Tag Archives: auto industry commentary

Honda Using Fuel Cell to Back Up Power at Its Data Center

The power station uses Honda’s hydrogen fuel cell technology know-how and contributes to the company’s global goal to achieve carbon neutrality for all products and corporate activities by 2050.In the coming years, Honda will begin applying a next-generation stationary fuel cell system to Honda manufacturing facilities and data centers globally, thereby reducing the company’s greenhouse gas emissions. Continue reading

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NADA Economist Predicts 14.6 Million Light Vehicle Sales

“Looking ahead, we believe that vehicle production will show continued improvement in March. Wards Intelligence expects that 2023 Q1 North American light-vehicle production will grow by 7.3% compared with the first quarter of 2022. This should be good news for continued inventory growth throughout the year. We believe that with more inventory available, new light-vehicle sales will increase in 2023. Our full-year forecast is 14.6 million units,” said Manzi. Continue reading

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US January Aviation Fuel Use Recovering

The Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) today released US  airlines’ January 2023 fuel cost and consumption numbers. US scheduled service airlines used 1.413 billion gallons of fuel, 4.0% less fuel than in December 2022 (1.471 billion gallons), but only -0.7% less than in pre-pandemic January 2019 as the economy remains resilient. Continue reading

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Ford Motor Establishes Latitude AI for Autonomous Driving

Ford Motor Company said today that it has established Latitude AI, a wholly owned subsidiary, develop “a hands-free, eyes-off-the-road automated driving system.” The move follows in the wake of a $2 billion loss posted for 2022, partially the result of a Q3 2022 decision that saw Ford shift its capital spending from the L4 advanced driver assistance systems being developed by Argo AI to internally developed L2+/L3 technology. Continue reading

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US Light Vehicle Sales Up in February Amid Uncertainty

The February selling rate was estimated to be 15.0 million units/year, aka SAAR, down from 16.0 million units/year in January. However, as LMC observed last month, January’s rate appears to have been distorted by changing seasonality and the unique conditions in the market whereby a lack of supply is still constraining sales in some cases. Continue reading

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AutoFlight Claims World’s longest eVTOL flight of 155 Miles

The flight, which took place at AutoFlight’s eVTOL testing facility on 23 February, consisted of 20 circuits on a predefined flight track, with the plane remotely piloted from the ground by AutoFlight’s Flight Test team. Although AutoFlight’s Gen4 aircraft is fitted with the latest in state-of-the-art avionics, the aircraft also ran third-party avionics to record and verify the distance flown on ForeFlight, an independent system widely used in the aviation sector. Continue reading

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SEC Charges Transportation Company Greenbrier for Failing to Disclose Executive Perks and Payments

The SEC’s orders find that Greenbrier and Furman violated negligence-based antifraud and proxy provisions of the federal securities laws and that Greenbrier and Furman also committed or caused reporting, books and records, and internal accounting controls violations of the federal securities laws. Without admitting or denying the SEC’s findings, in addition to penalties, Greenbrier and Furman agreed to cease-and-desist from future violations of the securities laws. Continue reading

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Stellantis Sells Its Turkish Distribution Company

As a result, all Stellantis brands available for distribution in Türkiye – Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Citroën, DS Automobiles, Jeep®, Maserati, Opel and Peugeot – will be distributed by Tofaş.** The transaction, which will be subject to requisite regulatory approvals, including the approval of the relevant competition authorities, is expected to close in the second half of 2023. Continue reading

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USPS Reveals Electrification Buys for Largest Federal Fleet

The Postal Service’s total investment in vehicles is expected to reach $9.6 billion, including $3 billion from Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funds. The December 2022 plan announced intended acquisitions during the next five years of a 75% electric fleet of Next Generation Delivery Vehicles (NGDV). Acquisitions of NGDV after 2026 will be 100% electric unless the anti-environment or big oil factions of the Republican party interferes, of course. Continue reading

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Michigan Opens New EV Jobs Academy Website

The EV Jobs Academy is devised to provide Michiganders with tuition assistance and supportive services, including “earn while you learn” opportunities through a Registered Apprenticeship, to support and streamline “on-ramps to high-wage, in-demand careers. ” With more than 100 partners including employers, industry stakeholders and education institutions, the EV Jobs Academy is driving the state’s advanced mobility talent development for the future. It’s the latest example of a growing progressive awakening to make America great again by creating high-paying jobs for blue collar workers. Continue reading

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WEC – Hertz Team JOTA Unveils Le Mans Bound 2023 Race Car

“Our sponsorship of Hertz Team JOTA marks the company’s return to premium motorsports and underscores Hertz’s commitment to speed, reliability, and innovation, both on and off the track. We look forward to collaborating with the BRADY Brand and Singer as we engage our customers and millions of racing fans during the 2023 FIA World Endurance Championship season,” said Stephen Scherr, Hertz Chief Executive Officer. Continue reading

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First CHIPS for America Funding Applications Now Open

Awards will take the form of direct funding, federal loans, and/or federal guarantees of third-party loans. Awards are designed to complement—not replace—private investment and other sources of funding, and applicants are strongly encouraged to bring capital to the table. CHIPS for America awards will be made as soon as applications can be rigorously evaluated and negotiated. The automobile industry, of course, has been hobbled by interruptions in its supply of offshore-produced chips or semi-conductors. Continue reading

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Honda Performance Development Shows CR-V Hybrid Racer

“The CR-V Hybrid Racer is our ‘rolling electrified laboratory,’ to investigate where the talented men and women of HPD and Honda could go with electrification, hybrid technology and 100% renewable fuels,” said Salters. “It epitomizes Honda’s fun-to-drive ethos, showcases electrification and it just rocks our car culture roots and racing heritage! We present the CR-V Hybrid Racer–aka ‘The HPD Beast’!” AutoInformed notes, wryly, that this isn’t in keeping with meeting the nicest people on a Honda, but it has, well, light comedy or entertainment value. Continue reading

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Honda, LG Energy Solution Break Ground for New Battery Plant

The location of the joint venture between Honda and LGES was announced on 11 October 2022, and was formally established on 12 January 2023. The plant aims to start mass production of pouch-type lithium-ion batteries by the end of 2025, to be provided exclusively to Honda auto plants to produce EVs to be sold in North America. Continue reading

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US Electric Vehicle Satisfaction Shifting to Quality, Styling

“The electric vehicle landscape is changing quickly, and newer models are bringing in more mainstream, first-time EV buyers,” said Brent Gruber, executive director of the EV practice at J.D. Power. “Recent vehicle launches from both new brands and traditional automakers have had a profound effect on what factors are most important in the ownership experience. Today’s EV owners are looking for quality, reliability, driving enjoyment, safety and technology features.” Continue reading

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