Tag Archives: auto industry commentary

U.S. FHA – $5B More in Large Bridge Project Awards

Posted on 17 July 2024 by Ken Zino

“For too long America let bridges fall into disrepair, which left people less safe, disrupted our supply chains, and cost people time and money – but now the Biden-Harris Administration is changing that with the biggest investment in our bridges since the Eisenhower era,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “There are currently about 3,000 fewer bridges in poor condition than when our administration began, and today we are proud to announce funding to repair or replace 13 of America’s largest and economically significant bridges.” Continue reading →

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

Global Light Vehicle June Sales Rate at 89 Million Best in 2024

Posted on 16 July 2024 by Ken Zino

“Sales accelerated in China last month with the price war continuing, while in the US sales staggered as a result of a cyberattack affecting dealerships. Europe saw a rise in selling rates, thanks to improvements in both East and West Europe. Meanwhile, Japan recorded lagging sales in the face of supply issues and a subdued macroeconomic climate,” said the GlobalData Light Vehicle Sales Forecasting Team. Continue reading →

Posted in economy, manufacturing, news analysis, sales | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

EPA Grant to Holcim U.S. for Clean Cement

Posted on 16 July 2024 by Ken Zino

In the U.S., Holcim is the largest cement manufacturer and a top five producer of aggregates and ready-mix concrete, with approximately 7000 employees. Holcim’s so-called Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) Accelerator Project will increase the transparency of data on environmental emissions associated with the production of construction materials; generate robust EPDs with a diversity of manufacturers from across the U.S.; and drive market demand for lower carbon construction materials. These projects represent the three construction materials in Holcim’s portfolio: cement, asphalt, and ultra-high-performance concrete. Continue reading →

Posted in economy, environment, global warming, manufacturing, milestones, news analysis, public health | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

First look – Red Bull RB17 Hypercar

Posted on 16 July 2024 by Ken Zino

Red Bull Advanced Technologies and Oracle Red Bull Racing at the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed presented by MasterCard debuted the RB17 Hypercar. This exotic sports car designed by Group Chief Technical Officer Adrian Newey – the most winning designer … Continue reading →

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

Annals of Marketing 2026 – Audi Formula One and bp

Posted on 15 July 2024 by Ken Zino

“Audi and bp have always worked together successfully in motorsport. We are delighted that we can take this special partnership to the next level in Formula 1. Audi stands for ‘Vorsprung durch Technik’ and bp and Castrol also aspire to deliver the best technologies in the field of fuels and lubricants. This is a perfect match. It is a strong signal for Audi’s future F1 factory team that we have been able to establish this partnership at such an early stage,” said Andreas Seidl, CEO Audi F1 team. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, marketing, milestones, news analysis, performance, racing, shows and events | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

New Porsche Panamera Bests Old Time at Nürburgring

Posted on 15 July 2024 by Ken Zino

“On the Nordschleife, the transverse dynamic capabilities of a car are particularly important,” said  Kern. “The new Panamera has made significant gains in this area. In technically demanding corner sequences in particular, such as between the ‘Hohe Acht’ and ‘Brünnchen’ sections of the track section, it responds with noticeably greater agility.” Continue reading →

Posted in marketing, milestones, people, performance, shows and events | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

FCA US Recalls 332,000 Vehicles for Bad Airbags

Posted on 15 July 2024 by Ken Zino

In the required filing just made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, FCA said “A disrupted connector on the buckle switch hall effect may affect the conduction on the connectors of the seat wiring and buckle which may cause the front seat air bag to not perform as expected during a crash.” The part in question was made by ZF Group in Italy as Molex part number 98817-1025. Continue reading →

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

Takata Airbag Shrapnel – BMW Recalls 400,000 3-Series Models

Posted on 12 July 2024 by Ken Zino

The original steering wheel may have been replaced with a sport or M-sport steering wheel equipped with a Takata inflator that can explode during deployment. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death. Continue reading →

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

IIHS Pooh-Poohs Merits of Partial Automation Systems

Posted on 12 July 2024 by Ken Zino

“Everything we’re seeing tells us that partial automation is a convenience feature like power windows or heated seats rather than a safety technology,” said IIHS President David Harkey. Continue reading →

Posted in electronics, engineering, news analysis, safety | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Largest Ever Clean Air Act Fine Imposed on Marathon Oil

Posted on 12 July 2024 by Ken Zino

The Justice Department and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have reached a settlement with Marathon Oil Company* over Clean Air Act violations at the company’s oil and gas production operations on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation in North Dakota. The settlement requires that Marathon pay a civil penalty of $64.5 million, the largest ever for violations of the Clean Air Act at stationary sources, which include downstream facilities such as oil and gas tank systems. Under the settlement agreement, Marathon will implement extensive compliance measures to achieve major reductions in harmful emissions from more than 200 facilities across the state. Continue reading →

Posted in environment, fuel economy or emissions, litigation, milestones, news, news analysis, public health | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Polestar 6 Concept EV Hill Climbing at Goodwood

Posted on 11 July 2024 by Ken Zino

Polestar (Nasdaq: PSNY) is at Goodwood Festival of Speed showing its expanded model line-up with the new Polestar 3 and Polestar 4 electric SUVs joining the Polestar 2. They are accompanied by the Polestar 6 Concept, marking the dynamic debut for the electric roadster concept.

“Now we are a brand with three models in production it’s great to see them here together for the first time at a global event. Goodwood Festival of Speed is full of the most exciting cars and the most enthusiastic crowds,” said Thomas Ingenlath, CEO of Polestar, a Chinese-owned company. Continue reading →

Posted in connected vehicles, electric vehicles, global warming, marketing, performance, shows and events | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

NHTSA Issues Consumer Alert on Faulty Replacement Airbags

Posted on 11 July 2024 by Ken Zino

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that used car buyers and owners need to be aware of cheap, substandard replacement air bag inflators that can cause death or serious injury in a crash. In the last year, three people have been killed and two people have suffered life-altering, disfiguring injuries due to these faulty aftermarket replacement air bag inflators. Continue reading →

Posted in aftermarket, auto news, fools 'n frauds, news analysis, quality, safety | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

New MG HS SUV Debuts at Goodwood Festival of Speed

Posted on 11 July 2024 by Ken Zino

The outgoing HS SUV has been immensely popular,” said David Allison, Head of Product and Planning at MG Motor UK. “However, the new SE and Trophy models raise the bar with even more equipment and functionality, a distinctive MG appearance that sets the HS apart from other SUVs and a choice of advanced petrol and plug-in hybrid powertrains. This strong MG all-rounder is now adding even more to its game.” Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, connected vehicles, marketing, news analysis, shows and events | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Stellantis Sales Up in EU for First Half of 2024

Posted on 10 July 2024 by Ken Zino

“We will sustain our growth by seizing opportunities and managing disruptions,” said Uwe Hochgeschurtz, Stellantis Chief Operating Officer, Enlarged Europe. “With our solid market position, strategic partnerships, and robust product lineup, we enter the year’s second half with strong momentum. Continue reading →

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

Toyota Joins IONNA EV Charging Network in North America

Posted on 10 July 2024 by Ken Zino

IONNA and Toyota Motor North America (NYSE: TM) said today announced that Toyota has joined seven other automakers as an investor in IONNA* to support the build-out of its charging network for battery electric vehicles (BEVs) across North America. This … Continue reading →

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