Category Archives: people

Kristian Aquilina New GM Canada President

“Our Canadian manufacturing plants are also set to thrive with recent new investments in Oshawa Assembly, St. Catharines Propulsion Plant and CAMI Assembly. The Canadian Technical Centre continues to be a hotbed of innovation in software, R&D and advanced vehicle testing. We’ve also just begun to tap into the potential for Canada in the emerging raw mineral and EV battery supply chain, beginning with the new Ultium CAM processing facility in Bécancour, Quebec,” Aquilina said. Continue reading

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Cummins Diesel Penalties Finalized in $1.675B Settlement

“Cummins installed illegal defeat devices on more than 600,000 RAM pickup trucks, which exposed overburdened communities across America to harmful air pollution,” said Assistant Administrator David M. Uhlmann of EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. Continue reading

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Noto Aftershocks – Toyota Japanese Plants to Run on Monday

“In regard to Toyota Motor Corporation’s plant operation schedule for January 8 onward, after much consideration, we have made the decision to operate our vehicle plants in Japan. Many of our local suppliers and their affiliates were affected by the earthquake. Therefore, we will utilize parts in stock outside the affected areas, Toyota said. Continue reading

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Significant 2023 Automotive Stories and Trends

Our aspirations of becoming a more useful part of our society comprised of “We the People” is under daily news-cycle assault with an insurrection of can’t do characters and their apologists and power-hungry enablers who are our enemies within. They are the greatest threat to our upwardly mobile, inclusive democratic society. These illiterate book banners and burners are threatening our genuine American optimism and can-do past that still propels the best of us to keep moving forward with or without drums and fifes. Continue reading

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Happy New Year United States – All ~335 Million of You!

The US. Census Bureau calculates that the US. population will be 335,893,238 today on New Year’s Day, an annual increase of 1,759,535 or 0.53%.

“The combination of births, deaths and net international migration increases the U.S. population by one person every 24.2 seconds. In January 2024, the United States is expected to experience a birth every 9.0 seconds and one death every 9.5 seconds. Meanwhile, net international migration is expected to add one person to the U.S. population every 28.3 seconds. The combination of births, deaths and net international migration increases the U.S. population by one person every 24.2 seconds,” said Derick Moore, senior communications specialist in the Census Bureau’s Communications Directorate. Continue reading

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Climate Change – 25% of US People Susceptible to Severe Heat

As we close out the year of extreme shifts in weather – with 2023 trending to be the hottest year on record – US Census Bureau data show that almost 1 in 4 people in the United States are socially … Continue reading

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Cummins to Pay $1.675B for Clean Air Act Violations

“Today, the Justice Department reached an initial agreement with Cummins Inc. to settle claims that, over the past decade, the company unlawfully altered hundreds of thousands of engines to bypass emissions tests in violation of the Clean Air Act. As part of the agreement, the Justice Department will require Cummins to pay $1.675 billion, the largest civil penalty we have ever secured under the Clean Air Act, and the second largest environmental penalty ever secured,” said Attorney General Merrick Garland. Continue reading

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Bidenomics – People Spend Record $578B on New Vehicles

“December results cap off the year with a strong performance, illustrated by double-digit year-over-year sales growth and the second-highest consumer expenditure on new vehicles ever recorded for the month. Total sales of just under 15.5 million for 2023, represent a significant increase of 12.8% from 2022, when just 13.7 million vehicles were sold. What’s even more noteworthy is that consumer expenditure on new vehicles in 2023 set a record of $578 billion. This is the third consecutive year in which U.S. consumers spent more than half a trillion dollars buying new vehicles,” said Thomas King, president of the data and analytics division at J.D. Power. Continue reading

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Toyota Mobility Foundation Meets on Zero Accident Casualties

Last Friday on 15 December 2023, the Toyota Mobility Foundation general meeting gathered together participating members to review the progress of various activities and share insights between subcommittees. A report was issue today from the subcommittees at the Tateshina Meeting, which promotes discussions and the expansion of collaboration among participants with the goal of zero casualties in traffic accidents. Continue reading

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Annals of Marketing – Nissan Ariya EV Arrives at South Pole

The Ariya EV was basically factory-standard with no modifications to the powertrain or battery. However, it was modified by polar mobility specialist Arctic Trucks to adapt 39-inch BF Goodrich tires. Continue reading

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Ford Announces Global Mustang GT3 Factory Drivers

In an unusual Saturday release, Ford Performance (NYSE: F) said today it is expanding its sports car factory driver lineup to nine for its global GT3 race programs. Ben Barker, Chris Mies, Dennis Olsen, Andy Priaulx and Frédéric Vervisch join previously announced drivers Joey Hand, Dirk Müller, Harry Tincknell and Mike Rockenfeller on the Ford Performance Mustang GT3 team in 2024. Daytona in January is the  sports car racing debut for the new Ford Mustang GT3. The Mustang will compete on six of seven continents of the world at tracks such as Le Mans and Interlagos. In AutoInformed’s view this is a crafty way of helping customer teams with proven drivers that can be employed when needed. Continue reading

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Ford Mustang Endurance Racing Docuseries Starts Tonight

The Mustang GT3 team has been preparing for the first substantial endurance race of 2024, the Rolex 24 at Daytona. The cameras have had full access behind the scenes throughout to capture the effort. A documentary series is the result, dubbed ‘Mustang Endurance.’ (AutoInformed: New Ford Mustang GT3 Racing Documentary Starts Next Week) Continue reading

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Fossil Fuel Phase Out or Cop Out at COP28?

Nations at the COP28 United Nations Climate Conference in Dubai approved this week a roadmap for “transitioning away from fossil fuels,” a first for a UN conference. However, the agreement is without any apparent way to enforce it. Worse, in the view of the many, many critics of the United Nations actions or lack thereof on planet-killing Climate Change, it did not clearly call for an end of using oil, coal and gas. The latest edition of the annual UN climate conference had been running in Dubai, the largest city in the United Arab Emirates, since 30 November. UAE of course is a major producer of fossil fuels and used the conference lobbying among attending countries to further its own self-interests, according to critics. Clearly we need to do better, much better. Continue reading

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Happy New Year! GM Reorganizes Regions and PD

General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) said today that is making changes to its product development team and creating a new role to oversee its global regions. This reorganization is partially the result of the retirement of Doug Parks, GM executive vice president of Global Product Development, Purchasing and Supply Chain, after a ~40-year career at the company. All changes take effect on 2 January 2024.

“We’ve spent years preparing GM to transition to an all-electric future, and Doug’s leadership has been pivotal. We are grateful for his many contributions to GM’s success,” said GM Chair and CEO Mary Barra. “The changes we are announcing today will continue to drive technical excellence and deliver groundbreaking vehicles to our customers around the world.” Continue reading

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Penske Automotive Group Buys 15 UK Dealerships

Penske Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE: PAG)* today announced that it has agreed to acquire Rybrook Group Limited consisting of 15 premium dealerships in the United Kingdom, including four BMW dealerships, four MINI dealerships, four Volvo dealerships, two Land Rover dealerships and one Porsche dealership. Three of the BMW locations also retail BMW Motorrad motorcycles. The dealerships to be acquired represent estimated annualized revenues of $1 billion. Continue reading

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