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Category Archives: economy
Generative Artificial Intelligence – An Automaker Challenge
Absent in the following is what needs to be an extensive discussion of the public policy, employment, human challenges, and the effect on what traditionally are high paying jobs in the global auto industry. In AutoInformed’s view GlobalData can and likely will play a role in this. Continue reading
US August 2023 New Vehicle Sales Forecast up 15%
Bidenomics is clearly working in AutoInformed’s point of view. The latest data show a continuing trend that started after President Biden was elected and began a recovery from the economic reverses and job losses from the Trump Administration. Trump was the first president since Herbert Hoover who left office having presided over an the Great Depression economic disaster and with far fewer jobs than existed at the outset. Continue reading
Half of California Diesel Fuel Is Replaced By Clean Fuels
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) said today that in its shift away from polluting fuel sources, clean fuels are replacing more than 50% of the diesel used in the state during Q1 of 2023. The awakened Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS), a regulation which requires fuel producers to reduce the carbon intensity of fuel sold in the state, is largely responsible for the shift by encouraging the use and production of cleaner alternatives. Continue reading
Republicans Increasing Support of IRA Climate Perks?
Surprising then to AutoInformed is the latest research from Data for Progress (DPA) that shows strong IRA support across partisan lines. Maybe the beating the Republicans (aka party of no hope) took in the midterms is beginning to have some corrective affect? Likely not at the upper levels of the party, however their Red Wave is waving bye, bye to them here. The people appear to get it. Maybe they (We The People) should dissolve the Republican leadership and elect a new one? Continue reading
Posted in AutoInformed Editorial, customer satisfaction, economy, environment, manufacturing, news analysis, public health
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, Biden Administration, Catherine Fraser, Danielle Deiseroth, Data for Progress, Grace Adcox, ira inflation reduction act, Ken Zino
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GM Invests in Battery Materials Firm Mitra Chem
The companies will develop advanced iron-based cathode active materials (CAM), such as lithium manganese iron phosphate (LMFP), to power affordable and accessible EV batteries compatible with GM’s EV propulsion architecture, the Ultium Platform. GM’s funding will help Mitra Chem expand its current operations and to “expedite their novel battery materials formulation to market.” Continue reading
Posted in economy, electric vehicles, engineering, environment, global warming, public health
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, battery cathode designs, cam, Gil Golan, iron-based cathode active materials, Ken Zino, lithium ion, lithium manganese iron phosphate, Mitra Chem
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EPA Celebrates Inflation Reduction Act Anniversary
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today is marking what it says is one year of progress implementing President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, the most ambitious climate law in U.S. history and a core pillar of Bidenomics and the President’s Investing in America Agenda. Since the legislation was signed into law, EPA has put an historic $41 billion to work to reduce emissions, build a clean economy, lower energy costs for American households and businesses, create good-paying union jobs, and advance environmental justice across the country. Continue reading
Inflation Reduction Act Birthday – Changes Needed
“On the minus side, however, the IRA has no requirements for these massively subsidized companies to do good by their production workers. There are no market-based wage or benefit requirements, nothing that mandates company leaders to pay workers a wage to support themselves or their families – even though the 45X credit on its own is enough to completely cover these companies’ capital investment costs and their total wage bill for the first several years of production. Fortunately, states and communities can take action to ensure this pivotal moment doesn’t turn into another boondoggle for the One Percent, ” said Good Jobs First today. Continue reading
UAW Publicly Pans Stellantis Contract Proposal
The UAW used social media last night to update members about the contract talks at Stellantis (formerly Fiat-Chrysler or FCA). Shawn Fain led of course with the oft used observation that “Stellantis just made $12.1 billion in net profits in the first half of 2023. What followed was an update that appears to show that little to no progress is being made. The UAW contract expires on Sept. 14, and it covers 150,000 autoworkers at Ford, General Motors and Stellantis. Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares’ compensation has increased 72% over the last four years, the UAW noted. Continue reading
Toyota Posts Strong FY 2024 Q1 Results – $9.2 Billion Net
Sales volume increased in all regions due to productivity improvements inside TMC and with its suppliers. Consolidated vehicle sales Q1 was 2,326,000 units, at 115.5% of consolidated vehicle sales for the same period of the previous fiscal year. Toyota and Lexus vehicle sales was at 2,538,000 thousand units, at 108.4% of such sales for the same period of the previous fiscal year. This coincided with the better supply of semiconductors, which is still delaying delivery, particularly on new models. Notably, electrified vehicles were 34% of total sales. Continue reading
EU New Commercial Vehicle Registrations Up in H1 2023
Commercial vehicle sales in Europe are up in double digits during H1 2023, according to ACEA* data released this morning. During the first half of 2023, new EU van sales increased by 11.6% to 725,418 units as supply chain issues eased. Continue reading
Posted in economy, sales
Tagged acea, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, EU commercial vehicle sale H1 2023, Ken Zino
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US July Vehicle Sales Forecast Up Significantly Again
Total new-vehicle sales for July 2023, including retail and non-retail transactions, are projected to reach 1,320,982 units, a 21.5% increase from July 2022, according to a joint forecast released today from J.D. Power and GlobalData.* Total sales of new vehicles this month are expected to reach 1,320,982 units, a 21.5% increase compared with July 2022 when adjusted for selling days.
Bidenomics is clearly working in AutoInformed’s point of view. (July 2023 has 25 selling days, one less than July 2022.) Comparing the same sales volume without adjusting for the number of selling days translates to an increase of 16.8% year-over-year. The seasonally adjusted annualized rate (SAAR) for total new-vehicle sales is expected to be 16 million units, up 2.6 million units from July 2022. Continue reading
Teamsters Union Agrees with UPS on New Contract
The Teamsters said today that it has reached what it called “the most historic tentative agreement for workers in the history of UPS, protecting and rewarding more than 340,000 UPS Teamsters nationwide.” The contract raises wages for all workers, creates more full-time jobs, and includes dozens of workplace protections and improvements. The UPS Teamsters National Negotiating Committee unanimously endorsed the five-year tentative agreement. The agreement increases the pressure on automakers to settle with the UAW under the ongoing contract negotiations. Continue reading
New Extended Range Option on 2024 Hummer EV 3X Pickup
“The 2024 GMC HUMMER EV 3X Pickup will take you where you need to go, now with more driving range and confidence,” said Al Oppenheiser, chief engineer, GMC HUMMER EV. Continue reading
BMW Group Expanding EV Battery Plant Leipzig
“Leipzig continues to power ahead. Making the BMW i3, we were the BMW Group’s pioneer in electromobility. Now, with the development of e-component production and the upcoming launch of the MINI Countryman, the future is already taking shape,” said Petra Peterhänsel, Plant Director. Continue reading →