Category Archives: news

GM is Doubling its Climate Equity Fund

In early 2021, GM announced that it plans to become carbon neutral in its global products and operations by 2040 and is working toward a transition to 100% zero tailpipe emissions for new light-duty vehicles by 2035. The company plans to introduce more than 30 electric vehicle models globally by 2025.  Continue reading

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US Scheduled Airline Passengers Up Under Biden

During 2019, the last full calendar year before the onset of COVID-19 and the botched Trump Administration non- or anti-response, domestic flights accounted for 88% of all passengers, and international flights accounted for 12%. During 2021, domestic flights accounted for 91% of all passengers, and international flights accounted for 9%. Continue reading

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Mercedes-Benz Group Posts Some Strong 2021 Results

However, the Mercedes-Benz Cars & Vans segment has exceeded the guidance range of 10-12% and now expects an adjusted Return on Sales of 12.7% in the full year. Despite the ongoing semiconductor shortages, during Q4 Mercedes-Benz Cars & Vans showed an adjusted Return on Sales of 15.0%, driven by high net pricing, good product mix and favorable used car performance. The strong profitability of the car business also translated into a solid industrial free cash flow exceeding the company guidance.

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BMW Takes Majority Share in Chinese JV Brilliance Automotive

BMW Group now holds 75% of the shares in BBA, while its Chinese partner, Brilliance China Automotive Holdings Ltd., indirectly holds the remaining 25%. Last year, a total of 846,237 BMW Group vehicles were delivered to customers in the Chinese market (+8.9% compared to 2020). In 2021, BBA produced more than 700,000 BMW vehicles, with around 23,000 employees. Continue reading

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Building Forward Better – President Biden, DOT, DOE Announce $5B National EV Charging Network

 “A century ago, America ushered in the modern automotive era; now America must lead the electric vehicle revolution,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “The President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will help us win the EV race by working with states, labor, and the private sector to deploy a historic nationwide charging network that will make EV charging accessible for more Americans.” Continue reading

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Aston Martin’s Next Formula One car – AMR22 – Revealed

 “Formula One is enjoying tremendous popularity, particularly in our key focus markets like the USA and China, helping to amplify the Aston Martin brand, engage a new generation of customers and define our unique position in the crosshairs of ultra-luxury and high-performance,” said Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll, father of Lance and Executive Chairman of Aston Martin Lagonda of which he owns ~15%. Continue reading

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Sports Car Market Touring Series Returns in June, July

“To have them return with additional support for the next three years is quite encouraging, and we’ll do our best to create a fun experience for them,” said Martin. Representatives from RM Sotheby’s will be participating in both tours and contributing to the “Conversations with Collectors” in the evenings – a highlight of each SCM Tour, where tour members speak openly and candidly about car collecting with experts. Continue reading

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Penske Automotive Posts Record Q4, Full-Year 2021 Results

“During the fourth quarter, our diversified business and strong execution by our team produced record revenue, earnings before taxes, net income, and earnings per share, driven by strong retail automotive and commercial truck vehicle margins, a 26% increase in same-store retail automotive gross profit, and continued strong earnings from Penske Transportation Solutions which increased 62%,” CEO Roger Penske said. Continue reading

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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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