Kia April Global Sales Recovery from Covid Contraction

Posted on 3 May 2021 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Kia April 2021 Global Sales Recovery

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Kia Corporation posted total global vehicle sales of 249,734 units in April 2021 based on wholesales deliveries. This was a 78% increase compared to the same month last year. In keeping with a long-standing industry trend, Kia’s range of SUV models led the company’s global sales, with the Sportage and Seltos SUV models selling 27,955 and 26,864 units respectively. The K3 compact sedan sold 22,591 units.

Sales recovered in the U.S. led by Telluride and Seltos SUV models, which also helped this year’s strong global results. Kia recorded its second best-ever monthly sales in the U.S., with five Kia models setting sales records this April helped by a competent Federal Government taking demonstrably successful steps to address the Covid pandemic. Continue reading →

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Hyundai Motor America Posts Record April 2021 Sales

Posted on 3 May 2021 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Hyundai Motor America April 2021 Sales

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Hyundai Motor America reported total April sales of 77,523 units, a 128% increase compared with April 2020. Hyundai again set an all-time monthly sales record, beating the previous best ever mark set last month. Hyundai fleet sales were down 27%, representing 3% of total volume. April was also the best retail month ever, with 74,978 retail sales, up 146%. Retail sales rose for the entire lineup with SUVs (+137%), cars (+163%) and eco-friendly vehicles (+640%), all up triple digits. This is consistent with other makers’ results since last April a Fool was in the White House promoting bleach as a Covid cure as the pandemic increased in severity with disastrous social, employment and economic consequences. 
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Mazda Reports North American April Sales Results of 31,000

Posted on 3 May 2021 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Mazda North American Operations April 2021 Sales

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Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) today reported total April sales of 31,117 vehicles, an increase of 184.4% compared to the Covid disaster month of April 2020 – one of many under the previous “drink bleach”  Federal Administration.Year-to-date sales totaled 114,375 vehicles; an increase of 45.5% compared to the same time last year. With 26 selling days in April, compared to the same number the year prior, the company posted an increase of 48.4% on a Daily Selling Rate (DSR) basis. This is roughly in line with sales results from other competitors. Continue reading →

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Audi Recalls 36 Models for Rear Axle Corrosion, Failure

Posted on 3 May 2021 by Ken Zino

Audi is recalling 36 models* because the lock nut on the trailing arm of the rear axle may break due to stress corrosion. Dealers will replace the lock nuts and, if necessary, the associated bolts, free of charge as is required by US regulations. the German supplied recalled lock nuts do not meet factory specifications. Audi claimed it is not aware of any field cases in the United States.

In the required NHTSA filing Audi said: “ It cannot be ruled out that the rear axle could suddenly and uncontrollably move in the wrong direction at higher speeds. This can lead to a loss of vehicle control and a crash without warning… Due to stress corrosion on the lock nuts of these particular production batches, the nut of the excentric (sic) bolt on the trailing arm of the rear axle may break which may cause alterations in the wheel alignment of the rear axle. The driver may notice a steering wheel misalignment when driving straight ahead or the vehicle pulling to one side when braking or accelerating.” Continue reading →

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Solid Power – More Money from BMW, Ford, Volta Energy Technologies for Solid-State EV Batteries

Posted on 3 May 2021 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Solid Power’s Solid-State Batteries for Electric Vehicles

Promising, but mass-producible?

Solid Power, a maker of all solid-state batteries for electric vehicles, today announced a $130 million Series B investment round by the BMW Group, Ford Motor Company and Volta Energy Technologies. Ford and BMW Group enlarged existing development agreements with Solid Power to buy all solid-state batteries for future electric vehicles. Ford and the BMW Group are now equal equity owners. Representatives from each company will join Solid Power’s board.

Of the three companies in the new agreement, BMW Group is the clear leader in electrification. Its Neue Klasse presented in March said this new generation of vehicles, due by the middle of this decade, will be “uncompromisingly electric, digital, circular – and clearly focused on all-electric drivetrains.” As auto industry observers well know, the road from test labs, to concepts, to prototypes, to successful mass production of a vehicle is littered with road kills of technological promises. (All-Electric BMW i4 Shown, Q1 Financial Results of BMW Exceed Market Expectations) Continue reading →

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Q1 US Real Gross Domestic Product at 6.4% Annual Rate

Posted on 30 April 2021 by Ken Zino

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on the Growing Biden Economy and American Jobs PlanIn a clear victory for the Biden Administration over the do-nothing party of nothings, the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) has released the advance estimate for gross domestic product (GDP) for Q1 of 2021. It’s good news for auto industry workers.

Commerce says that real gross domestic product increased at a 6.4% annual rate. Personal consumption expenditures increased by a vigorous 10.7% annual rate, while business investment in equipment and intellectual property products continued to grow steadily. Continue reading →

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CARB Fines Plasti Dip International for Air Quality Violations

Posted on 30 April 2021 by Ken Zino

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on CARB Fines Plasti Dip International for Air Quality ViolationsThe California Air Resources Board today announced a settlement of $170,000 with Plasti Dip International for violating California’s Consumer Products Regulations, specifically related to aerosol coatings. Plasti Dip, located in Blaine, MN is the manufacturer of a rubber coating sold nationwide, including in auto and hardware stores throughout California.

Plasti Dip violated the Aerosol Coating Products Regulation by selling, for use in California, Plasti Dip Metalizer, Plasti Dip Classic Muscle, and Plasti Dip Glossifier, all of which exceeded the allowed reactivity limit. Continue reading →

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Toyota Developing Hydrogen Engine with Motorsports

Posted on 30 April 2021 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Toyota Developing Hydrogen Engines through Motorsports

By refining hydrogen technologies through motorsports, Toyota aims for a better hydrogen-based society.

Toyota Motor announced today that it is developing a hydrogen engine. Toyota has installed the engine on a racing vehicle based on the Corolla Sport, which it will enter in competition under ORC ROOKIE Racing flag starting with the Fuji Super TEC 24 Hours Race on 21-23 May. (AutoInformed: First Look – A Technological Tour de Force – Toyota Gen 2 Mirai Fuel-Cell Electric Sedan Starting at -$9000 Compared to Gen 1)

Plans are for the hydrogen-engine-powered race vehicle  – 1.6-liter turbocharged and intercooled – to be fueled during races using hydrogen produced* at the Fukushima Hydrogen Energy Research Field in Namie Town, Fukushima Prefecture.  Continue reading →

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FY2021 Toyota Sales, Production Drop Less than 10%

Posted on 29 April 2021 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Toyota FY2021 Results

Global sales in FY2021 were down 4% primarily by lost sales in China, North America, and Japan.

Toyota Motor Corporation says despite the COVID-19 pandemic that began spreading early in 2020, Toyota was able to continue corporate activities through the implementation of various infection prevention measures and by working with partners including suppliers and dealers and focusing on “doing what should be done.”

Toyota’s global sales and production have both been up year-on-year since September 2020, enabling Toyota to limit the year-on-year decline in sales and production to less than -10% in FY2021 ending 31 March 2021. Additionally, Toyota has maintained domestic production at the 3-million-unit level. Continue reading →

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Ford Posts Q1 Income of $3.3B. Semiconductors Still Difficult

Posted on 29 April 2021 by Ken Zino

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Ford Motor Q1 2021 Operating ResultsFord Motor Company posted Q1 revenue  increases to $36.2 billion, producing net income of $3.3 billion, which was the best since 2011, and a record adjusted EBIT of $4.8 billion. Global sales were 1,062,000 vehicles. However, semi-conductor problems loom. All told, Ford CFO John Lawyer said the company now expects to lose about 1.1 million units of production this year due to the semiconductor shortage. Continue reading →

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Ford Exec Re-shuffle in Struggling India, South America, China

Posted on 29 April 2021 by Ken Zino

Two senior Ford executives are getting new strategic assignments. Steven Armstrong, who has led the Changan Ford joint venture in China for the past year and one-half, will become transformation officer, South America and India, effective May 1. He will lead evaluation of capital allocations to India and conclusion of restructuring of Ford’s South America business. Ford claimed in January that going forward it will serve customers in South America with increasingly electrified SUVs, pickups and commercial vehicles sourced from Argentina, Uruguay and other markets. Continue reading →

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April US Auto Sales About to be Highest Ever. Blip or Trend?

Posted on 29 April 2021 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on April US New Vehicle Sales Forecast

Truck/SUVs are on pace to account for 76.1% of new-vehicle retail sales in April.

New-vehicle retail sales for April 2021 are expected to be the highest ever recorded for the month of April, according to a joint forecast from J.D. Power and LMC Automotive just issued. Retail sales for new vehicles are projected to reach 1,325,500 units, a 110.6% increase compared with April 2020, and an 20.8% increase compared with April 2019, when adjusted for selling days.*

Total new-vehicle sales for April 2021, including retail and non-retail transactions, are forecast to reach 1,479,800 units, a 107.1% increase from April 2020 and a 7.8% increase from April 2019 when adjusted for selling days. Reporting the same numbers without controlling for the number of selling days translates to a 107.1% increase from April 2020 and a 12.1% increase from April 2019. The seasonally adjusted annualized rate (SAAR) for total new-vehicle sales is expected to be 18.1 million units, up 9.4 million units from 2020 and up 1.7 million units from 2019. Continue reading →

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Boss-Napping at Renault’s Fonderie de Bretagne Ends

Posted on 28 April 2021 by Ken Zino

A group of employees of the Fonderie de Bretagne who were holding seven members of the company at the Caudan site in western France that makes parts for several Renault vehicles ended early this morning after 12 hours. At issue was the future of the plant and roughly 350 jobs. A CGT union spokesperson said the managers still refused to talk or bargain in good faith.

AutoInformed first became aware of the union action late yesterday when Renault issued an unusual statement on its website: “Renault Group strongly condemns these actions and calls for the lifting of the blockade and an immediate return to calm. Renault Group recalls that the search for a buyer is currently underway in order to maintain the site’s activities and ensure the continuity of jobs. This process must continue with dialogue and calm.” Continue reading →

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Penske Automotive Posts All Time Record Q1 Results

Posted on 28 April 2021 by Ken Zino

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Penske Automotive Posts All Time Record Q1 ResultsPenske Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE:PAG) today reported the highest Q1 revenue, income from continuing operations, and earnings per share in company history. For the three months ended March 31, 2021, the company reported a 253.7% increase in income from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders to $182.5 million and a 253.1% increase in related earnings per share to $2.26. This compares to income from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders of $51.6 million, or $0.64 per share in the prior year, which was affected by the Covid pandemic. Foreign exchange positively impacted earnings per share by $0.05 in the first quarter of 2021. Total revenue increased 15.3% to $5.8 billion from $5.0 billion in 2020.

Penske – as a diversified international transportation services company – is a good leading indicator of the overall health of the transportation sectors with the caveat that it is heavily biased toward luxury brands. Continue reading →

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Ford Ion Park – New Global Battery R&D Site in Michigan

Posted on 27 April 2021 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on New Global Ford Battery R&D Site in Michigan

Dane Hardware, Ford Motor design and release engineer, and Mary Fredrick, Ford battery validation engineer, measure the voltage of a battery using a digital multi-meter at Ford’s Battery Benchmarking and Test Laboratory in Allen Park MI.

Ford Motor today announced a new global battery “center of excellence “ called Ford Ion Park in southeast MI. It is supposed to accelerate research and development of battery and battery cell technology, including future battery manufacturing – areas where Ford is lagging behind other automakers, notably General Motors in the US and global makers such as BMW, Nissan, Toyota and Honda. Continue reading →

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