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Author Archives: Ken Zino
Asahi Kasei and Honda to Make Lithium-ion Battery Separators
Asahi Kasei Corp. and Honda Motor Co. in Toykyo this morning that they have signed a shareholders’ agreement to convert an existing Asahi Kasei subsidiary in Canada into a joint venture company. This agreement was reached as a result of continued discussions on collaboration for the production of lithium-ion battery separators in Canada based on the basic agreement announced on 25 April 2024. They plan to establish and start the operation of the joint venture company in early 2025, subject to obtaining permits and approvals from relevant authorities. Continue reading
Posted in news analysis
Tagged Asahi Kasei and Honda, Asahi Kasei Battery Separator, Asahi Kasei Honda Battery Separator Corporation, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, E-Materials Canada Corporation, Hipore™ separator business, Ken Zino, lithium-ion battery separators, X @KenAutoinformed
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Honda Racing to Sell Parts to Honda and Acura Consumers
Honda Racing Corporation USA (HRC US), the North American racing arm for Honda and Acura, today announced it will create a new business to produce performance parts for customer use for street, track and off-road applications. Formerly known as Honda Performance Development (HPD), HRC US will offer a new line of performance parts for retail customers.
“HRC US has been winning races and championships on and off road for three decades, and we’re excited to apply this experience to new lines of performance parts for Honda and Acura enthusiasts eager to augment their performance driving experience,” said Jon Ikeda, senior vice president, HRC US. “To be an HRC genuine part, it must meet our exacting standards, while functionally improving vehicle performance and the driving experience.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, marketing, news analysis, performance, shows and events
Tagged 2024 SEMA automotive trade show, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, David Salters, Honda IndyCar, Honda Racing Corporation, Jon Ikeda, Ken Zino, Oracle Red Bull Racing RB20 Formula 1 car, X @KenAutoinformed
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IIHS – Latest 2024 Top Safety Pick Laggards
Four vehicles from four different brands fall short in one or more tests required for a 2024 Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ award in the latest ratings release today from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. To qualify for either award in 2024, vehicles need good ratings in the small overlap front and updated side tests, an acceptable or good rating in the pedestrian front crash prevention evaluation and acceptable- or good-rated headlights across all trim levels. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, awards, customer satisfaction, engineering, news analysis, safety
Tagged 2024 Acura ZDX, 2024 Honda Prologue, 2024 Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ award, 2025 Altima, 2025 Kia Sorento, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, X @KenAutoinformed
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For The Record – Corvette ZR1 Hits 233 MPH
The 2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1* is now the fastest car ever built by an American auto manufacturer. At a test track in Germany earlier this month, General Motors (NYSE: GM) President Mark Reuss drove a 2025 Corvette ZR1 233 mph, setting a top speed record for any current production car priced under $1 million. The Corvette team set this two-way average speed on the northbound and southbound straightaways of the High-Speed Oval Track at ATP Automotive Testing Papenburg.
“Setting the top-speed record in the Corvette ZR1 is a true triumph for Corvette and for Chevrolet, and also an exhilarating, surreal experience for me personally,” said Reuss. “With the current generation’s switch to mid-engine, we knew the outstanding performance and balance made this a real possibility. To go over there and get it done is a testament to the power of ZR1, and to the incredibly talented team that developed and built it.” Continue reading
Software Defined Vehicles – NTT, Toyota Motor Link Together
NTT and Toyota Motor Corporation said today in Japan that they have agreed toa joint initiative in the field of mobility and AI/telecommunications with the aim of realizing a society with zero traffic accidents. (read Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on: Connected Cars – Toyota and NTT Want Standardization)
“Through their previous collaborations, the two companies have confirmed that they share common values, such as contributing to society through technological and industrial development, a people-centered approach, and global contributions that start in Japan. This time, they will further deepen their collaboration with the aim of achieving a ‘society with zero traffic accidents’ as the first step towards realizing a prosperous mobility society where safety and freedom are in harmony,” the release said. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, connected vehicles, customer satisfaction, mobility company, news analysis, public health, safety, software defined vehicles, software defined vehicles
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, human mobility infrastructure, IOWN optical communication technology, Ken Zino, Mobility AI Platform, NTT and Toyota Motor Corporation, X @KenAutoinformed, zero traffic accidents
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Valero Refining Company Fined $82 Million in California
The penalty arises from a 2019 inspection that found unreported emissions from the facility’s hydrogen system containing harmful organic compounds in violation of Air District regulations. These organic compounds contributed to the Bay Area’s regional smog and particulate pollution problems. They contained benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene, or BTEX, compounds, which cause cancer, reproductive harm and other toxic health effects. Air District inspectors discovered that refinery management had known since at least 2003 that emissions from the hydrogen system contained these harmful and toxic air contaminants but did not report them or take any steps to prevent them. The refinery emitted an estimated 8400 tons of these organic compounds in total over this period in violation of Air District regulations – an average of more than 2.7 tons for each day on which a violation occurred, more than 360 times the legal limit. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, environment, news, news analysis, safety
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Bay Area Air Quality Management District, benzene, BTEX, California Air Resources Board, compounds, Dr. Philip Fine, Dr. Steven Cliff, ethylbenzene, Ken Zino, toluene, X @KenAutoinformed, xylene
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One Payment – VW Maintenance, Insurance, Road Calls
Volkswagen Group of America said today that with Volkswagen Financial Services (Volkswagen Credit Inc.) it’s starting a vehicle subscription service for Volkswagen vehicles in the Atlanta metro area. This all-new, month-to-month subscription service for some Volkswagen models bundles maintenance, insurance, and 24/7 roadside assistance into a single monthly payment. It’s branded VW Flex. Beginning today 30 October, Atlanta-area consumers will be able to start their vehicle subscription memberships, selecting from Atlas, Atlas Cross Sport, Tiguan, Golf GTI and Jetta models.
“We’re thrilled our customers have a new mobility option through this partnership with Volkswagen Financial Services,” said Andrew Savvas, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer for Volkswagen North American Region. “This subscription service brings our brand to a whole new segment of consumers who are looking for a simple and flexible mobility option, as well as those who want an easy way to experience the Volkswagen brand for themselves.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, marketing, milestones, news analysis
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Jim Ellis Volkswagen, Ken Zino, said Andrew Savvas, Tina Unterlaender, VW Flex, VW Flex Vehicle Subscription Service, X @KenAutoinformed
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Volvo Cars Joins Tesla Supercharger Network in North America
Volvo Cars* (VOLCAR B:STO) said this week that drivers of its fully electric vehicles including the new EX90 flagship SUV will have access to more than 17,800 Tesla Supercharger stations in the U.S. and Canada.**
“As part of our journey to electrification, we want to make life with an electric car, including our new flagship EX90, as seamless as possible,” said Mike Cottone, President, Volvo Car USA and Canada. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, connected vehicles, customer satisfaction, electric vehicles, global warming, marketing, mobility company, news analysis
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, EC40, EX40, Ken Zino, Mike Cottone, NACS adapters, North American Charging Standard, Tesla Supercharger network, Volvo EX90, X @KenAutoinformed
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Cadillac Lyric EV SUV Gets V-Series Performance Option
Cadillac (NYSE: GM) said today that the first electric SUV to earn the V-Series badge – the 2026 LYRIQ-V – debuts in early 2025. LYRIQ-V will appear markets around the world in both left-hand-drive and right-hand-drive, including the U.S., Canada, … Continue reading

Toyota Motor, Joby Aviation Meet at Toyota’s Technical Center
Toyota Motor Corporation and Joby Aviation executives came together at Toyota’s Higashi-Fuji Technical Center in Shizuoka, Japan on Saturday 2 November. Present were Akio Toyoda, chairman Toyota Group, and Joby CEO and founder, JoeBen Bevirt, along with Joby’s air taxi, an electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (eVTOL*). After its first flights in Japan on previous day, the plan was to get senior executives on board, so to speak.
However, the weather kept them on the ground. Nonetheless, their aspirations still soared upward. “Since its founding, Toyota has been working to realize a society in which everyone can move freely. About 100 years ago, in 1925, Sakichi Toyoda, founder of the Toyota Group, offered a prize to encourage the development of a storage battery that could provide enough performance ‘to fly an airplane across the Pacific Ocean.’ Since then, Toyota has continued to focus on the challenge of air mobility through the generations,” Toyota said in a release likely prepared when the Sun was shining. Continue reading →