Category Archives: electric vehicles

Hyundai Motor America recalls 2025 IONIQ 5 EVs

Posted on 17 February 2025 by Ken Zino

Hyundai Motor America is recalling 2025 IONIQ 5 EV vehicles. The rear floor wiring harness may contain an open circuit, which can result in the rear side airbag not deploying as intended, according to the mandatory safety recall filing made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration today. The driving will see the Illumination of the airbag warning lamp. A rear side airbag non-deployment may increase the risk of injury to occupants during crashes warranting commanded deployment of the SRS. Continue reading →

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Volvo Car USA Recalls EX90s for Headlight Failures

Posted on 17 February 2025 by Ken Zino

Volvo Car USA is recalling 2025 EX90 electric full-size SUVs. Due to a software error in the low power controller (LPC), the headlight shutters may close over the high and low beams while driving, according to the mandatory safety recall filing made public today by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. A Temporary DIM message is displayed for 2-3 seconds during the safety defect. Continue reading →

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Toyota Develops New 3rd Gen Fuel Cell System

Posted on 14 February 2025 by Ken Zino

“The all-new 3rd Gen FC System is designed to meet the particular needs of the commercial sector with the same durability as conventional diesel-powered engines. Additionally, the new system features significant improvements in performance, including fuel efficiency and a significant reduction in costs compared to the prior version. In addition to passenger vehicles, the 3rd Gen FC System will be expanded for use in heavy-duty commercial vehicles, and is planned for introduction in markets mainly in Japan, Europe, North America, and China after 2026 at the earliest,” Toyota said. Continue reading →

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J.D. Power – Three Year Old Vehicle Problems Up

Posted on 14 February 2025 by Ken Zino

The results of this year’s study are consistent with the results of the J.D. Power 2022 Initial Quality StudySM which tracked problems early in the ownership period of 2022 model-year vehicles. That year, initial vehicle quality notably declined from 2021, and problems also reached a record high. Three years later, the issues continue to be problematic for owners, according to findings of the 2025 VDS. (read Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Vehicle Quality Flaws at 36-Year Record High) Continue reading →

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Magna Expands Partnership with Mercedes-Benz

Posted on 12 February 2025 by Ken Zino

Magna said this week that it is expanding its work with Mercedes-Benz.* Heretofore the relationship has spanned multiple areas of the vehicle, including powertrain and drivetrain systems, ADAS technologies, body and chassis components, electrification, interior systems, and vehicle assembly.

“Strong partnerships with our customers are essential for driving innovation and advancing the automotive industry,” said Eric Wilds, Magna Chief Strategy & Commercial Officer. “Our continued partnership with Mercedes-Benz exemplifies how working together can lead to groundbreaking solutions and mutual success.” Continue reading →

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U.S. EV Adoption to Stall in 2025

Posted on 12 February 2025 by Ken Zino

“Amid a flurry of speculation about how Trump administration policies on everything from EV incentives and tariffs on foreign imports to federal emissions and mileage standards will affect the future of EV adoption, J.D. Power has focused its attention on the data, reassessing the major trends in EV adoption for the past four years, and analyzing current government policies and manufacturer strategies to get the most accurate reading possible on consumer sentiment heading into 2025. Though many variables are still at play, which could create potential headwinds and tailwinds to EV adoption, J.D. Power is projecting that 2025 will be a reset year for EV adoption, in which total retail share will hold at 9.1% as manufacturers and consumers adjust to new market dynamics,” J.D. Power said. Continue reading →

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First Look – New Volvo EX30 Cross Country

Posted on 10 February 2025 by Ken Zino

Volvo Cars (Nasdaq Stockholm VOLCAR B)* at a literal fireside chat in the North of Sweden revealed today the new EX30 Cross Country SUV. Outdoors equipment brand Fjällräven was part of the show. The EX30 Cross Country is a compact fully-electric SUV. The Volvo EX30 Cross Country is available to order now in selected markets, with deliveries starting later this spring. It will eventually appear in North America.**

“We launched our first Cross Country car over 25 years ago, and this concept of durable and all-weather cars is core to the Volvo brand,” said Jim Rowan, Volvo Cars’ CEO. “In Sweden we face harsh winters, but we also like to make the most of them by getting out and exploring our amazing nature, even when it’s minus 20 Celsius outside. That’s why we want to deliver a fully rounded experience, not simply a car, to our EX30 Cross Country customers.” Continue reading →

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MBUSA Recalling EQB models for Battery Fires

Posted on 10 February 2025 by Ken Zino

Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) is recalling more than 7000 model year 2022-2024 EQB 250, EQB 300 4MATIC, and EQB 350 4MATIC electric vehicles. The high voltage battery may fail internally and lead to a vehicle fire while parked or driving.

In the mandatory safety defect recall filing made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration this morning, MBUSA said, “Due to the combination of certain production and vehicle use conditions, an internal short circuit of a battery cell in the high-voltage battery might occur, which could lead to the risk of a fire.” The defective software supplier is Farasis Energy-Ganzhou in China. Continue reading →

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Global Warming – U.S. Lags on EV Truck Battery Swapping

Posted on 10 February 2025 by Ken Zino

China is currently the largest market for deploying battery swapping trucks, The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy* said this morning in a well-researched and extensive analysis of zero-emission truck strategies. In 2023, 14% of all zero-emissions heavy-duty vehicles sold (12-month average) in China were swap-capable (Jin and Mao 2024). Tractor-trailers and dump trucks were the main applications for battery swap-capable HDVs. In China, 50% of zero-emissions tractor-trailers and 53% of zero-emissions dump trucks sold in 2023 were swap-capable.

Battery swapping is also emerging in other international markets. Janus Electric, an Australian manufacturer, advertises ranges of around 250 – 370 miles for its HDV technology that allows for battery swapping. In Japan, Ample, Inc., an American-based battery swapping company focused on light- and medium-duty electric vehicles serving shorter ranges, and Mitsubishi Fuso is piloting its technology with Mitsubishi’s light-duty eCanter electric truck using Ample’s battery swapping technology The pilot will test battery swapping for shorter driving ranges (~62-200 miles) in an urban environment. Continue reading →

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Chevrolet Blazer EV SS to Pace Daytona 500 on Sunday

Posted on 10 February 2025 by Ken Zino

Chevrolet said this morning that a 2025 Blazer EV SS, the fastest SS model Chevrolet ever, will pace the 67th DAYTONA 500 at Daytona International Speedway this Sunday in box stock form. The Blazer EV SS, set to go on sale late in Q1, is equipped with Wide Open Watts (WOW), which propels the vehicle from 0 to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds with 615 horsepower and 650 lb.-ft. torque. The pace car is a production vehicle with no performance upgrades, but has custom graphics and embedded strobe lighting. It’s the first EV to ever pace the race. Continue reading →

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Ford Motor Posts Mixed Results for 2024

Posted on 5 February 2025 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) today posted Q4 full-year 2024 financial results. They were mixed from awful to okay. During 2024, Ford Blue’s revenue was flat at $101.9 billion as positive net pricing offset a 2% decline in wholesale vehicle transactions from what Ford said were the cancellation of low-margin products. The internal combustion engine segment at Ford S EBIT was $5.3 billion. Ford Model e reported a full-year EBIT loss of $5.1 billion. The electric vehicle e segment delivered $1.4 billion in cost improvements, net of a $100 million increase in spending to launch new battery plants and next-generation electric vehicles, Ford said. For full-year 2024, revenue climbed 5% to $185 billion; net income was $5.9 billion, and adjusted EBIT was $10.2 billion. For 2025 Ford is predicting a $2 billion profit drop! Bloomberg says that 27% of analysts have a sell recommendation, the highest on record.  Continue reading →

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Toyota Motor Posts FY2025 Q3 Net Revenue Gain

Posted on 5 February 2025 by Ken Zino

Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC: Tokyo 7203. NYSE: TM) today announced financial results for the third quarter fiscal year 2025, which ended 31 December 2024. TMC also announced significant changes in China. Consolidated vehicle sales totaled ~7,000,000 units, a decrease of ~295,000 units compared to the same period fiscal year 2024. On a consolidated basis, net revenues for the period totaled 35.673 trillion yen ($233.2 billion), an increase of 4.9%. Continue reading →

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Volvo Car USA and Canada Posts January Sales Increase

Posted on 5 February 2025 by Ken Zino

Volvo Car USA and Canada (Nasdaq Stockholm VOLCAR B) today reported sales of 8755 cars for January, up 5.4% year-over-year. Electrified models, fully electric or plug-in hybrid powertrain, increased 43.8% year-over year (YoY). They accounted for 35.8 % of sales during the first month of the year.

“We are excited to see a strong start to the year and look forward to continued growth in the US and Canada with our new XC90, EX90 and EX30 SUVs complementing a full lineup of cars that make life easier, better and safer for everyone,” said Mike Cottone, President, Volvo Car USA and Canada. No mention whatsoever was made of President Trump’s ongoing and unpredictable trade and tariff wars.* Continue reading →

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Toyota Motor Leads Global 2024 CY Sales at 10.8M

Posted on 30 January 2025 by Ken Zino

Toyota Motor Corporation (7203.T) today posted its sales, production, and export results for December 2024 , and significantly the total from January to December 2024, including those for subsidiaries Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd. and Hino Motors. With 10.8 million sold – down ~3.7% because of regulatory compliance issues in Japan and the ongoing EV price war in China – TMC easily out sold the Volkswagen group, which reported a 2.3% drop in global sales for 2024 at ~9 million. This makes TMC the undisputed global sales leader for the fifth straight year. Continue reading →

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Suzuki, Daihatsu, Toyota to Release EV Mini-Commercial Vans

Posted on 29 January 2025 by Ken Zino

Suzuki Motor Corporation, Daihatsu Motor Company and Toyota Motor Corporation said today that they have decided to aim for the release of their mini-commercial van electric vehicles (BEVs) respectively in fiscal 2025.*

“This mini-commercial van BEV, jointly developed by the three companies, combines Suzuki and Daihatsu’s expertise in creating small-size cars with Toyota’s electrification technology and is equipped with a BEV system suitable for mini-commercial vehicles. Commercial Japan Partnership Technologies Corporation also participated in the planning to achieve a vehicle with optimal specifications for efficient last-mile logistics,” the companies said in a joint release. Continue reading →

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