Category Archives: electric vehicles

Alexa Voice Now Available on FCA’s New Fiat 500 EV

The launch Alexa on the Fiat 500 continues a global collaboration between FCA and Amazon. FCA customers were initially introduced to Alexa through FCA’s custom Alexa Connected Car Skills, including MyJeep and MyAlfa, which allows customers with Alexa-enabled devices at home to easily ask Alexa to check the battery level of the car, lock/unlock doors, among other trifles. The integration of Alexa on the Uconnect Services suite “deepens the experience by bringing Alexa into the vehicle itself” claims FCA. Continue reading

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New LG and Magna Joint Venture in Powertrain Electrification

The new company, tentatively called LG Magna e-Powertrain, is said to combine Magna’s strength in electric powertrain systems and automotive manufacturing with LG’s expertise in component development for e-motors and inverters. The stated goal is to hasten both partners’ growth in the electric powertrain market. The market for e-motors, inverters and electric drive systems is expected to have significant growth between now and 2030, and the JV will target this fast-growing global segment.The question in AutoInformed’s opinion is to how many electrification parts and services will be brought in-house by automakers and how much will go to suppliers? Continue reading

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2021 Nissan LEAF Starts at $32,545

The “extended range” LEAF PLUS has a standard 62-kWh lithium-ion battery and 160 kW electric motor, delivering an EPA range of up to 226 miles. Every 2021 LEAF has standard Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™. PLUS also has a more powerful 160 kW motor that produces 214 horsepower – an increase of 45% – and 250 lb.-ft. of torque. LEAF PLUS has three trim levels – S PLUS, SV PLUS and SL PLUS starting at, gulp, $39,145 and going to $44,845. Continue reading

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Fisker Ocean to Be Made by Magna in Europe

Fisker claimed that interest in the Ocean continues “to build at an encouraging pace, with global paid reservations now standing at more than 10,400. Fisker plans to unveil a production-intent prototype of the Ocean in the summer of 2021. Production of the all-electric Fisker Ocean SUV is projected to commence in Q4 20 Continue reading

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Artificial Intelligence Will Bring Scooter Riding to Bike Lanes?

The micro-mobility part of Ford Motor Company claims Spin Insight Level 2 with Drover AI’s computer vision and machine learning platform, equips Spin’s vehicles with a camera, an array of sensors, and on-board computing power. Spin claims Drover’s technology is highly adaptive and easily scaled to new environments, allowing an e-scooter to” understand its surroundings in real time and assist riders in making safe riding decisions.” Not a word was mentioned of potential privacy or legal issues or who owns the customer data produced and how it will be used. Future capabilities planned include detecting wrong-way riding, adjusting vehicle speed based on riding conditions, and collision warnings. Continue reading

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First Look at a Technological Tour de Force – Toyota Gen 2 Mirai Fuel-Cell Electric Sedan, $9000 Cheaper vs Gen 1

With a switch to the Lexus LS400 platform, a price cut of -$9000 less with a MSRP of $49,500, and up to $15,000 of Hydrogen Fuel included with a Mirai purchase or lease, the technology tour de force sedan is poised to be a dream for US buyers and a nightmare for German and Korean automakers. Continue reading

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EU – Truck Makers Agree to Be Fossil-Fuel-Free By 2040

This is a bold move considering that ~97% of new European trucks sold are powered with diesel engines. It also underscores a growing movement of citizen voters who hold corporations accountable for negative social effects produced by their goods and services. The incoming President Biden Administration has promised to address environmental issues mocked by loser Trump and has already said it will rejoin l’accord de Paris. This agreement is within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), dealing with greenhouse-gas-emissions mitigation. AutoInformed thinks that it is only a question of time before a similar deal is put in place in the US. Continue reading

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Hyundai Motor Group Launches ‘HTWO’ Brand

Lagging Toyota but mimicking its approach with partnerships by way of hydrogen, energy and logistics companies globally, Hyundai Motor Group claims it has “expanded its fuel cell system business… Continue reading

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Milestones – 10th Anniversary of First US LEAF Delivery

Produced at plants in the U.S., Japan, and the U.K., the Nissan LEAF is sold in 59 markets around the world. Continue reading

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Toyota Gen 2 Prototype Fuel-Cell Trucks to Start Drayage Runs at the Ports of L.A. and Long Beach. Carbon Free Hauling

Using the same fuel cell system as the all-new 2021 Mirai sedan that goes on sale this month, Toyota Motor North America Research and Development engineers have developed a set of production-intent prototype trucks that are being prepared to run drayage routes at the ports of L.A. and Long Beach to validate their performance, efficiency and drivability. Continue reading

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Mercedes-Benz Vans eSprinter on New Versatility Platform

As government regulations and customer preferences prompt the ecological and economic advantages of battery-electric vans, MB will not be alone in this endeavor. The Ford Transit – to name just one competing offering – is also well along the way toward electrification. Moreover Toyota and Hino appear to be leading in the use of hydrogen fuel in electric commercial trucks.  All makers will eventually push forward plans to bring electrically powered vans to market in all segments. Continue reading

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Japan Inc: Toyota and Hino to Pioneer Light-Duty Fuel Cell Electric Trucks with Seven-Eleven, FamilyMart, and Lawson

The five companies are also making efforts to promote the establishment of an environment for the popularization of fuel-cell vehicles, not only of light-duty trucks, but also of commercial and passenger vehicles. Continue reading

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J.D. Power Completes ALG Acquisition

The money involved right now is breathtaking. Determining an accurate residual value –  the value of a vehicle at the end of a lease term is the underpinning of auto leasing because it allows dealers and manufacturers to set the most competitive lease terms today, while protecting their profits tomorrow. About one-third of new vehicles sold each year are leased, typically for a three-year term. At any point in time, the value of vehicles in outstanding lease portfolios is estimated at $500 billion by Power. Continue reading

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Toyota and Hino Heavy-Duty Fuel-Cell Electric Truck Verification Tests Start in the Spring of 2022

The goal is to accelerate the early commercial application of heavy-duty FCETs contributing to the development of a sustainable society. The air quality goals may be achieved, at least in part, by reducing CO2 emissions from heavy-duty trucks, which account for approximately 70% of all CO2 emissions from commercial vehicles in Japan. Continue reading

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GM’s Factory ZERO – First U.S. Plant to Install 5G

A 5G Ultra-Wideband network has considerably faster download speeds and greater bandwidth than 4G networks. Factory ZERO is being completely retooled with a $2.2 billion investment, the largest ever for a GM manufacturing facility. Once fully operational, the plant will have more than 2,200 good-paying U.S. manufacturing jobs. Hamtramck is huge with 4 million square feet of space Continue reading

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