World’s Largest Automakers, January 2024: Same procedure as last year. And Schäfer is insane.

World’s top three automakers enter the new year with a very familiar ranking: Toyota Group #1, followed by Volkswagen Group, and then Hyundai Group, all three separated by a little more than 100,000 units.

Of the three, only Volkswagen Group achieved double digit increases, as it did for most of last year. Remarkably, some Volkswagen managers, notably Volkswagen Passenger Vehicle boss Thomas Schäfer, have been talking for most of last year as if the house is on fire. The result is considerable cognitive dissonance among the workforce.

Schäfer seems to style himself as the Anti-Musk: Musk continues making promises he can’t keep. Schäfer talks of doomsdays that won’t come. You figure it out.

Tuesday Morning Auto News, Feb 27, 2024: Hybrids shine as EVs slump. Boring Co. workers faced chemical burns. Cybertruck owners lash out at Tesla. More.

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Monday Morning Auto News, Feb 26, 2024: Toyota’s winning bet on hybrids. Renault might share Twingo platform with VW. Musk’s Vegas loop has issues. Toyota Mirai at $40,000 off. More.

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Friday Morning Auto News, Feb 23, 2024: Waymo cars keep hitting things. Musk nominated for Nobel. Clerical errors pile Up in earnings reports. Rivian swerves dangerously. More.

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Thursday Morning Auto News, Feb 22, 2024: Musk Is Posting a Lot About Russia.Tesla faces hurdle in Germany. Health hazards at battery plants. More.

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