Category Archives: people

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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CHIPS and Science Act Phase 2 – Growth and Defense

The project will replace aging tools and quadruple the production of chips necessary for critical defense programs, including the F-35 fighter jet program. This begins of the next phase of implementation of the CHIPS and Science Act, a critical part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda that supports a strong national defense and a growing American economy. Continue reading

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Michigan State Fleet – All to be Zero-Emission Vehicles  

“Michigan automakers are on the cutting-edge of the world’s switch to zero emission vehicles, and with today’s executive directive to transition our state-owned fleet by 2040, the State of Michigan is leading by example,” said Governor Whitmer. “Getting this done will help drive demand of Michigan-made electric vehicles, lower gas and maintenance costs for the state since ZEVs cost far less to fuel and maintain and reduce air and noise pollution in our communities.”  Continue reading

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The US’s first public EV-charging Roadway Unveiled in Detroit

This project for a zero-emission mobility future where EVs are plentiful is endorsed by Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, who announced the pilot initiative in September 2021 to develop the nation’s first wireless charging infrastructure on a public road in Michigan. MDOT and Electreon have entered a five-year commitment to develop the electric road system (ERS), using the technology on Michigan roads. Continue reading

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WTRAndretti Names Final Drivers for 2024 IMSA Season

Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti (WTRAndretti*) announced today that Graham Doyle and Ashton Harrison will join Kyle Marcelli and Danny Formal in their No. 45 WTRAndretti Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO2 for the Rolex 24 At Daytona. Continue reading

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Connected Technicians at Nissan Speed Repairs

“TECH LINE did a great job of walking me through the process. They made sure we went through it together and everything went smoothly,” said Skyler Petrille, Nissan master technician at Mossy Nissan El Cajon just outside San Diego. “It’s super cool when Nissan invests in tools to help make our work easier, better and more efficient.” Continue reading

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McLaren Returns to Le Mans in 2024 FIA WEC

McLaren Automotive said today it has been confirmed as a manufacturer represented in the 2024 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) with nominated racing partner United Autosports . It will contest the championship in the LMGT3 class with two 720S GT3 EVO cars. This means the McLaren name will return to Le Mans 29 years after winning the race on its debut appearance in 1995, completing the ‘Triple Crown’ of victories at Le Mans, the Indianapolis 500 and Monaco Grand Prix. To celebrate McLaren’s return to endurance racing, the entries will pay tribute to the debut with race numbers #59 -the race number of the winning F1 GTR – and #95, the year of the landmark win. Continue reading

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