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.
 Continue reading →

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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.
 Continue reading →

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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.”
 Continue reading →

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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.

Continue reading →

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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)
 Continue reading →

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CarMax Q1 2021 – Net Sales Drop 40% to $3.2B

Posted on 21 June 2020 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on CarMax Financial Results

Click to Enlarge chart.

CarMax (NYSE:KMX), the nation’s largest retailer of used cars, today reported weak results for the first quarter ending May 31, 2020. Net sales and operating revenues declined 39.8% to $3.23 billion. Net earnings declined 98.1% to $5.0 million and net earnings per diluted share declined 98.1% to $0.03. Nonetheless CarMax stock is up ~12% year-to-date at ~$92/share, even though used car sales are projected to decline. It’s part of the mania on tech stocks that thinks the companies are invincible.

The current quarter’s results included $122.0 million in a CarMax Auto Finance (CAF) provision for loan losses, which included an increase of $84.0 million, or $0.38 per diluted share, based on an estimate of lifetime losses on existing loans resulting from the Corona virus related turmoil and worsening economic factors. Net earnings per diluted share for the current quarter also included a one-time benefit of $0.18 in connection with the receipt of settlement proceeds in a class action lawsuit. CarMax Q1 2021 – Net Sales Drop 40% to $3.2B Continue reading →

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EV Ford Mustang Has Optional Intelligent Range

Posted on 19 June 2020 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Mustange Mach-E Intelligent Range Option

The all-electric SUV can track how much energy is used in different circumstances.

Ford says that its all-new Mustang Mach-E comes equipped with an Intelligent Range option that predicts how much range drivers have left that becomes more exact in use. It uses past driving behavior, weather forecasts and crowd-sourced data from other Mustang Mach-E vehicles to learn. (All-Electric Ford Mustang Mach-E ‘SUV’ Debuts in 2020)

The vehicle battery system reports how much energy is available, while the powertrain module tracks how much energy is being used. Warmer or colder weather can impact range, so Intelligent Range takes that into consideration, too, updating estimated range along the way.
 Continue reading →

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BMW and Mercedes-Benz Stop Automated Driving JV

Posted on 19 June 2020 by Ken Zino
AutoInformed.com on Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Mercedes E-Class – Another giant step on the road to automated vehicles.

The BMW Group and Mercedes-Benz AG said today that they are putting their cooperation on development of next-generation technology for automated driving “temporarily” on hold.

In what appears to be the automotive equivalent of marriage counseling or an analysis of the financial aspects of a pre-nup, the companies said: Following extensive review, the two companies have arrived at a mutual and amicable agreement to concentrate on their existing development paths – which may also include working with current or new partners.

AutoInformed.com on BMW Vision iNEXT

The series-produced version of the BMW iNEXT will assume the role of a new technology flagship; production at Plant Dingolfing is slated to begin in 2021.

Both companies claimed that the collaboration may be “resumed at a later date.” They also claimed that both organizations’ approach to safety and customer benefits in the field of automated driving remains “highly compatible.”

The BMW Group and Mercedes-Benz AG are, of course, both working independently on current generations for highly automated driving. Arguably they are among the leaders in the emerging technologies. Continue reading →

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Pennsylvania Sues Carlisle to Stop Swap Meet

Posted on 19 June 2020 by Ken Zino

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has sued Carlisle Events to stop the spring swap meet already under way because it violates the plan for gradual reopening of events, which for the moment limits gatherings to 250 people. Carlisle in the past has attracted at least 1500 vendors, and much larger crowds of more than 200,000. (AutoInformed – Hershey Swap Meet Cancelled! )

Carlisle Events says it will fight the lawsuit. The swap meet is scheduled to continue through this weekend and has been postponed from its original April date to May, which was then postponed to June. A hearing yesterday resulted in another hearing on Friday.
 Continue reading →

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