ford nonetheless declared a second-quarter regular dividend of 15 cents per share, payable 3 June to shareholders of record at the close of business on 8 May 2024. Continue reading →

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Death of the Diesel – EPA Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grants

Posted on 24 April 2024 by Ken Zino

In the United States, the transportation sector is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions. It is also a prominent source of health-harming pollution. Most of the vehicles eligible for replacement are powered by internal combustion engines that pre-date recent EPA emission standards. These vehicles emit harmful pollutants such as nitrogen oxide, fine particulate matter, and greenhouse gases. Continue reading →

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Toyota Tacoma Pickup Adds First Hybrid Powertrain in 2024

Posted on 23 April 2024 by Ken Zino

The all-new 2024 Tacoma with i-FORCE MAX models are expected to arrive at Toyota dealerships later this Spring. The Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) starts at $46,300 for the TRD Sport grade, excluding delivery processing and handling. Continue reading →

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GM Posts $3 Billion in Q1 Earnings. Raises 2024 Guidance

Posted on 23 April 2024 by Ken Zino

“As we continue to strengthen our ICE [internal combustion engine] portfolio, scale EVs and reinvest in the business, we are very focused on capital efficiency, enhancing profitability and free cash flow, and we will continue to take steps to create shareholder value,” said CEO Mary T. Barra. GM has produced more than $23 billion of Auto Adjusted Free Cash Flow during the last 24 months, and expects to generate more than $30 billion in the 2022-2024 period. Continue reading →

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Sudden Power Loss Recall – Bronco Sport, Maverick Trucks

Posted on 22 April 2024 by Ken Zino

“An insufficient calibration strategy for detecting sudden battery degradations during a drive cycle can lead to (a) a vehicle that is unable to restart after an auto start/stop event or (b) experience a stall while coming to a stop at low speed. Either may be accompanied by a loss of 12-volt accessories, including hazard lights,” Ford said in the required filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which the Federal safety agency made public today. NHTSA prompted the recall. Continue reading →

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Earth Day – Solar Grants from The Inflation Reduction Act

Posted on 22 April 2024 by Ken Zino

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced 60 entities will receive $7 billion in awards through the Solar for All grant competition to deliver residential solar projects to over 900,000 households nationwide. The grant competition is funded by President Biden’s … Continue reading →

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April 20 – aka 420 – Marijuana Impaired Driving is Illegal

Posted on 20 April 2024 by Ken Zino

Today being 420 for stoners,* AutoInformed says don’t believe that marijuana won’t affect your driving. Driving impaired by any substance—alcohol or other drugs, whether legal or illegal—is against the law in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Continue reading →

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Nissan Arc Business Plan is Sinking?

Posted on 19 April 2024 by Ken Zino

The forecast sales volume has been lowered to 3.44 million units, net revenue to 12.6 trillion yen, and operating profit to 530 billion yen. Net income is forecast to reach 370 billion yen for fiscal year 2023. “The revision is due to a decrease in sales volume, various cost reliefs made to suppliers such as inflation, and other factors,” Nissan said. Continue reading →

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NHTSA Probing Whether Ford Fire Recall is Adequate

Posted on 19 April 2024 by Ken Zino

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said just days after this recall was posted by AutoInformed that “The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) reviewed Ford Motor Company’s proposed remedy for recall 24V-187 and started an investigation.” Continue reading →

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EPA Grants Emergency Fuel Waiver for Ethanol

Posted on 19 April 2024 by Ken Zino

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today issued an emergency fuel waiver to allow E15 gasoline – gasoline blended with 15% ethanol – to be sold during the summer driving season. This allows Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Nine Tribal Nations to sell the fuel that otherwise would be banned for the summer. Estimates show that on average, E15 is about $0.25 a gallon cheaper than E10. Continue reading →

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US Justice Department Expands Carjacking Task Forces

Posted on 18 April 2024 by Ken Zino

The Justice Department today announced that 11 U.S. Attorneys’ Offices have now established a carjacking task force to concentrate resources on the public safety threat. This latest move builds on the early efforts and best practices learned from carjacking task forces in the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the District of Columbia, Northern District of Illinois, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and Middle District of Florida where available data show that carjacking rates are now falling. Continue reading →

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EV Grumblings – 2025 Toyota Camry Will Be Hybrid Only

Posted on 18 April 2024 by Ken Zino

The 2025 Toyota Camry sedans are expected to arrive at Toyota dealerships in late spring 2024 with a starting Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $28,400* – more than $400 less than the outgoing Camry Hybrid base grade and includes more standard features. It is a formidable entry in AutoInformed’s view. Continue reading →

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GM Energy Offers Electric Vehicle-to-Home Charging

Posted on 18 April 2024 by Ken Zino

“GM Energy is committed to making the transition to an all-electric lifestyle an even more compelling option by simplifying all aspects of personal energy management,” said Wade Sheffer, vice president of GM Energy. “With the introduction of these new offerings, it has never been easier for our customers to access the expanded benefits of a holistic EV ecosystem, helping to mitigate the impacts of power outages and having the ability to offset certain energy costs over time.” Continue reading →

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March 2024 Global Light Vehicle Sales Effectively Flat

Posted on 17 April 2024 by Ken Zino

The Global Light Vehicle (LV) selling rate stood at 85 million units/year in March, roughly the same with February 2024, according to numbers and analysis  released by the GlobalData* consultancy. Worldwide, 8.0 million vehicles were sold last month, a 2% … Continue reading →

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EV Grumblings – Ford Cuts 2024 F-150 Lightning Prices

Posted on 16 April 2024 by Ken Zino

Ford Motors (NYSE: F) said today that online orders are open for the 2024 Ford F-150 Lightning trucks, now shipping from the Rouge Electric Vehicle Center. In January Ford dropped a shift at Rouge because of weak demand for the Lightning, the top-selling electric pickup in the US. Competition is reducing demand and trimming margins. The previously announced MSRP of the 2024 F-150 Lightning is being reduced. The so-called F-150 Lightning Flash™, is now available with a starting MSRP under $70,000, and comes with  an extended-range battery. Continue reading →

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