Western Europe Car Sales Plunge in September

Posted on 7 October 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Western Europe Car Sales Plunge in September

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The Western Europe selling rate decreased to 10.5 million units/year in September, from 12.4 million in August the LMC Automotive* consultancy said today.

Western European countries continue to be afflicted with supply problems. Compared to September 2021, registration numbers grew by 7.6% to 953,000 units. The year-to-date (YTD) selling rate was up a tad, but remains flat at 10.0 million units/year, with a 6% drop compared to 2021. Continue reading →

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Student Day Back at Honda Plants After Two Year Hiatus

Posted on 7 October 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Student Day Back at Honda Plants After Two Year Hiatus

Honda will hold five student events in October, Manufacturing Month, at plants in Alabama, Ohio and Indiana.

Honda said today that for the first time in two years, it will host high school students during in-person Manufacturing Day events at its plants. Honda is returning to in-person events after two years of virtual Manufacturing Day activities.

Students who attend in-person events will meet with Honda associates and participate in hands-on activities that highlight different manufacturing areas and career paths. Manufacturing Day was developed by the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), to promote a positive perception of today’s manufacturing careers. Continue reading →

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EPA Proposes an Endangerment Finding for Aircraft Engines Still Running on Leaded Fuel

Posted on 7 October 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on EPA Proposes an Endangerment Finding for Aircraft Engines Still Running Leaded Fuel

The FAA isn’t the sole authority controlling aircraft operations. Click for more information.

The US Environmental Protection Agency today announced a proposed determination that emissions of lead* from aircraft that operate on leaded fuel cause or contribute to air pollution that may reasonably be anticipated to endanger public health and welfare. 

Under the Clean Air Act, EPA reviews information on air pollutants and sources of air pollution to determine whether they threaten human health or welfare. This “endangerment finding” is the first step in using EPA’s authority to address this source of lead pollution. This is a problem that goes back years upon years – see AutoInformed on Anti-Green Aviation Industry Finally Getting the Lead Out. Continue reading →

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EPA Looking at EVs and the Toxic Substances Control Act

Posted on 6 October 2022 by Ken Zino

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced a new effort under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) to implement a “streamlined and efficient process under the New Chemicals Program to assess risk and apply mitigation measures, as appropriate, for new chemicals with applications in batteries, electric vehicles, semiconductors and renewable energy generation.”

It’s the latest example of a regulatory body realizing that battery-powered vehicles present, well, challenges under existing regulations or the lack thereof. It’s a global trend and problem. Under TSCA, EPA’s New Chemicals Program plays a key role by reviewing all new substances before they enter the marketplace in order to bring innovative chemistries in a way that doesn’t harm human health or the environment. EPA’s action was prompted by industry inquiries. Continue reading →

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Ford Shows 2023 Mustang GT Racer before Bathurst 1000

Posted on 6 October 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Ford Shows 2023 Mustang GT before Bathurst 1000

The Mustang Supercar was built by Ford’s homologation team Dick Johnson Racing with Ford Performance in preparation for the 2023 season.

Ford today showed the first race-prepared seventh-generation Mustang, the 2023 Mustang GT, which was uncovered at Mount Panorama ahead of the famous Bathurst 1000 ‘down under.’ The road-going versions of so-called Gen3 Mustang were revealed in Detroit last month. Back then there were only computer-generated images of the race cars shown.

This GT is a precursor of the next generation of Ford performance race cars, including an anticipated return to LeMans during 2024 in an IMSA GT category. The street and track-capable performance MDH  – Mustang Dark Horse – is Ford’s next racer. (AutoInformed.com on Late to the Daytona Grid – Ford to Run in GT3 in 2024) Continue reading →

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Promise? Final Special Edition 2022 Ford GT LM

Posted on 6 October 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Promise? Final Special Edition 2022 Ford GT LM

End of the GT racing line.

Ford Motor says the 2022 Ford GT LM Edition celebrates Ford GT’s race-winning success. It the final special edition for the current-generation road cars. However, the so-called Mustang Dark Horse is the first new performance name for the brand since Mustang Bullitt was introduced in 2001. The street and track-capable performance MDH is Ford’s next racer. Biggest news  is that Mustang will return to Le Mans. (AutoInformed. Com on Late to the Daytona Grid – Ford to Run in GT3 in 2024)

Since Ford is investing $50 billion in electric vehicles through 2026, it needs to wring every profitable nickel out of selling what it has now. Enter the 2022 Ford GT LM Edition available with red or blue design trim that include tinted red or blue carbon fiber exterior “treatment and a driver’s seat in the corresponding color.” Twenty will be made. Deliveries begin this fall with production ending later this year. The Ford GT already started at $500,000+. I’d double down on that with $1,000,000 a starting bid. Continue reading →

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Whither the Global Light Vehicle Market?

Posted on 5 October 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Whither the Global Light Vehicle Market?

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Conflicting data abounds in global vehicle sales trends during the past few months of stronger selling rates. From a global perspective this is mostly the result of a fast improvement in the China market from a temporary purchase tax cut on cars.

“Across much of the world, supply bottlenecks remain the key reason for holding back better sales results. However, as Europe and North America head into the winter months, economic prospects look increasingly dismal in the face of stubbornly high inflation, and underlying demand for new vehicles is inevitably being eroded,” according to respected consultancy LMC Automotive this morning. Continue reading →

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NADA Cautious on 2022 US Light Vehicle Sales Outlook

Posted on 5 October 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on NADA Cautious on 2022 US Light Vehicle Sales Outlook

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As the seasons turn, the US light vehicle market continues to exhibit mixed signals this year with often conflicting or seemingly wrong trends and developments.

New light-vehicle sales in September 2022 resulted in a SAAR of 13.5 million units. This was an increase of  9.6% from a year ago. The increase in volume, along with record transaction prices, result in consumers on a pace to spend ~$43.7 billion on new vehicles in September – the highest level ever in September and a 12% increase from September 2021.

However, September 2021 was the weakest since May 2020, because of pandemic induced supply chain disruptions and parts shortages, which saw the lowest saleable inventory for more than three decades. Continue reading →

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Ford Motor US September Sales Drop 9%

Posted on 4 October 2022 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) today reported that US September sales dropped 9% year-over-year. Toyota, Ford and Stellantis sold fewer vehicles in August than in June. For the calendar year-to-date, Ford is treading water in the deep end of the global automaker pool with sales down -1%. 

However, Ford is notching some low-volume victories, which might bode well, if – big if – it can transition from its internal combustion engine legacy vehicles  – the heart of Ford Motor – while successfully surviving without missing a beat a transplant to an all-electric future. Continue reading →

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American Honda Sales Escape Summer Doldrums

Posted on 4 October 2022 by Ken Zino

American Honda has posted its best month since May with September sales of more than 79,000. Supply chain improvements led the increase. Acura had the brand’s best sales since April, led by the MDX – sales of 4,000 units, best sales in the past five months, and continued popularity of new Integra.

In fact, like the former “Detroit Three” automakers, Honda is thriving on trucks. Honda light truck sales continue to lead the Honda brand with CR-V topping 22,000 units and HR-V more than 8,000 in sales. The Ridgeline also set a new September record. Continue reading →

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Russian Oligarch Oleg Vladimirovich Deripaska Indicted

Posted on 4 October 2022 by Ken Zino

The Justice Department has unsealed an indictment charging a U.S. citizen and three citizens of the Russian Federation with violating new U.S. sanctions imposed earlier this year in response to Russia’s unprovoked military invasion of Ukraine.

It’s just another example of how treacherous the waters of global trade are for multinational corporations with implications for automobile businesses that operate under totalitarian  governments. (AutoInformed.com – Toyota Ending Production at Saint Petersburg Plant; DOJ Thwarts Chinese Takeover of Shipping Containers) Continue reading →

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Toyota Motor North America September US Sales Up 17%

Posted on 3 October 2022 by Ken Zino

Toyota Motor North America (NYSE:TM) today reported US September 2022 sales of 179,050 vehicles, up 17.1% on a volume and daily selling rate (DSR) basis compared to September 2021. September 2022 sales of electrified vehicles totaled 35,419, representing nearly 20% of total monthly sales.

Toyota division had September sales of 157,332 vehicles, up 20.8% on a volume and DSR basis. For the third quarter of 2022, Toyota division had sales of 458,493 vehicles, down 5.4% on a volume basis and DSR basis. Lexus division had September sales of 21,718 vehicles, down 4.3% on a volume and DSR basis. For the third quarter of 2022, Lexus division sales were 67,524 vehicles, down 16.7% on a volume and DSR basis. Continue reading →

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GM Q3 US Sales Up 24%

Posted on 3 October 2022 by Ken Zino

General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) said today it sold 555,580 vehicles in the United States in the third quarter, up 24% year-over-year, because of increased semiconductor supplies, stable production and improvements in dealer inventory.

Three of GM’s vehicle brands posted double-digit total sales gains, with Chevrolet up 30%, GMC up 24% and Cadillac up 50%. GM also claimed ~3-point improvement in retail market share year over year (J.D. Power PIN data), as well as “significant sales gains” in the commercial fleet segment. Continue reading →

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China Light Vehicle Sales Highest Ever in August

Posted on 1 October 2022 by Ken Zino

Passenger Vehicle wholesales increased by 36% year-on-year to 2.17 million units in August 2022 with growth remaining strong, according to data just published by respected consultancy LMC Automotive*. The Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) segment was almost unchanged in the month, with sales of 0.22 million units. The overall Light Vehicle (LV) market ended August with an increase of 32% YoY, and a total of 2.39 million units sold. Year-to-date LV sales totaled 16.73 million this year, up by 5.6%. Total light vehicle production in August was up by 40.6% YoY to 2.33 million units, with a categorization of 2.12 million PVs (+45% YoY) and 0.21 million LCVs (+6% YoY).

“PV wholesales and production numbers for August were in line with our expectation for the month. After the reopening of Shanghai, sales rebounded strongly for the second consecutive month in July, continuing to be boosted by pent-up demand and the temporary purchase tax cut on PVs (from 1 June to 31 December 2022). The local governments’ and automakers’ sales promotions also played a role in the brisk demand. In the recently three months, some of the premium brands have been promoted by the purchase tax preferential policy, and the recovery of the market is obvious,” said LMC. Continue reading →

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Production Starts in Alabama of the Mercedes EQE SUV

Posted on 30 September 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Production Starts in Alabama of the Mercedes EQE SUV - copyright and courtesy of Mercedes-Benz

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Production has started in Alabama of the Mercedes EQE SUV – a taller and bigger version of the EQS sedan. Pricing ranges from $106,000 to more than $133,000. Mercedes with this full-size SUV is mounting a badly needed defense of its competitiveness in expensive luxury vehicles, which is under attack by Tesla, Lexus, BMW, Porsche, and Maybach, among others. (AutoInformed: First Look: Mercedes EQS All-Electric Sedan, Mercedes-Benz to Increase Focus as a Luxury Car Company, Back to School – E Before Q at MBUSA)

By 2030, the subsidiary of Daimler now – belatedly? – wants more than half the cars it sells to have electric drive systems – this includes all-electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids, areas it has been slow to embrace. Continue reading →

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