Category Archives: results

Software Lightens Hardware

The new design technology provides significantly more vehicle mass reduction and parts consolidation opportunities that – it’s said – cannot be achieved through traditional design optimization methods. Continue reading

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F-Series Supplier Fire – a Threat to Ford Motor Profitability

Ford accounts for less than a third of the volume of output from the affected Meridian plant, it said, but the F-Series is the foundation of the profitability of Ford in North America – a foundation that was already showing signs of cracks. (Failing Grade for Ford Motor Q1 Earnings, Failing Grade for Ford Motor Q1 Earnings) Ford claims that while the production shortage is expected to have an adverse impact on the company’s near term results, the company’s guidance of delivering an adjusted EPS in the range of $1.45 to $1.701 for the full year is unchanged. Continue reading

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FCA US April Sales Sees Trucks and Namesake Brands Decline

The brands* the company is named after Fiat and Chrysler both posted huge declines. Sales of Fiat vehicles declined 45 percent to 1,404 vehicles. Chrysler brand total sales fell 18 percent in April to 14,189 vehicles compared with the same month a year ago. The Chrysler Pacifica minivan posted a 5 percent retail sales increase to 7,864 vehicles. Continue reading

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Ecstasy and SUVs – Rolls-Royce to Launch Cullinan Tomorrow

Perhaps Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Chief Executive Officer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, should consider a brand name change to RR Vehicles – hardly engrossing, but now accurate. RRMC currently sells super-expensive automobiles, including the Phantom, Ghost, Wraith and Dawn range of models. Continue reading

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TMC Posts Revenues of $265 Billion for Fiscal Year

Region by region Toyota is experiencing the effects of a slowdown in the global automotive economy along with an ongoing increase in competition. As a result, volume is down slightly, but operating income is up. Continue reading

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Ford Smart Mobility, Zotye Ink MOU on Chinese Ride Hailing

The Zotye-Ford mobility JV will provide ride-hailing fleet operators and drivers with all-electric vehicle leasing services, data-driven fleet management solutions, in-vehicle digital services, connectivity and vehicle customization. Ford Smart Mobility is a Ford Motor Company subsidiary formed to design, build, grow and invest in emerging mobility services. Continue reading

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Ford US April Sales Off -5%

Well. yes, but in a global business gigantic trucks are not saleable elsewhere, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to meet emission and fuel economy regulations that are tightening everywhere. Ford spears to be a three-legged stool with the car leg chopped off. Continue reading

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California Details Latest CO2 Reduction Programs

California Climate Investments will fund about 150 cleaner school buses across the state. These include zero-emission battery electric models and conventional models using renewable diesel. The year-old Rural School Bus Pilot Project, which has received $25 million in cap-and-trade funding, will buy as many as 60 of those new school buses in rural areas, reducing 10,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions. About 40 of those school buses in rural areas will be zero-emission battery electric. Continue reading

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Ford Enlarges Transit Fire Recall in North America

In potentially unsafe Transits, water intrusion into the module may result in rapid flashing of the turn signals, loss of the instrument cluster display, loss of heater and air conditioning controls, and loss of multimedia including radio, screens and the SYNC system. Continue reading

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Failing Grade for Ford Motor Q1 Earnings

This promised 8% Automotive Operating Margin is normally obtained or surpassed by offshore automakers year in, year out. It gets worse when you consider Ford Motor costs have grown as fast as revenue; Grimmer still when capital spending has grown even faster. Continue reading

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Fewer Believe the Internet is Positive for Society

Those who were less positive offer a wider range of reasons. No single issue stands out. Some 25% of those who gave less-positive answers argued that the internet isolates people and encourages users to spend too much time with devices. Some 16% said the prevalence of fake news or false information was the reason for their belief that the internet was having a negative impact; 14% cited the effect of the internet on children, and 13% argued that it encouraged illegal activity. Just 5% expressed privacy concerns or worries about sensitive information being available online. Continue reading

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Diesel Truck Brokers Busted in California

Diesel trucks are among California’s biggest sources of air pollution. Because they are so durable, they can operate for decades and belch significant amounts of diesel pollution along the way. Continue reading

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Chinese Currents – Buick Enspire All-Electric Concept

The car is remarkable because it debuts during a trade war invoked by the Trump Administration and China, the world’s largest car market. The Chinese have expressed the desire to replace the fleet with electrified vehicles, but no standards or rules have thus far been published. Continue reading

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50 Mayors, 11 States to Defend +50 MPG CAFE Standard

In a statement like the American Revolution’s Declaration of Independence, local leaders are rejecting a corrupt central government out of touch with the people – one that instead is beholden to special interests, big oil, and big money for campaigns to keep the corruption and tyranny ongoing. Continue reading

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Non-Independence Day as EPA Prepares to Scuttle CAFE

Last week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a Notice on the Mid-Term Evaluation (MTE) of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards for the Model Years (MY) 2022- 2025 and indicated intent to place it in the Federal Register. This potential shift or softening of CAFE extensive and serious implications for all automotive industry participants. Continue reading

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