Mes: diciembre 2020

ATLANTA, Dec. 22, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Boosted by year-end sales and extra selling days, light vehicle sales in the U.S. for December are expected to finish near 1.54 million, a 1.9% increase over last December. The gain is a bit misleading, however, as there are 28 shopping days this month, three more than last year and five more than last month. With that many extra days for vehicle shoppers to acquire new wheels, a volume increase is more than expected. When volume is viewed on a seasonally adjusted basis, the sales pace is forecast to fall to a 15.5 million seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR), down from last month and down nearly 7% from last December’s 16.8 million pace.

According to Charles Chesbrough, senior economist at Cox Automotive: «December new-vehicle sales should show a year-over-year increase thanks to the three additional shopping days. But concerns about the virus, more state-directed lockdowns, and the ongoing economic recession are likely to constrain holiday sales. The passage of more government stimulus this week is good news overall, but we do not expect new government stimulus to impact the new-vehicle market in any noticeable way in December.» 

December 2020 Sales Forecast Highlights

• New light-vehicle sales are forecast to increase nearly 30,000 units, or 1.9%, compared to December 2019. When compared to last month, sales are expected to rise nearly 350,000 units, or nearly 29%.
• The SAAR in December 2020 is estimated to be 15.5 million, below last year’s 16.8 million level, and a slight decrease from last month’s 15.6 million pace.

December 2020 Forecast

All percentages are based in raw volume, not daily selling rate.

2020 Sales Benefit from Strong Retail Demand

Full-year 2020 sales are forecast to end down 15.3% from 2019. After a 34.1% drop in Q2, improvements in Q3 and Q4 salvaged what many in the industry thought would be a far worse year. 2020 will be the first year below 17-million sales since 2014. Still, as Cox Automotive Chief Economist Jonathan Smoke notes, «This year presented the economy and the auto market with incredible challenges. As we close the year, it is remarkable to see how well the industry performed. Retail vehicle sales will end the year down less than 10% despite losing six weeks of the most important time of the year.»

Smoke added, «Supply constraints likely prevented even better volume performance, but most manufacturers and dealers enjoyed improved profitability as a result of limited supply and robust demand. We enter 2021 still battling the COVID-19 pandemic, but the distribution of vaccines gives us confidence that the economy and the auto market will both see continued progress once we get through the winter.»

Full Year 2020 Forecast

All percentages are based in raw volume, not daily selling rate.

About Cox Automotive
Cox Automotive Inc. makes buying, selling, owning and using cars easier for everyone. The global company’s 27,000-plus team members and family of brands, including Autotrader^®, Clutch Technologies, Dealer.com^®, Dealertrack^®, Kelley Blue Book^®, Manheim^®, NextGear Capital^®, VinSolutions^®, vAuto^® and Xtime^®, are passionate about helping millions of car shoppers, 40,000 auto dealer clients across five continents and many others throughout the automotive industry thrive for generations to come. Cox Automotive is a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises Inc., a privately-owned, Atlanta-based company with annual revenues of $21 billion. www.coxautoinc.com

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SOURCE Cox Automotive

OAKLAND, Calif., Dec. 22, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Since forming in 2013, Argent Materials, a regional recycler of concrete and asphalt, and supplier of aggregate materials such as crushed rock, entry, cutback, sand, backfill and base rock for construction projects, has diverted more than a billion pounds of waste from local landfills. As a result, Argent has offset more than 97 million pounds of carbon from the atmosphere and removed a half-million pounds of trash from the streets of Oakland, California.

Now, thanks to Argent’s recent switch from petroleum diesel to Neste MY Renewable Diesel™, it can add the elimination of fossil fuels from its vehicle and equipment fleet to its list of environmentally mindful business accomplishments.

Examining electric-driven solutions to the carbon and emissions footprint of Argent’s fleet, it became clear the best fit would be low-carbon, sustainable, bio-based renewable diesel fuel, primarily due to the rugged duty cycles of its trucks and equipment.

«We decided to switch to renewable diesel once our quality and availability concerns were satisfied,» says Bill Crotinger, president of Argent Materials Inc. «Our environmental track record and continual efforts to help our customers build more sustainable communities played a major role in our decision to use renewable diesel in our fleet. It was just another element of our philosophy to not just do the right thing, but make doing the right thing a normal part of doing business.»

Argent has a fleet of about 20 pieces of equipment comprised of wheel loaders, excavators, bobcats and a couple of water trucks.

«Our experience has been positive,» Crotinger says. «There’s no change in engine performance. We absolutely love the renewable nature of this product. We have noticed that the exhaust appears cleaner and seems less toxic.»

All of the renewable products Neste distributes in North America are made from 100% renewable and sustainably sourced waste materials such as used cooking oil, rendered fats and greases. These wastes come from meat processing facilities, hotels, restaurants, sports stadiums and many other venues with industrial kitchens.

Waste and residue materials contain a lot of carbon, one of the main building blocks for renewable diesel. Importantly, this is existing carbon already in the atmosphere, which means Neste MY Renewable diesel emits no new greenhouse gas emissions when used in its 100% pure form – or «neat» – in an engine.

The only new emissions occur during the production operations, which Neste aims to make carbon-neutral by 2035, and supply chain operations. Additionally, Neste is researching and developing a new generation of raw materials that could further enhance renewable diesel’s climate benefits – including municipal solid waste, algae, forestry waste and even converting electric power to liquids.  

«We’re very excited Argent Materials has joined with thousands of other progressive-minded California companies and cities to kick the oil habit and make the switch to Neste MY Renewable Diesel,» says Carrie Song, vice president of sales, Neste US, Inc.

Argent’s move to renewable diesel is in keeping with Neste’s overall approach to environmental sustainability in transportation and other sectors of the economy.

«Renewable diesel is a drop-in fuel that essentially transforms an internal combustion engine into equipment that helps fight climate change and air pollution,» says Song. «As California progresses toward a carbon-neutral future, renewable diesel offers fleet operators an affordable and quick way to stay ahead of emissions standards with no extra costs by turning their medium and heavy-duty road vehicles from fossil fuel to fossil free. Like Neste, Argent is a leader in recycling solutions and proactively taking care of the environment. I’m confident Neste MY Renewable Diesel is not only providing a better fuel solution to Argent’s fleet, but is also delivering a distinct advantage to significantly decreasing its carbon footprint.»

Neste MY Renewable Diesel is available to public and private fleets in California through authorized distributors. Western States Oil, headquartered in San Jose, Calif., is the exclusive distributor of Neste MY Renewable Diesel to Argent Materials. Using exclusive distributors ensures supply chain integrity and guarantees its high quality.

ABOUT NESTE
Neste (NESTE, Nasdaq Helsinki) creates sustainable solutions for transport, business, and consumer needs. Our wide range of renewable products enables our customers to reduce climate emissions. We are the world’s largest renewable diesel producer from waste and residues, introducing renewable solutions to the aviation and plastics industries. We are also a technologically advanced refiner of high-quality oil products. We want to be a reliable partner with widely valued expertise, research, and sustainable operations. In 2019, Neste’s revenue stood at EUR 15.8 billion. In 2020, Neste placed 3rd on the Global 100 list of the world’s most sustainable companies. Read more: neste.com and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Media Contact:
Helen Deian
helen.deian@neste.com
+1 713 870 5217

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SOURCE Neste

NEW YORK, Dec. 22, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Aloe Care Health, home to the world’s most advanced voice-activated medical alert and communication service for elder care, invited industry experts to cast their predictions for 2021.

Seven leaders in healthcare, insurtech, caregiving and aging shared their optimistic insights for the path forward:

• «The best examination room is where the patient lives, not where the doctor works. And, any variant of the following: telemedicine is to healthcare as Amazon is to shopping; as Netflix is to the movie theater, and as on-line banking is to your local bank.» Jay H. Sanders, M.D., CEO, The Global Telemedicine Group, member of the Aloe Care Advisory Board
• «While 2020 turned the world upside down, it also revealed the massive gaps and deficits that exist in caregiving and senior care. I think 2021 will be the ‘Year of the Caregiver’ as companies, the senior care industry, and leading service organizations come to terms with how to best serve these underpaid and undervalued everyday heroes.» Amie Clark, The Senior List
• «After a year highlighted by the devastating impact of COVID-19, vaccinations and other measures bring us hope to combat the virus in 2021. However, it is also important that we pay attention to the unintended consequences of COVID-19. As we safely social distance to decrease exposure risk, we must find ways to intervene and deal with the social isolation and loneliness caused by the lack of connection. I expect the next decade to bring innovations in business and healthcare to help us rebuild our community of connections and address the loneliness epidemic.» Donato Tramuto, Author, Chairman and Founder of Health eVillages
• «Aging-in-place will continue to gain traction. Remote patient monitoring, personal emergency response technology, and other health matters will be addressed in-home. Health Insurance companies will redouble efforts to advance digital care management, using data to prevent acute health episodes. Covid19 will accelerate the digital adoption of remote patient care and communication. Masks will be required or desired in many public forums for much of 2021. Sadly, social distancing may be here to stay.» Bob Hurley, Executive Advisor in Digital Health, eHealth; member of the Aloe Care Advisory Board
• «COVID has demonstrated the power of telehealth to support health care workers, the older population and caregivers. It is amazing to see the adoption rate grow amongst all ages and the importance it addresses for the safety and independence of vulnerable populations. I expect innovative concepts to grow and expand in 2021 that will further empower providers and the population as a whole to live more healthy and fulfilling lives.» Vicki Shepard, Health and Aging Expert, co-founder of WBL: Women Leading Healthcare
• «The last several months have given every one of us a dose of radical empathy for people who are isolated and alone. My profound hope is that this translates into better care for one another, especially older adults, in 2021 and beyond. And as our population ages overall (more than 10,000 of us reach 65 every day), I hope too that we collectively evolve beyond so many limiting, false, and often unconscious preconceptions about aging. This starts with products that are more thoughtfully, more beautifully designed, and extends right through to our everyday interactions.» Ray Spoljaric, CEO and Co-Founder, Aloe Care Health
• «In 2021, older adults will continue to rely on simple technology to interact with friends and family, as well as to function independently. Normalcy will take time to resume, and senior communities need to use home devices to function in society. Online shopping, online healthcare, online banking, and virtual communication will be major components of the lives of elders as we go into 2021.» Jordan Mittler, Director and Founder of Mittler Senior Technology. Jordan leads an inspiring group of teens teaching elders how to use technology to improve communication and daily activities.

For more, visit www.aloecare.com. 

About Aloe Care Health 
Aloe Care’s voice-activated system is the world’s most-advanced in-home medical alert and communication system for older adults. Aloe Care offers a comprehensive, proactive approach to remote caregiving and communication and has been widely acclaimed, including Real Simple (December 2020), PCMag, The Senior List, Today’s Caregiver, and MD Tech Review, among others. Aloe Care’s award-winning solution was created by caregivers, for caregivers. More than 70 percent of the team actively supports aging-in-place parents and grandparents. The company is headquartered in New York.

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SOURCE Aloe Care Health

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 22, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — The Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) have partnered to distribute over 150,000 free energy and water efficiency kits to residents throughout Los Angeles. Each efficiency kit is equipped with simple household devices to help conserve water and natural gas and save money on utility bills. Installing these devices can reduce natural gas usage in Los Angeles by approximately 3.5 million therms and save 46,000 gallons of water per year as a result of this program.

Each kit contains a water-efficient showerhead; two bathroom faucet aerators; and a kitchen faucet aerator. The energy and water efficiency kits will be delivered SoCalGas customers in Los Angeles who have not participated in the program in the last three years throughout the month of December. Customers will also receive information on energy-saving water heaters, smart thermostats, and other appliances that are eligible for SoCalGas rebates. 

«SoCalGas and LADWP continue to help lower our environmental impact and protect our natural resources through the distribution of energy and water efficiency kits,» said Los Angeles Councilmember Joe Buscaino. «These devices are simple and easy to install and have proven to be highly impactful as we make sustainable efforts to promote saving energy and water.»

«Energy efficiency is one of the most cost-effective methods to reduce emissions,» said Brian Prusnek, director of customer programs and assistance at SoCalGas. «Not only do these programs help the environment, they’re actively helping our customers save money on their utility bills while also making a significant environmental impact as well.»

«These simple yet effective kits will help LA residents conserve water while at the same time, save on their utility bills,» said Richard Harasick, LADWP Senior Assistant General Manager of the Water System. «LADWP is proud of its long-standing partnership with SoCalGas to provide efficient, cost-saving solutions to customers’ water and energy needs, especially during these difficult times.

In the City of Los Angeles, water conservation is among the city’s multiple strategies to secure a sustainable water supply for Los Angeles and improve overall water supply reliability. With the help of LADWP’s water conservation rebates and programs, water conservation has become a way of life in Los Angeles. Water use in Los Angeles has steadily declined over the past decades, and recently reached 105 gallons of water per person per day, one of the lowest of any major U.S. city. Read more at www.ladwp.com/waterconservation.

SoCalGas is a leader in researching and developing new technologies that improve energy efficiency, reduce emissions, and keep bills affordable for customers. The utility offers rebate incentive tools and energy savings programs to help customers conserve energy and save money while promoting an environmentally sustainable future. In the past five years, SoCalGas energy efficiency programs have delivered more than 195 million therms in energy savings, enough to power over 390,000 households a year, and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) by more than 1,000,000 metric tons, the equivalent of removing over 223,000 cars from the road. Overall, these projects have also helped SoCalGas customers save more than $217 million in utility bill costs over the past five years.

Additionally, the utility is also working to increase the production and use of renewable natural gas, which turns waste from dairies, farms, wastewater and landfills, into a source of clean and renewable energy to fuel homes and businesses. The utility recently began field testing a new technology that can simultaneously separate and compress hydrogen from a blend of hydrogen and natural gas to be transported through the natural gas pipeline system to help make a significant contribution towards a cleaner energy future. Learn more on ways to become more energy efficient through our various programs and incentives here.

About SoCalGas

Headquartered in Los Angeles, SoCalGas® is the largest gas distribution utility in the United States. SoCalGas delivers affordable, reliable, clean and increasingly renewable gas service to 21.8 million customers across 24,000 square miles of Central and Southern California, where more than 90 percent of residents use natural gas for heating, hot water, cooking, drying clothes or other uses. Gas delivered through the company’s pipelines also plays a key role in providing electricity to Californians— about 45 percent of electric power generated in the state comes from gas-fired power plants.

SoCalGas’ vision is to be the cleanest gas utility in North America, delivering affordable and increasingly renewable energy to its customers. In support of that vision, SoCalGas is committed to replacing 20 percent of its traditional natural gas supply with renewable natural gas (RNG) by 2030. Renewable natural gas is made from waste created by dairy farms, landfills and wastewater treatment plants. SoCalGas is also committed to investing in its gas delivery infrastructure while keeping bills affordable for our customers. From 2014 through 2018, the company invested nearly $6.5 billion to upgrade and modernize its pipeline system to enhance safety and reliability. SoCalGas is a subsidiary of Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE), an energy services holding company based in San Diego. For more information visit socalgas.com/newsroom or connect with SoCalGas on Twitter (@SoCalGas), Instagram (@SoCalGas) and Facebook.  

About LADWP

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power is the nation’s largest municipal utility, with an 8,000 megawatt (MW) electric capacity and serving an average of 436 million gallons of water per day to the more than 4 million residents of the City of Los Angeles, its businesses and visitors. For more than 100 years, LADWP has provided the city with reliable water and power service in a cost effective and environmentally responsible manner.

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SOURCE Southern California Gas Company