Category Archives: environment

Fleet Owners with EVs and Traditional Vehicles Favor EVs

Posted on 23 July 2024 by Ken Zino

“The electric-vehicle story is much larger than just the retail story,” said Zo Rahim, senior analyst of Research and Market Intelligence at Cox Automotive. “In many ways, electric vehicles can be an ideal solution for many fleet operations, which often have set routes of known distances, vehicles that routinely overnight in the same location, and operations that prioritize the cost of ownership. The fleet business is significant in the U.S. market, and we expect the EV share of the fleet market to expand in the coming years.” Continue reading →

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EPA Grant to Holcim U.S. for Clean Cement

Posted on 16 July 2024 by Ken Zino

In the U.S., Holcim is the largest cement manufacturer and a top five producer of aggregates and ready-mix concrete, with approximately 7000 employees. Holcim’s so-called Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) Accelerator Project will increase the transparency of data on environmental emissions associated with the production of construction materials; generate robust EPDs with a diversity of manufacturers from across the U.S.; and drive market demand for lower carbon construction materials. These projects represent the three construction materials in Holcim’s portfolio: cement, asphalt, and ultra-high-performance concrete. Continue reading →

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Largest Ever Clean Air Act Fine Imposed on Marathon Oil

Posted on 12 July 2024 by Ken Zino

The Justice Department and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have reached a settlement with Marathon Oil Company* over Clean Air Act violations at the company’s oil and gas production operations on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation in North Dakota. The settlement requires that Marathon pay a civil penalty of $64.5 million, the largest ever for violations of the Clean Air Act at stationary sources, which include downstream facilities such as oil and gas tank systems. Under the settlement agreement, Marathon will implement extensive compliance measures to achieve major reductions in harmful emissions from more than 200 facilities across the state. Continue reading →

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Polestar 6 Concept EV Hill Climbing at Goodwood

Posted on 11 July 2024 by Ken Zino

Polestar (Nasdaq: PSNY) is at Goodwood Festival of Speed showing its expanded model line-up with the new Polestar 3 and Polestar 4 electric SUVs joining the Polestar 2. They are accompanied by the Polestar 6 Concept, marking the dynamic debut for the electric roadster concept.

“Now we are a brand with three models in production it’s great to see them here together for the first time at a global event. Goodwood Festival of Speed is full of the most exciting cars and the most enthusiastic crowds,” said Thomas Ingenlath, CEO of Polestar, a Chinese-owned company. Continue reading →

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Tilt! Stellantis Now Favoring Hybrids in Europe

Posted on 9 July 2024 by Ken Zino

Stellantis (NYSE: STLA) said today that is changing its self-described multi-energy approach to respond to the sharp rise in sales of hybrid vehicles in Europe, including models equipped with its new “advanced hybrid eDCT technology.”* The company will offer 30 … Continue reading →

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Stellantis Adds Another $55 Million to Archer Aviation

Posted on 2 July 2024 by Ken Zino

“Few things rival the excitement of seeing a dream take flight. I applaud the innovation, expertise and hard work of the engineering and manufacturing teams from Stellantis and Archer,” said Carlos Tavares, Stellantis CEO. “With this additional investment in Archer, we remain on course for a future where freedom of mobility extends beyond today’s roads.” Continue reading →

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Honda CR-V Fuel Cell EV – $389 a Month!

Posted on 28 June 2024 by Ken Zino

Honda this week announced lease options for the 2025 Honda CR-V e:FCEV, America’s first production plug-in hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle. The zero-emissions compact CUV will be available in California starting 9 July, with three leasing options, at $389, $459, and $489 per month. This is a form of space age NASA advanced technology at Honda prices without the requisite trip to the moon, unless you have those views about California. Continue reading →

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Stellantis Updates Circular Economy Initiatives at IARC

Posted on 19 June 2024 by Ken Zino

“Since the introduction of SUSTAINera, in 2022, we achieved very positive results in areas such as parts re-manufacturing, battery recycling and end-of-life vehicles”, said Alison Jones, Senior Vice President of Stellantis’ Global Circular Economy, who delivered a keynote presentation at International Automotive Recycling Congress (IARC), in Antwerp, Belgium. “We remain committed to our target to increase recycling revenues by ten times and achieve more than €2 billion in total circular economy revenues by 2030 – fully in line with Stellantis’ Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan.” Continue reading →

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Chinese Trade Wars – Exports Growing, Prices Dropping

Posted on 17 June 2024 by Ken Zino

Two very real problems are increasing for non-Chinese global automakers. First, is the penetration rate. This is the market share of the vehicles that are the future of the companies that will survive what is an historic reshaping of a global industry. Here, so-called New Electric Vehicles – [NEVs – battery electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids and range-extended electric vehicles combined] that have been heavy promoted, subsidized and pushed forward by the Chinese government are now accounting a 43% share in April, an historic high. The economies of scale are enormous and a clear Chinese competitive advantage. Continue reading →

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Stellantis Promise or Puff? – Clean, Safe, Affordable Mobility

Posted on 13 June 2024 by Ken Zino

No matter how nuanced a view you take, Jeep is central to the plan. The China Leapmotor Strategy is either daft – given the expanding global trade war with China or dictated by reality. Perhaps more significant in this moment, Stellantis re-affirmed its 2024 financial guidance and capital return plan, which promises double-digit Adjusted Operating Income (AOI) margin and positive industrial free cash flows. Stellantis will provide  ≥€7.7 billion in dividends and buybacks during 2024. Continue reading →

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EPA 2031 CAFE – EVs, PHEVs, Hybrids Will Grow

Posted on 13 June 2024 by Ken Zino

For those of you who inhabit the Trump Washington swamp and have misinformation fever, Trump did not decrease the standards as he promised. Incremental increases were slowed down a bit. Enter the Biden Administration, which basically went back to the sharp CAFE increases that occurred under the Obama Administration. Simply put, CAFE will increase because of the significant fines for non-compliance now in place. Continue reading →

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NHTSA Eases CAFE Regs For 2027-2031 Model Years

Posted on 7 June 2024 by Ken Zino

“Not only will these new standards save Americans money at the pump every time they fill up, they will also decrease harmful pollution and make America less reliant on foreign oil,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said. “These standards will save car owners more than $600 in gasoline costs over the lifetime of their vehicle.” Continue reading →

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GM Annual Meeting Vote Strongly Endorses Board’s Strategy

Posted on 6 June 2024 by Ken Zino

The first item of business was  the election of 12 directors Each year the shareholders elect directors to serve for the coming year until their successors are elected.* The vote tally was based on the preliminary report provided by the Inspector of Elections, for the first item of business, the election of directors, all of the company’s director nominees were elected. Directors received on average a favorable vote of 97% of the votes cast (it will be official with exact numbers when an SEC filing is made.) More importantly in AutoInformed’s opinion is that all dissident shareholder proposals following that the Board recommended a vote against were soundly defeated. Continue reading →

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Michigan Central Station Reopening June 6th

Posted on 3 June 2024 by Ken Zino

“Michigan Central means a great deal to us all. In many ways, this building tells the story of our city. This Station was our Ellis Island – a place where dreamers in search of new jobs and new opportunities first set foot in Detroit. But once the last train pulled out, it became a place where hope left. In 2018, I decided it was time to change that by re-imagining this station as a place of possibility again. Over the past six years, Ford Motor Company and teams of forward thinkers, designers, community leaders, and more than 3000 skilled tradespeople have worked to bring this landmark back to life,” said Ford Executive Chair Bill Ford. Continue reading →

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New Porsche 911 Carrera, GTS Carrera Hybrids Debut

Posted on 28 May 2024 by Ken Zino

Porsche is offering the new 911 Carrera as a coupé at a starting price of €128,700 including VAT and country-specific equipment. Prices for the 911 Carrera GTS Coupé start at €170,600. The price of the optional aero kit package for the 911 Carrera GTS is €2713.20, including VAT and country-specific equipment. Deliveries in Germany will begin in late summer for the 911 Carrera, and in late 2024 for the 911 Carrera GTS. Continue reading →

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