Mazda Is Developing a New Four-Cylinder Engine Called Skyactiv-Z
Mazda continues to invest in internal combustion. The company has revealed that it’s currently developing a new gas-powered four-cylinder engine that will introduce the latest Skyactiv technology. Called Skyactiv-Z, it will eventually replace the Skyactiv-X engines sold abroad as well as the Skyactiv-G engines that are sold in North America. Mazda quietly shared some of the details back in August as part of a presentation on its quarterly financial results, reports Car and Driver. Mazda says the new Skyactiv-Z engine will be significantly more efficient to meet tightening emission regulations, such as the CARB-approved LEV IV standards in the United States. It will use the Lambda 1 air-fuel ratio, which is a perfectly balanced mixture throughout the entire rev range that helps reduce tailpipe emissions at full power. Mazda didn’t reveal any other technical details about the new four-cylinder engine. We don’t know how much power it will have or if it will be turbocharged. While we also don’t know what models it will be available on, the company says it will launch sometime in 2027. Mazda plans to eventually expand the Skyactiv-Z technology to its inline-six engine too. Click here for the full story.
Trump Picks Former Congressman Lee Zeldin to Lead the EPA
President-elect Donald Trump has selected former New York congressman Lee Zeldin to lead the Environmental Protection Agency, placing the Long Island Republican in charge of his plans to boost energy production and curb regulations. If confirmed by the Senate, Zeldin would take the lead of an agency whose air, water, chemical and biofuel regulations touch nearly every sector of the U.S. economy — from mammoth oil refineries to family farms, reports Automotive News. “He will ensure fair and swift deregulatory decisions that will be enacted in a way to unleash the power of American businesses, while at the same time maintaining the highest environmental standards, including the cleanest air and water on the planet,” Trump said in a statement.The EPA will play a direct role in Trump’s pledges to speed the construction of gas-fired power plants and curb President Joe Biden-era regulations that reduce planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions from the electric and transportation sectors.Zeldin would take office with a sweeping mandate to roll back several rules targeting power plant pollution. The measures are seen as hastening the closure of coal-fired power plants, even as U.S. demand for electricity soars to serve data centers, factories and other needs. Click here for the full story.
California Dealers Respond to VW’s Direct Sales Strategy and Shifting EV Market – Brian Maas | CNCDA
As the automotive landscape continues to evolve, California’s latest auto outlook highlights significant trends impacting new car registrations, dealer sales, and consumer choices. In today’s episode of CBT News’ Inside Automotive, we speak with Brian Maas, President of the California New Car Dealers Association. He shares insights on the current market dynamics in the state, including Volkswagen’s bold decision to bypass the traditional dealership model for its Scout brand and Tesla’s ongoing challenges. According to Maas, he outlines California’s new vehicle registration trends, revealing that the market is expected to remain consistent at around 1.8 million new vehicle registrations for 2024 — a number that’s nearly 10 percent lower than pre-pandemic levels when registrations neared 2 million. Maas attributes this drop to economic pressures, such as high vehicle prices and persistently elevated interest rates, which have dampened consumer enthusiasm for purchasing new cars. Discussing the growing trend of direct-to-consumer sales, Maas compared Volkswagen’s recent decision to sell Scout-branded vehicles directly with Tesla’s long-established direct sales model. Click here for the full story.
Bentley Motors Delays Its Master Plan for Electric Vehicles
Bentley Motors. is delaying a plan to offer only fully electric vehicles by 2030 as EV sales continue to disappoint projections across the industry. It will extend the target for its “Beyond100” business strategy — now called “Beyond100+”— by five years to 2035, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Frank-Steffen Walliser, reports Bloomberg. We all know the automotive market looks different,” said Walliser, the former Porsche motorsport guru who joined Bentley July 1. “Legislation for sure is driving electrification. We have to be honest there’s not a lot of demand—customers are kind of careful in considering something like that.” Walliser confirmed that the company remains on track to reveal its first fully electric vehicle in 2026. A compact SUV that is smaller than the existing Bentayga, it will be the first of Bentley’s plan to introduce a new plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) or new battery electric vehicle (BEV) every year over the next decade. “We want to attract new customers,” Walliser said of the battery-powered compact SUV. “It’s not a replacement, it’s an additional car.” Click here for the full story.
Bank of America’s Weekly Rates Market Update
The Federal Open Market Committee voted to cut its policy rate by 25bp, lowering the Federal Funds target range to 4.50 percent-4.75 percent. The cut was supported by a unanimous vote and marks the second rate cut in a row, following a 50bp cut in September. Looking ahead, the Fed said, “the Committee will carefully assess incoming data, the evolving outlook and the balance of risks.” Chair Powell noted that the US presidential election will have “no effects” on the central bank’s policy decisions in the near term, noting that it’s too early to know the impacts of potential fiscal policy changes. BofA Global Economics Research maintains their call for the Fed to cut by 25bps per meeting until March 2025, then 25bp per quarter until YE 2025, with a terminal rate projection of 3.00-3.25 percent. Click here for the full report.
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