Tag Archives: autoinformed.com

Toyota to Build New Auto Battery Lab at Michigan R&D Site

“This new investment in our North American R&D operation, which has been a key pillar of the Michigan automotive industry for more than 50 years, shows Toyota’s directional shift towards electrification for all,” said Shinichi Yasui, executive vice president of Toyota Motor North America (TMNA), Research and Development. Continue reading

Posted in electric vehicles, engineering, milestones | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Annals of Marketing – Camaro ZL1 Garage 56 Edition

“Even though Chevrolet has been racing since its inception in 1911, we’ve never done anything quite like Garage 56,” said General Motors President Mark Reuss, who in AutoInformed’s direct experience losing to him on a track, is quite an accomplished driver himself. If he can sit through interminable corporate meetings, we bet he could run Le Mans, but he isn’t driving. Continue reading

Posted in marketing, performance, racing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Stellantis to Buy Back More Shares

Stellantis is one of the world’s leading automakers and a mobility provider. Its brands include Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Citroën, Dodge, DS Automobiles, Fiat, Jeep®, Lancia, Maserati, Opel, Peugeot, Ram, Vauxhall, Free2Move and Leasys. Stellantis N.V. posted record full year 2022 results with €16.8 billion Net profit and €23.3 billion Adjusted Operating Income (AOI). Stellantis was formed by a merger of FCA and PSA in January of 2021. Continue reading

Posted in financial results, mobility company, news analysis | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

GM to Build Full-Size Pickups at Oshawa – Maybe

What role Unifor, which represents Canadian auto workers, plays in this remains to be seen. AutoInformed observes this is a bittersweet blessing for Canadian autoworkers since internal combustion engines are ultimately doomed. There are larger issues as well as the components and agreements for supplying electric vehicles are in place or at organizations that are hostile to unionized workers and even Democracies. Continue reading

Posted in electric vehicles, global warming, labor issues, manufacturing, people | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

VW Bus Beach Party Recap – Type 2s Only Need Apply

Volkswagen also unveiled its latest accessories concept vehicle, giving an early look at the customization potential of the ID. Buzz EV. On display alongside this point-of-sale promo was a unique art car, and a handful of vintage Microbus models from Volkswagen of America’s historic collection and some VIP guests. Continue reading

Posted in shows and events | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ford Reshuffling with Retirements, and a Defection Announced

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) said in Dearborn this morning that corporate officers are retiring after three-decade careers, an executive is returning to the auto industry to lead global supply chain operations, and an under warranty new Ford Blue executive is departing to become CEO of a major transportation and logistics business. Continue reading

Posted in labor issues, mobility company, people | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Penske Automotive Group Buys Transolutions Truck Centers

“We are thrilled to expand our North American presence with the Freightliner, Western Star and Thomas Built Bus brands. For more than 30 years, Transolutions Truck Centers has built a strong legacy of providing quality service to customers across Manitoba,” said Premier Truck Group President Ron Long. Continue reading

Posted in news analysis, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ganassi Racing Honda Wins Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix

From a racing fan’s point of view, AutoInformed remains worried about the lack of real racing in IndyCar. Street tracks present huge problems. Detroit, to our eyes, was too narrow, too short and way too bumpy. The longest straightaway needed to be resurfaced – like many Michigan roads the second half of it needs to be fixed – smoothed so passing can occur without bumps and carbon-fiber wing benders. This is an IndyCar problem. Restarts lead to more restarts, but on street circuits – the best way to overtake and pass is on the restart where everyone is bunched up – more accidents, more flags, more restarts with little sustained racing. Continue reading

Posted in racing | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Pato O’Ward Fastest in Practice for Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix

Pato O’Ward was fastest in during Friday practice for Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix. Continue reading

Posted in people, performance, racing | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

US Auto Sales Soar in May

“After a particularly robust result in April, it would not have been surprising if May sales were a little disappointing, but instead, we interpret May’s outcome as another encouraging one for the industry,” said David Oakley, Manager, Americas Sales Forecasts, GlobalData. Continue reading

Posted in economy, sales | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

GM Expanding Ultium CAM EV Battery Joint Venture

General Motors (NYSE: GM) and POSCO Future M announced today the second phase of their Ultium CAM joint venture, an investment forecast to exceed $1 billion to increase production capacity of Cathode Active Material (CAM) for EV batteries. While CEO Mary Barra admits that GM was slow to embrace EVs, GM is now clearly among the leaders in what is the future of automobility. Today’s announcement is the latest in a series of actions GM has taken to build a more secure EV supply chain. Continue reading

Posted in connected vehicles, electric vehicles, energy, environment, global warming, manufacturing | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Magna Buys Veoneer Active Safety Business

“Our electronics team, now with more than 7200 employees, including 3500 in engineering, can better accelerate (sic) the development of premium features and functions at scale. Magna will also benefit from an expanded geographic footprint and customer reach in key automotive regions around the world with nine facilities and 30 engineering/sales locations dedicated to active safety,” Kotagiri said. Continue reading

Posted in autonomous vehicles, safety | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ford Next with Uber to Offer Drivers Mustang Mach-Es

“We understand uptime and ease of use are critical to every rideshare driver. As more of them make the switch to electric vehicles, we’re building the Ford Drive program around their unique needs,” claimed Bill Knapp, who heads Ford Drive. Continue reading

Posted in electric vehicles, marketing, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Stellantis, Vulcan Sign Deal for Renewable Energy at Mulhouse

Mulhouse is where the DS7, Peugeot 308 and e-308, 508, and the new 408 are made. Based on current assumptions, the project could provide a significant portion of the industrial site’s annual energy needs starting in 2026, Stellantis said. It’s the latest move in the Stellantis fight against climate change with its ambitious goal of reaching carbon net zero emissions by 2038, with a 50% reduction by end of this decade. Continue reading

Posted in alternative fuels, electric vehicles, energy, environment, manufacturing, milestones, public health | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

GM Adding Active Safety Systems to 98% of its 2023 Vehicles

“GM has gone well beyond the safety commitment we made to our customers for the 2023 model year, with a handful of additional standard safety features shown to bring real-world results,” claimed John Capp, director, Vehicle Safety Technology, Strategy and Regulations. “As we look ahead toward a future vision of zero crashes, zero emissions and zero congestion, these technologies are significant building blocks with proven benefits for reducing common crashes.” Continue reading

Posted in marketing, milestones, safety | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment