Stellantis to Buy First Investors Financial Services

Posted on 1 September 2021 by Ken Zino

Stellantis N.V. (NYSE / MTA / Euronext Paris: STLA) today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire F1 Holdings Corp., parent company to First Investors Financial Services Group1, an independent auto finance company in the United States of America. The all cash transaction for ~$285 million, subject to adjustments for closing balance sheet and certain outstanding options from an investor group led by Gallatin Point Capital LLC and including affiliates of Jacobs Asset Management, LLC. The Transaction is expected to close by the end of 2021, subject to customary closing conditions.

This is either an opportunity or survival necessity, depending on your viewpoint. It will allow Stellantis to provide customers and dealers a range of financing options, including retail loans, leases, and floorplan financing in the near term. A so-called “captive U.S. finance company”  can provide revenue and marketing incentives in the digital age for customers who purchase Jeep, Ram, Dodge, Chrysler, Fiat and Alfa Romeo vehicles. Continue reading →

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FAA Data Show Trends in Dangerous Aircraft Laser Strikes

Posted on 1 September 2021 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of Auto Informed.com on FAA Data Show Trends in Dangerous Aircraft Laser Strikes

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Shining a laser at an aircraft poses a serious safety threat and can result in large fines and criminal penalties. Working to identify trends in laser strikes, the U.S. Transportation Department’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) created a visualization tool that analyzes laser strike data from 2010 to 2020. The tool identifies trends that include geographic area, per capita data, time of day and year.

The FAA says it is sharing the information in the new format to draw attention to the dangerously high rate of laser strikes on airplanes.
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GM Canada Picks TELUS 5G Network

Posted on 1 September 2021 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino AutoInformed.com on OnStar Guardian service plan extension to other people

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GM Canada has selected for the first time a domestic communications company to provide connected-vehicle services for Canadian customers.

The move is key step in GM’s stated goal of adding new driver-assistance technologies, with zero crashes and zero congestion. It’s also part of the ongoing push toward autonomous vehicles. This and related moves by other automakers also raise antitrust and privacy issues that are thus far unaddressed. Continue reading →

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IONIQ 5 Robotaxi Revealed

Posted on 31 August 2021 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on IONIQ 5 Robotaxi Revealed

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Today, Motional, a self-proclaimed leader in driverless technology, and Hyundai Motor Group unveiled the IONIQ 5-based robotaxi), Motional’s next-generation robotaxi. It is Motional’s first commercial vehicle. If things work out, it will be used in its fully driverless public ride-hail service starting in 2023 through a deal with Lyft.

Based on the Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), Hyundai Motor Group’s dedicated battery electric vehicle (BEV) platform, the IONIQ 5 robotaxi’s interior provides – its claimed – passengers “with a spacious, comfortable place to work, relax, or socialize during their driverless ride.” In a nod to individuality, passengers “interact” with the vehicle during their ride, such as directing the robotaxi to make an extra stop. Continue reading →

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Santiago Chamorro now President GM South America

Posted on 31 August 2021 by Ken Zino

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Santiago Chamorro Now President, Managing Director of GM South AmericaGeneral Motors announced today that Santiago Chamorro is now president and managing director of GM South America. Chamorro will report to Steve Kiefer, GM senior vice president and president, GM International.

Chamorro will relocate from Michigan, where he held his most recent position as GM vice president, Global Connected Services – to São Paulo. Jeff Massimilla, GM executive director, Connected Customer and Mobility Services, replaces Chamorro.  Continue reading →

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Porsche Expanding R&D in China

Posted on 30 August 2021 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of Auto Informed.com on Porsche Expanding in R&D China

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Porsche said today that it is expanding in R&D in China, the world’s largest car market. The new permanent Research and Development center in Shanghai will increase employment in what is Porsche’s biggest single market for six years running. China, arguably, is becoming or is now the center of the automotive universe.

“Having a permanent home for this work in China will bring obvious benefits, particularly when it comes to reflecting and predicting our customer’s needs in China, a nation that has truly welcomed Porsche and has taken our cars to heart to the extent that it’s been our biggest sales market,” said Oliver Blume, Chairman of the Executive Board at Porsche. Continue reading →

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Toyota e-Palette Operating Again After Olympic Pedestrian Hit

Posted on 30 August 2021 by Ken Zino

Toyota today said that The Tokyo Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games has decided to resume operations of the e-Palette mobility vehicle within the Athletes’ Village. Operations of mobility services were suspended at the Athletes’ Village last week when the e-Palette collided with a visually impaired pedestrian. China continues its lead medal count ( See photos from The Atlantic. 

The pedestrian was a visually impaired person who was walking alone. When the pedestrian tried to cross the intersection, the individual met e-Palette passing through the intersection. When the vehicle was turning right, upon entering the intersection, it detected a person in the intersection and stopped. Continue reading →

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Kia Tweaks Niro Plug-in Hybrid

Posted on 28 August 2021 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of Auto Informed.com on Kia Tweaks Niro Plug-in Hybrid

Long cycle times, intense capital investment and political ideology bought by Big Oil has slowed the response to the increasingly negative effects of Global Warming.

The Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) arrives for the 2022 model year with different Kia badging on the grille, tailgate, steering wheel hub and wheel center caps. Niro PHEV continues to deliver an EPA-estimated 26 miles of all-electric range on a single charge1 and remains eligible for the $4,543 Federal tax credit along with any applicable state and local incentives, depending on location of purchase.2

With an all-electric range of only 26 miles because of a minuscule 8.9 kWh lithium-ion polymer hybrid battery, its contribution to limiting fossil fuel use that is negatively affecting the planet is laughable. See the considerably more expensive Kia Nero EV ($42,165- $45,825) with a 64 kWh battery at the bottom of this story. Continue reading →

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GMC Canyon AT4 OVRLANDX Concept Debuts

Posted on 28 August 2021 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of Auto Informed.com on GMC Canyon AT4 OVRLANDX Concept

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GMC showed its Canyon AT4 OVRLANDX concept truck yesterday at Overland Expo Mountain West 2021. In the age-old concept commercial plug – it is “exploring GMC’s vision for its growing lineup of premium yet capable trucks and SUVs.”

GMC first introduced AT4 in its Sierra light-duty pickup truck in 2019. Here it’s powered by a 3.6-liter V-6 engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission and front and rear electronic locking differentials. With a 27.7-degree approach angle and a ground clearance of 10.0 inches, helped by 33-inch BFGoodrich KM3 Mud-Terrain tires on 17-inch AEV Crestone wheels this is clearly an off-road vehicle. Continue reading →

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Bridgestone Recalls Alenza, Dueler, Ecopia, Turanza and Firestone Destination Tires for Leaks

Posted on 27 August 2021 by Ken Zino

Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations is recalling Bridgestone Dueler H/L 422 Ecopia P245/60R18, Dueler H/L Alenza 275/55R20, Ecopia H/L 422 Plus 235/55R20, Turanza EL440 235/60R18, and Firestone Destination LE3 225/65R17 tires with DOT code 2821. These tires may have been manufactured with a pinhole in the outboard side of the tire. The defective tires fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 139, “New Pneumatic Radial Tires for Light Vehicles.” Vehicles equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) may detect loss of tire air pressure.
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Toyota e-Palette Hits Pedestrian at Paralympic Games

Posted on 27 August 2021 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of Auto Informed.com on Toyota e-Palette Hits Pedestrian at Paralympic Games

“In the future, the e-Palette will be able to be an office, a shop, or even a hotel. It will be able to become various kinds of services, and it will go to people,” said Toyoda in 1999.

On Thursday 26 August 2021, a Toyota e-Palette, an autonomous vehicle used to support mobility within the Athletes’ Village at the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo, collided with a visually impaired person about to cross at a pedestrian crossing. At the Olympic Village there are 16 e-Palettes <Click to see them working) to facilitate athletes’ movement within the village. Although each e-Pallet has an onboard safety operator, the vehicles are essentially autonomous. A team of Toyota employees works around the clock in four groups in three shifts to keep the e-Pallets going.

All operations of the e-Palette are currently suspended. In a statement Toyota said: “We are fully cooperating with the police investigation into the incident to determine the cause of this accident. In addition, we will conduct our own thorough investigation into the cause of the accident, and we will continue to coordinate closely with the Tokyo Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games to ensure that we prevent any incidents from occurring in the future.” Continue reading →

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What Car? Britain’s Most and Least Reliable Cars

Posted on 26 August 2021 by Ken Zino

The UK’s most and least reliable new and used cars have been revealed in the 2021 What Car? Reliability Survey from anew car buying platform. For what it’s worth as a data point, What Car claims feedback from more than 16,000 car owners that was analyzed to find the most dependable 178 models and 30 brands, from nearly new cars to those aged up to five years old.

“Our latest study also shows that a high price tag isn’t always a guarantee of reliability, because some of Britain’s cheapest cars are among the most reliable,” said What Car? editor Steve Huntingford. Continue reading →

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Milestones: 50 Million Toyota Corollas or 12 Generations

Posted on 26 August 2021 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of Auto Informed.com on 50-Million Toyota Corollas

Click to Enlarge. The oldest Corolla …

Toyota notes today that it has sold the 50-millionth Corolla, a milestone not just in Toyota history, but automotive history too. Now in its 12th generation and more than 55 years in production, Corolla remains one of the world’s top-selling vehicles. Toyota introduced the Corolla in 1966. It arrived in the U.S. in spring 1968 as a 1969 model, starting at about $1700. The AM radio was an option. Gas cost $0.35 a gallon, and the median household income was $7,700. AutoInformed observes that until recently, the Honda Civic was had the better set-up and more technology for spirited, performance-oriented driving. (Gen 12 Corolla Rolls Off the Line at Toyota Mississippi)

Ken Zino of Auto Informed.com on 50-Million Toyota Corollas

… the New Corolla Cross.

Tracking the seeming inevitable fate of automobiles and trucks in America, Corolla quickly evolved to offer more room, comfort and performance for close to three generations of customers. The 2022 Corolla combines advanced tech, sporty style and top-level comfort with up to 53/52/52 EPA estimated MPG in the hybrid model and the protection of standard Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 with automatic emergency braking. And, gasp, the first-ever Corolla Cross SUV-like version. Toyota invites everyone with a Corolla story to share it using #MyCorollaStory. Continue reading →

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VW Starts Car-Net Carrier of Choice with Verizon and T-Mobile

Posted on 26 August 2021 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of Auto Informed.com on Volkswagen Starts Car-Net Carrier of Choice with Verizon and T-Mobile

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Volkswagen of America will be offering through wireless providers Verizon and T-Mobile a so-called Carrier of Choice in late September. Volkswagen appears to be the first automaker working with both Verizon and T-Mobile to offer customers the choice from multiple wireless providers to enable Car-Net’s in-vehicle Wi-Fi hotspot.

In the fast-growing world of connected cars there remain large questions about anti-trust regulations and their application – if any has been attempted – to protect consumers from cartel or monopoly pricing. Car-Net, with in-car Wi-Fi capability when you subscribe to a data plan, is standard equipment on most 2020 model year and forward Volkswagen vehicles. The Carrier of Choice program will be available starting late September this year.  Continue reading →

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US Auto Sales Forecast Down Again in August

Posted on 26 August 2021 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of Auto Informed.com on Forecast US New Vehicle Sales August 2021

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New-vehicle retail  and fleet sales for the month of August are expected to decline from August 2020 and decline from August 2019, according to a joint forecast from J.D. Power and LMC Automotive. August 2021 has one fewer selling day than August 2020 and three fewer selling days than August 2019. Comparing the same retail sales volume without adjusting for the number of selling days translates to a decrease of 17.6% from 2020 and a decrease of 30.0% from 2019.

Overall new-vehicle sales for August 2021, including retail and non-retail transactions, are projected to reach 1,094,500 units, a 13.7% decrease from August 2020 and a 25.3% decrease from August 2019. Comparing the same sales volume without adjusting for the number of selling days translates to a decrease of 17.0% from 2020 and a decrease of 33.3% from 2019. The seasonally adjusted annualized rate (SAAR) for total new-vehicle sales is expected to be 13.1 million units, down 2.1 million units from 2020 and down 4.0 million units from 2019.
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