by Michael Strong | Apr 8, 2020
The sudden drop in the price of gasoline to the lowest level in years has the potential to put intense pressure on the sale of electric vehicles once the market re-opens in the wake of the pandemic. However, states like California are vowing to defend their...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Apr 8, 2020
Toyota has become the latest automaker to extend the shutdown of its North American automotive operations, the industry giant saying its factories won’t start rolling again until May 4. Virtually the entire industry has shut down across the continent, manufacturers...
by Joseph Szczesny | Apr 8, 2020
It could take three years or more to return to the 17-million-unit level of new vehicle sales that prevailed prior the recession precipitated by the coronavirus pandemic, which has locked down the U.S. economy for an indefinite period. The National Automobile Dealers...
by Michael Strong | Apr 7, 2020
The tough sales results in March are being followed by even more dire predictions for April. Now the anecdotal evidence showing the industry is taking a down turn is adding up. U.S. automakers are selling fewer and fewer vehicles and the cars, trucks and sport-utility...
by Michael Strong | Apr 7, 2020
Automakers have been reaching out to vehicle owners during the pandemic, trying help them with potential problems whether that’s with making payments, vehicle maintenance or other problems. Hyundai Motor Co.’s latest effort is a warranty extension policy for its...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Apr 6, 2020
Fiat Chrysler and Honda have announced tentative plans to resume U.S. production during the first week of May, though these dates will depend upon expectations that the coronavirus pandemic will be largely brought under control by then. Production across North America...
by Michael Strong | Apr 6, 2020
As U.S. auto production remains idle due to the coronavirus pandemic, China’s light vehicle production is ramping back up, and experts are predicting that it will drop 11.5% this year to 21.6 million vehicles. The forecast, courtesy of research firm IHS Markit, also...
by Joseph Szczesny | Apr 6, 2020
The Trump administration is threatening to impose tariffs on imported oil, which could effectively put a floor under the plummeting price of gasoline. AAA reported national gas price average is $1.92. That is 9 cents cheaper than last Monday, 48 cents less than a...
by Michael Strong | Apr 6, 2020
Battery-electric vehicles are being touted as the answer to many problems, but they also have a few shortcomings — one of them being their off-road capability. However, Danish auto designer and entrepreneur Henrik Fisker may have an answer for that. The Fisker Ocean...
by Joseph Szczesny | Apr 6, 2020
Daimler AG lined up a new multibillion-dollar line of credit and tapped the bond market for 1.5 billion euros to help weather the coronavirus pandemic that has brought the global economy to a halt. The German automaker announced it increased its financial flexibility...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Apr 3, 2020
As bad an impact as the coronavirus pandemic has had on the auto industry already, things are likely only to grow worse in April and possibly, beyond, three leading analysts concluded during a webinar on Friday. Virtually nothing connected to the industry will escape...
by Michael Strong | Apr 3, 2020
Automakers have extended the time their production facilities in the U.S. will remain shut down as the impact of the coronavirus outbreak continues to grow. In Europe, companies are doing the same with one notable exception: Fiat Chrysler. FCA officials are looking at...
