Volta Trucks Road Show Heading to Madrid

Posted on 30 March 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Press Release EVs - Volta Trucks Raises €230M Capital Funding

Ambitious production plans clouded or helped by Putin’s war against Ukraine?

Volta Trucks said today it will be in Madrid on the 5th  and 6th April, hyping the Volta Zero 16-ton truck at the Circuito del Jarma, home to the Spanish Grand Prix between 1968 and 1981. This follows the conclusion of a Series C funding round of €230 million last month.

Following the promised start of production this year, the vehicles could be in circulation in Madrid during  2023, a city that exceeded the EU’s air quality standard in 2021. Volta Trucks plans to produce 5,000 vehicles throughout Europe in 2023, increasing to 14,000 in 2024, 27,000 in 2025. The 16-tonne vehicle is the first of the four variants which range between 7.5- and 18-tonnes. Continue reading →

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Clean Truck, Bus CALSTART Incentives Available at CARB

Posted on 30 March 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on CALSTART Incentives for Clean Trucks, Buses

HVIP has funded more 9,000 clean trucks and buses.

The California Air Resources Board and CALSTART reopened incentives for clean trucks and buses today with more than $400 million now available to speed California’s move to zero-emission vehicles.

This  is the biggest funding round in the Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP) to date. Launched by the California Air Resources Board in 2009, HVIP provides for first-come, first-served incentives that reduce the incremental cost of commercial vehicles. The project is administered by CALSTART. Continue reading →

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Chinese Hyper EV – the Lotus Eletre SUV Debuts

Posted on 29 March 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Chinese Hyper EV- Lotus Eletre SUV Debuts

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The all-new and all-electric Lotus Eletre, billed as a progressive Hyper-SUV has debuted. It’s the first of a new line of pure electric SUVs from, ahem, Lotus. Known until now by its Lotus code-name, Type 132, the Eletre claims to be a “globally relevant product of sustainable mobility for a worldwide audience.”  Hyper, because Eletre joins select ‘Two-Second Club’ – capable of 0-100km/h (0-62mph) in less than three seconds.

“The Eletre, our Hyper-SUV, is a new performance car from an iconic performance car brand and it will appeal to independent-minded and adventurous driving enthusiasts -those who love the thrill of driving. It is a unique combination of beautiful design, exceptional dynamic performance and everyday usability, for those who dare to look beyond the conventional, and marks a turning point for our business and brand,” claimed Qingfeng Feng, CEO, Group Lotus. Continue reading →

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US Department of Transportation Budget for FY 2023 – $142B

Posted on 29 March 2022 by Ken Zino

The Biden-Harris Administration today submitted to Congress the President’s Budget for fiscal year 2023 of $5.89 trillion that included $142 billion for the Department of Transportation – a key government agency for the US’s vast automobile industry. (AutoInformed: President Biden Targets 50% Electric Vehicle Sales in 2030; Building Forward Better – President Biden, DOT, DOE Announce $5B National EV Charging Network; President Biden to Attend GM Factory ZERO Grand Opening; EPA Publishes Plan to Achieve Biden-Harris Priorities)

Automobility moves America by supporting a total of 10.3 million American jobs, or ~8% of private-sector employment; direct, indirect, and stimulated jobs supported by the auto industry create $650 billion in paychecks for millions of workers; Every job for an auto manufacturer in the United States creates ~11 other positions in industries in the economy. Continue reading →

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Commerce Releases Plan to Boost America’s Competitiveness

Posted on 28 March 2022 by Ken Zino

Today the Department of Commerce released its fiscal year 2022-2026 Strategic Plan laying out an “agenda for innovation, resilience and equity to strengthen America’s competitiveness in the 21st century.” Commerce also published the first-ever learning agenda, whereby all bureaus will build evidence on program outcomes.

While Commerce has revised its mission statement to underscore the connection between its programs and all Americans, specifically the Department’s mission is to create the conditions for economic growth and opportunity for all communities, AutoInformed thinks it’s going to take a lot more than publicity releases. Continue reading →

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German Automakers Bearing Brunt of Putin’s War on Ukraine

Posted on 28 March 2022 by Ken Zino

“The war in Ukraine has led to plant closures across Germany and a likely loss of around 150k units in March alone,” James Norris, Senior Analyst, European Light Vehicle Production at the respected LMC Automotive consultancy said today.

By the beginning of March this year, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, almost all automotive production in the two warring countries had come to a complete standstill. The problem for German automakers is that are dependent on Eastern European suppliers, including Ukraine.   Continue reading →

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EPA Publishes Plan to Achieve Biden-Harris Priorities

Posted on 28 March 2022 by Ken Zino

Today, the Environmental Protection Agency published its final Fiscal Year (FY) 2022-2026 EPA Strategic Plan to accompany EPA’s FY 2023 President’s Budget. The Strategic Plan provides ways to achieve EPA’s and the Biden-Harris Administration’s environmental priorities during the next four years.

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on EPA Publishes Plan to Achieve Biden-Harris Administration’s Priorities

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Ruckelshaus was appointed by President Nixon when the agency was created in 1970 and Republicans cared about the environment. Among his many accomplishments was the banning of the deadly pesticide DDT. Ruckelshaus, resigned as deputy attorney general rather than institute President Richard M. Nixon’s illegal order to fire the independent special Watergate prosecutor Archibald Cox in the constitutional crisis of 1973 dubbed the “Saturday Night Massacre.” Only a small, but significant number of Republicans have had the courage to do so under the ousted-by-legal-voters, treasonous Trump Administration whose still ongoing constitutional crisis’ and corruption scandals have now implicated the Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, whose wife was calling for the overthrow of  the duly elected government. Continue reading →

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GM Canada – Marissa West now President, Scott Bell moves to VP Global Chevrolet in US

Posted on 28 March 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on GM Canada Changes - Marissa West President, Scott Bell moves to VP Global Chevrolet

“With GM Canada manufacturing now growing quickly, another priority will be the launch of new vehicles including Canada’s first scale electric-vehicle production at CAMI later this year.”

General Motors today said Marissa West, currently executive chief engineer Global Mid-Size Truck & Medium Duty Truck, is president and managing director for GM Canada reporting to Steve Carlisle, executive vice president and president, North America. Scott Bell, currently president and managing director GM Canada will repatriate to the United States to lead the Chevrolet brand as vice president global Chevrolet also continuing to report to Steve Carlisle. The transition begins immediately.

West holds a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Michigan and a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Michigan State University. Marissa has four children with her husband Bob. She started working at GM as an intern in 2001. Continue reading →

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First Look – Maserati Grecale SUV

Posted on 27 March 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Maserati Grecale SUV

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An SUV from Modena, let alone electrified versions, might be jarring for the historically inclined or encumbered, but the new Maserati Grecale is billed as a balance between versatility, comfort, elegance, performance, and safety. Developed at the Maserati Innovation Lab in Modena, the new SUV is produced at the Cassino plant. Offered with a bewildering variety of options or equipment, it is the Trident brand’s most complicated line in history. (AutoInformed on: Maserati – First Italian Luxury Brand to Produce EVs?) Continue reading →

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Chinese Junk Watch: Walmart’s Dimensions Bluetooth Speaker Helmets

Posted on 25 March 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Chinese Junk Watch - Walmart’s Dimensions Bluetooth Speaker Helmets

The white label on the inside of the helmet contains the Item # ACTGEAR-238BTS in the bottom left corner.

Sakar International Dimensions Bluetooth Speaker Multi-Purpose Helmets are being recalled because they violate the U.S. Federal safety standard for bicycle helmets, posing a risk of head injury in a fall. They were sold at Walmart, and online at Walmart.com from July 2020 through January 2022 for about $25.

The helmets are black with black straps and a black buckle. The white label on the inside of the helmet contains the Item # ACTGEAR-238BTS in the bottom left corner. Continue reading →

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Hagerty International Offers UK Track Insurance

Posted on 25 March 2022 by Ken Zino

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Hagerty International Offers UK Track InsuranceHagerty International (NYSE: HGTY) said today that it is offering its first dedicated UK motorsport insurance products, working in partnership with Gullwing Racing Insurance*. The new on-track insurance is  “designed to offer the highest levels of cover for amateur and professional motorsport activities, providing the ultimate peace of mind for teams and drivers who prefer to focus on racing,” Haggerty said. Track day coverage is available for both road registered and competition vehicles,  while driving solo on a track day or receiving professional tuition. Continue reading →

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UK Plans to Up EV Chargers to 300K by 2030.

Posted on 25 March 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on UK Plans to Up EV Chargers to 300K by 2030.

“This £1 billion investment is vital to provide the charging infrastructure the UK needs,”  said Richard Bartlett, Senior Vice President, bp pulse.

The UK’s charging network got a huge boost today as  the government unveiled plans to help  the UK market reach 300,000 public electric vehicle (EV) chargepoints*** by 2030. This is the equivalent to almost 5 times the number of fuel pumps on UK roads today.

Backed by £1.6 billion, under the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Strategy, charging will become easier and cheaper than refueling a petrol or diesel car, while new legal requirements on operators will see drivers of EVs able to pay by contactless, compare charging prices and find nearby chargepoints via apps, the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) said. Continue reading →

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February EU Commercial Vehicle Registrations Drop -15.7%

Posted on 25 March 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on February EU Commercial Vehicle Registrations Drop -15.7%

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During February 2022, new commercial vehicle registrations dropped across the European Union, down 15.7% to 131,874 units. Except for heavy commercial vehicles, all segments recorded declines. The four key markets in the region also all suffered losses: Spain (-23.3%), France (-21.4%), Germany (-8.1%) and Italy (-4.8%), according to the latest numbers from the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA).

From January to February, demand for commercial vehicles in the EU decreased by 13.5% to 257,127 units registered in total. Spain (-21.9%), France (-19.3%), Germany (-5.8%) and Italy (-2.8%) all recorded declines. Putin’s war against Ukraine continues to present uncertain, but no doubt negative impacts on the global auto industry. The Medium and Heavy Truck segments throughout the European region are now clearly under extreme risk. (AutoInformed on: Ukraine – EU Truck Sectors at Immediate Risk. Others to Unfold)

Continue reading →

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Failed Negotiations, Lockout – Rolls-Royce Canada on Strike

Posted on 24 March 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Rolls-Royce Canada Workers Strike Over failed Negotiations, Management Lockout

There have been 25 bargaining sessions.

Rolls-Royce Canada locked out 530 workers at the Côte-de-Liesse aircraft engine maintenance factory in Montréal while they were attending a general meeting to discuss progress at the bargaining table on 15th of March.

Some 530 aircraft engine maintenance workers have been without a collective agreement for two years since March 2020. 
Continue reading →

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CARB Tightens Diesel Emissions Regs for Commercial Harbor Craft. First Emissions Requirements For Some Boats

Posted on 24 March 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on CARB Tightens Diesel Emissions Regs for Commercial Harbor Craft

The amendments are projected to yield more than $5 billion in health benefits.

The California Air Resources Board today approved updates to its Commercial Harbor Craft Regulation aimed at reducing emissions from harbor craft like tugboats and ferries operated near California’s coast to improve public health in nearby communities, many of which are disadvantaged.

The amendments affect all categories of commercial harbor craft and establish the first emission standard requirements for commercial passenger fishing vessels, pilot vessels, tank barges over 400 feet, work boats and research vessels. Continue reading →

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