2020 Ranger Adds Three New Performance Packages

Posted on 30 June 2020 by Ken Zino
AutoInformed Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Ford Ranger Performance Package

Just bring money to the installing dealership.

Three new optional Ford Performance accessory packages are now on sale for Ranger pickup customers, adding off-road capability. They include an off-road leveling kit, FOX Shocks, new 17-inch Dyno Gray wheels, Ford Performance graphics on the bed and windshield. These new dealer-installed packages for 2019 and 2020 four-wheel drive Ranger pickups.

With an expanding portfolio and greater part availability, Ford Accessories is offering  personalization for an unknown number of truck buyers. Pre-Covid U.S. Ranger pickup owners added an average of ~$650 worth of accessories to their new 2019 Rangers last year. (Ford Introduces Black Appearance Package for Ranger)
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Navistar Settles Diesel Air Quality Violations for $2m

Posted on 29 June 2020 by Ken Zino

Truck manufacturer Navistar Inc. has paid $2 million to resolve allegations that it altered heavy-duty vehicle engines from their certified design, potentially causing excess diesel emissions and negatively impacting air quality. Settlement includes $1 million to fund new air filtration systems in Southern California schools, according to CARB’

The Illinois-based company modified its vehicle calibrations from their certified design through “running changes” in the engines of its heavy-duty trucks without notifying the California Air Resources Board that the changes were being made, as is required.
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Global Vehicle Sales Improve but COVID Wave 2 Lurks

Posted on 29 June 2020 by Ken Zino

AutoInformed Ken Zino on 2020 Global LIght Vehicle Sales forecastThe Global Light Vehicle selling rate improved to 61.5 mn for May, from 49 mn in April, reflecting then easing lockdown measures, according to respected consultancy LMC. The global selling rate is now predicted to reach the 80 mn units/year mark towards the end of 2020 down from 90.3m, assuming there is no major second wave of COVID-19.

This now looks like a long shot to AutoInformed with the US leading the way in spreading new infections and fatalities from the maskless and clueless Trump misadministration.  In the US, a repetition of the ‘cash for clunkers’ scheme could potentially lift sales, “but this has yet to be fully debated or agreed,” says LMC.
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Global Parts – BMW, Toyota Recall Tie Rods

Posted on 29 June 2020 by Ken Zino

BMW of North America is recalling certain 2019 Z4 sDrive30i, 2019-2020 330i xDrive, M340i and M340i xDrive, 2020 X3M and X4M, and Toyota Supra vehicles. During rough road driving conditions or high temperatures, a steering gear tie rod may become damaged, possibly resulting in a fractured tie rod.
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First Look – 2021 Ford F-150 Pickup

Posted on 28 June 2020 by Ken Zino
AutoInformed Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on the 2021 Ford F-150 Redesign

All-new F-150 Lariat in Rapid Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat.

Ford Motor Company has revealed the latest iteration of it crown jewel, the 2021 model F-150 pickup truck. It’s due in showrooms – or likely with online ordering – this fall. It’s an important new model needed to bolster Ford’s weak financial performance in a segment that is more competitive and crowded than ever. (Ford Motor Posts -$2 Billion Q1 Loss, Ford Motor Maxes Out Lines of Credit, Ford Motor Changes Top Exec Roles Again)

Lurking in the background is the flawed launch of another mainstay, the Explorer, which was a technological masterpiece, but a quality and warranty cost disaster. Overall, Ford warranty costs reached $5 billion in 2019, up $1.5 billion in recent years – and fixing vehicle launch problems have also cost an estimated $1 billion. (Ford Posts Weak Q4 Earnings Losing $1.7 Billion) Continue reading →

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California Requires Electric Trucks by 2045

Posted on 26 June 2020 by Ken Zino
AutoInformed Ken Zino at AutoInformed.com on CARB EV truck Mandate

BYD all-electric yard trucks eliminate the use of diesel fuel. A typical yard truck burns 2 to 4 gallons of diesel fuel per hour.

The California Air Resources Board has adopted a Global First by requiring truck manufacturers to transition from diesel trucks and vans to electric zero-emission trucks beginning in 2024. By 2045, every new truck sold in California will be zero-emission.

Trucks are the largest single source of air pollution from vehicles, responsible for 70% of the smog-causing pollution and 80% of carcinogenic diesel soot even though they number only 2 million among the 30 million registered vehicles in the state.  Continue reading →

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US June Retail Sales Down -6% from Pre-Virus Forecast

Posted on 26 June 2020 by Ken Zino
AutoInformed Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on US Vehicle Sales Forecast June 2020

Click to Enlarge.

New-vehicle retail sales in June are expected to be down from a year ago, according to a joint forecast developed jointly by J.D. Power and LMC Automotive. Retail sales are projected to reach 1,002,600 units, a 5.7% decrease compared with the J.D. Power pre-virus forecast and 11.3% decrease compared with June 2019. Reporting the same numbers without controlling for the number of selling days translates to a decrease of 14.7% over last year.

Total sales in June are projected to reach 1,085,600 units, a -25.1% decrease compared with June 2019. Reporting the same numbers without controlling for the number of selling days shows a decrease of 28% over last year. The seasonally adjusted annualized rate (SAAR) for total sales is expected to be 12.8 million units, down 4.4 million units from a year ago.
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Formula 1: Car by Car 1950–59 Now Available in the U.S

Posted on 26 June 2020 by Ken Zino
AutoInformed Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Formula 1 Car By Car

Depth, detail and enthusiasm about the emergence of modern day F1.

FORMULA 1: CAR BY CAR 1950-59 is now available in the U.S. In it, the 1950s are explored in this next installment of Evro Publishing’s decade-by-decade series covering all Formula 1 cars and teams. It’s a must read for enthusiasts of what is arguably the most technically demanding motor sport. You can buy all 304 pages of it from specialist and online booksellers.

When the World Championship was first held in 1950, red Italian cars predominated, from Alfa Romeo, Ferrari and Maserati, and continued to do so for much of the period. But, by the time the decade closed, green British cars were in their ascendancy, first Vanwall and then rear-engined Cooper, BRM and Lotus were emerging.
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Ford Motor in Corktown and Newlab Working on – What Else – Vehicle Connectivity, Autonomy and Electrification

Posted on 25 June 2020 by Ken Zino

Michigan Central, Ford’s Detroit Corktown development, and Newlab today announced two new “studios aimed at solving tomorrow’s transportation challenges and preparing cities, regions and industries for a connected, autonomous and electrified future.”

AutoInformed - Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Ford and Newlab Collaboration in Corktown - announced June 2020

This time the release might predict something real could emerge. Click to Enlarge

The studios will work together with Detroit and Michigan-based (Nerd Jargon Alert for what follows – editor) “accelerators and incubators, helping to grow the local startup ecosystem and add new talent, businesses and capital.”

Two years ago, pre-Covid, but nevertheless financially challenged Ford bought 1.2 million square feet in Corktown, Detroit’s oldest neighborhood, including the historic Michigan Central Station, with plans to establish a new mobility innovation district dubbed Michigan Central. Mostly press releases have followed since then. (Ford Opens Corktown Station to Community as Mustang puts Camaro and GM on Trailer During Woodward Dream Cruise, Detroit’s Michigan Central Station Haunted for Halloween, Ford Begins Construction at Michigan Central Station) Continue reading →

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Top Five Air Pollution Actions to Improve Health, Climate

Posted on 25 June 2020 by Ken Zino

The Global Alliance on Health and Pollution (GAHP), AirQualityAsia and The Schiller Institute for Integrated Science and Society at Boston College today released an  evaluation of  22 practical interventions undertaken to reduce air pollution. While some efforts that replace fossil fuels with renewable energy sources improve both local health and favorably impact climate change, other, often politically popular programs are of limited value on either front.

“There has been an assumption that adverse conditions impacting climate change and air pollution are the same thing. This is not necessarily true,” says Richard Fuller, Board Chair of the Global Alliance on Health and Pollution and a co-author of the report. “We wanted to see where the overlaps are, where investments can be directed that will improve health and also impact climate change.”
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Duh – New Vehicle Quality Determined by Working Technology J.D. Power Says

Posted on 25 June 2020 by Ken Zino
AutoInformed Ken Zino of AutoIfromed.com on J.D. Power IQS

This is the best-ever performance by the Detroit automakers. Click to Enlarge.

The J.D. Power 2020 Initial Quality Study, aka IQS, just released, once again records problems owners are having with new vehicles, including those related to new technologies. The study, redesigned again this year, measures components that fail and features that are difficult to use, hard to understand or don’t work the way owners want.

In a victory of sorts, most domestic brands are above average. Seven domestic brands perform better than the overall industry average of 166 PP100. Continue reading →

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New FCA Italy Covid Credit Line €6.3 billion

Posted on 24 June 2020 by Ken Zino

FCA Italy S.p.A. the wholly owned subsidiary of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V. (NYSE:FCAU / MTA:FCA) – and other Italian companies in the FCA Group said today they have signed a 3-year, €6.3 billion credit facility with Intesa Sanpaolo, Italy’s largest banking group. Proceeds will be dedicated exclusively to FCA’s activities in Italy and to support the more than 10,000 small and medium enterprises that make up the Italian automotive sector. The loans will be guaranteed by FCA N.V. It’s the latest example of how business life threatening COVID-19 is, along with its deadly effect on people. The US is currently the epicenter of the plague.

“100% of the money will be directed to our Italian business and so to the thousands of companies and hundreds of thousands of workers who depend on the successful relaunch of our entire sector as we continue a transformative shift to a new electric and hybrid powered future,” said Pietro Gorlier, FCA’s Chief Operating Officer for the EMEA region.

AutoInformed Ken Zino at AutoInformed.com on FCA Italian Business strategy and Credit Agreements

The announcement comes as the EU is considering a ban on American travelers due to unchecked spread of Covid-19 under the Trump Administration.

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Ford Embraces Paris Climate Agreement Globally

Posted on 24 June 2020 by Ken Zino

Auto Informed - Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Ford Motor 2020 Sustainability ReportFord Motor Company said today that intends to achieve carbon neutrality globally by 2050, while setting interim targets to address climate change challenges more urgently. This makes Ford is the only full line U.S. automaker committed – so far – to doing its part to reduce CO2 emissions in line with the Paris Climate Agreement.

This promise came as Ford released its 21st annual Sustainability Report. Ford is also working with California and CARB for stronger vehicle greenhouse gas standards. Ford did not mention its current financial crisis that resulted from the Corona virus plague. (Ford Motor Posts -$2 Billion Q1 Loss ) Continue reading →

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Black Lives Matter – NASCAR Drivers Walk Wallace to His Starting Position at Talladega Superspeedway

Posted on 23 June 2020 by Ken Zino

Ken Zino AutoInformed on NASCAR Embracing Black Lives Matter AutoInformed.comThe picture says it all: Darrell “Bubba” Wallace, driver of the #43 Victory Junction Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE, was escorted to his starting position by NASCAR Cup Series drivers and crew prior to the rain delayed NASCAR Cup Series GEICO 400 race Monday, June 22, 2020 at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Alabama. Wallace finished in 14th place. Drivers raced to only 5,000 fans at the Talladega Superspeedway. Spectators were limited due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Jim Fluharty/HHP for Chevy Racing)

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Noose Found Hanging in NASCAR Garage at Talladega

Posted on 22 June 2020 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on NASCAR Bans Confederate Traitors Flag

Darrell – Bubba – Wallace Jr.

On a rainy Sunday in Alabama, the home of racist, segregationist George Wallace, Darrell “Bubba”Wallace Jr. – no relation to George – the only black driver in NASCAR’s top racing series was the target of the ugly racism that have seen many Americans peacefully demonstrating in protest of the legacy of the treasonous Confederacy and the slave owning culture it represented. (The FBI and NASCAR are now investigating – see comments – editor)

A noose was found hanging in Bubba’s garage where the #43 Petty Motorsports car with Black Lives Matter displayed over the rear wheels was serviced for the running of the crowd-less Talladega Superspeedway race. This, just a fortnight after NASCAR banned the traitor’s Confederate flag at all its events. The race ironically was postponed, just as justice for black people has been. (NASCAR Finally Bans Confederate Traitors’ Flag at All Races, Venues and Properties, NASCAR Ends Denial of COVID-19 Pandemic, NASCAR Bans Fans at Races, NASCAR Disavows Racist Confederate Flag)
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