Category Archives: news

France – HYVIA JV Unveils First Hydrogen Prototype

Next prototypes to come include a Master Chassis Cab H2-TECH,a large van with more cargo space (19m3) and a range of about 250km; Master Citybus H2-TECH, an urban minibus that can carry up to 15 passengers for businesses, municipalities, and local public services, with a range of about 300km. Continue reading

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Stellantis on SAE Level 3 Public Road Autonomous Driving

At SAE Level 3, the driver does not need to monitor the driving circumstances constantly but must take back control when the system requests. L3Pilot, the flagship research and innovation project in Europe, is arguably one of the most important for the future of automated driving since it is focused on testing and evaluating the technology as a safe and efficient means of transportation in real traffic conditions. It also assessed technical aspects, driving behavior, user acceptance and impact on traffic and safety. Continue reading

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China: Nippon Steel Sues Toyota over Steel Sheet Patent

The conflict arises from Baoshan Iron & Steel, based in Shanghai, China, and a subsidiary of state-owned China Baowu Steel Group. It is listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange. Toyota uses Baoshan steel sheet. It comes at a time when the Biden Administration is wrestling with US trade policy with China. The former administration started a trade war that cost US jobs, damaged the agricultural sector, and was a disaster for the US auto industry in China, the world’s largest vehicle market. It is also involved in a dispute about whether proposed lavish EV buyer tax credits should apply to imported and non-union made electric vehicles. Continue reading

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Honda Aircraft Shows First Light Jet Able to Cross US Nonstop

The HondaJet 2600 also has the tallest cabin height. It has class-leading pressurization with a cabin altitude of 6,363 feet at its max operating altitude. HondaJet 2600 will offer 3 types of modular and customizable cabin configurations. Continue reading

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LG Electronics to Reimburse GM for $1.9B Bolt EV Recall Costs

As a result of the agreement, GM will recognize an estimated recovery in its third-quarter earnings that will offset $1.9 billion of $2.0 billion in charges associated with the recalls. Continue reading

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Stellantis EV Trifecta – $229 Million to Three Kokomo Plants

In the U.S., Stellantis’ LEV mix for passenger cars and light-duty trucks is expected to be more than 40% by 2030. The Company is targeting for the total cost of ownership – not buying price – of EVs to be equivalent to internal combustion engine vehicles by 2026. Continue reading

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Endurance Racing – Alpine Signatech in LMDh from 2024

Alpine says it wants to add new entries to its list of achievements. From 2024 onwards, Alpine will enter the LMDh, one of the two regulations of the Hypercar category. Alpine will field two cars designed around an Oreca chassis and, bien sûr, an Alpine engine developed at Viry-Châtillon. The power unit will derive with all the expertise acquired in Formula 1 by Renault. Continue reading

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Dealer Demise? The Hyundai Amazon Digital Retail Experience

How long the dealers remain part of the process is an interesting question. Continue reading

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September West EU Car Sales in Severe Supply Slump

“The latest monthly results are clear evidence of the major sourcing issues that are haunting global vehicle production currently, with dealerships unable to meet consumer demand. Adding to market headwinds, those vehicles that are available are generally higher priced, as OEMs look to target the production of higher margin products,” said LMC. Continue reading

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GM’s Dual Platform Strategy – Doubling Revenues by 2030?

However, the success of the prediction will depend on GM smoothly transitioning from internal combustion engines, traditional blacksmithing manufacturing, while keeping dealers and training them for what is the most significant transformation the auto industry has ever seen. This is how science fiction becomes science fact with GM selling more than one million EVs by 2025; 30 million connected vehicles in North America on the road by 2030. Along the way the United States and ultimately the world will turn into an environmental culture that uses technology to make things cleaner and safer. Continue reading

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GM to Invest in New Battery Building to Lower EV Costs

The latest GM announcement comes just one day after it said it reached a deal with Wolfspeed (to develop and provide silicon carbide power devices for GM’s future electric vehicle programs. Wolfspeed’s silicon carbide devices will allow GM to “install more efficient EV propulsion systems that will extend the range” of its growing EV portfolio. The silicon carbide involved will be used in the integrated power electronics contained within GM’s Ultium Drive units in its next-generation EVs. Continue reading

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September US Auto Sales at 2021 Low Point

Automakers sold just under 1 million during September, down by -25% YoY. The annualized rate fell to 12 million units, the same level registered in May 2020 and 1 million units under the August Seasonally Adjusted Annualized Rate, aka SAAR. During Q3 light vehicle sales totaled 3.36 million units, down by -14% YoY and the lowest Q3 since 2011 as volumes plunged -22% from the pre-pandemic level in Q3 2019. Continue reading

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EV Battery Gold-Rush – GM and Wolfspeed Cut Deal

In a move that is designed to ensure supply and assuage the doubts of the capital markets about the semi-conductor shortage disaster, as part of the agreement, GM will participate in the so-called (and unproven) Wolfspeed Assurance of Supply Program (WS AoSP), which “is intended to secure domestic, sustainable and scalable materials for EV production.” Continue reading

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Rolls-Royce ‘Boat Tail’ Makes Global Debut

Boat Tail marks a retrograde moment in the archives of Rolls-Royce, “demonstrating the brand’s commitment to coachbuilding as a central part of its future direction and portfolio. It continues and accelerates a contemporary coachbuilding movement that began with Sweptail, the first Coachbuild Rolls-Royce of the modern era, which also made its first public appearance at Villa d’Este back in 2017.” Continue reading

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GM Q3 US Sales Drop -33% as Semiconductor Shortage Bites

During the quarter, GM provided an update for investors that its wholesale volumes in North America in the second half of 2021 would be down about 200,000 units from the first half, largely because of supply chain disruptions in Malaysia caused by COVID-19, with most of the impact occurring during the third quarter. Continue reading

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