Tag Archives: autoinformed.com

Daimler Reports Ugly Q2 2020 Results as Sales Drop -34%

Posted on 23 July 2020 by Ken Zino

The Group’s total sales decreased by -34% to 541,800 passenger cars and commercial vehicles (Q2 2019: 821,700). Revenue slipped significantly by -29% to €30.2 billion (Q2 2019: €42.7 billion). EBIT was minus -€1,682 million (Q2 2019: minus -€1,558 million). Adjusted EBIT, reflecting the underlying business, was minus -€708 million (Q2 2019: plus €2,447 million). Continue reading →

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Census Bureau: Millions of Americans Who Get Health Coverage from Employers Could Lose It During COVID-19

Posted on 23 July 2020 by Ken Zino

The occupations among those affected during the pandemic and therefore most at risk of losing health coverage: food preparation and serving; building and grounds cleaning and maintenance; personal care and service; and retail sales. Collectively, 39.6 million people worked in these jobs in 2018, representing 23.6% of all workers. Continue reading →

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MIT Research: Widespread Autonomous Driving is at Least One Decade Away. Maybe More.

Posted on 22 July 2020 by Ken Zino

The longer rollout time for Level 4 autonomy provides time for sustained investments in workforce training that can help drivers and other mobility workers transition into new careers that support mobility systems and technologies. Continue reading →

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Porsche Global Sales Drop -12% at 116,964 Through June

Posted on 22 July 2020 by Ken Zino

China remains the sports car manufacturer’s largest single market in terms of volume. In addition, Korea and Japan were strong markets in the region with sales of 4,242 and 3,675 units respectively, each showing double-digit growth rates over the prior year. 32,312 cars were supplied to European customers. In the US, Porsche supplied 24,186 cars between January and June – a -20% drop – under the fumbling Trump administration’s failure to address the COVID crisis. Continue reading →

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Ford Motor – Three More Safety Recalls in N.A.

Posted on 21 July 2020 by Ken Zino

It’s the latest example of how electronics can be adversely affected by poor designs that wreak havoc on customer satisfaction. Continue reading →

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Bye Bye FCA and PSA. Hello Stellantis

Posted on 20 July 2020 by Ken Zino

The Stellantis name will be used exclusively at the Group level, as a Corporate brand. The next step in the process will be the unveiling of a logo that with the name will become the corporate brand identity. The names and the logos of the Stellantis Group’s basic brands will remain unchanged. What actually happens to the brands is an entirely different matter. Continue reading →

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Team Corvette C8.R Finishes First at Sebring

Posted on 19 July 2020 by Ken Zino

The race in GTLM had multiple tire strategies. Both Corvettes opted to begin the race on slick Michelin tires despite the wet surface. Gavin, after leading a Corvette 1-2 in qualifying earlier in the day, began first but Taylor was one of quickest drivers in the class early on and managed to go one lap longer on fuel than most of his GTLM competitors during his opening stint. Continue reading →

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Census Bureau on Trump Economy

Posted on 17 July 2020 by Ken Zino

The Census Numbers are grim on the economy and its effects on voters. Continue reading →

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Ford Bronco Sequel Appears with First-Ever Four-Door

Posted on 16 July 2020 by Ken Zino

Prospective Bronco owners can choose from an extensive lineup of more than 200 factory-backed accessories for personalization, enabling dealers to provide “outfitting-on-demand” for individual needs – just like MOPAR does for Jeep. Just bring money not bitcoins: MSRP for the base two-door Bronco is $29,995, including $1,495 destination and delivery. “More detailed information, including vehicle specs, accessories and full pricing and options, will be provided closer to launch.” Continue reading →

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Audi R8 V10 Quattro – Kaput, Tschüss

Posted on 16 July 2020 by Ken Zino

The R8 V10 performance model will continue for the 2021 model year, but given the ongoing global economic crisis, Covid 19 plague, and that most governments increasingly are taking legislative action against global warming and CO2 output – it clearly is on the endangered species list. It could survive only as a model for e-racing simulations. Continue reading →

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District of Columbia,15 States to Completely Wipe Out Toxic Diesel Fumes By 2050 in New MOU

Posted on 14 July 2020 by Ken Zino

While trucks and buses only account for 4% of vehicles on the road, they are responsible for ~25% of total transportation sector greenhouse gas emissions. Included in the sweeping reform are large pickup trucks and vans, delivery trucks, box trucks, school and transit buses, and long-haul delivery trucks (big-rigs). Continue reading →

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First Look – Jeep Wrangler Rubicon V8 Concept

Posted on 13 July 2020 by Ken Zino

Yes, there’s a truck performance war under way. The Ford Bronco is due to be unveiled tonight. Consider: Jeep has just electronically introduced its new Wrangler Rubicon 392 Concept, powered by a 6.4-liter (392 cubic-inch) V8 engine that delivers  a claimed 450 horsepower and 450 lb.-ft. of torque. This means a 0-60 mph elapsed time in less than 5 seconds.  Continue reading →

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Volvo Recalls 308,000 Cars for Defective Seat belts

Posted on 13 July 2020 by Ken Zino

Volvo has known about the problem with the Autoliv supplied cable since 2016, but had trouble determining the cause it said in the required NHTSA filing. Continue reading →

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Chinese CATL and Honda Alliance to Make EV Batteries, Technology and Maybe Autonomous Vehicles

Posted on 10 July 2020 by Ken Zino

The companies said the agreement will enable them to begin discussions on a broad range of areas including joint development, stable supply, and the recycling and reuse of batteries. Honda is spreading the risk and costs and hedging its bets on battery electric vehicles, the development of which is threatened by the ongoing Covid crisis that has already cost automotive companies billions of dollars. A key byproduct of EVS is autonomous vehicles – which may not justify the investment required for a decade or more. Continue reading →

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Toyota Plating Machine Significantly Reduces CO2

Posted on 9 July 2020 by Ken Zino

This new stamping-type plating machine eliminates the need of a dipping process where parts to be plated are completely immersed in multiple baths of plating solution, which is required in the most common plating processes at present. As a result, waste solution can be dramatically reduced to about one-thirtieth and CO2 emissions to about one-third, which contributes to a significant reduction in environmental impact. The technology also reduces plating time and the process footprint. Continue reading →

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