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Recent Posts
- EPA Finally Bans Chrysotile Asbestos
- Jaguar Land Rover North America Recalls I-Pace EVs
- More Ford Safety Recalls on Bronco, Explorer, Maverick SUVs
- Another Tesla Software Recall – Pedestrian Warnings
- EV Bedfellows – Nissan and Mitsubishi Sign MoU
- Tracker Off Road OX EVs Recalled for Battery Fires
- Annals of Marketing – Honda Prologue AI Dream Generator
- Cummins Settles California Diesel Emissions Case at $46M
- Honda and Nissan Sign MoU for EV Technology Sharing
- February Global Light Vehicle Sales at 85M Annual Rate
- EPA – 2023 Top Energy-Efficient Manufacturing Plants
- EV Grumblings – Auto Execs Waffling on Growth
- EV Grumblings – Tire Replacement Rates?
- Annals of Marketing and Racing – Cadillac Opulent Velocity
- Chinese Auto Market is Flying High – Exports a Threat
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- Sam Fiorani on Bidenomics and the State of the Union
- Gary Wilson on GM Expands Airbag Recalls Over Supplier ARC’s Objections
- UAW Local 862 on Ford CEO Jim Farley on UAW Contract Ratification
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- Toyota Motor on Toyota, Daihatsu Form Emerging Market Compact Car Company
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Tag Archives: Ken Zino
Jaguar Land Rover North America Recalls I-Pace EVs
Jaguar Land Rover North America is recalling 2019 I-Pace SUV vehicles, according to documents released this morning by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The high-voltage battery in the electric Jaguar may overheat, which is a potential fire hazard. These vehicles were built at the Graz Vehicle Assembly Plant in Poland from 6 June – 31 October 2018 and use a Polish-built battery from Chinese LG energy Systems. They were previously recalled under NHTSA 23V369 and will need to have the new safety defect remedy completed. Continue reading
Posted in connected vehicles, customer satisfaction, electric vehicles, electronics, engineering, manufacturing, quality, recalls, safety
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, EV recalls, Jaguar I-Pace recalls, Jaguar recall H484, Ken Zino, LG Energy Systems battery recalls, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, NHTSA 23V369, NHTSA recall 24V183, Tata Group
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More Ford Safety Recalls on Bronco, Explorer, Maverick SUVs
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is recalling 2023-24 Bronco, 2020 Explorer and 2024 Maverick SUV models, according to documents released this morning by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Affected vehicles with various safety defects include Bronco child safety locks, previously recalled Explorer rearview cameras, and Maverick fuel tank leaks or potential fires. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, electronics, engineering, manufacturing, quality, recalls, safety
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Bronco recalls, Explorer Recalls, Ken Zino, Maverick recalls, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nhtsa, NHTSA 24V185, NHTSA 24V188, NHTSA 24V189
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Another Tesla Software Recall – Pedestrian Warnings
Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) is recalling 2013, 2018-2021 Model S, 2020-2021 Model X, 2018-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles, according to documents released this morning by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. A factory reset over the air (OTA) muted the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 141, “Minimum Sound Requirements for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles,” which could increase the risk of collision.* Continue reading
Posted in auto news, connected vehicles, customer satisfaction, electric vehicles, electronics, engineering, mobility company, news, news analysis, public health, recalls, safety, software defined vehicles
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, forward collision warnings, Ken Zino, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, NHTSA recall 24V153, pedestrian safety, Tesla recall SB-24-00-006
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EV Bedfellows – Nissan and Mitsubishi Sign MoU
Nissan Motor (7201T. NSANY ADR) and Mitsubishi Corporation (8058.T) have signed a memorandum of understanding to pursue a new joint initiative in next-generation-mobility and energy-related services using electric vehicles in Japan. The companies said today that Japan as a country has been addressing issues such as driver shortages due to a declining population, and difficulties maintaining public transportation services due to decreasing numbers of users. Nissan and MC have also been undertaking various initiatives to solve these problems.
Joint initiatives of course have potential economies of scale, reducing the intense capital costs required to develop EVs and autonomous vehicles. This is making for what would have previously been unlikely hookups or strange bedfellows. Nissan and Honda, Two of Japan’s Big Three automakers, previously announced that will study sharing automotive software platforms, core components related to EVs, and complementary products. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, autonomous cars, autonomous vehicles, connected vehicles, economy, electric vehicles, electronics, engineering, milestones, mobility company, news, news analysis, public health, software defined vehicles, software defined vehicles, transportation
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, EV Bedfellows, Japan Inc, Ken Zino, Makoto Uchida Nissan president and CEO
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Tracker Off Road OX EVs Recalled for Battery Fires
Textron Specialized Vehicles is recalling Tracker Off Road OX EV light utility vehicles because the lithium ion battery pack catch on fire. Owners should immediately stop using the Tracker OX EV and contact their authorized Tracker Off Road dealer or service center to schedule a free inspection and repair of the battery module.
Textron advises that until the Tracker Off Road dealer or service center has completed this service, do not charge the recalled vehicle and park the recalled vehicle outdoors at least 15 feet away from any buildings or other vehicles.
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Posted in customer satisfaction, electronics, mobility company, quality, recalls, safety, transportation
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, cpsc, EV battery fires, Ken Zino, Textron Specialized Vehicles recalls, Textron Tracker Off Road OX EV recall, United States Consumer Product Safety Commission
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Annals of Marketing – Honda Prologue AI Dream Generator
Honda said today it is celebrating the launch of the all-new 2024 Prologue, its first all-electric SUV, by taking families on an “unforgettable” trip powered by AI. The so-called artificial intelligence “Dream Generator” was developed for Honda in collaboration with Amazon Ads Brand Innovation Lab. It is said to create stories by combining user-provided inputs with AI-generated visuals to produce a custom and shareable animated film. Each member of the family is in the figurative driver’s seat as they build a Prologue adventure, say, through jungle terrain inhabited by dinosaurs, above the roads in a magic cloud world, through a microscopic garden jungle teeming with bugs or to outer space. Continue reading
Posted in connected vehicles, electronics, marketing, milestones, mobility company, new vehicle, shows and events
Tagged animation cels, artificial intelligence, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Disney animation methods, Honda Dream Generator, Honda Marketing, Kate McCagg, Ken Zino, Phil Hruska
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Cummins Settles California Diesel Emissions Case at $46M
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) and California Department of Justice (DOJ) today announced a $46 million settlement with engine manufacturer Cummins Inc. The settlement resolves DOJ and CARB’s claims for violations of California engine emissions control and certification requirements. Cummins made undisclosed changes to ~120,000 engines in California after CARB had certified the engines for sale. In addition, ~2000 Cummins engines had undisclosed auxiliary emission control devices that altered the emissions control system and resulted in emissions that exceeded regulatory limits. This case signals CARB’s improving vehicle testing skills and use of technology to catch and correct air quality violations. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, engineering, environment, fuel economy or emissions, litigation, news analysis, public health, transportation
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, California Air Resources Board, California Attorney General Rob Bonta, California Department of Justice, Death of the diesel, Dr. Steven Cliff, Ken Zino
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Honda and Nissan Sign MoU for EV Technology Sharing
Nissan Motor and Honda Motor said today in Japan that they have signed a memorandum of understanding whereby they will begin a feasibility study of a strategic partnership in the fields of vehicle electrification and intelligence. In what looks like a re-run of the Nissan Renault alliance that pursued economies of scale, the intense capital costs required to develop EVs and autonomous vehicles is making for what would have previously been unlikely hookups.
Honda and Nissan ,Japan’s second and third largest automakers, will study sharing automotive software platforms, core components related to EVs, and complementary products. Continue reading
Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, electric vehicles, electronics, engineering, global warming, manufacturing, milestones, mobility company, news analysis, software defined vehicles
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Chinese EV export threat, Ken Zino, Makoto Uchida, Toshihiro Mibe, trade wars
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February Global Light Vehicle Sales at 85M Annual Rate
The Global Light Vehicle (LV) selling rate rose to 85 million units annually in February2024, according to an analysis just released by the respected consultancy GlobalData.* This is an increase from 82 million units/year in January, which is still anemic compared to the second half of 2023. More than 6 million vehicles were sold in February, although year-over year (YoY) it was down -2.8% YoY largely due to a withering in China.
“Many key markets saw moderate selling rate growth in February. In Europe, it was a mixed picture as Western Europe’s selling rate grew while Eastern Europe’s rate slowed. China’s selling rate improved moderately from January, though it remains somewhat weaker than at the end of 2023. In the US, prices continued to ease, and incentives ratcheted up, supporting market expansion,” the Global Light Vehicle Sales Forecasting Team said. Continue reading
EPA – 2023 Top Energy-Efficient Manufacturing Plants
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today recognized the 103 U.S. manufacturing plants that earned the agency’s ENERGY STAR certification in 2023, a title for plants in the top 25% of energy efficiency in their sector. These plants in sum prevented more than 8 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions, equivalent to the emissions from the electricity use of more than 1.5 million American homes.
“President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is breathing new life into energy efficient domestic manufacturing, and industry partners like those recognized today are leading the way,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “These ENERGY STAR certified plants demonstrate that cutting the embodied carbon of our industrial products through energy efficiency doesn’t just make environmental sense, it makes economic sense.” Continue reading
Posted in environment, manufacturing, news analysis
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, energy-efficient manufacturing plants, General Motors Flint Assembly, General Motors Fort Wayne Assembly, Honda Development & Manufacturing of America, Ken Zino, Michael S. Regan, Nissan North America
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EV Grumblings – Auto Execs Waffling on Growth
With hybrid electric vehicle sales soaring, and the badly needed EV charging infrastructure lagging, there is considerable discussion among auto executives and industry pundits about the EV market.*
As always a walk – or in this case an electrified drive – into the unknown provokes considerable speculation and anxiety about where things are headed. Compounding the EV market grumblings are the intensive capital investments involved and the dire state of our climate with the deleterious effects of global warming increasingly laying waste to large areas of the planet. Continue reading
Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, customer satisfaction, economy, electric vehicles, environment, global warming, marketing, news analysis, public health
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, center for automotive research, EV charging availability anxiety, GlobalData, GlobalData Powertrain Forecasts, Ken Zino, Matt Lucki, Snehasis Ganguly
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EV Grumblings – Tire Replacement Rates?
J.D. Power said today that early data from its unpublished 2024 U.S. Original Equipment Tire Customer Satisfaction Study shows that EV tires may fall short of meeting this expectation, with a higher replacement rate in years One and Two of ownership than with internal combustion vehicle tires. (see AutoInformed: J.D. Power – Vehicle Dependability Down Again)
In what could be a stretch of a still to be verified conclusion based on a much needed larger sample size that doesn’t yet exist, Power claimed that “more than a quarter of new vehicle shoppers who are considering an EV cite reliability as a factor in this decision.” Well, duh, they might also prioritize other things such as saving the planet, eschewing fossil fuels, and charging at home. How this sorts out in a changing marketplace remains to be seen. Power did say that the gap in replacement rates appears to be closing. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, awards, blog, customer satisfaction, electric vehicles, global warming, marketing, news, news analysis, people, public health, transportation
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, BFGoodrich, Bridgestone, Continental, Cooper, Dunlop, EV Grumblings, Falken, Firestone, General, Giti, goodyear, hankook, j.d power, J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Original Equipment Tire Customer Satisfaction Study, Ken Zino, Kumho, michelin, Nexen, Nitto, Pirelli, Toyo, Vogue, Yokohama
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Annals of Marketing and Racing – Cadillac Opulent Velocity
Cadillac said today that its view what the future of electric performance is contained in teaser look released of the Opulent Velocity concept vehicle. It is designed to market the past, present and future of Cadillac and its performance brand, V-Series. In marketing speak, Opulent Velocity represents the duality of the Cadillac brand defined in the name, Opulent + Velocity.
“Opulent Velocity is designed to foreshadow a zero emissions expression of performance and modern luxury leadership,” said Bryan Nesbitt, executive director, Cadillac Global Design. “We will share more later this year, so stay tuned.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, design and styling, marketing, new vehicle, performance, racing
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Brandon Vivian, Bryan Nesbitt, Cadillac V-Series, Ken Zino, Opulent Velocity, Sebring International Raceway
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Chinese Auto Market is Flying High – Exports a Threat
The Chinese auto market soared at the beginning of 2024, according to numbers and an analysis just released by the respected GlobalData* consultancy. Total Light Vehicle (LV) retail sales – wholesales excluding exports – reached 2 million units in January … Continue reading
EPA Finally Bans Chrysotile Asbestos
“Today’s rule is a positive first step to give all Americans a future free of exposure to asbestos – a carcinogen that has killed far too many. This dangerous substance has been banned in more than 50 countries around the world, and the United States is finally starting to catch up. An immediate ban on the import of chrysotile asbestos for the chlor-alkali industry is a long overdue step forward for public health. However, it cannot be the end of the road when it comes to phasing out other dangerous asbestos fibers, and Congress has a role to play here when it comes to providing stronger protections for our health,” said Senator Jeff Merkley. Continue reading →