Stellantis: $99 Million for New Engine at Three N.A. Plants

Posted on 1 August 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Stellantis: $99 Million for New Engine Production at Three N.A. Plants

Then Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne with a 1.4-liter, 16-valve engine built at Dundee.

Stellantis N.V. (NYSE / MTA / Euronext Paris: STLA), the mega merger of FCA and Peugeot, said today that it will invest $99 million in three North American plants for production of a new four-cylinder turbocharged engine. Affected are the Dundee Engine Complex in Michigan, the Kokomo Casting Plant in Indiana and the Etobicoke Casting Plant in Toronto. This fulfills one of the covenants of the successful taxpayer-financed bailout of FCA. (AutoInformed: Stellantis: Record First Half 2022 at €8.0 Billion Net Profit) Continue reading →

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Subaru Recalls 2015-2021 WRX Sedans For Backup Lights

Posted on 1 August 2022 by Ken Zino

Subaru of America, Inc. is recalling 2015-2021 WRX sedans. The backup light switch may corrode and become inoperative, which can result in the backup lights not illuminating and the rearview camera image not displaying when the vehicle is in reverse. About 60,000 WRX sedans may have the safety defect.

In the required NHTSA filing made public today, Subaru said: “The operating environment of the Backup Lamp Switch may expose the internal switch contacts to heated oil. When heated, sulfur in the oil may cause a chemical reaction with the materials used on the switch terminal contact surfaces and plate spring. Continue reading →

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Renault Group: Sales Drop, Revenues Even, Margins, Profits Up

Posted on 29 July 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Renault Group: Sales Drop, Revenues Even, Margins, Profits Up

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Renault Group* said today that its in-depth transformation and turnaround of its activities continued during the first half of 2022. “These first half results are a proof of this: despite all the headwinds related to the stop of the activity in Russia, the semiconductor crisis and cost inflation, the Group continues to improve its operating performance and is beginning to benefit from the success of new launches,” Renault Group said.

Renault Group also “upgraded” its 2022 full-year financial outlook**. In the fall, new mid-term financial outlook and the accelerated roll-out of  the so-called Renaulution will be presented during its Capital Market Day. “All our energies are mobilized to transform Renault Group into a competitive, tech and sustainable player,” said Luca de Meo, CEO of Renault Group. Continue reading →

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Flo~Pro Performance Exhaust To Halt Sales of Defeat Devices

Posted on 29 July 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Flo~Pro Performance Exhaust To Halt Sales of Defeat Devices

EPA estimates the subject parts from these companies in 2016-2019 may have resulted in more than 775 million pounds of excess nitrogen oxides emissions and 6.7 million pounds of excess particulate matter over the life of affected vehicles.

Red Deer Exhaust Inc. (DBA Flo~Pro Performance Exhaust) and Thunder Diesel & Performance Company will stop selling devices that bypass or disable vehicle emissions controls, and pay a $1.6 million penalty, to resolve allegations they violated the Clean Air Act, the Environmental Protection Agency said today.

The complaint, filed simultaneously with the consent decree, alleges that the parts described below are “defeat devices” prohibited by the CAA. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that prior to its 2018 investigation, Flo~Pro manufactured or sold more than 100,000 aftermarket defeat devices in the United States per year. In early 2019, Flo~Pro suspended sales of the defeat devices in the United States in an effort to resolve this matter. The consent decree for this settlement was lodged in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas and will be open for public comments for a period of 30 days.
 Continue reading →

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Stellantis: Record First Half 2022 at €8.0 Billion Net Profit

Posted on 29 July 2022 by Ken Zino

Stellantis N.V. (NYSE / MTA / Euronext Paris: STLA), the mega merger of FCA and Peugeot, posted record profitability during the first half or 2020 because of increasing sales of low emission vehicles (LEV), which include battery electric (BEV), plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and fuel cell electric vehicles. Stellantis said it ranked second in the EU30 market for BEV and LEV sales, and third in the U.S. market for LEV sales.. Stellantis’ global BEV sales were up nearly 50% y-o-y to 136,000 units in H1. The company now offers 20 BEVs, with an additional 28 BEVs to be launched through 2024.

“In a demanding global context, we continue to ‘Dare Forward,’ delivering an outstanding performance and executing our bold electrification strategy. Together with our employees’ resiliency, agility and entrepreneurial mindset, and our innovative partners, we are shaping Stellantis into a sustainable mobility tech company that’s fit for the future. I would like to express my sincere appreciation to all Stellantis employees for their commitment and their contribution to these results,” said Carlos Tavares, CEO. (AutoInformed: Dare Forward 2030 – Stellantis Survival Plan Unveiled)
 Continue reading →

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Police Pickup: 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning Pro SSV

Posted on 28 July 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Police Pickup: 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning Pro SSV

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Ford Motor said this morning that it is launching “America’s first electric pickup truck purpose-built for police: the 2023 Ford F-150® Lightning™ Pro Special Service Vehicle.

Ford, which is badly behind in EV sales and development – it made 14,000 EVs in June – has an opportunity here. Ford has been providing police departments with the than 70 years. Ford Pro customers include more than 12,000 police departments across the country now. Ford said “its police vehicle lineup outsells all other police vehicles combined1. The company attributes this success and customer loyalty to the automaker’s close collaboration with its customers through the Ford Police Advisory Board. (AutoInformed on: Ford Police Interceptor Claws Back the Profitable Business that Dearborn Abandoned by Killing the Crown Victoria in 2011; De-Carbonize the Police. Ford Submits EV to Michigan)
 Continue reading →

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Ford Motor Posts Good Earnings But Weak Net Income

Posted on 27 July 2022 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor (NYSE: F) late today said that during Q2 of 2022 it had revenue of $40.2 billion because of a 35% increase in wholesale shipments together with “favorable pricing and vehicle mix.” Operating cash flow was $2.9 billion and adjusted free cash flow was $3.6 billion, with automotive EBIT of $3.3 billion. Ford ended the quarter with $29 billion in cash, $45 billion in total liquidity.

However, Ford’s net income was $667 million, a margin of 1.7%, which included a mark-to-market loss of, gulp, $2.4 billion on Ford’s stake in Rivian. Ford is also in the process of slashing costs under its latest restructuring plan, but refused to comment on pending job cuts, which are being reported by Bloomberg as around 8000 white collar positions in a bid to cut $3 billion in costs, other than to say there are too many people. Continue reading →

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US July Sales Forecast Down. Prices, Profits Still Records

Posted on 27 July 2022 by Ken Zino

New-vehicle retail sales for July 2022 are expected to decline when compared with July 2021, according to a joint forecast released today from J.D. Power and LMC Automotive. Retail sales of new vehicles this month are expected to reach 988,400 units, a 10.8% decrease compared with July 2021 when adjusted for selling days. July 2022 has one less selling day compared with July 2021. Comparing the same sales volume without adjusting for the number of selling days translates to a decrease of 14.1% from 2021.

Total new-vehicle sales for July 2022, including retail and non-retail transactions, are projected to reach 1,159,700 units, a 5.7% decrease from July 2021. Comparing the sales volume without adjusting for the number of selling days translates to a decrease of 9.2% from 2021. The seasonally adjusted annualized rate (SAAR) for total new-vehicle sales is expected to be 13.7 million units, down 0.9 million units from 2021. Continue reading →

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Penske Automotive Group: Record Q2 Earnings of $500 Million

Posted on 27 July 2022 by Ken Zino

Penske Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE: PAG) today said it set all-time record quarterly earnings during Q2 of 2022 as earnings before taxes increased 8% to $500 million. Income From Continuing Operations increased 10% to $374 million. Earnings per share increased 17% to $4.93.

“I am pleased to report that our diversified business delivered all-time record quarterly earnings for the second quarter of 2022, including a sequential improvement in earnings before taxes, income from continuing operations, and earnings per share when compared to the first quarter of 2022. Despite the supply constraints that continue to impact inventory availability, demand remains strong, and we continue to benefit from the diversification of our operations,” said Chair and CEO Roger Penske.* Continue reading →

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NHTSA: Investigation on Sudden Bronco Engine Failures

Posted on 27 July 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on NHTSA: Investigation on Sudden Bronco Engine Failures

Pre-production 2021 two-door Bronco.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said in public filing this week that it had opened at the end of May of this year a formal investigation of 32 consumer complaints alleging that 2021 Ford Bronco SUVs suddenly lose power at highway speeds.

It the latest example of ongoing Ford Motor quality problems and safety defects. Ford said during the Bronco introduction: “The all-new Bronco® two- and four-door traditional midsize SUVs represent the flagship models for the Built Wild™ Bronco brand and are ready to deliver thrilling off-road experiences with their heritage-inspired style, rugged engineering and smart off-road technology.” Continue reading →

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GM Q2 Earnings at $2.3B Off -$1.1B YoY

Posted on 26 July 2022 by Ken Zino

General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) today reported second-quarter net income attributable to stockholders of $1.7 billion and EBIT-adjusted of $2.3 billion, in line with the earnings update the company issued on July 1.

This was a significant drop of $1.1 billion in a year-over year comparison as net pricing increases, strong demand and more upscale vehicle sales were more than offset by disrupted production, increased costs and lost sales (90,000 built but not complete?) from lean inventories especially in June. In a word – semiconductors.
 Continue reading →

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GM and LG Chem Have Deal on Battery Materials

Posted on 26 July 2022 by Ken Zino

LG Chem and General Motors (NYSE: GM) announced today a binding agreement for the supply of Cathode Active Material (CAM) from LG Chem to GM.

The supply agreement – the latest in the EV battery ‘gold rush’ – will help GM meet its growing EV production needs. CAM is a key battery material consisting of components such as processed nickel, lithium and other materials representing about 40% of the cost of a battery cell.
 Continue reading →

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GM: Virtual EV Specialists Available for Free Consult

Posted on 25 July 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on GM: Virtual EV Specialists Available for Free Consult

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General Motors today launched EV Live. In a release, GM said it’s “an immersive, virtual experience that allows participants to interact one-on-one with EV specialists and learn everything about electric vehicles – for free.”

The online program offers a space (screen?) for real conversations about EVs. EV Live will also help prepare GM dealers, employees, fleet and commercial customers, utilities and third-party collaborators for the all-electric future that virtually all automakers and some policy people think is coming. Continue reading →

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Blinded: More Software Recalls from Mercedes-Benz, Toyota

Posted on 25 July 2022 by Ken Zino

There’s irony in the ongoing automotive hardware safety problems that are caused by a software infection. In the latest two examples of expensive, normally robust machines by Mercedes-Benz and Toyota have vision systems that are subject to the safety-defect recalls that were publicly revealed today by The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Mercedes-Benz USA is recalling 2022 AMG EQS53, EQS580, EQS450, 2021 S500, S580, and Maybach S580 vehicles. The rearview camera may not display the rearview image due to a software error in the MBUX multimedia system. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, “Rear Visibility.”

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing is recalling 2022 Tundra and Tundra Hybrid vehicles equipped with a Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) system. Incorrect programming of the parking-assist electronic-control unit (ECU) software may cause the front camera image to appear on the multimedia display instead of the rear camera imagewhen the shifter is placed into reverse. These vehicles also fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, “Rear Visibility.” Continue reading →

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Aston Martin: 100th anniversary of First Grand Prix in France

Posted on 23 July 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Aston Martin 100th anniversary of First Grand Prix - photo courtesy of and copyright Aston Martin all rights reserved.

TT1 – Vettel driving and Herbert, both with their own racing histories.

This weekend’s Formula One race allows Aston Martin mark the centenary of its maiden challenge at the 1922 French Grand Prix. Aston notes that no current Formula One “manufacturer has such an early history of top-flight competition.” The current Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula OneTM Team will race with original Aston Martin button badge on its cars.

Ahead of Sunday’s Grand Prix, four-time F1® world champion Sebastian Vettel drove TT1 – warmly nicknamed ‘Green Pea’ – around Circuit Paul Ricard, 100 years after the celebrated car took to the road circuit of Strasbourg for a 60-lap, 800 km race as one of two Aston Martin entries. Continue reading →

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