GM Shows New Batteries and a Flexible Global EV Platform

Posted on 4 March 2020 by Ken Zino
AutoInformed.com on GM's electric vehicle technologies

General Motors Chairman and CEO Mary Barra on Wednesday, March 4, 2020 detailing GM’s electric vehicle technologies and upcoming products in the Design Dome on the GM Tech Center campus in Warren, Michigan.

General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) today revealed a third-generation global EV platform powered by proprietary “Ultium” batteries. GM claimed it will allow the company to compete for almost every customer in the market today, whether they are looking for affordable transportation, a luxury experience, work trucks or a high-performance machine. A space that is largely occupied by Tesla, which caught all global automakers napping.

“What we have done is build a multi-brand, multi-segment EV strategy with economies of scale that rival our full-size truck business with much less complexity and even more flexibility,” said Mary Barra, GM chairman and CEO. Stockholders are in essence seeing management place a $20 billion wager that EVs will be accepted by customers as never before, and that GM can sell to them profitably. Continue reading →

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Ford to Offer All-Electric US Transit in 2022

Posted on 4 March 2020 by Ken Zino
AutoInformed.com

Customers in Europe will have 18 Ford EVs to buy at the end of 2021. 

Ford Transit will debut an all-electric model in the U.S. and Canada for the 2022 model year. Ford says that the regulation prompted line will help businesses lower the cost of ownership while improving city air quality and reducing noise levels. An all-electric Transit is about to go on sale in Europe where cities are increasingly restricting or banning internal combustion engines.

Built in the U.S. with imported parts from lower wage areas, the all-electric Transit will be “connected,” providing fleet owners with in-vehicle high-speed data architecture and cloud-based services to offer unspecified new ways to optimize fleet performance.
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New York Auto Show Claims It Will Happen

Posted on 3 March 2020 by Ken Zino
AutoInformed.com on New York Auto Show 2020 - COVID-19

Projected are 50 world and North American new vehicle debuts.

With five weeks to go before the 2020 New York International Auto Show’s press preview days (April 8-9), organizers claim – not without self-interest – that they are moving forward with plans to open the Show as scheduled in the face of the spreading respiratory disease COVID-19, aka coronavirus. The show’s fate of course will be determined by public health departments at the city, state and federal levels. At the moment there is no known vaccine for preventive or ameliorative use against COVID-19.

The US Centers for Disease Control on its website, which is lagging reporting current developments and is being censored or closely monitored by the Trump and Pence Administration says as of today:

  1. Imported cases of COVID-19 in travelers have been detected in the U.S.
  2. Person-to-person spread of COVID-19 was first reported among close contacts of returned travelers from Wuhan.
  3. During the week of February 23, CDC reported community spread of the virus that causes COVID-19 in California (in two places), Oregon and Washington.
  4. Community spread in Washington resulted in the first death in the United States from COVID-19, as well as the first reported case of COVID-19 in a health care worker, and the first potential outbreak in a long-term care facility.

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First Look – Hyundai Prophecy EV Concept

Posted on 3 March 2020 by Ken Zino

AutoInformed.com on Hyundai Prophecy Concept EVHyundai Motor Company today showed its new concept EV dubbed Prophecy. It’s billed as a design study that it claims aims to “forging an emotional connection between humans and automobiles.”

The rotund concept came from last year’s “45” concept EV that eschewed complexity for cleaner lines and minimalist structures. In the styling babble “Prophecy follows suit with an iconic silhouette of perfect proportions that have been inspired by an aerodynamic design. Leveraging the extended wheelbase and shorter overhang, Hyundai’s designers have achieved the Ultimate Automotive Form, thanks to a new EV architecture defined by pristine surfaces and pure volume in combination with aesthetic harmony and functionality.”
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Limited Edition of 500 Giulia GTA Sedans Appear in June

Posted on 2 March 2020 by Ken Zino
AutoInformed.com on Alfa Romeo Guilia GTA

It’s a good bet that few if any will ever race.

In an electronic marketing move assisted by the cancellation of the Geneva Motor Show due to COVID-19, Alfa Romeo debuted today by electronic press release/video its new 2020 Giulia GTA sport sedan a heritage edition timed for its 110th anniversary this June. (Coronavirus Spreads – Geneva Motor Show Cancelled)

The Fiat-controlled brand said the  new Giulia GTA is technically and conceptually inspired by the Giulia GTA of 1965. Not mentioned was that the famous original was based on a coupe, a now endangered species among automotive  creatures. That lightened sports racer was not only striking in appearance and technical prowess, but fearsome in the racing classes where it successfully competed or dominated.*
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Volkswagen Group Posts 2019 Profit Despite Diesel Charges

Posted on 28 February 2020 by Ken Zino

AutoInformed.com - VW Diesel ScandalIn a surprising development to AutoInformed, Volkswagen Group today said full-year operating profits year-over-year increased 22% to 16.9 billion euro ($18.5 billion) because of sales of higher-margin vehicles and lower diesel fines and settlements with charges of $2.54 billion, down from $3.53 billion last year.

As a result, Volkswagen recommended a dividend increase to 6.50 euro ($7.18) per ordinary share, up from 4.80 euro ($5.30) and 6.56 euro ($7.24) per preferred share, up from 4.86 euro ($5.37) in 2018.

The earnings announcement on Friday came with an agreement to pay 830 million euro ($912 million) in damages to hundreds of thousands of customers whose diesel cars were outfitted with software that illegally falsified emissions readings.
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Coronavirus Spreads – Geneva Motor Show Cancelled

Posted on 28 February 2020 by Ken Zino
AutoInformed.com on Corona Virus and Geneva Motor Show

The organizers – no longer in a state of denial like the reigning Trump gang in the U.S. say “the financial consequences for all those involved in the event are significant.”

The 90th edition of the Geneva Motor Show was cancelled today as a result of the spreading coronavirus, aka COVID-19. Media were due next Monday and the general public from 5 to 15 March 2020.

The Swiss Federal Council today decreed that no events with more than 1,000 people are allowed to take place until 15 March 2020. The decision came just 3 days before the opening of the exhibition to the media. The situation changed with the appearance of the first confirmed coronavirus diseases in Switzerland. It has of course appeared in the U.S., which appears to be completely unprepared.
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Actor Steven Seagal Settles SEC Charges

Posted on 27 February 2020 by Ken Zino
AutoInformed.com on Steven Segal SEC Charges and Settlement

Not any more – at least in this case…

The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced settled charges against actor Steven Seagal for failing to disclose payments he received for promoting an investment in an initial coin offering (ICO) conducted by Bitcoiin2Gen (B2G).

The SEC’s order finds that Seagal violated the anti-touting provisions of the federal securities laws. Without admitting or denying the SEC’s findings, Seagal agreed to pay $157,000 in disgorgement, which represents his actual promotional payments, plus prejudgment interest, and a $157,000 penalty. In addition, Seagal agreed not to promote any securities, digital or otherwise, for three years.
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FedEx and Chanje to Develop Charging Infrastructure

Posted on 27 February 2020 by Ken Zino
AutoInformed.com on FedEx Chinese-made Chanje V8100 Electric Delivery Vehicles

The Trump Administration’s vehement global warming denials and rolling back C02 emission standards is sending jobs to China and Europe.

FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX), which started construction on electronic DC (direct current) charging stations in January, today announced an agreement with Chanje Energy Inc., to electrify 42 FedEx stations in California. This makes it one of the largest deployments of integrated charging infrastructure by a single commercial fleet so far. FedEx has been using all-electric vehicles as part of its pickup-and-delivery fleet since 2009.

FedEx previously announced the addition of 1,000 Chinese-made Chanje V8100 electric delivery vehicles to its fleet last November. FedEx is purchasing 100 of the vehicles from Chanje Energy Inc. and leasing 900 from Ryder System, Inc. Today’s agreement will provide the infrastructure to support the continued rollout of its electric vehicle fleet.
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Electric Vehicles – a Virus That Can’t Be Controlled?

Posted on 27 February 2020 by Ken Zino
AutoInformed.com on Porsche Mission E - Taycan Concept

Tesla is about to have a lot of expensive and well-made competition.

In 2019, BEV sales made up around 2% of global car (and North American Light Truck) sales, according to consultancy LMC. By 2025, they project close to 8% global market share, and 15.5% in 2030. By 2030, LMC says nearly 50% of the global market will be electrified in some form.  (Pick your number at current rates that could be ~+45 million vehicles annually. Global Light Vehicle Sales Slump. The Party’s Over?) In North America, the alteration is slower, reaching 7% BEV sales and 20% hybrid sales in 2030.

The validity of these projections is being debated across the auto industry, an industry whose future is now more dependent than ever on government regulations or the whims of politicians in major markets. There are big profits and big losses at stake in what could be the greatest stockholder debacle since tulip bulb speculation. We could be on the verge of a mass extinction of some, (many?) automakers and suppliers.
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Goodyear to Release High Efficiency and Extreme Traction Tire

Posted on 27 February 2020 by Ken Zino

AutoInformed.com on European Tire RatingsThe Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company said today that it is the first tire maker to develop an original equipment all-season tire with the industry standard 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) designation that also is rated Rolling Resistance “A” in the European Tire Labeling Regulation.*

Scheduled to be publicly released later this year on the Peugeot 2008, 3008, 5008, DS3 Crossback, and DS7 Crossback models, the avanced tire has traction to meet the severe snow 3PMSF requirement while also delivering rolling resistance performance as an A-class tire. This allows  both premium traction and premium fuel efficiency – a benefit from rolling resistance performance. Continue reading →

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US February Retail Vehicle Sales to Surpass a Million

Posted on 26 February 2020 by Ken Zino
AutoInformed.com on auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Kenneth Zino, J.D. Power, LMC Automotive,

1> Figures cited for February 2020 are forecast based on the first 13 selling days of the month. 2> February 2020 has 26 selling days, two more days than 2019.

U.S. new-vehicle retail sales in February are projected higher from a year ago, according to a forecast developed by J.D. Power and LMC Automotive. Retail sales are expected to reach 1,016,000 units, a 0.2% increase compared with February 2019. Reporting the same numbers without controlling for the number of selling days translates to an increase of 8.5% over last year. (February 2020 contains one extra weekend and two additional selling days than February 2019.)

Record levels of automaker spending are still being used to support the volume. Incentive spending is on track to reach $4,179 in February, the highest ever for the month and an increase of $293 from last year. Spending on cars is expected to be up $97 to $3,746, while spending on trucks/SUVs is up $353 to $4,335. Car mix is anticipated to fall to 26.4%, down three percentage points from last year and the lowest level ever for February. At the current pace, car mix for the industry will fall below 23% by December. Continue reading →

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Kia ABS Modules Can Short Circuit

Posted on 24 February 2020 by Ken Zino
AutoInformed.com on Kia recalls

The recall is expected to begin during April 2020.

An electrical short within the ABS Module of  229,000 Kia Sedona and Sorento models can cause an engine compartment fire, even when the vehicle is turned off, increasing the risk of an injury. Affected are 2006-2010 Sedona and 2007-2009 Sorento vehicles. Moisture may enter the Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module and result in an electrical short.

Kia has known about the problem, but not the cause, since April 2017. KMC will now conduct a recall of Sedona and Sorento vehicles to prevent key OFF engine compartment fires by depowering the HECU when the vehicle is in the ignition key OFF setting. There are two (2) Sedona and five (5) Sorento fire related customer complaints. No known injuries related to this safety defect. Continue reading →

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Abarth Scorpio Tour of Europe in 1949 hours

Posted on 24 February 2020 by Ken Zino
AutoInformed.com on Abarth

“A journey dedicated to passion for cars, to the pleasure of driving and to performance.”

After a year of celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Abarth –  born from collapse  of Cisitalia  when Abarth & Company was founded in Bologna at the end March 1949, a tour departs today from the Dutch town of Lijnden, 10 km from Amsterdam. It will go to Belgium and then Germany in early March.

From there, the Abarth 695 70° Anniversario will head toward Geneva, Switzerland, before moving to Turin – the city ​​of Abarth’s first office, which still is headquarters of the Scorpio and the Heritage HUB today, housing some of the most important cars produced by Abarth in its history. Its scorpion logo is from the founder Carlo Abarth’s zodiac sign. Fiat bought Abarth in 1971.
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Prince of Wales at Aston Martin Lagonda St Athan

Posted on 22 February 2020 by Ken Zino
AutoInformed,com on Aston Martin DBX

Click to Enlarge.

Aston Martin Lagonda yesterday received The Prince of Wales to its new manufacturing facility at St Athan in Wales. A group of Aston Martin apprentices and also school children from the local area who came along to see the new facility attended. Aston Martin Lagonda in St Athan now bears a plaque commemorating the Royal visit.

Aston Martin Lagonda currently employs 93 apprentices across its operating sites. The last step in the manufacture of every Aston Martin is the application of the marque’s wings badge to the car. A pre-production DBX had the Prince of Wales apply its wings. Continue reading →

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