Category Archives: news

Renesas and Nidec Announce New EV E-Axle Systems

Renesas Electronics Corporation (TSE: 6723)* today announced what it claims is the world’s first “8-in-1” proof of concept (PoC) for E-Axle systems for electric vehicles. It controls eight functions using a single microcontroller (MCU). Developed in collaboration with Nidec Corporation, this PoC integrates a motor, a reduction gear, an inverter, a DC/DC converter, and an on-board battery charger (OBC). System-level testing was also completed to ensure its performance. This of course awaits verification in deployments on the road.

“The E-Axle is a unit in EVs that combines a drive motor, a gear, and an inverter. By integrating multiple functions, the E-Axle system can reduce system size and weight, simplifying EV design. Renesas provided key components, including semiconductors and a reference design for the new 8-in-1 E-Axle system. Renesas also plans to deliver turnkey semiconductor solutions for various X-in-1 systems based on the reference design verified through this PoC. Armed with these solutions, developers can implement and evaluate X-in-1 systems instantly, accelerating EV development,” Renesas said. Continue reading

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Stellantis Embraces and Adapts HVO Diesel Fuel

Stellantis (NYSE: STLA)* said today that its entire assortment of cars and light-duty commercial vehicles is fully compatible with Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) diesel fuel. HVO diesel has the same performance as traditional diesel and is derived from renewable sources, such as vegetable oils or animal fats.

“The hydrogenation process used to produce HVO results in a cleaner, sulfur-free fuel with significantly reduced levels of aromatic compounds and pollutants, making it a sustainable and environmentally friendly option,” Stellantis claimed.

Well, yes, but with caveats, AutoInformed observes. Some sustainable-fuel industries are still budding. McKinsey & Company research says that most sustainable fuels (other than clean hydrogen) are projected to see significant growth by 2030. By 2050, McKinsey expects demand for sustainable fuels to quadruple. Depending on net-zero objectives across countries, the share of demand for sustainable fuels could account for as much as 37% of all energy used in the transportation sector. [The respected McKinsey consultancy has many ongoing studies on Sustainability and Oil & Gas Practices. – AutoCrat] Continue reading

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Brazilian Gabriel Bortoleto – Formula One’s Newest Driver

The second driver for Audi’s entry into Formula 1 in 2026 will be the 20-year old Brazilian Gabriel Bortoleto. He will drive alongside German Nico Hülkenberg (37) for Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber next year, which will become the Audi F1 factory team in 2026.

The experienced Hülkenberg, who was announced in April, and the promising F1 rookie Bortoleto form a Mutt and Jeff or opposite-experience driver pairing for Audi’s Formula 1 project. Bortoleto in 2023 stood out in his debut season winning the FIA Formula 3 Championship. The São Paulo native is currently leading the FIA Formula 2 Championship standings. His career began at the age of six in karting, and by twelve, he had moved to Europe with his family to pursue his Formula 1 dream. Continue reading

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American Airlines and JetBlue Alliance Blocked

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit last Friday affirmed the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts’ ruling in favor of the Justice Department and the Attorneys General of six states and the District of Columbia in their civil antitrust lawsuit to stop the Northeast Alliance between American Airlines and JetBlue. Continue reading

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Porsche Penske Motorsport Wins – Rename the 963 to 967?

The 2024 season was one of the most successful in Porsche’s long-distance racing history as the Porsche 963, won seven of eight possible titles together with the works team Porsche Penske Motorsport. Maybe it should be call 967 to honor the success in only the second year of racing the 963. The overall result of the 2024 season in the FIA World Endurance Championship WEC and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship was six out of six possible titles in North America, as well as the world championship crown for the works drivers Kévin Estre from France, André Lotterer from Germany and Laurens Vanthoor from Belgium in the FIA WEC. Porsche missed the manufacturer’s title in the world championship with the 963 this year by two points.

‟ ‘Nobody’s perfect’ – we already used this slogan in 1983, when only one third-party manufacturer appeared in the top 10 of the 24 Hours of Le Mans,” said Thomas Laudenbach, Vice President Porsche Motorsport in a release celebrating the season today. It turns out that 41 years ago, Porsche publicized the Le Mans result under the ‘Nobody’s perfect’ on a now well-known poster. It depicted the racing cars from Stuttgart in the first eight places in the overall classification and in tenth place, with a Sauber BMW in between in the ninth spot. In AutoInformed’s view it also is just another example of Porsche’s sense of humor – counter the false stereotype on the lack of German humor. Remember the pink pig Porsche 917 endurance racer at Le Mans in 1971with the cuts of ham stenciled on the car? Continue reading

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Slight Improvement in J.D. Power 2024 Sales Satisfaction

Customer satisfaction with the vehicle purchase process continues to rise as new-vehicle inventory and pricing improve year over year, according to the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Sales Satisfaction Index (SSI) Study, SM released this week.* Overall customer satisfaction with the vehicle purchase experience is 801 (on a 1000-point scale), up from 793 in 2023.** Continue reading

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Nissan Motor Posts Disastrous First Half Results

Nissan Motor Company today in Japan announced weak financial results for the six-months ended 30 September 2024. Net revenue decreased by ¥79.1 billion year-over-year (YOY) to ¥5.98 trillion yen, with consolidated operating profit decreasing ¥303.8 billion to ¥32.9B. This was a paltry operating profit margin of 0.5%. Net income was ¥19.2 billion. Global sales volumes decreased year-on-year to 1.6 million units.*

“Profitability was affected by higher selling expenses and inventory optimization efforts, particularly in the US, along with rising manufacturing or monozukuri costs,” Nissan said in its earnings release. It’s also selling 149,028,300 shares of Mitsubishi, which will reduce Nissan’s stake in Mitsubishi from 34.07%. It could be the beginning of the end of alliances within the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance or the complete demise of the Alliance. Continue reading

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BMW Q3 2024 Profits Drop 61%

BMW AG posted results yesterday for Q3 of 2024 that saw earnings at €1696 million compared to 2023 at €4352M for a plunge of -61.0%. It was the worst quarterly performance in ~four years. Consequently, its stock took a beating.

“Group revenues remained significantly down on the previous year in the third quarter of 2024 at 32,406 million (2023: € 38,458 million; -15.7%; adjusted for currency effects -15.3%). The primary reasons for this decline were negative volume effects and product mix effects in the Automotive segment resulting from delivery stops related to the supplied ABS [There were ~1.5 million vehicles recalled for a bad braking system- Autocrat], among other factors,” BMW said in an earnings release. Continue reading

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Trump Presidency Effects on Auto Industry – All Bad?

After the election of Donald Trump, Jeff Schuster, Vice President Research Automotive at the GlobalData* consultancy, offered thoughts some of the changes expected in the US automotive industry from Trump 2.0. Fasten your safety belts! AutoInformed thinks it’s going to be a bumpy job, climate and economy threatening ride.

“Automotive is one of the sectors that could see a significant mid-term impact from the new Trump presidency in the areas of Trade, Electric Vehicle Transition and Regulations, “said Schuster this morning. Continue reading

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Honda Motor Company Posts ¥742.6B Profit

Honda Motor Company (NYS: HMC) today posted consolidated financial results for the 2025 fiscal first half for the year ending 30 September 2024. Operating Profit was ¥742.6 billion with an Operating Margin 6.9%. The operating cash flow after R&D adjustment remained at the same level as the same period last year at ¥1 trillion 285.1 billion. The Board of Directors has approved acquisition of the Company’s own shares of ¥100.0B, in addition to the ¥300B share buyback resolution made on 10 May. Continue reading

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Toyota Motor FY2025 Q2 Earnings Down Significantly

Toyota Motor* today in Tokyo (NYSE: TM, 7203T) posted a FY Q2 profit drop of ~¥1.28 trillion yen year-over-year at ~¥573.7 billion. Toyota sold 2.3 million vehicles globally, compared to 2.4 million YOY. Quarterly sales revenue rose a tad ~¥11.44 trillion (~$75 billion) from ¥ 11.43 trillion. Nonetheless, Toyota re-affirmed its full fiscal year 2025 profit forecast of ¥3.57 trillion (~$23 billion), down from ~¥4.94 trillion fiscal year 2024. Simply put Toyota’s certification problems and plant shut downs clobbered earnings.

“This fiscal year, while maintaining our ability to earn 5 trillion yen, we are strengthening and accelerating our investment in people, including suppliers and dealers, and investment in growth areas. We are taking such measures a step higher, expanding total investments to 830 billion yen,” said Toyota Chief Financial Officer Yoichi Miyazaki. Continue reading

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AC Ace Classic electric at SEMA 2024 – Bring Money

AC Cars unveiled the AC Ace Classic electric at the SEMA 2024 show in Las Vegas today with electrified performance technologies partner TREMEC Electric GT. With 49 examples available for the launch, the new AC Ace Classic electric can be reserved exclusively at the SEMA show and by visiting here. Priced at $275,000 (£212,000) before tax and any personalization or custom options. It’s available as left- and right-hand drive and intended for US as well as UK clients. Continue reading

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October 2024 US Light Vehicle Sales Up at 1.34 Million

Light Vehicle (LV) sales grew by 11.5% year-on-year (YoY) in October 2024, to 1.34 million units. Although the month had two additional selling days than it did in 2023, sales still exceeded expectations and provided a more cheerful perspective on the industry than has generally been the case in recent months, according to preliminary estimates released today by the respected GlobalData consultancy.

“Sales have generally disappointed for much of 2024, but October provided a pleasant change of pace. While the fundamentals of the market have probably not shifted to a great extent, some consumers appear to have been enticed by the gradual uptick in incentives, allied with greater vehicle availability and an easing in interest rates. A number of brands highlighted how Electric and Hybrid Vehicles performed better,” said David Oakley, Manager, Americas Sales Forecasts, GlobalData. Continue reading

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U.S. International Trade Deficit Up in September

The U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis announced today that the goods and services deficit was $84.4 billion in September, up $13.6 billion from $70.8 billion in August, revised. As the economy continues to expand, consumers are buying more raising the deficit. The news comes on Election Day where under new Trump Administration – if it returns – proposed tariffs by Trump will cost consumers billions upon billions of dollars, send the cost of living soaring and hurt the economy overall. Trumpa-nomics 2 the sequel: Tanking the Economy Again. Continue reading

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Conflicting China September 2024 Light Vehicle Sales

As of 25 September, according to the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA), more than 1.1 million vehicles were registered for scrapping and trading-in on the National Auto Trade-in Platform. The actual number of those that have resulted in new vehicle sales remains unclear. If they all did, it would imply that approximately half of the 2.1 million PV sales in September were subsidized. Moreover, auto exports are increasing their importance and significance for the Chinese auto industry. Thus the trade wars will continue. The Chinese government has told giant EV makers BYD, SAIC and Geely to halt investment plans in Europe. This will likely play out globally in other trade blocs and countries. Continue reading

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