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UN on Global Warming: Rapid, Far-Reaching Unprecedented Changes in All Aspects of Society Needed
The Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C was approved by the IPCC on Saturday in Incheon, Republic of Korea. It will be a key scientific input into the Katowice Climate Change Conference in Poland in December, when governments review the Paris Agreement to tackle climate change. Continue reading
Bye J Walter Thompson as Ford Sacks Global Marketing, Adds New Creative Agency and More In-House Workers
Ford also is creating more than 100 new in-house marketing positions tied to brand design, media tools and partnerships, and digital labs. Ford claims this new global marketing approach – is expected to yield $150 million in efficiencies annually. This only part of a series of actions that Ford’s in taking to become more profitable. More white-collar job cuts will assuredly follow. Continue reading
Surprise! Bodo Uebber to Leave Daimler Board as Purge Continues
Like all automakers, Daimler is facing the unknown future of mobility, autonomous vehicles and the internet of things. Its problems are complicated by currency valuations and a vulnerable international supply and manufacturing footprint fraught with political issues starting in Germany, and competitors, of course. Continue reading
Ford Motor US Sales Reverse in September. Job Cuts Coming
Nonetheless, when you peer around the p.r. flak, Ford Motor Company’s September U.S. sales declined -11.2% on total sales of 197,404 vehicles (-2% year-to-date). The only semi-bright spot is that Ford brand SUV sales are running at a record pace this year through September. Expedition turned in a 27.4% gain on record transaction prices of $63,600 as customers opted for more high series Platinum SUVs. Ford and Lincoln cars were a total disaster – at 37,112 in September (-26.5% y-o-y), and 357,278 for 9 months, or -16.6%. No wonder that Ford is preparing to cut white collar jobs but it won’t say how many or when. Continue reading
Don’t Like Change? Avoid the Auto Biz
Industry stakeholders will be further challenged over the next 17 months as numerous critical new vehicle launches will add to the strain of an already stressed industry,” says Bill Rinna, in charge of Americas Vehicle Forecasts at LMC Automotive. Continue reading
Autonomous Vehicle Tower of Babble Growing
So, it’s no surprise that Ford Motor is calling for a “Standard Self-Driving Car Language to Communicate Intent.” Think of this as more sophisticated turn signals – perhaps the most underused safety item on current cars and brake lights. Only here the intent is to signal to pedestrians what the car is going to do and to the hapless passengers inside the Autonomous Vehicle, who are literally along for the ride. Continue reading
Gimme Shelter: U.S. Home Affordability Lowest In 10 Years
Nationwide, the Q3 2018 home affordability index of 92 was down from an index of 95 in the previous quarter and an index of 102 in Q3 2017 to the lowest level since Q3 2008, when the index was 87. This could portend trouble for the Detroit Three automakers which rely on the sales of trucks, some of which are used to build and haul things instead of the fashion accessories they have become for many purchasers. Continue reading
Western European Car Registrations Plummet -23%
September saw the downside to August’s pull-forward effect, as WLTP emissions regulations were widely implemented from 1 September. The transition to WLTP also led to the unavailability of some models that had not received approval under the new procedure. The fact that there was one fewer selling day in September 2018 than in September 2017 across the region did not help sales either. Continue reading
ClimaCell Raises $45 Million to Map the World’s Microweather
ClimaCell is the first microweather technology company, finding and forecasting location-specific, short-term weather that others can’t see. While traditional weather companies forecast at the city level, ClimaCell forecasts at the street level. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, autonomous vehicles, electronics, environment, marketing, safety
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed, autoinformed.com, automotive commentary automotive blog, autonomous vehicles, ClimaCell, ford motor, JetBlue Technology Ventures, Ken Zino, weather forecasting
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Blues Brothers Note: Ford Police Interceptor Fastest Cop Car
Standard hybrid technology and standard all-wheel drive with good safety, passenger or cargo space, the all-new 2020 Police Interceptor Utility brings improved horsepower, torque, acceleration and top speed versus today’s 3.7-liter V6 model. Continue reading
Workers Fired by Goodyear Mexico Continue Fighting
The global union IndustriALL is helping fight Goodyear’s callous actions that are reminiscent of Corporate America’s tactics a century ago. The new Trump mini Trade Agreement – NAFTA Light – apparently does not protect union workers, a shop-worn Republican move. Mexico’s freshly elected federal authorities have stated that they will ensure that workers can freely elect their representatives, which will result in employer protection contracts being phased out. Continue reading
Amazon Raises Minimum Wage to $15 for All U.S. Employees
More than 250,000 Amazon employees, as well as more than 100,000 seasonal holiday employees, and their families will benefit from the new, higher pay. Amazon’s public policy team will also begin advocating for an increase in the federal minimum wage so that it remains competitive at the bottom of the labor market. Continue reading
Honda Joins with Cruise and General Motors to Build New Autonomous Vehicle. Honda Investment Of $750 Million Values Cruise At $14.6 Billion
In the auto industry a new production vehicle takes roughly four years and about a billion dollars to design and bring to market. That’s if there is an existing assembly plant – if not, add another billion dollars – and an experienced team ready to move. Continue reading
Death of the Diesel: CARB Fines LKQ $294,000 for Selling Illegal Used Diesel Soot filters
In a related case in 2017, West Coast Diesel, a Fresno repair shop caught selling and installing illegal parts, agreed to a settlement that included additional monetary penalties should they violate the terms of the agreement by installing even one diesel particulate filter. Several other Central Valley diesel repair shops are now under investigation for selling and installing illegal filters. Continue reading
Bosch Enters the Car-Sharing Business with Electric Vans
Bosch already has a nascent sharing services business, as demonstrated by Coup, its rental service for electric scooters. Since its launch in 2016, Coup has constantly expanded, and now has a fleet of 3,500 scooters in Berlin, Paris, and Madrid. Continue reading →