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Recent Posts
- Chinese EV Trade War Commences
- VW Microbus Will Come to the US in Three Trims
- DOT Funds New Climate and Transportation Research Center
- Clean Air Act – Prison for Man Disabling Emissions Controls
- Porsche 911 Hybrid Debuts on 28 May
- Honda Post Record Operating Profit of $7B in FY 24
- Toyota Motor Posts Record FY24 Net Income of $39.1B
- Nissan Motor Posts FY Net Profit of $2.7 billion
- Hyundai Capital America Fined for Civil Rights Violations
- BMW Group – Good Q1 Earnings on Slight Sales Increase
- Greenhouse Gases – EPA Final Rule for Oil and Gas Sector
- Annals of Marketing – Audi Electric Mountain Bike
- Ford Maverick Pickups Recalled for Tail Light Failures
- The 2025 Genesis SUV – $57,700 to $79,300
- The April 2024 U.S. Jobs Report – is Stable Good?
Recent Comments
- Robert Kurnick on Penske Automotive Group 2024 Q1 Earnings Drop
- Dr. K. Venkatesh Prasad on Southern Labor Rights Boosted at VW. Daimler Next
- Janet L. Yellen on EPA Celebrates Inflation Reduction Act Anniversary
- Lael Brainard on Auto Industry Continues to Rebound from Pandemic Lows
- United Auto Workers Union on EPA Finalizes Vehicle Pollution Standards for 2027-32
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Tag Archives: Automotive news and analysis
VW Microbus Will Come to the US in Three Trims
Volkswagen of America today said that the 2025 ID. Buzz, the electric powered nostalgia marketing, Microbus* will be offered in three trims, unlike the untrimmed original owners — Pro S and Pro S Plus, along with a launch-only 1st Edition—with a 91 kWh battery and 282 horsepower for rear-wheel drive models; 4Motion® all-wheel-drive models will have maximum horsepower of 335. Range and pricing will be announced closer to launch. Continue reading
DOT Funds New Climate and Transportation Research Center
The announcement came, perhaps not coincidentally but certainly fortuitously after the current occupant, aka Donald Trump, of a courtroom in Manhattan who is being tried for fraud, asked the oil and gas industries for $1 billion in political contributions so that he can stop all work on decarbonization and climate change. Continue reading
Posted in news analysis
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, DOT Climate Change Center, Dr. Robert C. Hampshire, Ken Zino, Texas Southern University, U.S. Department of Transportation, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, University of California, University of Vermont
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Clean Air Act – Prison for Man Disabling Emissions Controls
A man was sentenced today for ongoing violations of the Clean Air Act through an aftermarket scheme to disable the emissions control systems of diesel trucks. Davis Owens, 34, of Cleves, Ohio was sentenced to serve 30 days in prison, seven months of home confinement and one year of supervised release. Continue reading
Posted in aftermarket, auto news, environment, fools 'n frauds, litigation, people, public health
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, clean air act, Davis Owens, emissions controls of diesel trucks, Holderdown Performance, Ken Zino, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, U.S. Justice Department Environment and Natural Resources Division
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Porsche 911 Hybrid Debuts on 28 May
Porsche said this morning in in Stuttgart that a hybrid-drive 911 sports car has completed development and will premiere on 28 May 2024. It is said to be 8.7 seconds faster than its predecessor on the Nürburgring, the track that is often used by marketers of performance sports cars for bolstering credulity of claims. Porsche performance claims have an extremely high degree of certainty in AutoInformed’s experience. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, electric vehicles, environment, fuel economy or emissions, global warming, milestones, news analysis
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Frank Moser, Jörg Bergmeister, Ken Zino, nürburgring, porsche 911
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Honda Post Record Operating Profit of $7B in FY 24
“In FY25, we will steadily proceed with dedicating resources towards electrification and aim to achieve operating profit of ¥1 trillion 420 billion and an operating profit margin of 7%, which is one year ahead of our original target,” said Toshiro Mibe, Director, President and Executive officer. He was the first Honda chief executive in history to attend the annual results conference. Normally, the finance staff conducts it with regional operating officers. Continue reading
Toyota Motor Posts Record FY24 Net Income of $39.1B
“We faced many challenges, including those posed by COVID-19 and production restrictions due to tight semiconductor supplies, but the results showed the efforts of each front-line employee, including those of our suppliers and dealers, each recognized what they needed to do and acted accordingly, and a management structure and profit structure that was built to be resilient to crises,” said Koji Sato, president. Continue reading
Nissan Motor Posts FY Net Profit of $2.7 billion
Global sales remained at 3.44 million units, which were squeezed by intensified s competition. Nissan’s consolidated net revenue was ¥ 12.686 trillion. The operating profit of ¥568.7 billion translates to an operating margin of 4.5%. “This was due to logistics, other risks such as the Noto Earthquake and various cost relief made to suppliers such as inflation, and other factors,” Nissan said. Continue reading
Hyundai Capital America Fined for Civil Rights Violations
“Members of our Armed Forces should not have to worry about having their cars repossessed while they are in military service,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, litigation, news analysis
Tagged Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Civil Rights Violations, DOJ Civil Rights Division, Hyundai Capital America, Ken Zino, Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, U.S. Justice Department
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BMW Group – Good Q1 Earnings on Slight Sales Increase
The BMW Group said today in Munich that during Q1 of 2024 it delivered 594,533 automobiles. This means, the company posted a tiny increase of 1.1% compared to the previous year. Throughout the three-month period, the major automotive markets largely showed an upward trend based on pent up demand and increased sales in the mid-price volume segment. Continue reading
Greenhouse Gases – EPA Final Rule for Oil and Gas Sector
“As we implement the historic climate programs under President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, EPA is applying the latest tools, cutting edge technology, and expertise to track and measure methane emissions from the oil and gas industry,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Together, a combination of strong standards, good monitoring and reporting, and historic investments to cut methane pollution will ensure the U.S. leads in the global transition to a clean energy economy,” Regan said. Continue reading
Posted in economy, environment, fuel economy or emissions, global warming, milestones, news, news analysis, public health
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, GHGRP, Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program, Inflation Reduction Act, Ken Zino, Michael S. Regan, President Biden
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Annals of Marketing – Audi Electric Mountain Bike
Audi of America said this morning that it will increase its range of e-mobility products with the launch of a limited-edition enduro-style electric pedal assist mountain bike – dubbed eMTB – powered by Fantic. It becomes available through Audi Genuine Accessories by the summer of 2024. The Audi eMTB has livery said to be inspired by the design of Audi’s electrified Dakar Rally-winning RS Q e-tron race car. Audi eMTB at ~$9795 comes from a deal with Italian motorcycle and e-bike manufacturer Fantic based upon its XEF 1.9 Factory enduro e-bike. Continue reading
Posted in alternative fuels, electronics, environment, marketing, milestones, mobility company, transportation
Tagged Audi Electric Mountain Bike, Audi eMTB, Audi Genuine Accessories, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Fantic XEF 1.9 Factory enduro e-bike, Ken Zino
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Ford Maverick Pickups Recalled for Tail Light Failures
Ford Motor Company is recalling more than 243,000 Maverick vehicles. The Body Control Module (BCM) on 2022-2024 models may deactivate one or both rear tail-lights without warning. The problem appears to simple math error during the design phase of product development. The rear lamps use two position bulbs on a single circuit. However, the BCM current threshold was calibrated to the current draw for one bulb. This is a variation and expansion of a previous rear light recall. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, electronics, engineering, recalls, safety
Tagged 23V-848 or 23V848. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, ford recalls, Ken Zino, Maverick recalls, nhtsa, NHTSA 24V-293 or 24V293, software safety defects and recalls
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The 2025 Genesis SUV – $57,700 to $79,300
“The 2025 GV80 brings a new level of elevated cabin experience to the Genesis SUV lineup, making all occupants feel like honored guests,” said Claudia Marquez, chief operating officer of Genesis Motor North America. “Its new 27-inch widescreen display and array of new interior colors, materials, and finishes introduce an even greater sense of elegance to GV80.” Continue reading
The April 2024 U.S. Jobs Report – is Stable Good?
The U.S. labor market added 175,000 jobs in April, the White House said today via its Council of Economic Advisors. More than 60% of private-sector industries added jobs. The unemployment rate ticked up slightly to 3.9% – it went from 3.83% to 3.86% – and the labor force participation rate held steady at 62.7%. AutoInformed sees nothing in the report that is practically worrisome to the auto industry. What will be telling is if the companies can adjust supply to demand without incurring losses. Continue reading
Chinese EV Trade War Commences
The Biden Administration has announced today that it will increase tariffs under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 passed overwhelmingly under the Republican President Gerald Ford administration on $18 billion of imports from China to protect American workers and businesses.
“The President’s actions reflect the conclusions of U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai’s mandatory four-year review that China continues to engage in unfair practices, such as forced technology transfer and restrictions and intellectual property theft from U.S. companies,” media were told on a background briefing by National Economic Advisor Lael Brainard and Senior Administration Officials. Continue reading →