Kansas City to Assemble All-Electric Ford E-Transit

Posted on 10 November 2020 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Ford's movement toward a green economy COVID-19 Liquity

E-Transit, to be revealed Thursday, is part of Ford’s $11.5 billion-plus investment in electrification through 2022.

Ford Motor Company announced today that its Kansas City Assembly Plant will build the all-new E-Transit van, part of a more than $3.2 billion investment in Ford’s North American manufacturing facilities to produce a series of new electric vehicles for commercial and retail customers. It’s ironic that the transition to a carbon-free economy and the jobs it is now creating in the US auto industry comes in part because of the ousted Trump Administration’s anti-environmental policies that are at odds with a global trend toward healing the earth that is being reinforced by regulators. Ford spends more than $5 billion annually on engineering in America, which includes the development of the all-new, fully electric Transit, the F-150, and the all-new Mustang Mach-E.

Ford’s is changing its manufacturing footprint across North America – working with local and national governments – to lead the transition to electric vehicles and meet consumer demand in the coming years. Electric vehicles are a key part of Ford’s commitment meet the requirements of the Paris Accord – which President elect Biden will rejoin – and achieve carbon neutrality globally by 2050.
 Continue reading →

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2022 Bolt EV Has More Info on EV Power Flow Screen. What It Needs is Less Price

Posted on 9 November 2020 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino on 2022 Bolt EV Power Flow Screen

Chevrolet 2022 Bolt Power Flow Screen pre-production. Click to Enlarge.

Chevrolet today shared a peek of the 2022 Bolt EV Power Flow Screen, which will give owners information about their electric vehicle, including regenerative  braking [footnote 1] use and battery charge level. The Bolt EUV (electric utility vehicle) will be the first electric vehicle from Chevrolet to offer Super Cruise[footnote 2], the industry’s first true hands-free driver assistance system for divided and compatible highways. The refreshed Bolt EV and the Bolt EUV will go into production in summer 2021. Starting with model year 2020, the Bolt EV has an EPA-estimated 417 km of range on a full charge, a 10% increase (34 km) compared to previous model years. Be aware – as always – actual range will vary based on temperature, terrain, battery age and how a driver uses and maintains the Bolt.

Two trim levels available: LT and Premier are offered. Bolt is pricey starting just under $38,000. Bolt EV’s drive system uses a single, high-capacity electric motor for propulsion capable of producing up to 266 lb.-ft. (360 Nm) of torque and 200 hp (150 kW) of power, enabling 0-96 km/h in 6.5 seconds. Power delivery is controlled by Electronic Precision Shift system. The Bolt EV’s 66 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack is made up of 288 individual cells. The Standard DC Fast Charging system enables the battery to be charged up to 160km of range in 30 minutes. Continue reading →

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Debt to Watch as Covid Spreads – New FCA Bank Notes

Posted on 9 November 2020 by Ken Zino

FCA Bank* acting through its Irish Branch successfully priced today a Euro 850 million offering of unsecured senior debt securities due November 2023, with a fixed rate coupon set at 0.125%. This issuance represents the lowest ever coupon for FCA Bank in the Eurobond market, with an order book of over Euro 5 billion from 277 investors. This issuance, the third one in 2020, falling just a couple of months after the September 2020 trade, accelerates the execution of the 2021 refinancing plan and “further strengthens the group’s funding position, confirming the investors’ confidence in FCA Bank.”

It also deftly sidesteps the consequences of conservative Boris Johnson’s government and the Brexit madness that will isolate the British economy and perhaps see a return to the Irish people of the IRA plague of violence that the Good Friday agreement ended. This nightmare of  political violence also present in the US, reappeared last August when a cleanup of the paramilitary New Irish Republican Army led to arrests on terrorism-related charges and serious rioting. If Brexit talks fail, more is likely to follow, and the membership of the  New IRA and other groups could grow. Continue reading →

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FAW J7+ Autonomous Truck Passes Chinese Certification

Posted on 9 November 2020 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on FAW J7+ Autonomous Truck

The certification test that the FAW J7+ automated truck passed was based on China’s highway and transportation standards.

China’s first autonomous truck, FAW J7+, passed the national certification test at the China Automotive Technology & Research Center (CATARC). The FAW J7+ has met all key safety and performance metrics to start on-road operation. This is China’s first independent certification of an automated truck, an important milestone for the commercialization of automated heavy-duty trucks in China. It is expected to enter production during the first half of 2021. It used Plus self-driving technology.*

Autonomous trucks or commercial vehicles are poised to become a global battleground among makers since it is a more expansive road to profitable products than autonomous cars. Nonetheless, the technology is daunting and just as expensive, but it can be transferred to anything mobile. An announcement from General Motors on autonomous trucks is expected at anytime now as it is in talks with talks with startup called Nikola Corp. about a partnership to make electric and fuel-cell-powered trucks. GM is well along in its own autonomous vehicle driving technology and electrification and plans to begin testing unmanned autonomous vehicles by the end of this year in San Francisco.  (GM Earns $5.3B in Q3 – Trucks, China Help)

China with its own vast market and a Communist central government that can quickly decree and implement policy – think Covid response or Trump’s defeat in the trade war he started – would seem to have an advantage here. It is lucky for western automakers that Chinese industrial policy allowed them to operate there but only with local partners. How the pie is sliced outside of China when and if the exports become voluminous will be subject to much behind the scenes maneuvering and uncomfortable board meetings. (Covid Causalities: US Trade Deficit Continues to Increase) Continue reading →

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Maserati Notes Tipo 300s Win at Venezuela Grand Prix

Posted on 7 November 2020 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on the Maserati Tipo 300S

Click to Enlarge.

On 6 November 1955 the Maserati Tipo 300S, with Juan Manuel Fangio at the wheel, won the Venezuela GP, marking the start of two years of major successes. Maserati notes this victory to underline its strong connection to the world of motor-racing whose viewership is off roughly 40% in a Covid infested world. Nonetheless, Maserati was born on the track with a tradition and history of wins on roads and circuits all over the world.

What happens going forward is anyone’s guess. The new MC20 supercar will mark Maserati’s return to the world of racing.*

The Tipo 300S was created in 1955 as an evolution of the 250S single-seater, and it was the symbol of Maserati in international racing until 1959. In 1954, with the development of the 250S prototype fitted with a 230 horsepower 2.5-litre engine derived from the unit mounted in the 250F racer used in F1, the racing staff began to work increasing the displacement and output. The result was the straight six 3.0-liter unit, more powerful and higher-performing but with fewer mechanical stresses due to the lower compression ratio and a low rpm, despite the higher piston speed. Continue reading →

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Toyota Sustaining Some Profits During FY 2021 Covid Crisis

Posted on 6 November 2020 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Toyota Financial Results - FY 2021 First Half

Click to Enlarge.

In Japan this morning Toyota Motor said that during the first half of Fiscal Year 2021* during the Covid Crisis that profits were maintained even though sales, operating income and margins dropped drastically. Furthermore a special dividend would be declared that appears risky given the ongoing spread and re-emergence of Covid in most of its major markets. The Outlook updated from May was increased to 8.6 million vehicle sales (+600K) and now projects 1300 billion Yen, up 800 billion Yen – bold but not unattainable predictions in AutoInformed’s view.

Toyota President Akio Toyoda made an appearance – the first time that Akio came to the interim financial results briefing since he became president. Normally, the person in charge of accounting and finance presented at the briefing, so it was a break from tradition – highly unusual for the Japanese culture. Toyoda was immediately asked why? (To defend the dividend increase to the stock markets. – Editor) Continue reading →

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Random Covid Curiosities

Posted on 6 November 2020 by AutoCrat

An arbitrary and whimsical look at virus induced tendencies, trends and knock downs. – AutoCrat.

6 November 2020 – The Pulse of America Weakening. Mood Muddy? Based on responses collected October 14 through October 26, the Household Pulse Survey From the US Census estimates that:

  • 24.1% of American adults expect someone in their household to experience a loss in employment income in the next 4 weeks
  • 36.9% of adults live in households where at least one adult substituted some or all in-person work for telework because of the corona-virus pandemic
  • 10.9% of American adults lived in households where there was either sometimes or often not enough to eat in the previous 7 days
  • 7.0% of adults are either not current on their rent or mortgage payment, or have slight or no confidence in making their next payment on time
  • Of adults living in households not current on rent or mortgage, 28.4% report eviction or foreclosure in the next two months is either somewhat or highly likely
  • 33.1% of adults live in households where it has been somewhat or exceedingly difficult to pay usual household expenses during the corona-virus pandemic
  • 82.5% of adults in households with post-secondary educational plans had those plans cancelled or significantly changed this fall.

4 November 2020 – Safer at Home Economic Effects.  The US Census Bureau today notes that Social Distancing and “Safer-at-Home” procedures in effect for months now have had widespread effects across the economy. Some industries were affected much more quickly, as behavioral changes predated any official stay-at-home directives Census believes.

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on economic effects of Covid.

Click to Enlarge.

The first example is transportation revenue, which already was dropping. “Passenger transportation industries saw revenue declines in both the first and second quarters of 2020. However, the results were mixed for goods-moving industries. Quarter-to-quarter percent change in seasonally adjusted revenue for air, truck, and transit and ground passenger transportation and couriers and messengers over the past five years show: Continue reading →

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GM Earns $5.3B in Q3 – Trucks, China Help

Posted on 5 November 2020 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on GM Earnings Q3 2020

Click to Enlarge.

General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) today reported Q3 earnings helped by China and North American Sales of truck and SUVs despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, GM launched an all-new portfolio of full-size Chevrolet, GMC and Cadillac sport utility vehicles, and maintained its leading U.S. full-size pickup truck and large SUV market share.  Continue reading →

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California AG, CARB File Motion To Shield LA Area Communities From Port of Los Angeles China Shipping Terminal Air Pollution

Posted on 5 November 2020 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on deadly pollution from China Shipping Terminal at the Port of Los Angeles

“The City and Port of Los Angeles have allowed China Shipping to tear up the environmental mitigation promises that got them their permits to expand, while doing nothing to stop the company from pumping excessive amounts of pollution into nearby communities,” said CARB Chair Mary Nichols. “This must stop.”

California Attorney General Xavier Becerra and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) have filed a motion to intervene in a lawsuit challenging the Port of Los Angeles’ approval of the revised China Shipping Terminal project and certification of its Supplemental Environmental Impact Report (EIR).

The China Shipping Terminal is located at the Port of Los Angeles, near residential communities that are already exposed to disproportionately high amounts of air pollution. Under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the Port of Los Angeles is required to implement all feasible mitigation measures to reduce harmful air pollution and other significant environmental impacts of the revised China Shipping Terminal project. However, as written, the Supplemental EIR fails both to include all feasible mitigation measures and to provide a mechanism for enforcement to ensure that the included measures are implemented, the Attorney General and CARB claim. Continue reading →

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October – Smart Mobility Cyber Incidents. 7 Deadly Threats

Posted on 5 November 2020 by Ken Zino

Upstream’s AutoThreat Intelligence analyzes and circulate cyber-threat intelligence specific to the automotive sector. Here’s the latest list of the most interesting incidents – the 7 Deadly sins so to speak of the Cyber Word.

  1. 100 cars stolen through electronic device hack: Six members of a gang of thieves in India were arrested and accused of stealing connected vehicles by “misusing electronic devices”. After the vehicle theft, the license plate of the vehicle was replaced, and the registration number and color of the car was altered. It was suspected that the gang stole more than 100 vehicles that were then sent to be sold in another region in India. 

Continue reading →

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Commerce – Countervailing Duties on Vietnamese Cars,Tires

Posted on 4 November 2020 by Ken Zino

The U.S. Department of  Commerce today announced an affirmative preliminary determination in the countervailing* duty (CVD) investigation of passenger vehicle and light truck (passenger tires) tires from Vietnam. The Commerce Department claimed that exporters and producers from Vietnam received counter available subsidies with rates ranging from 6.23% to 10.08%.

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Countervailing Duties Against Vietnamese cars and tiresAmong the subsidies preliminarily countervailed is Vietnam’s undervalued currency. This is the first time that Commerce has ever made an affirmative CVD determination regarding a foreign currency with a unitary exchange rate. Commerce will instruct U.S. Customs and Border Protection to collect cash deposits from importers of passenger tires from Vietnam based on these preliminary rates above.
 Continue reading →

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Ford Recalls 375,200 Explorer SUVs – Recalling a Prior Recall

Posted on 4 November 2020 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company is issuing a safety recall for 350,000 vehicles in the U.S. and 25,200 in Canada for 2013-17 Ford Explorer vehicles. Some affected Explorers, sold or registered in rust inducing areas of North American states and provinces where corrosion is common, have experienced a fracture of the outboard section of the rear suspension toe link after completion of a prior safety recall repair. A fracture of a rear toe link significantly diminishes steering control, increasing the risk of a crash. Ford is aware of 13 reports of accidents and six reports of injuries related to this condition.
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Covid – Drastic Changes to Commuting Have Slight Effect on Feelings about EVs and Self-Driving Technologies?

Posted on 4 November 2020 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on GM-EVgo Fast Charging Expansion

Taxpayers are subsidizing EV charging. Automakers and Regulators are moving ahead. Potential customers are still doubtful.

While the ongoing Covid plague has drastically changed American lives, what’s not new is that Inexperience and Lack of Knowledge Remain Barriers for Acceptance of EVs and Self-Driving Technologies. Nonetheless, automakers are investing heavily in electrification and self-driving technology despite an absence of substantive consumer interest in either, according to the J.D. Power 2020 Q3 Mobility Confidence Index Study.

The Mobility Confidence Index for battery-electric vehicles remains neutral, decreasing among American drivers to 54 from 55 (on a 100-point scale) while increasing among Canadian drivers to 58 from 57. For self-driving vehicles, the index is still low, slipping to 34 from 35 in the United States, while holding steady at 36 in Canada.

“Automakers took a step back once the COVID-19 pandemic hit, disrupting supply chains and slowing production,” said Kristin Kolodge, executive director of driver interaction & human machine interface research at J.D. Power. “With so many more people working from home or making shorter commutes, this is an opportunity to further tout the benefits of battery-electric vehicles and self-driving technologies. However, consumers remain skeptical because of their lack of first-hand experience with these technologies and lack of education about how and why these technologies work. Until auto manufacturers can rectify this, adoption will continue to be an uphill battle.”
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Kawasaki to Pay $160K for Small Engine Violations

Posted on 2 November 2020 by Ken Zino

The California Air Resources Board today said a settlement of $160,000 with Kawasaki Motors will resolve clean-air violations related to the sale of small off-road engines, typically used as replacements in lawn mowers and leaf blowers, in California.

This is the first time that a manufacturer has been cited for failing to comply with the regulation specifically as it relates to replacement engines since its adoption in 1990. The so-called Small Off-Road Engine (aka SORE, with irony?) Regulation requires that all small off-road engines sold in California be covered by an Executive Order certifying that the engine meets and was tested to the required exhaust emission standards.
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Cadillac V-Series Blackwing to Get Magnesium Wheels

Posted on 2 November 2020 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Cadillac V-series

The existing wheel.

One of the longstanding weaknesses of OE engineering and marketing led to a thriving aftermarket wheel and tire business. Cadillac was among the front-runners ignoring wheels – notably chrome – as its customers customized their rides.

Well, Cadillac has released one of the first uncamouflaged exterior images of its V-Series Blackwing vehicles, or rather the cars’ exclusive magnesium wheels. The 2022 CT4-V Blackwing and CT5-V Blackwing will be the only GM products to offer magnesium wheels soon. The 2022 CT4-V Blackwing and CT5-V Blackwing will be available starting summer 2021.
Continue reading →

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