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Tag Archives: auto industry commentary
Air Travel Consumer Report Shows Improvements in 2023
The US Department of Transportation (DOT) today released its Air Travel Consumer Report (ATCR)* on airline operational data compiled for the month of November 2023 for on-time performance, mishandled baggage, and mishandled wheelchairs and scooters. During 2023, DOT issued the largest fines on airlines in the history of the Office of Aviation Consumer Protection while helping return more than $3 billion in refunds to travelers since the start of the pandemic. Continue reading
Posted in aviation, customer satisfaction, news analysis, people, transportation
Tagged air travel consumer report, ATCR, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino, Office of Aviation Consumer Protection, President Biden and DOT Secretary Buttigieg, USDOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics
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US Transportation Sector January Unemployment Flat
Unemployment in the transportation sector was higher than overall unemployment. BLS reports that the US unemployment rate, not seasonally adjusted, in January 2024 was 4.1% or 0.6 percentage points below the transportation sector rate. Seasonally adjusted, the U.S. unemployment rate in January 2024 was 3.7%, as the Federal reserve continues its indefensible ideological, anti-data tight money policy (the highest interest rates in two decades!) with little or lately no inflation in AutoInformed’s view. Continue reading
Slow Sales Start for US Light Vehicles in January 2024
“After a flurry of sales activity in December, there was always a risk that January would see some payback, with fewer consumers on the hunt for a new vehicle, and so it transpired. Apart from normal seasonal effects, the current environment is such that buyers remain price-sensitive and if the right deals are not available, volumes are liable to suffer,” said David Oakley, Manager, Americas Sales Forecasts, GlobalData. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, economy, electric vehicles, marketing, news analysis, results, sales
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, David Oakley, GlobalData, GM, Jeff Schuster, Ken Zino, tesla, Toyota Group, Toyota RAV4, US light vehicle sales January 2024
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China – Full-year 2023 Production, Sales at Record Highs.
China’s auto market full-year production and sales in 2023 hit record highs, according to an analysis released by the respected GlobalData* consultancy. Total Light Vehicle (LV) sales reached 29.7 million units (+11%) in 2023, exceeding the previous all-time high of … Continue reading
Posted in news analysis
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, China’s vehicle exports, Chinese automobile market in 2023, Ken Zino, nev, New energy vehicle, personal purchase tax exemption, pickup truck sales, Russia-Ukraine crisis
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Ford to Show Revised 2025 Explorer at Chicago Auto Show
“The new Explorer starts with a great foundation. Customers told us they love the way it drives and the choice of rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. So, we focused on improving other areas including redesigning the interior with new materials, textures and colors to make sitting inside Explorer as enjoyable as driving one,” said Kelley Clark, Explorer chief engineer. Continue reading
Posted in connected vehicles, marketing, mobility company, shows and events
Tagged 2025 Explorer, Amazon Music, Audible, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ford BlueCruise option, iHeartRadio, Kelley Clark, Ken Zino, siriusxm, Spotify
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Polestar 4 now on Sale in Europe and Australia
“The introduction of Polestar 4 into all our markets through the course of 2024 is key to our success, adding this third model to our line-up. Polestar 4 tackles the premium performance class in the D-SUV segment. Polestar 4’s innovative interpretation of an SUV coupé offers great interior space and a stunning appearance,” said Thomas Ingenlath, Polestar CEO. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, connected vehicles, electric vehicles, electronics, engineering, fuel economy or emissions, manufacturing, marketing, milestones, shows and events, software defined vehicles
Tagged (Nasdaq: PSNY), auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Borås Textilhögskolan, Geely Holdings SEA factory Hangzhou Bay China, Ken Zino, Polestar 4, Thomas Ingenlath
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Group Troubles Move Forward Akio Toyoda’s Vision Speech
Toyota Motor Corporation Chairman of the Board of Directors Akio Toyoda (aka Morizo) today spoke to an audience of chairmen, presidents, and front-line leaders from 17 Toyota Group companies [1] at the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology [2] on the company’s founding principles and outlining his vision for the Group’s future direction – called “Inventing our path forward, together.”
While originally planned for 14 February 2024, the birthday of company founder Sakichi Toyoda, the speech was brought forward in light of recent “irregularities” at Group companies. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, electronics, engineering, manufacturing, mobility company, news analysis, people, shows and events
Tagged Art of Making Things, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Inventing our path forward together, Ken Zino, MLIT, monodzukuri, monozukuri, Morizo, the Toyota Group, Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology
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Biden-Harris Administration – 157 More Infrastructure Grants
The US Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said today it will award $245.9 million in Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Airport Infrastructure Grants (AIG). under the. The $245.9 million includes 153 grants in 37 states to modernize airport infrastructure, improve runway safety, and create jobs to build a better America. This trumps the trend during the last decade where political talk without funding delayed the ability to modernize technology and infrastructure that support the airspace. Continue reading
Posted in aviation, environment, milestones, news, news analysis, transportation
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Biden-Harris Administration, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, dot, faa, Federal Aviation Administration, Ken Zino, Pete Buttigieg, President Biden, Vice President Harris.
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Rolex 24 At Daytona – Record Crowd as Porsche Beats Cadillac
The finish of Rolex 24 At Daytona yesterday saw a record crowd watch tight racing thought the 59 car field with five cars in the fastest Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) class on the lead lap when the checkered flag dropped short of the 24 hour mark. Leaving aside the officiating confusion, Porsche took the overall victory with No. 7 Porsche Penske Motorsport Porsche 963, even though the drivers weren’t immediately aware of the historic triumph along with the other four cars running on the same lap after twice around the clock. Maybe the timing officials should be wearing Rolex watches. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, marketing, performance, racing, shows and events
Tagged Acura ARX-06, AF Corse Ferrari 296 GT3, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, BMW M4 GT3, Ken Zino, Mercedes-AMG GT3, Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, Porsche Penske Motorsport, Risi Competizione, Rolex 24 At Daytona, Vasser Sullivan Lexus RC F GT3
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Daytona Time – Rolex 24 Runs Saturday and Sunday
Friday’s one-hour practice session on the Daytona International Speedway road course saw only 6 of the 59 entered teams skip the chance to make final adjustments, scrub in some tires and practice vital pit stops for the IMSA endurance racing season opener tomorrow.
NBC network’s live coverage of the 62nd Rolex 24 begins at 1:30 p.m. Saturday – the BS stops when the green flag drops at 1:40 p.m. ET. Then, alas, coverage changes to the USA Network from 2:30-8 p.m., 10 p.m.-midnight and then again from 6 a.m.-noon Sunday. NBC has the race conclusion airing from noon-2 p.m. Sunday. Full race streaming coverage is also available on Peacock. The NFL, NHL or MLB would never treat fans like this. Continue reading
Posted in news analysis
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, BMW M Team RLL, Daytona International Speedway road course, endurance racing, Grand Touring Prototype, imsa, Ken Zino, Le Mans Prototype 2, lmp1, LMP2, Rolex 24 At Daytona, Whelen Cadillac Racing
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Annals of Marketing – Porsche AG Buys into VfB Stuttgart
“We are delighted that the Deutsche Fussball Liga has recognized our investment to be independent,” said Lutz Meschke, Deputy Chairman and Executive Board Member for Finance and IT at Porsche. “This gives us the opportunity to increase our stake to more than 10%. We want to contribute our know-how actively in order to keep developing the team successfully together with all our partners. We share a great tradition with VfB Stuttgart. Porsche is hereby strengthening its long-term commitment to the Stuttgart region, in which both of us have deep roots.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, marketing, mobility company, people, shows and events
Tagged Albrecht Reimold, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Claus Vogt, Deutsche Fussball Liga, Ken Zino, MHP Arena Stuttgart, Rouven Kasper, VfB Stuttgart
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January 2024 US Light Vehicle Sales Forecast to Drop a Tad
“After December 2023 reached the strongest sales pace in several years, January’s pace has slowed to 15.2 million units. December’s SAAR of 16.2 million was inflated by elevated discounts from manufacturers, particularly as they aimed to clear out remaining inventory of 2023 model-year vehicles. In addition, changes in the eligibility of many electric vehicles to qualify for government rebates, which took effect Jan. 1, meant many EV purchases that would have occurred in January were made in December. Since January is the month of the year when the fewest vehicles are sold, the aforementioned factors have a bigger effect on the SAAR than they would in higher volume months. In fact, while the drop in the SAAR is notable, January sales results historically are not particularly indicative of future sales performance,” says Thomas King, president of the data and analytics division at J.D. Power. Continue reading

Chiyoda, Toyota to Develop Large-Scale Hydrogen Electrolysis
With the signing of this deal, the introduction of an electrolysis system in Hydrogen Park at the Toyota Honsha Plant will start in FY2025. It will be expanded in the future to the 10 MW class and used for verification and development. Any further developments will be released as they happen, Toyota said. Continue reading →