GM Cancels Q1 Earnings Call as Trump Chaos Prevails

General Motors (NYSE: GM) this morning cancelled its long scheduled Q1 earnings call for media, shareholders and analysts, as Trump Tariff Chaos prevailed in Michigan, a state experiencing growing inflation and unemployment from the Trump mis-administration. General Motors earned $2.78 billion, which tallies to $3.35 per share for the three months ending March 31. During Q1 of 2024, GM earned $2.98 billion or $2.56 per share.

“Based on recent reports regarding updates to trade policy, GM Chair and CEO Mary Barra and GM Chief Financial Officer Paul Jacobson will now host a conference call for the investment community at 8:30 a.m. ET Thursday, May 1 instead of Tuesday, April 29 to discuss these results and GM’s updated 2025 full-year guidance. The company’s initial full year 2025 financial guidance does not contemplate the potential impact of tariffs” GM said. Continue reading

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Toyota to Sell Fuel Cell Electric Class 8 Trucks in California

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Toyota Motor North America (NYSE: TM) today at the 2025 Advanced Clean Transportation Expo said it plans to introduce hydrogen trucks to the Southern California-based Toyota North American Parts Center fleet – NAPCC. This will be the North American debut of Toyota’s more efficient, more powerful Gen 3 FC system. (Read AutoInformed.com on Toyota Develops New 3rd Gen Fuel Cell System)*

“Hydrogen as a fuel – and especially fuel cells – offer benefits that can make a positive change, and we are invested in their long-term success,” said Toyota Group Vice President of Powertrain Engineering Jordan Choby. “We are investing in resources that we believe will lead to sustainable growth, both for our operations and the entire value chain in this still-evolving transportation sector.” Continue reading

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McKinsey on EVs – China Most Advanced Region by Far

Electric vehicles (EVs) are increasing market share, cars are becoming more connected, and autonomous vehicles are gradually starting to appear on more streets worldwide. However, the transition to new technologies has not been without challenges and kinks, especially with consumer sentiment in the EV sector, according to the Annual Mobility Survey by the respected McKinsey & Company consultancy. Respondents came from China, Europe, and the United States. The 2025 survey released today is ongoing. It will eventually include respondents from nine countries [an unknown number of which Trump wants to takeover – AutoCrat].

“After rising rapidly for years, EV sales growth has slowed in many regions. Meanwhile, new competitors, especially those from China, are entering the EV market and attracting attention by offering innovative and technologically-sophisticated vehicles that are often more affordable than offerings from incumbents,” according to the detailed, multi-sourced McKinsey analysis.* Continue reading

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Seat Belt and Electrical Recalls from Mercedes-Benz USA

Mercedes-Benz USA is recalling a previous recall for fuse boxes, electronic stability control programming and driver’s side seat belt covers, according to documents made public this morning by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. First, an incorrect fuse box that was not designed for the vehicle may have been installed. Second, the vehicle’s electronic stability program (ESP) may display an incorrect warning light during an ESP system failure. Third, the driver-side seat belt cover may not be properly installed on the seat belt tensioner, which can cause the seat belt anchor to come loose.

All told ~6700 vehicles are affected. NHTSA recall campaigns are 25V255 or 25V-255, 25V254 or 25V-254, 25V253 or 25V-253.* Planned owner notification dates are not until June 2025. Continue reading

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Nissan Revised Outlook ¥700-750B Loss

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Nissan Motor (7201T and NSANY ADR) yesterday finally announced what is a substantial revision to its financial outlook for the full Japanese fiscal year ending 31 March 2025. As part of the revised outlook, Nissan expects to report a net loss of ¥700-750 billion for fiscal year 2024. The revision is due to costs related to its ongoing turnaround plan, and other factors. (read AutoInformed.com on: Nissan Motor Posts Disastrous First Half Results)*

“Compared with the outlook issued at the time of Nissan’s third quarter results in February, the forecast full-year sales volume has been lowered to 3.35 million units. Full-year net revenue is now expected to reach ¥12.6 trillion, with operating profit of ¥85 billion. This is primarily due to changes in the competitive environment and deterioration in sales performance,” Nissan said. Continue reading

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UK Car Production Down. Trump’s Tariffs Threaten Future

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Car manufacturing  in March grew for the first time in 12 months, driven by strong export demand that increased by 30.6%, with almost three quarters (73.3%) of output shipped overseas. However, production for the UK market fell by -6.1%. Electrified vehicle production also rose, by 38.5% – more than twice the rate of total production – to 31,661 units, to account for almost half of all UK car output (45.0%), said the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT)* today. (read AutoInformed.com on: Hybrid-Electric Cars Dominate EU Car SalesTrump Tariffs – His Next Economic Catastrophe)

“A March uplift to manufacturing is overdue good news, although the performance was boosted by a comparatively weaker month last year, when holiday timings and product changeovers combined to reduce output. With the last quarter showing demand for British-built cars rising overseas, navigating the new era of trade uncertainty is now the major challenge. Government has rightly recognized automotive manufacturing’s critical role in Britain’s export economy and must now show urgency and creativity to deliver a deal that supports our competitiveness, spurs domestic demand for the latest cleanest vehicles, and helps factory lines flourish,” said Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive. Continue reading

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Hybrid-Electric Cars Dominate EU Car Sales

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During Q1 2025, new EU car registrations declined by 1.9% compared to Q1 2024, with March 2025 figures showing a slight 0.2% year-on-year (YOY) decline according to registration data released today by the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association, aka ACEA derived from its French name.* The battery-electric car market share stood at 15.2% market in Q1 2025, far from where it was expected to be by regulators and analysts. Hybrid electric models continue to grow in popularity, retaining their place as the most popular power type among buyers.

“Up until March 2025, battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) accounted for 15.2% of total EU market share, signifying an increase from the low baseline of 12% in Q1 2024. Hybrid-electric vehicles surged, capturing 35.5% of the market and remaining the preferred choice among EU consumers. Meanwhile, the combined market share of petrol and diesel cars fell to 38.3%, down from 48.3% over the same period in 2024,” ACEA said. Continue reading

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Stellantis – Notable Progress in Solid State Batteries

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Stellantis N.V. (NYSE: STLA) and Factorial Energy* today announced the successful validation of Factorial’s automotive-sized FEST® (Factorial Electrolyte System Technology) solid-state battery cells. This feat claims to be  a significant step forward on the path to bringing next-generation electric vehicle (EV) batteries to market.

“Reaching this level of performance reflects the strengths of our collaboration with Factorial,” said Ned Curic, Stellantis Chief Engineering and Technology Officer. “This breakthrough puts us at the forefront of the solid-state revolution, but we are not stopping there. We continue working together to push the boundaries and deliver even more advanced solutions, bringing us closer to lighter, more efficient batteries that reduce costs for our customers.” Continue reading

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California Continues Expanding ZEV Programs

The State of California has awarded $500 million to school districts and other educational agencies to buy zero-emission school buses and chargers. Zero-emission school buses are part of the state’s relentless move to a clean-energy future and lead to better health for students and communities. California’s transition to zero-emission transportation is also accelerating with support from the state’s Clean Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP). Funded primarily with proceeds from the Cap-and-Trade Program, HVIP underwent 177% year-over-year growth in 2024. This February, more than 200 HVIP-funded zero-emission trucks and buses were deployed with $31 million in incentives. The incentive program is a collaboration between the California Air Resources Board (CARB)* and the California Energy Commission (CEC), and is administered by CALSTART, a non-profit transportation organization.

“Cleaning up the state’s school bus fleet is central to California’s efforts to provide clean transportation in priority communities that are disproportionately hurt by air pollution,” said California Air Resources Board Chair Liane Randolph. “The vast majority of these grants will go to local educational agencies that serve these communities.” Continue reading

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New Toyota and Lexus Models Debut at Auto Shanghai

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Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE: TM) announced at Auto Shanghai 2025 in China today that it will be expanding its battery electric vehicle (BEV) lineup in China.

“China is a highly advanced market that leads the way in electrification, with BEVs accounting for a high proportion of new car sales. Toyota announced the new bZ7 BEV, which follows the bZ4X, bZ3, bZ3X, and bZ5, while Lexus announced the new ES BEV, which follows the UX and RZ BEVs, in order to further accelerate a multi-pathway approach while responding to the needs of local customers,” Toyota said. Continue reading

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Tesla Tanking as Musk Leaves DOGE

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Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA)* said late yesterday that 2025 profits during Q1 plunged from $1.39 billion to $409 million. This was a drastic drop from analyst guess-timates as the Elon Musk’s DOGE chainsaw kicked back on the company and slashed revenue from $21.3 billion to $19.3 billion. Amidst the carnage of lower customer deliveries, lower margins and lower profits, Elon Musk also claimed that he was leaving DOGE behind as his major work there was finished. Musk will only be spending a day or so on the unpopular Trump decree weekly. However, the Tesla brand is unquestionably damaged.  See Most say Musk has too much influence amid concerns over reductions in the federal government.

“It is difficult to measure the impacts of shifting global trade policy on the automotive and energy supply chains, our cost structure and demand for durable goods and related services. While we are making prudent investments that will set up both our vehicle and energy businesses for growth, the rate of growth this year will depend on a variety of factors, including the rate of acceleration of our autonomy efforts, production ramp at our factories and the broader macroeconomic environment. We will revisit our 2025 guidance in our Q2 update,” Tesla said. Continue reading

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Toyota to Make Next-Gen Hybrid Transaxles at West Virginia

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Toyota’s (NYSE: TM) North American subsidiary announced today an additional investment of $88 million in Toyota Motor Manufacturing West Virginia to assemble the next generation of hybrid transaxles.

“Production is set to begin in late 2026, with plans to incorporate the drivetrain component into future Toyota and Lexus models, TNA said. Continue reading

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Bentley Azure Models at Auto Shanghai 2025

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Bentley Motors* today showed three brand new models for the Continental GT, Continental GT Convertible and Flying Spur nameplates at Auto Shanghai 2025. Each car now includes a model identified by its nameplate, an Azure variant, prioritizing comfort, and a Speed model with its focus on performance.**

“Positioned alongside the acclaimed Speed variants, with the introduction of Azure, Bentley customers can now choose the model that most closely reflects their aesthetic values and driving priorities. Our China customers and the luxury market here continues to inspire and push us to explore new boundaries, so we are excited and motivated by the future opportunities in this market with these new options,” said Dr. Frank-Steffen Walliser, Chairman and CEO of Bentley Motors. Continue reading

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Audi Airbag Recall – RS E-TRON GT and E-TRON GT

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Audi, part of Volkswagen Group of America, is recalling ~4000 2022-2023 model year RS E-TRON GT and E-TRON GT vehicles. The passenger occupant detection system (PODS) may experience a fault in the wiring and deactivate the front passenger air bag when the seat is occupied.

“A manufacturing error may cause the passenger occupant detection system to… switch off the passenger airbag even though the seat may be occupied. As designed, a warning light in the instrument panel comes on together with an acoustic warning sound and an error message is displayed… The airbag indicator light shows Passenger Airbag OFF,” Audi said in the mandatory  recall filing made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Continue reading

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Ford Recalls Expedition and Navigator SUVs for Bad Brakes

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Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is recalling ~124,000 model year 2017-2018 F-150, Expedition, and Lincoln Navigator SUVs. The brake master cylinder may allow brake fluid to leak from the front wheel circuit into the brake booster. Customer complaints to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration prompted this latest Ford expansion of a previous safety defect recall.

“In some of the affected vehicles, a seal in the rear of the brake master cylinder may become compromised, allowing brake fluid to leak into the brake booster. If the brake fluid reservoir is depleted below a predetermined level, the driver will be alerted that brake system service is required by a combination of  an audible chime, a full screen message center alert, and illumination of the red brake warning indicator,” Ford said in the mandatory safety defect recall notification made public this morning by NHTSA. Continue reading

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