Auto Sector Stocks (Page 86)

The U.S. White House proposal on Monday to update the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards to 56.2 mpg may be ambitious, but not out of the range of feasibility. Nor does have to cost an arm and a leg as some in the auto industry are crying.

Contrary to popular belief, President Obama wasn’t the only diplomat to announce a theatrical release of oil from strategic reserves. Fact is, the International Energy Agency (IEA) decided last Thursday night to release 60 million barrels of oil from the strategic reserves of several member nations, and America was one of those nations. [UPDATE June 27, 2011: IEA now states per Reuters it will release 41.9 million barrels of crude and 19 million barrels of refined products, changing the mix ]

June 30, 2011 may be another date which will live in infamy for the auto industry as the Federal Reserve will end all buying and propping of mortgage back securities and bonds.

The past three years have transformed the global auto industry in ways that insiders know have redefined the “rules” for auto industry success. Today’s inaugural Autobeat Insider Conference, Detroit 2.011 at the Townsend Hotel in Birmingham, Michigan, focused on emerging best practices.

If you want to know what will affect the auto industry next, look no further than the response of the bond market to the Fed Chairman, Ben Bernanke's post meeting news conference.

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is rapidly expanding its use of SYNC® technology in a commitment toward intelligent vehicles that can wirelessly talk to each other.

If the industry truly believes the Ford and Maritz Research studies that fuel economy is truly key to vehicle purchase decisions, then why does the auto industry still dole out its engine technologies in measure, especially with the 2016 government mandates hanging over their heads?

The award-winning Ford SYNC® AppLink™ software program, the free software program that gives SYNC users voice control of apps stored on their smartphone, is migrating to a new group of 2012 Ford vehicles.

Voice recognition is now being made easier and more intuitive for drivers to successfully use Ford Synch®, as the voice system now understands more than 10,000 first-level commands, up from 100 with first generation SYNC system; all thanks to the collaborative efforts with Nuance Communications (Nasdaq: NUAN).

It is uncanny how often stock prices preempt and help define market cycles, even before headline events. Such is the case with Toyota Motor Corporation (ADR: TM) which today announced a return to full production in the U.S. in September.

Despite an April sales report that showed an increase of 16 percent versus a year ago and year-to-date sales up 16 percent, Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) stock has since trended with lower lows and lower highs.

Since the IPO of the new General Motors Company (NYSE: GM), the stock has not only failed to meet investor and analysts expectations, but has been increasing its pace of making new lows ever since. The low of $28.29 from a few days ago was challenged today and broken one hour before the close. Market Close Update: GM's new low is $28.16 with the daily close at $28.57.

Cyclone Power Technologies (Pink Sheets: CYPW), developer of the all-fuel, clean-tech Cyclone Engine, announced today that it is seeking international patent protection for its scalable waste energy recycling engine known as the WHE which stands for waste heat engine.

As part of a $30 million package to commercialize technology, including a rapid-charging transit system and other next-generation technologies that support innovation in the global transportation industry, General Motors Ventures LLC will inject $6 million, a 20 percent of the total stake in Proterra Inc., a leading maker of zero-emission commercial transit buses.

Call them what you will, but stop-start vehicles (SSV) that go by the names of micro hybrids and idle-stop vehicles enable gasoline engines to turn off when vehicles are slowed down or stopped. The net effect per Pike Research is up to 10% less fuel consumption, less emissions and at a cost lower than full hybrids.

Toyota Motor Company (NYSE: TM) stock, despite the carnage of multiple recalls and a slowdown from the earthquake and tsunami, has strong price action within the recent market sell off.

OnStar won the Best Telematics Safety Technology Award from Telematics Update, the ninth consecutive year OnStar has received an International Telematics Update Award.

Cyclone Power Technologies Inc. (Pink Sheets: CYPW), developer of the award-winning Cyclone Engine - an eco-friendly external combustion engine - and Team Steam USA presented to the public for the first time what is soon to be the "Fastest Steam Car on Earth" at the Disabled American Veterans Classic Car and Truck Show in Pompano Beach, FL.

Just before the opening of Telematics 2011 in Detroit, CSR plc. (LSE: CSR) announced the availability of Wi-Linx, a software module for the CSR6000 family of Wi-Fi chips that makers of in-vehicle infotainment systems can use to add Wi-Fi hot spot, Wi-Fi client and Bluetooth 3.0+HS capabilities to any vehicle.

When major car companies were seeking bankruptcy protection, Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) skillfully avoided Chapter 11. Today the company plans to announce a strategy to increase its production growth by 50 percent.

Has the earthquake and tsunami forced Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE:TM) to rethink it relationship to the power grid? According to the BBC, thousands of solar panels are now being installed at Toyota's Derbyshire manufacturing plant in a bid to bypass the grid, cut bills and save energy.

While GM, Ford and Toyota are focusing most on electrification, Fiat and Chrysler Group LLC are poised best to disengage America from expensive gasoline and gradually switch to natural gas as an alternative fuel of choice. Think dual-fuel option here.

This is the beginning of the “Green Highway,” a vision for safe and consistent charging infrastructure spanning the West Coast, allowing EV drivers to travel with confidence from San Diego to Vancouver, B.C; and AeroVironment (Nasdaq: AVAV) will be the company to provide its DC Fast Charging Stations.

Attention on deck! Since the IPO of the new General Motors Company (NYSE: GM), the stock has failed to meet investor and analysts expectations, with the latest route to a new low, breaking below $29. (Monday, June 6, 2011 Morning Update: GM stock still languishing)

A chart of the Dow Jones US Autos and Parts ($DWCAUP) shows major segments of the auto stock sector following the general market’s downward direction today; in this case, just 37 points from its 200 day moving average.

Unlike the pre-bankruptcy days, General Motors (NYSE: GM) must be careful not to rearrange the corporate deck chairs just for the sake of rearranging. Any change has to be cognizant of global markets; and Bryan Nesbitt has the confidence of GM’s management.

Do not count lead-acid batteries out of the energy picture yet, especially for the micro-hybrid vehicle market featuring stop-start. The Axion PbC® technology represents the first major advance in lead-acid battery and electrode technology in 30 years.

In 2003, the breakeven for Saudi crude oil was $30 per barrel. It’s now reported to be $85 and expected to rise to $110 by 2015, according to the latest MarketWatch article.

You may have missed it. China’s Development and Reform Commission released a draft of guidelines last month for foreign investments into the Chinese market that limits foreign capital to 50% of any investment in certain electric vehicle component technologies.

In March, A123 Systems (Nasdaq: AONE) stock traded very shaky after an annual net earnings loss of 1.56 loss per share. A few month’s later, the stock chart reveals it has broken every price support since its IPO.