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Category Archives: mobility company
IP Software Failure – Hyundai Recalls Genesis Models
“An inoperative or degraded IP cluster image could mask essential gauges, such as the speedometer, fuel gauge, and certain on-screen notifications associated with motive powertrain, increasing the risk of a crash,” Hyundai told the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in the mandatory safety defect recall filing, which is apparently still operating with hard-working people in spite of the Trump Administration. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, electronics, engineering, mobility company, news analysis, public health, quality, recalls, safety, software defined vehicles, software recalls, software recalls, Trump Truth Tests
Tagged 25V105 or 25V-105, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Continental Automotive Electronics recalls, FMVSS 101, Hyundai Genesis recall 026G, Ken Zino, nhtsa, X @KenAutoinformed
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BMW Group Plant Munich Undergoing Renovation
BMW Group said to day that Plant Munich is gearing up to launch the NEUE KLASSE in summer 2026. Three new production halls are currently being built for the body shop, assembly and associated production logistics. “For the production start of the NEUE KLASSE, we will have a state-of-the-art plant in Munich that is characterized by flexibility, innovation and, above all, efficiency,” said Plant Director Peter Weber. Continue reading
Stellantis Net Profit Down 70% in 2024
Stellantis (NYSE: STLA) said today that full year 2024 results were net revenues of €156.9 billion, down 17% compared to 2023. Net profit was €5.5 billion, down 70%. Adjusted operating income of €8.6 billion fell 64%. Industrial free cash flows were negative €6 billion reflecting the decline in income and temporary enlarged working capital impact due to production cuts. However, despite the almost total car wreck, the dividend to common shareholders is proposed at €0.68 per share, representing a 5% yield, pending shareholder approval. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, economy, electric vehicles, financial results, manufacturing, mobility company, news analysis
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, John Elkann, Ken Zino, Stellantis full year 2024 results, X @KenAutoinformed
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Porsche AG Changes Its Executive Board
Porsche AG – with an eye aimed at the capital markets – said today that it is making a long-planned change to its Executive Board. Effective tomorrow 26 February 2025, Jochen Breckner (47) will take over responsibility for Finance and IT, with Matthias Becker (54) becoming responsible for Sales and Marketing. They succeed Lutz Meschke (58) and Detlev von Platen (61), who are leaving the company by mutual agreement. Breckner previously headed Porsche’s General Secretariat and Corporate Development. Becker was most recently Head of the Overseas and Emerging Markets region at Porsche AG and has successfully developed it into one of Porsche’s strong sales pillars. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, milestones, mobility company, news analysis, people
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Detlev von Platen, Dr Wolfgang Porsche, Jochen Breckner, Ken Zino, Lutz Meschke, Matthias Becker, X @KenAutoinformed
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Pleos – Hyundai Motor Group’s Autonomous Software
Hyundai Motor Group (KRX: 005380 KS) said today that it is recruiting participants for its new developer conference, called Pleos 25, which will be held at COEX, Seoul, on Friday 28 March. The conference aims to accelerate the transition to a software-defined vehicle (SDV) development system and expand the app ecosystem for Hyundai Motor, Kia and Genesis vehicles. It will unveil ‘Pleos,’ a new software brand that is said to represent the Group’s vision and commitment to providing smart and sustainable mobility solutions and a self-managed, fully autonomous transportation infrastructure. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, connected vehicles, electronics, mobility company, news analysis, software defined vehicles
Tagged artificial intelligence, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, autonomous driving, Genesis, hyundai, Hyundai Motor Group, infotainment app development, Ken Zino, kia, Pleos 25, X @KenAutoinformed
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Mercedes-Benz Testing Solid State Battery on Roads
Mercedes-Benz said today that its engineers from the road and racetrack worked in collaboration with Factorial cell engineers to deliver an all-new solid-state battery test program, resulting in the first car – a Mercedes-Benz EQS Sedan – powered by a lithium-metal solid-state battery on the road.
“Developing an automotive-scale solid-state battery underlines our commitment to innovation and sustainability. We’re therefore excited to announce that we’ve started road testing with a prototype vehicle equipped with this advanced technology. We will gain crucial insights into possible series integration of this cutting-edge battery technology,” said Markus Schäfer, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes‑Benz Group AG. Chief Technology Officer, Development & Procurement. Continue reading
Posted in electric vehicles, electronics, energy, engineering, global warming, milestones, mobility company, news analysis, public health
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, gravimetric energy density, Ken Zino, Markus Schäfer, Mercedes-Benz Center of Competence for Battery Systems, Mercedes-Benz EQS Sedan, solid state EV batteries, X @KenAutoinformed
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Toyota Develops New 3rd Gen Fuel Cell System
“The all-new 3rd Gen FC System is designed to meet the particular needs of the commercial sector with the same durability as conventional diesel-powered engines. Additionally, the new system features significant improvements in performance, including fuel efficiency and a significant reduction in costs compared to the prior version. In addition to passenger vehicles, the 3rd Gen FC System will be expanded for use in heavy-duty commercial vehicles, and is planned for introduction in markets mainly in Japan, Europe, North America, and China after 2026 at the earliest,” Toyota said. Continue reading
Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, car sharing, connected vehicles, economy, electric vehicles, energy, environment, fuel economy or emissions, global warming, milestones, mobility company, news analysis, public health, shows and events, transportation
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino, Mirai fuel cell electric vehicle, Toyota 3rd Gen Fuel Cell System, X @KenAutoinformed
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J.D. Power – Three Year Old Vehicle Problems Up
The results of this year’s study are consistent with the results of the J.D. Power 2022 Initial Quality StudySM which tracked problems early in the ownership period of 2022 model-year vehicles. That year, initial vehicle quality notably declined from 2021, and problems also reached a record high. Three years later, the issues continue to be problematic for owners, according to findings of the 2025 VDS. (read Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Vehicle Quality Flaws at 36-Year Record High) Continue reading
Posted in auto news, awards, car sharing, customer satisfaction, electric vehicles, electronics, engineering, manufacturing, mobility company, news analysis, quality, software recalls
Tagged 2025 J.D. Power VDS, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study, J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Vehicle Dependability StudySM, Jason Norton, Ken Zino, X @KenAutoinformed
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Penske Automotive Group Posts Record Q4 Revenue of $7.7B
“I am pleased with our financial performance during the fourth quarter. Revenue increased 6% to $7.7 billion, a quarterly record. New and used automotive gross profit per unit retailed remained strong, including a $74 per unit sequential increase in new vehicle gross profit per unit retailed when compared to the third quarter of 2024, and same-store service and parts revenue and gross profit increased 7% and 9%, respectively,” said Chair Roger Penske.
The Company’s Board of Directors has approved a quarterly dividend of $1.22 per share, representing an increase of 2.5%, or $0.03 per share. This represents the Company’s 17th consecutive quarterly increase. The dividend is payable March 6, 2025, to shareholders of record as of February 24, 2025.
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Posted in auto news, economy, insurance, marketing, mobility company, news analysis, results, sales, shows and events, transportation
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino, penske automotive group, Penske Transportation Solutions, Premier Truck Group, roger penske, X @KenAutoinformed
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Chevrolet Blazer EV SS to Pace Daytona 500 on Sunday
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 auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Craftsman Truck Series, Daytona 500, Daytona International Speedway, Frank Kelleher, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, Ken Zino, nascar, Scott Bell, William Byron, X @KenAutoinformed, Xfinity Series
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Porsche Posts Preliminary 2024 Results
Porsche AG said late yesterday it expects these results (unaudited) for the 2024 financial year: The automotive net cash flow margin is over 10% (forecast 7 to 8.5%). The return on sales is at the lower end of the forecast range. Other performance indicators “do not show significant deviations from the forecast ranges.”
However, Porsche said it would incur an €800 million (~$831 million) charge against operating profit this year because of the cost of introducing new models with internal combustion engines, as well as plug-in hybrids. Continue reading
Volvo Cars Posts Record Sales, Revenue, Profits in 2024, but…
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 auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Geely Holding, Jim Rowan, Ken Zino, Trump Trade and Tariff Wars, Volvo Cars, X @KenAutoinformed
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Subaru of America to Sponsor 2025 Overland Expos
“We are all-in on off-road adventure, and excited to join the thousands of Subaru owners making their way to Overland Expo, a destination event for outdoor enthusiasts. With our unique onsite experiences, Subaru is ready to amplify our customers’ stories and show our appreciation for their dedication to our brand,” said Alan Bethke, Senior Vice President of Marketing, Subaru of America.
The Subaru exhibit will have workshops, live Subie & You Podcast recording sessions, limited-edition giveaways, exclusive Subaru gear, and the newest accessories from outdoor brands such as REI and Thule. Continue reading →