year

Czech car sector to make 250,000 fewer vehicles this year due to chip shortage By Reuters

By Betty C. Morrow 2 days ago

© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: Cars are parked in the courtyard of Skoda Auto’s factory in Mlada Boleslav, Czech Republic, as the company restarts production after shutting downdue to the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) . Picture taken in Mlada Boleslav, Czech Republic, Apr

PRAGUE (Reuters) – Czech car makers will produce quarter a million fewer cars than expected this year due to the global shortage of chips and the automotive sector will lose 200 billion crowns ($9.14 billion) in sales, the Auto Industry Association (AutoSAP) said on Sunday.

AutoSAP said domestic passenger car production dropped by 53.1% in September year-on-year, to 56,157 cars.

It said the chip shortage impact would exceed that of pandemic shutdowns last year, and called on the government to activate an aid programme created amid the coronavirus pandemic last year to compensate firms for wages of idled workers.

AutoSAP said production rose 2.9% year–on-year cumulatively in the January-September

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Used cars prices up 38% in Springfield from last year, also increasing nationwide amid microchip shortage

By Betty C. Morrow 2 weeks ago

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3) – If you’re looking for a used car, around the Springfield-area or elsewhere, you might have to save up a little more than usual for one.

A new study from iSeeCars.com, automotive research firm, analyzed trends from more than 1.9 million used car sales nationwide in the month of August. CLICK HERE for the study

It found that used car prices in August increased on average by 26.2%, or $6,454, over the past 12 months. The mark is slightly down from a 31.6 percent increase reported in July.

According to a iSeeCars.com spokesperson, prices in the Springfield, Missouri, area increased on average by 37.9%, or $9,327, over the past year.

The study reported the following findings:

  • The vehicles with the highest price increases are a mix of economy cars and impractical cars.
  • Cars with the smallest price bumps are mainly luxury SUVs.
  • Used car prices
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2022 North American Car, Truck, Utility of the Year semifinalists named

By Betty C. Morrow 4 weeks ago

The 2022 North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year semifinalists were announced Tuesday at the inaugural Motor Bella at the M1 Concourse in Pontiac.

The vehicles were chosen by a jury of 50 U.S. and Canadian automotive journalists from a list of 36. Free Press auto critic Mark Phelan is on the jury. 

There are now eight cars, six trucks and nine utility vehicles seeking top honors. 

“This year’s group of semifinalists includes some of the most interesting and innovative cars, trucks and utility vehicle candidates in recent memory, and a larger number of new trucks than we’ve seen in many years,”  Gary Witzenburg, NACTOY president, said in a news release. “And it features more electric vehicles than we’ve ever seen, all of which our jurors will continue to test and evaluate prior to our next vote.”

A comparison drive will take place Oct. 18-21, and the

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EV Motoring – 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 EV named World Car of the Year +VIDEO

By Betty C. Morrow 6 months ago


PHOTO (select to view enlarged photo)


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SEE ALSO: Volkswagen ID.4 EV Content Library

  • The first SUV based on Volkswagen’s modular electric drive kit (MEB) receives the most votes from the 93 international jurors
  • ID.4 won praise for its environmental impact of no direct emissions and affordability
  • This is the fifth World Car of the Year award for Volkswagen

Wolfsburg / New York Apr 20, 2021; The Volkswagen ID.4 has been named “World Car of the Year 2021,” prevailing over strong global competition. The World Car Awards are presented by more than 90 international automotive journalists from 24 countries, who vote on the best innovations on the world market.

“We are particularly pleased about our ID.4 being named World Car of the Year”, says Ralf Brandstätter, CEO of Volkswagen passenger cars. “Not only because it is one of the most important car awards in the world, but also because the jury honored a great idea and a

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