Category Archives: auto news

Annals of Marketing – Rolls-Royce Phantom Cherry Blossom

Posted on 2 April 2025 by Ken Zino

Cherry blossoms are celebrated in the centuries-old Japanese tradition of “Hanami” or ‘”flower viewing.” During Hanami, families and friends gather beneath the delicate pink blooms of cherry trees for picnics and celebrations, enjoying the transient beauty of the season, Rolls Royce noted today. A client in Japan wished to capture their cherished Hanami memories, spanning childhood and parenthood. Thus is the backstory of the latest custom or bespoke Phantom Cherry Blossom. This is a one-of-one Phantom commission said to be inspired by the fleeting beauty of the Sakura blooms and a Japanese client’s formative memories of this natural spectacle. Continue reading →

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Honda 0 SUV Appears at Red Bull Showrun x

Posted on 2 April 2025 by Ken Zino

A prototype of the Honda 0 SUV made its global public debut today driven by Formula 1 driver Max Verstappen at the Red Bull Showrun x Powered by Honda event in Tokyo, Japan.* First seen at the 2025 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), the all-electric SUV, part of the Honda 0 Series, is expected to begin production at the Honda EV Hub in Ohio in 2026. The Honda and Red Bull Racing partnership is set to conclude at the end of 2025 season. Continue reading →

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Toyota Top Automaker Again in U.S. Patent Rankings

Posted on 2 April 2025 by Ken Zino

For the 11th consecutive year, Toyota (NYSE: TM) has obtained more patents from the United States Patent and Trademark Office than any other automotive company, according to the annual report by the Intellectual Property Owners Association. Toyota also remains in the top 10 among all patent recipients with 2428 U.S. patents in 2024. Continue reading →

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Ford Motor Q1 U.S. Retail Sales Up 5%

Posted on 1 April 2025 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) said U.S. retail sales rose 5% in the first quarter of 2025.  However, overall, total Ford sales for the quarter decreased 1% year over year. Ford claimed this was “mainly due to daily rental fleet sales timing and lost volume from the discontinuation of the Ford Edge and Transit Connect.” In March, F-Series sales rose 38% with a first quarter increase of 24% on sales of 190,389 trucks. F-Series continued as America’s best-selling truck lineup based on preliminary data. General Motors left Ford in in the dust. Continue reading →

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GM Q1 2025 U.S. Sales Lead Auto Industry

Posted on 1 April 2025 by Ken Zino

General Motors (NYSE: GM) said today that its U.S. sales increased 17% in Q1 OF 2025, with double-digit increases at all four of the company’s brands. For the quarter, GM claimed it led the U.S. automotive industry in total sales at 693,363. It also claimed leadership in retail and fleet sales.

“GM’s sales growth outpaced every other major automaker, and the driving force is our portfolio,” said Rory Harvey, GM executive VP and president of global markets. “We’re the industry leader in trucks and affordable small SUVs, Cadillac is growing significantly in luxury, and we have the broadest portfolio of EVs in the industry.” Continue reading →

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Annals of Marketing – Subaru and Arbor Day Foundation

Posted on 1 April 2025 by Ken Zino

Subaru of America (Subaru Corp. NASDAQ: FUJHF) today announced the launch of its nationwide tree distribution program in partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation® (ADF). It’s claimed to be the largest such corporate effort in the non-profit’s history. As part of the Subaru Loves the Earth® initiative, Subaru retailers will give away established and regionally appropriate trees (up to four feet tall, in one-gallon containers) in communities across the country. Continue reading →

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Volvo Car Recall for LG Battery Fires

Posted on 31 March 2025 by Ken Zino

Volvo Car USA is recalling more than 7400 2020-2021 model year S90 vehicles, 2020-2022 model year S60, V60, XC60 and XC90 vehicles and 2022 V90 plug-in hybrid vehicles.

“The recall population are vehicles produced with LG high-voltage battery modules built in China between 3 June 2019, to 30 November 2021. During this production period there was supplier process deviation that could lead to a risk of an internal short circuit with certain battery cells within the battery module,” Volvo said in the required safety defect recall filing made public today by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Continue reading →

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Tesla Airbag recalls on Model S and X Vehicles

Posted on 31 March 2025 by Ken Zino

Tesla is recalling a small number of 2021-2024 model-year S and 2021-2025 X vehicles. An air bag with the incorrect horn pad from TRW Steering Wheel Systems de Chihuahua, Mexico may have been installed, preventing the horn from sounding.

“On affected vehicles, a service operator may have installed an airbag with a non-mechanical horn pad in a mechanical steering wheel or an airbag with a mechanical horn pad in a non-mechanical steering wheel, resulting in a loss of horn functionality. Airbag functionality is unaffected,” Tesla said in the mandatory safety defect filing made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration this morning. Continue reading →

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Nissan and Infiniti Brake Caliper Failure Recalls

Posted on 31 March 2025 by Ken Zino

Nissan North America is recalling 1430 model year 2025 Murano, Pathfinder, and Infiniti QX60 vehicles. One or both front brake-caliper assemblies from Hitachi Astemo Mexico may have reduced strength and could break. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 135, “Light Vehicle Brake Systems.” Continue reading →

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Ford Recalls Improperly Fixed Explorer Recalls

Posted on 31 March 2025 by Ken Zino

Explorer vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under NHTSA recall numbers 23V-199 or 22V-255. The rear axle horizontal mounting bolt may fracture and cause the driveshaft to disconnect. This is another Ford Motor recall caused by software errors and its inability to ascertain if the prior recall was implemented correctly. Continue reading →

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Ford Recalls Previous Bronco and Escape Fire Recalls

Posted on 31 March 2025 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: Ford) is recalling ~34,000 model-year 2020-2022 Escape and 2021-2023 Bronco Sport vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under NHTSA recall numbers 22V-859 or 24V-187. A fuel injector may crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment risking a fire. It’s the latest in a growing series of Ford recalls that were not properly repaired the first time because of software programming errors, requiring a recall of the recall, so to speak. Continue reading →

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Renault and Nissan Shuffle Alliance Holdings

Posted on 31 March 2025 by Ken Zino

Renault Group (Euronext: RNO) and Nissan (7201T and NSANY ADR) today announced new business projects for the evolving remains of the failed Renault Nissan Alliance. Renault Group would own 100% of Renault Nissan Automotive India Private Ltd (RNAIPL) by acquiring the 51% shareholding currently held by financially ailing Nissan. Nissan said it will maintain a presence in India with a focus on increasing market coverage. At its heart the shuffle involves complex product programs across global markets, once again requiring cooperation among diverse and distinct corporate cultures that have a troubled past working together. Continue reading →

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Toyota 2025 Mirai Fuel-Cell Sedan Due in Spring

Posted on 28 March 2025 by Ken Zino

“Mirai has an EPA-Estimated Driving Range Rating of 402 Miles running on hydrogen from onboard tanks and oxygen from the outside air to generate power for the vehicle,” Toyota said. “In essence, the Mirai is a ‘plug-less’ electric vehicle. A Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) generates its own electricity onboard from hydrogen, with water as the only tailpipe emission. The fuel cell system combines stored hydrogen, along with oxygen from the air, and then a chemical reaction produces electric current and water, which drops out of a vent pipe beneath the car.

“Instead of having to charge a large battery pack like in a battery–electric vehicle, which can take several hours, the Mirai’s driver fills the vehicle’s tanks with hydrogen. With an FCEV, the fuel is non-toxic, compressed hydrogen gas rather than liquid gasoline,” Toyota said. Continue reading →

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Porsche Adding Wider Range of Apps and Services

Posted on 28 March 2025 by Ken Zino

Porsche AG (P911.DE) said this week that  it is optimizing its hardware for improved performance so that its App center offers  a wider range of services, including Dolby Atmos® for an immersive sound,  the integration of the Amazon Alexa® voice assistant among other things. It will also be offering Porsche Connect at no charge for 10 years on the purchase of new Porsche models. Thus Porsche known for its automotive performance technology is finally updating its digital age technology.*

“With the start of the new model year, the 911, Taycan, Panamera and Cayenne model series will benefit from significant improvements in infotainment technology and an expanded range of new functions in this area,” Porsche said. Continue reading →

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GMC 2026 Sierra EV – Bring Money

Posted on 27 March 2025 by Ken Zino

GMC (NYSE: GM) today introduced the 2026 Sierra EV with a wide range of trims, capability, and battery configurations, giving customers more choice than in an electric GMC pickup due in showrooms this summer. The premium Elevation and offroad AT4 trims join the Denali to complete a lineup that now has a starting MSRP of $64,495 including $2095 DFC. The top of the line AT4 will start at an MSRP of $81,395. Continue reading →

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