Category Archives: results

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

Posted in autonomous vehicles, financial results, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Posted in electric vehicles, fuel economy or emissions, litigation, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

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

Posted in electric vehicles, energy, fuel economy or emissions | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

U.S. March Sales – Light Trucks Up, Cars Down Again

During an unexpectedly strong March, U.S. auto dealers sold 1.65 million vehicles, a 6.3% increase year-over-year. Detroit Three brands per AutoData held just 45.7% of the U.S. market in March, selling 755,152 vehicles – with 612,052 or a whopping 81% … Continue reading

Posted in marketing, sales | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Monthly Sales Reports Die as GM Shifts to Quarterly Updates

“Thirty days is not enough time to separate real sales trends from short-term fluctuations in a very dynamic, highly competitive market,” said Kurt McNeil, U.S. vice president, Sales Operations. Continue reading

Posted in milestones, news analysis, results | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

April Fools – Aston Martin Project Sparta

Project Sparta, which has been engineered in parallel with the brand’s upcoming DBX SUV, is set to wreak havoc in the Monster Jam series starting in 2019, taking on some of the world’s biggest names including Grave Digger, Big Kahuna, Ice Cream Man and Jailbird. Continue reading

Posted in manufacturing, marketing, milestones, news analysis, people, racing, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

US Tariffs At or Near Lowest Levels Ever

During 2017, says the U.S. International Trade Commission, import duties totaled $33.1 billion – equal to 1.4% of the total value of all imported goods, and 4.7% of the value of all imports subject to duty. Most imported goods carry no duty at all. Continue reading

Posted in financial results, news analysis, prices | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Ford Proxy – Shareholders Want Political Spending Info

Herein lies the potential hypocrisy problem: In 2012, the U.S. issued light duty vehicle rules strengthening GHG emission reduction standards and improving corporate average fuel economy. These rules – made working with automakers – are being challenged by Ford and other automakers. Continue reading

Posted in alternative fuels, environment, fuel economy or emissions, news analysis, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

70 Years Porsche Sports Cars at Retro Classics

The Porsche Museum is celebrating “70 years of the Porsche sports car” at this year’s Retro Classics exhibition on March 22–25, 2018, at the Messe Stuttgart trade fair center. Continue reading

Posted in milestones, racing | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Troubled Asset Relief Program – Total Cost $32B

The Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) of 2008 and other desperate actions let the Department of the Treasury promote stability in financial markets through the purchase and guarantee of “troubled assets.” It was a latter part of the Emergency Economic … Continue reading

Posted in economy, fools 'n frauds, milestones, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

US Car Sales Plummet in February. Trucks Gain Again

The smoking tire and news wheel spin of the month – given Trump’s ongoing trade tirades amidst a complete collapse of White House staff support and an ongoing exodus – came from the American International Automobile Dealers Association Continue reading

Posted in fools 'n frauds, manufacturing, marketing, news analysis, sales | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Trump Tantrum on Trade Kills Jobs, Distracts from Expanding Russian Collusion Investigations and Criminal Indictments

The impact on automotive and parts production will be significant, but the magnitude of the action is not yet known. Continue reading

Posted in economy, financial results, litigation, manufacturing, news analysis, transportation | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment