Daimler Buses Sells Minibus Plant to AEQUITA

Posted on 24 November 2021 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Daimler Buses Sells Minibus Plant to AEQUITA

The plant has produced  Sprinter minibuses since 2019. To date more than 20,000 have been made in Dortmund.

Daimler Buses has sold the Dortmund-based Mercedes-Benz Minibus+ plant to a hedge group called AEQUITA*. In the future Daimler Buses will focus on the production of buses over 8 tons and chassis.

AEQUITA takes over the minibus company with around 240 employees, thereby safeguarding the Dortmund site for the near future. The companies signed a purchase agreement on November 22, 2021. The transaction will be completed on January 01, 2022. The production of Mercedes-Benz brand minibuses at the Dortmund plant will continue. “There will be a continued close partnership between Daimler Buses and AEQUITA in the areas of sales and aftersales,” Daimler claimed. Continue reading →

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Cadillac LYRIQ In Pre-Production Tuning

Posted on 22 November 2021 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on 2023 Cadillac LYRIQ Pre-Production Tuning

Note the old style gasoline engine grille where none is called for?

Cadillac engineers have completed the so-called 80% validation drive for the 2023 LYRIQ, milestone in Cadillac’s first luxury EV’s development. With proof  that all components and technologies are at or beyond 80%, engineers now start fine tuning LYRIQ prior to production in the fall of 2022.

For evaluation of LYRIQ’s performance on different road surfaces and in varying traffic conditions, Cadillac developed routes that included freeway, urban, and rural driving scenarios. Under these conditions, engineers assessed drive quality, systems calibrations, and other elements that directly affect the in-car encounter of a customer kind. (Cadillac LYRIC – Taking Back the Luxury EV Lead?) Continue reading →

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FAA Fines Passengers for Alcohol-Related Unruly Behavior

Posted on 22 November 2021 by Ken Zino

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on FAA Fines Eight Passengers for Alcohol-Related Unruly BehaviorThe U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration has proposed$161,823 in civil penalties against eight airline passengers for alleged unruly behavior involving alcohol in its latest action.

Some of the cases have been referred to the Department of Justice for criminal action1. Federal law prohibits passengers from consuming alcohol aboard a flight that is not served by a flight attendant. In August, the FAA administrator sent a letter to airports requesting that they work to prevent passengers from bringing “to-go” cups of alcohol aboard the aircraft. Continue reading →

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EV Boats – GM Buys Into Pure Watercraft

Posted on 22 November 2021 by Ken Zino

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on EV Boats - GM Buys Into Pure Watercraft General Motors (NYSE: GM) announced today it has acquired a 25% ownership stake in Pure Watercraft, a Seattle-based company that specializes in all-electric boating. The collaboration between GM and Pure Watercraft “advances a shared vision to promote sustainability through an expansion of zero-emissions mobility for future generations and reflects the holistic approach necessary for widespread EV adoption,” GM said in a release.

The so-called Pure Outboard from Pure Watercraft uses efficiency to benefit a boat’s performance while reducing environmental pollution with a much lower operating costs and maintenance than traditional marine propulsion systems, it’s claimed. An open issue with EV technology remains the thus far unexplored anti-trust implications as giant global automakers and battery companies appear to be well on the way to owning and controlling electric mobility. Continue reading →

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Honda, Lexus at Top of ALG Residual Value Awards

Posted on 20 November 2021 by Ken Zino

ALG says the recipients of the J.D. Power 2022 U.S. ALG Residual Value Awards, were topped by Honda and Lexus being named brand award winners in the mass market and premium segments, respectively.

Residual Value Awards are claimed to be key in recognizing vehicle models projected to hold the highest percentage of their manufacturer’s suggested retail price following a three-year period of ownership. Value retention is a major variable in the lease cost of a vehicle, underlining an automaker’s success in the areas of long-term quality and design, as well as the overall desirability of automotive brands and their models. Continue reading →

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CARB OK’s Record $1.5B for Clean Vehicles, Mobility Options

Posted on 20 November 2021 by Ken Zino

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on CARB OK’s Record $1.5B for Clean Vehicles and Mobility OptionsThe California Air Resources Board has approved a $1.5 billion investment plan that will increase access to clean vehicles and clean mobility options through a wide variety of projects moving to the transformation of California’s vehicle and equipment fleet to zero-emissions.

The plan is thus far the largest annual investment in clean transportation incentives to date, more than double the amount of the largest past investment. Projects include consumer rebates for clean cars, incentives for cleaner trucks, and so-called mobility options. More than half of the $1.5 billion Fiscal Year 2021-22 Funding Plan for Clean Transportation Incentives is targeted to benefit lower income communities and those disproportionately burdened by environmental pollution.

The CARB approval came the same week as the Biden Administration passed its forward looking, far reaching enlightened infrastructure bill will also move the U.S. toward a cleaner*, job-creating society for all that not only builds back better, but positions he U.S. for successful leadership in dealing with extreme climate and life-killing global warming.(Biden’s Build Back Better Act Decreases Budget Deficit!; Biden Bets on Detroit, Union Workers at GM’s EV Factory ZERO) Continue reading →

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2020 Vehicles Post Fuel Economy, Low Emissions Records

Posted on 19 November 2021 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on EPA US 2020 MY Cars Post Record Fuel Economy, Low Emissions

More good public policy is coming! Click to Enlarge.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released its annual Automotive Trends Report today which shows model year 2020 vehicles achieved record high fuel economy and record low emission levels. Large automakers also were in full compliance with greenhouse gas emission standards. EPA Projections indicate sales of hybrid and electric vehicles will more than double from 2020 to 2021 – the latest reason, as if any more were needed, to pass Build Back Better.

In August, President Biden signed an Executive Order that sets good policy for US citizens with an ambitious new target to make half of all new vehicles sold in 2030 zero-emissions vehicles, including battery electric, plug-in hybrid electric, or fuel cell electric vehicles. EPA also proposed a new rulemaking under the Clean Air Act that by 2026 would establish the strongest greenhouse gas emission standards for cars and light duty trucks in history. Continue reading →

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Biden’s Build Back Better Act Decreases Budget Deficit!

Posted on 18 November 2021 by Ken Zino

The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office released today estimated budgetary effects of Title XIII, Committee on Ways and Means, H.R. 5376, also known as the badly named, but enlightened policy bill – the Build Back Better Act. BBBA according to CBO estimates would result in a net decrease in the unified deficit totaling $797.7 billion over the 2022-2031 period. That decrease in the deficit would result from an increase in direct spending of $411.5 billion and an increase in revenues of $1,209.3 billion.

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Trump's failed economic policies for the middle class

Good Riddance – we couldn’t afford his disastrous policies… and will be paying for them for years.

Some of those budgetary effects are associated with programs that are classified as off-budget. The decrease in the on-budget deficit over that period would be $783.3 billion. To do the math for insurrectionist Republicans, this adds to ~$14 Billion dollars in the black, which likely because of the color means that most Republicans will no doubt oppose it. The failed former president, currently the insurrectionist in chief residing in Flori-duh, not only didn’t actually do anything to repair the infrastructure despite voluminous weekly (weakly?) announcements that it was infrastructure week, his tax cuts for the rich ran up record deficits as well.*see below. Continue reading →

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Automotive Chips – Ford Adds GlobalFoundries to Help Design and Supply

Posted on 18 November 2021 by Ken Zino

GlobalFoundries Inc. (Nasdaq: GFS) (GF), a semiconductor manufacturing firm, and Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) yesterday announced “a strategic collaboration to advance semiconductor manufacturing and technology development within the United States, aiming to boost chip supplies for Ford and the U.S. automotive industry.” The strategic announcement about semiconductors garnered limited media attention because it was in the same news cycle as President Biden’s visit to GM’s Factory Zero EV plant in Detroit.

GF and Ford have signed a non-binding agreement for GF to create more semiconductor supply for Ford’s current vehicle lineup, as well as joint research and development to address the growing demand for feature-rich chips to support the automotive industry. Continue reading →

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Biden Bets on Detroit, Union Workers at GM’s EV Factory ZERO

Posted on 18 November 2021 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Biden Bets on Detroit, Union Workers at GM’s EV Factory ZERO

“Masterpieces of modern manufacturing. Built by union workers. And proof (applause) and proof that America has what it takes to win the competition of the 21st century…

Yesterday at GM’s first dedicated EV assembly plant, Factory Zero in Hamtramck, adjacent to Detroit, President Biden presented his case for investing in the future by fixing our neglected infrastructure, thereby building and boosting the middle class. Virtually everyone knows that the future of the auto industry is electric; Some maintain the Chinese are leading. The President posed a question he has asked before: Will America lead or fall behind in the race to win the future?

Before his remarks at a plant once managed by Mary Barra, CEO of GM, Biden spoke to the country about what are the latest talking-trash points from the Republicans, the party of nope and insurrection. “Before I begin, I just want to mention three pieces of good news today. First, two of the leading rating agencies on Wall Street confirmed today, not a liberal think tank, two Wall Street outfits, that the economic proposals we put forward for the nation, the infrastructure law we just signed and the Build Back Better plan are being considered this week in Congress, will not add to inflationary pressures in the economy,” Biden said. “The reason? Because the policies I proposed, quote, ‘help…lift long-term economic growth via stronger productivity… labor force growth,’ as well as taking the edge off of inflation.” Continue reading →

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Re-Run: Subaru of America Unveils 2023 Solterra EV

Posted on 17 November 2021 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Re-Run: Subaru of America Unveils 2023 Solterra EV

Note to design staff – EVs don’t need a grille or awkward old-style grille surrounds.

Subaru of America today revealed its first-ever all-electric SUV, the 2023 Subaru Solterra, at what remains of the Los Angeles Auto Show in the Surging Covid-plus-Flu era.The product reveal comes one week after the actual debut was down in Japan. (Toyota Subaru JV Spawns Global Debut of Solterra EV)

The “late to the EV party” Solterra has new electrification and in-vehicle technology. The Solterra name was created using (marketing babble alert> “the Latin words for ‘Sun and Earth’ to represent Subaru’s commitment to deliver traditional SUV capabilities in an environmentally responsible package.” Continue reading →

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Volvo Cars Shows Concept Recharge EV

Posted on 17 November 2021 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Volvo Cars Concept Recharge

Blah, blah, blah or really addressing the Global Warming disaster? Click to Enlarge.

Volvo Cars’ future is represented in the pure electric Concept Recharge, which the Chinese company claims does more than showcase the company’s future design language and product strategy. With the Concept Recharge, Volvo Cars is forecasting the steps it will take in all areas of pure electric car development to reduce its cars’ and its overall carbon footprint. The company plans to sell only fully electric cars by 2030 and aims to be a climate-neutral and circular business by 2040. (Volvo to Only Sell EVs Online as a Pure EV Company by 2030; A Decade of Chinese Ownership – Volvo Cars Posts Strongest Second-Half Sales in Its 93-Year History)

By using sustainable materials inside the car, equipping it with tires from recycled and renewable material, improving aerodynamics Volvo Cars can take steps to reduce its carbon impact through the car itself. Combining those with the use of clean energy throughout a de-carbonized supply chain, manufacturing process and use phase of the car, Volvo Cars believes it can reduce a car’s lifecycle CO2 impact by 80% versus a 2018 Volvo XC60, without losing the qualities that Volvo cars have become known for. This would mean that the Concept Recharge would have an overall lifecycle CO2 impact below 10 tons, when charged with 100% renewable energy – if, big if, Volvo is able to pull this off in a global economy that is self-destructing from the use of subsidized fossil fuels and little progress on addressing Global Warming.

Continue reading →

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Production Starts on Prototype Volta Electric Truck

Posted on 17 November 2021 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Volta Trucks Fully-Electric Commercial Zero

Click to Enlarge.

Volta Trucks has started production of the first road-going ‘Design Verification’ (DV) prototype Volta Zero* vehicle in Coventry, UK. The DV prototypes are the first full-electric Volta Zero commercial vehicles to be built in a production-ready design. A total of 25 vehicles will be manufactured.

When completed in January, the fleet will start a testing scheme. This will involve Volta Trucks engineers replicating a wide range of customer usage and delivery cycles, as well as taking the Volta Zero to the extremes of cold weather environments in the Arctic, hot weather in equatorial conditions, and crash testing,. This according to Volta will validate the safety, durability, and reliability of the vehicle. (Volta Trucks Fully-Electric Commercial Zero to Debut in Italy; Solid Power – More Money from BMW, Ford, Volta Energy Technologies for Solid-State EV Batteries) Continue reading →

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IMSA Petit Le Mans Sees Cadillac, Corvette, Win Season Titles

Posted on 15 November 2021 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on IMSA Petit Le Mans Sees Cadillac, Corvette, Win Season Titles

Click to Enlarge.

In an action packed, multi-incident endurance race at Road Atlanta this past weekend the old adage to keep pushing no matter what class you’re in or where you are at the moment once again held true.

There were at least ten caution periods that kept reshuffling and closing up the field. The 10-hour Petit Le Mans race in Braselton, Georgia, is the end of the 2021 IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship. Since its 1998 inception, the race has grown is now one of the most sought-after prizes in GT and sportscar racing. Following are highlights of the grueling contest. Continue reading →

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President Biden to Attend GM Factory ZERO Grand Opening

Posted on 12 November 2021 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on President Biden to Attend GM Factory ZERO Grand Opening

The Democrats are the party of Hope, as in building a better future for all. The Republicans are the party of Nope, unless you are super-rich and white.

GM will welcome President Biden to Factory ZERO on Wednesday 17 November 2021, as the company opens the doors to its all-electric assembly plant in Hamtramck, Michigan. Factory ZERO, aka Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Center, is the first automotive plant in the U.S. to install dedicated 5G fixed mobile network technology. EVs, a robust national electricity grid, charging stations and internet access are without question the Interstate Highway system of the next decades. Without them, many of us will suffer economically, socially and medically.

Want proof? Look at what happened to communities that weren’t linked to the Interstates. The one that were thrived, ironically now represented by politicians who are against what made Texas, Arizona, West Virginia, California, New Mexico and Florida, among others – prosper. The Biden Administration’s $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill, aka BIF, was supported last September by Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and 18 other Senate Republicans. The 13 Republicans who helped pass it in the House of Representatives during a close almost straight party-line 228-206 vote a week ago have received death threats. (Environmental About Face – General Motors Ditching Internal Combustion Engines by 2035. Carbon Neutral by 2040?; GM Needs Range, Battery Cost Cuts to Speed EV Plans) Continue reading →

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