US Scheduled Airline Passengers Up Under Biden

Posted on 14 February 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on US Scheduled Airline Passengers Up Under Biden Administration

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For calendar year 2021, U.S. scheduled service airlines carried 670.4M passengers (preliminary*), an increase of 303.6M passengers (83%) from 2020, The Department of Transportation said today. This remains a decrease of 245.9M passengers (-27%) from pre-pandemic 2019.

During 2019, the last full calendar year before the onset of COVID-19 and the botched Trump Administration non- or anti-response, domestic flights accounted for 88% of all passengers, and international flights accounted for 12%. During 2021, domestic flights accounted for 91% of all passengers, and international flights accounted for 9%. Continue reading →

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Mercedes-Benz Group Posts Some Strong 2021 Results

Posted on 11 February 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Mercedes-Benz Group Posts Some Strong 2021 Results

Mercedes-Benz says the use of standardized battery platforms and scalable vehicle architectures – with advances in battery technology – will contribute to variable cost reductions of vehicles. This of course is the business plan of all major automakers.

Mercedes-Benz Group, previously Daimler AG, today posted some positive financial results for the year 2021 based on preliminary unaudited figures. At the current point – due to various effects of the de-consolidation of the Daimler commercial vehicle business – group financials are not yet available. (AutoInformed: Daimler Truck Receives Investment Grade Ratings; Shareholders Vote to Spin-off of Daimler Truck, Rename Daimler AG to Mercedes-Benz Group)

However, the Mercedes-Benz Cars & Vans segment has exceeded the guidance range of 10-12% and now expects an adjusted Return on Sales of 12.7% in the full year. Despite the ongoing semiconductor shortages, during Q4 Mercedes-Benz Cars & Vans showed an adjusted Return on Sales of 15.0%, driven by high net pricing, good product mix and favorable used car performance. The strong profitability of the car business also translated into a solid industrial free cash flow exceeding the company guidance.
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BMW Takes Majority Share in Chinese JV Brilliance Automotive

Posted on 11 February 2022 by Ken Zino

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on BMW Takes Majority Share in Chinese JV BMW Brilliance AutomotiveBMW said today that it now owns a large majority stake in its Chinese joint-venture BMW Brilliance Automotive Ltd. with the granting of a license from the Chinese government. This allows a contract  signed by the two joint-venture partners in October 2018 to become active. During the past decade, BBA has invested more than 10 billion euros in China. BMW’s larger new ownership share should add about 8 billion euros in profits at BMW this year.

BMW Group now holds 75% of the shares in BBA, while its Chinese partner, Brilliance China Automotive Holdings Ltd., indirectly holds the remaining 25%. Last year, a total of 846,237 BMW Group vehicles were delivered to customers in the Chinese market (+8.9% compared to 2020). In 2021, BBA produced more than 700,000 BMW vehicles, with around 23,000 employees. Continue reading →

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Korean Brands Top 2022 J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study

Posted on 10 February 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Korean Brands Lead 2022 J.D Power Vehicle Dependability Study

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Korean brands Kia, Genesis and Hyundai took three of the top four rankings in the redesigned J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS), released today. Buick and Toyota also made the list of the brands with the fewest reported problems after three years of ownership.

“Some automakers are performing much better than others at preventing problems from occurring. These problems include the vehicle’s mechanicals, exterior and interior – but also infotainment systems, driver assistance systems and all the other electronic systems in today’s vehicles,” said David Amodeo, director of global automotive at J.D. Power. Continue reading →

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Building Forward Better – President Biden, DOT, DOE Announce $5B National EV Charging Network

Posted on 10 February 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on President Biden, DOT, DOE Announce $5B National EV Charging Network

Big Government working for you.

The US Departments of Transportation and Energy today announced ~$5 billion will be made available under the new National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program established by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, to build a national electric vehicle charging network. Without question this is an important step towards making electric vehicle (EV) charging accessible to all Americans. (AutoInformed: First Wireless EV Charging Road Slated for Michigan; EVs – at $7B GM Makes Largest Announcement in History)

The program will provide nearly $5 billion over five years to help states create a network of EV charging stations along designated Alternative Fuel Corridors, particularly along the Interstate Highway System – itself the product of forward thinking by the Eisenhower Administration and with a history of innovative and effective big-government Federal support going back to 1916. (AutoInformed: Washington Diddles. India Puts Billions into Securing EV Jobs) Continue reading →

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Aston Martin’s Next Formula One car – AMR22 – Revealed

Posted on 10 February 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Aston Martin Returns to F1 in 2021. Photo courtesy of and copyright Aston Martin all rights reserved.

Lance and Vettel (r).

The Aston Martin Aramco* Cognizant Formula One Team today unveiled its 2022 FIA Formula One World Championship contender, 100 years after  Aston’s first entry into Grand Prix racing for the 1922 French Grand Prix. The AMR22 launch had three of the newest members of Aston Martin’s high-performance line. The world’s most powerful luxury SUV, DBX707, and two models which directly have technology and expertise from its “no rules hypercar,” Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR Pro and the mid-engine plug-in hybrid Valhalla.

The AMR22 will be raced by four-time F1 World Champion Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari fame, and relatively new Lance Stroll, who ran – ahem – a Mercedes powered car last year, starting at the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix on 20 March 2022. It has new Aston Martin Racing Green livery, keeping Aston Martin’s traditional racing colors. The Mercedes powertrain thus far will be used again.  Continue reading →

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Sports Car Market Touring Series Returns in June, July

Posted on 10 February 2022 by Ken Zino

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Sports Car Market Touring Series Returns in June, JulyKeith Martin, publisher of Sports Car Market magazine, said today that RM Sotheby’s, a classic car auction company, has entered into a three-year partnership to support the SCM Touring Series. RM Sotheby’s will join WeatherTech, Hagerty, Reliable Carriers and Putnam Leasing as co-sponsors, beginning in 2022 with the inaugural SCM 1000 AMG Invitational June 19-24, and the 4th annual SCM 1000 Classic on July 17-22. The AMG Invitational will also be sponsored by The MB Market, a Mercedes-only auction site. (AutoInformed – Sports Car Market Magazine Hooks Hagerty as Sponsor of The SCM Modern and Classic Touring Series. AMG Invitational First

“To have them return with additional support for the next three years is quite encouraging, and we’ll do our best to create a fun experience for them,” said Martin. Representatives from RM Sotheby’s will be participating in both tours and contributing to the “Conversations with Collectors” in the evenings – a highlight of each SCM Tour, where tour members speak openly and candidly about car collecting with experts. Continue reading →

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Penske Automotive Posts Record Q4, Full-Year 2021 Results

Posted on 9 February 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Penske Automotive Posts Record Q4, Full-Year 2021 Results

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Penske Automotive Group (NYSE: PAG) today announced record fourth quarter and twelve-month 2021 results. During Q4, the company reported a 55.1% increase in income from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders to $310.4 million and a 59.4% increase in related earnings per share to $3.97. Adjusted income from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders increased 60.3% to $320.5 million and adjusted earnings per share increased 64.7% to $4.10. Foreign exchange positively impacted earnings per share by $0.01. (AutoInformed: Penske Automotive Group Buys Another BMW Store; Penske Automotive Posts Record Q2 Results; Penske Automotive Posts All Time Record Q1 Results)

“During the fourth quarter, our diversified business and strong execution by our team produced record revenue, earnings before taxes, net income, and earnings per share, driven by strong retail automotive and commercial truck vehicle margins, a 26% increase in same-store retail automotive gross profit, and continued strong earnings from Penske Transportation Solutions which increased 62%,” CEO Roger Penske said. Continue reading →

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Cadillac Project GTP Race Car Debuts This Summer

Posted on 9 February 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Cadillac Project GTP Race Car Debuts This Summer

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Cadillac said today that it is in the process of crafting  a forthcoming Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) race car. The Cadillac Project GTP race car will be unveiled this summer and make its debut in competition at the Rolex 24 At Daytona in January 2023. As such this will be the future of Cadillac Racing. The Cadillac GTP race car will be co-developed by Cadillac Racing, Design and race car manufacturer Dallara. The prototype will have a new Cadillac engine package working in conjunction with the GTP common hybrid system.* (AutoInformed: Daytona This Weekend Starts 2022 IMSA Racing Season; Corvette Racing at Daytona – Same or Different?)

The announcement comes less than a month after Ford Performance said in Daytona that an all-new Mustang GT3 race car will compete in the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) 2024 race season, including the 24 Hours of Daytona. Continue reading →

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Biden Administration Cuts Republican Budget Deficit by 66%

Posted on 8 February 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Biden Administration Cuts Republican Budget Deficit by 66%

The Biden Administration economic recovery – note the revenue increases as the year unfolds – continues in spite of Republican opposition. Employed people pay taxes, except if they are rich.

The federal budget deficit was only $259 billion in the first four months of fiscal year 2022, the Congressional Budget Office estimates in a report just released. This amount is less than the deficits recorded for the same period in the two prior years under profligate Republican rule that cut taxes on the wealthiest people. (AutoInformed: Trump on Track for Largest Deficits in U.S. History.)

Moreover, the shrinking Biden deficit is roughly one-third of the deficit recorded during the same period last year ($736 billion) under fiscally-irresponsible Republicans. It is also only about two-thirds of the shortfall recorded for the same period two years ago ($389 billion), right before the start of the coronavirus pandemic, which severally hurt the US economy under the do-nothing, document destroying Trump rule. (AutoInformed: Ten-Month US Budget Deficit Now at $867 billion. $Trillion Deficits Now Certain Under Current Economic Policies) Continue reading →

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NHTSA Issues Consumer Alert on Hyundai, Kia Fires

Posted on 8 February 2022 by Ken Zino

The National Highway Traffic Administration issued today an unusual consumer warning on engine compartment fires covering ~485,00 2014-2016 Kia Sportage, 2016-2018 Kia K900 and 2016-2018 Hyundai Santa Fe vehicles. (AutoInformed NHTSA Warns Hyundai, Genesis Owners to Park Outside Away from Buildings Because of Computer Module Fires)

Owners should park their cars outside and away from homes, even if the vehicle is turned off, until their vehicles have been repaired, due to a new recall for the risk of fire. Continue reading →

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Spirit of Ecstasy is Redesigned for Rolls-Royce Spectre EV

Posted on 7 February 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on The Spirit of Ecstasy is Redesigned for Rolls-Royce Spectre EV

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Literally bowing to the future, the Spirit of Ecstasy statuette in use at Rolls-Royce since 1911 is now 82.73mm tall, compared to her predecessor’s 100.01mm. Her robes, which flow behind in the slipstream, sometimes mistakenly characterized as ‘wings,’ have been reshaped to make them more “aerodynamic and realistic.” BMW-owned Rolls-Royce Motor Cars said today that the most visible change is her stance. Previously, the mascot stood with feet together, legs straight and tilting at the waist. Now, she is fixed for the wind, one leg forward, body pushed low, eyes focused ahead.

These changes help to shape the upcoming Spectre EV’s aerodynamic numbers. The earliest Spectre prototypes have a drag coefficient -Cd- of just 0.26, making it the most aerodynamic Rolls-Royce ever created. The figure is expected to improve during the Spectre’s testing protocols during 2022. (Rolls-Royce Announces First Full Electric Car) Continue reading →

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Two Tesla Recalls – Self Driving Software, Seat Belt Warning

Posted on 7 February 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on the deadly Tesla AutoPilot

A toxic mix of  marketing, what the software does, what is perceived and what non-computerized people actually do while driving.

Tesla is recalling 2016-2022 Model S and Model X, 2017-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles because the “rolling stop” functionality available as part of the Full Self-Driving (Beta) software may allow the vehicle to travel through an all-way stop intersection without first coming to a stop. AutoInformed is unaware of any state where a rolling stop is legal?

In a related action, Tesla is recalling 2021-2022 Model S and Model X, 2017-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles because the audible chime may not activate when the vehicle starts and the driver has not buckled their seat belt. These vehicles fail to meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, “Occupant Crash Protection.” Continue reading →

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RAM – OE Firestone Truck Tires Recalled for Belt Separation

Posted on 5 February 2022 by Ken Zino

Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations is recalling Firestone light truck tires* because they were manufactured with an incorrect inner liner compound, which could cause increased inner liner permeability or cracking, resulting in belt separation.They are an all-season tire intended for use on light trucks and commercial vehicles. Bridgestone Canada made the tires. There have been no reports of accidents, injuries or consumer complaints, according to the NHTSA filing.

The tires were imported by Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations (BATO). BATO supplied the tires to Stellantis as original equipment for installation on 2021-2022 RAM 2500 and 3500 pickups. BATO also supplied the tires to retailers for aftermarket sales. Continue reading →

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Ford Motor Posts Tepid Q4, FY 2021 Financial Results

Posted on 4 February 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Ford Motor Posts Tepid Q4 and Full Year 2021 Financial Results

Vehicles sold, market share and cash flow (-$8.5B) for continuing operations declined during 2021.

Ford Motor has posted Q4 and full-year operating results for 2021 that  reflect continuing supply chain disruptions and ongoing but necessary design and reorganization costs. Q4 results show revenue of $37.7 billion, net income of $12.3 billion with an adjusted EBIT of $2.0 billion. Ford ended Q4 with more than $36 billion in cash and $52 billion in liquidity. Both measures included the company’s investment in Rivian, which was valued at $10.6 billion at the end of 2021. At the close of trading on Feb. 2, the value was $6.6 billion. Ford stock closed at $17.96. It was off -$1.93 (-9.70%) as of 4 February at 4:02 pm after earnings were announced, which missed forecasts of  $0.45 by, ugh, 19 cents.

Full-year net income was $17.9 billion with a company adjusted EBIT of $10.0 billion after the recent reclassifying of the Q1 Rivian gain warning shareholders and the capital markets that the $8.2 billion it earned from its Rivian investment after the public offering will not be included in full-year adjusted EBIT or adjusted EPS. Ford Credit posted solid results in Q4 with full-year earnings before taxes of $4.7 billion. (read AutoInformed on Ford Motor Warns of Large FY 2021 Special Items) Continue reading →

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