Penske Automotive Increases Dividend to $0.40 Per Share

Posted on 17 July 2019 by Ken Zino
AutoInformed.com

With global auto markets starting a slow decline, Penske is increasing returns.

Penske Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE: PAG), a transportation services company that supports Roger Penske’s successful racing addiction, today announced that its Board of Directors has approved an increase in the cash dividend to $0.40 per share for the second quarter of 2019. Continue reading →

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JAXA, Toyota Start Research for Manned Pressurized Rover

Posted on 16 July 2019 by Ken Zino
AutoInformed on Toyota Concept Manned Lunar Rover

A further expansion of the mobility company concept from Toyota.

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and Toyota Motor Corporation said today that they have signed a three-year joint research agreement running from fiscal year 2019 to fiscal year 2021. The tentative plan aims to launch the lunar rover in 2029.

In what was largely a rerun of a release from 12 March 2019, when the two parties announced their agreement to consider collaboration, the organizations formally agreed to carry on. The prototype rover will be a modified version of a standard production vehicle. (JAXA and Toyota Agree on Future Mobility – A Lunar Rover) Continue reading →

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Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport take a 1-2 at Silverstone

Posted on 15 July 2019 by Ken Zino
AutoInformed.com on British Grand Prix

Bottas started on the pole and came home in P2 to complete the 1-2 for the team.

Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas driving Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 cars finished 1-2 at the  British Grand Prix on Sunday. Hamilton claimed his 80th victory in Formula One in front of his home crowd, his seventh of the 2019 season and sixth at the British Grand Prix, making him the most successful driver at this event. The team was coming off the worst outing of the season in Austria.

“I remember my first win here in 2008 and the feeling that I had coming out of Brooklands and going down the straight and seeing the crowd, it felt so reminiscent of that today – the excitement and happiness and joy that I felt were exactly the same as back then,” said Hamilton. “I’ve done so many races now, and you would think that after so many races you’d get used to it and the feeling would numb down, but it felt like it was the first win I ever had.” Continue reading →

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Connected Car Shakeout – Bosch Sells Packaging Business

Posted on 15 July 2019 by Ken Zino
AutoInformed.com on Connected Cars and Bosch Packaging Technology

Connected cars and autonomous vehicles are an expensive bet with considerable shareholder risk. Auto companies and suppliers continue to seek capital and share risk.

Bosch plans to sell its packaging machinery business, based in Waiblingen, to a newly incorporated entity managed by CVC Capital Partners (CVC). The company and its Pharma and Food units will supposedly remain intact. All 6,100 workers in 15 countries will remain with the business.

This is the latest development in the restructuring of traditional automotive suppliers to concentrate on connected and autonomous vehicles. Bosch announced a year ago that it was looking for a buyer for its packaging technology business. Continue reading →

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Mid-Engine Chevrolet Corvette Debut to be Livestreamed

Posted on 15 July 2019 by Ken Zino

AutoInformed.com on Mid-Engine CorvetteThe next generation Chevrolet Corvette, a mid-engine departure from all previous roadster and coupe designs debuts the evening of 18 July 2019, in Orange County, California. Interested people can watch the reveal via livestream here. The 2020 Chevrolet Corvette will debut as a Stingray. The Corvette debuted as a Sting Ray in 1963. This nameplate ran until 1976, and was then revived in 2014 to introduce the seventh generation Corvette. (Concours d’Elegance of America adds GM Design on the new C8 Corvette as It Celebrates AutoMobility)

The livestream opens at 7:30 p.m. PDT/10:30 p.m. EDT on 18 July and it will also be sent out on Chevrolet’s social media channels. The stream will include Corvette video footage, a hosted pre-show and the presentation. It will be available for viewing across the globe, in all seven continents. (Final Gen 7 Corvette Auction to Benefit Foundation, Three Peat! Corvette Takes Makers’ and Drivers’ Titles in IMSA GT Le Mans at Road Atlanta Season Final, Corvette ZR1 Sets Lap Record at VIR) Continue reading →

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Volkswagen Joins Ford by Investing in Argo AI

Posted on 12 July 2019 by Ken Zino

Ford President and CEO Jim Hackett, Argo AI CEO Bryan Salesky and Volkswagen CEO Dr. Herbert Diess (L-R) announce Volkswagen is joining Ford in investing in Argo AI, the autonomous vehicle technology platform company.

The latest bet in the high stakes autonomous vehicle game came this morning when Ford Motor Company and Volkswagen said they are expanding their global alliance to include electric vehicles – and will collaborate with Argo AI to introduce autonomous vehicle technology in the U.S. and Europe. (AutoInformed – Ford Places $1B Bet in Argo AI on Autonomous Vehicles)

Citing improved competitiveness, cost and capital efficiencies, as well as quicker time to a yet unknown, nebulous market, Volkswagen CEO Dr. Herbert Diess and Ford President and CEO Jim Hackett shared a stage for a discussion about a move that could make or break one or both companies. The alliance, which covers collaborations outside of Volkswagen and Ford’s joint investments in Argo AI, does not entail cross-ownership between the two companies and is independent from the investment into Argo AI. Continue reading →

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F1 2019 Silverstone – British Grand Prix Preview

Posted on 11 July 2019 by Ken Zino

AutoInformed.com on 2019 Austrian Grand Prix - German Sebastion Vettel in a FerrariRound 10 of the 2019 FIA Formula One World Championship will see teams and drivers travel to the English midlands and Silverstone Circuit, home of the British Grand Prix. More than 60% of a lap of Silverstone is taken at full throttle – popular with drivers and fans.

Approaching the mid-point of the season, Lewis Hamilton comes to his home Grand Prix carrying a 31-point lead in the Drivers’ standings over team-mate Valtteri Bottas. Victory in Austria last time out moves Max Verstappen up to third place. The young Red Bull Racing star now has 126 points, three ahead of Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel. Continue reading →

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Aston Martin Red Bull at the 2019 British Grand Prix

Posted on 11 July 2019 by Ken Zino
AutoInformed.com on Aston Martin Red Bull Racing - 2019 British Grand Prix Livery

A Honda-powered Aston Martin Red Bull Formula One Car?

One of the most lasting movie partnerships will be in the spotlight this weekend when Aston Martin Lagonda* and EON Productions**, the company that produces the James Bond films, celebrate the 1,007th Formula 1 Grand Prix, at Silverstone.

The British Grand Prix is the home race for the Aston Martin Red Bull Racing team, so it is fitting that the race falls on the 007 number associated with James Bond. The F1 series is currently dominated by Mercedes-Benz. (see F1 2019 Silverstone – British Grand Prix Preview) Continue reading →

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Concours d’Elegance of America adds GM Design on the new C8 Corvette as It Celebrates AutoMobility

Posted on 11 July 2019 by Ken Zino

AutoInformed.com on Mid-Engine CorvettePeople behind some of Chevrolet’s recent design highlights will share their insights and answer audience questions at the 2019 Concours d’Elegance of America on July 27. That’s only one fun event at what will be a great weekend celebration from July 26-28th of one of our finest mechanical arts. Continue reading →

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Polaris Slingshot Celebrates “National Stick Shift Day”

Posted on 10 July 2019 by Ken Zino

AutoInformed.com on Polaris SlingshotIn celebration of National Stick Shift Day on July 16, consumers can visit their local Slingshot dealership during the month of July for a free stick shift driving lesson. Actually we thought it was Corn Fritters Day another would-be marketing con, but we don’t ride many fritters.

Only 18% of Americans know how to drive a manual trans, but Polaris – not without self-interest – wants to replace what it claims is an experience in an old, mundane vehicle with – guess what – a ~$21,000 to +$30,000 Slingshot. Each has a GM Ecotec 2.4L DOHC four-cylinder engine rated at 173 horsepower with a five-speed manual transmission. Continue reading →

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Toyota Shifts Plans at Its Mazda JV Plant in Alabama to SUVS

Posted on 10 July 2019 by Ken Zino
AutoInformed.com

With production capacity of 3.7 million units in Japan and a strong Yen, it is difficult to export Toyota admits. Here’s the existing Toyota Alabama plant.

Toyota is shifting production plans at the Mazda Toyota Manufacturing U.S.A. (MTMUS) joint-venture assembly plant to build a new, yet-to-be announced SUV. It’s likely a Mazda SUV will also be built there.

Japanese Goliath Toyota – the new plant will be Toyota’s 11th manufacturing facility in the U.S. – and tiny Mazda, which no longer builds here after the messy Ford Motor divorce,  claimed this is of mutual benefit by using the resources of both companies and complementing each other’s products and technologies toward the goal of making more “appealing cars” in corporate pablum. (Mazda CX-5 Crossover Takes on Subaru Forester, Next Mazda B-Series Pickup to be Built by Isuzu, Mazda Drops Ford Motor in New Changan Mazda JV in China) Continue reading →

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American League Defeats National 4-3 in 2019 All Star Game

Posted on 10 July 2019 by Ken Zino
AutoInformed.com on 2019 MLB All Star Game

The Indians’ Shane Bieber entered the game in the fifth inning, and pitching in front of his home crowd in Cleveland, struck out Willson Contreras, Ketel Marte, and Ronald Acuña Jr. in order.

The upstart American League barely beat the National in a tough 4-3 victory last night at Cleveland’s Progressive Field, in the 90th All-Star Game. The AL posted its seventh straight win in the Midsummer Classic. It was a game that moved quickly – at least – by glacial MLB terms, ending in less than three hours of hype, and commercials interrupted by batss, gloves and balls. ( Box score)

The AL has won 19 of the past 23 All-Star Games, dating back to the last Midsummer Classic at Progressive Field in 1997. The AL won five straight All-Star Games from 1997-2001, and then another seven straight after the leagues tied in 2002, for a total of 13 straight All-Star Games without a loss. The longest “uninterrupted” All-Star win streak is 11, accomplished by the NL from 1972-82. Continue reading →

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Ford Motor Recalls a Software Recall on 58,000 Focus Models

Posted on 9 July 2019 by Ken Zino
AutoInformed.com

Defective ‘Foci’ were built at Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Michigan.

Ford Motor Company is issuing a safety recall on 2012 and 2017 Focus vehicles equipped with 2.0-liter GDI engines and 2013-14 Focus ST vehicles equipped with 2.0-liter GTDI engines. The powertrain control module software used to service these vehicles in accordance with safety recall 18S32 was incomplete.

Affected vehicles did not receive the intended 18S32 calibration software that will detect a malfunctioning canister purge valve. When the canister purge valve is stuck open in these vehicles, an excessive vacuum can develop in the fuel vapor management system, potentially deforming the fuel tank. Continue reading →

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Groupe Renault, Its Works Council and Industrial Global Union Sign Global Quality of Work Life Agreement

Posted on 9 July 2019 by Ken Zino
AutoInformed.com

“A collaborative management system,” in a changing automotive universe.

Groupe Renault today signed a new global agreement “Building the world of work together within Groupe Renault”. Mr. Thierry Bolloré, Chief Executive Officer of Renault, Mr. Valter Sanches, Secretary General of IndustriALL Global Union, the French trade union federations and the other trade union federations or unions represented within the Group Committee, and Mr. Eric Vidal, Secretary of the Group Committee signed the agreement.

The agreement, signed by the 10 trade union federations or unions represented in the Group Works Council, provides a basis for structuring social dialogue, both at Group and local level. It “encourages the launching of new initiatives, as well as finding relevant pragmatic solutions to improve employees’ life at work, through the negotiation of local agreements.” Continue reading →

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Honda Finally Begins Last Takata Airbag Inflator Recalls

Posted on 9 July 2019 by Ken Zino
AutoInformed.com on Acura and Honda Takata Airbag recalls

NHTSA wants 100% compliance – something that has never been accomplished on a large recall.

In the fifth – and so far, last – phase of forced Takata airbag recalls announced by NHTSA in May 2016, Honda will finally conduct recalls covering approximately 1.6 million Honda and Acura automobiles in the United States. It is a recall of a recall since the replacement Takata airbag inflators originally used also blew up with deadly force. (Happy New Year! Another 800,000 Deadly Takata Airbags Recalled)

The total number of recalled inflators rises to approximately 22.6 million in ~12.9 million Honda and Acura automobiles that have been or now are subject to recall for replacement of a Takata driver and/or passenger front airbag inflator in the United States. Continue reading →

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