Category Archives: news

Cadillac Project GTP Race Car Debuts This Summer

Last year, Cadillac said that it would compete in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and Automobile Club de l’Ouest or ACO Grand Touring Prototype category in 2023 with a fourth-generation Cadillac V-Series prototype. Notably, this will mark the brand’s return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans after 21 years. Continue reading

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Biden Administration Cuts Republican Budget Deficit by 66%

Biden Administration Cuts Republican Budget Deficit by 66% Continue reading

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Spirit of Ecstasy is Redesigned for Rolls-Royce Spectre EV

These changes help to shape the upcoming Spectre EV’s aerodynamic numbers. The earliest Spectre prototypes have a drag coefficient -Cd- of just 0.26, making it the most aerodynamic Rolls-Royce ever created. The figure is expected to improve during the Spectre’s testing protocols during 2022. Continue reading

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Ford Motor Posts Tepid Q4, FY 2021 Financial Results

However, vehicles sold and market share, cash flow (-$8.5B) for continuing operations declined during 2021. Ford lost money in Europe and, ahem, China, which is recovering faster than other economies from the Covid crisis. In North America, Bronco, Maverick, Mustang Mach-E contributed to a two-point U.S. share gain, to 15%. During Q4 Ford reinstated a regular dividend of 10 cents per share. Continue reading

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Workers Vote For Independent Union at GM Silao in Mexico

In August of 2021, workers rejected the collective agreement signed by the old Miguel Trujillo López union, affiliated to the Confederation of Mexican Workers (CTM), accusing that union of siding with GM and putting the company’s interests before those of its workers. The rejection of the agreement meant holding elections to choose a new union. Continue reading

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NADA – Light Trucks Dominating Market

According to J.D. Power, the average transaction price for a new light vehicle in January 2022 is expected to reach $44,905. High transaction prices continue to be supported by strong demand and very low OEM discounting. Average incentive spending per unit in January 2022 should total just $1,319, down by $2,163 from January 2021, J.D. Power says. Continued high demand for used vehicles has increased consumers’ equity in their trades. J.D. Power expects the average consumer trade-in equity to be up by 88% year over year for January 2022. Continue reading

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January 2022 US Sales Off 9%. Chips, Supply Chain Issues Bite

Even with an average $45,000 transaction price squeezing people, retail demand remained the driving force of the market because the wealthy fared very well during the Covid crisis. The Biden Administration’s economic recovery, in AutoInformed’s view, also played a huge roll with its surging job creation and forward thinking Build Back Better strategy universally opposed by the Republicans who are largely responsible for the covid disaster that destroyed the US economy. Continue reading

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GM Posts Record $10.4B Earnings in 2021

Part of the record results came from execution by an all-star management team of a timely strategy, part from strong demand for what in AutoInformed’s view are the strongest product lines in GM’s history. However, vehicles it sold globally dropped to 6.3 million, -8% from 2020 and a drop of -18% from Covid-free 2019. Continue reading

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First Wireless EV Charging Road Slated for Michigan

“As we aim to lead the future of mobility and electrification by boosting electric vehicle production and lowering consumer costs, a wireless in-road charging system is the next piece to the puzzle for sustainability,” said Governor Whitmer. Continue reading

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Rolex 24 – Cold Beginning to Start a Sizzling Racing Season

GTD Pro – a new class this year – was the most entertaining racing in AutoInformed’s view. This was a take no prisoners bumping, sideswiping paint-swapping exhibition at high speeds. Mathieu Jaminet and the No. 9 Pfaff Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3 R emerged from a door-banging match with the nearly identical No. 2 KCMG Porsche driven by Laurens Vanthoor through Daytona International Speedway’s Le Mans Chicane on the very last lap of the Rolex 24 At Daytona. It was that way for the two factory Porsche drivers during the final two hours. Continue reading

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Stellantis Doubles China Sales, Bolsters and Consolidates Aftermarket as Jeep Sales Plunge

In an announcement that foreshadows details on Stellantis’ plan for the Chinese market that will be announced as part of a global strategic plan on 1 March 2022, the French conglomerate said Dongfeng Motor* sold more than100,000 vehicles in 2021. This doubled the annual sales volume of 2020. Continue reading

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January US New Vehicle Sales to Decline. Profits, Prices Up

The automotive economy is continuing to grow stronger under the Biden Administration recovery. Consumers will spend ~$37.2 billion on new vehicles this month, the highest on record for the month of January and 10% above January 2020. Continue reading

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Ford Pro Using Lightning EVs in Pilot Farming Study

Winegrowers rely daily on their trucks to haul fertilizer and fuel tanks, water and portable bathrooms. Some vehicles log upward of 50,000 miles a year, traveling between properties from Cloverdale to Petaluma. Operating these vehicles and maintaining them, are among an organization’s largest expenses. At Dutton Ranch, which runs a fleet of ~70 work vehicles, fuel costs average $5,000 per month. The prospect of reducing that monthly expense is critical to operations moving forward. Electric vehicles, coupled with the solar power that many Sonoma County ranches already generate and store, represent another way to help offset rising fuel costs. Large Ford pickup trucks and SUVs of course consume enormous amounts of fossil fuels each day. Continue reading

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First Mazda CX-50 off line at Toyota JV in Alabama

Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) produced the first 2023 Mazda CX-50 at Mazda’s new Huntsville, Alabama plant. Mazda Toyota Manufacturing (MTM) is a $2.3 billion joint venture between Mazda Motor and Toyota. The CX-50 is made for the North American … Continue reading

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Corvette Racing at Daytona – Same or Different?

Corvette Racing returns to the Daytona after a 1-2 finish in 2021 for the mid-engine Corvette C8.R as part of the GT Le Mans (GTLM) category, which ended at the end of the 2021 season. The new GTD-PRO Corvette C8.R will look similar to the GTLM. A revised wing profile will mean a slightly different level of down-force at the rear of the Corvette. The C8.R will run on customer Michelin tires, under GTD regulations. Continue reading

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