Category Archives: environment

Chevrolet Blazer EV SS to Pace Daytona 500 on Sunday

Posted on 10 February 2025 by Ken Zino

Chevrolet said this morning that a 2025 Blazer EV SS, the fastest SS model Chevrolet ever, will pace the 67th DAYTONA 500 at Daytona International Speedway this Sunday in box stock form. The Blazer EV SS, set to go on sale late in Q1, is equipped with Wide Open Watts (WOW), which propels the vehicle from 0 to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds with 615 horsepower and 650 lb.-ft. torque. The pace car is a production vehicle with no performance upgrades, but has custom graphics and embedded strobe lighting. It’s the first EV to ever pace the race. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, electric vehicles, electronics, global warming, marketing, mobility company, new vehicle, news analysis, performance, shows and events | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

NOAA – 2024 Was Earth’s Warmest Year on Record

Posted on 7 February 2025 by Ken Zino

Planet Earth’s average land and ocean surface temperature in 2024 was 2.32 degrees F (1.29 degrees C) above the 20th-century average, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. This was the highest global temperature among all years in NOAA’s 1850-2024 climate record. It was 0.18 of a degree F (0.10 of a degree C) warmer than 2023, which previously was the warmest year on record. Regionally, Africa, Europe, North America, Oceania and South America (tied with 2023) had their warmest year on record. Asia and the Arctic had their second-warmest year on record.

The planet’s 10 warmest years since 1850 have all occurred in the past decade. In 2024, global temperature exceeded the pre-industrial (1850–1900) average by 2.63 degrees F (1.46 degrees C). Other scientific organizations, including NASA, the Copernicus Climate Change Service and the UK Met Office have conducted separate but similar analyses that also rank 2024 as the warmest year on record. Continue reading →

Posted in environment, global warming, news, news analysis, public health, Trump Truth Tests | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

BMW i Ventures Buys into GreenSpark Software

Posted on 7 February 2025 by Ken Zino

“This investment positions GreenSpark to fast-track its product roadmap, expand into larger enterprise segments, and drive innovation in an industry that has long been underserved by technology,” BMW said. “Despite being a crucial part of the recycling ecosystem, the $120 billion+ recycled materials industry has lacked intuitive, modern software to streamline operations, finance, logistics, and commercial functions. GreenSpark’s platform leverages the latest technology to provide solutions for all segments of the recycled metals value chain, accelerating the circular economy and boosting operators’ profitability,” i Ventures claimed. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, environment, manufacturing, mobility company, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Volvo Cars Posts Record Sales, Revenue, Profits in 2024, but…

Posted on 6 February 2025 by Ken Zino

Volvo Cars (VOLCAR B:STO)* today posted a record-breaking year in 2024 with the highest full-year retail sales, revenues and core operating profit in its 98-year history. However, the Chinese owned company anticipates a turbulent 2025 “due to challenging market conditions,” aka Trump’s Trade and Tariff Wars.** “Full-year revenues exceeded SEK 400 billion for the first time in the company’s history, due to a new all-time sales record of 763,389 cars. Its full-year core operating profit of SEK 27 billion, excluding joint ventures and associates, was another record and up 6% compared to 2023. The core operating margin came in at 6.8%, up from 6.4% in 2023,” Volvo said. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, car sharing, connected vehicles, economy, environment, financial results, insurance, manufacturing, marketing, mobility company, news analysis, sales, shows and events | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Toyota Motor Posts FY2025 Q3 Net Revenue Gain

Posted on 5 February 2025 by Ken Zino

Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC: Tokyo 7203. NYSE: TM) today announced financial results for the third quarter fiscal year 2025, which ended 31 December 2024. TMC also announced significant changes in China. Consolidated vehicle sales totaled ~7,000,000 units, a decrease of ~295,000 units compared to the same period fiscal year 2024. On a consolidated basis, net revenues for the period totaled 35.673 trillion yen ($233.2 billion), an increase of 4.9%. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, connected vehicles, economy, electric vehicles, environment, financial results, insurance, manufacturing, marketing, mobility company, news analysis, results, shows and events | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Volvo Car USA and Canada Posts January Sales Increase

Posted on 5 February 2025 by Ken Zino

Volvo Car USA and Canada (Nasdaq Stockholm VOLCAR B) today reported sales of 8755 cars for January, up 5.4% year-over-year. Electrified models, fully electric or plug-in hybrid powertrain, increased 43.8% year-over year (YoY). They accounted for 35.8 % of sales during the first month of the year.

“We are excited to see a strong start to the year and look forward to continued growth in the US and Canada with our new XC90, EX90 and EX30 SUVs complementing a full lineup of cars that make life easier, better and safer for everyone,” said Mike Cottone, President, Volvo Car USA and Canada. No mention whatsoever was made of President Trump’s ongoing and unpredictable trade and tariff wars.* Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, electric vehicles, global warming, manufacturing, marketing, news analysis, results, sales | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ford Motor Shuffles Leadership Amid Trump Chaos

Posted on 5 February 2025 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F)* today announced key executive changes as the chaos of the Trump administration continues to cause as yet unknown damages to the economy and the auto industry. Two positions, John Lawler to vice chair to look after strategy, partnerships and alliances; and Sam Wu,President Ford China adding Ford’s International Markets Group, will require insight, and frankly lucky hunches given Trump’s random, variable and reversible assaults on trade, tariff’s and vital international organizations to return Ford Motor to a reliably profitable path. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, connected vehicles, economy, environment, global warming, mobility company, news analysis, people, sales | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

More Stellantis Executive Changes as Stock Drops

Posted on 3 February 2025 by Ken Zino

“Through targeted organizational adjustments, the regions now have enhanced local decision-making and execution capabilities in respect of product planning, product development, industrial and commercial activities, while maintaining coordination with the Company’s global functions to best serve their customers,” Stellantis said. However, there still is no new permanent Chief Executive Officer from the Special Committee of the Board of Directors at a time when Trump’s executive orders – viz tariff’s – are wreaking havoc in the auto industry. Stellantis shares are down ~8% this morning. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, car sharing, connected vehicles, economy, environment, financial results, manufacturing, mobility company, news analysis, people | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Suzuki, Daihatsu, Toyota to Release EV Mini-Commercial Vans

Posted on 29 January 2025 by Ken Zino

Suzuki Motor Corporation, Daihatsu Motor Company and Toyota Motor Corporation said today that they have decided to aim for the release of their mini-commercial van electric vehicles (BEVs) respectively in fiscal 2025.*

“This mini-commercial van BEV, jointly developed by the three companies, combines Suzuki and Daihatsu’s expertise in creating small-size cars with Toyota’s electrification technology and is equipped with a BEV system suitable for mini-commercial vehicles. Commercial Japan Partnership Technologies Corporation also participated in the planning to achieve a vehicle with optimal specifications for efficient last-mile logistics,” the companies said in a joint release. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, car sharing, electric vehicles, engineering, global warming, manufacturing, milestones, new vehicle, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Stellantis Buys All of the Punch Powertrain JV

Posted on 29 January 2025 by Ken Zino

Stellantis (NYSE:STLA) announced today that it has acquired all the shares in the joint venture created in 2018 with the Belgian multinational Punch Powertrain, an original equipment maker of transmission and propulsion systems in the automotive sector. In the complex world of global automakers, the JV worked in the plants at Metz (FR) and Turin, at the Mirafiori complex (IT), where the advanced eDCT (Electrified Dual Clutch Transmission) gearboxes are produced. They will be seen in the entire Stellantis range of Mild Hybrid (MHEV) vehicles and the new generation of Plug-in (PHEV) vehicles.

“With this decision, Stellantis assumes full management of the design and production activities of the eDCT transmissions, characterized by class leading performance in terms of weight and production cost, fuel savings and reductions in harmful emissions,” the muti-national auto maker said in a release. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, electronics, fuel economy or emissions, global warming, manufacturing, milestones, mobility company, shows and events | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Pre-Trump US Q3 EV Sales Set All Time Record

Posted on 23 January 2025 by Ken Zino

During Q3 of 2024, automakers sold 408,688 electric vehicles (EVs include battery, plug-in hybrid, and fuel cell electric vehicles) in the United States, meaning 10.6% of overall light-duty vehicle sales. This represents a 0.6 percentage point (pp) market share increase compared to the second quarter of 2024 amounting to an increase of ~22,000 vehicle sales. Simply put this makes EV Sales volume in Q3 the highest on record according to data released today by the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, a trade and lobbying group for automakers. Continue reading →

Posted in electric vehicles, environment, global warming, milestones, news analysis, people, public health, sales | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Rolls-Royce Apprentices Make Dormouse Houses

Posted on 20 January 2025 by Ken Zino

Apprentices at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars have designed and handmade a series of nest boxes for one of the UK’s most endangered mammals, the hazel dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius), as part of the brands long-term environmental partnership with the neighboring Goodwood Estate, Rolls Royce said today.

“Studies have shown that our 42-acre site and the adjoining Goodwood Estate are home to some of Britain’s most important mammals, reptiles, birds, insects and plants – all of which we’re helping to conserve through our long-term environmental partnership. In this latest initiative, we’re working together to measure and monitor the local population of another rare and protected species, the hazel dormouse, using nest boxes designed and handmade by our Apprentices,” said Andrew Ball, Head of Corporate Relations and Heritage, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, car sharing, design and styling, engineering, environment, marketing, milestones, mobility company, news, people, shows and events | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Illegal Chinese Diesel Engines – Fayat Group Fined

Posted on 20 January 2025 by Ken Zino

The Justice Department and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have announced a settlement agreement with Fayat S.A.S. and nine of its subsidiaries – BOMAG GmbH, Bomag Americas Inc., BOMAG (China) Construction Machinery Co. Ltd., MARINI S.p.A., RAVO B.V., Charlatte of America Inc., PTC S.A.S., Secmair S.A.S. and MATHIEU S.A. – for alleged violations of the Clean Air Act’s mobile source emission standards regulations.

“Fayat failed to ensure that the equipment it introduced into the United States market complied with Clean Air Act requirements designed to protect the public’s health from harmful emissions,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). “We will not tolerate violations of Clean Air Act standards. The settlement requires both a substantial civil penalty and a project that will reduce emissions in the Mobile, Alabama, area and contribute to improved public health.” Continue reading →

Posted in environment, news analysis, public health, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

HF Sinclair Plea Deal – Climate- and Health-Harming Emissions

Posted on 17 January 2025 by Ken Zino

The Justice Department, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) announced today a proposed settlement with HF Sinclair Navajo Refining LLC, an HF Sinclair Corp. subsidiary, resolving alleged Clean Air Act and New Mexico Air Quality Control Act violations at the company’s oil refinery in Artesia, New Mexico. The refinery is adjacent to a community overburdened by pollution. This settlement is part of the Justice Department and EPA’s ongoing commitment to address unlawful pollution in historically marginalized and dis-proportionally impacted communities.

“This settlement reinforces the United States’ commitment to protect communities from illegal refinery benzene and VOC emissions,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Katherine E. Konschnik of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). “Under the settlement, the refinery will make significant capital investments in pollution controls and implement additional programs to improve air quality and reduce health impacts on the residents of Artesia, including the students at Roselawn Elementary School.” Continue reading →

Posted in environment, global warming, litigation, news, news analysis, public health | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

More Green Economy Jobs Coming to Michigan

Posted on 17 January 2025 by Ken Zino

Four economic development projects in Southeast Michigan  representing~ $55 million in capital investment and 167 jobs in Wayne and Oakland counties were announced today by Governor Gretchen Whitmer. 3E Nano Inc, dba NxLite is a company providing nano-thin energy and solar control coatings for the polymer, glass, and window industries. Robert Bosch LLC., part of the Bosch Group intends to create a Regional Hydrogen Research and Development Hub at the company’s Farmington Hills headquarters. Envergia recovers minerals and metals from recycling of industrial lithium-ion and EV batteries. Software company dSPACE.

“Today, we are investing in advanced manufacturing companies across Southeast Michigan to create 167 good-paying jobs and build on our work to grow Michigan’s economy,” said Governor Whitmer. “From battery recycling to software testing to research and development, we are bringing good-paying, high-tech jobs home to Michigan, creating opportunities for our workers and securing the automotive supply chain.” Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, connected vehicles, economy, electric vehicles, energy, engineering, environment, manufacturing, milestones, news analysis, shows and events, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment