Tag Archives: auto industry commentary

Salty Diversions – Maserati Multi 70 and Giovanni Soldini Break Channel UK-to-France Sail Boat Racing Record

The Italian Team’s time is 18 minutes better than the 2015 record set by Lloyd Thornburg and Brian Thompson aboard Phaedo. The elapsed times have been collected by the two competing teams; they will have to be ratified by the World Sailing Speed Racing Council. Aboard the trimaran, Soldini sailed with a six-man crew: Ambrogio Beccaria, Vittorio Bissaro, Guido Broggi, François Robert, Carlos Hernandez Robayna and Matteo Soldini. Continue reading

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Daimler Raises Financial Targets After Strong Q1 Results

The good operating performance in the first-quarter translated into an EBIT surge to €5,748 million (Q1 2020: €617 million). Adjusted EBIT, reflecting the underlying business, also multiplied to €4,970 million (Q1 2020: €719 million). China, the world’s largest vehicle market, was a key component in the comeback after it successfully fought off the Covid pandemic that Europe and the Americas are still struggling with. Continue reading

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Reigning Champ Toyota Gazoo Racing Hypercar Set for 2021

Reigning World Champion and three-time Le Mans winner Toyota Gazoo Racing today became the first manufacturer on the Hypercar grid in 2021, alongside Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus, with Audi, Ferrari, Peugeot and Porsche among those joining the battle in the coming years. Continue reading

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Honda to Abandon IC Engines – Global Electrification by 2040

As part of sweeping initiatives that will also drastically alter Honda’s motorcycle and small engine businesses that make Honda the world’s largest power unit manufacturer, Honda will also try to achieve carbon neutrality for all products and corporate activities Honda is involved in by 2050. Continue reading

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NHTSA Taking Steps to Allow States to Set Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards and Zero-Emissions Vehicle Mandates

The proposed action would establish a clean slate, enabling the Department to further the Administration’s fuel economy, equity, and climate change priorities — which include reversing unnecessary and potentially unlawful efforts to prevent state action. It is a repudiation of the anti-environmental polices of the disgraced previous Administration that was voted out last November.  Continue reading

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Groupe Renault Posts Flat Results for Q1 2021

Well, during Q1 2021, Group revenues were  €10,015 million (-1.1%). At constant exchange rates1, Group revenues would have increased by 4.4%. Automotive excluding AVTOVAZ revenues amounted to €8,566 million, down -0.3%. In addition to the change in inventories, which explains most of the negative impact of the volume (-6.5 points), revenues were adversely affected by a negative currency effect of -4.3 points. Continue reading

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Volkswagen de México Exporting Taos SUVs to US

Since its foundation, Volkswagen de Mexico has produced more than 13 million of vehicles. Currently, the Puebla Plant produces the Jetta, Tiguan LWB and Taos models; the Silao Plant produces the engines EA888 and EA211, which are integrated in the production of vehicles for the Volkswagen Brand and Audi, in North America. Continue reading

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Shown ‘n Go – Ford Performance Carbon Fiber Parts

The weight of the carbon fiber hood vent and rain tray kit is trimmed to four pounds – half the weight of the stock parts. The front splitter with belly pan drops from seven pounds to four, the front bumper insert weighs just one pound, and the deck-lid trim panel weighs two pounds. Combined, the pieces weigh nine pounds less than the stock components. Continue reading

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FBI with a Tesla Employee’s Help Stops Malware Attack

Kriuchkov planned to cripple Tesla’s electric battery plant in Nevada with ransomware and steal company secrets for extortion. Furthermore, it was alleged that Kriuchkov acted on behalf of co-conspirators abroad and attempted to use face-to-face bribery to recruit the insider. Continue reading

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Q1 Financial Results of BMW Exceed Market Expectations

Part of the reason, of course, was extremely low expectations for the Munich-based auto conglomerate because of the ongoing Covid 19 pandemic. Continue reading

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Magna Wins Additional EV Component Business in China

Magna has won additional business to further support Chinese electric vehicle (EV) start-ups in the world’s largest and most CO2 producing vehicle market. Continue reading

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Fourth Annual Philadelphia Concours d’Elegance – 17 July

Last year’s two-day event was cancelled due to the pandemic and this fourth “annual” event has been rescheduled as a one-day program. All current State guidelines for pandemic restrictions will be in place to ensure the safety of all participants and attendees. Continue reading

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Maserati Debuts Levante Hybrid SUV at Shanghai Auto Show

“Shanghai Auto Show is an extremely important event for our Brand. The Show marks a rebirth in difficult times. We believe strongly in this new beginning, and today we are showcasing several world premieres that project us straight into the future,” said Maserati CEO Davide Grasso. Continue reading

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Toyota, Subaru at Shanghai Introduce Latest Joint-Venture EVs

Toyota plans to produce the Toyota bZ4X in Japan and China, with worldwide sales of the model by the middle of 2022. U.S. product details eventually will emerge, but the product lines were under development with during the previously failed administration, currently ensconced in exile at Mira-lardo, that was hostile to globalization and started a losing trade war with China, the world’s largest auto market. Some delays were inevitable. The Toyota US lineup that, in total, accounts for more than 40% of all alternative powertrain vehicles sold in the U.S. – including battery electric, hydrogen fuel cell electrics, hybrids and plug-in hybrids. Continue reading

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Toyota Recalls 280,000 Venza Models for Defective Side Airbags

The Venza models  are equipped with an airbag sensor installed in the driver- side front door. The sensor is connected to the Supplemental Restraint System Electronic Control Unit by a pair of twisted wires in a Yazaki North America supplied harness routed from the door to the vehicle body through a grommet. Because of a larger difference between the wire harness length and grommet length, there is a tighter bending radius for the wire harness inside the grommet. Continue reading

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