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Nissan Group U.S. Q3 Sales Off 2.2% with Varying Results
Nissan Group today announced total U.S. third-quarter (July – September) sales for 2024 of 212,068 units, a decrease of -2.2% versus the prior year.
Broken out ,Infiniti USA reported deliveries of 14,540 vehicles Q3 2024, a decrease of 12.1%.The QX50 crossover bucked the trend, with an increase of 11.7% for the quarter and 10.1% for the year. Infiniti car sales plunged -36.2% at 2041. Infiniti CUV/SUV sales were off -8.7% at 14,503. Continue reading
American Honda September Sales Drop 9%
American Honda today posted tepid September sales of 105,527 units down ~9% month over month and year-to-date.
“Our sales momentum has continued through the third quarter with strong demand for Honda and Acura SUVs, and growing sales of electrified models,” said Lance Woelfer, vice president of Auto Sales at American Honda Motor Company.
“Despite some supply issues due to the preparation for EV manufacturing and supply challenges related to the catastrophic Hurricane Helene in the Southeast, we continue to gain sales momentum based on a flexible strategy of offering fuel efficient petrol, hybrid-electric and battery-electric models to meet the needs of our customers,” Woefler claimed. Since the results weren’t broadcast it’s impossible to know if his nose grew longer when making that claim. Continue reading
Toyota Motor North America September Sales off 20%
Toyota Motor North America (NYSE: TM) posted U.S. September sales of 162,595 vehicles, down 20.3% on a volume basis and down 9.9% on a daily selling rate (DSR) basis versus September 2023. This is consistent with the expected industry sales slump evident at all other automakers thus far. September electrified vehicle sales consisting of hybrids, plug-in hybrids, pure electrics and fuel cells were 48.4% of total sales volume and totaled 78,683, up 22.4% on a volume basis and up 38.3 % on a DSR basis. Toyota remains the industry’s number one retail brand through the nine month period. Continue reading
GM Posts Modest U.S. Sales increase for Q3 2024
General Motors (NYSE: GM) said today its dealers increased retail sales by 3% year over year in September and delivered 659,601 total vehicles, down 2%, in the U.S. during Q3 of 2024. The company posted another record quarter of EV sales with 32,195 total deliveries, up 60% year-over-year and up 46% compared to the second quarter of 2024. The industry total SAAR is estimated at 16.2 million, equal to Q2 and YOY. There were 76 selling days for Q 3 2024 and 78 selling days for the same Quarter last year.
“GM’s EV portfolio is growing faster than the market because we have an all-electric vehicle for just about everybody, no matter what they like to drive,” claimed Rory Harvey, GM executive vice president and president of Global Markets. Continue reading
Mattias Ekström Joins Ford Performance for 2025 Dakar Rally
“Joining the Ford Dakar program is really exciting for me,” said Mattias Ekström. “Ford and M-Sport have built a vehicle that looks, sounds, and drives awesome and we all have a common ambition to win the Dakar Rally. I have had four tries at Dakar so far and now I can say that I have some experience to be able to aim for the top. There is also a lot of knowledge and experience in the team to back up the ambition – starting with the long motorsport heritage of Ford, proven track record of M-Sport, very impressive driver line-up, smart engineers, technicians, and the rest of the team. I look forward to the first competitive outing with the Ford Raptor T1+ at Rally du Maroc and later at the Dakar Rally. I am in it to win it and I hope we will have very successful and great years ahead of us. I will do everything in my power to make it happen.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, marketing, news analysis, performance, racing, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Carlos Sainz Sr, Ken Zino, Mark Rushbrook, Mattias Ekström, Mitch Guthrie Jr, Nani Roma, Rally du Maroc, rally T1 category, X @KenAutoinformed
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Plug-in Hybrid Jeeps Recalled for Battery Fire Risks
“A routine company review of customer data led to an internal investigation that discovered 13 fires. All vehicles were parked and turned off. The company estimates 5% of affected vehicles may have the defect,” FCA said. “Vehicle risk is reduced when the battery charge level is depleted. Accordingly, owners are advised to refrain from recharging. Out of an abundance of caution, the company is also advising owners of these vehicles to park away from structures or other vehicles until the remedy is obtained.” Continue reading
Posted in customer satisfaction, electric vehicles, electronics, engineering, news analysis, quality, recalls, safety
Tagged 2022-2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe recalls, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Jeep® Wrangler 4xe recalls, Ken Zino, mopar.com/recalls, Stellantis recalls, X @KenAutoinformed
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Mercedes-Benz USA Software Recall for Sudden Stalling
“In the event of an independent hardware failure in the Camtronic system, the amount of injected fuel might be erroneously increased by the lambda control system during cylinder deactivation. As a result, exhaust temperatures may increase and might damage surrounding components (e.g. engine wiring harness, catalytic converter). A loss of propulsion without warning and an increased risk of fire cannot be ruled out.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, electronics, engineering, news analysis, recalls, safety
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino, Mercedes-Benz S580 and Maybach S580 recalls, Mercedes-Benz USA Recalls, NHTSA 24V704, X @KenAutoinformed
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Mazda Recalls 2016 – 2023 Miata Sports Cars for Bad Airbags
Mazda North American Operations is recalling 2016-2023 MX-5 Miata sports cars built in Japan. A software error in the Robert Bosch supplied air bag control module may cause the front air bags to deploy with excessive force during a crash. Mazda has been aware of the problem for more than a year.
In the required safety defect filing made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration today, Mazda said as of 11 September 2024, it is not aware of any reports of accidents or injuries related to this safety defect. Also, as of this date, no field reports have been received by the United States or Territory markets. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, electronics, engineering, manufacturing, news analysis, quality, recalls, safety
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, FMVSS 208 Occupant Crash Protection, Ken Zino, Mazda recall 6924I, Miata recalls, NHTSA 24V695, software recalls, X @KenAutoinformed
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Beleaguered Stellantis Cuts 2024 Financial Guidance
Stellantis N.V. (NYSE: STLA) today revised its 2024 financial guidance, “reflecting decisions to significantly enlarge remediation actions on North American performance issues, as well as deterioration in global industry dynamics.” Actions include North American shipment declines of more than 200,000 vehicles in the second half of 2024 (up from 100,000 prior guidance), compared to the prior year period, increased incentives on 2024 and older model year vehicles. (Read AutoInformed.com on: Stellantis Tanks in First Half of 2024 – Net Profit -48%)*
“The Company will continue to leverage and expand its competitive differentiators and believes that the recovery actions being put in place will ensure stronger operational and financial performance in 2025 and beyond,” Stellantis said in a terse release. “Deterioration in the global industry backdrop reflects a lower 2024 market forecast than at the beginning of the period, while competitive dynamics have intensified due to both rising industry supply, as well as increased Chinese competition,” Stellantis said. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, economy, electric vehicles, environment, financial results, labor issues, manufacturing, news analysis, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, chinese evs, Ken Zino, Stellantis N.V., STLA revised 2024 financial guidance, X @KenAutoinformed
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Loyalty Keeps Vehicle Buyers Out of Market Amidst Shortages
Perennial brand loyalty leaders including Toyota, Honda and Lexus have each been able to grow their respective shares of loyal customers amid stagnation experienced by other brands, according to the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Automotive Brand Loyalty StudySM.
“Amid ongoing inventory shortages, the most loyal customers actually stayed out of the market if they were unable to get their desired vehicle,” said Tyson Jominy, vice president of data & analytics at J.D. Power. “Now that inventory levels are recovering, customers are coming back. In particular, Toyota and Honda are benefiting from increased availability of hybrid vehicles, with Honda owners swapping out their gas-powered vehicles for hybrids at nearly triple the rate of the industry average. Lexus is also benefitting from strengthened residual values, which are helping drive loyalty for the brand despite premium brands as a whole experiencing a plateau this year.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, awards, customer satisfaction, marketing, news analysis, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, honda, J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Automotive Brand Loyalty Study, Ken Zino, lexus, Power Information Network, toyota, Tyson Jominy, X @KenAutoinformed
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IPR Center Warns Consumers of Chinese Counterfeit Airbags
CBP officers at U.S. ports of entry are looking at imports – particularly those from China – for shipments suspected of containing counterfeit automotive parts. During fiscal year 2023, CBP and HSI seized ~20,000 shipments containing goods that violated Intellectual Property Rights, equating to nearly 23 million counterfeit items. The total estimated manufacturer’s suggested retail price of the seized goods would have amounted to over $2.75 billion had they been genuine parts. Out of those shipments, ~100,000 items were counterfeit automotive goods, with a MSRP of over $10 million. Continue reading
Posted in aftermarket, auto news, customer satisfaction, fools 'n frauds, manufacturing, quality, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, Automotive Anti-Counterfeiting Council, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Brandon Lord, Chinese counterfeits of auto parts, Counterfeit Airbags, Homeland Security Investigations, Intellectual Property Rights, IPR Center, Ivan Arvelo, Ken Zino, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Robert Stewart, Sophie Shulman, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, X @KenAutoinformed
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Lima Refining Settles Clean Air Act Violations in Ohio
The Justice Department and the Environmental Protection Agency today announced a settlement with the Lima Refining Company (LRC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Canadian-based Cenovus Energy, to address violations of the Clean Air Act at its refinery in Lima, Ohio. LRC must pay a civil penalty of $19 million and implement ~$150 million in capital investments, including control technology expected to reduce emissions of benzene by an estimated 4.34 tons per year, other hazardous air pollutants (HAP) by 16.26 tons per year, and other volatile organic compound emissions (VOC) by 219 tons per year.
“This settlement is part of an ongoing initiative to curtail illegal benzene and VOC emissions at refineries that have failed to allocate the necessary personnel and capital investments to ensure compliance with rules they have long been subject to,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “Under the settlement, the refinery will implement controls that will greatly improve air quality and reduce health impacts on the overburdened community that surrounds the refinery.” Continue reading
Posted in news analysis
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, benzene and VOC emissions at refineries, Cenovus Energy, epa, justice department, Ken Zino, Lima Refining Company, Rebecca C. Lutzko, Todd Kim, toxic pollutants, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, X @KenAutoinformed
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McLaren W1 Supercar Global Reveal This Sunday
McLaren Automotive today said that the next version of its legendary ‘1’ car lineage – a new supercar named W1, will be revealed at 13:00 BST on Sunday 6 October 2024. The McLaren W1 is the successor to the McLaren F1. The W1 name “celebrates McLaren’s World Championship mindset.” The public reveal date marks the 50th anniversary of McLaren winning its first Formula 1 Constructors’ World Championship, and Emerson Fittipaldi winning the 1974 World Drivers’ Championship with McLaren.
“The McLaren W1 is defined by real supercar principles and is the ultimate expression of a McLaren supercar. Born of our rich racing history and World Championship mindset, W1 pushes the boundaries of performance and is worthy of the ‘1’ name. Like its predecessors the F1 and McLaren P1™, W1 defines the rulebook of a real supercar,” Michael Leiters, Chief Executive Officer, McLaren Automotive. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, design and styling, engineering, marketing, milestones, new vehicle, news analysis, performance, racing, shows and events
Tagged 1974 World Drivers’ Championship, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Emerson Fittipaldi, Ken Zino, McLaren F1, mclaren p1, McLaren W1, Michael Leiters, X @KenAutoinformed
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Prius Prime Changes its Name to Prius Plug-in Hybrid for 2025
Toyota (NYSE:TM) said today that the 2025 model year version of Prius Prime will be rebranded as the Prius Plug-in Hybrid. The change to the Prius Plug-in is intended to help consumers easily identify the powertrain choices among Prius models. The 2025 Prius Plug-in Hybrid will also adopt a “PHEV” badge on the rear, indicating its Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle powertrain. It will be available in three grades: SE, XSE and XSE Premium. Pricing was omitted. Back in 2022 when a new Prius Prime model was introduced, with a manufacturer estimated EV range of up to 44 miles and a 6.6-second 0-60 time, it was a flexible vehicle short and longer trips. The 2025 with a 13.6 kWh lithium-ion battery, the SE grade has a manufacturer-estimated 44-mile all-electric driving range rating. While the XSE and XSE Premium have a manufacturer-estimated 40 mile all-electric driving range rating. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, connected vehicles, electric vehicles, electronics, engineering, environment, global warming, marketing, new vehicle, news analysis, software defined vehicles, software defined vehicles
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino, M20A-FXS, prius plug-in hybrid, Toyota Safety Sense, ToyotaCare, X @KenAutoinformed
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NHTSA Issues Park Outside Consumer Alert for Jeep Fires
Owners should park their vehicles outside and away from structures and other vehicles until their vehicle has been remedied. In addition, owners should not charge unrepaired vehicles, because the risk of fire is higher in a charged battery and the risk of fire is reduced when the battery is depleted. Continue reading →