Ford, Newlab Announce Five Cleaner Transportation Startups

Posted on 28 October 2021 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Ford, Newlab Announce Five Cleaner Transportation Startups

The future is as blurry as the photo…

Ford Motor Company and Newlab, a self-proclaimed community of experts and innovators, today announced five startups that will participate in the inaugural cohort of the Mobility Studio. Mobility studio is a new program focused on supporting the advancement of technologies, product collaborations and business models that advance a cleaner transportation future. The program lives within Michigan Central, a new mobility innovation district being developed by Ford. (Ford Begins Construction at Michigan Central Station)

“Together, Ford and Newlab are building upon our nation’s goal of reducing carbon emissions and the effects of climate change by advancing commercial fleet electrification,” said Matt Stover, director of charging and energy services, Ford Motor Company. Continue reading →

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Daimler Truck Receives Investment Grade Ratings

Posted on 28 October 2021 by Ken Zino

With an expected listing on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange by the end of this year, Daimler Truck had approached S&P Global Ratings (S&P) and Moody’s Investor Service (Moody’s) for setting up first time credit ratings. (Ken Zino on Shareholders Vote to Spin-off of Daimler Truck, Rename Daimler AG to Mercedes-Benz Group)

Both rating agencies just issued investment grade ratings for Daimler Truck. S&P Global Ratings assigned a long-term issuer credit rating of BBB + (outlook stable) while Moody’s assigned a long-term issuer credit rating of A3 (outlook stable).
 Continue reading →

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Ford Motor Earns $3.0 Billion in Q3

Posted on 27 October 2021 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company late today posted an adjusted EBIT of $3.0 billion with margin of 8.4%. Third-quarter cash flow from operations was $7.0 billion and adjusted free cash flow was $7.7 billion, both up from the second quarter largely because of the higher vehicle wholesales and profitability. The company ended Q3 with $31.5 billion of cash and $47.4 billion in total liquidity.

Once again market share slipped to 4.9% from 6% y-o-y as wholesales dropped to 1,012,000 from 1,178,000. At the end of the third quarter, new vehicle inventory for all makers in the U.S. was just under a million units or approximately 24 days of supply, says NADA. This is a 65% decrease from the start of 2021. In contrast, at the end of the third quarter in 2020, inventory was at 2.7 million units or a 50-day supply.

Third-quarter revenue of $35.7 billion was down from the same quarter a year ago. Semiconductor availability remains a challenge, but “markedly improved from the second quarter, propelling sequential increases in wholesale shipments and revenue of 32% and 33%, respectively.” Continue reading →

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General Motors Q3 Earnings – $2.9 Billion

Posted on 27 October 2021 by Ken Zino

General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) today reported third-quarter earnings of $2.922 Billion. GM said it is on track to deliver full-year 2021 EBIT-adjusted earnings approaching the high end of its guidance range of $11.5B to $13 Billion. EBIT-adjusted was $2.9 billion, with a 10.9% margin. GM said Q3 was challenging due to continuing semiconductor pressures. However, it also includes strong results from GM Financial, the recall cost settlement with supplier and JV partner LG Electronics, and $0.3 billion in equity income from GM joint ventures in China.

“This year, GM is well-positioned to lead the U.S. industry in full-size pickup sales for the seventh consecutive year. And early next year, our pickups raise the bar even higher. The Chevrolet Silverado will offer truck buyers more choices, more technology and more off-road capability. GMC adds the new Sierra Denali Ultimate, the most advanced and luxurious truck in its class. Both Silverado and Sierra will offer Super Cruise with industry-first hands-free trailering, and achieve a 5.8-percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions,” said Mary Barra, CEO. Continue reading →

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GM to Expand EV Charging – 40,000 Stations, New Smart Chargers

Posted on 26 October 2021 by Ken Zino

General Motors said today a new community charging program will install 40,000 Level 2 EV chargers in the U.S. and Canada. GM and its dealers will expand access to charging in local communities including in under-served, rural and urban areas where EV charging access is often limited. This initiative, which begins in 2022, is part of GM’s recently announced commitment to invest nearly $750 million to expand home, workplace and public charging infrastructure through its Ultium Charge 360 system.

Through the GM Dealer Community Charging Program, its dealers to set up Level 2 charging stations (EVSE) at key locations in the dealer’s respective communities, including workplaces, multi-unit dwellings, sports and entertainment venues, college, and universities. These charging stations will be available to all EV customers, not just those who purchase a GM EV. Today, nearly 90% of the U.S. population lives within 10 miles of a GM dealership. The first Ultium Chargers will ship early next year with customers able to roll the price into their GM Financial lease or financial contracts.
 Continue reading →

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GMC Shows Sierra Denali Ultimate and AT4X – $$$$$

Posted on 22 October 2021 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on GMC Shows Sierra Denali Ultimate and AT4X

Click to Enlarge.

GMC has shown its first Sierra Denali Ultimate and AT4X trims on its 2022 models due in Q1 of next year. There are also modest interior and technology updates. The profitable line is led by the Sierra Denali Ultimate trim, which GMC claims is the most advanced and luxuriously appointed Denali ever, and the most advanced and luxurious pickup in its class. Denali Ultimate is the first-ever Sierra AT4X, said to be the new peak in premium off-road performance with capability and refinement changes. Sierra Denali Ultimate trim offers “exclusive” design and premium materials, along with technologies including trailering-capable Super Cruise1 driver-assistance technology and a standard 420-horsepower, 6.2L V-8 engine.

Just bring money. Base pricing for each trim will be available at reservation. MSRP15, including destination charge, for Denali Ultimate is $80,395, AT4X is $74,995, Denali is $61,295, AT4 is $60,995, SLT is $50,895, Elevation is $45,495, SLE $43,895 and Sierra Pro is $32,495. Full pricing will be announced closer to the start of production. Continue reading →

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NTSB – Fatal Texas Tesla Crash Shows Seats Were Occupied

Posted on 22 October 2021 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Tesla Fatal Crash in Texas

Tesla steering wheel – displacement of outer rim from top right of center hub cover. Photo by Adrienne Lamm

The National Transportation Safety Board has issued an investigative update into the April 17 fatal crash of a Tesla in Spring, Texas.

The Tesla Model S P100D car was westbound on Hammock Dunes Place when it left the road, drove over a curb, and hit a drainage culvert, a raised maintenance hole and a tree. A post-crash fire destroyed the car.

Contrary to some sensationalist media reports, the Tesla was occupied by a driver and one passenger, both of whom died in the crash. Damage to steering wheel pictured was due to an impact as the Tesla reached a speed of 67 mph during the 5 seconds leading up to impact.

(Tesla Model 3 – Europe’s Second Best-Selling Car in June 21. Low Emission Cars at Record Share. Makers Lagging Buyers; US Battery Electric Vehicle Market – Progress or Proliferation? Tesla has a 75% Share. Is the Nissan Leaf a Best Buy?; NHTSA on Tesla Again for Bogus Safety Claims) Continue reading →

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Stellantis, Samsung SDI JV for NA Battery Manufacturing

Posted on 22 October 2021 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of Auto Informed.com on Stellantis Intensifies Electrification Strategy

A lot of blue sky ?

Stellantis N.V. (NYSE / MTA / Euronext Paris: STLA) and Samsung SDI* today announced that their companies have entered into a memorandum of understanding to form a joint venture to produce battery cells and modules for North America. Targeted to start in 2025, the plant aims to have an initial annual production capacity of 23 gigawatt hours, with the ability to increase up to 40 gigawatt hours in the future.

The latest Joint Venture for Lithium-Ion Battery Production in North America comes just days after Stellantis announced that it had entered with LG Energy Solution a memorandum of understanding to form a joint venture to produce battery cells and modules for North America. Thus the battery gold rush among major automakers continues with vast unknowns on how EVs will pan out among consumers. (Stellantis, LG Energy JV for North American BatteryProduction;Toyota to Spend $3.4B for US Battery Manufacturing) Continue reading →

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Stellantis, LG Energy JV for North American Battery Production

Posted on 18 October 2021 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on General Motors and LG Energy; Stellantis, LG Energy JV

LG Energy has a growing number of JVs about battery technology and manufacturing.

Stellantis (NYSE / MTA / Euronext Paris: STLA) and LG Energy Solution today announced that they have entered into a memorandum of understanding to form a joint venture to produce battery cells and modules for North America. The JV will establish a new battery manufacturing facility supporting Stellantis’ goal of realizing more than 40% of its sales in the U.S. comprised of electrified vehicles by 2030. Production is scheduled to start  by the first quarter of 2024. Annual production capacity of 40 gigawatt hours is predicted.

The batteries produced at the new facility will be supplied to Stellantis assembly plants throughout the US, Canada and Mexico for installation in next-generation electric vehicles ranging from plug-in hybrids to full battery electric vehicles that will be sold under the Stellantis family of brands. Stellantis was created by the merger of Fiat Chrysler, aka FCA, and Peugeot or PSA. Continue reading →

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Toyota to Spend $3.4B for US Battery Manufacturing

Posted on 18 October 2021 by Ken Zino

Toyota announced today in Japan that it will invest $3.4 billion (¥380B) in automotive batteries in the United States through 2030. The capital spending is for developing and localizing automotive battery production, including those for battery electric vehicles. It is part of the global total of $13.5 billion (¥1.5T) for spending on battery development and production announced last month by TMC. Globally, Toyota has sold more than 18.7 million electrified vehicles, including 4.5 million in the US. (Toyota JV Will See SUV EV Branded Subaru Solterra in 2022)

Toyota Motor North America also announced today that it will establish a new company and build an automotive battery plant together with Toyota Tsusho in the US. Production is expected to start in 2025, the project includes an investment of approximately $1.29 billion until 2031, which includes funds that will be used to develop land and build facilities, resulting in the creation of 1,750 new American jobs. Continue reading →

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GM Plant Workers Face Threats After Voting Out Corrupt Union

Posted on 16 October 2021 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on GM’s Silao Plant Workers Face Threats After Voting Out Corrupt Union

Democracy in action. Click to Enlarge.

Workers who voted to reject their collective agreement controlled by the Miguel Trujillo López union – affiliated to the business-friendly Confederation of Mexican Workers – has resulted in threats and harassment because they support a new, independent union, according to IndustriALL, a global consortium of union workers. General Motors has not replied to AutoInformed’s requests for comment. (GM Workers in Mexico Reject Corrupt Union to Form New One)

On 17 and 18 August, workers at the General Motors (GM) plant in Silao, Mexico, voted against the current collective bargaining agreement, which since 2008 has been controlled by Tereso Medina, general secretary of the Miguel Trujillo López union, affiliated the Confederation of Mexican Workers (CTM). A total of 6,480 workers cast their ballot. There were 2,623 votes in favor of the agreement, 3,214 against, and 39 spoiled ballots. As a result, the current collective agreement is in the process of being scrapped. Workers will not lose any of their rights, and their benefits and working conditions will remain the same until new representatives are elected. Continue reading →

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Porsche Record Deliveries – Up 13% Jan – Sept 2021

Posted on 15 October 2021 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Porsche Record Deliveries Up 13% Jan - Sept 2021

Click to Enlarge.

Between January and September 2021, Porsche delivered 217,198 vehicles worldwide, setting a new record despite Covid and semi-conductor woes. This represented a 13% increase for the sports car and SUV manufacturer.

Demand rose across all sales regions, with the US again recording particularly strong growth under the policies of the Biden Administration.

Porsche Cayenne remains the most popular model, with 62,451 delivered, followed by the Macan with 61,944 units, a 12 % increase. The fully electric Taycan posted 28,640 cars being delivered to customers. Now in its second full year on the market, it is – gasp – equal to 911 sports car, 27,972 of which were delivered in the first three quarters – an increase 10%. The 718 Boxster and 718 Cayman were purchased by 15,916 customers, a rise of 1% compared to the same period last year. Deliveries of the Panamera also remained at 20,275, an increase of 1% y-o-y. Continue reading →

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France – HYVIA JV Unveils First Hydrogen Prototype

Posted on 14 October 2021 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on HYVIA unveils its first hydrogen prototypes

Click to Enlarge.

Hyvia today showed a Renault Master Van H2-TECH prototype that it claims enables zero CO2 emissions*, increased range, and fast refueling time. It is a large van for transporting goods and packages, with 12m3 of cargo volume and a range of up to 500km that will be made in France and on sale in 2022 if all goes well.

Next prototypes to come include a Master Chassis Cab H2-TECH,a large van with more cargo space (19m3) and a range of about 250km; Master Citybus H2-TECH, an urban minibus that can carry up to 15 passengers for businesses, municipalities, and local public services, with a range of about 300km. Continue reading →

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Stellantis on SAE Level 3 Public Road Autonomous Driving

Posted on 14 October 2021 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Kia battery-electric EV6

Click to Enlarge.

Stellantis has made known its contributions to the L3Pilot automated driving project at the L3Pilot final event in Hamburg, Germany, in conjunction with ITS World Congress. The four-year project is critical to automated driving data collection and validation in order to perform extensive tests of SAE Level 3 autonomy technology functions.

At SAE Level 3, the driver does not need to monitor the driving circumstances constantly but must take back control when the system requests. L3Pilot, the flagship research and innovation project in Europe, is arguably one of the most important for the future of automated driving since it is focused on testing and evaluating the technology as a safe and efficient means of transportation in real traffic conditions. It also assessed technical aspects, driving behavior, user acceptance and impact on traffic and safety. Continue reading →

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China: Nippon Steel Sues Toyota over Steel Sheet Patent

Posted on 14 October 2021 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Nippon Steel Sues Toyota on Electromagnetic Steel Sheet Patent

About the only place Toyota appears vulnerable is China, where war memories cause problems.

Nippon Steel is suing Toyota for violating its electromagnetic1 steel sheet patent. Toyota in a characteristically Japanese reply said today “that such matters should be discussed between material manufacturers, and we have learned of this lawsuit with great regret.”

The conflict arises from Baoshan Iron & Steel, based in Shanghai, China, and a subsidiary of state-owned China Baowu Steel Group. It is listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange. Toyota uses Baoshan steel sheet. It comes at a time when the Biden Administration is wrestling with US trade policy with China. The former administration started a trade war that cost US jobs, damaged the agricultural sector, and was a disaster for the US auto industry in China, the world’s largest vehicle market. It is also involved in a dispute about whether proposed lavish EV buyer tax credits should apply to imported and non-union made electric vehicles. Continue reading →

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