Paris, 13 February 2019 – In 2019, EU car sales will stagnate at 2018 levels in terms of units sold, staying close to the 15 million new registrations mark recorded last year, according to new forecasts by the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA). Although 2018 was the fifth consecutive year of growth, the pace of… Continue reading Press Releases – Stable EU auto market in view for 2019, with CO2 and trade challenges ahead
Tag: FCA
Ford issues 3 recalls covering about 1.5 million Ford and Lincoln vehicles, citing accidents
Mike Fuentes | Bloomberg | Getty Images
Ford Motor Co.'s 2013 F-150 pickup truck sits on display at an event in Bruceville, Texas, U.S., on Monday, June 4, 2012.
Ford is issuing three recalls covering about 1.5 million Ford and Lincoln vehicles, citing an unintended downshift to first gear in certain F-150 pickups that's caused at least five accidents, among other safety concerns, the company said Wednesday.
“Depending on vehicle speed, a downshift to first gear without warning could result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash,” Ford said in a statement announcing the recalls.
Ford is issuing a safety recall on select 2011 to 2013 Ford F-150 vehicles with six-speed automatic transmissions, 2017 to 2019 Lincoln Continental vehicles, and select 2019 Ford Mustang, Lincoln Nautilus and Lincoln Navigator vehicles.
Ford bets big on trucks, Fiat Chrysler issues weak 2019 guidance
6:44 PM ET Thu, 7 Feb 2019 | 02:18
The roughly 1.48 million F-150 trucks have a defect that can cause the truck to temporarily downshift into first gear. Ford is aware of five reports of accidents, including one report of “whiplash” potentially related to this condition.
About 27,000 Lincoln Continental vehicles may have a problem with silicon contamination in the door latch, which can prevent it from fully engaging. This means the door could open while driving. Ford is not aware of any accidents connected to this recall.
About 4,200 Ford Mustang, Lincoln Nautilus and Lincoln Navigator vehicles may have a defect that causes the instrument cluster to be blank while the video starts up. Ford is not aware of any of any accidents connected to this recall either.
Read Ford's full statement here.
WATCH: Ford will get worse in China before it gets better
Ford will get worse in China before it gets better, says CFRA analyst
5:34 PM ET Wed, 23 Jan 2019 | 02:59
Electric car production racing ahead of car buyers’ desires – The Irish Times
Car makers could be looking down the barrel of massive oversupply of electric vehicles in the market. According to a new report from Deloitte, a “significant expectation gap” is growing between the production ramp-up of electric vehicles by the world’s major car makers, and the actual serious sales prospects for those vehicles. The report says… Continue reading Electric car production racing ahead of car buyers’ desires – The Irish Times
Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche thanks workers, interviews for new position in farewell video – Motor Authority
Long-time Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche will step down at the end of this year and hand the top leadership role to current sales chief Ola Källenius in 2019, but he’s already on the hunt for a new job. Well, not really. But Zetsche gave his departure a characteristically comedic twist in a farewell video to employees… Continue reading Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche thanks workers, interviews for new position in farewell video – Motor Authority
UPDATE 2-Fiat Chrysler paid $77 mln in U.S. fuel economy penalties in 2018
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV told Reuters on Thursday it paid $77 million in U.S. civil penalties late last year for failing to meet 2016 model year fuel economy requirements, the first significant sign the industry is facing hurdles meeting rising emissions rules. FILE PHOTO: A Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) sign is seen… Continue reading UPDATE 2-Fiat Chrysler paid $77 mln in U.S. fuel economy penalties in 2018
Fiat Chrysler shares plummet 12 percent on weak outlook
Rebecca Cook | Reuters
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles assembly workers build 2019 Ram pickup trucks at the FCA Sterling Heights Assembly Plant in Sterling Heights, Michigan, October 22, 2018.
Fiat Chrysler shares crashed by more than 12 percent Thursday morning after the Italian-American automaker forecast a weak outlook for 2019.
The automaker said it expects results in the first half of the year to be down over last year, in part, because the company will not be selling two generations of the Jeep Wrangler side-by-side, as it did in 2018. It is also planning some Wrangler production downtime to retool factories for launch of the plug-in hybrid version of the iconic off-road machine in early 2020.
The company also said continued actions to manage dealer inventories will also hit its finances in the first half of the year. It is also facing higher-than-expected capital expenditures, shelling out roughly 500 million euros in connection with U.S. diesel emissions cases. It's also paying an effective tax rate that's about 25 percent higher than it was in 2018, mostly due to changes in the U.S.
Fiat Chrysler said expects the second half of the year to pick up from sales of its recently released Jeep Gladiator mid-size pickup truck and its heavy duty Ram pickup trucks, introduced at the Detroit auto show.
The automaker said it expects total industry sales for North America to decline in 2019 to 17.2 million, down from 17.7 million in 2018, the automaker said in a presentation to investors.
Fiat Chrysler shares tumble as 2019 guidance disappoints
MILAN (Reuters) – Fiat Chrysler (FCA) shares fell 11 percent on Thursday after weaker-than-expected guidance for profits and industrial free cash flow this year raised doubts about the Italian-American carmaker’s longer-term targets. FILE PHOTO: A Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) sign is seen at its U.S. headquarters in Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S. May 25, 2018. REUTERS/Rebecca… Continue reading Fiat Chrysler shares tumble as 2019 guidance disappoints
FCA – 2018 FULL YEAR AND FOURTH QUARTER RESULTS
Following is a summary of the “FCA: 2018 full year and fourth quarter results” press release. A PDF of the complete press release is attached to this email. The document is also available in the media section of the FCA corporate website:https://www.fcagroup.com/it-it/pages/home.aspxFCA reports record full year results, including Magneti Marelli: Adjusted EBIT at €7.3 billion,… Continue reading FCA – 2018 FULL YEAR AND FOURTH QUARTER RESULTS
Toyota debuts new Tacoma to protect its crown as No. 1 midsize pickup from encroaching US rivals
Source: Toyota
2020 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road
The pickup wars are spreading.
Toyota refreshed its best-selling Tacoma mid-size pickup trucks with Apple Car Play, larger touch screens and other features drivers have come to expect in today's utility vehicles, the company said Thursday. The Japanese automaker's move comes as American automakers — not content to rule the full-size segment —release smaller trucks that threaten the one category where Toyota has managed to hold its own with the Big 3 in Detroit.
Source: Toyota
2020 Toyota Tacoma Limited
The Tacoma has led the mid-size pickup segment in sales in the U.S. for the last 14 years, and the company is anxious to hold onto that crown. Ford just brought back the Ranger mid-size pickup truck, and Chevrolet has been successful with its Colorado.
Even Jeep is getting into action. Fiat Chrysler's brand known mostly for sport utility vehicles launched the Gladiator pickup at the Los Angeles Auto Show late last year. As the historical leader in the segment, Toyota has the most to lose.
The good news is this segment is growing overall, as the broader market turns toward utility vehicles. Mid-size pickup sales are expected to grow from about 3 percent of the total market in 2018 to 4 percent by 2021, according to data from LMC Automotive, a firm that tracks the auto industry.
Source: Toyota
2020 Toyota Tacoma Limited
The number of models is also expected to grow, reversing a multi-year pullback in the segment. In 2010, there were 11 mid-size pickup trucks to choose from, according to LMC. But there were only five models from 2014 to 2018. But again, by 2021, that is expected to more than double again back to a total of 11.
Source: Toyota
2020 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off Road
Toyota's refresh is not a dramatic redesign, said IHS Markit analyst Stephanie Brinley. But it's adding some key upgrades, such as an improved infotainment systems with Apple Car Play, and a few other features that customers have come to expect in new vehicles. A larger touchscreen in the truck's console will come standard on every model. Each trim level will come with upgrades specific to that variant, such as new grille designs and new headlights and taillights.
Source: Toyota
2020 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro
In addition to overhauling the Tacoma, Toyota is beefing up its TRD Pro off-road racing lineup, adding a TRD Pro version of its three-row Sequoia sport utility vehicle. Toyota already makes TRD Pro versions of its Tacoma and Tundra pickups and its 4Runner SUV.
Source: Toyota
2020 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro
Off-road and sporty on-road variants of pickup trucks and SUVs have been around for a long time, but automakers seem to be beefing up their selection of packages and options. Automakers are looking to leverage the shift to trucks and SUVS as an opportunity to find new ways to package features and capabilities to net a few more customers wherever they can.
“Every type of vehicle, every capability, every price point is looking to be exploited,” Schuster said. “It is a fight for customers and a fight for market share.”
Fiat Chrysler, Bosch agree to pay $66 million in diesel legal fees: filing
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV and Robert Bosch have agreed to pay lawyers representing owners of U.S. diesel vehicles $66 million in fees and costs, according to court filing on Wednesday and people briefed on the matter. FILE PHOTO: A screen displays the ticker information for Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV at the post… Continue reading Fiat Chrysler, Bosch agree to pay $66 million in diesel legal fees: filing