Category Archives: results

Honda Posts Worldwide Production Records. North America, Asia and China Strong. Japan’s Economic Woes Continue

Honda manufacturing in regions outside of Japan experienced a year-on-year increase for the 14th consecutive month (since March 2015), setting record high production for the month of April. This includes record high production in North America, Asia and China.

Posted in manufacturing, results | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Milestones: Toyota Indiana 20 Years, 4.45 Million Vehicles Later

In an ironic twist that saw the Detroit Three automakers demanding that offshore makers build here, Toyota Indiana – staffed by non UAW union members – now with 5,000 workers – has built 4.45 million vehicles that are selling, and selling well, in the Detroit Three’s most profitable segments. Continue reading

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

US May Sales Forecast Down, but on Pace for Record Year

Of note, the Volkswagen diesel emissions scandal continues to have severe consequences. VW and Audi with projected monthly sales of 43,244 would be down a whopping -18.7% year-over-year. Continue reading

Posted in sales | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

EU Commercial Vehicle Sales up 14.6% in April

In the first four months of the year, the EU market for commercial vehicles expanded by 12.8%, totaling 758,566. During that period, Italy (+29.2%), Spain (+12.9%), France (+10.1%), Germany (+10.0%) and the UK (+4.1%) all increased sales. Continue reading

Posted in sales | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Mobility Company or Automaker? Toyota Signs MOA with Uber

This is a complicated deal, given Uber’s current legal and regulatory challenges in the U.S., as well as global business conditions and regulations, and – at the end of the road – consumer desires. Continue reading

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

Treasury Secretary Says Risk to Economy Increasing at G7 Meeting in Japan

Lew claimed , “we need the balanced use of all the policy tools – fiscal policy, monetary policy and structural reforms – to address weak demand, boost employment, and tackle our common long-term challenge of aging populations. Going back the first Bush Administration and through Obama’s, the U.S. ruling class has failed dismally at managing all three. Continue reading

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

Lawyer Plagued? BMW Sued for “Faulty” i3 Electric Vehicles

The crux of the lawsuit is about the BMW i3 “Range Extender.” This so-called Rex option, uses a two-cylinder, 34 horsepower gasoline engine that switches on when the battery charge drops to 5%, providing another 70 miles of range. BMW claims that the Range Extender “doubles your electric driving range” from the vehicle’s standard 81-mile range. Continue reading

Posted in electric vehicles, fuel economy or emissions, litigation | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Nissan Buys 37% of Scandal-Beset Mitsubishi Motors for $2.2B

Nissan Motor will buy 37% of Mitsubishi Motors for $2.2 Billion the companies said today in Yokohama and Tokyo, Japan. This requires a new MMC stock share issue. Call it a “one barrel of a two-barrel shotgun wedding.” Continue reading

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

Toyota Automobile Museum to Hold a Giant Classic Car Party

In addition to a diverse selection of exhibitions and other events to enjoy, a parade of privately-owned Japanese, U.S., and European classic cars dating from 1986 or earlier will be held on the public roads. Continue reading

Posted in design and styling, milestones | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Chevrolet Website for Spark, Sonic,Trax Debuts as Sales Drop

During April, U.S. Spark sales dropped -18%, Sonic -41% and Cruze -32% – the best selling Chevrolet on a global basis. These are the finest small cars Chevrolet has ever engineered and built. General Motors needs to keep small car sales going to meet increasingly stringent fuel economy regulations – aka CAFE – while it prints money Chevy and GMC truck offerings. Continue reading

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

People Are Emotionally Attached to their Vehicles. Surprised?

“Various studies have shown that people are holding on to their cars and trucks longer than before, and what we’re seeing is a result of a personal attachment to their vehicles.” Continue reading

Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

National Inventors Hall of Fame Museum adds Mustang Exhibit

Ironically, when Mustang launched, no specific styling patents were granted. Only after the original pony car proved such a success – more than 1 million sold in the first 18 months – were styling patents even considered and applied for over time. Continue reading

Posted in design and styling, milestones | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Keep On Truckin’ – US April Sales Soar

Not surprisingly dirty diesel Volkswagen’s sales declined 9.7%. More surprising to AutoInformed is that BMW slipped badly. BMW brand sales decreased -7.4 % at 25,000 (Mercedes-Benz was flat at 32,000 but it is known to be working on a pickup truck.); Mini brand sales decreased -12.4% to 5,000. Continue reading

Posted in sales | Leave a comment

BMW Group Sets Q1 Records for Sales, Earnings

“Our first-quarter performance is further proof of our ability to generate positive earnings with our core business, despite a volatile environment.” Continue reading

Posted in financial results | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Deadly Diesel – Dr Hatz, Head of R&D at VW, Porsche, Out

At the beginning of the diesel issue in the Volkswagen Group in late September last year, Hatz went on “temporary leave as a precaution,” Porsche said in a statement this morning. Continue reading

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