Tag Archives: auto industry commentary

Automated Driving – BMW to use Amazon and Qualcomm

“In the next decade, consumer habits and expectations will drive more changes in the automotive industry than we’ve seen over the past 30 years,” said Dr. Nicolai Martin, senior vice president of Driving Experience at BMW Group. “This is just the beginning of a new era of highly automated driving, fueled by innovations in technology and engineering. By collaborating with AWS, the BMW Group, along with our partner, Qualcomm Technologies, is building our new automated driving platform.” automated driving and parking functions.” Continue reading

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Strange Green Bedfellows – Stellantis and Aramco

Low carbon eFuel is a drop-in synthetic fuel made by reacting CO2, captured either directly from the atmosphere or from an industrial facility, with renewable hydrogen. The use of low carbon eFuel has the potential to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from existing internal combustion vehicles by at least 70% on a lifecycle basis, compared to conventional fuels its advocates claim. Continue reading

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Labor Day – UAW Struggles Are Key to The American Dream

Let us pause here to remember and reflect on Walter P. Reuther (1907 – 1970). “There is no greater calling than to serve your fellow man. There is no greater satisfaction than to have done it well,” he famously said. Reuther built the United Automobile Workers into one of the most awakened and progressive forces in American history. A fierce champion of collective bargaining, Reuther also had a much larger vision of the American society then many of our mere politicians. He viewed the labor movement in the context of community – the whole community. Led by him the UAW fought for civil rights, health care, affordable housing, environmental protections among other things. Continue reading

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Gen 5 Three-Door MINI Cooper is Electric

Entering its fifth generation with a first, the purely electric 3-door MINI Cooper now has digital experiences, modern assistance systems and a pure electric powertrain. BMW is hoping it remains a MINI in buyer’s minds, while at the same time marking the brand’s all-electric future. This transformation starting now will make MINI an all-electric brand by 2030. Continue reading

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Ford UAW Offer – Pay Increases, Tiers Gone. UAW says No

Not a propitious way to start the Labor Day weekend… Continue reading

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DOE Loan to Eos Energy for Zinc Bromine Battery Storage

This is part of the Biden Administration’s awakened and, well, enlightened agenda to onshore and re-shore domestic manufacturing of critical technologies such as battery electric energy storage systems that are essential to building a clean energy future and strengthening America’s energy security. “Using the loan authority from the President’s Inflation Reduction Act, the LPO is impelling billions in public-private investments to boost the nation’s competitiveness, strengthen supply chains, and create good-paying jobs to power the clean energy economy,” DOE said. Continue reading

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Tadano Group Fined for Selling Dirty Diesel Engines

As part of the proposed consent decree now residing at the United States District Court for The Southern District Of Texas Houston Division, Tadano Group will also contribute $3.2 million towards a project to mitigate harm caused by excess nitrogen oxide (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) emissions from its non-compliant crane engines. The project will retire a 1975 tugboat and christen a new, cleaner tugboat to service ships in the Port of Port Arthur, Texas. Continue reading

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Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat and HEMI Favorites Among Thieves

“If you own a Hellcat, you better check your driveway,” said HLDI Senior Vice President Matt Moore. “These numbers are unbelievable.” AutoInformed also recommends checking your rear-view mirrors when driving any performance car for flashing blue lights. Continue reading

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Extreme E, FIA Plan Off-Road Hydrogen Racing Championship

This means that Extreme H would join the company of just seven other official FIA World Championships, which includes ABB FIA Formula E World Championship. Development of the Extreme H series is underway, with plans advanced to have a prototype launched later this year ahead of the first season in 2025. Continue reading

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Stellantis and Its European Dealers Sign New Contracts

Stellantis (NYSE: STLA) said today in Amsterdam that it had completed the signing of new contracts with its European Dealer Network. With these new sweeping agreements it aspires to be first in customer satisfaction in all markets, products and services. … Continue reading

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EPA Offers Grants to Cut Oil and Gas Well Methane Emissions

“Thanks to President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, we now have unprecedented funding to cut methane pollution that is fueling the climate crisis,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “This investment will increase competition and help small and medium-sized producers compete on a more level playing field, create new good-paying jobs in energy communities, and support environmental restoration, making clear that strengthening our economy, tackling climate change, and protecting our communities go hand in hand,” Regan claimed. Continue reading

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Hurricane Idalia – EPA Issues Florida Summer Fuel Waiver

Storm preparations have resulted in the closure of multiple ports in the state that receive fuel and have restricted and interrupted fuel terminal operations, preventing an adequate supply of gasoline. In addition, evacuations – including mandatory evacuations – are straining available supplies. Waiving federal requirements to sell summer gasoline can help address these supply shortages. Continue reading

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July 2023 EU Car Sales Up 15%

During July, the market share of battery-electric cars rose to 13.6% (up from 9.8% the same month last year). Hybrid-electric cars maintained their position as the second choice among new car buyers, with more than 25% of the market. Nonetheless, internal combustion engine (ICE) cars, including gasoline and diesel models, retained a combined market share of half of new car sales. Continue reading

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GM Expanding Google Cloud AI Initiatives

However, in AutoInformed’s view there are insufficient regulations and guidelines in the industry about who owns your personal data and how it is used or sold to other entities. Therefore this might not be good for everyone or the sun might not be so sunny in a personal vale. Continue reading

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Unifor Picks Ford Motor Company as Detroit Three Target

Unifor National President Lana Payne said, “Ford was selected as the target because we believe that the company is in the best position to reach an agreement that delivers on the needs of our members and sets a strong pattern for Canada’s auto industry. These negotiations are about reaching an agreement that reflects the historic nature of the transition to electric vehicle manufacturing. That means setting the highest possible standards that protect the livelihoods and job security of all autoworkers now and in the future.” Continue reading

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