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☆ Premaket stocks: Auto sales are falling — but profits are surging. Welcome to the new normal
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-12 | by ( Nicole Goodkind | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

New York CNN —The US auto industry just posted its worst sales in more than a decade — but that’s not necessarily a bad sign for the sector. What’s happening: 2022 was the worst year in more than a decade for the auto industry, largely because manufacturers couldn’t keep up with consumer demand. To put that into historical perspective, auto sales topped 17 million each year between 2015 and 2019, before Covid. But the auto industry saw sky-high profits even as sales plummeted. The auto industry has entered a new era: Less choice, higher prices and larger profit margins.

☆ The biggest announcements from CES 2023
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-09 | by ( Harry Rabinowitz | Harry Rabinowitz Is A Reporter For Select On Nbc News. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +7 min

Every year, the biggest brands in tech make their way to Las Vegas for the Consumer Electronics Show, or CES. TelevisionRoku, one of the top streaming platforms for smart TVs, announced that it is releasing its own Roku-branded televisions. Now, Roku will be launching its own brand, with Roku Select and Roku Plus TVs, alongside a Roku TV Wireless Soundbar. TCL, a top smart TV brand, is rebranding and overhauling its TV lineup. Now, all of its smart TVs will fall into two groups: the higher-end Q-Series and the budget-friendly S-Series.

☆ Honda's JV with GAC ends production of Acura brand in China
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

GAC will continue to provide after-sales services to Acura customers in China through the joint venture's network, it said in a statement to Reuters. The joint venture will continue to produce other Honda brands. Acura is the second foreign car brand to exit China, the world's largest auto market, in recent months. In October GAC said it was closing its joint venture with Stellantis (STLA.MI), which made Jeep vehicles, following a sharp decline in Jeep sales in China over the past four years. GAC-Honda, which started producing Acura cars in 2016 in China, only sold 6,554 of them in the country in 2021, down 45% from the previous year.

☆ NHL roundup: David Pastrnak's hat trick carries Bruins past Ducks
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-USA TODAY SportsJanuary 9 - David Pastrnak registered his 13th career hat trick as part of a four-point performance as the Boston Bruins rolled past the host Anaheim Ducks 7-1 on Sunday night. Trevor Zegras scored the lone goal and John Gibson stopped 35 shots for Anaheim, which had won back-to-back games. Jets 7, Canucks 4Kyle Connor had a hat trick and Winnipeg extended its win streak to five games with a high-scoring victory against visiting Vancouver. Travis Konecny and Nicolas Deslauriers scored one goal each for the Flyers, who had their season-best four-game winning streak snapped. Alex Stalock stopped 44 shots to help Chicago win consecutive games for the first time since October.

There were new twists on foldable devices, cars that changed colors and smart ovens that live streamed dinners. Patrick T. Fallon/AFP/Getty ImagesBMW unveiled a wild color-changing concept car with 260 e-panels that can change up to 32 colors. During a demo, different parts of the car, including the wheel covers, flashed in varying hues and swirls of colors. A new look for foldable phonesSamsung's Flex Hybrid Display concept folds and slides SamsungSome companies offered a new twist on the foldable phone concept. The lock, which will cost $300, will be available for purchase late this spring, according to a company press release.

☆ Tesla breaks into America's bestselling cars list for 2022, but trucks still dominate
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-07 | by ( Michael Wayland | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

A Tesla Model Y on display inside a Tesla store at the Westfield Culver City shopping mall in Culver City, California, U.S., on Thursday, April 14, 2022. Tesla does not report regional or individual vehicle sales, so the data is estimated. Overall, Tesla reported delivering about 1.25 million Model Y and Model 3 vehicles globally in 2022. "The brand, despite all the news and stuff, still dominates the EV market and it dominates the luxury market. A lot of that strength comes from the Model Y."

☆ You May Be Able to Buy a Self-Driving Car After All
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-06 | by ( Stephen Wilmot | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

A year ago, investors were wildly optimistic about the potential of automotive technologies such as automated driving. They now risk swinging to the opposite extreme. Anyone looking for an idea of the cars that might be on sale in five years’ time likely found the news from this year’s CES in Las Vegas more muted than usual. Stellantis showed off new concept electric vehicles on Thursday, including a highly anticipated Ram pickup truck, but in reality it is playing catch-up with peers such as Ford and General Motors . Sony unveiled a brand for its new automotive joint venture with Honda , Afeela, but didn’t give many details of the much-hyped EV they expect to start selling in North America in 2026.

☆ Automakers are cautiously optimistic for a 2023 rebound after worst new vehicle sales in more than a decade
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-06 | by ( Michael Wayland | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

DETROIT — Automakers are hopeful last year's new vehicle sales — the worst in more than a decade — will mark a bottom for the market, at least in the near term. Toyota Motor was down 9.6%, while Stellantis , Nissan and Honda Motor posted double-digit falls of 13%, 25% and 29.4%, respectively. But auto industry executives remain cautiously optimistic that sales will rebound in 2023, regardless of recessionary fears, rising interest rates and other economic concerns. Toyota and GM said they expect U.S. auto sales to increase to about 15 million vehicles this year. S&P Global Mobility and Edmunds expect 2023 new U.S. vehicle sales to be 14.8 million, while Cox Automotive's preliminary forecast is 14.1 million.

☆ Tesla needs to separate itself from Elon Musk's personality to win back investors after 75% crash, NYU's 'dean of valuation' says
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-06 | by ( Matthew Fox | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Tesla needs to separate itself from Elon Musk's personality to win back investors, according to NYU's Aswath Damodaran. Shares of Tesla have cratered more than 70% from their record high as investors grow concerned about Musk's focus on Twitter. "You're no longer buying a company, you're buying a human being," Damodaran said. "It's a danger buying a company that's so closely tied to a personality that you're no longer buying a company you're buying a human being," Damodaran said. Meanwhile, a Tesla shareholder in Iceland submitted a resolution for Tesla investors to vote on in May as to whether the board of directors should prepare and maintain a key-risk report, according to the LA Times.

☆ Sony's new "Afeela" electric vehicle with Honda to use Qualcomm tech, companies say
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

Jan 4 (Reuters) - Sony and Honda's electric vehicle joint venture will work closely with U.S. firm Qualcomm Inc (QCOM.O) on the new "Afeela" cars, the chief executive of Sony Honda Mobility, Yasuhide Mizuno, told the CES 2023 technology trade show in Las Vegas on Wednesday. Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon, who also appeared at the CES presentation, said the car would use Qualcomm's "Snapdragon" digital chassis. The venture between Sony Group Corp (6758.T) and Honda Motor Co Ltd (7267.T) aims to deliver its first electric vehicles by early 2026 in North America. Reporting by Kiyoshi Takenaka; Writing by David Dolan Editing by Chang-Ran KimOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Sony, Honda roll out prototype of 'Afeela' EV that will use Qualcomm tech
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Jan 4 (Reuters) - Japan's Sony (6758.T) on Wednesday unveiled a prototype of the new "Afeela" electric vehicles it will build together with Honda (7267.T), using digital chassis from hardware maker Qualcomm Inc (QCOM.O). The Afeela, which sported rounded corners and a sleek black roof, will use more than 40 sensors, Yashuhide Mizuno, the chief executive of Sony Honda Mobility, told the trade show. It will also use the "Unreal Engine" 3-D creation tool from Epic Games, the maker of the "Fortnite" series of games. Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon, who also appeared at the CES presentation, said the car would use Qualcomm's "Snapdragon" digital chassis. The venture between Sony Group Corp and Honda Motor Co Ltd aims to deliver its first electric vehicles by early 2026 in North America.

Automakers from Sony Honda to Hyundai are introducing ways at the CES 2023 technology trade show this week to reshape the in-car entertainment experience, including offering video games during the rides. "This is a field which can be deployed very quickly," Dirk Hilgenberg, head of Volkswagen AG's (VOWG_p.DE) CARIAD software unit, told Reuters at CES. In December, Tesla issued a "holiday update" to its software to add access to 1,000 PC games through the Steam platform. Still, these are features that consumers are demanding, so VW is at CES seeking partnerships. "We will see the content ... which is provided by software enabled functionality will be a decisive factor for buying."

☆ Sony Honda Mobility weighs future IPO for electric vehicle joint venture
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-05 | by ( Dawn Chmielewski | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Jan 5 (Reuters) - Sony and Honda's year-old electric vehicle joint venture is in early discussions about a potential stock offering as a way to raise cash, the chairman of Sony Honda Mobility said on Thursday. Honda Chief Executive Toshihiro Mibe said in March that while he was not thinking about taking the joint venture public immediately, he would not dismiss that as an option to expand the firm. Sony Honda Mobility plans a global roll-out that includes Europe, parts of Asia and the Middle East, he added. Sony Honda Mobility also is contemplating selling the vehicle in China, which Mizuno described as an attractive but intensely competitive market for electric vehicles. The joint venture is discussing how to service the vehicles.

☆ At CES 2023, Sony's 'Gran Turismo' flags new entertainment strategy
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-04 | by ( Dawn Chmielewski | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

It also represents a significant bridging of the divides between Sony Pictures Entertainment, Sony PlayStation and Sony Music, according to a dozen current and former senior executives interviewed by Reuters. “I defined our identity as a creative entertainment company with a solid foundation on technology,” Sony chief executive Kenichiro Yoshida said. Sony’s “creative entertainment” company approach extends beyond content. A Sony-Honda electric vehicle, scheduled to reach consumers by 2026, is being framed as a rolling showcase of Sony’s entertainment, gaming and camera sensor prowess. This August will bring another test of Sony’s strategy when “Gran Turismo” hits theaters after languishing for 12 years.

☆ Sony and Honda reveal the name of their car brand, Afeela
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-04 | by ( Peter Valdes-Dapena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Sony and Honda, which announced a joint venture last year to develop and build electric cars, have revealed the name of their new car brand. At a presentation during the Consumer Electronics Show, Sony Honda Mobility chief executive Yasuhide Mizuno revealed a prototype of the company’s first car, which looked like a mid-sized sedan, but he revealed little detail about it. The car will have safety and driver assistance systems from Honda along with entrainment and interactive features from Sony, Mizuno said. It will allow the vehicle to show information and interact with people outside the vehicle, Mizuno said. Unreal Engine’s technology has also been used by other auto brands including General Motors, which used the technology in the Hummer EV.

☆ Honda to recall 200,000 hybrid vehicles made in China -regulator
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-29 | by ( Casey Hall | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

SHANGHAI, Dec 29 (Reuters) - Honda (7267.T) will recall just over 200,000 hybrid vehicles due to issues with brake pedal sensors in some models, China's State Administration for Market Regulation said in a statement on Thursday. A total of 105,608 hybrid vehicles produced between Oct. 8, 2018 and Sept. 7, 2020 by the Japanese carmaker's venture with Dongfeng Motor Group Co. (600006.SS) would be recalled, along with another 95,081 units from Honda's manufacturing partnership with Guangzhou Automobile Group Co. (601238.SS) made between August 27, 2018 and August 6, 2020. The issue relates to lubricating oil introduced into brake pedal sensors during the manufacturing process which could cause issues with the sensors over time, and the recall would begin from March 31, 2023, the statement added. Reporting by Casey Hall; editing by Uttaresh.VOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Use this calculation to find the best used car for your money — plus 10 models that come out on top
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-27 | by ( Jessica Dickler | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

The report then ranked those models based on the cost per remaining mile calculation to determine which used cars are the best deal. The 10 best used cars for the moneyIn the No. Overall, five Toyotas made the top 10 list of best 5-year-old used cars for the money, also including the Camry, Corolla and Avalon. He offered these five tips for anyone in the market for a used car. Being "basic" has its benefits: Going with widely popular models has an added advantage when it comes to buying a used car, Drury said.

☆ Missing infant found alive after authorities arrest woman accused of kidnapping twin babies
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-23 | by ( Tim Stelloh | Tim Stelloh Is A Breaking News Reporter For Nbc News Digital. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +1 min

A missing infant was found alive in Indianapolis on Thursday, hours after the arrest of a woman accused of stealing a car with the boy and his twin brother in it in Ohio, authorities said. Nalah Jackson, 24, was arrested earlier Thursday on an Indianapolis street, Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant told reporters. Her connection to the city wasn’t immediately clear. His condition wasn’t immediately clear. It wasn't immediately clear if Jackson has a lawyer to speak on her behalf.

☆ Widespread search for woman who allegedly stole car with infant twins inside in Ohio
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-22 | by ( Marlene Lenthang | Marlene Lenthang Is A Breaking News Reporter For Nbc News Digital. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

A widespread search is underway for a woman is now charged with kidnapping after allegedly stealing a vehicle with twin infants inside in Ohio, one of whom has since been found, according to police. When she returned, she found her vehicle was gone, according to the Columbus Division of Police. The search for Jackson, and baby Kason, has only intensified with the FBI and the Ohio State Highway Patrol joining the investigation. On Wednesday police shared photos of the stolen vehicle. We want to focus on finding Nalah Jackson.”The public is asked to send in tips on Jackson’s whereabouts and report if they see the stolen vehicle.

☆ Tesla, Mercedes, and GM are being probed by US Senate on whether they use forced Uyghur labor
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-22 | by ( Aaron Mok | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The Senate Finance Committee sent letters to car makers about their links to forced Uyghur labor. The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act bans most imports from the Xinjiang region. The letters also come a year after President Joe Biden signed the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, which seeks to ban most imports from the Xinjiang region. A Honda spokesperson told Insider that it expects its suppliers to comply with its global sustainability guidelines and "will work with policymakers on these important issues." Volkswagen, Honda, General Motors, and Stellantis previously told Insider that they reject forced labor in their supply chains and take accusations of abuse seriously.

☆ Tesla, GM, Ford questioned by U.S. senator about Chinese supply chains and connections to forced labor
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-22 | by ( Lauren Feiner | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Wyden referenced the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, which President Joe Biden signed into law last year and took effect in June. The bill says imports from China's Xinjiang region should not be allowed into the country unless the importer can convincingly show the products weren't made with forced labor. The agency said there are up to 1,200 "state-run internment camps" in Xinjiang where forced labor is being used. "Building strong responsible supply chains is an important focus for us," the spokesperson said in a statement. "I recognize automobiles contain numerous parts sourced across the world and are subject to complex supply chains," Wyden wrote.

☆ U.S. Senate Finance Committee asks GM, Tesla, Toyota about Chinese supply chain
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-22 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

WASHINGTON, Dec 22 (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate Finance Committee asked eight major automakers, including General Motors (GM.N), Tesla (TSLA.O), Ford Motor (F.N), and Honda Motor (7267.T), to answer questions about their Chinese supply chains, according to letters made public on Thursday. Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden wrote the chief executives of major automakers inquiring about Chinese supply chain issues, saying "it is vital that automakers scrutinize their relationships with all suppliers linked to Xinjiang." Beijing denies abuses in Xinjiang, but says it had established "vocational training centers" to curb terrorism, separatism and religious radicalism. "Between raw materials mining/processing and auto parts manufacturing, we found that practically every part of the car would require heightened scrutiny to ensure that it was free of Uyghur forced labor," the report said. GM said Thursday it actively monitors its global supply chain and "conducts extensive due diligence, particularly where we identify or are made aware of potential violations of the law, our agreements, or our policies."

☆ U.S. confirms fifth Takata air bag inflator death in 2022, urges owners to get repairs
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-19 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] A recalled Takata air bag inflator is seen just before being removed from a Jeep in Boulder, Colorado United States July 20, 2017. REUTERS/Rick WilkingWASHINGTON, Dec 19 (Reuters) - U.S. auto safety regulators confirmed a fifth Takata air bag inflator crash death in 2022 and reiterated urgent calls for owners to get repairs. Chrysler-parent Stellantis (STLA.MI) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said they had confirmed a third Takata air bag inflator death. In November, Stellantis urged owners of 276,000 older U.S. vehicles to immediately stop driving after the crash death reports, but just 2,000 owners have gotten repairs since then. Also in November, NHTSA confirmed a new death due to a defective Takata air bag inflator in a 2006 Ford (F.N) Ranger pickup.

☆ She Turned Her Humble Honda Hatchback Into a Head-Turner
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-17 | by ( A.J. Baime | Photographs Matt Martian For The Wall Street Journal | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Sally McNulty, a service adviser at a Ferrari dealership living in Glendale, Ariz., on her custom 2000 Honda Civic Hatchback, as told to A.J. I grew up in a small Missouri town, what they call the boonies. There were not a lot of imported cars. I worked at a car dealership and one day somebody asked me if I’d like to go to a track day, because they knew I liked cars. I took my Chevy Cobalt to the racetrack, and I had a blast.

☆ 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV: A Hybrid Claiming Authentic SUV-ness
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-16 | by ( Dan Neil | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +1 min

DEFENDING CHAMP The 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is successor to the world’s best-selling PHEV sport-utility nameplate, with over 300,000 global sales since 2013, according to the company. The design incorporates Mitsubishi-developed PHEV components to the fourth-generation Outlander’s global platform, shared with Alliance partners Nissan. ANOTHER FUN notion from Japanese aesthetics to go with wabi-sabi and iki, the phrase ifudōdō denotes authenticity and majesty. These qualities were top-of-mind for designers of the Mitsubishi Outlander, said Kentaro Honda , Segment Chief Vehicle Engineer, during a presentation for the plug-in hybrid version, last week near Nashville. Second, that language seems a bit highfalutin, considering the new Outlander PHEV has a face like an illuminated USB port.

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