Category Archives: connected vehicles

Porsche Recalls More Than 173,000 Vehicles for Rear Visibility

Posted on 5 January 2026 by Ken Zino

“A rear-view camera image that does not display decreases the driver’s rearward visibility, increasing the potential risk of an incident,” Porsche said. “While the exact root cause is unknown, transient signal noise between the control unit and the Surround View cameras can, in certain rare instances, interrupt the signal from the rear-view camera. …If this occurs, the driver will notice the rear-view camera image is not displayed when the vehicle is placed in Reverse.” Porsche said. Continue reading →

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Rising EV Sales Deepen Need for Charging Systems

Posted on 24 December 2025 by Ken Zino

The global EV charging infrastructure market is set to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 13.6% from 5.8 million units in 2025 to 11.0 million units in 2030, forecasts GlobalData, the respected consultancy. Countries such as the US and China have seen especially fast growth in EV uptake, supported by substantial public investment in charging infrastructure. [This despite the politicization of EVs by the King Trump Administration. Perchance it should be renamed the King Canute Administration. – AutoCrat]

“Global outlook for battery electric vehicles (BEVs) remains strong, supported by increasing consumer uptake, fast-paced technology advances, and supportive government policies. BEV sales are projected to rise significantly, growing the worldwide EV fleet over the coming years in line with existing policy directions and driving higher battery demand. While China continues to lead the market, demand is spreading more broadly, with meaningful growth in both emerging economies and mature markets such as the EU and the UK,” said Rehaan Shiledar, Senior Power Analyst at GlobalData. Continue reading →

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Wadda You Say? Personalized Sound at Nissan, Infiniti

Posted on 15 December 2025 by Ken Zino

Nissan and Infiniti said today that the Personalized Sound app that debuted – also today – on the Google Play store is available now for download on every Nissan and Infiniti equipped with Google built-in (footnote 1) including those on the road, at no additional cost. After downloading the Personalized Sound app from the Google Play store, the program directs drivers through a hearing test by playing tones of varying loudness and pitch. The driver responds with how well they can hear each sound by tapping on the infotainment screen, and the program creates a personalized listening profile based on that individual’s hearing.

“We want to elevate every driver’s experience, whether they have a hearing impairment, are audiophiles, or simply want to get the most out of their sound system,” said Mitchell Pope, a senior product planner at Nissan who helped lead the development of Personalized Sound. Offering an individually tailored audio experience like this is a big first in the U.S. auto industry.” Continue reading →

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Toyota Enhances Arizona Proving Ground

Posted on 10 December 2025 by Ken Zino

Toyota Motor North America (NYSE: TM, 7203T) today celebrated the completion of new construction and updated offerings at its Arizona Proving Ground. Joined by local government officials during an event, Toyota leaders discussed the improvements for vehicle and automotive technology testing and development.

“We are proud to strengthen the offerings at our world-class facility in Arizona, not only for Toyota, but for any company that has use for these amenities,” said Monte Kaehr, group vice president of Vehicle Development Engineering at Toyota Motor North America’s Research and Development. Continue reading →

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Stellantis Shows Two Autonomous Driving Vehicles

Posted on 5 December 2025 by Ken Zino

Stellantis (NYSE: STLA. STLAM.MI) today showed its latest automated driving technologies. This occurred at the so-called Hi-Drive Final Event in Brussels. [Hi-Drive is a European technology demonstration project dedicated to advancing vehicle automation. “The program focuses on expanding automated vehicles’ … Continue reading →

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New Mercedes-Benz Electric CLA to start at $47,250

Posted on 28 November 2025 by Ken Zino

Mercedes-Benz USA said the week that its  all-new electric CLA sedan will start at $47,250 (footnote 1) when the first vehicles appear on U.S. roads in December, with the available volume progressively ramping up through the first quarter of 2026.

“The compact sedan sets new standards with intuitive technologies, striking design, enhanced comfort and up to 374 miles (EPA) of electric range,” Mercedes-Benz claimed. Continue reading →

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Trump Tariffs – Toyota to Invest ~$10 Billion In U.S. Ops

Posted on 13 November 2025 by Ken Zino

Toyota Motor Corporation has announced an additional investment of up to $10 billion in the United States during the next five years. This will bring the company’s total U.S. investment to ~$60 billion since beginning operations in the U.S. about … Continue reading →

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Polestar to Use Google Maps Live Lane Guidance

Posted on 4 November 2025 by Ken Zino

Polestar* (Nasdaq: PSNY), the struggling Swedish electric car brand facing de-listing by Nasdaq, said today that it will become the first automotive OEM to integrate Google Maps’ new live lane guidance into the driver display in one of its vehicles. The applies to cars with Google built-in. “It will help drivers stay on course with ease while navigating complex highways and intense rush-hour traffic.”

“Over the past five years, Polestar’s collaboration with Google has delivered many new features for Polestar owners. Live lane guidance continues the path of Polestar’s driver centric UX strategy, reducing driver stress and improving safety by making missed exits and last-minute lane changes much less of a worry,” said Sid Odedra, Head of UI/UX at Polestar. Continue reading →

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Volkswagen ID – Money Back in 100 Days

Posted on 3 November 2025 by Ken Zino

In a marketing move that likely will have international implications, Volkswagen* in the U.K. today announced the so-called ID. Promise. This allows its retail electric car customers between 80 and 100 days after collection to ‘drive and decide.’ The time frame in which people can return vehicles is from the point that they take delivery of their new cars. They just need to inform their retailer, who will then arrange a refund minus a 3% fixed usage charge, as well as the cost to repair any damage or modifications to the cars since they were handed over.**

“Official figures show more than 1.3 million UK motorists have already converted to electric, and time and time again our customers tell us they would never go back to petrol or diesel having made the move,” said Rod McLeod, Director of Volkswagen UK. “But there are many more people who want to go electric but feel unsure. This straightforward initiative gives them the perfect opportunity to ‘drive and decide’ with no strings attached.” Continue reading →

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Distracted Driving – Cell Phone Manipulation Persists

Posted on 30 October 2025 by Ken Zino

An Arizona law making it illegal to hold a cellphone while driving cut handheld conversations, but other problems remain, according to a study published today by Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). In Arizona, the number of warnings issued by state police fell by about a quarter and the number of citations fell by a third between 2021 and 2024.*

“These results are a bit of a reality check. ‘No holding’ laws are a positive step, but it will take more than better-worded legislation alone to combat cellphone distraction,” said IIHS President David Harkey. Continue reading →

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Porsche Cayenne Electric – Resourceful Performance

Posted on 24 October 2025 by Ken Zino

“With the Cayenne Electric, we are taking e-performance to a new level,” said Dr Michael Steiner, Deputy Chairman of the Executive Board and Member of the Executive Board, Research and Development. “Our innovative high-voltage system combines maximum efficiency with the driving dynamics typical of Porsche.” Continue reading →

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GM Ends Production of BrightDrop EVs in Canada

Posted on 21 October 2025 by Ken Zino

General Motors (NYSE: GM) today confirmed the end of production of the BrightDrop electric delivery van built at CAMI Assembly in Ingersoll, Ontario. BrightDrop production will not be moved to another site. GM said “The commercial electric delivery van market … Continue reading →

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Chevrolet Bolt Returns as 2027 Model at ~$30,000

Posted on 9 October 2025 by Ken Zino

“The Chevrolet Bolt was the industry’s first affordable mass-market, long-range EV and it commanded one of GM’s most loyal customer bases thanks to its price, versatility and practicality,” said Scott Bell, vice president, Global Chevrolet. “After production ended, we heard our customer’s feedback and their love for this product. So the Bolt is coming back, by popular demand and better than ever, for a limited time. Continue reading →

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Milestones – Volvo Cars One Millionth Plug-In Hybrid

Posted on 2 October 2025 by Ken Zino

Volvo Cars (VOLCAR-B.STO)* said today it reached a milestone in its electrification goal in September when it delivered its one millionth plug-in hybrid. The Chinese-owned company** is transitioning to becoming a fully electrified car maker with plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) as part of the plan. Volvo posted a significant loss in Q2 2025 as it was caught in the crossfire of resident Trump’s ongoing tariff chaos.

“Volvo Cars is committed to a fully electric future, and we will get there in a pace that suits our customers,” says Erik Severinson, chief commercial officer at Volvo Cars. “Our plug-in hybrid cars are a crucial bridge towards that future for those customers who are not yet ready to go fully electric.” Continue reading →

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Mercedes-Benz Opens Robotic Lighting Test Center

Posted on 2 October 2025 by Ken Zino

Mercedes-Benz said today that it has opened Europe’s most advanced light-testing center with robots at the wheel at its Global Proving Ground in Immendingen in Baden-Württemberg. The Immendingen site is a one-hour drive from the Group headquarters in Stuttgart. It has 53 miles of road amid its 1285 acres.

“The Immendingen Test and Technology Center is the first digitized Mercedes-Benz proving ground – here, real and virtual vehicle testing merge seamlessly. By digitally mapping the proving ground, using automated test programs and employing state-of-the-art sensor technology, we are making vehicle development more efficient, faster and more sustainable than ever before,” said Markus Schäfer, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, Chief Technology Officer, Development & Purchasing. Continue reading →

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