Tag Archives: autoinformed.com

Trump Mexican Tariffs – Negative on Prices, Economy and Jobs

The Center for Automotive Research, where I am a vice president, estimates that a 5% tariff rate would increase the price of an average new vehicle built in the United States by at least $250. At a 25% tariff rate, U.S.-built vehicle prices would rise at least $1,100. Vehicles imported from Mexico would see sharper price increases — at least $1,100 at 5% tariff rate and at least $5,400 if the tariffs were ratcheted up to 25% by this fall. Overall, the tariffs would reduce U.S. gross domestic product by at least $7 billion to $34 billion annually and cause the loss of 82,000 to 390,000 U.S. jobs.   Continue reading

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Ford Europe Starts Bridgend Engine Plant Closing Process

There is by Ford management choice significant underutilization of the plant, caused by the impending end of engine production for Jaguar Land Rover, the cessation of the previous generation Ford GTDi 1.5-liter engine, and reduced global demand for the new generation Ford GTDi and Pfi 1.5-liter engine. At expected volumes, the plant also faces a cost disadvantage compared with other Ford facilities building the same engine. Continue reading

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Luxury Vehicles No Longer Have Panache?

“A closer look, however, reveals that Premium share actually suffered two consecutive years of decline recently,” Chan notes. The £1Billion questions are: will this drop continue and should Premium segment players be worried? Continue reading

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Cadillac to Increase Super Cruise Compatible Highway Network

To date, Super Cruise has been available on more than 130,000 miles of limited-access freeways. The expansion builds on Super Cruise’s combination of precision LiDAR map data, high-precision GPS, a claimed state-of-the-art Driver Attention System and a network of camera and radar sensors. Continue reading

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IndustriALL Makes Rights Abuses Complaint about Mitsubishi Electric with Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games Organizing Committee

“Mitsubishi Electric’s Thai subsidiary has subjected workers to degrading and humiliating treatment, locked-out union members, forced workers to sign a document denouncing their union, and disobeyed a ruling by Thailand’s Labor Relation Committee (LRC) to reinstate union members, the international union said today. Continue reading

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BMW Group Opens Plant in San Luis Potosi, Mexico

Well starting four days from now prices will likely include a 5% tariff decreed by President Trump that increases by 5% each month until it stops – so far – at 25%. Every BMW Group vehicle today already contains at least one part from one of our 220 Mexican suppliers.   Continue reading

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FCA Balks at French Government In-Laws. Renault Marriage Off

However, Renault’s Board of Directors was unable to take a decision due to the request by the representatives of the French State to postpone the vote to a later Council. Continue reading

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Trump Tariffs on Mexico – Job Destroying Taxes on Workers

Ultimately, prices on models imported from Mexico could increase by $8500. Factoring in parts for assembly in the US, the average price of all vehicles sold in the US could rise by as much as $2,500-3,000. the substantial increase could lower sales by 500,000-1.5 million units annually. Continue reading

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Renault Board Confirms Expenses Improperly Used by Ghosn

Several expenses incurred by RNBV for a total of ~€11 million include questionable air travel expenses for Mr. Ghosn; other expenses incurred for Mr. Ghosn; and gifts to non-profit organizations. Continue reading

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Renault’s Board of Directors Continue FCA Merger Study

The proposed combination would create a global automaker, pre-eminent in terms of revenue, volumes, profitability and technology, benefiting the companies’ respective shareholders and stakeholders, according to FCA. Continue reading

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Daimler Trucks – New Group for Highly Automated Driving

The main tasks of the new unit comprise overall strategy and implementation of the automated driving roadmap, including research and development as well as setting up the required operations infrastructure and network, heading towards the series production of highly automated trucks (SAE level 4). Continue reading

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Chinese Junk Watch – Recalled ION Audio Sport Express

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled portable speakers and contact ION Audio for a refund in the form of an ION Audio gift card. Ion Audio has received five reports of speakers exploding including four incidents resulting in property damage to the surrounding area. No injuries have been reported. Continue reading

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Volkswagen ID.R Sets New EV Record on The Nürburgring

The Volkswagen ID.R, powered by two electric motors, lapped the Nürburgring-Nordschleife in 6:05.336 minutes – faster than any electric vehicle before it. Romain Dumas (F) beat the previous record set by Peter Dumbreck (GB, NIO EP9) in 2017 by 40.564 … Continue reading

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Two Petroleum Suppliers to Pay $1M For Clean Air Violations

The fuel violation was discovered during a routine sampling audit of an import marine vessel at the Port of Los Angeles. California Air Resources Board inspectors determined approximately 11 million gallons of motor fuel imported by George E. Warren Corp. had exceeded the threshold concentration of olefins allowed under the California Reformulated Gasoline Regulation. Continue reading

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Dixon – Last and First in Detroit Indy Car Weekend

Josef Newgarden, driver of the #2 Hitachi Team Penske IndyCar Chevrolet V6, won on Saturday, during the first of two weekend Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix races on Belle Isle in Detroit, Michigan. The win solidified Newgarden’s spot – for the moment only – as the top driver in the point standings. Rossi, Dixon, Pagenaud and Sato all drive like a series winner. Continue reading

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