Ford Motor US Sales Up 7% in 2023

Ford Motor (NYSE: F) said this morning in Dearborn that 2023 US sales totaled 1,995,992 for a mild 7% increase when compared to 2022 on a year-over-year basis. Its best-selling vehicle, the Ford F-Series, posted sales of 750,789, up 15% compared to the previous year. It outsold the second place Chevrolet Silverado by ~200,000 trucks. Gas- and diesel-powered F-Series sales were up 12%, while the F-150 Lightning EV and F-150 Hybrid achieved record sales for the year – up 55% and 41%, on relatively small 2022 baselines. (AutoInformed: GM Delivers 2.6 Million Vehicles in US During 2023)

“In a year of challenges, from a labor strike to supply issues, our amazing lineup of gas, electric and hybrid vehicles and our fantastic dealers delivered solid growth and momentum. We have the products that customers want,” said Jim Farley, Ford president and CEO. Continue reading

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American Honda 2023 Sales Up More than 30%

American Honda said today that 2023 sales topped 1.3 million units, up 33% when compared year-over-year. The Honda brand increase 31.9% on sales of 1,162,531 units. The Acura brand closed the year up 42% on sales of 145,655.

We began 2023 optimistic for increased sales volumes, with our commitment to fun-to-drive cars, a refreshed light truck line-up and increasing hybrid-electric volumes. To have achieved a 33% increase over last year’s sales is an incredible testament to the strength of our products, dealer network and brands,” said Mamadou Diallo, senior vice president of Auto Sales at American Honda Motor Co. Continue reading

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GM Delivers 2.6 Million Vehicles in US During 2023

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General Motors (NYSE: GM) said today that it along with GM dealers delivered 2.6 million vehicles in the US during calendar year 2023. This was an increase of 14% year-over-year, reflecting the ongoing Biden Administration economic recovery, in AutoInformed’s view since 2023 will be the best year since the pandemic began. GM also held off a strong performance from Toyota keeping it the best-selling automaker in the US.

GM said it led the industry in total sales and was the top selling manufacturer of trucks, full-size pickups, full-size SUVs, ‘affordable SUVs’* and fleet vehicles. All GM brands posted increases. GM said its total market share increased 0.3 ppts. to 16.3%, which is preliminary based on an estimated 16 million vehicle US industry total.*

“We grew our market share in 2023, maintaining strong pricing and low incentives. We led the industry in trucks and had great success with our affordable SUVs like the Chevrolet Trax and Buick Envista, some of today’s hottest-selling vehicles,” said Marissa West, GM senior vice president and president, North America. “In 2024, we expect industry sales to remain strong and we’re excited about the opportunities ahead as we expand customer choice with new vehicles like the Chevrolet Equinox EV and Cadillac Escalade IQ.” Continue reading

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Toyota North America December 2023 Sales Up 7%

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Toyota Motor North America (NYSE:TM) today reported year-end 2023 total US  sales of 2,248,477 Toyota and Lexus brand vehicles, an increase of 6.6% on a volume basis or 7% on a daily selling rate (DSR) basis when compared to 2022. TMNA reported US fourth quarter 2023 sales of 619,661 vehicles, an increase of 15.4% on a volume basis and an increase of 18.5% on a DSR basis compared to the fourth quarter of 2022. US December 2023 sales totaled 226,116 vehicles, an increase of 25.5% on a volume basis and an increase of 30.3% on a DSR basis compared to December 2022. Based on preliminary data, the Toyota brand will be the number one seller of passenger vehicles for the 12th consecutive year, and 20 of the last 21 years.

“Toyota’s multi-pathway approach to electrification accelerated in 2023 with even more vehicle choices to meet our customer’s lifestyle and budget,” said Jack Hollis, executive vice president, Sales, TMNA. “By the end of 2025, we plan to have an electrified option available for every Toyota and Lexus vehicle in the U.S.” Continue reading

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US Fuel Economy at Record Highs. CO2 at Record Low

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The US. Environmental Protection Agency just before this Christmas past released its annual Automotive Trends Report.* It said that model year 2022 vehicle fuel economy reached a record high, while emission levels dropped to record low levels. The report also shows that through the MY 2022 reporting period, all 14 large manufacturers are in compliance with the light-duty greenhouse gas program requirements. This welcome news is rooted in the awakened environmental policies of the Obama and Biden Administrations.**

“As the United States accelerates towards a clean transportation future, today’s report highlights the historic progress made so far by the industry to reduce climate pollution and other harmful emissions,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “We are thrilled to see manufacturers continue to innovate and develop technologies in multiple vehicle categories that have led to a substantial increase in miles per gallon, passing cost savings onto families across the nation.” Continue reading

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New Year Recalls from BMW, Bombardier, Daimler, GM, Hyundai, Kia, Land Rover, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Toyota

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration publicly released a number of safety recalls on New Year’s day. Most of them are minor in the number of vehicles affected.

However, as always it is vital that they be performed on the affected vehicles not only for the driver and occupants but for other users of our public roads. This will help ensure during 2024 a safe and happy New Year for all. Continue reading

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Ford Airbag Recall – 2023 F-150, F250, F350, F450, F550, F600

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Ford F-Series recalls.

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Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is recalling 2023 F-150 and Ford SD F250, F350, F450, F550, and F600 vehicles. The steering wheel clock spring from supplier BCS Automotive Interface Solutions may have an bad weld, causing a loss of electrical connection to the driver’s frontal air bag. The customer may notice loss of illumination and function of switches on the steering wheel, such as radio controls, inoperative horn and an airbag warning light.

“The Steering Column Control Module (SCCM) in affected vehicles may contain a clock spring assembly with an insufficient weld between the bus bar and the ribbon cable. The ribbon cable provides connectivity to the driver airbag. An insufficient weld can lead to a disconnection of ribbon cable circuits, resulting in a loss of electrical connection to the driver’s front airbag. As a consequence the airbag warning light will illuminate and the driver airbag will not deploy,” Ford said in the required safety defect recall filing to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that has been made public on New Year’s day. Continue reading

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Significant 2023 Automotive Stories and Trends

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Significant 2023 Automotive Stories and Trends

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Well, hello Tempus Fugit! AutoInformed again notes, humbly and wryly, that its vision is mostly clear on the significance of long past occurrences. Nonetheless, with each passing year we still pause and attempt to bring insight into events of the time. When we get it right, our perspective observes that we are what we were – a union of we the people aspiring to include all of us with awakened ideals from our 18th century American enlightenment put forth in our globally famous declarations and legal documents.

However, in these current times that try our souls, these ideals appear to be only a paltry influence amidst the chaos of the American present. Our vision and progress are threatened by a tawdry cast (caste?) of social media politicians who reside in comfort and leisure at taxpayer expense while idly watching the Potomac roll by. Our aspirations of becoming a more useful part of our society comprised of “We the People” is under daily news-cycle assault with an insurrection of can’t do characters and their apologists and power-hungry enablers who are our enemies within. They are the greatest threat to our upwardly mobile, inclusive democratic society. These illiterate book banners and burners are threatening our genuine American optimism and can-do past that still propels the best of us to keep moving forward with or without drums and fifes. Continue reading

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Happy New Year United States – All ~335 Million of You!

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The US Census Bureau calculates that the US population will be 335,893,238 today on New Year’s Day, an annual increase of 1,759,535 or 0.53%.

“The combination of births, deaths and net international migration increases the U.S. population by one person every 24.2 seconds. In January 2024, the United States is expected to experience a birth every 9.0 seconds and one death every 9.5 seconds. Meanwhile, net international migration is expected to add one person to the U.S. population every 28.3 seconds. The combination of births, deaths and net international migration increases the U.S. population by one person every 24.2 seconds,” said Derick Moore, senior communications specialist in the Census Bureau’s Communications Directorate. Continue reading

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Almost All New US Light Vehicles have Automatic Braking

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All 20 participating automakers have fulfilled a voluntary pledge to equip nearly all the light vehicles they produce for the U.S. market with automatic emergency braking (AEB), according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Five new manufacturers installed AEB on more than 95% of the light vehicles they produced between 1 September 2022 and 31 August 2023, to meet the deadline set in a previous agreement.* General Motors, Jaguar Land Rover, Maserati and Porsche all dramatically increased the proportion of their vehicles equipped with the technology to meet the target. Kia, which was already close last year, also crossed the finish line.

Audi, BMW, Ford/Lincoln, Honda/Acura, Hyundai/Genesis, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Nissan/Infiniti, Stellantis, Subaru, Tesla, Toyota/Lexus, Volkswagen and Volvo fulfilled the voluntary commitment in previous years. Continue reading

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Japan Inc – Automakers Start Advanced SoC Research

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Twelve companies* comprised of automotive, electrical component, and semiconductor firms have established the so-called  “Advanced SoC Research for Automotive” (ASRA) on 1 December 2023 to conduct research and develop high-performance digital semiconductors (System on Chip or SoC) for use in automobiles.Keiji Yamamoto, Senior Fellow, Toyota Motor Corp., is the chairperson  of the company. Nobuaki Kawahara, Senior Advisor, DENSO Corp., is the executive director.

ASRA aims to establish in-vehicle chiplet technology by 2028 and to install SoCs in mass-produced vehicles from 2030 onward. By combining Japan’s technological capabilities and experience in automotive, electrical components, and semiconductors, ASRA will work with industry, government, and academia to promote domestic and international collaboration as a world-leading technology research group, the socially and environmentally awakened firms said. Continue reading

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Ford F-Series Truck Best Seller Again

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Ford F-Series Truck Best Seller Again

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Ford Motor Company said today that during calendar year 2023 more than 700,000 customers chose a new F-Series truck, making it the best-selling truck in the United States for the 47th consecutive year1. (AutoInformed: Ford Claims F-Series Retains Title of Best-Selling Truck in 2022)

“One key to our success in 2023 and beyond is the diversity of our powertrain offerings. We understand that our customers have unique needs, whether they’re on the job site, the farm, or embarking on a weekend adventure. That’s why we’re proud to say that the Ford F-150® PowerBoost Hybrid has claimed the title of the best-selling full-size full-hybrid pickup in America1 (and ranks second overall among all pickups behind the Ford Maverick),” claimed Robert Kaffl, director, US sales. Continue reading

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Climate Change – 25% of US People Susceptible to Severe Heat

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As we close out the year of extreme shifts in weather – with 2023 trending to be the hottest year on record – US Census Bureau data show that almost 1 in 4 people in the United States are socially vulnerable and have low resilience to extreme heat exposure.* The so-called Community Resilience Estimates (CRE) for Heat**, an experimental data compendium released last April, measures the capacity of individuals and households in a community to withstand the stress of exposure to extreme heat based on their social characteristics.

The statistical tool produces national, state, county and census tract (neighborhood equivalent) estimates using individual and household data from the 2019 American Community Survey (ACS) restricted microdata and the Census Bureau’s Population Estimates Program (PEP). Continue reading

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Nissan Motor Global Production up 27% in November

Nissan Motor said today in Yokohama that global production of passenger and commercial vehicles in November surpassed year-earlier results by 27.4% (317,233). Production in Japan also rose Year-over-Year (YoY)  by 21.3 % (68,683). Furthermore production outside Japan rose YoY by 29.2% (248,550). In the US production during November at 48,056 was up +16.8%.

Overall, global sales in November at 282,327 increase+24.2%. Calendar year-to-date (YTD) sales increased +3.2% at 3,056,542. Continue reading

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Honda Motor November 2023 Global Production up 27%

Honda Motor said today in Japan that global production in November rose more than 27% at 414,429 vehicles when compared year-over-year (YoY). It was the third straight month of global increases.

For the calendar year through November, production at 3.8 million vehicles was up 6.5%. North America was notably strong at +31% (10452,338) as the Biden administration’s economic recovery continues. China was notably weak at 1,144,714, a drop of more than 15%. Overall Asia in total remains soft at 1,664,040, a 10% decline. Continue reading

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