Ford Motor and Stripe Sign E-Commerce Deal

Posted on 17 January 2022 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company and Stripe have signed a five-year agreement make automaker’s e-commerce capabilities faster and to deliver an always-on experience for Ford and Lincoln customers, the companies said today in a joint-release. For Ford and Lincoln dealers offering digital payment services today, Stripe’s service is expected to drive offer efficiency into processing of e-commerce payments, such as vehicle ordering, reservations and digital and charging services. Continue reading →

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MLK – Changes in African American People Since 1964

Posted on 17 January 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Martin Luther King Day

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In noting Martin Luther King day, here are data* about African Americans relating to differences between 1964 when Dr. King was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize and 2020 in the percentage of African Americans completing high school, the number of African American college students, and the percentage of citizen population voting in the United States. Martin Luther King Jr. Day has been a U.S. federal holiday since 1986. The violent handling during the Spring of 1965 of protestors he was with over busing segregation by white segregationists and the police in Selma Alabama led to the passage of Voting Rights Act that August. AutoInformed still believes that “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,” as Dr. King said.  Continue reading →

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CARB – New Diesel Regs Cost Effective, Lobbyists Wrong

Posted on 14 January 2022 by Ken Zino

The California Air Resources Board today released its analysis of cost estimates for lengthened warranties required under the new Heavy-Duty Low NOx Omnibus Regulation, went into effect at the end of 2021 and is a key part of California’s Mobile Source Strategy for improving public health by reducing air pollution from the transport sector. The purpose of longer warranty periods for emission control-related equipment on heavy duty trucks is to ensure they perform as intended for the hundreds of thousands of miles trucks are typically driven. The new report looks at emissions reduction equipment used in 2024 model year and later heavy-duty vehicle engines. (read AutoInformed.com on Death of the Diesel – CARB Approves Truck, Bus Smog Checks; CARB OK’s Record $1.5B for Clean Vehicles, Mobility Options)

The report is in direct response to board direction to staff given when the board approved the regulation in August 2020. CARB* staff’s original warranty cost estimates were challenged by the Engine Manufacturers Association, and the board directed staff to form a working group to review their estimates in comparison to industry estimates. The group met more than 16 times over nine months. Based on the working group process and documentation in the report, CARB staff concluded no substantial changes to its original estimates are required.

A key part of the report AutoInformed thinks is when CARB staff compared 2022 model year warranty cost estimates made by CARB and manufacturers that reflect the intermediate impact of lengthening warranty periods. The report finds that, on a “per miles covered” basis, the industry data essentially agrees with CARB’s lower estimates for current model year vehicles. Continue reading →

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Mike Krack Leaves BMW for Aston Martin Formula One

Posted on 14 January 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Mike Krack Leaves BMW for Aston Martin Formula One

While there has been some criticism of the feline-like snout, timing and scoring doesn’t care what the car looks like… Click to Enlarge.

Mike Krack the head of BMW M Motorsport is leaving the company at his request and moving to Aston Martin Formula 1 as team principal. Andreas Roos will take over responsibility for the motorsport activities of BMW M on 1 February, BMW said today. Roos with two decades of experience in motor racing and has led a variety of projects during his career.

BMW M Motorsport is in the midst of a LMDh project for the 2023 season (see AutoInformed.com on IMSA – Porsche Virtually Shows LMDh Car), as well as its ambitious racing plans for the coming year. BMW Team RLL, which has  been celebrating podiums with BMW M Motorsport since 2009, will compete in two LMDh* prototypes as of 2023, which will be called BMW M LMDh. Alongside the LMDh test program, BMW Team RLL will field two BMW M4 GT3s in the new GTD Pro category during the 2022 IMSA season.**The transition will be one to watch as it is not without extreme challenges.
 Continue reading →

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IMSA Rolex 24 at Daytona – 61 Cars Entered

Posted on 13 January 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on IMSA Rolex 24 at Daytona - 61 Cars Entered

The stands might be empty in Florida, but the racing will be solidly competitive as IMSA adjusts classes and becomes more international.

IMSA said today that the 60th running of the season opening 24-hour race at Daytona International Speedway at the end of January has 61 cars entered for the Roar Before the Rolex 24 test session that precedes the race by a week. It’s the most entries since 2014. (read AutoInformed on: IMSA – 2022 Roar Before the 24 At Daytona to Use Dirt Circuit; IMSA Petit Le Mans Sees Cadillac, Corvette, Win Season Titles)

“The racing world turns its eyes to the Rolex 24 every year since it typically kicks off the season for everyone in the industry and draws such an immense amount of international driver and team talent together,” IMSA President John Doonan said. “That’s even truer (sic) in 2022 with more cars on the grid than we’ve seen at Daytona in the last eight years.” (read AutoInformed on: John Doonan Leaves Mazda Racing for IMSA Presidency) Continue reading →

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Biden Proposes New Clean Energy Policies and Actions on Offshore Winds, Public Lands, Transmission Lines

Posted on 13 January 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Biden Administration Proposes New Clean Energy Policies

Build Back Better will, no doubt, continue to be opposed by the Republican party comprised of nope-dopes heavily financed by fossil-fuel and related businesses.

The Biden-⁠Harris Administration yesterday released a complicated, multi-aspect plan to advance offshore wind electricity generation, use public lands for clean energy, and build the bipartisan infrastructure law’s transmission lines needed to fix the neglected power grid. It’s an intelligent, hopeful, long-term plan for repairing our country in a way that points toward a cleaner electrified future.

In a release the White House said: “The Administration continues to use every tool available to deploy clean energy at a record pace. But to fully seize the opportunities of a clean energy economy, President Biden is pressing forward on passing the Build Back Better Act. The historic legislation will amount to the nation’s largest investment in combatting climate change, lowering energy costs for working families, and building a clean energy future.  Continue reading →

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Automobili Lamborghini Posts Record 2021 Sales

Posted on 12 January 2022 by Ken Zino
Automobili Lamborghini ended 2021 with an all-time record: 8,405 cars delivered worldwide, making it the company’s best year ever.

Click to Enlarge.

Automobili Lamborghini ended 2021 with an all-time record:of 8,405 cars delivered worldwide, making it the  best year ever, the company said today. Yes, today, even though Italian bankers invented double entry book-keeping, these things take time. Global sales were up by 13% compared to 2020 said the release from Sant’Agata Bolognese of the exotic car company that is owned by the Volkswagen Group under Audi.

There was double-digit growth in all three of the regions where Lamborghini is established: America (+14%), Asia Pacific (+14%) and EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) +12%. The company says it has a fairly balanced split between them in global volumes, which stand at 35%, 27% and 39% respectively. Continue reading →

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NADA Predicts 2022 New-Vehicle Sales of 15.4M, up 3.4%

Posted on 11 January 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on NADA Predicts 2022 New-Vehicle Sales

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The National Automobile Dealers Association predicted today 2022 new-vehicle sales of 15.4 million units – an increase of +3.4% compared to 2021. NADA is a trade and lobbying group comprised of 16,000 auto dealers. (See AutoInformed.com: First Place! Toyota Ousts GM as US Sales End 2021 at 14.9m, Significant 2021 Automotive Stories and Trends, Toyota Motor US Sales off -31% in December, +10.4% in 2021)

Whether such long-term predictions are of any use is an open question at AutoInformed given the volatility of the ongoing COVID pandemic. Consider that 2021 closed with new light-vehicle sales of 14.93 million units, an increase of 3.1% compared to 2020’s sales volume of 14.47 million units. However, December 2021’s SAAR totaled just 12.44 million units, a decrease of -23.7% compared to December of 2020. (Whither US Vehicle Sales in 2021? Is 14 Million a Stretch?) Continue reading →

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Used Car Marketplace Catch Up? GM introduces CarBravo

Posted on 11 January 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Manufacturing, Not Online Shopping Largest in E-Commerce

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General Motors introduced today CarBravo, a used-vehicle service that it claims give customers access to an expansive inventory with a multi channel shopping method. Customers can shop online, at a dealership or a combination of both. The available inventory will include non-GM models. Dealer enrollment begins immediately, and the consumer launch is forecast to begin in spring 2022.

CarBravo1 uses the resources of GM, GM Financial and the GM dealer network to create a flexible, shopping and buying service that is already in full use at True Car, Edmunds, Autotrader, Cars Direct, Carvana and AutoNation, among others. Major automakers have been slow to use the resources of the web, but Covid has forced changes in standard business practices across the vast automotive industry and the aftermarket. Continue reading →

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Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Posts Highest Sales in 117 Years

Posted on 10 January 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Rolls-Royce ‘Boat Tail' Makes Global Debut

Click to Enlarge the Boat Tail.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars today reported record sales for 2021 of 15,586 vehicles, the highest in its 117-year history. In spite of ongoing Covid chaos, the BMW owned company set all-time record sales in most regions, including China, the Americas and Asia-Pacific, as well as in multiple countries. It was a 49% increase year-over-year. (AutoInformed.com on BMW and Rolls Note Rolls-Royce Founder’s Birthday)

The company said that growth came principally by Ghost sales, with demand increasing following the launch of Black Badge Ghost in October 2021. This, together with sales of the Cullinan and the marque’s pinnacle product, Phantom, means that at the moment order books are full well into the third quarter of 2022. The company’s Provenance (pre-owned or used) also posted an all-time record.
 Continue reading →

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BMW – Digital Art Coming in Cars During 2022?

Posted on 10 January 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on BMW’s four all-new My Modes

Well, it appears that we are not in Bavaria any more. Wherever the haus has landed after a tornado of words is a place where ‘ultimate driving machine’ becomes the 21st century equivalent of a stoner looking at a lava lamp – the ultimate digital high?

BMW has shown a new “Digital Art Mode,” claiming it will be the first to bring digital art into vehicles. The so-called Digital Art Mode is part of the four all-new My Modes*, which are broader applications beyond the Sport, Efficient and Personal modes in use at BMW, and under similar customization names at other automakers. Until now these electronic settings dealt with traditional ride, performance and handling aspects of the machinery. AutoInformed views the latest programming as perceptual and emotional tripping, so to speak. It’s coming during the second half of this year as options.

These new modes in BMW geek speak, filtered through a marketing babble wash: “Their unique moments enhance BMW’s driving experience by creating a synergy of the vehicle’s functions and its interior design. Depending on the driving situation and the overall mood, a holistic user experience featuring both a functional and an emotional level can be created at the touch of a button or via voice control. To that end, drive control and steering control, mood lighting and sound as well as the color scheme and graphics of the BMW Curved Display are precisely synchronized.” Continue reading →

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BMW 2021 US Sales up ~21% Beating Mercedes-Benz

Posted on 7 January 2022 by Ken Zino

BMW of North America has posted Q4 2021 and full year 2021 sales results for the BMW and MINI brands in the US. During Q4 2021, BMW brand sales in the U.S. totaled 93,031 vehicles, a -5.8% decrease from the 98,750 vehicles sold in Q4 of 2020. For the full year 2021, BMW brand sales increased 20.8% on total sales of 336,644 compared to the 278,732 vehicles sold in 2020. Rival MBUSA clearly trailed BMW with  posted sales of 276,102 Mercedes-Benz passenger vehicles during 2021. Continue reading →

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Mercedes-Benz 2021 USA Sales Soft at 329,574

Posted on 7 January 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Mercedes-Benz 2021 USA Sales Soft at 329,574

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Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) today reported Q4 2021 sales of 60,326 Mercedes-Benz models. Mercedes-Benz Vans recorded Q4 sales of 15,705, bringing MBUSA to 76,031 vehicles for the quarter, a decrease of -20.2% compared to the comparable period last year. Year-to-date MBUSA posted sales of 276,102 Mercedes-Benz passenger vehicles and 53,472 Vans or a total 329,574 units, a slight increase of 1.1% versus 2020.

Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-Owned (MBCPO) models recorded sales of 33,098 vehicles during Q4 of 2021, +6.6% versus to Q4 2020. On a year-to-date basis, MBCPO sold 143,423 vehicles, an increase of 13.1% compared to last year. Continue reading →

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First Place! Toyota Ousts GM as US Sales End 2021 at 14.9m

Posted on 6 January 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on GM Ousted by Toyota as Leader as US Light Vehicle Sales End 2021

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General Motors’ light-vehicle sales during 2021 fell more than those of any other automaker. GM also suffered the ignominy of ceding its top selling position for the first time in more than 80 years, as Toyota outsold GM for the first time in automotive history. In other changes of fortune, Hyundai sold more than Honda, and Tesla was the fastest-growing OEM. SUVs reached a record 55% share in 2021, according to the respected LMC Automotive consultancy. AutoInformed notes that in the rigged for the rich US economy, luxury vehicle sales clearly outran the broader market.

Overall, US Light Vehicle sales in December fell by 27% YoY, ending a chaotic 2021 at 14.9 million units. LMC noted that even December – traditionally one of the strongest months of the year – flopped and registered the steepest YoY decline of the calendar. The rate of change in the Covid infected world is increasingly making traditional long-term based indexes – such as calendar years irrelevant, or even downright harmful indicators for policy makers, businesses and anyone who uses them for planning. Continue reading →

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GM, Qualcomm Enabling Hands-Free Driving in 2023

Posted on 6 January 2022 by Ken Zino

GM said this week in an English-like language that its next-generation hands-free driver assist system, Ultra Cruise (originally Super Cruise#), will be powered by a system-on-chips developed by American semiconductor company Qualcomm Technologies. GM will be the first company to use the Qualcomm Technologies’ Snapdragon Ride platform for advanced driver assistance technology, which has what is claimed as an industry-leading 5-nanometer Snapdragon SA8540P SoC and SA9000P artificial intelligence accelerator. (AutoInformed.com: Autonomous Vehicle Nod – Super Cruise on All Cadillacs)

In Silicon Valley geek speak: “The Ultra Cruise compute is comprised of two Snapdragon SA8540P SoCs and one SA9000P AI accelerator to deliver key low-latency control functions on 16-core CPUs and high-performance AI compute of more than 300 Tera Operations Per Second for camera, radar and lidar processing. The Snapdragon SoCs are designed with 5nm process technology, enabling superior performance and power efficiency. The Snapdragon SA8540P SoCs will provide the necessary bandwidth for Ultra Cruise’s sensing, perception, planning, localization, mapping and driver monitoring.” Continue reading →

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