Through our Dealers Do Good campaign, AIADA is recognizing dealers for the positive impact they have in the communities they serve. If you’re a dealer doing good, let us know here, tag us on Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter, or join the conversation with the #DealersDoGood hashtag.
On Thursday, November 17, employees from four Larry H. Miller dealerships delivered more than 300 pairs of pajamas to Boise Rescue Mission for their homeless guests to receive as part of a Christmas Care Package. Warm pajamas are an essential item, and the dealerships collected pajama sets for children, women, and men throughout the last month. “As temperatures drop, our shelters fill up. We’re anticipating more than 300 homeless men, women, and children per night in the cold winter months,” said Rev. Bill Roscoe, president/CEO, Boise Rescue Mission. “On Christmas, we want to let these families know that we care about them and are truly glad that they’re staying with us. Each of them will receive a special Christmas package, and with your support, it will include a new pair of warm pajamas. We appreciate Larry H. Miller Dealerships continued partnership over the years, and their employees and customers for supporting our families with this drive.” Click here to learn more about how Larry H. Miller Dealerships are involved with their communities.
Rail Strike Threat Averted as Senate Votes to Impose Labor Deal
The Senate passed legislation to avert a crippling US rail strike on an 80 to 15 vote and sent the measure to President Joe Biden for his signature ahead of next week’s strike deadline. The vote came a day after the House approved the measure on a 290-137 bipartisan vote. Bloomberg reports the bill would impose a labor agreement hammered out by rail companies, labor leaders and the Biden administration months ago but rejected by workers in four of 12 unions. “Within this agreement, we’re going to avoid the rail strike, keep the rails running, keep things moving,” Biden said on Thursday. Congress was able to pass the rail bill with lightning speed after Biden asked lawmakers to intervene on Monday. A mandated cooling-off period is set to expire on Dec. 9, after which freight workers would be allowed to walk off the job. Click here for the full story.
EPA Proposes Revamp of Biofuel Program to Include EVs
The Biden administration on Thursday unveiled a three-year proposal to expand the U.S. biofuels policy with bigger volume mandates and — for the first time —include a pathway for electric vehicle manufacturers to generate lucrative credits. The proposal reflects President Joe Biden's agenda to fight climate change by reducing fossil fuel use in America's transport sector, currently the source of around a quarter of the country's greenhouse gases. Under the plan, announced by the Environmental Protection Agency, oil refiners will be required to add 20.82 billion gallons of biofuels to their fuel in 2023, 21.87 billion gallons in 2024, and 22.68 billion gallons in 2025, reports Automotive News. In addition to boosting mandated volumes, the EPA hopes to use the reset to introduce a pathway for EV makers to generate credits. That would recognize the possibility that EVs could be charged using power from the grid generated by biofuels like landfill or agricultural methane. Click here to learn more about the proposal.
Biden Says Can 'Tweak' Inflation Act to Include European Countries
U.S. President Joe Biden said that new laws that give incentives for domestic production of computer chips and renewable energy parts were never intended to exclude European allies and could be tweaked. Speaking with French President Emmanuel Macron at a joint press conference at the White House, Biden said "There are tweaks that we can make that can fundamentally make it easier for European countries to participate and/or be on their own." Biden did not detail what tweaks could be made and legislative options may be slim. There is little appetite on Capitol Hill to reopen fiercely-debated bills, and since they passed this summer Republicans, who are unlikely to take steps to please the Democratic president, have gained control of the House. However, France is pressing the White House to use executive powers to loosen some of the incentives in the Inflation Reduction Act, a French government source told Reuters. The climate bill that favors domestic production could possibly restrict trade, European countries say. Click here for the full story.
Toyota, Hyundai, Kia, Mazda, Subaru U.S. Sales Surge in November; Honda Falls
U.S. sales at Toyota Motor Corp., Subaru, Mazda, Hyundai, and Kia rose by double-digit percentages last month from a year earlier. Honda reported a drop for the month, reports Automotive News. At Toyota, brand sales rose 12 percent, while Lexus fell 4.3 percent. Toyota car sales surged 42 percent, including an 80 percent gain for the Corolla, but the brand sold 3.7 percent fewer SUVs. Mazda Motor Corp. said November sales surged 31 percent to 26,906 vehicles. Subaru deliveries rose 52 percent. Sales of the Subaru Crosstrek, Forester, and Legacy more than doubled from a year ago. But American Honda posted a 6.1 percent decline from November 2021. Sales fell 5.2 percent for the Honda brand and 14 percent for Acura. American Honda’s sales are now down 35 percent on the year. "November results demonstrate that vehicle production is continuing to improve, with available retail inventory exceeding 1 million units for a second consecutive month and a larger share of manufacturers' production being allocated to fleet customers," said Thomas King, president of the data and analytics division at J.D. Power. Click here for the full story.
Around the Web
Toyota Confirms Grand Highlander SUV with Hybrid Max Powertrain [Car and Driver]
BMW has Started Building the 644 HP XM SUV in South Carolina [Carscoops]
Mercedes-Benz CLE Coupe Hybrid Spied In Frigid Winter Testing [Carbuzz]
Electric Porsche Macan Will Make 595 HP and 738 Lb-Ft of Torque [Road & Track]
