Category Archives: news

January Global Light Vehicle Sales Flat at 83 Million

January’s Global Light Vehicle (LV) selling rate stood at 83 million units annually, consistent with the previous month, according to the latest data just published by LMC Automotive.* Global supply constraints remain a key issue with some “distortions from tax changes,” in the respected consultancy’s view. Monthly registrations were down 8% year-on-year (YoY), at 6 million units for the month. Continue reading

Posted in economy, sales | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

TMC Honorary Chairman Shoichiro Toyoda Passes at 97

“With great sadness Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) announced the passing of TMC Honorary Chairman Shoichiro Toyoda this morning in Nagoya. Shoichiro Toyoda died at 4:48 pm on 14 February 2023 of heart failure. He is survived by Akio Toyoda his eldest son. TMC plans to hold a farewell gathering for Honorary Chairman Toyoda at a later date. Continue reading

Posted in people | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Michigan Chemistry – Ford to Spend $3.5B on LFP Battery Plant

Lithium iron phosphate batteries use fewer high-demand, high-cost materials such as critical minerals nickel and cobalt. Ford said they will power a variety of Ford’s next-generation of EV passenger vehicles and pickups, starting this year with Mustang Mach-E. A US LFP battery plant is now central to the so-called Ford+ plan because in theory it helps Ford more EV production quickly thereby making EVs more affordable for customers. Ford’s goal is an 8% EBIT margin for Model e by 2026. It is being pushed hard here by General Motors* and other global automakers as they compete in the capital markets. Continue reading

Posted in connected vehicles, electric vehicles, environment, manufacturing, mobility company | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

New Toyota Motor President Koji Sato on Evolution

“The hallmark of our management as a team, like a soccer team, will be flexibility in changing formation. Underlying this are the concepts of having the right person in the right place and emphasizing roles over titles,” Sato said. Continue reading

Posted in electric vehicles, mobility company, people | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Subaru Crosstrek Gen 3 Debuts at Chicago Auto Show

The Base and Premium models come with a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder direct-injection engine rated at 152 horsepower and 145 lb.-ft. of torque. The Sport and Limited have a 2.5-liter engine delivering a 182 horsepower and 178 lb.-ft. of torque. Standard on all trim levels is a Lineartronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission). Premium, Sport and Limited trims have a so-called manual mode with steering wheel paddle shifters that allow the driver to control the transmission via eight pre-set ratios. Continue reading

Posted in new vehicle, prices, shows and events | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Toyota Profit for Q3 Up 22%. YTD Down

Toyota said “we are striving to quickly evaluate alternative semiconductors and respond to design changes in order to secure stable procurement of semiconductors. We are also seeking to shorten the lead time by visualizing the process from order to delivery for each vehicle. We are absorbing the burden on our suppliers caused by the soaring materials and energy prices in order that activities to strengthen competitiveness are installed widely and deeply across the entire supply chain.” Continue reading

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

US Made Semiconductors – GM, GlobalFoundries Ink Deal

“I have long said that Upstate New York’s semiconductor corridor will be a major engine powering America’s technological future, and now ‘Made in New York’ chips will help jumpstart the next generation of vehicles for GM across the country,” said U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer. Schumer of course we key in developing and passing the Biden Administration’s bi-partisan CHIPS and Science Act, which is bringing  manufacturing back to US supply chains. Continue reading

Posted in connected vehicles, electronics, manufacturing, milestones | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Salt Lake City Motorcars Now Automobili Pininfarina Dealer

As deliveries of the pure-electric Battista** hyper GT continue, Automobili Pininfarina Salt Lake City is led by Dealer Principal Tom Buckley. “He and his team will provide a highly personalized client experience to prospective and current owners,” Pininfarini said in a release. Continue reading

Posted in marketing, people | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Chevrolet Tweaks Trailblazer SUV for 2024

New for the 2024 model year are 11-inch-diagonal center display and an 8-inch-diagonal Driver Information Center. The front fascia, exterior lighting and grille designs vary by trim. New exterior colors are Copper Harbor Metallic and Cacti Green. The RS has blacked-out exterior cues, a unique mesh grille, dual exhaust outlets with chrome tips, and 19-inch wheels. Continue reading

Posted in design and styling, marketing | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Mercedes Donates Emergency Earthquake Aid in Turkey, Syria

Mercedes-Benz Group said in Stuttgart today that it is donating one million euros to the German Red Cross (GRC) for the people in Turkey and Syria affected by the severe earthquakes. The donation will be used for emergency humanitarian aid on the ground in order to quickly provide the suffering population with the bare necessities. The relief operation of the GRC has already started. Mercedes-Benz is in contact with major aid organizations. Continue reading

Posted in news, people | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Genesis Slowly Expanding US EV Sales

Genesis Motor America, in collaboration with Electrify America, offers three years of 30-minute complimentary charging sessions from the date of vehicle purchase.* Owners of the 2023 GV60 and Electrified G80 have access to hyper-fast charging on Electrify America’s coast-to-coast charging network and can seamlessly locate and access charging stations while on the road via the Genesis Connected Services and Electrify America mobile apps. Continue reading

Posted in connected vehicles, electric vehicles, fuel economy or emissions, marketing | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

US Trade Deficit Grows in 2022 as Economy Recovers

For 2022, the goods and services deficit increased $103.0 billion, or 12.2% from 2021. This is the largest deficit on record as the economy continued to recover as consumers and businesses purchased higher amounts of machinery, car components, industrial supplies, medicines among other things. Exports increased $453.1 billion or 17.7% . Imports increased $556.1 billion or 16.3%. Continue reading

Posted in economy, manufacturing, sales | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

January 2023 Western EU Passenger Vehicles Sales Plunge

LMC noted that the 2022 year‐end had a stronger selling rate in part due to legislation changes pulling forward sales. However, in monthly registration terms, January 2023 was up 9.8% year‐on‐year (YoY), at 810k units. Continue reading

Posted in economy, sales | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Renault and Nissan, Mitsubishi Alliance to Restructure

The transactions contained in the agreements would be subject to regulatory approvals, and completion is expected to occur in the fourth quarter of 2023. In the tangled web of individual country industrial policy this brings some measure of stability to a global, multi-national, politically diverse enterprise as the movement to electrified vehicles and other earth-saving technologies continues. The 24-year-old Alliance covers 100% of the world’s major global vehicle markets with Euro 85 billion in annual purchases. It already shares 60% of its vehicle platforms, and up to 90% of EV architectures, noted Jean-Dominique Senard, Chairman of the Alliance Board at the press conference. The upside for all is survival in a difficult environment, in our view. Continue reading

Posted in autonomous vehicles, economy, environment, global warming, mobility company, news analysis | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Alpine, Audi, Ferrari, Honda, Red Bull Ford, Mercedes-AMG are V6 Power Unit Suppliers for Formula One in 2026

AutoInformed suspects that we will ultimately hear from General Motors and Honda, perhaps as suppliers to the New Andretti Formula One Team that is currently under FIA consideration. Also will Aston Martin stay with Mercedes? And who will Audi supply or will it just be the factory team? Continue reading

Posted in electronics, engineering, global warming, racing | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment