Trade News

Just about every powertrain configuration has been offered in regular production vehicles except one: the wheel hub motor.

It's not been for lack of trying, though.

For example, General Motors early this century tinkered with a Chevrolet S-10 pickup powered by an electric motor in each wheel. The effort was abandoned when engineers could not solve three problems: reducing unsprung weight, effectively sealing the motor against the elements and maintaining proper operating temperature.

In the 15 years since GM built the electric S-10, wheel hub motor technology has improved, and now, if all goes according to plan, the Lordstown Endurance electric truck will introduce wheel hub motors about a year from now.

The Endurance also uses a motor in each wheel to provide full-time four-wheel drive. It will be the only truck on the market that does not use any of these parts: a transmission, axles, transfer case, driveshaft, U-join…

For the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek, the focus of the subcompact's update is not a revised front bumper or grille, though it does have both — it's power. There's finally more oomph available. By utilizing the same 2.5-liter engine found in the Legacy, Forester and Outback, Subaru addresses the biggest knock on the Crosstrek: It needed more zip. The 2.5-liter engine provides 182 hp and 176 pound-feet of torque, a jump from the 2.0-liter engine's 152 hp and 145 pound-feet of torque. The more powerful engine is available on two trims: Sport and Limited. Here's a roundup of snippets of Crosstrek reviews from the automotive media.

"With 3,265 pounds to haul about (272 less than an equivalent Forester Sport and 399 less than an Outback Premium), this engine is a natural fit for the small Crosstrek. From a standstill, the lifted wagon now pulls with significantly more confidence, its larger engine making good use of the extra half-liter of displacement. Stand on the ga…

The first major automobile show in the U.S. opens at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Nov. 3, 1900.

It wasn't the first automobile show held in the U.S. and it wasn't even the first held at Madison Square Garden. But it is considered the first modern automotive show to be sanctioned. The weeklong event, sponsored by the Automobile Club of America, featured 66 exhibitors displaying 31 new cars and a variety of accessories.

Winton, Haynes, Packard and B.F. Goodrich were among the exhibitors. It was an happening for Manhattan's wealthy to see and be seen.

In addition to the cars — powered by electricity, steam and "internal explosion" engines — there were brass bands and elaborate decorations.

It cost 50 cents to attend what was known as the "horseless horse show," and some 40,000 people attended.

Besides the latest models, the show featured demonstrations of braking and acceleration. A special wooden r…

Volvo has agreed to alter a global TV ad about seatbelt safety after complaints from the New York Times.

The ad, by Swedish agency Forsman and Bodenfors, uses a series of quotes from media to illustrate how people thought it was a "terrible idea" when seatbelts were first introduced in 1959. At one point in the spot, which features real-life survivors of crashes, a voiceover, seemingly from a news broadcast, says that the "New York Times reports it is a violation of human rights." 

In an email to Ad Age, a spokeswoman for the New York Times said it had asked Volvo to remove the reference, stating: "It appears Volvo is referring to statements by an advocate against the seatbelt laws who wrote a letter to the editor and was quoted in a news story (here and here, in 1986). We can find no other instance of those words in an editorial, news story or column." 

A spokeswoman for Volvo Cars in Sweden said: "We are aware …

Toyota Motor Corp., Hyundai and Mazda racked up October U.S. sales gains on demand for crossovers and other light trucks, in the latest sign the market continues to claw back amid the coronavirus pandemic.

At American Honda, volume fell 3.4 percent on weaker car and light-truck deliveries, with sales off 3.7 percent at the Honda division and 1.2 percent at Acura.

Ford Motor Co.'s U.S. sales slipped 6.1 percent, behind weaker car and pickup demand, with volume down 6.5 percent at the Ford division but up 2.8 percent at Lincoln, according to a source familiar with the results.

Overall, the automaker's car sales skidded 45 percent, while pickup demand dropped 6.9 percent and utility vehicles rose 9.4 percent. Among Ford's key nameplates, F series volume fell 4 percent to 71,593, Explorer sales rose 20 percent to 21,079 and Escape volume slipped 3.1 percent to 15,959. Ranger deliveries rose 6.4 percent to 8,779.

Toyota

Volume rose 8.8 percent t…

CDK Global Inc.'s fiscal first-quarter net profit dipped on largely flat revenue, though company executives said the quarter beat expectations amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The Hoffman Estates, Ill., dealership management system giant reported Monday that net earnings attributable to CDK were $55.7 million in the quarter that ended Sept. 30, down 32 percent from $82 million in the year-earlier quarter. Revenue was nearly flat at $493.6 million, compared with $494.6 million a year ago, but up nearly 10 percent from $449.6 million in the fiscal fourth quarter that ended June 30.

The company recorded restructuring expenses of $8.7 million and a $12 million litigation provision in the quarter that were not reported in the year-earlier period. CDK said adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization were $195.2 million in the latest quarter, up 3.7 percent from the same quarter a year earlier.

CDK CEO Brian Krzan…

Dana Inc. is acquiring a majority of Modine Manufacturing Co.'s automotive business in a move that bolsters the supplier's electrification efforts.

Dana, which supplies axles, driveshafts, transmissions, thermal management and more, said Monday it will purchase a portion of the thermal management business of Modine's automotive segment — which represents about 70 percent of Modine's automotive revenue — in a deal that will strengthen Dana's power technologies business unit.

Modine Manufacturing, based in Racine, Wisc., supplies thermal management systems and components for automotive, HVAC, commercial vehicle, off-highway, power/industrial, data centers and refrigeration.

The agreement, which is expected to close in the first half of 2021, will add about $300 million in revenue and contribute $30 million in adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization on a post-synergy basis, Dana said.

The…

Luc Donckerwolke, who overhauled styling at Hyundai, Kia and Genesis, is returning to South Korea's biggest automaker in the newly created position of chief creative officer.

Donckerwolke, 55, resigned as Hyundai Motor design chief in March to "focus on his health," Hyundai said in a statement. He will now lead design communications for Hyundai Motor Group's brands.

The Belgian designer will collaborate with design centers in the development and design communication for concept vehicles.

"I start this second chapter at Hyundai Motor Group to consolidate creativity," Donckerwolke said in the statement. "In collaboration with design teams, I will communicate diversity and richness of Group brands' design, which is not only technologically dynamic but also customer-centric."

Donckerwolke joined Hyundai Motor from Volkswagen Group in 2015 to lead design at the Hyundai and Genesis brands. He expanded that portfolio in 2018 to become chief design office…

Tenneco Inc. swung to a net loss of $499 million in the third quarter from a $70 million gain in the year-earlier period as it took a noncash valuation allowance charge of $523 million, the supplier said Monday.

Adjusted net income for the quarter was down 73 percent to $27 million. The maker of powertrain, ride performance and aftermarket parts reported revenue of $4.3 billion, a 1.5 percent drop from the year-earlier quarter.

Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization edged up by $1 million to $388 million.

Tenneco said its total debt improved by $1.1 billion to $5.8 billion compared with the second quarter's $6.85 billion in total debt.

Liquidity increased to $1.8 billion as of Sept. 30, consisting of total cash balances of $721 million and undrawn revolving credit facility availability of $1.1 billion, according to the company's statement.

Tenneco is focusing on reducing structural costs, lowering its capita…

WASHINGTON -- Fiat Chrysler Automobiles disclosed it could face costs of up to 722 million euros ($840 million) to resolve a Justice Department investigation into excess diesel emissions and as a result of higher fuel economy penalties.

The automaker said the impact of a U.S. appeals court ruling in August overturning the Trump administration's July 2019 rule that suspended a NHTSA regulation more than doubling penalties for automakers failing to meet fuel efficiency requirements could be significant.

FCA in a securities filing said the amounts "accrued could be up to 500 million euros ($581 million) depending on, among other things, our ability to implement future product actions or other actions to modify the utilization of credits."

The automaker declined to comment Monday.

In October 2019, FCA said it incurred a $79 million U.S. civil penalty for failing to meet 2017 fuel economy requirements after paying $77.3 million for 2016 requirements. Read more