Category Archives: news

Toyota – Annual Global Sales of  3.5Mn Battery EVs by 2030

This is a sweeping claim, emulating GM’s breakthrough EV announcement in January, is by a giant company that sells more than 100 models of engine-only vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and fuel cell electric vehicles in more than 170 countries and regions under the Toyota brand. The Lexus brand has more than 30 models of engine-only vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles in more than 90 countries and regions. Continue reading

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Penske Automotive Group Buys Another BMW Store

This is the Group’s 48th BMW dealership world-wide. The acquired dealership is expected to generate approximately $100 million in annualized revenue. Continue reading

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Hazel Chapman Co-Founder of Lotus Dead at 94

“Her contribution to motorsport and the motor industry in the latter half of the 20th century should not be under-estimated. She was a successful racing driver, a shrewd businesswoman and the rock upon which the Lotus foundations – since 1948, when the very first Lotus car was made – were built. Her involvement in the development of the Lotus business was almost without equal at the time, in a world where women so often played second fiddle to their husbands,” said Lotus. Continue reading

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Back to the Future? November Global Sales Rate 80M

However, the disruptions in supply chains are much deeper, with the pandemic returning in force with no end in sight. As the supply crisis continues in Europe and the Americas, the resulting scarce inventories are accompanied by higher prices, which eventually will be another problem hindering sales. Looming near term is a potential trade war with Canada, over proposed US incentives for union-made EVs. In parts of Asia, LMC claims that there are “some signs the worst of the crisis over, though demand will continue to be disrupted well into 2022.” Continue reading

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CARB to Require Zero Emissions Off-Road Engines by 2024

The new requirement, an amendment to CARB’s existing small off-road engine regulations first adopted in 1990, applies to manufacturers and will impact new equipment (Model Year 2024 and later) only. Californians can continue to operate their current CARB-compliant gasoline-powered SORE equipment; there will be no “ban” on using older models or used equipment purchased in the future. Older models on store shelves can also be purchased even if they are gasoline-powered. Continue reading

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Corvette Racing Entering Two C8.Rs for Daytona Rolex 24

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 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, per GTD regulations. Continue reading

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Death of the Diesel – CARB Approves Truck, Bus Smog Checks

These heavy-duty vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) greater than 14,000 pounds consist of only 3% of all vehicles on California roads. However, they are responsible for more than 50% of nitrogen oxides and fine particle diesel pollution from all mobile sources in the state. Continue reading

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Ford Testing VIIZR Field Service Tool Built on Salesforce

Ford Motor is launching VIIZR, a new field service tool built on Salesforce. VIIZR can help small-business owners such as plumbers, and other technicians with invoicing, scheduling and managing requests, so they can work with their customers from anywhere. In … Continue reading

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GM Cuts More Deals on Materials, Factories for EV Motors

Lurking in the background of this issue is a larger national security problem that sees China spending twice as much on research and development as the US. A bill to restore and increase US government sponsored scientific R&D has passed the Senate but is being held up by infighting among Democrats in the House of Representatives, which is representative of our ongoing politically-based dysfunctional government. See David Leonard in The New York Times this morning.  Continue reading

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Future Fuel – VW Group Expands Investments in Batteries

“Volkswagen is implementing its battery strategy consistently and at a high pace,” claimed Thomas Schmall, Member of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Group for Technology, and CEO of Volkswagen Group Components. “Volkswagen’s unified cell must be at the forefront of performance, costs and sustainability right from the start. With our new partners, we are one step closer to reaching this goal. Together, we will focus on key parts of the battery value chain and develop innovative technologies.” Continue reading

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Ford to Update Thailand Manufacturing for Ranger, Everest

The investment brings Ford’s cumulative investments in the country to more than $3.4 billion (THB 100 billion) during the past 25 years. The modernization program supports Thailand’s role as a global production and export base for Ford, through its wholly-owned Ford Thailand Manufacturing (FTM) and joint-venture with Mazda at the AutoAlliance Thailand (AAT) truck plant. Continue reading

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Connected – Bosch Touts Application Independent Software

“Software development is a longstanding core competence at Bosch. Every year, we put more than 200 million control units running our own software into vehicles worldwide. With this new set-up, we want to become the leading provider of application-independent vehicle software,” says Dr. Stefan Hartung, chairperson of the Mobility Solutions business sector of Robert Bosch GmbH. Continue reading

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CARB Fines Honda Motor for Small Engine Emissions

Small off-road engines are a major source of pollution in California. In California during 2021, these small engines surpassed light-duty passenger cars as a source of smog-forming emissions. This includes the emissions of raw fuel that continue to evaporate from these engines, lawn mowers and other equipment even when they are powered off. CARB will consider a regulation on 9 December 2021 to transition small off-road engines to zero-emission technologies, aka electric. This will help California “meet its required federal clean air standards, clean the air and significantly reduce harmful emissions for those who work all day with these small off-road engines.” Continue reading

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Toyota Selects North Carolina for New Battery Plant

The $1.29 billion investment made by Toyota and Toyota Tsusho is partially funded from a total investment of approximately $3.4 billion previously announced in October. The plant is expected to create 1,750 new American jobs. Continue reading

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Hagerty Debuts as a Publicly Traded NYSE Company

The transaction values Hagerty* at a pro forma enterprise of, gulp, ~$3.1 billion. Net proceeds of ~$265 million it’s claimed will be used to advance Hagerty’s growth. Hagerty is self-described as an automotive lifestyle brand and a leading specialty insurance provider focused on the global automotive enthusiast market. The firm has been close to the automotive Concourse scene with financial support, particularly in the US. It also sponsors classic car ride-and-drives associated with classic auto shows or events. Continue reading

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