Tag Archives: auto industry commentary

Artificial Intelligence – J.D. Power and Palantir Technologies

J.D. Power, a data and analytics company today announced a collaboration with Palantir Technologies Inc., (NYSE: PLTR) to develop generative artificial intelligence (AI) and predictive analytics solutions that it claimed, “will facilitate deeper insights and more strategic decision making by … Continue reading

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Chevrolet Bolt Returning as Affordable EV

“Our customers love today’s Bolt. It has been delivering record sales and some of the highest customer satisfaction and loyalty scores in the industry,” said Barra. “It’s also an important source of conquest sales for the company and for Chevrolet. We will keep the momentum going by delivering a new Bolt…and we will execute it more quickly compared to an all-new program with significantly lower engineering expense and capital investment by updating the vehicle with Ultium and Ultifi technologies and by applying our ‘winning with simplicity’ discipline.” Continue reading

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APEAL Study of New Vehicle Owner Satisfaction Down Again

The J.D. Power US Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) StudySM shows that there is a consecutive year-over-year decline in owner satisfaction for the first time in its 28-year history. According to the 2023 study, overall satisfaction is 845 (a 1000-point scale), decreasing 2 points from a year ago and 3 points lower than in 2021. Continue reading

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GM Posts Strong Q2 Results with $3.2B in Earnings

“The biggest driving force behind our financial results is customer demand for our vehicles, which have now led the U.S. industry in initial quality for two consecutive years. We have earned four consecutive quarters of higher retail market share in the U.S. versus a year ago with continued strong pricing and incentive discipline, we’re leading in both commercial and total fleet deliveries calendar year to date, and we’re growing profitably in international markets such as Brazil and Korea,” said CEO Mary Barra. Continue reading

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Stellantis and Samsung SDI to Build Second US Battery Plant

“This new facility will contribute to reaching our aggressive target to offer at least 25 new battery electric vehicles for the North American market by the end of the decade,” said Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares. “We are continuing to add more capacity in the United States together with our great partner Samsung SDI and laying the next steps to reaching our carbon neutrality commitment by 2038.” Continue reading

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Tesla Safety Recalls for Safety Systems and Seat Belts

Tesla is recalling 2023 Model S, Model X, and Model Y vehicles. The forward-facing camera may be misaligned, causing some of the active safety features such as emergency braking, forward collision warning, and lane assist to become unavailable without alerting the driver. Tesla is also recalling 2021-2023 Model S and Model X vehicles. The front-row seat belts may not be connected properly to the pretensioner anchors, which can cause the seat belts to detach. Continue reading

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Toyota and Lexus Recalling Numerous Vehicles for Bad Airbags

Toyota is recalling model year 2023 Corolla, Corolla Cross, Corolla Cross Hybrid, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Tacoma, 2023 Lexus RX350, RX350 Hybrid, RX500 Hybrid, 2023-2024 Lexus NX250, NX350, and NX350 Hybrid vehicles because of potentially defective airbags. Continue reading

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Honda Halting Lawn Mower Production in US

Significantly, by the end of September, NCM will discontinue production of gasoline lawnmowers “due to market forces” such as stricter environmental regulations and shifting customer preferences to become the sole producer of Honda ATVs in North America,allowing SCM to expand Honda side-by-side production of Pioneer and Talon sports models. Continue reading

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Tesla – Solid Q2 with Higher Production and Lower Prices but…

During Q2 2023 Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) made  ~480,000 vehicles and delivered more than 466,000, the highest to date. As a result, Q2-2023 looked solid with Tesla setting its production and deliveries among its top five quarters. The result was revenue approaching $25B in a single quarter. Net revenue was $2.7 billion. However, analysts remain skeptical about what many of them say is a greatly overvalued stock that pays no dividends.  During the past year a share of TSLA stock has ranged from ~$102 to $315. It’s currently trading ~$260. (AutoInformed: Ford Cuts F-150 Lightning Prices by $6000 to $10,000) Continue reading

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Consumer Rights Nil in New Autonomous Vehicle Bills?

The Center for Auto Safety says one of the proposals, the SELF DRIVE Act, “neglects to include any consumer protections that prevent the use of binding arbitration clauses in contracts involving autonomous vehicles.” As is common in Washington the legislation is misleadingly named. However, there is a need to explore the issue as there are arguments on many aspects of technology and systems that can save lives and reduce traffic congestion even though AutoInformed remains skeptical about the ability of politicians to do so with a regard for We the People  as opposed to We the Congress who are paid large sums by corporate interests. Continue reading

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Milestones – 40M Engines Built at Nissan Yokohama Plant

The Nissan Yokohama Plant has built 40 million engines in the same year Nissan celebrates its 90th anniversary. Yokohama opened in 1935, two years after Nissan’s founding. It built its 10 millionth engine in 1976, its 20 millionth in 1986 and its 30 millionth in 1997. With the launch of the all-electric LEAF in 2010, the plant has also been producing electric motors, including those for e-POWER vehicles such as the Nissan Note. During the Japanese fiscal year 2022, motors accounted for approximately 40% of Yokohama Plant’s production. Continue reading

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Stellantis, Saft Show Battery Integrating Inverter and Charger

Integrating the inverter and charger functions creates a battery that is more efficient, which enhances the battery electric vehicle (BEV) range and is more reliable and less costly. It also increases space in the vehicle. Continue reading

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Repair Shop Owner Sentenced to Prison for False Tax Return

In 2011, Ferrari used business funds to pay for personal items, including gambling on horse races. Ferrari concealed this diversion of business income by not disclosing it to his return preparer, thus causing the preparation and filing of a false corporate tax return. Furthermore, Ferrari did not pay employment taxes in the amount of $291,600 based on an unreported cash payroll, according to court documents. Continue reading

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Penske Automotive Group Ups Dividend Again

“We are pleased to provide an increase in the cash dividend to our shareholders,” said Penske Automotive Group President, Robert Kurnick, Jr. “Continued strong cash flow, a healthy balance sheet, and the strength of our operations enables us to increase the dividend and reward our shareholders.”  Continue reading

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EU – EVs Outsell Diesel Cars for First Time

Perhaps more significant though is that battery electric vehicles took a 15.1% market share, outselling tax-favored diesel vehicles. Hybrid-electric cars remained the second-most popular choice among new car buyers, representing 24.3% of the market. Gasoline fueled cars retained the largest share, accounting for 36.3%. Continue reading

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