Tag Archives: Kenneth Zino

Renault, Nissan Motor, Mitsubishi Slice, Dice World by Brand

The member companies plan to build on existing Alliance “benefits” in areas such as joint purchasing by using their respective positions and geographic strengths to support their partners’ business development. The three companies of the Alliance will cover all vehicle segments and technologies globally, while increasing their respective competitiveness. By implementing the plan, Nissan aims to achieve a 5% operating profit margin and a sustainable global market share of 6% by the end of fiscal year 2023, including proportionate contributions from its 50% equity joint venture in China. Continue reading

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Risks Versus Odds Versus “WE the People”

It appears that large sub-segments of the U.S.population are anti-science, anti-vaccine or is that dumb and proud of it? They are putting other people at risk. Continue reading

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Canada Contracts GM to Make 10 Million Face Masks

Canada received its Medical Device Establishment License on April 22 and the company built and installed the mask making machinery, sourced materials and trained its workers in approximately one month. Continue reading

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Graveyard Whistling? UK Auto Calls to Re-Open Showrooms

The move at first glance appears to a bad one given the scope of the COVID-19 crisis in the UK and the ineptness of the response from 10 Downing street. Coronavirus Cases are currently listed at 254,195, with 36,393 Deaths. These numbers are most assuredly understated given the complications and perhaps political interference in the reporting system – a global problem Continue reading

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Xpeng Gets Production License for Zhaoqing Factory

“The Zhaoqing manufacturing plant is an essential component of our vision to build a smart mobility ecosystem, from in-house R&D to smart manufacturing to customer services. Obtaining the production approval for the plant will hasten our progress in producing and delivering best-in-class products and services for our customers,” said He Xiaopeng, Chairman and CEO of Xpeng Motors, which also built the plant. Continue reading

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Two Spanish Nissan Plants on Strike over Job Security

On 14 May, the Nikkei Shimbun published a speculative story on Nissan’s future production strategy. “Nissan in fiscal 2019 produced about 55,000 vehicles in Spain, accounting for about 10% of its European output. It will shift its Barcelona production to Renault plants in France and elsewhere,” said the Nikkei. “Nissan has not made any official statement on this subject. Nissan’s midterm planning is in progress and has not been concluded yet. As announced earlier, Nissan will announce a revised midterm plan along with fiscal year 2019 financial results on May 28,” said a Nissan statement. Continue reading

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US COVID-19 Crisis = Struggles with Healthcare, Housing, Food

The results might be skewed positive to current Republican Wishful thinking, rather than stark reality since the Trump Administration perverted the Bureau as part of a failed ploy on  Republican Repression of Voters by dictating unprecedented questions on the Census designed to discourage less affluent people from participating. Continue reading

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2020 Nissan Frontier – Hinting at a Next Gen Version

However, the $20,000 pickup is no more. Along with the Chevrolet Colorado and the Ford Ranger, the price of entry is now at least $28,000 ranging up to, gulp, $38,000. Continue reading

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CAR Launches Research Exploring the Auto Industry 4.0

The project will also include an investigation into the financial investment and expectations for associated return on investment for companies implementing Industry 4.0 strategies. Continue reading

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First Virtual Look – 2021 Toyota Venza Two-Row Crossover

All Venza’s will be hybrids – supporting Toyota’s stated goal of selling 25% of its product line as hybrids by 2025 – and all will be AWD. More pertinent to buyers, the 219 horsepower, 5-seat Venza is projected to have an EPA combined mileage of 40 mpg (LE trim and Electronic On-Demand All-Wheel Drive) when it goes on sale this summer. Pricing is not released yet and could be critical to Venza’s success in the salesroom or as is likely online as the U.S. is far, far behind in social distancing and a national response. It does however lead the world in Covid plague deaths. Continue reading

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Failed Pre-Collision – Ford Recalls Expedition, Navigator

Obviously, this is a safety defect because if the driver is unaware that the Pre-Collision Assist system is not enabled, they may rely on a system that is not functional, increasing the risk of a crash or injury. Continue reading

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Limit Vehicle Disease with Bacteria, Virus Resisting Materials

Shashank Modi a Research Engineer at the Center for Automotive Research in Michigan notes that drivers of Uber, Lyft, and other ride-hailing services are concerned about their own health and that of their passengers. Company guidelines recommend ride-hailing drivers to wear masks and disinfect their cars regularly. “But are these safety measures sustainable in the long run? Is there a better way to instill confidence in shared mobility?” asks Modi. Continue reading

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Finally, Census Bureau Survey on Businesses

The survey, conducted by email, is intended to provide weekly data on the impact of the COVID-19 plague on the nation’s businesses. Results are displayed as data visualizations. The Census Bureau defines small businesses as single business locations with one to 499 employees and at least $1,000 in annual revenue. Continue reading

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Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac Expand Customer Care Marketing Initiatives With the ‘CLEAN’ Program

Dealers who enroll in the so-called CLEAN program have agreed to follow CDC guidelines and to use Environmental Protection Agency-approved cleansers in connection with the cleaning of their facilities, including high-traffic areas, and the cleaning of new, used and serviced customer vehicles. Dealers who enroll in the program have committed to following the CDC guidelines and practices upon enrollment. They should not inject or drink bleach of course. Continue reading

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MotorCities At Home – a Zoom Look at Hood Ornaments

The series kicks off this Friday at noon with “Mascots of Motion” with automotive journalist Steve Purdy. Continue reading

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