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- Silverado and GMC HD Pickups Recalled for Sudden Stalling
- Windshield Wiper Failures – Ford Motor Recalls 605,000 SUVs
- Jeep Wrangler Finally Fixes Crash-Test Tipping
- Acura and Honda to Export U.S. Made Vehicles to Japan
- BMW Group Plant Spartanburg Largest U.S. Auto Exporter
- IIHS Pushing for Optimal State Safety Belt Use Laws
- Volvo Cars to Increase EX60 SUV Production to Meet Demand
- Volvo Cars – 2.5 Million Software Upgrades Are Now Free
- Annals of Marketing – Goodyear Vault Online Debuts
- Ganassi Racing’s Palou Rules 2026 NTT IndyCar Start
- Ford Transit Brake Failure Recall
- GM Canada Walks Together on Coldest Night of the Year
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- Michigan Governor Whitmer on Pew – Confidence in Trump Dips, Fewer Support His Policies
- Porsche Motorsport Daytona Victory on Daytona 24 Hours – Old and New Stars Getting Ready to Run
- UAW Ford Department Director VP Laura Dickerson on Trump's Ford Plant Visit on Whitmer Stands in Stark Contrast to Trump at Detroit Auto Show
- Ken Zino on Ford Fuel Injector Leak Recall Now at ~694,000
- Laverne Oliver on Ford Fuel Injector Leak Recall Now at ~694,000
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Category Archives: connected vehicles
Another Tesla Self-Driving Recall
The recall is a result of long standing investigations at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration about the controversial auto pilot system. Tesla, what seems to us arrogantly, did not agree with the NHTSA analysis but went ahead with the recall anyway. It is the latest pr disaster from the firm that no doubt will have social media, uh, all atwitter. Continue reading
Michigan Chemistry – Ford to Spend $3.5B on LFP Battery Plant
Lithium iron phosphate batteries use fewer high-demand, high-cost materials such as critical minerals nickel and cobalt. Ford said they will power a variety of Ford’s next-generation of EV passenger vehicles and pickups, starting this year with Mustang Mach-E. A US LFP battery plant is now central to the so-called Ford+ plan because in theory it helps Ford more EV production quickly thereby making EVs more affordable for customers. Ford’s goal is an 8% EBIT margin for Model e by 2026. It is being pushed hard here by General Motors* and other global automakers as they compete in the capital markets. Continue reading
US Made Semiconductors – GM, GlobalFoundries Ink Deal
“I have long said that Upstate New York’s semiconductor corridor will be a major engine powering America’s technological future, and now ‘Made in New York’ chips will help jumpstart the next generation of vehicles for GM across the country,” said U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer. Schumer of course we key in developing and passing the Biden Administration’s bi-partisan CHIPS and Science Act, which is bringing manufacturing back to US supply chains. Continue reading
Genesis Slowly Expanding US EV Sales
Genesis Motor America, in collaboration with Electrify America, offers three years of 30-minute complimentary charging sessions from the date of vehicle purchase.* Owners of the 2023 GV60 and Electrified G80 have access to hyper-fast charging on Electrify America’s coast-to-coast charging network and can seamlessly locate and access charging stations while on the road via the Genesis Connected Services and Electrify America mobile apps. Continue reading
Nissan Shows Max-Out EV Convertible Concept
The Nissan Max-Out in Nissan marketing/styling jargon is “created on the fundamental concept of being one with the car…two-seater convertible is designed to provide a liberating sense of openness while offering an enhanced, dynamic driving experience. The Max-Out displays Nissan’s innovation to develop a diverse range of advanced and striking vehicles, with a clear vision of how they can benefit both individuals and society.” Continue reading
Almost Autonomous – Mercedes-Benz 2024 S‑Class, EQS?
If Mercedes is able to deliver model year 2024 Mercedes‑Benz S-Class and EQS Sedans late in 2023, then its optional DRIVE PILOT system would be the first and perhaps the only SAE Level 3 system in a standard-production vehicle authorized for use on US public freeways. Mercedes‑Benz also aspires to expand to California later this year with the certification documents already filed with state authorities. General Motors, among other automakers, is also actively pursuing autonomous vehicles. Several GM brands are partially there already with its Super Cruise system. 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
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
Virtual Power Plant Partnership – Ford, GM, SunPower, Others
VP3 follows the institutional spinoffs in the electric sector previously developed by RMI, including the Clean Energy Buyers Association and the Energy Web Foundation. Initial funding was made possible by General Motors and Google Nest. Today, VP3 includes Ford, General Motors, Google Nest, OhmConnect, Olivine, SPAN, SunPower, Sunrun, SwitchDin, and Virtual Peaker. Continue reading
Renault at Paris Motor Show – Vague Marketing for Unique Cars
There so much history here, it’s tough to know where to concentrate on the most significant. AutoInformed arbitrarily picks the Kango because it caught Ford of Europe napping 25 years ago while Renault was transiting, so to speak, into the leisure activity vehicle segment. With its pragmatic design and a sliding side door for the first time, Renault Kangoo merged two segments in Europe – a roomy car for families, and a work vehicle with a large-sized boot, err trunk, and durability for professionals. Renault has sold 4 million of them in 50 countries. Renault Kangoo is now available in an E-Tech Electric version for the first time in its history. Continue reading
Mobile Music – New Mercedes-Benz Dolby Atmos Symphony
Integrated into the optional Burmester® high-end 4D and 3D sound systems, it has a justifiable claim to be state of the art. Whether you like such art or German opera is a matter of personal taste, of course. Continue reading
GM Energy a New Energy Management Division
It’s an ambitious, industry leading program that can help customers rid themselves of some of the negative aspects of relying on utility companies. GM Energy’s services will also enable the sale of energy from EV and stationary storage batteries back to utilities during peak, high energy consumption periods, unlocking even more potential value for customers and increasing resiliency for the electrical grid, GM said. Continue reading
An Idea Whose Time has Come – Smart Infrastructure
The SMART Grants Program – the latest example of how government can effect change for its people – comes from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, signed by President Biden on 15 November 2021. The Infrastructure law – almost universally opposed by the Republican party, whose members are still trying to overturn the last election while endorsing political violence – will offer up to $100 million in grants annually over the next five years. It will fund projects that use data and technology to solve real-world challenges facing communities today, the Administration said in a release. Continue reading
Posted in autonomous vehicles, connected vehicles, customer satisfaction, milestones, transportation
Tagged Advanced Transportation Technology and Innovation program, ATTAIN, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, Biden-Harris Administration, dot, fhwa, Ken Zino, Pete Buttigieg, SMART Grants Program
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Jeep Shows Recon and Wagoneer Electric SUVs
The Jeep brand showed the first images of two fully electric SUVs, all-new Jeep Recon and Wagoneer, code-named Wagoneer S, planned for North America and other regions around the world. Stellantis also said that the all-new, all-electric Jeep Avenger will launch in Europe early next year after its debut at the Paris Motor Show on October 17. Continue reading
GM St. Catharines Plant to Build Ultium EV Drive Units
With hundreds of good-paying jobs at stake, it’s unlikely such supporting agreements won’t be forthcoming in AutoInformed’s view. We would be more troubled by the fate of the Toronto Maple Leafs as the NHL trade deadline and the Stanley Cup approach. Continue reading →