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Tag Archives: autoinformed.com
Slight Labor Day Jump Forecast for August US Auto Sales
Absolute new-vehicle sales for August 2024, including retail and non-retail transactions, are set to reach 1,437,954, a 4.2% increase from August 2023 on a selling day adjusted basis, according to a joint forecast from J.D. Power and GlobalData.* August 2024 has 28 selling days, one more than August 2023. Comparing the same sales volume without adjusting for the number of selling days translates to an increase of 8.1% from 2023.
“New-vehicle sales in August are up from a year ago, as expected. A key element of the improvement is that this year, the Labor Day holiday weekend falls within the August** sales reporting period instead of September where it normally falls,” said Thomas King, president of the data and analytics division at J.D. Power. “While the sales results for August will be positive, the seasonally adjusted annualized rate (SAAR), which corrects for Labor Day timing, is relatively modest at just 15.3 million units.” Continue reading
GM BrightDrop Electric Commercial Vans To Join Chevrolet
General Motors (NYSE: GM) said today that it is moving its BrightDrop electric commercial vans* under the Chevrolet brand. The shift brings BrightDrop EVs to Chevrolet’s broad commercial vehicle sales and service dealer network. BrightDrop EVs offer GM-estimated 272 miles of combined city/highway range** and advanced features to help keep drivers safe and alert. This give BrightDrop customers access to one of the industry’s largest and most extensive commercial sales and service networks. All Chevrolet dealers will sell BrightDrop vans if they meet certain commercial EV requirements.
“With the addition of BrightDrop to the Chevrolet lineup, we are combining advanced EV technology with the dependability and widespread accessibility that only Chevrolet can offer,” said Scott Bell, vice president, Chevrolet. “This move strengthens our EV offerings and reaffirms our role as a leading commercial brand that enables businesses large and small to get work done.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, economy, electric vehicles, environment, marketing, milestones, mobility company, news analysis, shows and events, transportation
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, BrightDrop EVs, CAMI, Chevrolet commercial vehicles, Ken Zino, Kristian Aquilina, Sandor Piszar, Scott Bell, X @KenAutoinformed
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Freshened 2025 Acura RDX Now at Dealers
Acura said this morning that the refreshed 2025 RDX is now arriving at dealers ranging in price from $46,050 to $55,800 including destination. RDX has a new “frameless” Diamond Pentagon grille and “aggressive grille mesh.” Standard RDX now has a “premium gloss-black exterior trim.” All RDX models have new wheel designs, with standard Berlina Black 19-inch wheels. New paint colors include Solar Silver Metallic, and new to RDX – Canyon River Blue Metallic and Urban Gray Pearl. Continue reading
MINI Cooper SE 2 Doors Recalled for Battery Fires
BMW of North America is recalling 2020-2024 MINI Hardtop 2 Door Cooper SE vehicles. Faults may occur in the high voltage battery or high voltage system, resulting in a short circuit, according to recall documents made public today by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
“This may lead to an overheating of the high voltage battery and, in rare cases a thermal event [fire] even when the vehicle is not in operation,” BMW said in the required safety defect recall filing. Continue reading
BMW Fire Recalls on More Than 720,000 Vehicles
BMW of North America, LLC. is recalling 720,796 vehicles because of an electrical system safety defect that can cause fires. Pierburg Pump Technology GmbH made the defective water pump that leaks.
“The recalled vehicles have been manufactured with a water pump that, due to insufficient sealing, could, over time, be susceptible to fluid ingress at the electrical plug connector, according to documents made public today by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, manufacturing, news analysis, quality, recalls, safety
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle, NHTSA 24V608, Pierburg Pump Technology GmbH, X @KenAutoinformed
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Ford Reveals 2025 Bronco Sport – Sasquatch Off-Road Option
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) said today that the 2025 Ford Bronco Sport will have an off-road option with so-called Sasquatch Capability, as well as new technology both as standard equipment and available as options. All 2025 Bronco Sport models come standard with what’s claimed as the largest center display in the class, a 13.2-inch touchscreen with the SYNC(R) 4 system, Bronco Raptor-inspired 12.3-inch digital instrument display and Co-Pilot 360 Assist+.
“Bronco Sport customers love the outdoors and go off-roading 3.5 times as often as the owners of competitive vehicles, and camping twice as often,” claimed Matt Simpson, Ford Enthusiast Vehicles general manager. “They want to know they can overcome obstacles that come their way, which drove our designers and engineers to push Bronco Sport to a new level of capability and performance to let our customers do more and have more fun off-road.” Continue reading
Mercedes-Benz 2025 GLC PHEV – 54 Miles Electric Range
Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) said this morning in Atlanta that the new 2025 GLC 350e 4MATIC SUV is best in its class at 54 miles of all-electric range, according to EPA certification [see footnotes below – 1]. The Hybrid SUV is available now at U.S. dealerships starting from $59,900 [2].
This in German marketing theory makes “most daily commutes more flexible and economical in all-electric mode without the need to rely on the internal combustion engine.” Further optimizing efficiency, the “Hybrid” drive program prioritizes electric propulsion for the most appropriate driving situations, for example, during city driving. The standard 60-kW DC charging capacity enables a full battery charge to be achieved in as little as 30 minutes. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, electric vehicles, engineering, environment, fuel economy or emissions, global warming, milestones, mobility company, news analysis, public health
Tagged 2025 GLC 350e 4MATIC SUV, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino, mbusa, Mercedes-Benz USA, X @KenAutoinformed
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EV Moves – Porsche Grabs Majority Stake in V4Drive Battery
“Varta and Porsche are already working closely together on the topic of high-performance battery cells. With the planned majority takeover of V4Drive, we aim to drive the company forward and would make an important contribution to keeping key technologies in Germany,” said Lutz Meschke, Deputy Chairman of the Executive Board and Member of the Executive Board for Finance and IT at Porsche AG. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, electric vehicles, environment, manufacturing, milestones, mobility company, news analysis
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino, Lutz Meschke, Nördlingen, Porsche ag, V4Drive, Varta AG, X @KenAutoinformed
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Canadian Government Halts Teamsters Canada Freight Strike
Major automakers such as Ford Motor, General Motors, Honda, Stellantis and Toyota assembling vehicles in Canada or shipping engines and various other components to the United States got a reprieve late today as a previously reluctant Canadian government intervened in a railroad freight strike.
“I’ve directed the Canada Industrial Relations Board to assist the parties in settling the outstanding terms of their collective agreements by imposing final binding arbitration,” said Canadian Labor Minister Steve MacKinnon at a press conference. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, economy, labor issues, manufacturing, news analysis
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Canada Industrial Relations Board, Canadian Labor Minister Steve MacKinnon, ford motor, general motors, honda, Ken Zino, Stellantis, toyota, X @KenAutoinformed
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Tech-Aches – Vehicle Owners Overwhelmed by New Gizmos
Vehicle owners are overwhelmed with technology features that don’t solve a problem, don’t work, are difficult to use or are just too limited in functionality. The results of the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Tech Experience Index* (TXI) StudySM released today shows that. The study, which focuses on the user experience with advanced vehicle technologies as they come to market, finds that while owners offer praise for some advanced features, others are found to be lackluster. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, awards, customer satisfaction, electronics, engineering, marketing, news analysis, software defined vehicles, software defined vehicles
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Tech Experience Index, Kathleen Rizk, Ken Zino, return on investment analysis, TXI, X @KenAutoinformed
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Shareholder Warning – Ford Delays Next Gen Electric Truck
Electric vehicle consumers currently, so to speak, are more cost-conscious than early adopters, looking to electric vehicles as a practical way to save money on fuel and maintenance, as well as time by charging at home. This, along with numerous new electric vehicle choices coming to market during the next 12 months , as well as rising compliance requirements, has multiplied pricing pressures. In short (groan) all automakers to survive must have globally competitive cost structure, emphasizing some customer and product segments to ensure profitable growth and capital efficiency. Continue reading
Posted in alternative fuels, electric vehicles, environment, global warming, manufacturing, mobility company, new vehicle, news analysis, shows and events, software defined vehicles
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, BlueOval City, chinese evs, Jim Farley, John Lawler, Ken Zino, Project T3, X @KenAutoinformed
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Customer Deliveries Start – for GMC Sierra EV Denali Edition 1
GMC said today that prospective customers can now purchase the 2024 GMC Sierra EV Denali Edition 1 from dealers across the country. The all-electric pickup truck has 440 miles of GM-estimated range with a full charge [see footnote 1 below], GMC “exclusive” CrabWalk mode [3], MultiPro MidGateTM and 10,000 pounds max towing capacity [4] from a GM-estimated 754 horsepower and 785 lb.-ft. of torque in Max Power mode [2]. This by our count means that GMC is the only US brand now with three EV trucks, which won’t likely last long given the US vehicle popularity of trucks. Just bring money – prices begin at $97,500, plus the $1995 destination charge. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, electric vehicles, environment, fuel economy or emissions, global warming, marketing, news analysis, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Duncan Aldred, Ken Zino, Sierra EV Denali Edition 1, X @KenAutoinformed
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Jaguar Again Recalls I-Pace Models for Battery Fires
Jaguar Land Rover is conducting a safety defect recall campaign involving 2019 MY Jaguar I-Pace* vehicles built at the Graz Vehicle Assembly Plant from 9 January 2018 through 14 March 2019. The basis for the recall population is all Jaguar I-Pace 19 model year vehicles not included in the Jaguar H484 safety defect recall. The batteries in question were from LG Energy Solution in Poland. Recalled vehicles will receive a software update that will change the maximum state of charge of the battery to 80%. A permanent remedy is under development.
Owners are advised to park and charge their vehicle outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete and for 30 days after the repair has been completed. As an interim repair, dealers will update the battery energy control module software, free of charge as required by US safety regulations. The final fix is currently under development. Continue reading →