Germany Bucks Death of the Diesel Trend

Posted on 20 February 2024 by Ken Zino

GlobalData* said today that the 2023 full-year car diesel share in Western Europe is confirmed at 15.8% with 1,830,000 units sold for a 15.8% market share. January 2024 was another month of low Month-over-Month variation in the share of new car sales in the region that were diesel at a provisional 15.5% share with a few minor markets yet to report. This is ~3% drop year-over-year as diesel engines continue to slowly fade away.

“All markets lost diesel share in January on an annualized comparison basis, but Germany saw volume of diesel sales increase by 2500 units while several other markets also saw modest volume increases,”  the GlobalData European Light Vehicle Powertrain Forecasting Team said. AutoInformed notes that Germany is the home of Bosch and Mercedes-Benz, both with long pioneering histories in diesel breakthroughs.** Continue reading →

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Hispano Suiza Teases Carmen Sagrera EV

Posted on 20 February 2024 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Hispano Suiza Teases Carmen Sagrera The EV not Neighborhood

Carmen Sagrera.

Hispano Suiza* has unveiled the first images of its new hypercar, the Carmen Sagrera, in a 12-second teaser video. It will be the third model in the company’s range of all-electric hypercars and is due to be unveiled in mid-2024, to mark the brand’s 120th anniversary. (AutoInformed on: Hispano Suiza Coming to New York City Concours)

With a new 103 kW battery capacity, the overall driving range will increase. Whether this matters to buyers in the exotic electrified hypercar segment remains debatable. Nonetheless, it is being touted as “the ideal testimony to the 120-year history of the company founded by Damián Mateu and Mark Birkigt in Barcelona in 1904. Continue reading →

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Do Media Have the Electric Vehicle Market Collapse Wrong?

Posted on 19 February 2024 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Do Media Have the Electric Vehicle Market Collapse Wrong?

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The European Passenger Vehicle (PV) Battery Electric Vehicle market EV market grew ~32% with positive growth in all months except December during 2023. This growth was better than many forecasters indicated at the start of last year (and better than in 2022), with some predicting no growth. BEV sales volume came in at just under 2.1 million units. This is 500,000 more than were sold in 2022.

“It is clear there has been some recent slowdown in the market, but it depends where you look. Some brands are doing considerably better than others, with the likes of MG and Tesla standing out as strong performers in 2023,” the respected consultancy GlobalData* said today. Continue reading →

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Recalls – Ford E-350, E-450 with Dual Rear Wheels

Posted on 19 February 2024 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company is once again recalling model year 2021-2022 E-350 and E-450 vehicles equipped with dual rear wheels. A bad connection between the power steering pressure line and the brake-hydro boost unit can cause a sudden loss of power steering fluid, according to documents made public today by The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. This is a modification of a previous, NHTSA 22V-089, Ford Field Service Action 22S08. These vehicles are often used as buses.

A bad connection between the power steering pressure line and the brake hydro-boost unit may cause a sudden loss of power steering fluid, with steering fluid on the ground underneath the vehicle. This sudden loss of power steering fluid may result in a loss of power steering assist, with increased steering effort, and loss of power brake assist, requiring increased force on the pedal to brake, potentially resulting in increased stopping distance. A sudden loss of power steering assist and power brake assist increases the risk of a crash. Some drivers report hearing an audible “pop” if the power steering pressure line fitting becomes disconnected while driving. Continue reading →

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Ford Recalls 2023 Explorers for Loose Steering Knuckles

Posted on 19 February 2024 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling some 2023 Explorer vehicles because the right-front lower fastener connecting the steering knuckle and strut may be loose or missing, according to document made public by The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration today. Lincoln Aviator models made at the same plant, Chicago Assembly, are not affected by this safety defect. (AutoInformed:Ford Recalls 1.88 Million Explorer SUVs for Trim Detachment)

A loose or missing connection between the knuckle and strut can cause improper tire alignment, resulting in a steering pull or require increased steering effort. Moreover, the brake hose may contact the tire and become damaged, resulting in a brake fluid leak and a loss of braking. Either of these circumstances can increase the risk of a crash. Continue reading →

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Annals of Marketing – Lexus and the LA Clippers

Posted on 16 February 2024 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Annals of Marketing - Lexus and the LA Clippers

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The LA Clippers said this week that Lexus will be named “the official luxury vehicle of the LA Clippers and Intuit Dome,” with a Lexus Courtside Lounge at the new arena. Lexus joins naming rights partner Intuit and AT&T, Pechanga, and Ticketmaster as Intuit Dome Founding Partners. Ex-Microsoft pooh-bah Steve Balmer now owns and runs the Clippers. The monetarily peripatetic team was formerly of Buffalo and San Diego.

The Clippers history with arenas is troubled. They fled the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena in 1999 for Staples Center (nowadays Crypto.com Arena; that’s com not con), which they shared as an unloved stepchild with the Los Angeles Lakers and the National Hockey League’s LA Kings. The rental deal with the Lakers required the removing and then re-installation of Laker memorabilia and sponsorship logos and other stuff  before and after their games. Hardly five easy pieces – so to Jack Nicholson speak  – with our fond memories of his courtside Lakers seats where he held court at the Forum and Staples Center. Continue reading →

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Ford Trends – Climate Change and Post Covid Consumer Views

Posted on 16 February 2024 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Ford Trends – Climate Change and Post Covid Consumer Views.

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Jen Brace, Trends and Futuring Manager at Ford Motor (NYSE: F) yesterday noted several trends in global research that show post-pandemic shifts in consumer sentiment and how people are reacting to technology by rewriting the rules of living, working, buying, and traveling. The self-professed “data nerd” shared the latest Ford consumer research with the Society of Automotive Analysts via Zoom.

“Think of this as the 10,000 foot view of what we see happening around the world. We purposely keep it at a very high level because we’re trying to understand consumer sentiment around the world. So we’re really trying to understand what’s happening in some critical categories that we refer to as the steep categories that stands for social, technological, economic. environmental and political,” said Brace. Brace is clearly STEEPed (Social, Technological, Economic, Environmental, Political) in consumer attitudes. Continue reading →

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California – Equitable EV Charging for Multi-Family Housing?

Posted on 15 February 2024 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on California - Equitable EV Charging for Multi-Family Housing?

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California Assembly member Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento)* has introduced Assembly Bill 2427, the Equitable EV Charging Act to increase access to electric vehicle (EV) charging for residents of multi-family housing by making it easier to deploy curbside charging. The California Energy Commission (CEC) found that no more than 33% of multi-family housing residents have access to home charging and that lower income residents, and residents who identify as Black, African American, Hispanic, or Latino have the lowest access to home charging.

“The State of California is leading the way to transition our transportation system to 100% zero-emission vehicles, but the millions of drivers who don’t have access to at-home charging are at risk of being left behind,” said McCarty. “If we want all Californians to have access to electric mobility, we must provide them with convenient and affordable public charging options where they already park: the curb.” Continue reading →

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Stellantis Posts Record 2023 Results – €18.6B Net

Posted on 15 February 2024 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Stellantis Posts Record 2023 Results - €18.6B Net

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Stellantis (NYSE: STLA) today reported record full year 2023 results with net revenues growing 6% year-over-year to €189.5 billion. Net profit rose 11% to €18.6 billion, helped by a 10% gain in operating income due to the non-recurrence of unusual charges in 2022, mainly related to the Takata airbag recall and CAFE penalty adjustments. Significantly, industrial free cash flow increased 19% y-o-y to €12.9 billion. All told, Stellantis shipped ~6,392,600 vehicles during the year. As a result, it proposed a dividend of €1.55 per common share, that’s plus ~16% compared to 2022, pending shareholder approval at the annual meeting on 16 April 2024.

“As we just passed the three-year mark since Stellantis’ inception, I warmly thank our teams who are executing at the highest levels and contributing greatly to our growth story, even in the strongest of headwinds. Today’s record financial results are proof that we have become a new global leader in our industry and will remain rock solid as we look to a turbulent 2024. Thanks to our flexible technology and product roadmap, we are prepared to address the various scenarios that could arise and to continue delivering on our Dare Forward 2030 targets,” said Carlos Tavares, CEO. Continue reading →

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GM Expands Super Cruise Network in North America Again

Posted on 15 February 2024 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on GM Expands Super Cruise Network in North America Again

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General Motors (NYSE:GM) said today that it is increasing its Super Cruise Network to 750,000 miles of available hands-free driving, which makes it the largest such assisted driving application in North America. GM claimed this was nearly six times the coverage of other hands-free driver assistance technologies on the market today. The new roads have started to be added incrementally over-the-air, at no additional charge, and will continue to be added through 2025.*

“GM is all-in on safely deploying Super Cruise as we make the technology available on more vehicles, more roads and for more people to enjoy. A key part of that is expanding the road network, in this case nearly doubling it again, with LiDAR mapped highways. High precision LiDAR mapping gives us an operating domain where we are confident in Super Cruise’s abilities, “said Anantha Kancherla, GM vice president of ADAS. Continue reading →

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Annals of Marketing – G-Class Stronger Than Diamonds

Posted on 14 February 2024 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Annals of Marketing – Geländewagen Diamond Edition

Click to enlarge the former police vehicle.

Mercedes-Benz today announced a global campaign with the G-Class Stronger Than Diamonds edition, claimed to be “a very special symbol of love limited to just 300 units worldwide.” The marketing campaign, dubbed “A love that lasts forever. Stronger than diamonds,” is on Mercedes-Benz social media channels.

The campaign film is here. (See AutoInformed.com: Mercedes-Benz Sindelfingen to Build GLC SUV) Continue reading →

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BMW i Ventures Invests in Skylo Technologies

Posted on 13 February 2024 by Ken Zino

BMW i Ventures today announced an investment in Skylo Technologies,* a direct-to-device satellite connectivity service provider. The $37 million financing round was co-led by Intel Capital and Innovation Endeavors and joined by BMW i Ventures, Samsung Catalyst Fund, Seraphim Space, and Next47. (AutoInformed: BMW i Ventures Invests in Formant Robotics Data Platform)

“We were impressed with Skylo’s global connectivity solution that enables ‘always-on, always-connected’ communication for the automotive industry,” said Kasper Sage, Managing Partner at BMW i Ventures. “Skylo has a proven solution and team that is going to make satellite connectivity a new standard for the next generation of vehicles while keeping people safe and making their experiences seamless wherever they may go.” Continue reading →

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Annals of Marketing – Dag Ødegaard’s F-150 Lightning

Posted on 13 February 2024 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Annals of Marketing - Dag Ødegaard’s F-150 Lightning

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Ford Motor (NYSE: F) said today that Dag Ødegaard from Lier, Norway is the first Norwegian customer to take home an electric Ford F-150 Lightning. The Mustang Mach-E, now available in ~39 global markets, debuted in Norway during 2021 and is among the top five vehicles in the market. Ford Motor said two years ago that it is pursuing zero emissions for all vehicle sales in Europe and carbon neutrality of facilities, logistics and suppliers by 2035.

“It’s fitting that Ødegaard is the first in Norway with the truck, given his connections to America. His wife (unnamed) is from Texas and he owns a store in Norway that sells American grill and barbecue equipment,” Ford said. Continue reading →

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Toyota Cleans Daihatsu House Over False Tests

Posted on 13 February 2024 by Ken Zino

Toyota said today in Japan that effective 1 March 2024 Chairman Matsubayashi and President Okudaira will resign from their posts at its troubled Daihatsu affiliate that has been enmeshed in false certification test scandals of the vehicles it makes for Toyota for more than a year.

The post of chairman will be abolished, and the new president will be Masahiro Inoue, currently chief officer of Toyota’s Latin America & Caribbean Region. Masanori Kuwata of Toyota Motor Kyushu will be newly appointed as executive vice president in addition to current Executive Vice President Hoshika. Continue reading →

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Daihatsu Ousted from CJPT for Certification Fraud

Posted on 13 February 2024 by Ken Zino

The Commercial Japan Partnership Technologies Corporation (CJPT) said today that it has accepted a request by Daihatsu Motor Co., (Daihatsu) for removal from CJPT because of “procedural irregularities in certification applications.”*

“CJPT has decided to accept Daihatsu’s request based on the belief that the continued inclusion of Daihatsu in activities will not gain the understanding of the public needed to progress its projects to build the future together,” CJPT said. Continue reading →

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