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- Toyota to Export U.S. Made Vehicles to Japan
- Nissan Claims to Kill Wireless Phone Charging Bugs
- Electrify America EV Charging Adds WS Development
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- Honda Recalls 2025 CR-V Fuel Cell EVs
- Ford Motor Eliminates Model E in Profit Seeking About Face
- Wadda You Say? Personalized Sound at Nissan, Infiniti
- Bye Sauber – Hi Audi Revolut F1 Team
- Pre-Owned Vehicle Marketing – Stellantis, Cox Automotive
- Chinese Junk Watch Death Risk – Luyuan Youth ATVs
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Author Archives: Ken Zino
Corporate Climate Change – Honda Reveals Reorganization
Today’s announcement concerns the restructuring of Regional Operations and Corporate Functions, as well as the creation of what is called “Electrification Business Development Operations.” EBDO is an outgrowth of the Business Development Operations established last April to strengthen electrification business. Continue reading
Volvo Car USA Recalls all 2023 Models for Software Bug
Volvo Car USA is recalling all 2023 S60, V60, V60CC, V90CC, XC60, XC90, XC40, and C40 vehicles because of a computer code error the Brake Control Module 2 (BCM2) may cause a loss of the Antilock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), and the traction control system. A certain diagnostic test case that checks the grounding may put the BCM2 in a faulty state potentially resulting in a loss of brake support functions. Continue reading
EV Battery Gold Rush – Honda and GS Yuasa JV Announced
The two companies will discuss specifics with the goal of establishing a joint venture company by the end of 2023 for battery production methods as well as the establishment of a supply chain for key raw materials and a “highly-efficient” battery production system. Continue reading
Daytona Qualifying Opens 2023 IMSA Racing Season
The IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship’s 2023 season opened Sunday with qualifying to set the grid lineup for the Rolex 24 at Daytona season opener next weekend. Under intense scrutiny were the brand-new hybrid-powered prototypes in the Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) class. Continue reading
GM Investing in Full-Size Truck and SUV Production
Significant amounts will be spent on updating full-size truck and SUV production. GM declined to release product details, timing, performance and other aspects related to GM’s next gen V8 engine. As with other automakers, vehicles with internal combustion engines (ICEs) will still play a role as GM converts to EVs. ICEs power GM’s most profitable vehicles. GM said its spending and plans for U.S. manufacturing sites totals more than $37 billion since 2013, including the Ultium Cells joint venture plants. Continue reading
Milestones – Honda Makes 30 Millionth US Vehicle
This was a significant move at the time since Honda was the first Japanese automaker to produce cars in the US. It arguably forced Toyota and Nissan and other offshore makers to follow. Since then, Honda has invested $16 billion in Honda US manufacturing facilities for auto and associated components for autos. During 2022, more than two-thirds of all Honda and Acura vehicles sold in America were made in the US. Continue reading
New 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLA will be a Hybrid
Mercedes-Benz said today in Stuttgart that the new 2024 CLA Coupe has a revised front fascia, a radiator grille with star pattern and new rear diffuser. LED high performance headlamps will now be standard with the LED taillights. There are new paint colors Hyper Blue (exclusive to the CLA models) and Starling Blue, as well as three additional wheel designs in sizes up to 19 inches. The new 2024 CLA Coupe will arrive at U.S. dealerships later in 2023. FYI: Mercedes refers to the CLA as a coupe even though it has four-doors. Continue reading
Red Card – Premier League Scandal Rocks Stellantis Board
Exor – (EXOR.AS), the Agnelli family holding company that controls the English Premier League Juventus football club, will designate a successor director at the AGM in accordance with Article 19.3 of the Stellantis’s Articles of Association.
The billionaire Juventus Chairman Andrea Agnelli could be tried over the football club’s accounting procedures and alleged illegal commissions or payments, as well as false transactions. He also resigned today as president from Juventus and his position at Exor. Curiously the BBC – normally rife with Premier League football coverage – is not featuring this news item as far as I can tell. Continue reading
Current Flows – J.D. Power Now Tracking EV Parity
Today, the EV Index score is 47 (based on the most recent available data from November 2022), with some categories improving and others declining during the 12-month pilot period. The EV Index score and accompanying analysis will be available monthly. The index is of use to people who are considering purchasing, one of the reasons AutoInformed uses it. Continue reading
Electrifying – Fastest Corvette in History is a Hybrid
Not surprisingly, the E-Ray is the quickest production Corvette in history at 2.5-second 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) time with a quarter-mile in 10.5 seconds, according to General Motors. The 2024 Corvette E-Ray goes on sale in late 2023 as a 2024 model, priced ranging from ~$103,000 to $114,000 or more.* Production will be at GM’s Bowling Green Assembly facility in Kentucky. Continue reading
Becoming One of Us – Mercedes-Benz Recruiting Globally
Mercedes said “that people are more motivated, more efficient and happier when they are constantly developing and can contribute their personality and identity as is. The company creates and promotes equal opportunity and a culture of appreciation and respect. For example, Mercedes-Benz has set the goal of filling 30% of senior management positions with qualified women by 2030. The Management Board is already 37.5% female. Continue reading
December Global Light Vehicle Sales at 82M Down Again
China’s market was a major culprit with its sluggish end to 2022 . In China December raw sales were down almost 12% year-over-year (YoY), which LMC attributed to increased disruption and uncertainty with the abrupt ending to the zero-Covid policy. North America and Europe showed positive YoY growth for December, although both remained below their 2021 sales, -7% and -11% respectively. Continue reading
Posted in economy, news analysis, sales
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, December global sales, Ken Zino, lmc, oxford economics
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Marketing Annals – Chevy Trax Dream Chaser Contest Opens
Hyping the debut of the 2024 Trax this spring, Chevy is announcing a contest for a chance to become a “Lead Dream Chaser.” This is a three-month program will allow a person to pursue a lifelong dream or passion project. The Dream Chaser will share their journey on social media, get $100,000 and three months with the 2024 Trax. Continue reading
Posted in marketing, new vehicle
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, Chevy Trax, Everette Taylor, Ken Zino, Kickstarter
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American Honda Recalls more Talon Off-Highway Vehicles
Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled recreational off-highway vehicles and contact an authorized Honda Powersports dealer to schedule an appointment for a free inspection and repair, which includes proper tightening and thread deformation of the intake funnel screw. American Honda is contacting all known purchasers directly. Honda has received a total of 18 reports of incidents, including one report of a loss of control, resulting in a crash with minor injuries to the occupants. About 34,000 of the recalled Talons were sold. Continue reading
Posted in recalls, safety
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, cpsc, Honda Talon 1000 ROVs, Ken Zino
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Death of the Diesel – EPA Fines Genesee & Wyoming Railroad Services
GWRSI estimates that the company will spend approximately $42 million to comply with the consent decree requirements which will reduce NOx emissions from its locomotives by approximately 469 tons per year and particulate matter emissions by 14 tons per year. As these things go, this appears to be an amiable settlement to AutoInformed. Continue reading →