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- Airbag Failures – American Honda Recalls ~99,000 Vehicles
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Category Archives: people
GM Creates New VP of Batteries Position
General Motors (NYSE: GM) said today that it has hired Kurt Kelty, a battery expert and former Tesla executive, to be vice president of Batteries, reporting to GM President Mark Reuss. Kelty in a new position at GM will be charged with GM’s battery cell strategy and what it is calling an “end-to-end approach.” This will include the use of raw materials, research, developing and investing in new technology, commercialization of cells and packs, and end of life opportunities.
“The foundation that GM has established coupled with Kurt’s exceptional battery expertise in leading battery chemistry development, establishing partnerships, building out supply chains and partnering closely with teams that have developed leading battery systems will help us achieve our electrification goals and position GM as a leader in EV technology,” said Reuss. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, electric vehicles, engineering, environment, global warming, manufacturing, milestones, mobility company, news analysis, people
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, GM VP of Batteries, Ken Zino, Kurt Kelty, mark reuss, Panasonic, Sila, tesla
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Air Travel Consumer Report Shows Improvements in 2023
The US Department of Transportation (DOT) today released its Air Travel Consumer Report (ATCR)* on airline operational data compiled for the month of November 2023 for on-time performance, mishandled baggage, and mishandled wheelchairs and scooters. During 2023, DOT issued the largest fines on airlines in the history of the Office of Aviation Consumer Protection while helping return more than $3 billion in refunds to travelers since the start of the pandemic. Continue reading
Posted in aviation, customer satisfaction, news analysis, people, transportation
Tagged air travel consumer report, ATCR, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino, Office of Aviation Consumer Protection, President Biden and DOT Secretary Buttigieg, USDOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics
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US Transportation Sector January Unemployment Flat
Unemployment in the transportation sector was higher than overall unemployment. BLS reports that the US unemployment rate, not seasonally adjusted, in January 2024 was 4.1% or 0.6 percentage points below the transportation sector rate. Seasonally adjusted, the U.S. unemployment rate in January 2024 was 3.7%, as the Federal reserve continues its indefensible ideological, anti-data tight money policy (the highest interest rates in two decades!) with little or lately no inflation in AutoInformed’s view. Continue reading
Group Troubles Move Forward Akio Toyoda’s Vision Speech
Toyota Motor Corporation Chairman of the Board of Directors Akio Toyoda (aka Morizo) today spoke to an audience of chairmen, presidents, and front-line leaders from 17 Toyota Group companies [1] at the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology [2] on the company’s founding principles and outlining his vision for the Group’s future direction – called “Inventing our path forward, together.”
While originally planned for 14 February 2024, the birthday of company founder Sakichi Toyoda, the speech was brought forward in light of recent “irregularities” at Group companies. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, electronics, engineering, manufacturing, mobility company, news analysis, people, shows and events
Tagged Art of Making Things, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Inventing our path forward together, Ken Zino, MLIT, monodzukuri, monozukuri, Morizo, the Toyota Group, Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology
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Annals of Marketing – Porsche AG Buys into VfB Stuttgart
“We are delighted that the Deutsche Fussball Liga has recognized our investment to be independent,” said Lutz Meschke, Deputy Chairman and Executive Board Member for Finance and IT at Porsche. “This gives us the opportunity to increase our stake to more than 10%. We want to contribute our know-how actively in order to keep developing the team successfully together with all our partners. We share a great tradition with VfB Stuttgart. Porsche is hereby strengthening its long-term commitment to the Stuttgart region, in which both of us have deep roots.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, marketing, mobility company, people, shows and events
Tagged Albrecht Reimold, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Claus Vogt, Deutsche Fussball Liga, Ken Zino, MHP Arena Stuttgart, Rouven Kasper, VfB Stuttgart
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Donald Trump is a Scab – UAW Endorses President Biden
“This November, we can stand up and elect someone who wants to stand with us and support our cause. Or we can elect someone who will divide us and fight us every step of the way,” said UAW President Shawn Fain. “That’s what this choice is about. The question is, who do we want in that office to give us the best shot of winning? Of organizing. Of negotiating strong contracts. Of uniting the working class and winning our fair share once again, as our union has done so many times in our nation’s history. We need to know who’s going to sit in the most powerful seat in the world and help us win as a united working class,” said Fain. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, economy, labor issues, manufacturing, milestones, people, shows and events, transportation
Tagged 2024 presidential election, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, CAP, donald trump, Ken Zino, President Biden, Shawn fain, uaw, UAW Community Action Program conference
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More Biden-Harris Infrastructure Projects Funded
“With this announcement, we are advancing projects so large, complex, and ambitious that they could not get funded under the infrastructure programs that existed prior to the Biden administration,” said US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “Our INFRA and Mega programs are helping build the cathedrals of American infrastructure: truly transformative projects that will change entire regions and our entire country for the better.” Continue reading
Posted in economy, news analysis, people, shows and events, transportation
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Biden-Harris Administration, Bidenomics, Infrastructure for Rebuilding America, Ken Zino, National Infrastructure Project Assistance, Pete Buttigieg
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DOT – Brightline West High-Speed Rail Gets $2.5B
“Today, the Biden-Harris administration takes the next step to fulfill the promise of high-speed rail in the American West, with $2.5 billion in private activity bond authority to lay tracks, create jobs, and connect American cities,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. Continue reading
Posted in economy, electric vehicles, environment, mobility company, news analysis, people, shows and events, transportation
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Biden-Harris Administration, Brightline West high speed rail, Fortress Investment Group, Investing in America, Ken Zino, Nevada Department of Transportation, Polly Trottenberg, San Bernardino County Transportation Authority, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Wes Edens
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Like the Weather, Grey is Top Car Color in Old Blighty
“2023 was a bumper year for the British new car market, as buyers continued to gravitate towards familiar monochrome hues for another year – even as ever more motorists embrace new technologies. Car manufacturers have diligently expanded their offerings, with a huge selection of color options available across hundreds of models and thousands of specification options. The extensive variety allows drivers flexibility in choosing a tint that embodies their individuality and style,” said Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive.
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Posted in blog, customer satisfaction, design and styling, people
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Channel Islands, Great Britain, Ken Zino, Mike Hawes, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders
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Ford Cuts F-150 Lightning Production. Ups Bronco and Ranger
“We are taking advantage of our manufacturing flexibility to offer customers choices while balancing our growth and profitability. Customers love the F-150 Lightning, America’s best-selling EV pickup,” said Ford President and CEO Jim Farley, who last year was boasting about his ability to increase prices on the Lightning. “We see a bright future for electric vehicles for specific consumers, especially with our upcoming digitally advanced EVs and access to Tesla’s charging network beginning this quarter,” Farley claimed.
Ford of course is hemorrhaging red ink in it’s EV business as Tesla (Cybertruck), GM (Chevy, Cadillac Lyric SUV, GMC, Hummer) and Stellantis – (electrified Jeeps) increase theirs. Ford’s EV business – Model e – lost $1.3 billion on electric vehicles even though it reported 44% higher shipments of electric vehicles, and 26% revenue growth during Q3 of 2023. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, economy, labor issues, manufacturing, mobility company, news analysis, people, sales
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, F-150 Lightning, Ford Special Retirement Incentive Program, Jim Farley, Ken Zino, Michigan Assembly, Rouge Complex in Dearborn, Special Retirement Incentive Program
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Lexus Defection – Vinay Shahani Goes to Nissan North America
“As we accelerate the transformation we started with Nissan NEXT, Vinay brings a unique blend of Nissan background and experience with successful global automotive brands,” said Jérémie Papin, chairperson, Nissan Americas. “Vinay is an ideal choice to lead our brands into the future, driving performance and innovation while maintaining our people-centric culture.” Continue reading
Stellantis NA COO Mark Stewart Out. Carlos Zarlenga In
“In the very demanding North American market with many obstacles to overcome in order to foster the performance of the Company, Carlos Zarlenga is the best leader among our talent pool to replace Mark Stewart and to drive the change in our business model towards electrification in the region. Carlos Zarlenga has demonstrated his ability to bring together and unite diverse teams and to deliver the expected results,” said Carlos Tavares, CEO of Stellantis. “I would like to thank Mark Stewart for his contribution to this role after a three-year cycle, corresponding to the date of creation of Stellantis and I wish him the best in his new position.” Continue reading
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
Toyota Cleans Daihatsu House Over False Tests
“President-to-be Inoue has for many years been working on structural reform of Toyota’s Latin American business, including a renewed regional management system involving Brazil and Argentina. Despite the many difficult decisions he has had to make, he is a leader who has moved reforms forward by implementing thorough dialogue with front-line members. Utilizing this experience, he will lead the revitalization of Daihatsu as the person responsible for ‘on-site management,’ Executive Vice President-to-be Kuwata will promote corporate cultural and organizational reform initiatives by leveraging his experience in human resources and on-site management,” Toyota said. Continue reading →