Expedition, Navigator Fire Fix Found After NHTSA Alert

Posted on 8 July 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Ford Expediton and Lincoln Navigator Fires.

Ford has received 21 reports of under hood fires, including five since the original recall filing.

Ford Motor Company said today that it has identified a remedy for customers affected by an under-hood fire recall on 2021 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator SUVs. The company has communicated repair procedures to dealers. (AutoInformed on: NHTSA Consumer Advisory – 2021 Expedition, Navigator Fires)

Parts are still not available for some vehicles. Moreover, Ford is expanding the population to include a total of 66,221 Expedition and Navigator SUVs in the U.S. built between July 27, 2020 and Aug. 31, 2021 based on further analysis of the causes for the fires. Ford has received 21 reports of under hood fires – including five since the original recall filing in May – with 18 incidents on vehicles owned by rental companies.
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IMSA Prototype Challenge Nixed for VP Racing SportsCar Challenge

Posted on 7 July 2022 by Ken Zino

A new, multiple-class, sprint-race series makes its debut in 2023 by the  International Motor Sports Association. Dubbed the IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge, it replaces the current IMSA Prototype Challenge series. VP Racing Fuels has been a long-standing supporter of sports car racing.

All 2023 IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge races will be streamed live in the United States on Peacock, with television coverage airing post-event on USA Network. Live race streaming for international audiences will be available on IMSA.com. This in AutoInformed’s view is the core IMSA problem – the lack of consistent access to all the races for all fans. Continue reading →

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US International Trade Deficit Decreased in May 2022

Posted on 7 July 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on US International Trade Deficit Decreased in May 2022

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The US Census Bureau and the US Bureau of Economic Analysis said today that the goods and services deficit was $85.5 billion in May, down $1.1 billion from $86.7 billion in April, revised. May exports were $255.9 billion, $3.0 billion more than April exports. May imports were $341.4 billion, $1.9 billion more than April imports.

The May decrease in the goods and services deficit reflected a decrease in the goods deficit of $2.9 billion to $105.0 billion and a decrease in the services surplus of $1.7 billion to $19.4 billion. The average goods and services deficit decreased $0.9 billion to $93.3 billion for the three months ending in May.  Continue reading →

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Mercedes-Benz Starting Global E-Learning for Employees

Posted on 7 July 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Mercedes-Benz Starting Global E-Learning for Employees

“Limitless opportunities for lifelong learning.”

Mercedes-Benz in Stuttgart today said that the digital and electric transformation is changing all job profiles so it is starting lifelong learning with a global rollout of e-learning platforms.

Corporate management and the General Works Council have agreed to introduce an extensive range of further training and retraining via e-learning platforms for company and private use. The “customized learning paths” are for the entire professional life of production and administration personnel. (read AutoInformed on: Mercedes-Benz and Unions Agree on EV Production Plans) Continue reading →

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Infrastructure Law Funds Improving Airport Terminals

Posted on 7 July 2022 by Ken Zino

The Biden Administration today said nearly $1B in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will go to improving airport terminals. The latest projects will increase airport capacity, energy efficiency and accessibility. They are spread among small, medium and large communities across country. Historically, the FAA has invested in runways, traffic-control towers and back-of-house infrastructure. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has dedicated funding to help with modernizing terminals.

“Americans deserve modern airports that meet the needs of their families and growing passenger demand. Funded through President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, today’s grants will improve airport terminals while also creating good jobs in communities across the country,” said US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. Continue reading →

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West European Car Sales Remain Weak at 9.8M Annual Rate

Posted on 6 July 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on West European Car Sales Remain Weak at 9.8M Annual Rate

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The West European passenger vehicle selling rate remained at 9.8 mn units/year in June, bringing the H1 2022 average to just 8.8 mn units/year, according to the LMC Automotive Consultancy*.

New vehicle registrations remain poor because of ongoing supply constraints, with selling rates below annual results during the pandemic years of 2020 and 2021. Continue reading →

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IIHS: Federal Rule On Truck Under-Ride Inadequate

Posted on 6 July 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on IIHS: Federal Rule On Truck Underride Inadequate

“IIHS crash testing has shown it’s possible to design guards that can withstand crashes with a narrow overlap, but the new rule does not require such testing,” said IIHS President David Harkey.

The IIHS said today that the National Highway Safety Administration’s announcement of an updated rule for rear under-ride protection on large trucks is an ineffective approach.

“In its long-awaited rule on truck under-ride protection, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) appears to be out of sync with the Safe System strategy adopted by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) earlier this year. Continue reading →

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Demand Greater than Supply during June in US

Posted on 6 July 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Demand Greater than Supply during June in US

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New US light-vehicle sales in June 2022 were down year-over-year and barely up from last month. June 2022’s SAAR of 13 million units was down 16% compared with June 2021, but up 2.3% compared with May 2022. June’s sales brought the second-quarter SAAR to a total of 13.4 million units, a decrease from the first quarter’s 14.1 million. According to Wards Intelligence, inventory at the start of June 2022 was down 25% year-over-year and was less than a third of the pre-pandemic level.

“The shortage of microchips continues to limit vehicle production, but it’s not the only hurdle. Numerous other supply chain disruptions have limited OEM production, and many OEMs continue to nearly complete their vehicles and park them while they await chips. Unfortunately, these supply chain issues will continue to limit new-vehicle production, inventory and sales levels for the rest of the year,” said Patrick Manzi, chief economist of the National Automobile Dealers Association.
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US DOT Gives Spirit Slots at Newark as Airlines Bilk Flyers

Posted on 5 July 2022 by Ken Zino

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on US DOT Gives Spirit Slots at Newark as Airlines Bilk Flyers The US Department of Transportation today reassigned16 peak-hour runway timings, aka slots, previously operated by Southwest Airlines at Newark-Liberty International Airport to Spirit Airlines.

This comes as as weary people attempt to resume some sort of normal post-covid routines after the disastrous Trump mis-administration that ignored the deadly effects of a corona virus that is still mutating. Let the finger pointing start or rather continue. That said, AutoInformed notes once again that airlines are in effect a free international marketing tool that promotes the use of automobiles and automobility. Continue reading →

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Ford June US Sales Up 31%, YTD -8%

Posted on 5 July 2022 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company said today that it was better than the overall industry in June with sales up 31% on a good  mix of F-Series and SUV sales. The F-150 Lightning was the best-selling electric truck in June as EV Vehicle Sales increase 77% and Lincoln SUV sales rose 44%. However, both of those numbers reflect an extremely small base when compared year-over-year.

Thus far high gasoline prices, rising interest rates and declining to non-existent incentives have not had the expected negative effect on demand. Passenger cars sales at Ford dropped again by -43.3% at 26,302. Continue reading →

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Test Drives Key to Chinese Sales Satisfaction

Posted on 5 July 2022 by Ken Zino

The percentage of consumers deciding to purchase their new vehicle during the test drive has notably increased year over year and has become a key factor, according to the J.D. Power 2022 China Sales Satisfaction Index* (SSI) StudySM. However, the size of  the auto market in China has significantly slowed to micro-growth levels in the Covid-Pandemic world.

The study also finds that although the core value of a test drive is offering product experience, the quality of the salesperson’s introduction to the product also influences the purchase decision. The percentage of consumers who say they had an excellent introduction during the test drive is 4% higher than among those who say they did not have an excellent introduction. Continue reading →

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Ford Recalls 66,000 2022 F-150 BEVs, Bronco, Ranger Models

Posted on 5 July 2022 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company is recalling 2022 F-150 BEV vehicles equipped with 20″ or 22″ all season tires. The tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) light may not illuminate as intended, failing to warn the driver of low tire pressure. Ford Motor Company is also recalling 2022 Bronco and Ranger vehicles. The windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle, which could allow it to detach during a crash. All of the potentially unsafe vehicles fail to meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard, numbers FMVSS 138 and FMVSS 212, respectively. Ford said the cause is unknown. Continue reading →

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July 4th 2022: An Unhappy 246th Birthday for Our Democracy

Posted on 3 July 2022 by Ken Zino
July 4th 2022: An Unhappy 246th Birthday for Our Democracy

Some of us still aspire to uphold these ideals in their most encompassing sense.

With AutoInformed still reeling from the revelations of the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol, our approach to this Fourth of July is one with a renewed sense of patriotism.

No more sunshine patriot or summer soldier behaviors in these times that try all our souls; Rather we have a renewed commitment to travel the road we set upon 246 years ago when the Continental Congress approved the final wording of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. Continue reading →

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Volkswagen of America Q2 Sales Down -34% at 78,281

Posted on 1 July 2022 by Ken Zino

Volkswagen of America (VWoA) today reported Q2 2022 sales of 78,281 units, a decrease of 34.4% compered to the same period in 2021. ID.4 sales totaled 1,660 units in Q2. SUVs accounted for 79.3 % of total sales during Q2. The sales disaster went without comment from Volkswagen, which might mirror VW’s sentiments about the American market where it has been struggling for a long time. (Volkswagen Spending $20M on 50-State EV Dealer Fitness) Continue reading →

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BMW North America Q2 US Sales: BMW -18.3%, Mini -45%

Posted on 1 July 2022 by Ken Zino

During the second quarter of 2022, BMW brand sales in the U.S. totaled 78,905 vehicles, a decrease of -18.3% from the 94,144 vehicles sold in the record-setting Q2 of 2021. Based on preliminary data, it looks like industry sales will decline ~-20%. (US June Vehicle Sales Forecast is Down on Record Prices)

“We are pleased that demand remains strong, however this quarter was not without its challenges, as our sales were constricted only by the limitations of available inventory,” said Sebastian Mackensen, President and CEO, BMW of North America. Continue reading →

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