West European July New Car Market Diesel Share at ~15%

Posted on 16 August 2024 by Ken Zino

In July, for the 12th month in a row, diesel* captured around 15% of the West European new car market, according to an analysis released today by the respected GlobalData consultancy.**

“In fact, the preliminary July result was exactly that figure with June being confirmed at 14.2%. July historically is a robust month for diesel sales though the reason for this isn’t clear. So, while the Mont- over-Month diesel share was positive, the Year-over-Year comparison was more negative than seen in June,” said the GlobalData European Light Vehicle Powertrain Forecasting Team. Continue reading →

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Brittany Blue Added to Mustang 60th Anniversary Edition

Posted on 16 August 2024 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Brittany Blue Added to Mustang 60th Anniversary Edition

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Ford Motor (NYSE: F) said today that the “Classic Brittany Blue paint color returns to the Mustang color palette for the Mustang 60th Anniversary package, joining previously announced Wimbledon White, Race Red, and Vapor Blue. Available only with the Fastback body and 10-speed automatic transmission, the 60th Anniversary Brittany Blue also includes the 401A package, Active-Valve Performance Exhaust, Brembo brakes, 3.55 limited-slip rear axle, 12-speaker B&O sound system, and Space Gray upholstery. (read AutoInformed.com on: More Horsepower for All 2024 Mustang Engines Next Summer)

“Mustang has thrived for 60 years by taking risks and giving customers something a little bit different, a little bit more special than you’d get elsewhere. By dropping a color like this, we’re giving customers a chance to stand out even among the rarefied ranks of Mustang 60th Anniversary owners,” said Joe Bellino, Mustang brand manager. Continue reading →

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Annals of Marketing – Cadillac Opulent Velocity Concept EV

Posted on 16 August 2024 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Annals of Marketing - Cadillac Opulent Velocity Concept EV

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Cadillac today introduced the Opulent Velocity* concept vehicle, with claimed advanced technology and personalized luxury. It also combines EV and self-driving technology, or a split-personality of two emerging dynamic technologies.

“Opulent Velocity is an experience-based design study,” said Bryan Nesbitt, executive director, Global Cadillac Design. “It’s the future vision of luxury performance, incorporating Cadillac’s leadership in hands-free driving capabilities, electrification and performance excellence. Opulent Velocity expresses the most artful integration of technology, luxury and exhilaration characterized by Cadillac’s halo V-Series variants, and future electrification design expressions,” Nesbitt claimed. Continue reading →

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X Marks Labor Sore Spot – IndustriALL Against Musk, Trump

Posted on 15 August 2024 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on X Marks Labor Sore Spot - IndustriALL Against Musk, Trump

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The “right to strike and the right to organize” are vital the enfranchisement of workers. The International Labor Organization (ILO) Conventions 87 and 98 maintain these rights are essential for workers and unions to protect their interests and assert their power against the enormous economic and political influence of employers. Central to these protections is the right to organize. This right allows employees to unite and advocate collectively on shared issues. (Read AutoInformed.com on: UAW Files Labor Charges Against Donald Trump And Elon Musk for Attempting to Intimidate and Threaten Workers)

“Elon Musk’s business model is one that is designed to avoid respecting human rights. We must defend workers and the rights that they have fought so long for. We stand with the UAW in their fight.” This conflict is not just about Tesla and its workers – it is a symbol of the broader battle for labor rights and the critical importance of the freedom to organize and strike. Without these rights, workers around the world remain vulnerable to exploitation and injustice. The right to strike is not just a tool—it is a crucial defense that ensures workers can stand up for themselves and each other, said IndustriALL  general secretary, Atle Høie yesterday, citing UAW federal labor charges filed against ex US President Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk. Continue reading →

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GM Has Renewable Solar Power Deal for Three Plants

Posted on 15 August 2024 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on GM Has Renewable Solar Power Deal for Three Plants

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General Motors (NYSE: GM) said today that it has a 15-year renewable energy purchase agreement with NorthStar Clean Energy for three GM assembly plants. NorthStar’s Newport Solar project in Newport, Arkansas, will support the electricity needs of GM’s Lansing Delta Township Assembly and Lansing Grand River Assembly in Michigan, and the Wentzville Assembly site in Missouri by adding renewable energy directly to the grid sourced from. The Newport project has a capacity of 180 megawatts. NorthStar Clean Energy is a unit of CMS Energy.

“By expanding our renewable electricity portfolio, we are taking a major step forward in reducing our carbon footprint and advancing our broader sustainability goals,” says Rob Threlkeld, GM director of global energy strategy. “This facility not only supports our renewable electricity strategy, but also demonstrates our dedication to a sustainable future for all.” Continue reading →

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CARB Settles Nuisance Odor Case at AB&I Foundry

Posted on 14 August 2024 by Ken Zino

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) said today that they finalized a settlement with McWane, Inc., doing business as AB&I Foundry, of East Oakland, Calif., to resolve nuisance odors and permit violations stemming from its operations.

“CARB’s enforcement efforts are a critical component of upholding the state’s air quality regulations to resolve and remediate harms to the public, especially in disadvantaged communities, as was the case with AB&I Foundry. The residents of East Oakland can breathe cleaner air and no longer suffer from the foundry’s noxious odors,” said CARB Chair Liane Randolph. Continue reading →

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July 2024 Global Light Vehicle Sales at 91 Million Year’s Best

Posted on 14 August 2024 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on July 2024 Global Light Vehicle Sales at 91 Million Year's Best

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The Global Light Vehicle (LV) selling rate neared 91 million units/year in July, the best result of the year so far, according to numbers just released by the respected GlobalData consultancy.* In a year-on-year (YoY) comparisons market volumes were marginally down on July 2023. Year-to-date (YTD), the market remains in positive territory, up just under 2%.**

“Sales in China maintained a solid pace as NEVs sales continue to gain traction. In the US, YoY sales declined as high vehicle pricing and concerns over the economy weighed on vehicle consumers. The same can be said for Western Europe, which saw its selling rate struggle in July. Meanwhile, the Japanese market surged as supply has begun to catch up from the losses created by the previous vehicle certification issues,” the Global Data Light Vehicle Forecasting Team said. Continue reading →

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IIHS On Intelligent Speed Assistance

Posted on 13 August 2024 by Ken Zino
There’s nothing like hands on the wheel experience in AutoInformed’s view. A new post from Insurance Institute for Highway Safety caught our attention. What follows is courtesy of an copyrighted by IIHS – all rights reserved.

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There’s nothing like hands on the wheel experience in AutoInformed’s view. A new post from Insurance Institute for Highway Safety caught our attention. What follows is courtesy of an copyrighted by IIHS – all rights reserved.

“The first time I got behind the wheel of a loaner SUV kitted out with an aftermarket anti-speeding device this spring, I was nervous. As a safety researcher at IIHS, I’ve studied the benefits of intelligent speed assistance (ISA), which can detect the speed limit and restrict the power output of your engine to keep you from exceeding it, said I’ve more or less argued it should be required in all new vehicles to help stem a speeding epidemic that kills thousands of Americans every year. But I’d never driven with it before and secretly worried I might hate it. Was I about to put myself in an awkward position?” said Ian Reagan, a Senior Research Scientist, IIHS. Continue reading →

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Takata Flack II – Mazda Issues Do Not Drive Alert

Posted on 13 August 2024 by Ken Zino

Mazda North American Operations today issued an urgent “Do Not Drive” warning about its vehicles equipped with non-desiccated Takata air bags that were recalled, buts still are unrepaired.  NHTSA made the documents public. Mazda apparently did not bother to alert media outlets about this life threatening safety defect. Ford Motor to its credit did. (Read AutoInformed on More Takata Flack – Ford Issues Do-Not-Drive Advisory )

“If you have one of these vehicles, do not drive it until the repair is completed and the defective air bag is replaced,” The National Highway Traffic safety administration said in a relatively rare Consumer Alert. To date, NHTSA has confirmed 27 people in the U.S. have been killed by defective Takata air bags that exploded. In addition, at least 400 people in the U.S. reportedly have been injured by exploding Takata air bag inflators. “Even minor crashes can result in exploding Takata air bags that can kill or produce life-altering, gruesome injuries. Older model year vehicles put their occupants at higher risk, as the age of the air bag is one of the contributing factors,” NHTSA said.  Continue reading →

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UAW Files Labor Charges Against Donald Trump And Elon Musk for Attempting to Intimidate and Threaten Workers

Posted on 13 August 2024 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Donald Trump is a Scab - UAW Endorses President Biden

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The UAW has filed federal labor charges against disgraced billionaires Donald Trump and Elon Musk for their illegal attempts to threaten and intimidate workers who stand up for themselves by engaging in protected concerted activity, such as strikes. After significant technical delays on X, formerly known as Twitter, Trump and Musk had a rambling, disorganized conversation on Monday evening in front of what’s said to be one million listeners in which they advocated for the illegal firing of striking workers.

Under federal law, workers cannot be fired for going on strike, and threatening to do so is illegal under the National Labor Relations Act. “I mean, I look at what you do,” Trump told Musk. “You walk in, you say, You want to quit? They go on strike, I won’t mention the name of the company, but they go on strike and you say, That’s OK, you’re all gone. You’re all gone. So, every one of you is gone.” Continue reading →

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More Takata Flack – Ford Issues Do-Not-Drive Advisory

Posted on 13 August 2024 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino AutoInformed.com on air bag recalls

A problem with mega suppliers such as Takata is large, international recalls for defects.

Ford Motor (NYSE: F) today issued a “do-not-drive advisory for owners of vehicles who have not yet had their vehicles repaired under three past Takata airbag safety recalls. These previously announced recalls are Ford recalls 15S21, 17S42, and 19S01. The first issued in 2015, involve several vehicle lines equipped with Takata non-desiccated airbag inflators.

This do-not-drive advisory is the second Takata related do-not-drive recall advisory issued by Ford and it is intended to encourage owners to complete the recall repairs immediately. “The age of these vehicles makes it increasingly possible that a part inside the airbag will explode and expel sharp metal fragments during a crash. This could cause serious injury or death to the driver or passengers,” Ford said.
 Continue reading →

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GMC Shows Freshened 2025 Terrain Compact SUV

Posted on 12 August 2024 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on GMC Shows Freshened 2025 Terrain Compact SUV

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The 2025 GMC Terrain debuted today even though it won’t be in showrooms until later this year. Launching first in the so-called Elevation trim, the 2025 Terrain has more standard technology and equipment added to the compact SUV. All Terrains come standard with a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine, rated at 175 horsepower and 203 lb.-ft. of torque and up to 1500 pounds max trailering (footnote 5.  See all the inevitable footnotes below*). All-wheel-drive and an 8-speed automatic transmission are standard on Elevation at launch. Sometime in calendar year 2025, GMC will launch the 2026 model year AT4 and Denali trims.

“With the next-gen Terrain and updated 2025 Yukon both slated to launch later this year, the entire GMC SUV lineup will be refreshed by year end, giving customers the latest design, the best technology and the best driving experience we’ve ever offered in our SUVs,” said Duncan Aldred, global vice president, Buick and GMC. Continue reading →

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BMW Recalls More than 100,000 SUVs, Cars for Software Glitch

Posted on 12 August 2024 by Ken Zino

BMW of North America  is recalling more than 100,000 2019-2020 X5, X7, 2020 3 Series Sedan, X6, 2020-2021 7 Series Sedan, 2020 8 Series Convertible, 8 Series Coupe, and 2020 8 Series Gran Coupe vehicles. In the event the starter motor fails, repeated attempts to start the vehicle can cause the starter motor to overheat from an electrical overload.

“In certain cases in which the engine starter has some mechanical damage, the engine may not be able to be started. If the driver repeatedly attempts to start the engine using excessively long starting attempts, this may cause an electrical overload of the starter. If the engine acoustic protection material is contaminated by, e.g. oil, then in an extreme case, the proximity of the starter to the acoustic protection material could lead to a thermal event,” BMW said in the required filing which the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration made public this morning. “Thermal event” is a fire in recall speak. Continue reading →

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July Manheim Index Show Wholesale Used-Vehicle Prices Up

Posted on 8 August 2024 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on July Manheim Index Show Wholesale Used-Vehicle Prices Up

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Wholesale used-vehicle prices (mix, mileage, and seasonally adjusted) were higher in July compared to June. The Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index (MUVVI)* rose to 201.6, a decline of 4.8% from a year ago. The seasonal adjustment to the index amplified the impact on the month, resulting in values that rose 2.8% month-over-month. The non-adjusted price in July increased by 0.6% compared to June, moving the unadjusted average price down 5.9% year over year, according to a division of Cox Automotive.

“In late June, wholesale value declines slowed, and that trend continued throughout July as we saw values appreciate over the course of the month,” said Jeremy Robb, senior director of Economic and Industry Insights at Cox Automotive. “The sales conversion rate has been higher for each week in July, and that translated to higher prices overall at the wholesale level for the month. We are just beginning to see lower lease maturities for the key 3-year-old segment, and that impact will be felt over the rest of this year and into 2025 and 2026. As supply tightens for this key segment for the used vehicle market, we expect to see variances from historical average depreciation rates.” Continue reading →

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Western European Passenger Car Sales Down in July

Posted on 7 August 2024 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Western European Passenger Car Sales Down in July

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The Western Europe passenger vehicle (PV)  selling rate dropped in July, at 11.2 million units/year, returning to the levels seen pre-June. PV registrations fell 0.2% YoY to 916,000 units.*

“Following an improvement in the selling rate in June, Western Europe returned to the more subdued levels last month. There is a combination of headwinds to market activity that look unlikely to ease significantly anytime soon. Interest rates remain high, even though first moves to loosen monetary policy have now been made by the ECB and the Bank of England. Continue reading →

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