Category Archives: electronics

Annals of Marketing – Audi Electric Mountain Bike

Posted on 6 May 2024 by Ken Zino

Audi of America said this morning that it will increase its range of e-mobility products with the launch of a limited-edition enduro-style electric pedal assist mountain bike – dubbed eMTB – powered by Fantic. It becomes available through Audi Genuine Accessories by the summer of 2024. The Audi eMTB has livery said to be inspired by the design of Audi’s electrified Dakar Rally-winning RS Q e-tron race car. Audi eMTB at ~$9795 comes from a deal with Italian motorcycle and e-bike manufacturer Fantic based upon its XEF 1.9 Factory enduro e-bike. Continue reading →

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Ford Maverick Pickups Recalled for Tail Light Failures

Posted on 6 May 2024 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company is recalling more than 243,000 Maverick vehicles. The Body Control Module (BCM) on 2022-2024 models may deactivate one or both rear tail-lights without warning. The problem appears to simple math error during the design phase of product development. The rear lamps use two position bulbs on a single circuit. However, the BCM current threshold was calibrated to the current draw for one bulb. This is a variation and expansion of a previous rear light recall. Continue reading →

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Sudden Power Loss Recall – Bronco Sport, Maverick Trucks

Posted on 22 April 2024 by Ken Zino

“An insufficient calibration strategy for detecting sudden battery degradations during a drive cycle can lead to (a) a vehicle that is unable to restart after an auto start/stop event or (b) experience a stall while coming to a stop at low speed. Either may be accompanied by a loss of 12-volt accessories, including hazard lights,” Ford said in the required filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which the Federal safety agency made public today. NHTSA prompted the recall. Continue reading →

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EV Grumblings – 2025 Toyota Camry Will Be Hybrid Only

Posted on 18 April 2024 by Ken Zino

The 2025 Toyota Camry sedans are expected to arrive at Toyota dealerships in late spring 2024 with a starting Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $28,400* – more than $400 less than the outgoing Camry Hybrid base grade and includes more standard features. It is a formidable entry in AutoInformed’s view. Continue reading →

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Ford Again Recalls Bronco Sport and Escape SUVs for Fires

Posted on 15 April 2024 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is recalling more than 420,00 2022-2023 Bronco Sport and 2022 Escape vehicles because of engine fires. Affected SUVs are equipped with 1.5-liter engines where a fuel injector may crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment, Ford said in the required filing that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration made public this morning. This is an expansion of a previous fire recall since the original remedy was inadequate on what was then called the Dragon engine. Continue reading →

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New Grille and Battery for 2025 Mercedes-Benz EQS

Posted on 10 April 2024 by Ken Zino

Mercedes‑Benz said today that the EQS Sedan for 2025 model year has numerous upgrades with a new larger 118-kWh battery for increased electric range, a front fascia with a new grille and the Mercedes-Benz standing star on the hood, as well as new standard and optional equipment. The 2025 Mercedes-Benz EQS Sedan arrives at U.S. dealerships later in 2024. The EQ brand is all electric, of course. The EQS SUV is a two- or three-row large vehicle produced at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Tuscaloosa, which is currently, so to speak, experiencing labor issues. Continue reading →

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More US Jobs Coming from Chips and Science Act

Posted on 8 April 2024 by Ken Zino

With investments such as those at TSMC Arizona, the United States is now on track to produce roughly 20% of the world’s leading-edge chips by 2030. With total capital expenditures of more than $65 billion, TSMC Arizona’s investment is the largest foreign direct investment in a greenfield project in U.S. history. Continue reading →

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Suniva, Heliene to Make First U.S. Domestic Content Solar Cells

Posted on 28 March 2024 by Ken Zino

“With this strategic partnership Heliene and Suniva are well-positioned to rapidly scale domestic cell and module manufacturing to meet the surging demand for secure and reliable domestically made crystalline PV modules. Currently, all U.S.-made solar crystalline modules use only imported cells. This partnership will directly address that gap in the U.S. solar supply chain and help strengthen manufacturing capacity to meet increased demand for domestic products,” the companies said in a joint released timed to coincide with a visit by Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen at Suniva yesterday. Continue reading →

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PEVE to Become Toyota Battery Company

Posted on 27 March 2024 by Ken Zino

Toyota Motor (NYSE:TM) in Japan confirmed today that Primearth EV Energy Co., Ltd. (PEVE) will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Toyota Motor. The subsidiary will use the technology advanced through Toyota’s hybrid vehicle battery business to date. and presumably improve on it. The transaction is scheduled to be approved at PEVE’s Annual General Meeting of Shareholders in late June 2024. It’s the latest in a series of moves by Toyota to become a dominant EV company.

“The new company name embodies our determination to leverage the technology and skills honed since PEVE’s establishment in 1996 to contribute to the competitiveness of Japanese batteries and become a company that provides high-quality and highly safe on-board batteries. In addition to batteries for Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs), we plan to produce batteries for Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) and Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs). Through our efforts in the production of diverse and next-generation on-board batteries, we hope to create new value and be useful to society,” PEVE said. Continue reading →

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Department of Commerce Proposes $8.5B Intel Funding

Posted on 20 March 2024 by Ken Zino

The U.S. Department of Commerce and Intel Corporation have reached a non-binding preliminary memorandum of terms (PMT) to provide up to $8.5 billion in direct funding under the CHIPS and Science Act to strengthen the U.S. supply chain and re-establish American leadership in semiconductor manufacturing, the Biden-Harris Administration said today. This is the Department of Commerce’s fourth PMT announcement under the CHIPS and Science Act. So-called leading-edge chips power the most sophisticated technology extant, including developing AI and building critical military systems and weapons.

“There is no one who cares more about revitalizing American manufacturing than President Biden, and today’s announcement is a massive step towards ensuring America’s leadership in manufacturing for the 21st century. With this agreement, we are helping to incentivize over $100 billion in investments from Intel – marking one of the largest investments ever in U.S. semiconductor manufacturing, which will create over 30,000 good-paying jobs and ignite the next generation of innovation,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. Continue reading →

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Jaguar Land Rover North America Recalls I-Pace EVs

Posted on 18 March 2024 by Ken Zino

Jaguar Land Rover North America is recalling 2019 I-Pace SUV vehicles, according to documents released this morning by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The high-voltage battery in the electric Jaguar may overheat, which is a potential fire hazard. These vehicles were built at the Graz Vehicle Assembly Plant in Poland from 6 June – 31 October 2018 and use a Polish-built battery from Chinese LG energy Systems. They were previously recalled under NHTSA 23V369 and will need to have the new safety defect remedy completed. Continue reading →

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More Ford Safety Recalls on Bronco, Explorer, Maverick SUVs

Posted on 18 March 2024 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is recalling 2023-24 Bronco, 2020 Explorer and 2024 Maverick SUV models, according to documents released this morning by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Affected vehicles with various safety defects include Bronco child safety locks, previously recalled Explorer rearview cameras, and Maverick fuel tank leaks or potential fires. Continue reading →

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Another Tesla Software Recall – Pedestrian Warnings

Posted on 18 March 2024 by Ken Zino

Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) is recalling 2013, 2018-2021 Model S, 2020-2021 Model X, 2018-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles, according to documents released this morning by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. A factory reset over the air (OTA) muted the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 141, “Minimum Sound Requirements for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles,” which could increase the risk of collision.* Continue reading →

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EV Bedfellows – Nissan and Mitsubishi Sign MoU

Posted on 18 March 2024 by Ken Zino

Nissan Motor (7201T. NSANY ADR) and Mitsubishi Corporation (8058.T) have signed a memorandum of understanding to pursue a new joint initiative in next-generation-mobility and energy-related services using electric vehicles in Japan. The companies said today that Japan as a country has been addressing issues such as driver shortages due to a declining population, and difficulties maintaining public transportation services due to decreasing numbers of users. Nissan and MC have also been undertaking various initiatives to solve these problems.

Joint initiatives of course have potential economies of scale, reducing the intense capital costs required to develop EVs and autonomous vehicles. This is making for what would have previously been unlikely hookups or strange bedfellows. Nissan and Honda, Two of Japan’s Big Three automakers, previously announced that will study sharing automotive software platforms, core components related to EVs, and complementary products. Continue reading →

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Tracker Off Road OX EVs Recalled for Battery Fires

Posted on 16 March 2024 by Ken Zino

Textron Specialized Vehicles is recalling Tracker Off Road OX EV light utility vehicles because the lithium ion battery pack catch on fire. Owners should immediately stop using the Tracker OX EV and contact their authorized Tracker Off Road dealer or service center to schedule a free inspection and repair of the battery module.

Textron advises that until the Tracker Off Road dealer or service center has completed this service, do not charge the recalled vehicle and park the recalled vehicle outdoors at least 15 feet away from any buildings or other vehicles.
Continue reading →

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