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Category Archives: connected vehicles
Cordless EV w 400 Mile Range – 2023 Toyota Mirai Fuel Cell
At its heart, Mirai remains a breakthrough fuel-cell electric vehicle where the driver fills the tank with compressed hydrogen gas rather than liquid gasoline. It was derived from the Lexus LS 400 platform (rear-wheel drive – RWD-GA-L). A FCEV, of course, generates its own electricity onboard from hydrogen, with water as the only emission. A fuel cell system combines stored hydrogen with oxygen from the air, and a chemical reaction that produces electric current, and water, which drops out of a vent pipe beneath the Mirai. Continue reading
Posted in alternative fuels, connected vehicles, electric vehicles, engineering, environment, fuel economy or emissions, global warming, marketing
Tagged 2023 Toyota Mirai, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, fcev, fuel cell electric vehicles, Ken Zino, Sir William Robert Grove
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New Mercedes-Benz GLB Mild Hybrid Shown in Europe
In Stuttgart today Mercedes Benz released European photos of the 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLB mild hybrid that will appear in US showrooms later in 2023. Basically it’s a freshening of the compact SUV with a redesigned front bumper and contoured side graphics. There are now new full-LED headlights and taillights, along with a range of expanded options, including two additional wheel designs in 18- and 20-inch sizes and new Starling Blue Metallic paint. Continue reading
Electrified – Mitsubishi Motors Releases Latest Mid-Term Plan
Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (7211.T) in Japan today released its next Mid-Term Business Plan (MTP). This three-year plan, Challenge 2025, states MMC’s corporate direction. As with all recent global automaker’s mission statements, MMC claimed to be reinforcing the company’s environmental commitment … Continue reading
EV Servicing – First Power CSI Satisfaction Drop in 28 Years
You can sell EVs, but you can’t service them to the customer’s satisfaction. That’s the bottom line of the results in the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Customer Service Index (CSI) Study,SM released today. The growing volume of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) being serviced at dealerships is having a negative effect on overall customer service satisfaction, resulting in a year-over-year decline in score for the first time in 28 years. Satisfaction with the service experience declines 2 points to 846 (on a 1,000-point scale) in this year’s study. Continue reading
Mercedes-Benz EQE Priced from +$79,000 in the US
For the first time, the fully variable 4MATIC all-wheel drive system with torque shift in the EQE 350 4MATIC SUV is offered at the same starting price as the EQE 350+ SUV. Mercedes-Benz claimed that this , enhances value for customers for the highest volume model. Each trim has EQ-specific innovative technologies and luxurious features, along with an array of additional options for further personalization. All are built in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.* Continue reading
Honda Shows New Prototype Autonomous Work Vehicle
Honda aims to commercialize its AWV. Honda looking for partners to participate in field testing, as well as to improve functions and enhance services, especially in the areas of: Product distribution Product support and aftermarket sales, as well as software and attachment development. The AWV use Honda’s mobility technologies, and common components from its automobiles and other products. Continue reading
Autonomous Vehicles, Entertainment: Mercedes-Benz Debuts a New Operating System in the Automobility Cosmos
This is only one aspect of a program intended to bolster the stated Mercedes-Benz desire to remain a preeminent luxury brand. Moreover, both are advanced aspects – or aspirations – of what the auto industry and its products are heading toward: a software defined vehicle and user experience, as well as the comprehensive use of data collection and artificial intelligence that will enable autonomous vehicles, along with ongoing software over-the air updates for entertainment feeds, traffic alerts, subscription services, EV charging availability and range, among other aspects of a connected car from a connected car company and its connected dealers and other connected vendors. Continue reading
Posted in autonomous vehicles, connected vehicles, electronics, milestones, mobility company
Tagged artificial intelligence, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, Google Cloud AI, Ken Zino, mb.os, Mercedes Modular Architecture, NVIDIA DRIVE, Ola Källenius, SAE Level 2 and 3 autonomous driving, software defined
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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
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
J.D. Power and Motorq to Monitor EV Battery Health
Yes, your vehicle will be monitored. Clearly, privacy issues will have to be worked out. J.D. Power and Motorq, a connected vehicle analytics company, will use thousands of measurements taken from the vehicle over time to assess how an individual EV battery is performing. The two companies are in active discussions with vehicle manufacturers and other industry participants to bring empirical EV battery health to the market. Continue reading →