Category Archives: results

Silverado, Sierra Pickups Recalled Again for Block Heater Fires

The customer may notice smoke or a burning smell and/or poor block-heater performance, tripped circuit breakers or blown vehicle fuses, damage to the block heater, the heater cable, or engine components as well as block-heater coolant pooling under the vehicle. Dealers will disable the block heater. GM will provide free replacement block heaters and cords under a separate customer satisfaction campaign. For vehicles previously included in recall 19V-328, the heater cord will be replaced and rerouted, free of charge as required by law. Continue reading

Posted in customer satisfaction, recalls, safety | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Electrify America, Volvo to Give XC40 Drivers Fast Charging

The incentive will apply to first owners of all 2022 XC40 and C40 Recharge vehicles. Additional models and “benefits” will be announced by the Chinese-owned Volvo. Once drivers have used all of their complimentary charging, they will automatically be eligible for Electrify America’s Pass+, said to allow drivers to charge at discounted rates, with membership fees covered by Volvo for an entire year.   Continue reading

Posted in customer satisfaction, electric vehicles, marketing | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

EU Gets Tougher on Climate Change – Wants All EVs by 2035

Let the adverse lobbying begin by the plump, wealthy sacred cows of the polluting establishment – including countries such as Germany with a strong carbon-based economy and its global auto industry – who face butchering by increasing market incentives for consumers to force them to speed the move away from fossil fuels as not only the climate clearly heating up and changing – deadly floods in Germany and Belgium, as well as floods and fires in the Americas, scorching temperatures globally – but the political climate is heating up to do more now over what is clearly the growing negative effects of runaway climate change. Continue reading

Posted in AutoInformed Editorial, economy, environment, global warming, milestones, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Three More Ford Recalls – 885,569 F-Series, Explorers, Aviators

The largest recall and the one with associated injury claims covers 2013-2017 Ford Explorer vehicles that may experience a seized cross-axis ball joint. Ford is issuing this safety recall for approximately 774,696 2013-2017 Ford Explorer vehicles that may experience a seized cross-axis ball joint that may cause a fractured rear suspension toe link. Affected vehicles may experience a clunk noise, unusual handling, or a misaligned rear wheel. Fracture of a rear toe link significantly diminishes steering control, increasing the risk of a crash. Continue reading

Posted in customer satisfaction, litigation, recalls | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Electrify America to Double its Current EV Charging Network

The announcement builds on Electrify America’s previous commitment to invest $2 billion over 10 years in Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) infrastructure, education, and access in the U.S. In addition to adding to its existing network in the U.S., Electrify America will also expand its Electrify Canada charging network, which began installations in 2019. Continue reading

Posted in alternative fuels, electric vehicles, fuel economy or emissions | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

June Global Light Vehicle Selling Rate Drops to 82.4 Million

The short-term trend is clear though. The recovery of the global auto industry is by no means assured given the flawed vaccination polices of nations comprising the world’s largest auto markets. Worse, the appearance of the aggressive and deadly Delta variant corona virus variant, as well as the ongoing semi-conductor shortage considerably cloud forecasting for the upcoming months. “The semiconductor shortage is clearly having an impact on selling rates in key markets. With no immediate remedy in sight, there is a risk of the situation worsening in coming months which could further disrupt the post-pandemic recovery in demand,” said LMC. Continue reading

Posted in economy, news analysis, sales | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

2021 Q2 US Sales – Light-Trucks, Crossovers, SUVs Rule

Real GDP in Q2 of 2021 is expected to grow by 8.6% on an annualized basis. The U.S. economy is predicted to return to its pre-COVID Trump Administration disaster level of ~ $19.2 trillion by the time final data is collected. For all of 2021, real GDP is expected to increase by around 7%. Initial jobless claims continue to fall each week and are headed toward pre-pandemic levels. About 14.7 million Americans continue to receive at least some type of unemployment benefits, down 54% compared to the same period in 2020 when Trump ruled. Continue reading

Posted in economy, news analysis, sales | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

California – Most Car Washes with $1.6 Billion Total Sales

The mostly small businesses had 163,178 workers – up from 153,970 in 2015 – who earned a meager average annual salary of $21,911 -up from $18,703 in 2015. California, the state with the largest population and a mania around car culture and the automobile ranked first in the number of car washes and car wash employees in 2019 (2,025 and 24,851, respectively). Continue reading

Posted in customer satisfaction, economy, news analysis, transportation | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

BMW Group Sales Up for First Half of 2021. EV Sales Surge

With 153,267 units sold in the first half of 2021, the BMW Group grew its sales of both fully-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles by 148.5% year-on-year – making electric vehicles a major growth driver for the company in absolute terms. Sales of fully electric vehicles increased by 183.9% to a total of 36,089 and plug-in hybrid vehicles by 139.4% to 117,178 units. Continue reading

Posted in electric vehicles, results, sales | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Inventory Deficit Hurts June US Vehicle Sales. Again

With too much demand chasing too little supply, it’s not surprising many vehicles sold at or above MSRP and automakers have slashed incentive spending. According to J.D. Power, in mid-June 75% of vehicles sold for MSRP or above, which is up from 67% in May 2021 and way higher from the pre-COVID average of 36%. AutoInformed thinks that an affordability crisis is starting to emerge, as the Biden Administration economic boom continues. Continue reading

Posted in economy, news analysis, sales | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Ford Leads NA Production Cuts from Semiconductor Shortage

Six months into the semi-conductor shortage it is obvious that not all automakers are affected in the same way. The Renesas fire in Japan hit Ford Motor hard, making the problem much worse for the struggling automaker. The fact is some automakers have been hurt worse than others. Ford Motor looks to have been affected the most, as shortage-related plant shutdowns left its facilities running at just 55% of total capacity through May of 2021. Ford’s estimated volume loss in the first half of this year is more than  50% greater than that recorded by the next manufacturer in line – and the largest in North America – GM, according to consultancy LMC. Continue reading

Posted in electronics, manufacturing, news analysis, sales | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

General Motors Launches New Fund to Advance Climate Equity

The company also announced the creation of a new $25 million Climate Equity Fund, “dedicated to helping close equity gaps in the transition to electric vehicles and other sustainable technology.” The philanthropic fund joins the company’s $35 billion global investment in EV and AV programs, research, technology, manufacturing and charging infrastructure.   Continue reading

Posted in environment, fuel economy or emissions, milestones, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Botched Vaccinations Haunt EU Vehicle Sales During May

Volkswagen Group took its second highest monthly market share since 2001. The German manufacturer’s share totaled 28.14% during May, second only to April 2020 when had  29.23% as competitive sales were hit to a greater degree by the onset of the pandemic in Europe. The results in May were due to strong performance from brands such as Audi, Skoda, Seat, and Cupra, formerly known as SEAT Sport. Total sales were boosted by increasing consumer demand for EVs and SUVs – with Volkswagen Group now leading in Europe across both segments. Continue reading

Posted in news analysis, sales | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

EU Parliament Confirms Deal on Climate Neutrality by 2050

This transforms the European Green Deal’s political commitment to EU climate neutrality by 2050 into a binding obligation. It gives European citizens and businesses the legal certainty and predictability they need to plan for this transition. After 2050, the EU will aim for negative emissions. Parliament has played a significant role in pushing for more ambitious EU climate legislation and declared a climate emergency on 28 November 2019. Continue reading

Posted in customer satisfaction, environment, fuel economy or emissions, milestones, news analysis | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Mazda “Sustainable Zoom-Zoom 2030.” We’re Not Kidding

Marketing babble alert> “Sustainable Zoom-Zoom 2030”  is built from Mazda’s revised Medium-Term Management Plan and its desire to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, both of which were announced in the past year. Continue reading

Posted in environment, marketing, milestones, mobility company, news analysis | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment