Corvette ZR1 Sets Five Records on U.S. Track Tour

Posted on 11 February 2025 by Ken Zino
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The Corvette ZR1* (NYSE: GM) set five new production car lap records during a U.S. track tour Chevrolet said today. The runs occurred at Road America, Road Atlanta, Virginia International Raceway Full Course, Virginia International Raceway Grand Course, and Watkins Glen Long Course.

“Corvette ZR1 continues to showcase how this nameplate elevates at every corner,” Corvette executive chief engineer Tony Roma said. “From design, engineering, development, validation, to driving and setting incredible lap records like these – we do it all in house.” Continue reading →

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Toyota Recalls 2024-2025 Tacoma Models for Bad Brakes

Posted on 11 February 2025 by Ken Zino

Toyota Motor North America is recalling more than 106,000 model 2024-2025 Tacoma 4-wheel-drive vehicles built in Mexico and California. The clearance between the rear brake hose and wheel may allow mud and dirt to build up, which can damage the brake hose and lead to a brake fluid leak.

“The subject 4-wheel drive vehicles are equipped with 16-inch brake systems where the brake hoses, attached to rear brake calipers, transfer brake fluid under hydraulic pressure to the calipers for braking. These components are positioned inside the rear Toyota 17-inch wheels. The brake calipers and wheels of this specific size combination have clearance between the brake hoses and wheels such that, if mud and dirt build up on the interior of the wheels when operating under certain off-road conditions, this mud/dirt can contact the brake hoses. Over time, this may damage and wear through the brake hoses, causing a brake fluid leak. This can lead to a reduction of brake performance and increase in brake stopping distance, which increases the risk of a crash,” Toyota said in the required filing made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Continue reading →

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First Look – New Volvo EX30 Cross Country

Posted on 10 February 2025 by Ken Zino
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Volvo Cars (Nasdaq Stockholm VOLCAR B)* at a literal fireside chat in the North of Sweden revealed today the new EX30 Cross Country SUV. Outdoors equipment brand Fjällräven was part of the show. The EX30 Cross Country is a compact fully-electric SUV. The Volvo EX30 Cross Country is available to order now in selected markets, with deliveries starting later this spring. It will eventually appear in North America.**

“We launched our first Cross Country car over 25 years ago, and this concept of durable and all-weather cars is core to the Volvo brand,” said Jim Rowan, Volvo Cars’ CEO. “In Sweden we face harsh winters, but we also like to make the most of them by getting out and exploring our amazing nature, even when it’s minus 20 Celsius outside. That’s why we want to deliver a fully rounded experience, not simply a car, to our EX30 Cross Country customers.” Continue reading →

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Ford Recalls Expeditions, Super Dutys and Lincoln Corsairs

Posted on 10 February 2025 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is recalling more than 72,000 model 2021 Expedition, 2021-2022 Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, F-600, and 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair vehicles. The rearview camera may display a blank or distorted image.

In the required safety defect recall notification made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration this morning, Ford said it doesn’t have fix for the safety defect. The remedy is currently under development. Continue reading →

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MBUSA Recalling EQB models for Battery Fires

Posted on 10 February 2025 by Ken Zino
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Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) is recalling more than 7000 model year 2022-2024 EQB 250, EQB 300 4MATIC, and EQB 350 4MATIC electric vehicles. The high voltage battery may fail internally and lead to a vehicle fire while parked or driving.*

In the mandatory safety defect recall filing made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration this morning, MBUSA said, “Due to the combination of certain production and vehicle use conditions, an internal short circuit of a battery cell in the high-voltage battery might occur, which could lead to the risk of a fire.” The defective software supplier is Farasis Energy-Ganzhou in China. Continue reading →

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Global Warming – U.S. Lags on EV Truck Battery Swapping

Posted on 10 February 2025 by Ken Zino

China is currently the largest market for deploying battery swapping trucks, The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy* said this morning in a well-researched and extensive analysis of zero-emission truck strategies. In 2023, 14% of all zero-emissions heavy-duty vehicles sold (12-month average) in China were swap-capable (Jin and Mao 2024). Tractor-trailers and dump trucks were the main applications for battery swap-capable HDVs. In China, 50% of zero-emissions tractor-trailers and 53% of zero-emissions dump trucks sold in 2023 were swap-capable.

Battery swapping is also emerging in other international markets. Janus Electric, an Australian manufacturer, advertises ranges of around 250 – 370 miles for its HDV technology that allows for battery swapping. In Japan, Ample, Inc., an American-based battery swapping company focused on light- and medium-duty electric vehicles serving shorter ranges, and Mitsubishi Fuso is piloting its technology with Mitsubishi’s light-duty eCanter electric truck using Ample’s battery swapping technology The pilot will test battery swapping for shorter driving ranges (~62-200 miles) in an urban environment. Continue reading →

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Chevrolet Blazer EV SS to Pace Daytona 500 on Sunday

Posted on 10 February 2025 by Ken Zino
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Chevrolet (NYSE: GM) said this morning that a 2025 Blazer EV SS, the fastest SS model Chevrolet ever, will pace the 67th DAYTONA 500 at Daytona International Speedway this Sunday in box stock form. The Blazer EV SS, set to go on sale late in Q1, is equipped with Wide Open Watts (WOW), which propels the vehicle from 0 to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds with 615 horsepower and 650 lb.-ft. torque. The pace car is a production vehicle with no performance upgrades, but has custom graphics and embedded strobe lighting. It’s the first EV to ever pace the race.

“Chevrolet has a long history with racing, it’s in our DNA, and the Blazer EV SS is a testament to that,” said Scott Bell, vice president of Chevrolet. “We’re excited for customers to watch the Blazer EV SS, the quickest SS we’ve ever produced, pace such an iconic race this weekend.” William Byron, driver of the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, is the defending DAYTONA 500 champion. Continue reading →

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NOAA – 2024 Was Earth’s Warmest Year on Record

Posted on 7 February 2025 by Ken Zino
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Planet Earth’s average land and ocean surface temperature in 2024 was 2.32 degrees F (1.29 degrees C) above the 20th-century average, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. This was the highest global temperature among all years in NOAA’s 1850-2024 climate record. It was 0.18 of a degree F (0.10 of a degree C) warmer than 2023, which previously was the warmest year on record. Regionally, Africa, Europe, North America, Oceania and South America (tied with 2023) had their warmest year on record. Asia and the Arctic had their second-warmest year on record.

The planet’s 10 warmest years since 1850 have all occurred in the past decade. In 2024, global temperature exceeded the pre-industrial (1850–1900) average by 2.63 degrees F (1.46 degrees C). Other scientific organizations, including NASA, the Copernicus Climate Change Service and the UK Met Office have conducted separate but similar analyses that also rank 2024 as the warmest year on record. Continue reading →

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Nissan to Increase Use of Green Steel in Japan

Posted on 7 February 2025 by Ken Zino
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Nissan Motor Company announced today that it will expand the use of low-CO2-emission steel manufactured in Japan.* Through this initiative, the proportion of low-CO2-emission steel Nissan uses in Japan in fiscal year 2025 is expected to increase by a factor of five compared to fiscal year 2023. Nissan aims to reduce CO2 emissions by 30% throughout the entire product life cycle [footnote 1] by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. (Read AutoInformed. Com on Nissan and Honda Sign Integration MOU! and Nissan Motor Posts Disastrous First Half Results, and Nissan Arc Business Plan is Sinking?)

To reach these goals, the company has increased efforts towards decarbonization in the entire process spanning from material procurement. How the apparent collapse of the proposed merger with Honda will affect embattled Nissan’s future is unclear.  Continue reading →

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BMW i Ventures Buys into GreenSpark Software

Posted on 7 February 2025 by Ken Zino

BMW i Ventures* said today it is investing in GreenSpark Software, a New York City-based company building operating software for the metal recycling industry. Existing investors Zero Infinity Partners and Third Prime also participated in the latest investment round. GreenSpark has raised ~$25 million in venture financing from BMW i Ventures, Zero Infinity Partners, Third Prime, Bienville Capital, and Tiger Global. (Read AutoInformed.com on: BMW i Ventures Buys into Phoenix Tailings)

“This investment positions GreenSpark to fast-track its product roadmap, expand into larger enterprise segments, and drive innovation in an industry that has long been underserved by technology,” BMW said. “Despite being a crucial part of the recycling ecosystem, the $120 billion+ recycled materials industry has lacked intuitive, modern software to streamline operations, finance, logistics, and commercial functions. GreenSpark’s platform leverages the latest technology to provide solutions for all segments of the recycled metals value chain, accelerating the circular economy and boosting operators’ profitability,” i Ventures claimed. Continue reading →

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Used Vehicle Prices Poised to Soar?

Posted on 7 February 2025 by Ken Zino
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Wholesale used-vehicle prices (mix, mileage, seasonally adjusted basis) moved 0.4% higher in January compared to December, causing the Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index (MUVVI) to increase to 205.6, a gain of 0.8% from a year ago. The seasonal adjustment to the index muted the movement for the month, as non-seasonally adjusted values rose faster than seasonally adjusted values. The non-adjusted price in January increased by 0.6% compared to December, moving the un-adjusted average price up 1.1% year over year, Cox Automotive said today.* Notably absent was any mention of the Trump tariff chaos, which likely will significantly increase new vehicle prices and thereby increasing demand and prices for used vehicles.

“While it’s not yet spring, wholesale values increased more than we usually see in the month of January, with particular strength at the end of the month,” said Jeremy Robb, senior director of Economic and Industry Insights at Cox Automotive. “The Manheim index is at the highest point since October 2023, after we experienced stronger-than-usual gains in non-seasonally adjusted values. Currently, retail days’ supply at used dealerships sits nine days lower than last year, and we are just now on the cusp of starting the spring wholesale market.” Continue reading →

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Porsche Posts Preliminary 2024 Results

Posted on 7 February 2025 by Ken Zino

Porsche AG said late yesterday it expects these results (unaudited) for the 2024 financial year: The automotive net cash flow margin is over 10% (forecast 7 to 8.5%). The return on sales is at the lower end of the forecast range. Other performance indicators “do not show significant deviations from the forecast ranges.”

However, Porsche said it would incur an  €800 million (~$831 million) charge against operating profit this year because of the cost of introducing new models with internal combustion engines, as well as plug-in hybrids. Continue reading →

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Annals of Marketing – Mercedes-Benz Miami Real-Estate

Posted on 6 February 2025 by Ken Zino
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Mercedes-Benz and JDS Development Group today started the sales launch for the second tower at Mercedes-Benz Places in Miami. On February 5th, the office opened, accompanied by the unveiling of the Silver Arrow Lounge. Spanning more than 2.5 million square feet, Mercedes‑Benz Places in Miami is the brand’s first real estate project in the U.S. and one of the largest developments of its kind currently under construction in Florida, Mercedes-Benz claimed.

“With construction of Mercedes-Benz Places in Miami well underway, we are laying the foundation for one of the most ambitious and innovative residential projects in Florida. Together with our partner, JDS Development Group, we will showcase outstanding architecture, which is undeniably Mercedes-Benz and deliver a community experience that is second to none,” Eva Wiese, Head of Mercedes-Benz Customer Solutions GmbH. Continue reading →

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Volvo Cars Posts Record Sales, Revenue, Profits in 2024, but…

Posted on 6 February 2025 by Ken Zino
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Volvo Cars (VOLCAR B:STO)* today posted a record-breaking year in 2024 with the highest full-year retail sales, revenues and core operating profit in its 98-year history. However, the Chinese owned company anticipates a turbulent 2025 “due to challenging market conditions,” aka Trump’s Trade and Tariff Wars.** “Full-year revenues exceeded SEK 400 billion for the first time in the company’s history, due to a new all-time sales record of 763,389 cars. Its full-year core operating profit of SEK 27 billion, excluding joint ventures and associates, was another record and up 6% compared to 2023. The core operating margin came in at 6.8%, up from 6.4% in 2023,” Volvo said.

“2024 was a year of two halves,” said Jim Rowan, chief executive for Volvo Cars. “For the first six months, we recorded strong double-digit volume growth. But like the rest of the industry, we experienced a more challenging second half. Demand slowed down and this had an impact on both our sales pace and underlying profitability.” Continue reading →

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Ford Motor Posts Mixed Results for 2024

Posted on 5 February 2025 by Ken Zino
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Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) today posted Q4 full-year 2024 financial results. They were mixed from awful to okay. During 2024, Ford Blue’s revenue was flat at $101.9 billion as positive net pricing offset a 2% decline in wholesale vehicle transactions from what Ford said were the cancellation of low-margin products. The internal combustion engine segment at Ford’s  earnings before taxes (EBIT) was $5.3 billion. Ford ModeE reported a full-year EBIT loss of $5.1 billion. The electric vehicle e segment delivered $1.4 billion in cost improvements, net of a $100 million increase in spending to launch new battery plants and next-generation electric vehicles, Ford said. For full-year 2024, revenue climbed 5% to $185 billion; net income was $5.9 billion, and adjusted EBIT was $10.2 billion. For 2025 Ford is predicting a $2 billion profit drop! Bloomberg says that 27% of analysts have a sell recommendation, the highest on record.  (read AutoInformed.com on Ford Motor Shuffles Leadership Amid Trump Chaos and Ford Motor Posts 2023 Net Income of $4.3 Billion)

“Ford is becoming a fundamentally stronger company. We finished 2024 with a solid fourth quarter, capping the highest revenue year in Ford’s history,” said President and CEO Jim Farley. “Our product portfolio offers the broadest powertrain choice. And Ford Pro, with its mid-teen margins, leading market position, and growing service and repair revenue, provides unique advantages for continued growth. In 2025, we expect to make significantly more progress on our two biggest areas of opportunity – quality and cost – as we enter the heart of our Ford+ transformation. We control those key profit drivers, and I am confident that we are on the right path to create long-term value for all our stakeholders,” Farley claimed.* Continue reading →

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