Category Archives: mobility company

Bentley Joins Leather Naturally NGO for Sourcing

Posted on 22 August 2024 by Ken Zino

Bentley Motors said today in an awakened announcement that it has become the first automotive member of Leather Naturally,* said to the global voice of the sustainable leather industry. The international Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) says it is dedicated to promoting … Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, blog, customer satisfaction, environment, manufacturing, marketing, mobility company, news analysis, shows and events | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Shareholder Warning – Ford Delays Next Gen Electric Truck

Posted on 21 August 2024 by Ken Zino

Electric vehicle consumers currently, so to speak, are more cost-conscious than early adopters, looking to electric vehicles as a practical way to save money on fuel and maintenance, as well as time by charging at home. This, along with numerous new electric vehicle choices coming to market during the next 12 months , as well as rising compliance requirements, has multiplied pricing pressures. In short (groan) all automakers to survive must have  globally competitive cost structure, emphasizing some customer and product segments to ensure profitable growth and capital efficiency. Continue reading →

Posted in alternative fuels, electric vehicles, environment, global warming, manufacturing, mobility company, new vehicle, news analysis, shows and events, software defined vehicles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Relatively Cheap – The 2025 Nissan Rogue On Sale

Posted on 19 August 2024 by Ken Zino

Nissan said today that the 2025 Nissan Rogue* is on-sale now with a starting Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price [MSRP footnote 2 below] of $29,230, a minor price increase following a less than successful mild changes for the 2024 model year and the addition of Google built-in. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, connected vehicles, marketing, mobility company, news analysis, shows and events, software defined vehicles | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Annals of Marketing – Cadillac Opulent Velocity Concept EV

Posted on 16 August 2024 by Ken Zino

Cadillac today introduced the Opulent Velocity* concept vehicle, with claimed advanced technology and personalized luxury. It also combines EV and self-driving technology, or a split-personality of two emerging dynamic technologies.

“Opulent Velocity is an experience-based design study,” said Bryan Nesbitt, executive director, Global Cadillac Design. “It’s the future vision of luxury performance, incorporating Cadillac’s leadership in hands-free driving capabilities, electrification and performance excellence. Opulent Velocity expresses the most artful integration of technology, luxury and exhilaration characterized by Cadillac’s halo V-Series variants, and future electrification design expressions,” Nesbitt claimed. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, concept, design and styling, electric vehicles, marketing, mobility company, new vehicle, news analysis, shows and events, software defined vehicles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Penske Automotive Group Posts Lukewarm Q2 Results

Posted on 31 July 2024 by Ken Zino

“I am pleased to see that our service and parts business remains strong and contributed to our record total quarterly revenue of $7.7 billion. In addition, our focus on efficiency and controlling costs drove a sequential decline in selling, general, and administrative expenses as a percentage of gross profit by 50 basis points to 70.2%,” said Chair and CEO Roger Penske, which is more or less what he said about Q1 results. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, economy, financial results, mobility company, news analysis, results | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ford EVs and Quality Damage First Half Net Income and EPS

Posted on 26 July 2024 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor (NYSE: F) posted disastrous financial results this week caused by its struggling electric vehicle business and the ongoing costs of large recalls on vehicles of its past. Ford posted Q2 2024 quarter revenue of $47.8 billion, net income of $1.8 billion and adjusted EBIT of $2.8 billion (see the accompanying results chart for Q2 and combined Q1 and Q2 numbers). Leaving aside the Ford spin on the financial results for the moment, the Dearborn based automaker is haunted by its past as well as current management practices sharing a precarious future with other once formidable global legacy automakers. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, financial results, manufacturing, mobility company, news analysis, quality, sales | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

GM Earns $4.4 Billion on Record Revenue – Raises Forecast

Posted on 23 July 2024 by Ken Zino

“With our new investments, we have an even stronger focus on margins and capital efficiency.,” said Mary Barra, GM Chair and CEO “It was truly a great first half. And we have the products, discipline and strategies to drive future success.” Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, autonomous vehicles, connected vehicles, economy, electric vehicles, financial results, marketing, mobility company, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

VW Group – €2.6 Billion Exposure Over EV Plant Closing

Posted on 10 July 2024 by Ken Zino

In an ad hoc release late yesterday, the Volkswagen Group slashed its annual financial results forecast over the costs of the potential shutting down of an Audi EV plant in Brussels. In total, this will lead to a “burden on the operating result of up to €2.6 billion in the 2024 financial year.” Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, electric vehicles, financial results, labor issues, mobility company, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Annals of Marketing – Porsche 4Kids and LEGO

Posted on 8 July 2024 by Ken Zino

Porsche said today that its free Porsche 4Kids summer holiday program this year is Porsche meets LEGO. To celebrate the latest LEGO Technic GT4 e-Performance model, the program running from 30 July to 18 August 2024 is entirely about the … Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, marketing, mobility company, people, performance, shows and events | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in aviation, economy, electric vehicles, environment, milestones, mobility company, news analysis, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in auto news, electric vehicles, energy, environment, fuel economy or emissions, global warming, milestones, mobility company, new vehicle, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

EVs, PHEVs Worse Than Gas Vehicles On Power 2024 IQS

Posted on 27 June 2024 by Ken Zino

“Proponents of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) often state these vehicles should be less problematic and require fewer repairs than gas-powered vehicles since they have fewer parts and systems. However, newly incorporated repair data shows BEVs, as well as plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), require more repairs than gas-powered vehicles in all repair categories. “Owners of cutting edge, tech-filled BEVs and PHEVs are experiencing problems that are of a severity level high enough for them to take their new vehicle to the dealership at a rate three times higher than that of gas-powered vehicle owners,” Hanley said. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, electric vehicles, electronics, manufacturing, mobility company, news analysis, quality, software defined vehicles, software defined vehicles | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in economy, environment, global warming, mobility company, news analysis, public health, shows and events | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in auto news, economy, electric vehicles, electronics, environment, global warming, manufacturing, marketing, mobility company, news analysis, public health, sales, software defined vehicles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in auto news, electric vehicles, financial results, fuel economy or emissions, global warming, manufacturing, marketing, mobility company, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment