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Tag Archives: autoinformed.com
Annals of Marketing – Mercedes-Benz Miami Real-Estate
“With construction of Mercedes-Benz Places in Miami well underway, we are laying the foundation for one of the most ambitious and innovative residential projects in Florida. Together with our partner, JDS Development Group, we will showcase outstanding architecture, which is undeniably Mercedes-Benz and deliver a community experience that is second to none,” Eva Wiese, Head of Mercedes-Benz Customer Solutions GmbH. Continue reading
Volvo Cars Posts Record Sales, Revenue, Profits in 2024, but…
Volvo Cars (VOLCAR B:STO)* today posted a record-breaking year in 2024 with the highest full-year retail sales, revenues and core operating profit in its 98-year history. However, the Chinese owned company anticipates a turbulent 2025 “due to challenging market conditions,” aka Trump’s Trade and Tariff Wars.** “Full-year revenues exceeded SEK 400 billion for the first time in the company’s history, due to a new all-time sales record of 763,389 cars. Its full-year core operating profit of SEK 27 billion, excluding joint ventures and associates, was another record and up 6% compared to 2023. The core operating margin came in at 6.8%, up from 6.4% in 2023,” Volvo said. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, car sharing, connected vehicles, economy, environment, financial results, insurance, manufacturing, marketing, mobility company, news analysis, sales, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Geely Holding, Jim Rowan, Ken Zino, Trump Trade and Tariff Wars, Volvo Cars, X @KenAutoinformed
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Ford Motor Posts Mixed Results for 2024
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) today posted Q4 full-year 2024 financial results. They were mixed from awful to okay. During 2024, Ford Blue’s revenue was flat at $101.9 billion as positive net pricing offset a 2% decline in wholesale vehicle transactions from what Ford said were the cancellation of low-margin products. The internal combustion engine segment at Ford S EBIT was $5.3 billion. Ford Model e reported a full-year EBIT loss of $5.1 billion. The electric vehicle e segment delivered $1.4 billion in cost improvements, net of a $100 million increase in spending to launch new battery plants and next-generation electric vehicles, Ford said. For full-year 2024, revenue climbed 5% to $185 billion; net income was $5.9 billion, and adjusted EBIT was $10.2 billion. For 2025 Ford is predicting a $2 billion profit drop! Bloomberg says that 27% of analysts have a sell recommendation, the highest on record. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, connected vehicles, economy, electric vehicles, financial results, insurance, mobility company, news analysis, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ford Motor 2024 financial results, Ford Motor Company, Jim Farley, Ken Zino, NYSE F, X @KenAutoinformed
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Toyota Motor Posts FY2025 Q3 Net Revenue Gain
Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC: Tokyo 7203. NYSE: TM) today announced financial results for the third quarter fiscal year 2025, which ended 31 December 2024. TMC also announced significant changes in China. Consolidated vehicle sales totaled ~7,000,000 units, a decrease of ~295,000 units compared to the same period fiscal year 2024. On a consolidated basis, net revenues for the period totaled 35.673 trillion yen ($233.2 billion), an increase of 4.9%. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, connected vehicles, economy, electric vehicles, environment, financial results, insurance, manufacturing, marketing, mobility company, news analysis, results, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino, Lexus BEVs and batteries in Shanghai China, Tokyo 7203, Toyota Battery Manufacturing North Carolina, X @KenAutoinformed, Yoichi Miyazaki
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Volvo Car USA and Canada Posts January Sales Increase
Volvo Car USA and Canada (Nasdaq Stockholm VOLCAR B) today reported sales of 8755 cars for January, up 5.4% year-over-year. Electrified models, fully electric or plug-in hybrid powertrain, increased 43.8% year-over year (YoY). They accounted for 35.8 % of sales during the first month of the year.
“We are excited to see a strong start to the year and look forward to continued growth in the US and Canada with our new XC90, EX90 and EX30 SUVs complementing a full lineup of cars that make life easier, better and safer for everyone,” said Mike Cottone, President, Volvo Car USA and Canada. No mention whatsoever was made of President Trump’s ongoing and unpredictable trade and tariff wars.* Continue reading
Posted in auto news, electric vehicles, global warming, manufacturing, marketing, news analysis, results, sales
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino, Mike Cottone, Nasdaq Stockholm VOLCAR B, VOLCAR B:STO, Volvo Car USA and Canada, X @KenAutoinformed
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Ford Motor Shuffles Leadership Amid Trump Chaos
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F)* today announced key executive changes as the chaos of the Trump administration continues to cause as yet unknown damages to the economy and the auto industry. Two positions, John Lawler to vice chair to look after strategy, partnerships and alliances; and Sam Wu,President Ford China adding Ford’s International Markets Group, will require insight, and frankly lucky hunches given Trump’s random, variable and reversible assaults on trade, tariff’s and vital international organizations to return Ford Motor to a reliably profitable path. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, connected vehicles, economy, environment, global warming, mobility company, news analysis, people, sales
Tagged Andrew Frick, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Daniel Justo, Jim Farley, John Lawler, Kay Hart, Ken Zino, Marin Gjaja, Sam Wu, Sherry House, X @KenAutoinformed
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Annals of Marketing – Rolls-Royce Scent of Money?
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars said today it’s taking the interior experience of its cars with the launch of Rolls-Royce Scent, introduced on its Phantom.* Developed by an in-house perfumer of the marque’s Bespoke Collective, the Scent is said complement the natural aromas of the materials used within the motor car. The fragrance combines notes of Amyris, Cedarwood, Rosewood and Iris.
“A Rolls-Royce interior is a unique space in which every element is meticulously curated to create an unparalleled multi-sensory experience. With our new fragrance concept, Rolls-Royce Scent, we move beyond the visual and tactile realms into a new dimension. Designed and developed by our in-house perfumer and delivered using patented technology, this fragrance elevates the already peerless Rolls-Royce experience, creating an environment that is even more special, and absolutely unmistakable,” said Martina Starke, General Manager, Bespoke Design, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, design and styling, marketing, milestones, news analysis, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Bespoke Design at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, Ken Zino, Martina Starke, Rolls-Royce Scent, X @KenAutoinformed
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Cox Automotive Alters January Forecast Sales Down
New-vehicle sales in January increased compared to year-ago levels, but initial results indicate that market volume likely came in slightly below the forecast, Cox Automotive** said today. The original Cox Automotive forecast* called for year-over-year growth of 5.2%, but early estimates “suggest the increase was closer to 4%.” Some automakers posted record January volume and others saw declines from January 2024 levels.
“Our market continues to be one of diverging stories,” said Cox Automotive Chief Economist Jonathan Smoke. “While the macro view is one of growth, ‘actual experience may vary.’ January is typically a low-volume sales month, and there were no shortages of sales challenges last month – from extreme cold over much of the market to major fire disruptions in Southern California. Consumer confidence also declined more than expected in January and was lower than in January 2024, the first yearly decline since September. All factors considered, the positive sales performance in January was a good sign for the market,” Smoke said. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, car sharing, connected vehicles, economy, manufacturing, marketing, news analysis, sales, Trump Truth Tests
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Cox Automotive Forecast: January U.S. Auto Sales, Jonathan Smoke, Ken Zino, X @KenAutoinformed
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Toyota Recalls a Previous Bad Airbag Recall
“An electrical connection inside the steering column’s spiral cable assembly may be insufficiently welded, causing the connection to separate and deactivate the driver’s air bag. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, “Occupant Crash Protection,” Toyota said in the mandatory safety defect filing made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration this morning. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, electronics, manufacturing, news analysis, quality, recalls, safety
Tagged and NX350, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Corolla Cross, Corolla Cross Hybrid, fmvss 208, highlander, highlander hybrid, Ken Zino, Lexus 2023-2024 NX250, Lexus RX350, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Lexus recall 25LA02, NHTSA 23V-480 or 23V480, NHTSA 25V040 or 25V-040, tacoma, toyota corolla, Toyota recall 25TA02, X @KenAutoinformed
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Acura MDX Vehicles recalled for Bad Rear-view Cameras
American Honda Motor Company is recalling more than 9000 2025 Acura MDX vehicles for bad back-up cameras, according to a safety defect filing made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration this morning.
“The touchscreen in the center console may go blank, resulting in the rearview camera image not displaying as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, Rear Visibility,” Honda said in the mandatory safety defect recall filing. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, electronics, manufacturing, news analysis, recalls, safety, software recalls
Tagged Acura MDX recall RKZ, Alps Alpine North America safety defects, American Honda Motor Co recalls, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, FMVSS 111 rear visibility, Ken Zino, NHTSA recall 25V032 or 25V-032, X @KenAutoinformed
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U.S. GDP Growth Puny in Q4 2024
Fiscal policy increased U.S. GDP growth by 0.3 percentage point in the fourth quarter of 2024, the Hutchins Center Fiscal Impact Measure (FIM)* released today shows. The FIM translates changes in taxes and spending at federal, state, and local levels into changes in aggregate demand, showing the effect of fiscal policy on real GDP growth. GDP increased at an annual rate of 2.3% in the fourth quarter of 2024, according to the government’s latest estimate. The 0.3 percentage point increase in the fourth quarter was largely the result of slightly stimulative taxes and transfers.
“We expect the FIM to turn negative in the next quarter and remain so through the end of our forecast period (the fourth quarter of 2026), largely driven by weak growth in federal and state purchases and only partially offset by strong growth in net transfers. Continue reading
Posted in news analysis
Tagged 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Brookings Institute, Georgia Nabors, Hutchins Center Fiscal Impact Measure, Ken Zino, Louise Sheiner, Sarah Ahmad, U.S. GDP Growth, X @KenAutoinformed
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More Stellantis Executive Changes as Stock Drops
“Through targeted organizational adjustments, the regions now have enhanced local decision-making and execution capabilities in respect of product planning, product development, industrial and commercial activities, while maintaining coordination with the Company’s global functions to best serve their customers,” Stellantis said. However, there still is no new permanent Chief Executive Officer from the Special Committee of the Board of Directors at a time when Trump’s executive orders – viz tariff’s – are wreaking havoc in the auto industry. Stellantis shares are down ~8% this morning. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, car sharing, connected vehicles, economy, environment, financial results, manufacturing, mobility company, news analysis, people
Tagged Alain Favey, Anne Abboud, Antonio Filosa, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Bob Broderdorf, Clara Ingen-Housz, Ken Zino, Ned Curic, Olivier François, Stellantis, X @KenAutoinformed, Xavier Peugeot
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State Privacy Laws Failing to Protect Your Data
The more data companies collect about us, the more our data is at risk. When companies hold your data, the greater the odds it will be exposed in a breach or a hack and end up in the hands of identity thieves, scammers, or shadowy companies known as data brokers that buy and sell a huge amount of data about Americans “Many of these ‘privacy laws’ protect privacy in name only,” said Caitriona Fitzgerald, deputy director of EPIC. “In effect, they allow companies to continue hoarding our personal data and using it for whatever purposes they want. Big Tech should not be allowed to write the rules.” Continue reading
Posted in customer satisfaction, electronics, marketing, news, people, Privacy, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Caitriona Fitzgerald, EPIC, Kara Williams, Ken Zino, R.J. Cross, the Electronic Privacy Information Center, U.S. PIRG Education Fund, X @KenAutoinformed
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Porsche Posts Preliminary 2024 Results
Porsche AG said late yesterday it expects these results (unaudited) for the 2024 financial year: The automotive net cash flow margin is over 10% (forecast 7 to 8.5%). The return on sales is at the lower end of the forecast range. Other performance indicators “do not show significant deviations from the forecast ranges.”
However, Porsche said it would incur an €800 million (~$831 million) charge against operating profit this year because of the cost of introducing new models with internal combustion engines, as well as plug-in hybrids. Continue reading →