As a nation founded on a proposition that is simple to state but challenging to live by and fulfill, this Fourth of July sees us examining ourselves and our leadership against what Jefferson believed was innately possible as a gift from our creator.
Few nations or kingdoms have been blessed at their origin with such a profound and explicit pledge that believes in equality and when properly governed that the goodness of people will emerge.
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Take the pin away from children. Now.
The Boy Scouts of America are recalling Cub Scout activity pins due to violation of the federal lead content ban – recall 20-144 . The pins are made in China according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
The pin’s face and shaft contain levels of lead that exceed the federal lead content ban. Lead is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health issues.
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A socially responsible car presented in a socially responsible way to socially responsible government leaders.
The New 500 made its institutional debut at the Palazzo del Quirinale, where Fiat Chrysler Automobiles full-electric car was presented to the President of the Italian Republic, Sergio Mattarella, by John Elkann, Chairman of FCA. FCA Management then traveled to Palazzo Chigi to present the New 500 to Giuseppe Conte, the Italian Prime Minister.
The New 500 BEV was created, designed and engineered in Turin. “Just another shining example of the creativity and innovation of which the company and the city – where Fiat was founded over 120 years ago – are proud,” FCA said. Continue reading
BMW of North America announced today 1 July Q2 2020 sales results for the BMW and MINI brands in the U.S. For the sales period ending June 30, 2020, BMW brand sales totaled 50,957 vehicles, a decrease of 39.3% vs the 83,976 vehicles sold in the same time last year. MINI brand sales totaled 5,288 vehicles, a decrease of 41.5% vs the 9,044 vehicles sold in the first quarter of 2019.
Since the onset of the global pandemic in the U.S. in mid-March, BMW has instituted several measures to sell and service vehicles across the U.S. While the situation has differed greatly from state-to-state, at many locations, BMW has accelerated its use of digital sales practices, allowing customers to move further down the path to purchase online before visiting a store, and enabled virtual transactions so that purchases may be completed digitally and vehicles delivered. Dealers are also offering “invisible” service where vehicles in need of service or maintenance are picked up and dropped off without interaction.
Ford Motor Company Q2 overall sales were down -33.3% at 433,869. Ford brand sales at 412,588 dropped -34%. Ford car at 40653 sank -61%. Ford truck at 278,891was off -22.2%. Lincoln brand at 21,281 dropped -18%. Shutdowns and shelter-in-place restrictions had the largest impact on fleet sales in Q2. Daily rental was down -94%, while commercial was off -78% from production shutdowns – commercial performance did improve sequentially through the quarter Ford claimed. Continue reading
Trucks are leading the recovery.
General Motors (NYSE: GM) announced today that it delivered 492,489 vehicles in the second quarter of 2020, a decrease in total vehicle sales of about -34% compared to a year ago. However, GM said demand outpaced supply in the latter half of the quarter.
“While the industry experienced significant declines due to the outbreak of COVID-19, full-size pickup truck sales performed exceptionally well, and overall sales showed signs of recovery, especially deliveries to retail customers,” GM claimed.
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Ford Motor Company, Wayne State University, the Wayne State University Physician Group and ACCESS coalition have expanded mobile COVID-19 testing beyond first responders and health care workers. It is now also serving local communities in need as the plague is once again on the rise in Michigan.
Since launching in April, the mobile testing operation has added four Ford Transits – each fully equipped for mobile COVID-19 testing – as clinical test vehicles to conduct and support testing for symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals.
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“In 1968, I bought a new car and the payments – over $100 a month were killing me. So in 1969 I paid $1700 for a used GTO, and all my friends thought I was crazy – paid too much for it,” Haskell beamed.
The latest victim of the spreading Covid-19 plague in the US is the Woodward Dream Cruise, which was cancelled yesterday after a Zoom meeting of the town officials of the nine cities that are invaded each year along the Woodward Avenue route. Previously the organizers in April and May were in denial of the gravity of the Covid threat not unlike the hapless Trump Administration. (Dream Cruise Delights – Power to The People)
The real public health question remains what will the estimated crowd of 1-2 million enthusiasts of the car culture do during the week ending with the main event on August 15 this year? Woodward Avenue – a state highway – cannot be shut down, barring emergency action from Governor Gretchen Whitmer, whose office did not respond to AutoInformed.
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Click to Enlarge.
RumbleOn (NASDAQ: RMBL), the e-commerce company that claims to simplify how dealers and consumers buy, sell, trade or finance pre-owned vehicles, today announced financial results -ma net loss of -$22 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020. This calculates to a net loss per share was of -$10.77 for the stock that is touted by some traders as disruptive of the dealership centered automotive universe. RMBL is currently trading at ~$9:70/share. Even disruptive tech companies though are vulnerable to the harsh realities of the ongoing and spreading Covid 19 pandemic in the U.S. (RumbleOn Posts 2019 Loss. Cancels Guidance)
Theories in business, science, politics and life can be crude or elegant, but they are subject to correction or questioning by data. The e-commerce RumbleOn touts using innovative technology to simplify how dealers and consumers buy, sell, trade or finance used vehicles. As such, it’s one of a growing number of companies that were catching analyst and day trader enthusiasm because they are “disruptive” to the ruling business order.
Well, so is COVID-19, which is ideologically atheistic about class, party, economic theories and Wall Street fads. The question here goes far beyond RumbleOn’s strategy and management to the still unknown COVID-19 plague effects going forward. This is a stock for the brave…(AutoInformed has no position in the stock)
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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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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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The 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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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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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
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
BMW Motorrad Expands Rent-A-Ride
The Rent-A-Ride platform will be continuously expanded.
With currently 89 participating rental partners in seven countries, Rent-A-Ride is the largest motorcycle rental platform in Europe. By year end, BMW Motorrad aims to expand it to include more than 100 rental partners in 12 countries. By consistently expanding the rental partners and participating countries, the goal for 2021 is to become the worldwide leader in this segment of motorcycle rental.
At www.rentaride.com customers can reserve a virtually new BMW motorcycle and, if necessary, rider equipment with just a few clicks, to go on a ride with friends or to take a bike out for a thorough test ride. The motorcycles are explained in detail by on site at BMW Motorrad partners and handed over in a relaxed atmosphere. If a long distance journey is currently too hazardous for you, you can rent your dream bike from Rent-A-Ride in a flexible and uncomplicated way and go on a motorcycle discovery tour.
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