Category Archives: results

Kia Motors Plans Overseas Business Reorganization

Kia Motors Corporation suffering from flat sales in the U.S. so far this year is making organizational changes within its overseas operations. Following other Asian companies, the Korean company will give greater autonomy to each region to “spur sustainable growth … Continue reading

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Bosch Claims Diesel Record Readings of 13 mg NOx per kilometer. Too Little, Too Late to Clean Dirty Diesel Image?

The Volkswagen dieselgate scandal exposed clearly fraudulent conduct. VW, one of the world’s largest automotive groups, deliberately lied about diesel emissions and cheated during testing by using control software that resulted in dirtier diesel exhaust that was far dirtier in real driving than in the lab on a dynamometer. Continue reading

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Volkswagen and Ford Alliance Under Study

Against this backdrop and with a possible shakeout as devastating as occurred more than a century ago as the automobile emerged, it’s not surprising that long established car companies are seeking collaborative agreements to share the risks, cut the cost of research, development and production and survive as an entity when taking an individual road appears one paved with doom. Continue reading

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Ford Introduces Two Taxis with Hybrid and Diesel Powertrains

The van-like Taxi seats five with a flexible interior. It has more than 60 cubic-feet of cargo volume behind the second row, more than the Nissan NV200 Taxi , which beat it to market years ago. Continue reading

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U.S. Newspapers Continue to Decline in Readership, Employment, Revenue

Despite overall declines in newspaper circulation, digital circulation rose for some national newspapers. In recent years The (not failing) New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post have not fully reported their digital circulation to AAM, the group that audits the circulation figures of many of the largest North American newspapers and other publications. Continue reading

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Honda, GM Expand Cooperation for Next Gen Battery

Under the agreement, the companies will collaborate based on GM’s next generation battery system with the intent for Honda to source the battery modules from GM. The collaboration will support each company’s respective vehicles. The combined scale and global manufacturing efficiencies will ultimately provide greater value to customers. IT’s another example of how automakers are scrambling to cover the cost of future products as they try to morph to mobility companies. Continue reading

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U.S. Space Exploration Essential for Climate Monitoring

More than half of Americans say they would not be interested in going into space, citing cost, fear, and age or health concerns. * Therefore, an expanded definition of the automakers quest to transform into mobility companies does not include to go where no man has gone before at this time. Continue reading

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SoftBank Vision Fund to Invest $2.25 B in GM Cruise

The SoftBank Vision Fund investment will be made in two phases. At the closing of the transaction, the Vision Fund will invest the first tranche of $900 million. At the time that Cruise AVs are ready for commercial deployment, the Vision Fund will complete the second tranche of $1.35 billion. Continue reading

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Volkswagen Piloting Augmented Reality for Technicians

The tool – it’s said -can operate in loud workshop environments and dark and tight areas that need light. It also allows for hands-free use in rough environments. This virtual assistance could significantly reduce service time, as technicians will be supported throughout the diagnosis and repair of the vehicle. Continue reading

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Vehicle Average Loan, Monthly Payment at Record Highs

The population segments hurt most are subprime and deep subprime consumers. The percentage of new vehicle loans to subprime and deep subprime consumers has decreased 8.4% and 14.1%, respectively. The percentage of new vehicle loans to prime and super prime consumers has reached 73.4%, the highest Q1 level since 2012. Experian says it’s a sign that some lenders have become more risk-averse. Continue reading

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CARB OKs Plan to Mitigate Harm from Volkswagen Diesel Defeat Devices. Heavy-Duty Vehicles to Get Clean Technology

“This is a landmark moment in the saga of Volkswagen’s environmental violations,” said CARB Chair Mary D. Nichols. “Over the next 10 years this plan will put in place not only tools to clean up VW’s excess emissions, but also to help achieve further reductions of smog-forming pollution for decades to come.” Continue reading

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U.S. Vehicle Sales Forecast Flat for May 2018

As a trend noted by AutoInformed for a long time, car sales are expected to decline yet again. May will see double-digit declines. Truck and SUV/CUVs share growth will continue. Continue reading

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Transformation to Mobility Company? Ford Returns to Detroit.

As part of an $11.1 billion investment in global electric vehicles announced earlier this year, Ford says it will sell electrified vehicles that “offer exciting experiences and enhanced capabilities based on what people need and want – including the all-new Mustang-inspired battery-electric SUV in 2020.” Continue reading

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Drinking the Electrolyte? Audi Plans to Sell 800K EVs in 2025

This regulation-prompted strategy – searching for an advantage and customers – means every third buyer or leasee would take an e-model by the middle of the next decade – customers who have thus far shunned driving “green vehicles” at this level. During 2017 Audi sold 1.9 million vehicles globally. Do the math and that means a huge shift in the market. In the U.S. during 2017 Audi sold 227,000 vehicles. Continue reading

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Fire Sale – Ford Restarting F-150, Super Duty Production

Ford told reporters that is reaffirming 2018 adjusted EPS guidance range of $1.45 to $1.70 (non-gap) and expects adverse impact of -$0.12 to -$0.14 per share in second quarter due to lost production. Continue reading

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