Toyota Motor North America June US Sales Down -17.9%

Posted on 1 July 2022 by Ken Zino

Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) reported US. sales in June 2022 of 170,155 vehicles, down -17.9% on a volume basis and -21.1% daily selling rate (DSR) basis compared to June 2021. June 2022 sales of electrified vehicles totaled 39,965, or 23.5% of total monthly sales. Based on preliminary data, it looks like industry wide sales will decline ~-20%. ( US June Vehicle Sales Forecast is Down on Record Prices)

“Despite the ongoing inventory challenges, so far this year, we launched a number of highly anticipated new products, including the Toyota battery electric bZ4X, Tundra and hybrid Tundra, and the Lexus LX, while continuing to closely focus on taking care of our customers,” said Jack Hollis, executive vice president, Sales, TMNA. “Later this year, customers can expect even more electrified, refreshed and limited-edition Toyota and Lexus products.” Continue reading →

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More Stellantis Startup Ventures Coming

Posted on 1 July 2022 by Ken Zino

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on More Stellantis Startup Ventures ComingStellantis N.V. said today it will host the Stellantis Startup Awards on Wednesday 13 July 2022, at 2:30 pm CEST, 8:30 am EDT. The terse statement aimed at investors said, “The digital event will introduce seven key technology partners that will accelerate Stellantis’ transformation into a sustainable, mobility tech company and advance its Dare Forward 2030 ambitions.”

Stellantis, the mega-merger of  FCA and PSA,  claims it will be “the industry champion in the fight against climate change, reaching carbon net zero emissions by 2038.” The sweeping, difficult plan is aspirational – similar to other global automakers as the deadly effects of climate change worsen. Carlos Tavares, Chief Executive Officer, will share the Company’s latest strategic moves.  (AutoInformed Dare Forward 2030 – Stellantis Survival Plan Unveiled.  More below.) Continue reading →

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Hyundai Ioniq 5 Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS

Posted on 30 June 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Hyundai Ioniq 5 Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS

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The all-new 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5, an electric small SUV now has a Top Safety Pick+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

To earn either of the Institute’s two awards in 2022, vehicles must earn good ratings in six IIHS crash-worthiness evaluations, including the driver-side small overlap front, passenger-side small overlap front, moderate overlap front, original side, roof strength and head restraint tests. Continue reading →

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GM Expands EV First Responder Training in US, Canada

Posted on 30 June 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on GM Expands EV First Responder Training in US, Canada

Look out for orange-colored wiring that indicates high voltage.

GM (NYSE:GM) said today that it is expanding efforts to educate public safety, fire and emergency service providers throughout the United States and Canada as EV sales grow.

The company’s latest EV First Responder Training program will focus primarily on personnel in fire services, providing instruction and sharing of best practices on how to most effectively support emergency situations involving electric vehicles, including Chevrolet Bolt EV and Bolt EUV, GMC HUMMER EV Pickup and Cadillac LYRIQ. The training consists of live presentations and other formats, including combinations of expert presentations, videos, animations and virtual demonstrations. Continue reading →

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Marco Fioravanti is New Nissan Americas VP Product Planning

Posted on 30 June 2022 by Ken Zino

Nissan Americas said today that Marco Fioravanti, currently vice president, Product Planning for Nissan’s AMIEO region (Africa, Middle East, India, Europe & Oceania), will join the Americas region as vice president, Product Planning, Nissan U.S. and Canada. (AutoInformed.com on: Nissan Posts First Annual Profit in Three Years.)

Fioravanti has been with Nissan for more than nine years in a variety of positions, including Product Strategy & Planning in Switzerland and France, as well as Product Marketing at global headquarters in Japan. Continue reading →

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Tickets On Sale for 2022 Chattanooga Motorcar Festival

Posted on 29 June 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Tickets On Sale for 2022 Chattanooga Motorcar Festival

Remember how to take a vacation? Here’s a suggestion.

Tickets to the 2022 Chattanooga Motorcar Festival on Oct. 14-16, 2022, are now on sale. Click Here Registration is also open for the Concours d’Elegance here, and the Pace Grand Prix at the Bend here.

Event tickets allow access to all the Festival events, including the Concours d’Elegance and the awards ceremony on Sunday, the Mecum Auctions on Friday and Saturday at the Convention Center, racing at the Pace Grand Prix at the Bend, and other events in West Village and nearby locations. Continue reading →

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Hyundai Motor Ioniq 6 EV Partly Revealed

Posted on 29 June 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Hyundai Motor IONIQ 6 EV Partly Revealed

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Hyundai Motor Company today revealed some of the IONIQ 6, the second model in its Ioniq all-electric-vehicle brand. Ioniq 6, which Hyundai describes as an Electrified Streamliner, is aerodynamically shaped and uses of sustainable materials, which it says, “reflect today’s EV customers’ values.”

The interior was developed simultaneously with the exterior. “Efforts were made to maximize and optimize the interior space, stretching it at the front and rear, resulting in a unique streamliner silhouette and spacious interior,” said Hyundai. To AutoInformed, it is strikingly similar to the Mercedes-Benz EQS (AutoInformed: First Look: Mercedes EQS All-Electric Sedan; Mercedes EQS Sedan Valet Parks Itself in Los Angeles) Continue reading →

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Vehicle Quality Flaws at 36-Year Record High

Posted on 29 June 2022 by Ken Zino

Initial vehicle quality drastically declined setting a record, according to the J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Initial Quality StudySM (IQS)*. The disruptions caused by the pandemic: supply chain issues, record-high vehicle prices and personnel dislocations, contributed to quality woes. Compared with 2021 results, the auto industry experienced an 11% increase in problems per 100 vehicles (PP100), which is 18 PP100 worse than last year, resulting in an industry average of 180 PP100. A lower score reflects higher vehicle quality.

AutoInformed notes that not one US plant from any automaker had a quality award. They went to plants in Canada and Mexico. Continue reading →

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Mercedes-Benz and Unions Agree on EV Production Plans

Posted on 29 June 2022 by Ken Zino

Mercedes-Benz said in Stuttgart today that it has reached agreement with “employee representatives”  on future European production plans for  its new electric portfolio. This means that the Works Council and the powerful IG Metall union, which represents the industrial sector in Europe’s largest economy, supports how the factories are being allocated. The production portfolio already includes six all-electric Mercedes-EQ models. These are being built at six locations on three continents.

“The shift toward an electric and digital future is a big challenge and at the same time an opportunity. What is clear is that our production portfolio is undergoing a transformation, and with it our tasks and employment profiles. Today we have once again shown that we, together with the works council, have reached viable and forward-looking solutions for our production sites, our company and its employees. I am delighted that we are able to offer our colleagues new opportunities in future,” said Sabine Kohleisen, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, Human Resources and Labor Director. Continue reading →

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Honda Recalls 2006-14 Ridgeline Pickups for Fuel Tank Failures

Posted on 27 June 2022 by Ken Zino

American Honda Motor is recalling 2006-2014 Ridgeline pickup trucks* because collected road salt may cause the frame mounting surface, where the fuel tank mounting bands are attached, to corrode and possibly detach the fuel tank, which can result in a fuel leak or fire.

As of June 9, 2022, Honda has received five customer complaints from the U.S. market between November 2016 through November 2021, and no reports of fires or injuries related to this issue. The driver may hear noises from the fuel tank and/or fuel tank mounting bands impacting the undercarriage area. Continue reading →

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Watkins Glen: Rain, Red Flag, Busted Rules Cloud Results

Posted on 27 June 2022 by Ken Zino

Lightning in the area of Watkins Glen International Raceway caused the feature 6-hour endurance race to be red-flagged with just over 90 minutes remaining. As a result, racing against the clock took on new meaning as the minimum one-hour, 30-minute drive time applied for each driver in every class except DPi. When the stewards sorted it all out, the clock was adjusted to one hour, 17 minutes over what became five-plus hours. This nullified the pit stop strategy for several teams and meant some drivers were short of the 90-minute drive time.

The upshot: BMW M Team RLL and Winward Racing lost IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship GTD PRO and GTD class victories, respectively. Andretti Autosport team finished third in Le Mans Prototype 3. Continue reading →

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Penske Motorsport Heads List of Porsche 963 WEC and IMSA Contenders During 2023. A New Golden Age of Racing?

Posted on 25 June 2022 by Ken Zino

Penske Motorsport Heads List of Porsche 963 WEC and IMSA Contenders During 2023. A New Golden Age of Racing?The Porsche Penske Motorsport team will run the new Porsche 963 in the toughest endurance races during 2023 as the factory team. Two of the hybrid LMDh-spec prototypes will be in both the FIA World Endurance Championship and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. The racing car was unveiled on Friday 24 June at Goodwood in England. (AutoInformed: IMSA – 194 Cars Entered at Watkins Glen Races This Weekend)

This is an intercontinental program as sports car racing enters what could be a new golden age with ever increasing participants and global audiences. For the first time in some 30 years, it will be possible to compete for overall victories in the endurance classics at Le Mans, Sebring and Daytona with cars of identical construction. Continue reading →

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Bentley Mulliner to Build 12 New 1929-30 Le Mans Winners

Posted on 24 June 2022 by Ken Zino

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Bentley Mulliner to Build 12 New 1929-30 Le Mans WinnersBentley Mulliner  said today it will bring the Speed Six back to life with a new batch of 12 cars. Each will be mechanically and aesthetically authentic to the Bentley racers that won Le Mans in 1929 and 1930. Mulliner, the oldest coach-builder extant in the world, has pre-sold all of them starting at £1.5m each.

The buyers will get “identical” cars with a 6.5-liter straight-six engine, rated at 200 bhp, with a 125-mph top speed. The components are said to not only physically identical but in many cases are crafted using the same techniques used in the 1920s. Continue reading →

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US June Vehicle Sales Forecast is Down on Record Prices

Posted on 24 June 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on US June Vehicle Sales Forecast is Down on Record Prices

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New-vehicle retail sales for June 2022 are forecast to decline when compared with June 2021, according to a joint forecast from J.D. Power and LMC Automotive.

Retail sales of new vehicles this month are expected to reach 965,300 units, a 18.2% decrease compared with June 2021 when adjusted for selling days. June 2022 has 1 additional selling day compared to June 2021. Comparing the same sales volume without adjusting for selling days changes to a decrease of 15.0% from 2021.
 Continue reading →

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Toyota to Build Suzuki SUV in India for Both Brands

Posted on 24 June 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Toyota to Build Suzuki SUV in India for Both Brands

This is an old, perhaps larger version used by both companies.

Toyota and Suzuki said today that the two companies will now start production of a new SUV model developed by Suzuki at Toyota Kirloskar Motor Pvt. Ltd. (TKM) this August.

Maruti Suzuki India Limited and TKM will market the new model in India as Suzuki and Toyota models, respectively. It will likely be the Toyota Hyryder and Maruti Vitara. The two companies are planning to export the new model, code name D22, to markets outside India including Africa. Continue reading →

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