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Global Warming – U.S. Lags on EV Truck Battery Swapping
China is currently the largest market for deploying battery swapping trucks, The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy* said this morning in a well-researched and extensive analysis of zero-emission truck strategies. In 2023, 14% of all zero-emissions heavy-duty vehicles sold (12-month average) in China were swap-capable (Jin and Mao 2024). Tractor-trailers and dump trucks were the main applications for battery swap-capable HDVs. In China, 50% of zero-emissions tractor-trailers and 53% of zero-emissions dump trucks sold in 2023 were swap-capable.
Battery swapping is also emerging in other international markets. Janus Electric, an Australian manufacturer, advertises ranges of around 250 – 370 miles for its HDV technology that allows for battery swapping. In Japan, Ample, Inc., an American-based battery swapping company focused on light- and medium-duty electric vehicles serving shorter ranges, and Mitsubishi Fuso is piloting its technology with Mitsubishi’s light-duty eCanter electric truck using Ample’s battery swapping technology The pilot will test battery swapping for shorter driving ranges (~62-200 miles) in an urban environment. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, electric vehicles, environment, fuel economy or emissions, global warming, news, news analysis, public health, transportation
Tagged ACEEE, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino, The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, X @KenAutoinformed
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Chevrolet Blazer EV SS to Pace Daytona 500 on Sunday
Chevrolet said this morning that a 2025 Blazer EV SS, the fastest SS model Chevrolet ever, will pace the 67th DAYTONA 500 at Daytona International Speedway this Sunday in box stock form. The Blazer EV SS, set to go on sale late in Q1, is equipped with Wide Open Watts (WOW), which propels the vehicle from 0 to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds with 615 horsepower and 650 lb.-ft. torque. The pace car is a production vehicle with no performance upgrades, but has custom graphics and embedded strobe lighting. It’s the first EV to ever pace the race. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, electric vehicles, electronics, global warming, marketing, mobility company, new vehicle, news analysis, performance, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Craftsman Truck Series, Daytona 500, Daytona International Speedway, Frank Kelleher, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, Ken Zino, nascar, Scott Bell, William Byron, X @KenAutoinformed, Xfinity Series
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NOAA – 2024 Was Earth’s Warmest Year on Record
Planet Earth’s average land and ocean surface temperature in 2024 was 2.32 degrees F (1.29 degrees C) above the 20th-century average, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. This was the highest global temperature among all years in NOAA’s 1850-2024 climate record. It was 0.18 of a degree F (0.10 of a degree C) warmer than 2023, which previously was the warmest year on record. Regionally, Africa, Europe, North America, Oceania and South America (tied with 2023) had their warmest year on record. Asia and the Arctic had their second-warmest year on record.
The planet’s 10 warmest years since 1850 have all occurred in the past decade. In 2024, global temperature exceeded the pre-industrial (1850–1900) average by 2.63 degrees F (1.46 degrees C). Other scientific organizations, including NASA, the Copernicus Climate Change Service and the UK Met Office have conducted separate but similar analyses that also rank 2024 as the warmest year on record. Continue reading
Posted in environment, global warming, news, news analysis, public health, Trump Truth Tests
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Copernicus Climate Change Service, greenhouse gases. UK Met Office, Ken Zino, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale, X @KenAutoinformed
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Nissan to Increase Use of Green Steel in Japan
To reach these goals, Nissan has increased efforts towards decarbonization in the entire process spanning from material procurement. How the apparent collapse of the proposed merger with Honda will affect embattled Nissan’s future is unclear. Continue reading
Used Vehicle Prices Poised to Soar?
“While it’s not yet spring, wholesale values increased more than we usually see in the month of January, with particular strength at the end of the month,” said Jeremy Robb, senior director of Economic and Industry Insights at Cox Automotive. “The Manheim index is at the highest point since October 2023, after we experienced stronger-than-usual gains in non-seasonally adjusted values. Currently, retail days’ supply at used dealerships sits nine days lower than last year, and we are just now on the cusp of starting the spring wholesale market.”
Notably absent was any mention of the Trump tariff chaos, which likely will significantly increase new vehicle prices and thereby increasing demand and prices for used vehicles.
Continue reading
Porsche Posts Preliminary 2024 Results
Porsche AG said late yesterday it expects these results (unaudited) for the 2024 financial year: The automotive net cash flow margin is over 10% (forecast 7 to 8.5%). The return on sales is at the lower end of the forecast range. Other performance indicators “do not show significant deviations from the forecast ranges.”
However, Porsche said it would incur an €800 million (~$831 million) charge against operating profit this year because of the cost of introducing new models with internal combustion engines, as well as plug-in hybrids. Continue reading
Annals of Marketing – Mercedes-Benz Miami Real-Estate
“With construction of Mercedes-Benz Places in Miami well underway, we are laying the foundation for one of the most ambitious and innovative residential projects in Florida. Together with our partner, JDS Development Group, we will showcase outstanding architecture, which is undeniably Mercedes-Benz and deliver a community experience that is second to none,” Eva Wiese, Head of Mercedes-Benz Customer Solutions GmbH. Continue reading
Volvo Cars Posts Record Sales, Revenue, Profits in 2024, but…
Volvo Cars (VOLCAR B:STO)* today posted a record-breaking year in 2024 with the highest full-year retail sales, revenues and core operating profit in its 98-year history. However, the Chinese owned company anticipates a turbulent 2025 “due to challenging market conditions,” aka Trump’s Trade and Tariff Wars.** “Full-year revenues exceeded SEK 400 billion for the first time in the company’s history, due to a new all-time sales record of 763,389 cars. Its full-year core operating profit of SEK 27 billion, excluding joint ventures and associates, was another record and up 6% compared to 2023. The core operating margin came in at 6.8%, up from 6.4% in 2023,” Volvo said. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, car sharing, connected vehicles, economy, environment, financial results, insurance, manufacturing, marketing, mobility company, news analysis, sales, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Geely Holding, Jim Rowan, Ken Zino, Trump Trade and Tariff Wars, Volvo Cars, X @KenAutoinformed
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Ford Motor Posts Mixed Results for 2024
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) today posted Q4 full-year 2024 financial results. They were mixed from awful to okay. During 2024, Ford Blue’s revenue was flat at $101.9 billion as positive net pricing offset a 2% decline in wholesale vehicle transactions from what Ford said were the cancellation of low-margin products. The internal combustion engine segment at Ford S EBIT was $5.3 billion. Ford Model e reported a full-year EBIT loss of $5.1 billion. The electric vehicle e segment delivered $1.4 billion in cost improvements, net of a $100 million increase in spending to launch new battery plants and next-generation electric vehicles, Ford said. For full-year 2024, revenue climbed 5% to $185 billion; net income was $5.9 billion, and adjusted EBIT was $10.2 billion. For 2025 Ford is predicting a $2 billion profit drop! Bloomberg says that 27% of analysts have a sell recommendation, the highest on record. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, connected vehicles, economy, electric vehicles, financial results, insurance, mobility company, news analysis, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ford Motor 2024 financial results, Ford Motor Company, Jim Farley, Ken Zino, NYSE F, X @KenAutoinformed
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Toyota Motor Posts FY2025 Q3 Net Revenue Gain
Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC: Tokyo 7203. NYSE: TM) today announced financial results for the third quarter fiscal year 2025, which ended 31 December 2024. TMC also announced significant changes in China. Consolidated vehicle sales totaled ~7,000,000 units, a decrease of ~295,000 units compared to the same period fiscal year 2024. On a consolidated basis, net revenues for the period totaled 35.673 trillion yen ($233.2 billion), an increase of 4.9%. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, connected vehicles, economy, electric vehicles, environment, financial results, insurance, manufacturing, marketing, mobility company, news analysis, results, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino, Lexus BEVs and batteries in Shanghai China, Tokyo 7203, Toyota Battery Manufacturing North Carolina, X @KenAutoinformed, Yoichi Miyazaki
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Volvo Car USA and Canada Posts January Sales Increase
Volvo Car USA and Canada (Nasdaq Stockholm VOLCAR B) today reported sales of 8755 cars for January, up 5.4% year-over-year. Electrified models, fully electric or plug-in hybrid powertrain, increased 43.8% year-over year (YoY). They accounted for 35.8 % of sales during the first month of the year.
“We are excited to see a strong start to the year and look forward to continued growth in the US and Canada with our new XC90, EX90 and EX30 SUVs complementing a full lineup of cars that make life easier, better and safer for everyone,” said Mike Cottone, President, Volvo Car USA and Canada. No mention whatsoever was made of President Trump’s ongoing and unpredictable trade and tariff wars.* Continue reading
Posted in auto news, electric vehicles, global warming, manufacturing, marketing, news analysis, results, sales
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino, Mike Cottone, Nasdaq Stockholm VOLCAR B, VOLCAR B:STO, Volvo Car USA and Canada, X @KenAutoinformed
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Ford Motor Shuffles Leadership Amid Trump Chaos
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F)* today announced key executive changes as the chaos of the Trump administration continues to cause as yet unknown damages to the economy and the auto industry. Two positions, John Lawler to vice chair to look after strategy, partnerships and alliances; and Sam Wu,President Ford China adding Ford’s International Markets Group, will require insight, and frankly lucky hunches given Trump’s random, variable and reversible assaults on trade, tariff’s and vital international organizations to return Ford Motor to a reliably profitable path. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, connected vehicles, economy, environment, global warming, mobility company, news analysis, people, sales
Tagged Andrew Frick, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Daniel Justo, Jim Farley, John Lawler, Kay Hart, Ken Zino, Marin Gjaja, Sam Wu, Sherry House, X @KenAutoinformed
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Annals of Marketing – Rolls-Royce Scent of Money?
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars said today it’s taking the interior experience of its cars with the launch of Rolls-Royce Scent, introduced on its Phantom.* Developed by an in-house perfumer of the marque’s Bespoke Collective, the Scent is said complement the natural aromas of the materials used within the motor car. The fragrance combines notes of Amyris, Cedarwood, Rosewood and Iris.
“A Rolls-Royce interior is a unique space in which every element is meticulously curated to create an unparalleled multi-sensory experience. With our new fragrance concept, Rolls-Royce Scent, we move beyond the visual and tactile realms into a new dimension. Designed and developed by our in-house perfumer and delivered using patented technology, this fragrance elevates the already peerless Rolls-Royce experience, creating an environment that is even more special, and absolutely unmistakable,” said Martina Starke, General Manager, Bespoke Design, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, design and styling, marketing, milestones, news analysis, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Bespoke Design at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, Ken Zino, Martina Starke, Rolls-Royce Scent, X @KenAutoinformed
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MBUSA Recalling EQB models for Battery Fires
Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) is recalling more than 7000 model year 2022-2024 EQB 250, EQB 300 4MATIC, and EQB 350 4MATIC electric vehicles. The high voltage battery may fail internally and lead to a vehicle fire while parked or driving.
In the mandatory safety defect recall filing made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration this morning, MBUSA said, “Due to the combination of certain production and vehicle use conditions, an internal short circuit of a battery cell in the high-voltage battery might occur, which could lead to the risk of a fire.” The defective software supplier is Farasis Energy-Ganzhou in China. Continue reading →