Tag Archives: autoinformed.com

Global Warming – New GM, Ford EV Plants Advance

GM Investing $760 Million in its Toledo, Ohio Propulsion Plant for EV drive unit production for Chevrolet Silverado EV, GMC Sierra EV and GMC HUMMER EVs. With today’s announcement, GM has invested more than $1.9 billion at Toledo since 2011. Ford broken ground at BlueOval City, a $5.6 billion investment in West Tennessee to build an all-new electric truck and advanced batteries for upcoming Ford and Lincoln vehicles. BlueOval City will create approximately 6000 jobs. Continue reading

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Toyota Ending Production at Saint Petersburg Plant

“We must now act in a way that allows us to protect the values and principles that our predecessors built up and be confident that we can pass them on to the next generation,” TMC said in a statement. It’s the latest example of global automakers realizing how perilous it is to do business with a mercurial, tyrannical regime. Is China next? Continue reading

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IMSA Motul Petit Le Mans – Five Classes Up For Grabs

Right now a total of 48 cars are on the pre-event entry list, the most for the 10-hour race in eight years.** Live coverage will be available through a combination of NBC network, USA Network and Peacock, as well as IMSA Radio. Continue reading

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Ford Changes Supply Chain and Product Development Execs

It’s the latest example of the intricate routes automakers are negotiating in the transition to electric vehicles that is accelerating in the face of the dire effects of global warming, some of it caused by the transportation industries’ ongoing use of fossil fuels and what was in effect denial of the negative consequences of the exclusive use of fossil fuels. Ford’s challenge is to profitably maintain a line of both EVs from Ford Model e and so-called Ford Blue internal combustion vehicles that at some point – perhaps near at hand – are doomed. Continue reading

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Dealers Think Online Sales to Expand Markedly by 2030

Now wonder then that Jim Farley, CEO of Ford, has been telling dealers they need to trim $2000 from their cost of selling a vehicle to remain competitive in the marketplace. This of course apples to Ford Motor Company as well. Ford is working on an e-commerce program for purchasing EVs at non-negotiable prices. Continue reading

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Toyota Sequoia and Tundra Now Texans

Sequoia SUV is all-hybrid with a twin-turbo V6 hybrid i-FORCE Max powertrain rated at 437 horsepower, 583 lb.-ft. of torque. It was first used on Tundra. The i-FM has a motor generator within the bell housing between the twin-turbo engine and the 10-speed automatic transmission. Sequoia’s fuel economy ratings are a 7-8 mpg improvement compared to the old V8 engine: Two-wheel-drive Sequoia – 21 miles per gallon in the city, 24 on the highway and 22 combined. Four-wheel-drive are rated or predicted at 19 mpg in the city, 22 on the highway, 20 combined. Those numbers are the same regardless of trim. Continue reading

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Nissan Develops Breakthrough Technology to Disarm Viruses

This appears to be a medical science breakthrough since the technology has potential applications for inactivating viruses by oxidizing, denaturing and degrading proteins and other substances on the virus surface. With oxygen in the air acting as an oxidant, the catalyst species produces this effect even under dark conditions at room temperature without requiring light irradiation, as is usually the case with oxidation. Continue reading

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Hertz and GM Plot Major EV Rental Expansion

Hertz said it is investing to create the largest rental fleet of EVs in North America, with tens of thousands of EVs available for rent at 500 Hertz locations across 38 states. The company’s current goal is for one-quarter of its fleet to be electric by the end of 2024. Continue reading

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Deadly Cocktail – Marijuana and Alcohol

“Alcohol impairment is associated with almost 30% of the fatalities on our roadways, and we have made very little progress to reduce this toll over the past three decades. Now we are adding another impairing substance to the mix,” IIHS President David Harkey said ahead of his presentation at the annual meeting of the Governors’ Highway Safety Association in Louisville, Kentucky. Continue reading

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Ford Motor Q3 Earnings to Take $1B Cost Hit

While some of the problems are of Ford’s own creation, completing affected vehicles will shift some revenue and earnings to Q4. Now Ford says that 40,000 to 45,000 vehicles – comprised largely of high-margin trucks and SUVs – will be completed and sold to dealers during Q4. In the slight of hand of automaker accounting practices, revenue is booked when a vehicle is shipped to the dealer, not sold to the end user. Continue reading

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An Idea Whose Time has Come – Smart Infrastructure

The SMART Grants Program  – the latest example of how government can effect change for its people – comes from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, signed by President Biden on 15 November 2021. The Infrastructure law – almost universally opposed by the Republican party, whose members are still trying to overturn the last election while endorsing political violence – will offer up to $100 million in grants annually over the next five years. It will fund projects that use data and technology to solve real-world challenges facing communities today, the Administration said in a release. Continue reading

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BrightDrop eCart – GM Suddenly Joins Grocery Industry

Kroger, a large grocery chain, is scheduled to be the first customer to introduce the so-called BrightDrop Trace Grocery into its e-commerce operations beginning this year. Trace Grocery is available to order in limited quantities today, with full availability expected in 2024. BrightDrop and Kroger completed an initial pilot program in Lexington and Versailles, Kentucky. During this pilot, it’s claimed “Kroger experienced a noticeable improvement in the customer and associate experience.” Continue reading

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Mercedes-Benz to Build Wind Farm at Papenburg Test Track

The wind will keep blowing as M-B with a partner plans to build a “ double-digit number of wind turbines by the middle of the decade. Mercedes-Benz is also planning a long-term power purchase agreement with a partner, equivalent to a “triple-digit million euros amount.” Continue reading

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August EU Car Sales Increased after 13 Months of Decline

During August, the European new car market returned to growth (+4.4%), bringing an end to thirteen months of consecutive decline. Nonetheless, with 650,305 units registered this remains far below pre-pandemic levels. All the key EU markets positively contributed to the region’s growth, with gains seen in Italy (+9.9%), Spain (+9.1%), France (+3.8%) and Germany (+3.0%). Continue reading

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EPA Releases Final Smog Air Quality Standards. More Inspection Programs and Reformulated Fuel Areas Coming?

These final rules establish new time periods and next steps states must take to improve ozone air quality in remaining non-attainment areas. EPA said its final decisions are based on a scientific evaluation of certified, publicly-available air quality monitoring data for the years 2018-2020. From a vehicle owner’s viewpoint this means certain areas will have to implement inspection and maintenance programs and/or use reformulated fuels. Continue reading

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