Category Archives: transportation

Forecast is Finally Normal for 2024 US Auto Market

Posted on 19 December 2023 by Ken Zino

“Our research suggests that Americans are putting more emphasis on buying/owning personal transportation, in contrast to 2018 and 2019, when consumers put a higher value on “access to transportation,” said Jonathan Smoke Cox Automotive Chief Economist. “And after tumbling in 2021 and 2022, satisfaction with the car buying process is expected to improve in the year ahead, thanks in part to better inventory and the return of discounting, but also from improved processes at the dealership that save time and make car buying more efficient.” Continue reading →

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Mercedes-Benz – Turquoise Autonomous Driving Marker Lights

Posted on 19 December 2023 by Ken Zino

Mercedes-Benz said today that it has approvals for turquoise-colored automated driving marker lights in California and Nevada. The exemption permit for California is for testing vehicles and initially limited to two years. The Nevada permit applies to Mercedes-Benz Model Year 2026 production vehicles. Thus a marketing component – styling with lights – is now part of the ongoing debate about the effect of autonomous vehicles on the safety of other road users and pedestrians. Continue reading →

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GM and Komatsu Deal on Fuel-Cell Powered Mining Truck

Posted on 12 December 2023 by Ken Zino

The companies will jointly design and validate the technology. Lightweight with fast refueling, hydrogen fuel cells are best for electrifying applications traditionally powered by diesel engines. Hydrogen provides an effective method to package large quantities of energy onboard the vehicle, without compromising payload carrying capacity, the companies said. Continue reading →

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Hyundai Motor Signs Hydrogen Development Multilateral Deal

Posted on 11 December 2023 by Ken Zino

“The agreement aims to rapidly grow the global hydrogen ecosystem and respond more actively to climate change by sharing leading examples of hydrogen ecosystem development currently underway in Korea with the international community. To this end, Hyundai Motor and its Korean partners will provide case studies and consultation on hydrogen projects and GGGI will publish an evaluation report based on the case studies for international sharing,” Hyundai said. Continue reading →

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Penske Automotive Group Buys 15 UK Dealerships

Posted on 11 December 2023 by Ken Zino

Penske Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE: PAG)* today announced that it has agreed to acquire Rybrook Group Limited consisting of 15 premium dealerships in the United Kingdom, including four BMW dealerships, four MINI dealerships, four Volvo dealerships, two Land Rover dealerships and one Porsche dealership. Three of the BMW locations also retail BMW Motorrad motorcycles. The dealerships to be acquired represent estimated annualized revenues of $1 billion. Continue reading →

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Annals of Marketing – Ducati Diavel for Bentley Mulliner

Posted on 11 December 2023 by Ken Zino

auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, Ken Zino, automotive news and analysis, automotive blog, Ducati Diavel for Bentley Mulliner, Centro Stile Ducati, Bentley Mulliner motorbikes, Continue reading →

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CHIPS and Science Act Phase 2 – Growth and Defense

Posted on 11 December 2023 by Ken Zino

The project will replace aging tools and quadruple the production of chips necessary for critical defense programs, including the F-35 fighter jet program. This begins of the next phase of implementation of the CHIPS and Science Act, a critical part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda that supports a strong national defense and a growing American economy. Continue reading →

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The Quantum Mobility Quest from Airbus and BMW Group

Posted on 6 December 2023 by Ken Zino

This could be a first-of-its-kind attempt to develop applications to harness quantum technologies for real-world industrial applications. The companies said it has the potential to forge more efficient, sustainable and safer solutions for the future of transportation. This nascent technology could play a key role in simulating various industrial and operational processes, opening up opportunities to shape future mobility products and services. Continue reading →

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Ford Pro and Xcel Energy to Install 30,000 Fleet EV Chargers

Posted on 5 December 2023 by Ken Zino

Most initial costs will be offset by Xcel for qualifying business fleet customers in the limited areas it operates in. Starting in 2024, 30×30 will be available through Xcel Energy’s Electric Vehicle Supply Infrastructure (EVSI) program in Colorado and Wisconsin. Xcel will seek expansion in future states during the next six years within Xcel Energy’s service territories, pending regulatory approvals, including Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota and Texas. Continue reading →

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The Corrupting Influence of Money on US Public Health

Posted on 20 November 2023 by Ken Zino

“Heavy Vehicle emissions standards recently proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) would boost the electrification of trucks and buses, but standards stronger than what EPA proposed are needed to de-carbonize transportation at a pace to prevent catastrophic climate change. While leading utilities are showing that they can help build out the infrastructure at the scale necessary to support the proposed standards, they and their customers will need to invest far more ambitiously to support more robust standards.,” claims Daivie Ghosh, Transportation Senior Research Analyst at the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. Continue reading →

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New Circus Ringmaster at Cruise Autonomous Vehicles

Posted on 17 November 2023 by Ken Zino

Well, it seems that the discovery that Cruise altered released accident footage to eliminate one of its accident vehicles dragging a pedestrian with it as it continued to run (drive away?) has moved the normally buttoned-down GM safety culture and it people to the verge of, well, annoyance. So send in the lawyers to monitor the California clowns starting with Cruise CEO Kyle Vogt. Continue reading →

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Biden-Harris Administration Begins National Spectrum Strategy

Posted on 13 November 2023 by Ken Zino

“Spectrum is a limited resource that enables the everyday and the extraordinary – from checking the weather on our phone to traveling into space. As demand for this resource increases, the US will continue to lead the world in spectrum innovation, and President Biden’s bold vision for spectrum policy will provide the foundation for that leadership,” said US. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, a Biden appointee. Continue reading →

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US Airline Employment Above Pre-Pandemic Levels

Posted on 9 November 2023 by Ken Zino

US scheduled-service passenger airlines employed 533,238 workers in September 2023 or 66% of the industry-wide total. Passenger airlines added 2938 employees in September 2023 for a twenty-ninth consecutive month of job growth dating back to May 2021 as the Biden Administration economic recovery continues. Southwest led scheduled passenger carriers, adding 882 employees. United Air Lines added 736, and Delta Airlines added 708. Continue reading →

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Bosch Shows 6 kW Motorcycle EV Drive Motor with Inverter

Posted on 8 November 2023 by Ken Zino

“With production starting in 2025, the new Bosch 6 kW motor will enable manufacturers to electrify two-wheeler segments that have so far tended to feature combustion-engine technology. In this way, we’re meeting not only demands for everyday mobility needs in cities, but also the desire for riding enjoyment outside urban centers,” said Liersch. Continue reading →

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Voters Blame Oil and Gas Companies for High Energy Prices

Posted on 3 November 2023 by Ken Zino

New polling from Data for Progress, Climate Power, and Fossil Free Media finds that voters strongly blame high energy prices on large oil companies and their CEOs.* They think, and believe these companies have too much power in government. Yet, voters remain optimistic about a transition away from fossil fuels and toward clean energy. This shall we say “awakened attitude” should be a warning to the fossil fuel dependent Republican party since it is bipartisan. Continue reading →

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