Category Archives: mobility company

Pleos – Hyundai Motor Group’s Autonomous Software

Posted on 25 February 2025 by Ken Zino

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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Mercedes-Benz Testing Solid State Battery on Roads

Posted on 24 February 2025 by Ken Zino

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 , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Toyota Develops New 3rd Gen Fuel Cell System

Posted on 14 February 2025 by Ken Zino

“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 , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

J.D. Power – Three Year Old Vehicle Problems Up

Posted on 14 February 2025 by Ken Zino

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 , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Penske Automotive Group Posts Record Q4 Revenue of $7.7B

Posted on 13 February 2025 by Ken Zino

“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.
Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, economy, insurance, marketing, mobility company, news analysis, results, sales, shows and events, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

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

Porsche Posts Preliminary 2024 Results

Posted on 7 February 2025 by Ken Zino

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 →

Posted in auto news, financial results, manufacturing, mobility company, news analysis, sales | 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

Ford Motor Posts Mixed Results for 2024

Posted on 5 February 2025 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) today posted Q4 full-year 2024 financial results. They were mixed from awful to okay. During 2024, Ford Blue’s revenue was flat at $101.9 billion as positive net pricing offset a 2% decline in wholesale vehicle transactions from what Ford said were the cancellation of low-margin products. The internal combustion engine segment at Ford S EBIT was $5.3 billion. Ford Model e reported a full-year EBIT loss of $5.1 billion. The electric vehicle e segment delivered $1.4 billion in cost improvements, net of a $100 million increase in spending to launch new battery plants and next-generation electric vehicles, Ford said. For full-year 2024, revenue climbed 5% to $185 billion; net income was $5.9 billion, and adjusted EBIT was $10.2 billion. For 2025 Ford is predicting a $2 billion profit drop! Bloomberg says that 27% of analysts have a sell recommendation, the highest on record.  Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, connected vehicles, economy, electric vehicles, financial results, insurance, mobility company, news analysis, 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

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

Toyota Motor Leads Global 2024 CY Sales at 10.8M

Posted on 30 January 2025 by Ken Zino

Toyota Motor Corporation (7203.T) today posted its sales, production, and export results for December 2024 , and significantly the total from January to December 2024, including those for subsidiaries Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd. and Hino Motors. With 10.8 million sold – down ~3.7% because of regulatory compliance issues in Japan and the ongoing EV price war in China – TMC easily out sold the Volkswagen group, which reported a 2.3% drop in global sales for 2024 at ~9 million. This makes TMC the undisputed global sales leader for the fifth straight year. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, electric vehicles, manufacturing, marketing, mobility company, news analysis, results, sales | 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