August 2024 EU Car Registrations Plummet

Posted on 19 September 2024 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on August 2024 EU Car Registrations Plummet

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During August 2024, new EU car registrations saw a sharp decrease (-18.3%) with negative results across the region’s four major markets: double-digit losses were witnessed in Germany (-27.8% at 197,322), France (-24.3% at 85,977), and Italy (-13.4% at 69,161), with the Spanish market declining by 6.5% at 52,322, the ACEA* trade group said today.

Year-to-Date new car registrations increased by 1.4%, at ~7.2 million units. Spain (+4.5% at 671,551) and Italy (+3.8% at 69,161) showed positive but modest performance. French and German markets stagnated (-0.5% at 1,126,900 and -0.3% at 1,907,226 respectively). Continue reading →

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BMW and Redwood Materials to Recycle Lithium-Ion Batteries

Posted on 19 September 2024 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on BMW and Redwood Materials to Recycle Lithium-Ion Batteries

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BMW North America and Redwood Materials* announced today a partnership to recycle lithium-ion batteries from electric, plug-in hybrid, and mild hybrid BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce, and BMW Motorrad in the U.S. The partnership is said to demonstrate a shared commitment to sustainability as the next step towards creating a closed-loop circular value chain for lithium-ion batteries in the U.S.

“Together with Redwood Materials, BMW is laying the groundwork for the creation of a fully circular battery supply chain in the U.S.,” said Denise Melville, Head of Sustainability, BMW of North America. “We have said before that the future of BMW was electric, digital, and circular, and this agreement brings us a step closer to meeting that goal.” Continue reading →

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Stellantis Signs New European Work Council Agreement

Posted on 19 September 2024 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Stellantis Signs New European Work Council Agreement

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Stellantis (NYSE: STLA) said this morning that it signed a new European Works Council (EWC) agreement yesterday. Next, 37 new European Works Council members will be designated in the coming weeks to build the EWC, supporting more than 100,000 employees representing 13 countries, including Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Spain and the UK as consultive member.*

“We are confident that this agreement lays the foundation for Stellantis’ European social structure, setting the stage for our shared future,” said Stellantis Chief Human Resources & Transformation Officer Xavier Chéreau. “Our unified European Works Council will play a pivotal role in managing the strategic transformation that the automotive industry will undergo in the coming years.” Continue reading →

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EPA Publishes New Kids and Climate Health Zone

Posted on 18 September 2024 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on EPA Publishes New Kids and Climate Health Zone

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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today released a new web contraption called the “Kids and Climate Health Zone.” The Zone is a collection of stories and information about how the hazards of climate stressors are impacting different childhood life stages and regions in the United States and what people can do to protect their children and families.

“Climate change is the challenge of our generation, and we owe it to the next generation – our nation’s children – to take action now in the fight to protect our health and our planet,” said EPA Deputy Administrator Janet McCabe. “Raising awareness of the impacts of climate and environmental stressors on children and highlighting actions that we can all implement to mitigate the effects are critical for the protection of children’s health and are central to our mission at EPA and to the efforts of the Biden-Harris Administration.” Continue reading →

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ChargeScape Vehicle-Grid Integration JV Begins Operations

Posted on 18 September 2024 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on ChargeScape Vehicle-Grid Integration JV Begins Operations

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BMW, Ford and Honda have begun operation of their new joint venture ChargeScape today ChargeScape also appointed the first CEO and CTO. (Read AutoInformed.com on EV Grid Unlock – BMW, Ford, Honda Create ChargeScape) As more Americans switch to EVs, cheaper fueling costs have become top-of-mind for drivers, particularly while charging at home where 80% of EV charging occurs according to U.S. Department of Energy estimates. The nation’s power grids have come under increasing strain due to electricity demand from data centers and the intermittent nature of  current renewable technologies.

“ChargeScape is a software platform that integrates electric vehicles (EVs) into the power grid, shoring up grid stability while saving drivers money on their charging, the companies – all of them global giants – said in a joint release. Continue reading →

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GM Canada Has Tentative Unifor Agreement at CAMI Assembly

Posted on 18 September 2024 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Unifor Bargaining Starts for GM CAMI Assembly Plant Workers

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At 3:00 am today GM Canada reached a tentative agreement with Unifor, covering ~1300 represented employees at CAMI who build the Chevrolet BrightDrop electric vans and battery modules. *

“This agreement, subject to member ratification, recognizes the many contributions of our employees and provides pattern increases in wages, benefits and job security.” GM Canada said. Continue reading →

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Shawn Fain to Speak to Stellantis UAW Membership Tonight

Posted on 17 September 2024 by Ken Zino

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on UAW Shifts Tactics – No New Strike Actions TodayYesterday, the UAW filed federal unfair labor practice charges at the National Labor Relations Board over what it says is Stellantis’ illegal refusal to provide information about the company’s plans regarding product commitments it made in the UAW’s 2023 collective bargaining agreement.* Several UAW locals with thousands of members have also filed contract grievances over the company’s attempt to move Dodge Durango production out of the United States, in violation of the UAW’s national agreement.

“In our 2023 contract, we won major gains, including a commitment to reopen an idled assembly plant in Belvidere, Illinois, and to build the Dodge Durango in Detroit. We also won the right to strike over those commitments, if we have to,” said UAW President Shawn Fain. “Now, Stellantis wants to go back on the deal. As a united UAW, we intend to enforce our contract, and to make Stellantis keep the promise.” Fain will address the UAW membership on Facebook Live tonight. Continue reading →

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DOJ – Defeat Devices Plea With COBB Tuning Products

Posted on 17 September 2024 by Ken Zino

The Justice Department and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have announced a settlement agreement with COBB Tuning Products to settle claims relating to the manufacture and sale of automotive emission defeat devices in violation of the Clean Air Act. The proposed consent decree, lodged in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, is subject to a 30-day comment period and final court approval.

The settlement requires COBB to pay a civil penalty of just over $2.9 million, based on the company’s limited ability to pay, and to stop the manufacture and sale of defeat devices.* COBB is an automotive aftermarket parts manufacturer and retailer based in Austin, Texas, which formerly sold its parts in Plano, Texas; Portland, Oregon; and Fountain Valley, California. Continue reading →

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Best Selling Car Now at Dealerships – 2025 Honda Accord

Posted on 17 September 2024 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Best Selling Car Now at Dealerships – 2025 Honda Accord

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The 2025 Honda Accord started arriving at Honda dealerships this week with more standard features, and a new turbocharged SE trim with black exterior accents and other standard high-demand features. The Honda Accord, America’s best-selling car over the last five decades [see footnote 4* below], is available in six trim levels, starting with the turbocharged LX and SE, and topped by the hybrid-electric powered Sport, EX-L, Sport-L and Touring.

“The Honda Accord is a critical driver of brand loyalty and the new Accord SE brings even more expressive styling and value to Accord that already commands more than 25% of all retail sales in segment,” said Jessika Laudermilk, assistant vice president of Honda Auto Sales. “Accord SE is one more reason that Accord will continue to set the standard for midsize cars in exceptional value and a sporty driving experience.” Continue reading →

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Software Recall on 2024 Porsche Taycans

Posted on 16 September 2024 by Ken Zino

Porsche Cars North America is recalling 2024 Taycan vehicles. The incorrect headlight control module software may have been installed, according to documents release this morning by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. As such, these 2024 Taycans fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, “Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment.”

The supplier- ZKW Lichtsysteme in Austria – erroneously adopted the ECE-compliant lighting behavior in the data set. Due to this programming error, affected vehicles were equipped with headlight control module software intended for the EU market that does not comply Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108. Continue reading →

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Mazda Software Recall on Forward Sensing Camera

Posted on 16 September 2024 by Ken Zino

Mazda North American Operations is recalling 2024 Mazda 3, CX-30, and 2025 CX-50 vehicles. A software malfunction in the forward sensing camera may prevent the automatic emergency braking system and the lane-keep assist system from functioning.

In addition, the headlights will not automatically adjust from high beams to low beams as intended, according to documents released this morning by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The recalled Mazda models were built at Mazda de Mexico Vehicle Operation. Continue reading →

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Annals of Marketing – Shohei Ohtani and Taycan Turbo S

Posted on 13 September 2024 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Annals of Marketing - Shohei Ohtani and Porsche Taycan

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In an updated social media twist on what was once known as the rag trade in the New York garment district, Porsche said this morning there was a meeting with Shohei Ohtani – the two-way player*  – recently in Los Angeles, his adopted home. With all the well-deserved tsunami level of publicity surrounding Ohtani since his arrival in 2018, many were hoping to sign the Japanese-born athlete as the next star player on their team following the announcement of his departure from the Los Angeles Angels in late 2023.

“The number 17 on the back of his in-demand jerseys has been a key component of his identity since his youth and is a symbol of his extraordinary celebrity. With this in mind, Ashley Kelly, the wife of Ohtani’s future teammate Joe on the Los Angeles Dodgers, went straight to work publishing videos in which she showcased jerseys and merchandise of all sizes sporting the number 17 under the hashtag #Ohtake17. The message: her husband, the current owner of the popular jersey number, would surrender it to Ohtani if he’d only join the Dodgers,” Porsche said in a release.** Continue reading →

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McLaren P1 $449.99! Some Assembly Required

Posted on 13 September 2024 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on McLaren P1 $449.99! Some Assembly Required

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McLaren F1™ driver, Lando Norris has completed a lap of the British racetrack, Silverstone, in a 1:1 scale LEGO Technic McLaren P1. Norris successfully lasted through the twist and turns of the 5.891 km (3.66 miles) track. You can buy the 1:8 scale LEGO Technic McLaren P1 Lego for $449.99 (£389.99, €449.99), but some assembly is required.* (Read AutoInformed.com on: McLaren Returns to Le Mans in 2024 FIA WEC)

“Having worked on the original P1 program for McLaren, it’s amazing to see so many of the elements from the original McLaren P1™ brought to life so realistically by the LEGO Technic team for the full-scale model. The car was an icon of its time. I hope that through this collaboration with the LEGO Group, we are able to inspire the next generation of designers and engineers to push the boundaries of automotive innovation,” said Ben Gulliver, Test & Development Director, McLaren Automotive. Continue reading →

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Strange Clean Energy Bedfellows – GM and Hyundai

Posted on 12 September 2024 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Strange Clean Energy Bedfellows – GM and Hyundai

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General Motors (NYSE: GM) and Hyundai Motor Company (KRX: 005380 KS) said today that they have signed an agreement to explore collaboration across key strategic areas. The culturally different companies will look at joint product development, manufacturing and future clean energy technologies. They will also review prospects for combined sourcing in battery raw materials, steel and other areas. This calls into question is GM’s existing similar agreements with Honda Motor.*

“GM and Hyundai have complementary strengths and talented teams. Our goal is to unlock the scale and creativity of both companies to deliver even more competitive vehicles to customers faster and more efficiently,” said GM Chair and CEO Mary Barra. Continue reading →

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Stellantis to Invest +$406M in Three Michigan Plants for EVs

Posted on 11 September 2024 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Stellantis to Invest +$406M in Three Michigan Plants for EVs

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Stellantis (NYSE: STLA) in Amsterdam today announced it is investing more than $406 million in three Michigan facilities to support its multi-energy strategy.* It confirmed that the Sterling Heights Assembly Plant (SHAP) will be the Company’s first U.S. plant to build a fully electric vehicle. The Ram 1500 REV electric light-duty pickup truck (BEV) will launch in late 2024. The range-extended all-new 2025 Ram 1500 Ramcharger will be built alongside internal combustion engine (ICE) models in Sterling Heights. Additional investments will be made to retool the Warren Truck Assembly Plant for production of a future electrified Jeep® Wagoneer, and the Dundee Engine Plant for battery tray production and beam machining for the STLA Frame architecture and STLA Large batteries.

“Sterling Heights Assembly has performed an incredible transformation in record time and I want to thank our colleagues for this great achievement,” said Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares. “Gearing up to build our first-ever Ram electric truck and the range-extended version in Michigan is a meaningful moment of pride for our teams. With these investments supporting both Jeep and Ram, we’re adding innovations to our Michigan manufacturing footprint to support a multi-energy approach that is laser-focused on customer demand.”** Continue reading →

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