Tag Archives: auto industry commentary

Expanding EV Choices Increase Buying Consideration

“Although these shoppers are easing off the pedal a bit, the percentage of shoppers who are “somewhat likely” to purchase an EV in the next 12 months increased 2.5 percentage points in August,” Krear notes. Continue reading

Posted in electric vehicles, environment, news analysis | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Biden-Harris Doubling Clean School Bus Rebates to $1 Billion

This is the first round of funding from the EPA Clean School Bus Program, which President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law created with a historic $5 billion investment for low- and zero-emission school buses over the next five years. Continue reading

Posted in alternative fuels, electric vehicles, environment, global warming | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Record September for US New-Vehicle Spending at $45,622

While there is a great deal of fretting about the Federal Reserve’s monetary tightening, during September, new-vehicle prices remain at the highest levels, with the average transaction price expected to reach $45,622 – a record for September. This is a 6.3% increase from a year ago and the fourth highest of any month on record. The increase in sales volume, coupled with the near record level transaction prices, is resulting in consumers being on track to spend nearly $43.7 billion on new vehicles this month, the highest level ever for the month of September and a 12% increase from September 2021. Continue reading

Posted in economy, sales | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

GM, OneD form Battery R&D Deal as EV Gold Rush Continues

General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) and OneD Battery Sciences * said today they have started a joint research development agreement focused on the potential use of OneD’s silicon nanotechnology in GM’s Ultium battery cells. The goal is to increase energy … Continue reading

Posted in electric vehicles, electronics, energy, engineering, manufacturing | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

IIHS Mazda CX-50 earns Top Safety Pick+

The CX-50 meets all the requirements for the higher-tier award. Its standard front crash prevention system earns superior ratings in the vehicle-to-vehicle and daytime vehicle-to-pedestrian evaluations. The curve-adaptive LED projector headlights supplied with the three Turbo trims earn a good rating, while the static LED projectors installed on other trims are rated acceptable, IIHS said. Continue reading

Posted in insurance, safety | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Stellantis Celebrates 7 Million Vehicles Built at Sevel

Sevel builds the Fiat Professional Ducato, Citroën Jumper, Peugeot Boxer, and Opel/Vauxhall Movano vans and chassis. Sevel is Europe’s largest light commercial vehicle (LCV) plant. Continue reading

Posted in manufacturing | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ford – $700M to Louisville Plant for 2023 Super Duty Pickup

“UAW Local 862 members are proud to be a part of the F-Series Super Duty’s success both today and tomorrow,” said UAW President Ray Curry. “We celebrate this $700 million investment into Ford’s Kentucky Truck Plant, as it shows that UAW members continue to play an important role in Ford’s future.” Continue reading

Posted in manufacturing | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

First Look – 2024 Chevrolet Silverado HD

The pickup truck line has 2500HD and 3500HD models in Regular Cab, Double Cab and Crew Cab configurations. Dual-rear-wheel models are optional on 3500HD allowing the lineup’s highest trailering capacity: 36,000 pounds. The 2024 Silverado HD is offered in Work Truck, Custom, LT, LTZ, and High-Country trims. ZR2 will join the HD trim lineup later in the model year for the first time. Continue reading

Posted in engineering | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

FAA Publishes Guidelines for Vertiports

The design standards are a critical step for the  guidance of airport owners, operators and infrastructure builders or developers to begin designing facilities that will support operations of AAM aircraft that are electrically powered and take-off and land vertically – either at ground level or on top of structures. Continue reading

Posted in aviation, safety, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

New Ford Recalls: 2022 Model Explorer, Ranger, F-Series

On some 2022 Explorer and Ranger vehicles equipped with 2.3-liter engines, the fuel line may be loose due to improper tightening of the fuel line connection. There is a potential for fires. On some 2022 F-150 vehicles. The right-side instrument panel cover may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can cause the air bag to not deploy as intended. During air bag deployment, the air bag cover my break and project fragments into the vehicle, or the air bag may deploy improperly, increasing the risk of occupant injury. Continue reading

Posted in customer satisfaction, quality, recalls, safety | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Global Warming – New GM, Ford EV Plants Advance

GM Investing $760 Million in its Toledo, Ohio Propulsion Plant for EV drive unit production for Chevrolet Silverado EV, GMC Sierra EV and GMC HUMMER EVs. With today’s announcement, GM has invested more than $1.9 billion at Toledo since 2011. Ford broken ground at BlueOval City, a $5.6 billion investment in West Tennessee to build an all-new electric truck and advanced batteries for upcoming Ford and Lincoln vehicles. BlueOval City will create approximately 6000 jobs. Continue reading

Posted in electric vehicles, global warming, manufacturing | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Toyota Ending Production at Saint Petersburg Plant

“We must now act in a way that allows us to protect the values and principles that our predecessors built up and be confident that we can pass them on to the next generation,” TMC said in a statement. It’s the latest example of global automakers realizing how perilous it is to do business with a mercurial, tyrannical regime. Is China next? Continue reading

Posted in auto news, manufacturing, milestones, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

IMSA Motul Petit Le Mans – Five Classes Up For Grabs

Right now a total of 48 cars are on the pre-event entry list, the most for the 10-hour race in eight years.** Live coverage will be available through a combination of NBC network, USA Network and Peacock, as well as IMSA Radio. Continue reading

Posted in news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Ford Changes Supply Chain and Product Development Execs

It’s the latest example of the intricate routes automakers are negotiating in the transition to electric vehicles that is accelerating in the face of the dire effects of global warming, some of it caused by the transportation industries’ ongoing use of fossil fuels and what was in effect denial of the negative consequences of the exclusive use of fossil fuels. Ford’s challenge is to profitably maintain a line of both EVs from Ford Model e and so-called Ford Blue internal combustion vehicles that at some point – perhaps near at hand – are doomed. Continue reading

Posted in electric vehicles, environment, financial results, global warming, people | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Dealers Think Online Sales to Expand Markedly by 2030

Now wonder then that Jim Farley, CEO of Ford, has been telling dealers they need to trim $2000 from their cost of selling a vehicle to remain competitive in the marketplace. This of course apples to Ford Motor Company as well. Ford is working on an e-commerce program for purchasing EVs at non-negotiable prices. Continue reading

Posted in news analysis | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment