Ford Motor Structure Threatens Viability. Vast Reorg Coming

Posted on 2 March 2022 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor President and CEO Jim Farley said today that it is continuing to transform its global automotive business, accelerating the development and scaling of electric, connected vehicles, “while leveraging its iconic nameplates to strengthen operating performance and take full advantage of engineering and industrial capabilities.”

Executive summary – here comes a sweeping reorganization needed to survive in the 21st century mobility business. There will be two separate automobile businesses – one  is the old blacksmithing business – Ford Blue. The other  is the emerging EV business Ford e, where it is spending $5 billion on battery electric vehicles in 2022 with much more needed in the future.
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Dare Forward 2030 – Stellantis Survival Plan Unveiled

Posted on 1 March 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Dare Forward 2030 - Stellantis Survival Plan

“Dare Forward 2030 inspires us to become so much more than we’ve ever been,” said Tavares.

Stellantis N.V. today unveiled Dare Forward 2030, its strategic survival plan for the coming decade that will drive Stellantis employees to be ‘second to none’ in value creation for all stakeholders. Stellantis, the merged FCA and PSA,  claims it will be “the industry champion in the fight against climate change, reaching carbon net zero emissions by 2038.” The revised, sweeping and difficult plan as presented is aspirational and similar to other global automaker’s plans (see AutoInformed on GM and Toyota) as the deadly effects of climate change continue to worsen, which according to the latest UN Report out yesterday might be irreversible. Stellantis is far behind industry leaders on electrification.

Stellantis to survive must operate under the “frame of mobility” set by governments and societies, particularly the EU and US, Tavares said while acknowledging the “traps” of moving too fast he previously warned of still exist. “Who can afford to let a big car company fail,” he asked? That will be up to governments or states as Tavares calls them. How much in incentives for consumers – and for how long  – will be needed to spur electrification?
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Ford “Suspends” Russian Van Manufacturing and Sales

Posted on 1 March 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Ukraine - Commerce Puts Restrictions on Exports to Russia

Well, another supply chain disruption.

Today Ford Motor said its Russian operations of commercial van manufacturing and Russian sales through a minority interest in the Sollers-Ford joint venture are suspended effective immediately until further notice.

It’s the latest move by a global automaker to respond to Putin’s war that failed President Donald Trump and the Republican party endorses. (Read AutoInformed on: Ukraine – EU Truck Sectors at Immediate Risk. Others to Unfold; and Ukraine – Commerce Puts Restrictions on Exports to Russia) Continue reading →

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Finally – First Jeep EV Teased by Stellantis

Posted on 1 March 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on First Ever Jeep EV Teased by Stellantis

Welcome to the EV parade. Click to Enlarge.

At Stellantis’ Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan presentation today, Carlos Tavares, chief executive officer of Stellantis, revealed images of the first-ever 100% battery-electric Jeep SUV. It’s part of Jeep’s global initiatives toward the full electrification of its SUV portfolio.

This new fully electric Jeep vehicle is scheduled to be launched early next year. It’s claimed this will broaden the brand’s reach by taking the next step to the achievement of Jeep brand’s vision of Zero Emission Freedom. More information on the Jeep battery-electric vehicle (BEV) will be released in the coming months.

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Ukraine – EU Truck Sectors at Immediate Risk. Others to Unfold

Posted on 28 February 2022 by Ken Zino

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. Other collateral risks – such as the shutdown of Toyota in Japan this morning because of a cyber-attack – will only become apparent after they happen in AutoInformed’s view.

“The Ukrainian market and auto sector will, no doubt, bear the brunt but effects are also likely to be felt elsewhere in the region,” said  Zita Zigan, Director, Global CV at the respected LMC* consultancy this morning. “Some of the variables that are likely to be immediately affected are critically relevant to truck demand across the region,” Zigan said. Following are highlights of myriad problems – real and potential. Continue reading →

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NYET! Russian Grand Prix in Sochi Cancelled

Posted on 25 February 2022 by Ken Zino

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on NYET! Russian Grand Prix in Sochi CancelledFormula 1 announced today that the Russian Grand Prix scheduled for September at Sochi Autodrom has been cancelled. This came after a Thursday night meeting between Formula One teams and the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile. The race at the Black Sea resort of Sochi was  “impossible” to stage, according to an Associated Press story out of London.

Moreover, the American team Haas abandoned the sponsorship of Russian company Uralkali during preseason testing now going on in Barcelona. Nikita Mazepin of Haas is the only Russian driver in F1 for the impending 2022 season. The sponsorship is a Russian company Uralkali, where his father Dmitry is a shareholder. Continue reading →

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Ukraine – Commerce Puts Restrictions on Exports to Russia

Posted on 24 February 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Ukraine - Commerce Puts Restrictions on Exports to Russia

It will take global automakers time to sort out this latest disruption in the supply chain.

The U.S. Commerce Department today, through its Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), responded to Russia’s further invasion of Ukraine by implementing a “sweeping series of stringent export controls that will severely restrict Russia’s access to technologies and other items that it needs to sustain its aggressive military capabilities.” Thus far major automakers with operations and interests in Russia have been silent.

The export control measures are the most comprehensive application of Commerce’s export authorities on U.S. items, including technology, as well as on foreign items produced using U.S. equipment, software, and blueprints, targeting a single nation. These were implemented with the cooperation of the United States, the European Union (EU), Japan, Australia, United Kingdom, Canada, and New Zealand. More nations are expected to align their export control policies and requirements with todays actions. “If necessary, based upon any subsequent destabilizing actions by Russia, the U.S. government will follow up in the days to come with additional stringent economic measures,” Commerce said. Continue reading →

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Ukraine – Dialogue And Diplomacy Are Only Way Forward

Posted on 24 February 2022 by Ken Zino

As the Ukraine war unfolds, IndustriALL Global Union and IndustriALL European Trade Union’s affiliates today called for de-escalation of the conflict and a peaceful solution:

“The current tensions primarily affect ordinary people, disrupting their lives on a daily basis and increasing uncertainty for their future. It is also destabilizing the entire region, adding to the economic and social hardship. IndustriALL Global Union and IndustriALL European Trade Union urge the relevant policy makers from Ukraine, the Russian Federation, the USA, the EU and international organizations to redouble their efforts to focus the process towards one of dialogue and political solutions to ensure a stable peaceful outcome for Ukraine, and to guarantee security for Europe and Ukraine’s neighboring countries. Continue reading →

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Stellantis Claims Record First Year with €13.4B Net Profit

Posted on 23 February 2022 by Ken Zino

As a new company formed on 17 January 2021 by the merger of Fiat Chrysler, aka FCA, and Peugeot or PSA, Stellantis today posted what it called record results for 2021 with an adjusted operating margin 11.8% on income of  €18.0 billion and €13.4 Billion ($15.2B) Net Profit on a Pro Forma* basis. Given this, net profit almost tripled year-year-on-year.

“Today’s record results prove that Stellantis is well positioned to deliver strong performance, even in the most uncertain market environments,” said Carlos Tavares, CEO. “I warmly thank all Stellantis employees … for their contribution to building our new company powered by its diversity. I take this opportunity to also thank the management team for their relentless efforts as we faced and overcame intense headwinds. Together, we are focused on executing our plans as we race to become a sustainable mobility tech company,” Tavares concluded. Continue reading →

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Toyota Expands Customer Data Use for Insurance Savings

Posted on 23 February 2022 by Ken Zino

Connected Analytic Services, an affiliate of Toyota Insurance Management Solutions USA, has expanded its business with Toyota Motor North America by adding new products for owners of enrolled Toyota vehicles. CAS is Toyota’s exclusive data aggregator, providing telematics and vehicle build data to insurance companies on behalf of Toyota customers who want to use their driving data to receive potential insurance savings.

CAS does business with insurance carriers to provide customers with the ability to use their driving data to price their insurance “more accurately.” Drivers of Toyota vehicles interested in receiving potential insurance savings can opt in to Insure Connect, Toyota’s latest connected service. The company is also focused on creating a future of safer roads and improved driving conditions. (AutoInformed: Toyota and Amazon Web Services Working on Connected Cars, Ridesharing, Driving Behavior-Based Insurance…; Telematics – New Ford and Lincoln Vehicles Enable Insurance Company Monitoring of Your Driving Behaviors; Autonomous Vehicles to Cut Auto Insurance Biz 71% By 2050) Continue reading →

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EPA, Louisiana Fine Firestone Polymers for Air Pollution

Posted on 22 February 2022 by Ken Zino

The United States, together with the State of Louisiana, announced today said that the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana has approved a consent decree resolving alleged violations of the Clean Air Act and several other federal and state environmental laws at the Firestone Polymers’ synthetic rubber manufacturing facility in Sulfur, Louisiana. The settlement requires Firestone to install equipment controls to reduce emissions of hazardous air pollutants, fund ambient air monitoring system upgrades, and pay a total of $3.35 million in civil penalties.

“This settlement requires Firestone to take concrete steps to reduce emissions of air pollutants from its manufacturing facility in Sulfur, Louisiana,” said Larry Starfield, Acting Assistant Administrator of EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “This will result in cleaner air for communities in Southwest Louisiana, particularly for communities that have suffered a historically disproportionate burden from pollution.” Continue reading →

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Audi of America, Verizon to bring 5G to Vehicle Line

Posted on 22 February 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Audi of America, Verizon to bring 5G to Vehicles

Verizon is also linking with all three major cloud providers.

Verizon and Audi of America today announced an agreement to bring 5G connectivity to the automaker’s U.S. lineup, expected to begin with some models for the 2024 model year. (AutoInformed: GM and AT&T Set Auto Connectivity Goal at 5G)

The deal brings embedded 5G Ultra-Wideband connectivity into Audi vehicles and provides the speed and telecommunication architecture necessary for “highly personalized and augmented mobile services, new driver-assistance features, and connectivity-enabled innovations for the automated future of driving.”
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First Responder Network – Big Government at Its Best

Posted on 22 February 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on First Responder Network - Big Government at Its Best

FirstNet had more than 95% nationwide coverage in just 4 years.

Today, February 22, marks the 10th anniversary of milestone legislation that launched  FirstNet for public safety. In the years following the terrorist attacks, public safety from across all disciplines, including 9-1-1, EMS, fire service and law enforcement, joined together to advocate for their own high-speed broadband network.

In 2012, Congress enacted a law to create the First Responder Network Authority within the Department of Commerce to ensure the building, deployment and operation of FirstNet – America’s only nationwide public safety broadband network. Since then FirstNet Authority has developed the network in collaboration with the public safety community. Continue reading →

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Michigan Gives $7.5m to Ford for Corktown Innovation District

Posted on 22 February 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Michigan Gives $7.5m to Ford for Corktown Innovation District - Halloween 2018

The goblins of the past are becoming a celebration of the future…

The Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF) today approved $7.5 million in funding to Ford Motor Co. for new programs that “accelerate economic development, new technology activation, workforce training, and community engagement in the 30-acre Michigan Central Innovation District in Detroit’s Corktown neighborhood.”

The grant has a three-year term with the ability to allocate additional funds in fiscal years 2023 and 2024 – if agreed-upon grant milestones are met, including a requirement that it create at least 2,500 non-Ford jobs within the district. (AutoInformed on: Ford Testing Autonomous Delivery of Food in Detroit; Ford Opens Corktown Station to Community as Mustang puts Camaro and GM on Trailer During Woodward Dream Cruise; Ford Motor in Corktown and Newlab Working on – What Else – Vehicle Connectivity, Autonomy and Electrification) Continue reading →

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Aston Martin Adds Jobs to Build DBX707 SUVS in Wales

Posted on 21 February 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Aston Martin Adds Jobs to Build DBX707 SUVS in Wales

The DBX707’s 0-62mph acceleration time is 3.3 seconds, claims Aston.

Aston Martin said today that it is creating more than 100 jobs at its St Athan site in Wales following the launch of its new DBX707 model, for the moment the world’s most powerful luxury SUV. DBX707 will enter full production later this quarter.

“Our DBX SUV is the first Welsh-built production car for nearly 50 years and these new positions are an opportunity to join a team delivering our truly incredible new DBX707 derivative, which is setting new benchmarks for performance in the luxury segment,” said Tobias Moers, Chief Executive Officer of Aston Martin Lagonda.
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