BMW Group to Spend $1.7B to Make Electric Vehicles in US

Posted on 19 October 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on BMW Group to Spend $1.7B to Make Electric Vehicles in US - photo courtesy of and copyright BMW

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The BMW Group said today it will make a new investment to expand Plant Spartanburg and increase its US manufacturing footprint.

Group Chairman of the Board of Management, Oliver Zipse said that $1.7 billion will be spent, including $1 billion to prepare for the production of electric vehicles at the company’s existing factory in South Carolina. Furthermore, $700 million will go toward a new high-voltage battery assembly facility in nearby Woodruff, SC. By 2030 BMW Group will build at least six fully electric models in the US. (Autoinformed on: BMW Group Posts Record Revenues, Earnings, Profits for 2021). Continue reading →

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Toyota Auto Insurance Adds Texas

Posted on 19 October 2022 by Ken Zino

Toyota Auto Insurance said today that the automaker’s branded insurance creation is now available to customers in Texas. Toyota Auto Insurance* offers consumers a flexible policy purchase process via Toyota’s mobile app, call center agents, participating Toyota dealerships and the ToyotaAutoInsurance.com website.

“We’re thrilled to expand Toyota Auto Insurance to customers in our home state,” said Rob Spencer, Toyota Insurance chief operating officer. Toyota of course is not alone. At least 18 automakers have started insurance products based on telematics using connected car capabilities to determine rates.
 Continue reading →

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Tony Spiteri Named General Manager of NASCAR Canada

Posted on 18 October 2022 by Ken Zino

NASCAR announced today that veteran Canadian motorsports executive Tony Spiteri has been named General Manager of NASCAR Canada. In this newly created role, Spiteri will be responsible for “growing” all facets of NASCAR in Canada, including the NASCAR Pinty’s Series, the largest national motorsports series in the country. The announcement came just after the start of this year’s National Hockey League games. Continue reading →

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Renault at Paris Motor Show – Vague Marketing for Unique Cars

Posted on 18 October 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Renault at Paris Motor Show - Vague Marketing for Unique Cars

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If you leave the marketing* babble aside, Renault at it home auto show in Paris this week has shown several strong products that point to a bright future. The oh-sooh si français brand is unveiling three cars for the first time worldwide at its stand (in Hall 6): 4EVER Trophy, R5 TURBO 3E and all-new Kangoo E-Tech Electric.

There is so much history here, it’s tough to know where to concentrate on the most significant. AutoInformed arbitrarily picks the Kangoo because it caught Ford of Europe napping 25 years ago while Renault was transiting, so to speak, into the leisure activity vehicle segment. With its pragmatic design and a sliding side door for the first time, Renault Kangoo merged two segments in Europe – a roomy car for families, and a work vehicle with a large-sized boot, err trunk, and durability for professionals. Renault has sold 4 million of them in 50 countries. Renault Kangoo is now available in an E-Tech Electric version for the first time in its history. Continue reading →

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Jeep Avenger EV Debuts in Paris

Posted on 17 October 2022 by Ken Zino

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Jeep Avenger EV Debuts in ParisAt the 2022 Paris Motor Show today, Jeep® revealed the all-new Avenger, the brand’s first battery electric vehicle.The compact Avenger will launch in Europe early next year. It will be made at a Stellantis plant in Tychy, Poland.

The so-called B-SUV segment is the second largest in Europe in terms of volume. In 2023, the B- SUV segment is expected to reach an annual total of 2.2 million sales, which accounts for one in five vehicles sold in Europe. The new Avenger is positioned under Renegade complementing the Jeep brand offering, in the B-SUV segment.  Jeep predicts it will be its best-selling model in Europe by 2024. (read autoinformed.com on: Jeep Shows Recon and Wagoneer Electric SUVs) Continue reading →

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Mobile Music – New Mercedes-Benz Dolby Atmos Symphony

Posted on 16 October 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Mobile Music - New Mercedes-Benz Dolby Atmos System courtesy of and copyright Mercedes-Benz

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Mercedes-Benz in Paris today said it has launched a new collaboration with Apple Music and Universal Music Group (UMG) that aims to change how music is created and how it’s played back in the car.

The new collaboration, following a previously announced ZYNC streaming deal, adds the integration of Dolby Atmos immersive audio to the optional Burmester® high-end 4D and 3D sound systems*offered in Mercedes-Benz vehicles with the latest MBUX generation. Dolby Atmos will first be available in the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class as well as the EQE, EQE SUV, EQS and EQS SUV. (See autoinformed.com on: Infotainment: Mercedes-Benz Group and ZYNC) Continue reading →

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Global Light Vehicle Sales Fall in September

Posted on 14 October 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Global Light Vehicle Sales Fall in September

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The Global Light Vehicle selling rate ended a four-month growth streak in September by falling to 85.8  million units/year from a high of 91  million units/year seen in August, according to data just released by the respected LMC Automotive* consultancy. The year‐to‐date (YTD) raw sales figure is down 2.0% from the weak base of 2021.

However, LMC noted that notwithstanding a reduced global selling tempo, China’s market remained “robust with year-to-date growth of 8.0%. North America and Europe, however, both experienced a sharp decline in their selling rates as supply issues continued to affect these markets.” Continue reading →

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CARB settles with FCA for $5.6M on Air Quality Violations

Posted on 14 October 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on RAM recalls. Photo copyright FCA

A second CARB action against FCA, now part of the Stellantis merger.

Late yesterday the California Air Resources Board reached a settlement agreement with FCA US of Auburn Hills, Mich. for $5,601,090 for violations of CARB’s air quality regulations.

The FCA vehicles involved include MY 2012 through 2018 Ram 1500, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles, equipped with 5.7-liter gasoline engines. This engine configuration was found to not comply with certification emission standards when it was tested by CARB. More than 30,000 vehicles were part of  the emissions violation.
 Continue reading →

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Stellantis to Build Fiats in Algeria

Posted on 13 October 2022 by Ken Zino

A framework agreement was signed today in Algiers between Mr. Samir Cherfan, Chief Operating Officer of Middle East & Africa region of Stellantis, and Mr. Boussoussa Zineddine, Director of Cooperation of the Algerian Ministry of Industry. The agreement covers a project for “the development in Algeria of industrial, after-sales and spare parts activities for Fiat, one of the brands of Stellantis, as well as the development of the automotive sector in Algeria. This ceremony was chaired by Mr. Ahmed Zaghdar Algerian Minister of Industry and Mr. Carlos Tavares Chief Executive Officer of Stellantis in the presence of the Algerian and Italian Ambassadors.

This sets Stellantis on a path to manufacture Fiat vehicles in Algeria. Continue reading →

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Nissan to Exit Russian Market. Maybe

Posted on 12 October 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Nissan to Exit Russian Market. Maybe

Carlos Ghosn then head of the Nissan Renault Alliance in 2012 announcing a takeover of Russian avtovaz. The Alliance sold 878,990 cars in Russia in 2011 – its third largest market that year.

Nissan’s Executive Committee has approved the sale of its Russian operations to NAMI, the Central Research and Development Automobile and Engine Institute. This follows the suspension last March of operations in the market. Under the new ownership of the NMGR*, a State Research Center of the Russian Federation, all of Nissan’s employees in the market will receive employment protection for 12 months.

The sale is expected to be formalized in the coming weeks following approvals from the authorities, which sure looks inevitable since it’s being sold to the Russian government. The terms of the sale are hedged. It would allow Nissan the option to buy back the entity and its operations within the next six years. It’s the latest example of global automakers shutting operations in a totalitarian state. Will China be next? Continue reading →

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Global Debut – All-Electric Lexus UX 300e

Posted on 12 October 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Global Debut - All-Electric Lexus UX 300e. phot copyright Toyota Motor Corp.

Another SUV EV. Click to Enlarge.

Lexus announced the global debut of the new UX 300e in Europe this morning. Toyota’s luxury brand claimed “a significant evolution of the brand’s first production BEV model launched in 2020*”

The updated UX 300e joins the new UX 200/250h announced earlier this year, with deliveries scheduled to begin in spring 2023. What is significant is its larger battery pack that increases range.
 Continue reading →

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Honda Goes All in for Ohio EV Production

Posted on 12 October 2022 by Ken Zino
AutoInformed.com on Honda in Ohio - photo courtesy of and copyright Americn Honda

 It all started with the Accord – a perennial best seller.

American Honda Motor said today that it will re-tool its existing operations in Ohio to produce EVs. The $700 million investment will go to the Marysville Auto Plant, East Liberty Auto Plant and Anna Engine Plant, as well as the Honda associates who work there, for the start of EV production and EV components.

This follows the announcement yesterday of a new battery plant in Ohio, exactly 45 years after Honda announced it would build cars in the US – the first Japanese automaker to do so. There are now five Honda auto plants here with total production during the past four decades of 30 million cars and light trucks. (autoinformed.com – Ohio JV Battery Plant – Honda and LG Energy Solution*) Continue reading →

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Ohio JV Battery Plant  – Honda and LG Energy Solution

Posted on 11 October 2022 by Ken Zino

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on LG Energy Solution, Honda to Form US EV Battery Production. Honda LG JV Signing Ceremony – courtesy and copyright HondaHonda and LG Energy Solution (LGES; KRX: 373220) today confirmed that their new joint venture battery plant will be located in Fayette County, Ohio, about 40 miles southwest of Columbus. The plant was announced in April of 2022 but not its location. Claimed are investments of $3.5 billion and 2,200  new jobs, pending final government approvals. The companies’ overall investment related to the JV is projected to reach $4.4 billion. (autoinformed.com on: LG Energy Solution, Honda to Form US EV Battery Production)

The two companies plan to begin construction in early 2023, in order to complete the new production facility by the end of 2024. The plant aims to have ~40GWh of annual production capacity as it starts mass production of pouch-type lithium-ion batteries by the end of 2025. Continue reading →

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EV Battery Goldrush – GM and Queensland Pacific Metals

Posted on 11 October 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on EV Battery Goldrush – GM and Queensland Pacific Metals

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General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) said to today it has obtained a new source of cost-competitive nickel and cobalt for Ultium battery cells after making a “strategic investment” in Queensland Pacific Metals of Australia.

The so-called nickel laterite ore is expected to be processed using a new and proprietary method that helps reduce waste with no requirement of a tailings dam, GM claimed. GM is expected to invest up to $69 million in Queensland Pacific Metals for the development of its proposed Townsville Energy Chemicals Hub (TECH) Project in Northern Australia. The TECH Project*is expected to begin construction in 2023. Continue reading →

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GM Energy a New Energy Management Division  

Posted on 11 October 2022 by Ken Zino

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on GM Energy a New Energy Management Division

GM claimed that it will connect [err, plug-in?] customers “seamlessly with residential, fleet and commercial energy assets.

General Motors (NYSE: GM) today announced the introduction of Ultium Home and Ultium Commercial, which in combination with the existing Ultium Charge 360, to create a system of energy management products and services that will be housed under a new business unit called GM Energy.

It’s an ambitious, industry leading program that can help customers rid themselves of some of the negative aspects of relying on utility companies. GM Energy’s services will also enable the sale of energy from EV and stationary storage batteries back to utilities during peak, high energy consumption periods, unlocking even more potential value for customers and increasing resiliency for the electrical grid, GM said. Continue reading →

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