Safran Won’t Deal with Black Women in Mississippi

Posted on 12 November 2020 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on IIndustriALL affiliate Workers United versus Safron aerospace

The union says that although they tried to find middle ground, they have been met by a brick wall.

Black women at Safran’s aircraft engine plant in Mississippi have not had a pay increase since 2018, are not entitled to sick days and have had to work throughout the pandemic. Yet Safran is refusing to bargain in good faith with IndustriALL affiliate Workers United, the global union claims.

Workers United has bargained with Safran since September for a new agreement. Negotiations broke down when the employer refused to accept pay increases for the coming three years and insisted that they would be able to use any criteria to lay-off or recall workers. Safran already has the right to lay-off and recall employees in tiers of most efficient workers and least efficient workers. Safron Engine did not immediately respond to a request for comment or clarification.
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Nürburgring – Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S Beats Porsche

Posted on 11 November 2020 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on the 2021 Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S

Just bring about $163,000 to the dealership for one – if you can find one.

A 2021 Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S set a record time on so-called Nordschleife “North loop” of the Nürburgring. Making it first on the official list of best cars in the “luxury class” category. AMG development engineer Demian Schaffert, a former racing driver, beat his own previous lap record set in the fall of 2018 by 2.3 seconds. The officially measured and notary-certified values are: 7:23.009 min for the 12.8-mile-long version* (without straight-line measurement for track section T13) and 7:27.800 min for the 12.944-mile-long complete track (with straight-line measurement for track section T13).

This variant and this lap time are officially listed by Nürburgring GmbH on their homepage. Mercedes-AMG has regained the crown in the class for the moment. The freshened Porsche Panamera Turbo S set a 7m 29.81s earlier this year, bettering the 7m 30.11s lap Schaffert set a couple of years ago. The AMG record footage shows a mostly clean run, albeit with some curb clipping/banging and the Michelin tires screaming in protest during turns.
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SMMT – Final Plea for Zero-Tariff Trade Deal As Brexit Negotiations Near End

Posted on 11 November 2020 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on SMMT Plea For Brexit Deal

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The UK automotive industry has issued a last-chance plea for a zero-tariff, zero-quota trade deal as Brexit negotiations enter the endgame this week. The call comes as a new survey from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) reveals the cost to the sector of preparing for Brexit has surpassed £735 million, with more than £235 million spent in 2020 alone. (Brexit – UK Car Production Declines -10.6%. Exports Hit, No Deal Brexit to Cost UK Auto Sector £9 Billion Per Year, Brexit Panic Takes Hold. Auto Industry Urges – Begs? – Negotiators to Avert the Business Killing Worst-Case Scenario, Brexit Automaker Winners, Losers – Predictable and Surprising, Doomsday? No-Deal Brexit Impact on UK Light Vehicle Market)

Most companies (67%) across the industry say they are doing everything in their control to prepare for new processes that will come into play on 1 January, with 70% securing GB Economic Operators Registration and Identification (EORI) numbers, 60% spending significantly on stockpiling and 52% employing customs agents, as companies also try to prepare for any disruption or delay to supply chains.

However, significant gaps in the industry’s ability to plan still exist, with a lack of clarity on the nature of the UK-EU’s future relationship hampering the efforts of almost nine out of 10 (86%) firms to prepare. A disastrous ‘no deal’ outcome, or failure to achieve workable deal for auto, would mean £47 billion hit to UK sector over next five years – on top of ongoing coronavirus crisis costs, the auto industry claims. Ah, such is the price of blind ideologies who ignore real consequences, economists and political scientists. Continue reading →

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General Motors to Add 3000 New Jobs to Advance Virtual Testing and Software Skills

Posted on 10 November 2020 by Ken Zino
GM Hiring Software and Technical Engineers

GM Software Automation Engineer Daniel Heintzel works with a telematics robot at the Infotainment Lab.

General Motors says it will hire 3,000 new employees in engineering, design and IT to help product development and ‘software as a service’ activities. The positions in engineering, IT and design will contribute to GM’s EV and “customer experience” priorities. GM will also offer more remote opportunities than ever as development of autonomous and electric vehicles and advanced platforms like the Ultium battery system continue. GM claims that recent virtual development innovations made by the company’s engineering team have allowed GM to speed up the product timelines of upcoming EVs while keeping costs low.

“As we evolve and expand our software expertise and services, it’s important that we continue to recruit and add diverse talent,” said GM President Mark Reuss. “This will clearly show that we’re committed to further developing the software we need to lead in EVs, enhance the customer experience and become a software expertise-driven workforce.” Continue reading →

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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.
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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

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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. 

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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.
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