#mike's autotrader

[americancitizen2025]

Get rid of the corrupt officials We are 4 republican senators away from being able to stop them in congress. Can you say insider trading is ILLEGAL? This can be prosecuted with ACLU or other attorneys still loyal to the constitution. Secure yourself first

Get VPN via place like BitDefender

Get encrypted email -Proton.me

Get off of watched Google and move to searching via Safari using Ecosia search engines

After you have secured yourself

Your first task should you choose to stand of for democracy is to investigate Republican senators for corruption. This can include using AutoTrade, Dub to look at stocks they have purchased, Grinder accounts for underage activities, etc.

Make sure to take screenshots download images because this administration is scrubbing data. Once we have evidence we can submit this to prosecutors that are still loyal to the constitution.

Below are some of the people in the Senate that are voting to starve people and unalive them by taking away healthcare. All so they can give ultra rich MORE of our tax dollars to the tune of putting us in debt $5.8 TRILLION dollars. They are NOT representing us they are bought off by special interests and unaliving us to feed oligarchs.

Senators to investigate:

Tom Cotton (Arkansas), James Lankford (Oklahoma), John Thune (South Dakota), Rick Scott (Florida), Lindsey Graham (South Carolina), Ted Cruz (Texas), Mike Lee (Utah)

TOOLS of investigation

(welcome to use others but make sure you take screen shots and download material so it can be used in court)

Senate Office of Public Records: https://www.senate.gov/legislative/Public_Disclosure/Financial_Disclosure.htm

Clerk of the Senate Financial Disclosures Database: https://www.senate.gov/legislative/Public_Disclosure/Financial_Disclosure.htm

https://www.senate.gov/legislative/Public_Disclosure/Financial_Disclosure.htm (Center for Responsive Politics) offers summaries of financial disclosures and stock trades.

Senate Stock Watcher https://www.senate.gov/legislative/Public_Disclosure/Financial_Disclosure.htm

U.S. Senate Committee List: https://www.senate.gov/legislative/Public_Disclosure/Financial_Disclosure.htm Compare what committees they are on (what they are approving for purchase) versus the stocks they are buying. Insider trading is illegal per the below legislation.

Laws that maybe in violation

The STOCK Act (2012) requires Senators and House members to report stock trades within 45 days of transaction.

Civil rights lawsuits under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 can be used to sue public officials who violate constitutional rights under color of law. Class action lawsuits may be viable if there is a pattern of misconduct affecting many individuals.

[atlanticcanada]

'Fear factor' fuelling used car crunch, but relief may be on the way

Due to COVID-19 and supply chain issues, those who have shopped for a used car lately could be well aware it's not a buyer's market at the moment.

"The price of cars have gone up about $5,000," Cars R Us owner Gary Shea told CTV News Tuesday, gesturing toward a 2017 Elantra, listed on the lot for $19,995.

It's the same story at dealerships everywhere as pandemic related issues have driven demand and prices to new heights.

Inventory has gone the other way, leaving buyers with fewer choices.

"They find the amount of cars to look at has gone way down," said Shea. "So you've got to take whatever's available. It's not like the guy down the road has got 20 Civics and you've got one Civic. It's like this everywhere. Everybody's trying to get vehicles."

Shea says his current inventory is less than half what it used to be, even with a growing number of gas guzzling trucks coming in, because fewer people want those.

Down the road on Sackville Drive, the General Manager of Harvard Auto Sales describes the current market as 'volatile', adding a 'correction' is likely on the way.

"What we mean when we say correction is we think that at some point, the prices will get back down sort of an expected value, and you can usually guess what you think something should be worth," said Mike McMillan.

Harvard also only has about half of its usual inventory in stock.

According to the online market place AutoTrader used car prices have increased some 37.7 per cent on a year over year basis, but relief may be on the way.

"And the expectation is that the new car production levels would start going up around now until the end of the year," said Baris Akyurek, AutoTrader's Director of Marketing Intelligence from Toronto.

Gary Shea is less certain, saying there doesn't appear to be many easy solutions to the complicated problem, adding he believes some smaller dealers have likely closed down already.

"It's the manufacturers. It's Covid. It's the war. The Price of gas. The fear factor - everybody's in fear of the future," he said.

from CTV News - Atlantic https://ift.tt/yE2bnZf

[jobsearchtips02]

New Ford Bronco will debut on July 9. Yes, O.J. Simpson’s birthday

Phoebe Wall Howard, Detroit Free Press Published 12: 54 p.m. ET June 15, 2020 | Updated 1: 53 p.m. ET June 15, 2020

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Ford Motor Co. plans to reveal the all-new Ford Bronco on July 9, which falls on the birthday of Orenthal James ��O.J.” Simpson.

Simpson, a former football star, is known internationally for being in a white Ford Bronco that aired on live TV leading a massive police chase on June 17, 1994, after being charged with murder in the slayings of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman. 

“I gotta believe this is a mistake. Didn’t anybody look at the calendar?” said John McElroy, veteran industry observer and Autoline.tv host. “Ford Motor Co. does not want to correlate the launch of such an iconic and important vehicle with a police chase with a notorious” person.

“Everybody in the world knew that O.J. was fleeing in a white Ford Bronco.”

The chase, a 60-mile slow-speed pursuit, was carried live on national TV. It was watched by 95 million people, according to KNSD-TV, the NBC affiliate in San Diego 

Simpson was a passenger in the 1993 Bronco while his friend and former teammate Al Cowlings drove the I-405 in Southern California.

Michelle Krebs, executive analyst at Autotrader, said, “I’m not quite sure what to say…” 

More: Ford predicts new Bronco will eat Jeep’s lunch, lure customers from FCA

More: Ford designer’s daughter colored his top-secret Bronco sketches — and it sparked an idea

Simpson, whose televised murder trial lasted 11 months and generated international attention before ending in acquittal, later lost a wrongful death lawsuit.

He turns 73 on July 9.

Back when the car chase happened, Ford wasn’t thrilled that so much was made of the fact Simpson fled in a Bronco and that the vehicle was so deeply entrenched in the story. 

McElroy said, “I’ll make a prediction. They’ll change the date.”

No, actually. The company confirmed on Monday the plan is a go.

“We’re going to reveal Bronco just like we said we would on July 9,” Mike Levine, Ford North America product communications manager, told the Free Press. 

He said Simpson’s birthdate is “purely coincidental.”

Ford first confirmed the Bronco world premiere date in a June 13 tweet.

“It’s likely Ford didn’t realize the timing of the Bronco’s debut, as that aspect of the Bronco’s history is not one I imagine Ford celebrating,” said Karl Brauer, executive publisher of Kelley Blue Book. “Unfortunately, unless Ford changes the date, it will be the lede, or at least a reference point, in every Bronco debut story.”

The Bronco, which was built from 1966 to 1996, is poised to challenge Jeep among off-road adventure seekers in the fast-growing SUV segment.

Brian Moody, executive editor of Autotrader said of the reveal date, “I’m sure it’s a coincidence but it does go to show that bringing back the Bronco is the right move. The Ford Bronco is so completely woven into the cultural fabric of America, stumbling upon points of ‘relevance’ happen accidentally. Like the Mustang and F-150, Ford Bronco is forever part of America’s shared experience.”

The Bronco, which will be assembled at Ford’s Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, will go on sale next year. Ford will offer it in a two-door and four-door version.

Contact Phoebe Wall Howard at 313-222-6512or phoward@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @phoebesaid. Read more on Ford and sign up for our autos newsletter.

Read or Share this story: https://www.freep.com/story/money/cars/ford/2020/06/15/new-ford-bronco-july-9-oj-simpson-birthday/3190996001/

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from Job Search Tips https://jobsearchtips.net/new-ford-bronco-will-debut-on-july-9-yes-o-j-simpsons-birthday/

[cicaklah]

I enjoyed this a lot but honestly it was like being with my dad because my dad was very much in car fandom and I had to have a little cry because I miss playing the fantasy "what classic car should I buy" over Skype for hours on autotrader and both Mike and luke have reached that pure dad form.

FORZA HORIZON 5’S BIGGEST RACE! Mike vs Luke vs The Goliath | Forza Horizon 5

[brajeshupadhyay]

RAY MASSEY: As first new cars roll off British production lines again, locked-down dealers preparing to re-open showroom doors to customers By Ray Massey Motoring Editor For The Daily Mail Published: 17:06 EDT, 22 May 2020 | Updated: 19:02 EDT, 22 May 2020 As the first new cars roll off British production lines again, thousands of locked-down dealers are preparing to re-open their showroom doors to customers.  With ministers urging people to avoid public transport and pent up demand for new and used cars, many returning to work after the Bank ­Holiday will be looking to buy a cheap commuter runaround.  In the past few weeks, ‘click and collect’ services have been allowed, whereby, though showroom doors remain shut, customers who have placed orders online or by phone, can still drive away vehicles.  New regime: Subject to Government approval, from June 1 showroom doors will reopen with social distancing and sanitising measures Subject to Government approval, from June 1 showroom doors will reopen with social distancing and sanitising measures.  The changes can’t come soon enough. Car sales have tanked during lockdown, though research by What Car? suggests nearly one-in-five buyers will be looking to make a purchase in June.  Volvo chief executive Hakan Samuelsson has even spoken of ‘revenge buying’:            ­’People are tired of sitting at home locked in and want to go out and buy.’  Guidelines for reopening dealerships recommend an appointments system. There must be social distancing signs, sanitiser stations, and a one-way walking system. Coffee and children’s play areas are out, too. Test drives are allowed, but must be unaccompanied.  The motor and car retail industry has been urging Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his government to confirm that it will include automotive retailers in the first wave of ‘non-essential’ retail re-openings from June 1, and allow car sales from showrooms to safely restart. There are 4,900 car dealerships in the UK. The £200 billion automotive retail sector employs 590,000 people and contributes £36 billion a year to the public purse. Sue Robinson, director of the National Franchised Dealers’ Association (NFDA) said: ‘Dealerships are ready to welcome back staff and customers, with comprehensive safety measures covering showroom interactions, vehicle demos and test-drives. ‘People need cars to get back to work. The guidance will allow automotive retailers to provide the best possible service in sales and after-sales, while protecting staff and guests. ‘Retailers are resilient and will be working hard to overcome any challenges to safely welcome customers back to the showrooms.’ She noted: ‘The Government has told people they should avoid public transport and return to work on foot, by bicycle or by car, and the majority of the UK population will be relying heavily on cars to get to work, and on vans and trucks to move goods around the country. ‘Franchised dealerships provide reliable motor vehicles – cars, vans and commercial vehicles – which are essential for many people to get to work and to undertake their work safely and efficiently. Automotive retailers need to be open to serve the workforce and get the country moving again’. Robert Forrester, chief executive of Vertu Motors, the UK’s fifth largest dealership group which in one day received 764 internet enquiries and sold 135 cars, said: ‘We are increasingly back in business and, armed with a face-mask made by my mum, I can’t wait. ‘With more of the sales force back….the only way is up.’ Vauxhall bosses have warned they will not resume production at their Ellesmere Port factory until dealerships selling their cars are open. Mike Hawes, chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), said: ‘A healthy new car market is a barometer of a strong economy and, with mobility so crucial to our everyday lives, now is the time to allow showrooms to re-open their doors. ‘It sets the wheels of the UK’s recovery in motion. It helps drive manufacturing and gets consumers and businesses safely back on the move in the latest, cleanest, high-tech vehicles.’ Online searches for cars on sites such as AutoTrader – whose survey found more than half of those without a car were considering buying one to avoid public transport – have increased since PM Boris Johnson announced an easing of measures. Andy Oldham, chief executive of BuyaCar.co.uk, said: ‘Car sales in general are heading toward a very busy re-start. Consumers who have been kept out of the market for some time have a stronger appetite than ever for securing the best car they can afford.’    After weeks off the road, Peugeot, Citroen, Vauxhall and DS owners can have their cars refreshed to help beat the virus. Parent company Groupe PSA’s new anti-bacterial refresh service — at £99 via its retailers — aims to minimise the risk of spreading Covid-19. It includes: cleaning the air conditioning system to remove bugs and nasty odours; replacing pollen filters; a 29-point vehicle health check of key components; and a full internal and external disinfection of the vehicle. The service operates under strict social distancing and hygiene guidelines, including contactless drop-off, collection and return at home or work. Online used car retailer Cazoo.co.uk offers a £250 discount to NHS workers on cars, which can be bought and delivered contactlessly within 72 hours. Late-summer bloom: The 180mph eighth-generation Porsche Targa 911 PORSCHE’S EIGHTH-GENERATION 911 TARGA SET TO HIT THE ROAD  Those seeking something more than a runaround have a treat in store.  In August, Porsche begins delivery of its eighth-generation 911 Targa.  Powered by a 3-litre flat-six twin turbocharger engine, the Targa 4 (385hp) is priced from £98,170, and goes from rest to 62mph in 4.2seconds, with a 180mph top speed.  The beefier 911 Targa 4S ( 450hp ) , from £ 109, 725, accelerates from rest to 62mph in 3.6 seconds, up to a top speed of 189mph. Driving force: Hyundai’s Ioniq came top in a poll of 10,000 vehicle owners by HonestJohn.co.uk HYUNDAI’S IONIQ RATED UK’S MOST SATISFYING CAR TO OWN  Hyundai’s Ioniq has been rated the UK’s most satisfying car to own in a poll of 10,000 vehicle owners by HonestJohn.co.uk.  It is followed by the Skoda Superb Estate, Hyundai i10 (2014-2019), Toyota Prius, Skoda Kodiaq and BMW 5 Series Touring (2010-2017).  By contrast, the least satisfying were the Vauxhall Astra (2009-15), Vauxhall Meriva (2010–17) and Citroen C3 Picasso, which was also named least reliable.  Most reliable cars were the Toyota Prius, Toyota Yaris, Mazda CX-5, Kia Sportage and Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate (2010-2016).  Worst for reliability were Jeep, Tesla, Vauxhall, Citroen and Alfa Romeo.  Cars were rated on fuel economy, practicality and safety. The top five brands for satisfaction were Lexus, Skoda, Jaguar, Korea’s SsangYong and Hyundai.   The first Range Rover made under social distancing measures rolled off the Jaguar Land Rover line at Solihull in the West Midlands this week. Seat has extended warranty cover on all vehicles by three months due to the closure of retailers in the Covid-19 pandemic.  Advertisement Share or comment on this article: Some links in this article may be affiliate links. If you click on them we may earn a small commission. That helps us fund This Is Money, and keep it free to use. We do not write articles to promote products. We do not allow any commercial relationship to affect our editorial independence. The post RAY MASSEY: Car dealers preparing to re-open showrooms appeared first on Sansaar Times.

http://sansaartimes.blogspot.com/2020/05/ray-massey-car-dealers-preparing-to-re.html

[gozealouscloudcollection]

總融資超20億美元 Rivian“吸星大法”已成

對於這筆投資，Cox 主席 Sandy Schwartz 表示：“我們對 Rivian 獨特的電動車造車方式刮目相看，也願意幫助 Rivian 擴大在全球的影響力，以推動整個世界的電動化進程。”除了拿到一定的股權和參與 Rivian 的業務運營之外，Cox 還在 Rivian 的董事會中佔據了一席之位。

在現年 36 歲的年輕 CEO RJ Scaringe（同為創始人）帶領下，Rivian 已經成為美國汽車市場絕對的新貴，其產品是最受美國用戶青睞的皮卡（R1T）與 SUV（R1S）車型。

Rivian 的這兩款車型還有著連特斯拉都望塵莫及的續航能力（400 英里，約合 644 千米）。定價方面，R1T 與 R1S 分別為 6.8 萬和 7.25 萬美元。

而談到 Rivian 最具吸引力的技術，就繞不開其可變模塊化平台——“滑板”。該平台能一次性整合電池組、驅動組件、懸架以及冷卻和剎車系統，這樣的設計不但能降低車輛重心、提升行駛穩定性，還能挖掘出更大的乘坐和儲物空間。

這或許是巨頭們紛紛在 Rivian 身上下注的原因。今年 2 月份，Rivian 就拿到了亞馬遜領投的 7 億美元資金。 2 個月後，福特也在 Rivian 身上砸下 5 億美元。

Cox 旗下業務非常廣泛，其中不乏一些與汽車銷售服務聯繫相當緊密的業務。比如大眾熟悉的消費信息網站《凱利藍皮書》和 Autotrader、零售商數據服務 Dealer.com 和 Dealertrack以及汽車拍賣業務 Manheim。未來，Cox 將傾盡全力幫助 Rivian 探索出一條最合適的服務運營、物流和數���銷售之路。

“我們正在打造 Rivian 專屬的用戶體驗。”Scaringe 在聲明中寫道。 “Cox 的行業地位、服務與物流能力以及強大的零售技術平台讓它們能成為 Rivian 的最佳拍檔。”

雖然是近兩年闖入大眾視野的新公司，但其畢業於麻省理工機械工程系的 CEO Scaringe 在十多年前就開始醉心於電動車的研發。拿到巨額融資後，未來 Rivian 極有可能成為特斯拉的主要競爭者，畢竟該公司擁有亞馬遜的流量入口、福特的製造經驗和 Cox 的運營服務網絡。最重要的是，除了當下最熱門的皮卡與 SUV，Rivian 還計劃開發 18 輪的電動重型半掛卡車，其直接競品正式瞄準了特斯拉 Semi。

據悉，R1T 與 R1S 兩款車型將於 2020 年末開始量產。為了盡快提升產能，Rivian 在 2017 年買下了伊利諾伊的一處三菱工廠，目前這座工廠正在進行整修中。現在 Rivian 已經有超過 1000 名員工，產品順利量產的話， Rivian 將會在 2021 年進入國際市場。

在招募人才方面，Rivian 的勢頭同樣兇猛。據了解，領英的數據顯示，Rivian已經從福特、邁凱倫和特斯拉挖走了數十名員工，就連同樣不差錢的拜騰也有 12 名員工去了 Rivian。不過，“挖角戰”中最受傷的還是法拉第未來，其至少有 34 名員工被 Rivian 招至麾下。有趣的是，Rivian 最新任命的 CTO Mike Bell 曾經擔任蘋果副總裁。

走上融資之路後， Rivian 像是突然擁有了“吸星大法”。在拿到亞馬遜與福特的融資前，Rivian 還敲定過一輪價值 4.5 億美元的融資，加上 Cox 這 3.5 億美元，其手上至少有 20 億美元。不過，這家公司並不願透露當下的估值以及 Scaringe 手上的股權數量（但可以肯定的是， Rivian 依舊是獨立公司）。

未來，美國電動車領域有望出現一隻新的獨角獸。

.

from 總融資超20億美元 Rivian“吸星大法”已成 via KKNEWS

[crarsports]

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[forexbeginnersworld]

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[tech-only-blog]

The Latest: Auto industry praises Manley choice as FCA CEO

The Latest: Auto industry praises Manley choice as FCA CEO

The Latest on Fiat Chrysler Automobiles CEO (all times local):

7:55 p.m.

Auto industry reaction to the announcement that Jeep executive Mike Manley will replace the ailing Sergio Marchionne as the head of Fiat Chrysler Automobile has been positive.

Karl Brauer, executive publisher of Autotrader and Kelley Blue Book, says Manley’s “international experience in growing that brand will play a…

[zeroviraluniverse-blog]

Trucks, SUVs shine in U.S. January sales; cars not so much

Visit Now - http://zeroviral.com/trucks-suvs-shine-in-u-s-january-sales-cars-not-so-much/

Trucks, SUVs shine in U.S. January sales; cars not so much

DETROIT (Reuters) – Major automakers posted mixed U.S. new vehicle sales figures for January, as American consumers showed little sign of halting their shift away from passenger cars in favor of the larger, more comfortable, pickup trucks, SUVs and crossover models that manufacturers also love because they are far more profitable.

U.S. auto industry sales fell 2 percent in 2017 to 17.23 million vehicles after hitting a record high in 2016 and are expected to drop further in 2018 despite a solid economy. Interest rates are rising and more late-model used cars are returning to dealer lots to compete with new ones.

Automakers have leaned on consumer discounts to boost sales, a growing concern for observers who say this undermines resale values and profits. Discounts declined in January, but remained above 10 percent of manufacturers’ recommended prices.

“I think (consumer) incentives have reached the limit of their effectiveness in the marketplace,” Mike Jackson, Chief Executive Officer of AutoNation Inc (AN.N) told Reuters after the largest U.S. auto retail chain posted a higher quarterly net profit on Thursday.

“I think the industry has accepted that (sales) volumes will fall somewhat in 2018 … and I don’t think the industry is going to go over the cliff with insane incentives,” he said.

General Motors Co (GM.N) reported a 1.3-percent increase in January sales, driven by a 16-percent rise in fleet sales. Sales to consumers fell 2.4 percent. The automaker posted strong gains for models such as its Silverado pickup truck and Equinox crossover model, while its passenger cars continued to struggle.

Ford Motor Co (F.N) posted a 6.6-percent sales decline for January, with retail sales down 4.3 percent.

Sales of Ford’s F-Series pickup trucks – America’s best-selling vehicle brand for decades – rose 1.6 percent. Passenger cars were down more than 23 percent.

”This (passenger cars) continues to be a difficult segment as we see a continued shift into SUVs,“ Ford’s U.S. sales chief Mark LaNeve said on a conference call on Thursday, adding ”we anticipate continued migration” from cars to SUVs over the next five years.

Ford has garnered negative headlines as it works to improve its results and rejig its product lineup.

On a conference call, Autotrader analyst Michelle Krebs wondered aloud if that had hurt the automaker.

“Ford cars continue to get clobbered in the marketplace,” she said.

Toyota Motor Corp’s (7203.T) sales rose 16.8 percent in January. It noted strong demand for its pickup trucks and SUVs, plus its revamped Camry passenger car, which was up more than 21 percent. The automaker has bet on boosting its share of the shrinking passenger car market with the all-new sedan.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV (FCA) (FCHA.MI) (FCAU.N) said that its new vehicle sales fell 13 percent in January, driven by a 50 percent drop in fleet sales, in line with the automaker’s strategy to reduce these lower-margin sales to rental agencies, businesses and government bodies.

FCA’s retail sales to consumers rose 2 percent to their second-highest level since 2001. Sales of its Ram pickup trucks fell 16 percent in January. FCA recently unveiled a revamped pickup truck that will go into production at the end of this quarter.

Nissan Motor Co Ltd (7201.T) said its sales rose 10 percent in January, with pickup trucks, SUVs and crossovers up 18 percent. The automaker’s luxury Infiniti brand, however, fell 8 percent, driven by a decline in fleet sales.

Judy Wheeler, head of U.S. sales for the Nissan brand, said the recent tax overhaul should be a positive for sales in 2018.

“I think customers will have more disposable income … and we’ll see them come in to get into a new vehicle,” she said.

GM shares were up 1 cent at $42.42, while Ford was down 6 cents at $10.90 and FCA was off 0.5 percent at $24.04.

Additional reporting by Paul Lienert; Editing by Susan Thomas and Nick Zieminski

Our Standards:The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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Trucks, SUVs shine in U.S. January sales; cars not so much

New Post has been published on https://new800numbers.com/business/trucks-suvs-shine-in-u-s-january-sales-cars-not-so-much/

Trucks, SUVs shine in U.S. January sales; cars not so much

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DETROIT (Reuters) – Major automakers posted mixed U.S. new vehicle sales figures for January, as American consumers showed little sign of halting their shift away from passenger cars in favor of the larger, more comfortable, pickup trucks, SUVs and crossover models that manufacturers also love because they are far more profitable.

U.S. auto industry sales fell 2 percent in 2017 to 17.23 million vehicles after hitting a record high in 2016 and are expected to drop further in 2018 despite a solid economy. Interest rates are rising and more late-model used cars are returning to dealer lots to compete with new ones.

Automakers have leaned on consumer discounts to boost sales, a growing concern for observers who say this undermines resale values and profits. Discounts declined in January, but remained above 10 percent of manufacturers’ recommended prices.

“I think (consumer) incentives have reached the limit of their effectiveness in the marketplace,” Mike Jackson, Chief Executive Officer of AutoNation Inc (AN.N) told Reuters after the largest U.S. auto retail chain posted a higher quarterly net profit on Thursday.

“I think the industry has accepted that (sales) volumes will fall somewhat in 2018 … and I don’t think the industry is going to go over the cliff with insane incentives,” he said.

General Motors Co (GM.N) reported a 1.3-percent increase in January sales, driven by a 16-percent rise in fleet sales. Sales to consumers fell 2.4 percent. The automaker posted strong gains for models such as its Silverado pickup truck and Equinox crossover model, while its passenger cars continued to struggle.

Ford Motor Co (F.N) posted a 6.6-percent sales decline for January, with retail sales down 4.3 percent.

Sales of Ford’s F-Series pickup trucks – America’s best-selling vehicle brand for decades – rose 1.6 percent. Passenger cars were down more than 23 percent.

”This (passenger cars) continues to be a difficult segment as we see a continued shift into SUVs,“ Ford’s U.S. sales chief Mark LaNeve said on a conference call on Thursday, adding ”we anticipate continued migration” from cars to SUVs over the next five years.

Ford has garnered negative headlines as it works to improve its results and rejig its product lineup.

On a conference call, Autotrader analyst Michelle Krebs wondered aloud if that had hurt the automaker.

“Ford cars continue to get clobbered in the marketplace,” she said.

Toyota Motor Corp’s (7203.T) sales rose 16.8 percent in January. It noted strong demand for its pickup trucks and SUVs, plus its revamped Camry passenger car, which was up more than 21 percent. The automaker has bet on boosting its share of the shrinking passenger car market with the all-new sedan.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV (FCA) (FCHA.MI) (FCAU.N) said that its new vehicle sales fell 13 percent in January, driven by a 50 percent drop in fleet sales, in line with the automaker’s strategy to reduce these lower-margin sales to rental agencies, businesses and government bodies.

FCA’s retail sales to consumers rose 2 percent to their second-highest level since 2001. Sales of its Ram pickup trucks fell 16 percent in January. FCA recently unveiled a revamped pickup truck that will go into production at the end of this quarter.

Nissan Motor Co Ltd (7201.T) said its sales rose 10 percent in January, with pickup trucks, SUVs and crossovers up 18 percent. The automaker’s luxury Infiniti brand, however, fell 8 percent, driven by a decline in fleet sales.

Judy Wheeler, head of U.S. sales for the Nissan brand, said the recent tax overhaul should be a positive for sales in 2018.

“I think customers will have more disposable income … and we’ll see them come in to get into a new vehicle,” she said.

GM shares were up 1 cent at $42.42, while Ford was down 6 cents at $10.90 and FCA was off 0.5 percent at $24.04.

Additional reporting by Paul Lienert; Editing by Susan Thomas and Nick Zieminski

Our Standards:The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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New Post has been published on http://edgysocial.com/charles-barkley-we-shouldnt-have-just-3-good-teams/

Charles Barkley: 'We Shouldn't Have Just 3 Good Teams'

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Charles Barkley is famously outspoken, so when we got the chance to hear his thoughts on the current state of basketball, we had to take it. One of the hosts of the Emmy Award-winning “NBA on TNT,” Barkley ― who captured league MVP honors in 1993 and earned 11 All-Star appearances ― spoke with The Huffington Post recently to discuss Cleveland’s struggles, why the race for the championship is only between three teams and what is wrong with today’s NBA.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

You teamed up with Autotrader and Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans. Why have you made it a priority to help those in need? 

It’s interesting ― the greatest country in the world, we shouldn’t have people starving. We shouldn’t have young people not getting something to eat. 

You seem to have very much targeted kids in dire need. 

Kids are born into the situation they’re born into, and obviously they have no control over that. And we, as adults, it’s up to us to take care of kids ― that’s part of your moral responsibility. I always tell people, “There’s two groups we should take care of ― old people and young people.” And this is just my small little way of helping.

You recently attended All-Star Weekend in New Orleans. You’re 54 now. Does it maintain the same appeal, the same mystique for you it once did? 

It’s not the same for me now, because, I mean, we work so much. We’re on every day for hours and hours. The All-Star Game was fun when I played in it because it was an amazing weekend, but it’s a little bit different now that I’m doing television, because man, it’s hectic.  

What is the bigger first-half NBA surprise to you: the Spurs’ success or the Cavs’ struggles?

What [the Spurs have] done the last 20 years has just been amazing. Obviously they’ve won five championships, but to be competitive every year, it says a lot. Listen, I don’t think the Cavaliers have struggled as much as people think ― I think the Cavaliers have been bored, because they realized they’re going to win the Eastern Conference unless somebody [made] a trade. So I think they’ve just been bored more than anything.

Are we merely staring down at a three-horse race for the title, between Golden State, San Antonio and Cleveland? 

Yeah, I think that’s very safe to say, and that’s one thing that bothers me about the NBA today. We shouldn’t have just three good teams ― that drives me nuts. And then people tell me [that when I played], “the same team always won the championship.” Well I say, first of all, that’s not true. The Bulls won, the Spurs won, the Pistons won, the Lakers won. But they were all pushed.

Like, we know the Cavaliers are going to be in the finals ― I mean, they don’t even get pushed. Even Michael [Jordan’s] Bulls, remember ― people forget they had some great seven-game series with the Knicks, they had some great seven-game series with the Pacers. They were always pushed. It wasn’t like, “Well, they’re gonna get to the finals.” There were a couple times even when the Bulls won the championship, they had some knock-down, drag-out games with the Knicks and the Pacers. It wasn’t just like a cakewalk like it is now. 

Just how impressive is Houston with James Harden and Mike D’Antoni?

Yes, I think everybody is [surprised], but it goes to the genius of Mike D’Antoni and the great work that James Harden has done. I don’t think anybody thought that the Rockets would be playing this well, but Mike D’Antoni is doing the same thing he did in Phoenix ― he’s just an offensive genius, plain and simple.

Should D’Antoni then be Coach of the Year and Harden the league MVP? 

Well, I think simply Harden and [Russell] Westbrook are the two front-runners for MVP. I think you have to pick your poison on that one. They both look great. And D’Antoni is clearly the front-runner, and now who’s probably gaining on Mike D’Antoni is Scott Brooks ― he’s doing a fantastic job in Washington.

Speaking of the Wizards, what changed for that team? They were a lifeless 2-8 ― dead in the water ― at the beginning of the season.

Well, [John] Wall said he got in shape. People forget he had knee surgery on both knees and it took him a while to get into shape. But if you actually looked at it on paper, I think the Wizards probably have the most talent that can compete with the Cavaliers. They played probably the best NBA game I’ve seen in years. But if you look at it, they’re probably the second best guard combination in the NBA.

Listen, Otto Porter is playing out of his mind, [Markieff] Morris is playing out of his mind. I worry about their depth, but if you look at it from just a talent standpoint, the Wizards probably have the second best team in the Eastern Conference.

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Email me at jordan.schultz@huffingtonpost.com, ask me questions about anything sports-related on Twitter at @Schultz_Report, and follow me on Instagram at @Schultz_Report. 

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