Category Archives: results

Hyundai Capital America Fined for Civil Rights Violations

Posted on 9 May 2024 by Ken Zino

“Members of our Armed Forces should not have to worry about having their cars repossessed while they are in military service,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. Continue reading →

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BMW Group – Good Q1 Earnings on Slight Sales Increase

Posted on 8 May 2024 by Ken Zino

The BMW Group said today in Munich that during Q1 of 2024 it delivered 594,533 automobiles. This means, the company posted a tiny increase of 1.1% compared to the previous year. Throughout the three-month period, the major automotive markets largely showed an upward trend based on pent up demand and increased sales in the mid-price volume segment. Continue reading →

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Greenhouse Gases – EPA Final Rule for Oil and Gas Sector

Posted on 6 May 2024 by Ken Zino

“As we implement the historic climate programs under President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, EPA is applying the latest tools, cutting edge technology, and expertise to track and measure methane emissions from the oil and gas industry,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Together, a combination of strong standards, good monitoring and reporting, and historic investments to cut methane pollution will ensure the U.S. leads in the global transition to a clean energy economy,” Regan said. Continue reading →

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Annals of Marketing – Audi Electric Mountain Bike

Posted on 6 May 2024 by Ken Zino

Audi of America said this morning that it will increase its range of e-mobility products with the launch of a limited-edition enduro-style electric pedal assist mountain bike – dubbed eMTB – powered by Fantic. It becomes available through Audi Genuine Accessories by the summer of 2024. The Audi eMTB has livery said to be inspired by the design of Audi’s electrified Dakar Rally-winning RS Q e-tron race car. Audi eMTB at ~$9795 comes from a deal with Italian motorcycle and e-bike manufacturer Fantic based upon its XEF 1.9 Factory enduro e-bike. Continue reading →

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Ford Maverick Pickups Recalled for Tail Light Failures

Posted on 6 May 2024 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company is recalling more than 243,000 Maverick vehicles. The Body Control Module (BCM) on 2022-2024 models may deactivate one or both rear tail-lights without warning. The problem appears to simple math error during the design phase of product development. The rear lamps use two position bulbs on a single circuit. However, the BCM current threshold was calibrated to the current draw for one bulb. This is a variation and expansion of a previous rear light recall. Continue reading →

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April 2024 US Vehicle Sales Drop Slightly

Posted on 2 May 2024 by Ken Zino

“Calendar effects meant that it was always going to be challenging to match last year’s sales in April. However, with replenished inventory levels helping the market to recover a year ago, the industry is now facing a higher bar in order to keep growing,” said David Oakley, Manager, Americas Sales Forecasts, GlobalData. Continue reading →

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Mercedes-Benz Q1 2024 Profit Drops 25% as Sales Slump

Posted on 1 May 2024 by Ken Zino

Mercedes-Benz Group AG (MBG.DE) has reported Group Earnings Before Interest and Taxes (EBIT) of €3.9 billion (Q1 2023: €5.5 billion) a surprising drop of -25% but in line with struggles at European-based Volkswagen Group and Stellantis. Continue reading →

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Penske Automotive Group 2024 Q1 Earnings Drop

Posted on 1 May 2024 by Ken Zino

“Our retail automotive service and parts revenue grew 9% to a quarterly record of $746 million. During the quarter, we experienced a recovery across our used vehicle retail automotive operations with profitability improving sequentially by $428 per unit retailed. Further, I was pleased with our focus on controlling costs as selling, general, and administrative expenses as a percentage of gross profit improved by 30 basis points sequentially to 70.7%,” said Roger Penske Chair and CEO. Continue reading →

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Stellantis Q1 Revenues, Shipments Drop – Transition or Trend?

Posted on 30 April 2024 by Ken Zino

Stellantis reiterated a minimum commitment of double-digit Adjusted operating income (AOI) margin in 2024, as well as positive Industrial free cash flow, despite macroeconomic uncertainties. Stellantis claimed that it is on track to deliver total capital returns in 2024 more than €7.7 billion, for an 11% yield as a percentage of Stellantis market capitalization on 1 January 2024. It is likely that its value will go down in the short term. The company, in AutoInformed’s view is in a transition that requires the balancing of market share, product cost, revenue and development of new offerings. It is not alone among automakers. Continue reading →

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Hyundai Expands Genesis Sudden Power Loss Recall

Posted on 29 April 2024 by Ken Zino

“The low-pressure fuel pump assemblies in the vehicles may contain impellers that can deform under certain environmental conditions, such as high ambient temperature. Deformation of the impeller could cause the impeller to interfere with the fuel pump housing, resulting in a mechanical resistance that could lead to a shutdown of the fuel pump,” the NHTSA filing said. Continue reading →

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Badass UAW Bargaining Committee Gets Record Daimler Deal

Posted on 27 April 2024 by Ken Zino

“Tonight, I’m in Charlotte, North Carolina, and I am honored to be joined by the badass bargaining committee representing over 7000 members at Daimler Truck North America,” Fain said. “We’re here tonight to announce a major victory for the members who build Freightliner and Western Star trucks and Thomas Built buses. Today, we reached a tentative agreement with Daimler. What started thirty-two years ago this month at the Mt. Holly plant, when the courageous 17-day strikers stood up and won a historic, first of its kind agreement, has come full circle. Continue reading →

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April US New Vehicle Sales Flat as Trade-in Values Drop

Posted on 26 April 2024 by Ken Zino

Total new-vehicle sales for April 2024, including both retail and non-retail transactions, are estimated to reach 1,304,600 units, a 0.9% decrease from April 2023 on a selling day adjusted basis, according to a joint forecast from J.D. Power and GlobalData.* … Continue reading →

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IIHS Toughens Front Crash Prevention Testing

Posted on 25 April 2024 by Ken Zino

“This is a vital update to one of our most successful test programs,” IIHS President David Harkey claimed. “The vast majority of new vehicles now come with automatic emergency braking, and our research shows the technology prevents as many as half of all front-to-rear crashes. This new, tougher evaluation targets some of the most dangerous front-to-rear crashes that are still happening.” Continue reading →

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Southern Labor Rights Boosted at VW. Daimler Next

Posted on 25 April 2024 by Ken Zino

The battle with VW management – a later day version of the Ford Rouge battle of the bridge, included outrageous interference by VW management instead of the neutrality stipulated under US labor laws. The Chattanooga plant has now become the symbol and rallying point of the tough fight for workers’ rights, bringing national or global attention* to the struggles and potential of unionizing in the South. Daimler Truck is next. Continue reading →

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EPA Finalizes Pollution Reduction Standards for Power Plants

Posted on 25 April 2024 by Ken Zino

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced a series of final rules to reduce pollution from fossil-fuel-fired power plants, which have been and likely will continue to be the subject of litigation paid for by special interest money. The rules under separate authorities including the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, will significantly reduce climate, air, water, and land pollution from the power sector as they go forward. During 2024 the United States is forecast to build more new electric generation capacity than it has for two decades. About  96% of that will be clean, according to the current Administration. Continue reading →

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