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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Electrify America Redesigns its Charging Stations

Posted on 24 March 2022 by Ken Zino

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Electrify America Redesigns its Charging StationsElectrify America today announced a new design for some of its future charging stations for electric vehicle customers as they transition to electric mobility.

In addition to this “new, customer-focused design evolution, the company will be introducing its next generation charger with functional design updates to improve the direct charging experience for the customer,” EA said in a release. Continue reading →

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Lotus Hethel Factory Tours Restart for £95

Posted on 24 March 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Lotus Hethel Factory Tours Resume for £95 – Elmira line

Outside, guests will  pass the 2.2-mile test track that hosted famous motorsport names – Jim Clark, Mario Andretti, Emerson Fittipaldi, Ayrton Senna…

Factory tours of the Hethel, home of Lotus since 1966, are resuming for the public Lotus said today starting at £95 per visitor. Tours at the Norfolk site were paused in November 2017 for a £100 million makeover to prepare for Emira production, the last petrol-powered (global warming gasoline – Yanks) car from Lotus.

Elmira is now in production in an all-new assembly hall. The tour program has been developed by an “experiential team” within the recently launched Lotus Advanced Performance division and will begin on Monday 4 April. Continue reading →

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Italian Battery Plant Moves Ahead with Final Deal among Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis, TotalEnergies/Saft

Posted on 23 March 2022 by Ken Zino

Stellantis’ existing Termoli plant in Italy will be transformed to a  battery making facility because of a final agreement to add Mercedes-Benz as a new, equal partner with TotalEnergies/Saft and Stellantis. The potential deal was previously announced and now remains subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals.

Automotive Cells Company was founded by Stellantis and TotalEnergies/Saft in August 2020.This will be ACC’s third production site. The Partners are accelerating ACC development with an objective of at least 120 gigawatt hours of cell capacity by 2030 and to scale up development and production of next-generation high-performance battery cells and modules.
 Continue reading →

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