Tag Archives: autoinformed.com

General Motors Posts Huge Q4 Strike Losses and a Weak 2019

U.S. market share declined year-over-year because of the UAW strike and discontinuation of some passenger cars. China market share declined y-o-y due to segment shifts, lower demand for outgoing models and the slower rate of adoption of new fuel-efficient technology. Continue reading

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First Look – 2021 Cadillac Escalade

Cadillac last night unveiled the all-new 2021 Escalade in Hollywood, an SUV that is longer than Scorsese’s Irishman, and likely far more profitable.  Continue reading

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Ford Posts Weak Q4 Earnings Losing $1.7 Billion

”Financially, the company’s 2019 performance was short of our original expectations, mostly because our operational execution, which we usually do very well, wasn’t nearly good enough,” said Chief Executive Jim Hackett in an understatement. Revenue fell 5% to $39.7 billion from $41.8 billion a year ago. Global sales, share, earnings, and profits all decreased.  Warranty costs reached $5 billion in 2019, up $1.5 billion in recent years — and fixing vehicle launch problems that have also cost an estimated $1 billion. Continue reading

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Global Light Vehicle Sales Slump. The Party’s Over?

LMC posits we must look at why the market has dropped 5 million units below the 2017 record. A recent blog entry entitled 2019 Review highlights some of the challenges faced by the auto industry. Chief among them are developments in China, with a protracted hangover from the temporary tax cuts of a few years ago, disruption coming from the launch of State VI-compliant vehicles (which varies region by region), along with a slowing economy. Continue reading

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GMC Hummer EV – Its First All-Electric Truck

The spot contrasts the allegedly staggering anticipated performance of GMC’s first all-electric truck with the quietness inherent in the operation of an electric vehicle. Continue reading

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Mazda Marks its 100th Anniversary

“Mazda originated as a company producing cork and then took the path to manufacturing automobiles. Now, our cars have found friends with many customers from over 130 countries and regions. We would like to express our sincere appreciation to the customers, dealers, suppliers, business partners and the local community, who have supported us over the years through good and bad times, to whom we owe our 100 years of existence,” said Akira Marumoto, Representative Director, President and CEO. Continue reading

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Rivian to Develop Lincoln’s First All-Electric Vehicle

What should become Lincoln’s first fully electric vehicle will join the Aviator and Corsair Grand Touring plug-in hybrid vehicles as Lincoln plays catch up in a segment that is dictated by Chinese, EU and California regulations and dominated by the Germans and Tesla. Lincoln claims the so-called zero-emissions vehicle will have connected and “intuitive” technologies designed to (marketing babble alert) “create an effortless experience for Lincoln clients.” Continue reading

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Groupe Renault Changes Execs – outsider Luca de Meo as CEO, Clotilde Delbos Deputy CEO

De Meo becomes the second executive to lead Renault (RNLSY) since Ghosn was arrested in Japan in 2018 and subsequently charged with financial fraud. Ghosn’s successor at Renault, Thierry Bollore, left last fall, in part it seems because he was a Ghosn protégé and after the collapse of a proposed merger with Fiat Chrysler in June that Nissan nixed. Continue reading

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MAMA Finalists for Family Vehicle of the Year Awards

The choices don’t get any tougher since they reflect the current automotive state of the art as Midwest Automotive Media Association members drove and debated and debunked family vehicle and luxury family vehicles. Continue reading

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EU Passenger Car Registrations Barely Up in 2019

However, for the entire year of 2019 growth was a paltry +1.2% across the European Union, reaching more than 15.3 million units in total and marking the sixth consecutive year of growth. Continue reading

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Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet Series I – Best in Arizona Auction?

The built-for-touring 250 GT Cabriolet Series I, sold to support Enzo’s racing addiction, had smooth lines defined by its covered headlamps, bumperettes, and tiny taillights in the rear wings. Continue reading

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Isuzu, Honda to Research Fuel-Cell HD Trucks and Vehicles

In a statement datelined Tokyo, they said: “Today, the automobile industry is facing demand to reduce exhaust gas/carbon emissions from mobility products in order to address the on-going global challenge of reducing humanity’s environmental footprint. Moreover, from the perspective of energy security, the industry is required to take initiatives to promote utilization of renewable energy.” Continue reading

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Genesis Launches Its First SUV –  GV80

One interesting technology is an active motion driver’s seat that contains seven air cells: said to reduce fatigue from long hours of driving. Continue reading

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Punch It Performance and Tuning to Stop Selling Illegal Devices to Defeat Emissions Controls

“EPA will vigorously pursue and prosecute companies who attempt to circumvent emission controls that are required to reduce air pollution,” said EPA. Continue reading

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Subaru America Recalls Exploding Takata Air Bag Inflators  

These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using Takata inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling. Continue reading

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