Tag Archives: Kenneth Zino

McLaren Wants Tailors and Dressmakers to Build Cars

Posted on 15 November 2019 by Ken Zino

As all automakers argue, composite materials, together with future powertrain technology, will save vehicle weight, boost performance and provide more energy-efficient vehicles. McLaren has been a pioneer with ultra-lightweight, ultra-strong carbon fiber material for decades and builds every car with a carbon fiber chassis, or ‘tub’, at its core. Continue reading →

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Capital Punishment Day for Auto Workers at Daimler

Posted on 14 November 2019 by Ken Zino

Personnel costs will drop by the  end of 2022 as Mercedes-Benz Cars plans to save more than €1 billion in personnel costs. Jobs will be cut in both management and “indirect areas.” Continue reading →

Posted in financial results, labor issues, mobility company, news analysis | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Volkswagen Breaks Ground on Expanded US EV Production

Posted on 13 November 2019 by Ken Zino

Volkswagen began EV production earlier this month in Zwickau, Germany, and will then roll out assembly worldwide, including in Anting and Foshan, in China, in 2020 and in the German cities of Emden and Hanover by 2022. The Chattanooga site will be VW’s North-American hub for EV manufacturing. Continue reading →

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Hyundai Motor Group Refines Active Noise Control

Posted on 12 November 2019 by Ken Zino

Cabin quietness becomes more important as internal combustion vehicles are phased out. Continue reading →

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Nissan Motor Net Income Dives -73.5% to 65.4 Billion Yen

Posted on 12 November 2019 by Ken Zino

First half net income1 decreased by, gulp, 73.5% to 65.4 billion yen. Continue reading →

Posted in financial results | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

FCA-PSA Merger – Surviving Platforms and Powertrains

Posted on 12 November 2019 by Ken Zino

The new consolidated company can be broken down into three basic engine categories: North America, Gasoline and Diesel. Continue reading →

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FCA US Recalls More Than 107,000 Diesels for Engine Fires

Posted on 9 November 2019 by Ken Zino

Thus far no fix is proposed even though the company is aware of four injuries related to the safety defect. In the required NHTSA filing, FCA says it has identified 61 field reports potentially related to EGR cooler failure. Total EGR cooler warranty replacements is 8,909. Continue reading →

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New Executives For Safety, AV, Strategy, and Ford Credit

Posted on 7 November 2019 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company has made public the retirement of two longtime executives, new assignments for two corporate officers, and promotions to senior positions for three people at the company. Continue reading →

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FCA + PSA = Massive Job Losses

Posted on 6 November 2019 by Ken Zino

For enthusiasts as well a workers there are other threats. How about a spin-off FCA’s expensive low-return Alfa Romeo/Maserati operations? Simple math here: It would provide funds for the new FCA-PSA group while improving its utilization rate. Continue reading →

Posted in autonomous cars, economy, fuel economy or emissions, mobility company, news analysis | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Lithium Mustang Project at SEMA

Posted on 5 November 2019 by Ken Zino

The fact remains that electrification can be a boon to performance enthusiasts as witnessed by a so-called Phi-Power dual-core electric motor and dual power inverters – fueled by an 800-volt Webasto battery system that can discharge a mega-watt of electrical energy. At 800 volts, that’s twice the voltage of most electric cars on the road today. Continue reading →

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Hamilton Now 6-Time F1 Championship Driver

Posted on 4 November 2019 by Ken Zino

Hamilton started the race from fifth place, his lowest grid spot of the season, but after the start he quickly was in the top three as both Ferrari drivers had dreadful starts. Continue reading →

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Akio Toyoda Wants Mobility Centered on People

Posted on 30 October 2019 by Ken Zino

Wacky marketing babble alert: “Through the evolution of artificial intelligence, I think that cars, too, can also become able to communicate with people and their hearts. that’s right… I think cars of the future will be like horses. Continue reading →

Posted in alternative fuels, concept, design and styling, electric vehicles, energy, environment, global warming, milestones, mobility company, news analysis, people, shows and events, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

General Motors Q3 Earnings Hit Hard – $1.3B – by UAW Strike

Posted on 29 October 2019 by Ken Zino

GM said it would not be able to makeup lost production and revenue losses this year. About two weeks of vehicle production was lost. GM predicts the 2019 calendar-year impact of the strike to be approximately -$2.00 per diluted-share. Continue reading →

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Deadly Takata Airbags – Toyota Recalls +900K Vehicles Again

Posted on 28 October 2019 by Ken Zino

Thus, Toyota is recalling a recall on 97 models. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling. Continue reading →

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UAW Members Okay Contract with GM. Ford Motor Next

Posted on 26 October 2019 by Ken Zino

The contract achieved most but not all of the demands, notably Lordstown will no longer be a GM plant. Ford Motor is the next company to agree with or slightly modify the pattern agreement, followed by FCA. Continue reading →

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