GM Claims Wireless Battery Management for Future EVs

Posted on 9 September 2020 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on GM Wireless Battery Management

GM claims the wBMS’ basic structure can accept new features as software becomes available.

General Motors claims it will be the first automaker to use an almost completely wireless battery management system for production electric vehicles. This wireless system, or wBMS, developed with Analog Devices, Inc., will be a key to GM’s ability to ultimately power many different types of electric vehicles from a common set of battery components.

It is hoped that – the badly named – wBMS will get GM’s Ultium-powered EVs to market faster because time won’t be needed to develop specific communications systems or redesign complex wiring designs for each new vehicle. It has already sped the creation of more automotive engineering/marketing jargon powered by acronyms. The wireless battery monitoring system will be standard on all planned GM vehicles powered by Ultium batteries. Continue reading →

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Daimler Issues Its First Green Bond of €1 Billion

Posted on 8 September 2020 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of UatoInformed.com on Daimler Green Bonds

Daimler will use the bond money to develop and produce zero-emission vehicles.

Daimler AG (ticker symbol DAI) has issued its first Green Bond to support CO2-neutral technologies and services. The benchmark Eurobond had a volume of €1 billion, a term of 10 years and an annual coupon of 0.75%. It was more than 4-times oversubscribed.  The issuance was arranged by BBVA, BNP Paribas, Commerzbank, Crédit Agricole, SEB and Unicredit.

“CO2-neutral mobility and production is a clear goal and an integral part of our sustainable business strategy,” said Harald Wilhelm, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG, responsible for Finance & Controlling/Daimler Mobility, and of Mercedes-Benz AG, responsible for Finance & Controlling. Continue reading →

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Uber Plugs-In With Renault, Nissan to Electrify Europe

Posted on 8 September 2020 by Ken Zino

Renault and Nissan, within their Alliance, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Uber with the aim of electrifying its customers’ journeys in Europe. The companies will now explore a partnership to provide partner drivers on the Uber App with affordable electric vehicles in European markets, notably in the United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands and Portugal.

It follows a successful pilot between Nissan and Uber in the UK. AutoInformed notes the absence of Mitsubishi, the third member of the Alliance, which is in the process of exiting or being squeezed out of the EU. Uber has faced severe regulatory and market challenges in the EU. Continue reading →

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Nikola and General Motors Partner! Nikola Badger Truck to be Engineered and Manufactured by GM

Posted on 8 September 2020 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Nikola Badger Pickup Truck - GM Production Late 2022

The agreement with Nikola also extends General Motors’ use of its fuel cell technology to the Class 7/8 semi-truck market and represents a high-volume commercialization of its  Hydrotec fuel cell system.

Nikola Corporation (NASDAQ: NKLA) and General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) today announced a “strategic partnership” that starts with the Nikola Badger and carries cost reductions through Nikola’s other programs. Badger is anticipated to enter production by year-end 2022. This is potentially a deal that can drastically change the transportation world.

“We would rather work with them than against them,” said Nikola founder and Executive Chairman Trevor Milton on a phone call with reporters and analysts.  Once again the latest linkup is an attempt to share the ruinously expensive costs of investment needed to provide 21st century mobility to a business that until a generation ago was essentially an outgrowth of the 19th century blacksmithing business.
 Continue reading →

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Covid Labor Day 7 September 2020 Sees a Sick Economy

Posted on 7 September 2020 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AuotInformed.com on Labor Day 2020

Click to Enlarge.

Labor Day 2020 sees the US economy in trouble because of Covid 19 and the bungled federal government response to the ongoing global pandemic. In August, the U.S. economy added 1.4 million jobs according to the  Labor Department, down from 1.7 million in July and down abruptly from the 4.8 million added in June. Workforces are still more than 11 million jobs below their pre-pandemic level.

The unemployment rate fell to 8.4%, down from 14.7% in April and 10.2 % in July (The so-called U-3 measure  is people without jobs who must have looked for a job in the last four weeks). Any way you look at it, joblessness is still higher than the peak of many past recessions. The real unemployment rate was 14.2% because it contains 535,000 discouraged workers. (This is U-6 or the real rate because it includes people who would like a better job. It also includes those who are underemployed and marginally attached.)
 Continue reading →

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COVID-19 – Ford to Donate 100 Million Masks

Posted on 4 September 2020 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Ford Built for America - COVID-19 Response

“Nobody said no. Nobody said why? Everybody said ‘let’s go’.” The UAW members who did this are likely on Trump’s sucker list along with veterans and Gold Star families.

Ford Motor is targeting production of 100 million masks through 2021 for communities across the U.S. with limited access to personal protective equipment. The company is focusing on military veterans, schools, food banks and African American communities, among others.

Masks will support presumptive President Joe Biden’s pending mask wearing mandate. Ford, currently manufacturing 2.5 million medical-grade masks a week for its employees and at-risk communities, is adding mask-making machines by mid- to late-October to increase production and deliver on its goal.
 Continue reading →

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Honda, GM Ink MoU on North American Alliance!

Posted on 4 September 2020 by Ken Zino

General Motors and Honda have signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding following “extensive preliminary discussions” to establish a North American automotive alliance. The Alliance follows collaboration in electrified vehicles and technologies. (GM and Honda to Jointly Develop Honda Electric Vehicles)

While this is consistent with an industry trend to share ruinous development costs on future CO2-free vehicles, the vast financial resources of both global automotive giants underscore the severity of the problem that automakers face. For some companies mergers will be the only way to survive if they survive at all.
 Continue reading →

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All-Electric Mustang Prototype Runs 8.27s Quarter-Mile

Posted on 3 September 2020 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of autoInformed.com on All-Electric Mustang Cobra Jet 1400 Prototype

Enthusiasts should love EVs for their electric motors which provide instant torque.

Ford Motor said this morning that the all-electric Ford Mustang Cobra Jet 1400 prototype ran a quarter-mile in 8.27 seconds at 168 miles per hour and reached 1,502 peak wheel horsepower in “recent private development testing.”

By Ford’s math it’s equivalent to the combined output of more than three 2021 Mustang GT V8 engines. Developed by Ford Performance in parallel to the recently unveiled Mustang Mach-E 1400 prototype, both cars were publicizing Ford’s growing EV technologies that are currently lagging leaders such as BMW and Tesla and Daimler. Continue reading →

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Our Sinking US Economy Sinks $3.3 Trillion Further

Posted on 3 September 2020 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Soaring Federal Deficit Under Trump Administration

Making America Poor Again…

The Congressional Budget Office says the federal deficit is now projected to hit a record $3.3 trillion as government expenditures to fight Covid 19 and to support the collapsing economy have so far added more than $2 trillion in debt to US taxpayers. This does not include growing State debt, which will hit taxpayers as well.

It is now almost completely likely that US federal debt under the Trump Administration will exceed annual gross domestic product (GDP ) in 2021. The last time this happened was at the end of World War II, when amassed debt exceeded in value the size of the economy.
 Continue reading →

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St. Catharines Plant Cuts GHG Emissions, Energy Costs

Posted on 1 September 2020 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on co-generation at St. Catherines Propulsion Plant

Ontario’s first complete renewable landfill gas industrial co-generation system.

General Motors Canada has completed a $28 million co-generation investment at the St. Catharines Propulsion plant that will enhance the operation’s competitiveness by lowering greenhouse gas emissions and reducing future energy costs.

The co-generation program is expected to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 70%while protecting the engine and transmission plant from rising electricity and carbon costs. Continue reading →

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This Grim Picture is Not Worth a 1000 Corona Deaths

Posted on 1 September 2020 by Ken Zino

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Trump Maladministration of Corona Virus DeathsThe United States accounts for 22% of the Global Corona Virus Deaths with a mere 4% of the world’s population. Fear the Trump Administration if you care for your own or loved one’s or anyone’s health and safety.

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Milestones – 40,000 Bentley Flying Spurs

Posted on 31 August 2020 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on the 40000th Bentley Flying Spur

A storied and Le Mans winning British brand now controlled by Volkswagen Group.

Bentley Motors has now built 40,000 Flying Spurs to make it the claimed world’s most successful luxury sports sedan. With the all-new third generation, the only thing that remains since the original launch in 2005 is its global popularity. Volkswagen Group since 2003 has owned and controlled the use of the brand.

Originally christened the Continental Flying Spur, then Flying Spur to further separate the car from the Continental GT, the model delivers a combination of performance-orientated liveliness and four-door, limousine-style comfort.

All three generations of Flying Spur have been designed, engineered, developed and manufactured at Bentley’s home in Crewe, where the production milestone is being celebrated by the skilled workforce of designers, engineers and craftspeople.
 Continue reading →

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Mercedes-Benz 2021 Model Year Sees SUV Expansion

Posted on 29 August 2020 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Mercedes-Benz 2021 Line

GLB: Tepid Mercedes German styling in one of the world’s hottest segments.

During the past year, Mercedes-Benz has revised its entire SUV lineup starting with its first compact GLB with an optional 3rd row. Then there was the much-hyped redesign of the best-selling midsize GLC. The next-gen GLE also debuted a new design and an optional 3rd row seat for the first time. The all-new full-sized GLS now offers Captain’s Chairs for six passengers, or a rear bench to seat up to seven. (AutoInformed.com: Daimler Q1 2020 Net Profit Down -92% at €168m from €2149, Daimler Reports Ugly Q2 2020 Results as Sales Drop -34%)

The all-new GLA now joins the range “as the attractive and sporty gateway” (translation – small and less expensive) to the Mercedes-Benz SUV line. SUV segments have never been more competitive with M-B facing stiff competition from BMW, Porsche, Lexus, Infiniti, Alfa Romeo and Cadillac, among others.
 Continue reading →

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August Vehicle Sales to Drop as Prices Hit Record High

Posted on 28 August 2020 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on August US Vehicle Sales

Click to Enlarge.

New-vehicle retail sales in August are expected to be down from a year ago, according to a forecast developed jointly by J.D. Power and LMC Automotive. Retail sales are projected to reach 1,174,100 units, a -3.7% decrease compared with the Power pre-virus forecast, and a -10.4% decrease compared with August 2019. Transaction prices are expected to rise 7.0% to $35,420, the highest level ever for any month.

Reporting the same numbers without controlling for the number of selling days translates to a decrease of -16.8% from a year ago. While the decline vs. August 2019 is substantial and reflects the ongoing do nothing about COVID-19 attitude of the hapless Trump reign, August 2020 contains two fewer selling days than August 2019. It also has no help from promotions during the Labor Day weekend, which is after the August sales close. Continue reading →

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Electric Vehicles Set Record 18% EU Market Share in July

Posted on 27 August 2020 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on EU Registrations by Segment July 2020

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Data for 27 markets in Europe show that after several months of decline in registrations, July posted the highest monthly volume figures so far this year; and the highest since September last year. SUVs also set a record market share. The auto industry registered 1,278,521 new passenger vehicles, down by -4% month-on-month from 2019.

The global pandemic’s negative effect on the economy has not influenced consumer’s interest in electrified vehicles. July 2020 was a record-breaking month for EV registrations with volume up 131% year on year to 230,700. Though still small in relative terms, this is the first time that EVs were bought by more than 200,00 consumers in a single month.
 Continue reading →

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