Tag Archives: autoinformed.com

Corvette Anniversary Money – 70 Years Means New Editions

Posted on 24 January 2022 by Ken Zino

The first-ever retail production mid-engine Corvette Z06 will be a 70th Anniversary Edition. VIN 001 be on the auction block at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale on Saturday 29 January 2022, with proceeds benefiting Operation Homefront, a national nonprofit focused on building strong, stable and secure military families. Continue reading →

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Second Shift at GM Oshawa Assembly is Half Women

Posted on 24 January 2022 by Ken Zino

Pickups trucks are GM’s largest and currently the most important market segment in North America. The Oshawa plant  – once doomed only a couple of years ago as GM prepared to abandon it because of NAFTA and archaic attitudes toward labor, will help GM meet demand for trucks. Oshawa Assembly is now one of the most flexible and advanced of its kind in the industry, GM claims. Oshawa began shipping trucks to dealers in December 2021.  Continue reading →

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GM Lockport Components Plant to Build EV Stators

Posted on 21 January 2022 by Ken Zino

EV production – particularly final assembly is a huge concern for unions globally. “It’s pretty easy to build an EV since there are fewer components, and there are no EPA requirements or fluids,” Joe McCabe the CEO of AutoForecast Solutions told AutoInformed at a meeting of the International Motor Press Association earlier this week. Robots or non-skilled labor can do most of the work. Continue reading →

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Cadillac V-Series Line Adds 2023 Escalade

Posted on 21 January 2022 by Ken Zino

AutoInformed is guessing that it will have the supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine as the new CT5-V Blackwing. Installed there, it is rated at 668 horsepower and 649 lb.-ft. of torque. The existing Escalade is rated at at 420 horsepower and 460 lb.-ft. of torque. Next hunch – 10-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. Continue reading →

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Automated Driving – Mercedes to Work with Luminar on Lidar

Posted on 20 January 2022 by Ken Zino

The goal is to industrialize and integrate Lidar into upcoming mass-production Mercedes-Benz vehicles. “By shortening development cycles and strengthening technology partnerships Mercedes-Benz seeks to ensure that its vehicles have the most up-to-date technologies,” the German automaker said.  Continue reading →

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SEMA – 2021 Strong Year for Specialty-Equipment Market

Posted on 20 January 2022 by Ken Zino

SEMA also reflects the ongoing Biden economic recovery as 2021 was a strong year for the U.S. economy amid record demand and consumer spending. Currently, the automotive industry has 2.91 million employees, only 4% below employment levels from before the pandemic in February 2020, making the automotive industry one of the best recoveries of any sector in the economy. Continue reading →

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Software – Honda Invests in US-based Helm.ai

Posted on 20 January 2022 by Ken Zino

Helm.ai is an artificial intelligence software startup company established in November 2016. Honda and Helm.ai have been working in together since 2019 through Honda Xcelerator*3, described as a global open innovation program of Honda. Continue reading →

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Automobili Pininfarina Adds Dealers in North America

Posted on 20 January 2022 by Ken Zino

The pure-electric Battista hyper GT – the most powerful Italian car ever made – is in the final stages of its development with the first client deliveries set to commence in first half of 2022. With a total of 128 million interior combinations, the new hyper ~$2.9 million GT has complex levels of customization. Retailers will assist clients as they personalize the Battista to suit individual tastes. Continue reading →

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GM Plans to Expand Fuel Cell Sales Beyond Vehicles

Posted on 19 January 2022 by Ken Zino

These planned fuel-cell generators could eventually replace gas- and diesel-burning generators with fewer emissions at worksites, buildings, movie sets, data centers, outdoor concerts and festivals. They could also back up or temporarily replace grid-sourced electricity for residential and small commercial enterprises at times of power disruption. Continue reading →

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Alpine 2021 – Year One Sales Increase on a Minuscule Base

Posted on 19 January 2022 by Ken Zino

The A110  remains key. The new A110 range presented in late 2021 will come to dealerships at the start of the year in the form of three models. Alpine’s first year in Formula 1 saw the brand reach podiums, including with its first victory in Hungary. Alpine claims it is  the automotive brand that is the most committed to motorsport, including the World Endurance Championship, rallies and customer competitions. Continue reading →

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General Motors Launches Online Parts Sales

Posted on 19 January 2022 by Ken Zino

GM forecasts that online sales of parts and accessories will make up a $40 billion total potential market by 2030. GM claims there will be significant revenue growth from its expanded e-commerce effort. GM launched online accessory sales in 2015 and sells all of its 5,000 accessory products online. Continue reading →

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Blink Charging to Supply EV Chargers to GM Dealerships

Posted on 18 January 2022 by Ken Zino

Working with ABM, which delivers turnkey EV charging installations, Blink has already started shipping chargers to selected GM dealerships and currently has orders on hand to supply GM dealers in the U.S. and Canada with additional charging stations over the next several months. Continue reading →

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Ford Motor Warns of Large FY 2021 Special Items

Posted on 18 January 2022 by Ken Zino

Ford is warning shareholders and the capital markets that the $8.2 billion it earned from its Rivian investment after the public offering will not be included in Ford’s full-year adjusted EBIT or adjusted EPS. When Ford last provided full-year adjusted EBIT guidance with its Q3 results on Oct. 27, a ~$900 million gain was included in the forecast range of $10.5 billion to $11.5 billion. Continue reading →

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Canopy – Ford Forms JV with ADT Home Security

Posted on 18 January 2022 by Ken Zino

New products will integrate the Safe by ADT platform to provide professional monitoring and help businesses protect work equipment in vehicles and individual owners improve security inside and outside of their vehicles. Canopy plans to launch industry-first, multi-sensor security systems with optional professional monitoring early next year. Continue reading →

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Renault 2021 Global Sales at 1,751,089 or -6%

Posted on 17 January 2022 by Ken Zino

Markets outside of Europe now represent 44% of Renault’s sales (+2 pts vs 2020). The New Renault Duster launch registered sales: 41,000 units in Russia (+31% vs 2020), 22,000 units in Brazil (+15% vs 2020), 6,200 sales in Mexico (+55% vs 2020) and 9,100 sales in Colombia (+34% vs 2020). In India, the new Renault Kiger sold 29,000 units. This is 30% of Renault sales there. Renault claims this “upselling strategy” for this market is working. Continue reading →

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