Tag Archives: automotive blog

Groupe Renault, Its Works Council and Industrial Global Union Sign Global Quality of Work Life Agreement

The agreement, signed by the 10 trade union federations or unions represented in the Group Works Council, provides a basis for structuring social dialogue, both at Group and local level. It “encourages the launching of new initiatives, as well as finding relevant pragmatic solutions to improve employees’ life at work, through the negotiation of local agreements.” Continue reading

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Honda Finally Begins Last Takata Airbag Inflator Recalls

The total number of recalled inflators rises to approximately 22.6 million in ~12.9 million Honda and Acura automobiles that have been or now are subject to recall for replacement of a Takata driver and/or passenger front airbag inflator in the United States. Continue reading

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Marketing by Regulation – Are Hybrid Electric Vans a Practical Solution for Cleaner Air in European Cities?

The taxpayer subsidized trial – supported by £4.7 million grant from the U.K. Government-funded Advanced Propulsion Centre – consisted of 20 Ford Transit Custom Plug-In Hybrid vans covering 150,000 miles during a 12-month period. Continue reading

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Privateers – Toyota Gazoo Racing to Sell GR Supra GT4 in 2020

The GT4 category is popular with private race teams around the world due to its low cost and ease of entry. GT4 cars are eligible to participate in a variety of races across the globe, including the Super Taikyu Series in Japan, the GT4 European Series and the VLN Endurance Championship Nürburgring in Europe, and the Michelin Pilot Challenge Series in the U.S. Continue reading

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Fourth of July 2019 – Time to Rid Ourselves of Despots Again

Some – but not enough of us – are marching once again in the spirit of 1776. We need once again to rid ourselves of what has evolved into a ruling class of our own home-grown tyrants, bigots, racists and traitors who collude with other oppressive, anti-American governments. We have progressed from 2.5 million people to more than 325 million with a gross domestic product of more than $19 trillion – an unimaginable number of teabags for a protest not to clutter Boston Harbor, but the halls of Congress today. Continue reading

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Lotus at Goodwood Confirms Type 130 Named EVIJA

Lotus at the Goodwood Festival of Speed revealed the name of its new all-electric mega-bucks car, calling on fans to visit its stand for a glimpse of EVIJA. Due to start production in 2020, the world’s first – maybe, how about Chinese? – British EV hypercar will be the first major Lotus model launch under the ownership of Geely. Continue reading

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Traffic Jam – Record 48.9m Independence Day Travel

Overall travel volume for the holiday is expected to rise 4.1% over last year, with an additional 1.9 million people planning road trips and other vacations to celebrate America’s birthday. Continue reading

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NADA Predicts Q2 2019 US Auto Sales Will be Down Again

“Sales have declined relative to 2018 each month this year, but overall, not more than we expected,” said Patrick Manzi, senior economist NADA. Transaction prices on both cars and light trucks continued to rise and set new records. According to the latest NADA Average Dealership Financial Profile Series from April 2019, the average new-vehicle transaction price was $36,642, up 3.3% compared to this time last year. Continue reading

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The Asian Party is Over for Automakers

No doubt this hurts Asia-based automakers , but the  VW Group, Daimler Group, BMW Group and General Motors – are clearly endangered, because the region accounts for a significant share of their global volume. Continue reading

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Supreme Court Upholds Unconscious Driver Blood Drawing

Gerald Mitchell was arrested for operating a vehicle while intoxicated after a preliminary breath test registered a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) that was triple Wisconsin’s legal limit for driving. Continue reading

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Anheuser Busch Pays $500,000 to Settle Air Quality Violations

Anheuser Busch agreed to pay the $500,000 fine and to comply with all applicable CARB programs. The company also agreed to instruct its vehicle operators to comply with California’s anti-idling regulations, ensure that staff responsible for compliance with smoke-inspection program attend training classes, and provide documentation to CARB that the smoke inspection requirements are being met for the next two years. Continue reading

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Audi, Ferrari, Maserati Recalling Defective Airbags

Audi, Ferrari and Maserati are recalling more than 140,000 vehicles from 2015 to 2019 model years because the airbags are unsafe with either sudden deployment or no deployment during operation. The Audi defect (19V415) is caused a loose contact. The … Continue reading

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California Air Resources Board Has Airport Shuttles Transitioning to Zero-Emission Technology by 2035

With almost 1,000 airport shuttles in operation, the regulation is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 500,000 metric tons, with a beneficial economic impact for shuttle fleets owners of an estimated $30 million in reduced fuel and maintenance costs. CARB is also developing a proposal that would achieve additional emission reductions by requiring zero-emission airport ground equipment. Continue reading

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First Half of 2019 to Deliver Lowest US Retail Sales Since 2013

“The decline in new sales have been disappointing, but it’s important not to overlook the effect of growth in the used-vehicle market,” King said. “Used sales at franchised dealers are expected to increase by nearly 9% through the first half. Most significant for retailers is the greater profit opportunity due to higher front-end gross and F&I income earned compared with new vehicles. Overall combined new and used retailer profits through the first half are on pace to reach $23.4 billion, up 3.7% from last year. Shifting away from the traditional focus on volumes, 2019 remains on target to be one of the best years recorded.” Continue reading

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Nissan Shareholders Elect 7 Independent Directors Out of 11

The new board of directors comprises 11 individuals, seven of whom are independent outside directors. Power appears to be evenly split between Renault and Nissan despite Nissan’s and the Japanese government’s interest in asserting more control. Renault, which owns 43% of Nissan and the French government, which owns 15% of Renault, are pushing for a merger. Paper organization charts are not always how business is conducted in mega, joint venture corporations. So, it will take some time to see how this works out as the Ghosn matter proceeds through the Japanese “legal” system. Continue reading

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