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Category Archives: electronics
Mazda Software Recall on Forward Sensing Camera
Mazda North American Operations is recalling 2024 Mazda 3, CX-30, and 2025 CX-50 vehicles. A software malfunction in the forward sensing camera may prevent the automatic emergency braking system and the lane-keep assist system from functioning.
In addition, the headlights will not automatically adjust from high beams to low beams as intended, according to documents released this morning by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The recalled Mazda models were built at Mazda de Mexico Vehicle Operation. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, electronics, manufacturing, news analysis, recalls, safety, software defined vehicles
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Exterior Lighting, Forward Collision Avoidance, Ken Zino, Lane Departure, Mazda recall 6824H, NHTSA recall 24V649, X @KenAutoinformed
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Volkswagen Group Recalls 2021-2024 ID.4 Models
The affected vehicles may have been built with door handles that do not meet the factory specifications for protection against water ingress. Water ingress into the printed circuit board can lead to malfunctions causing an “open command” – signaling an open command by the door handle when the handle is not being activated by a person. An open door on a moving vehicle puts occupants at risk of injury, and can cause damage to objects and people who may be outside of the vehicle. If the recall problem is present in the vehicle, occupants may notice an audible clicking noise , similar to the sound of a vehicle door being locked/unlocked by the key fob. The planned recall remedy and series production countermeasures are still under development. It is not corrected yet in production. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, electronics, engineering, news analysis, quality, recalls, safety
Tagged 2021-2024 Volkswagen ID.4 recalls, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino, NHTSA 23V-213, NHTSA 23V-312, NHTSA recall 24V-651, Volkswagen Group of America recall 57J9, X @KenAutoinformed
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North Carolina Parts Seller Fined for Emission Defeat Devices
North Carolina automotive parts manufacturer and seller, Rudy’s Performance Parts Inc. (Rudy’s), and its owner, Aaron Rudolf, have agreed to pay a total of $10 million in criminal fines and civil penalties for manufacturing, selling and installing devices, commonly known as “defeat devices,” used to remove or disable required emissions controls in motor vehicles, the U.S. Department of justice said today.
“Defeat devices, such as those sold by Rudy’s, can lead to pollution at high levels that pose health risks and harm the environment,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “This plea agreement and civil settlement show that we will take strong action to enforce the Clean Air Act and emissions controls requirements for motor vehicles.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, electronics, fools 'n frauds, fuel economy or emissions, litigation, manufacturing, news analysis, people
Tagged Aaron Rudolf, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino, OBD defeat devices, Rudy’s Performance Parts, U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. District Court Judge Trevor N. McFadden, X @KenAutoinformed
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Mazda and Panasonic Link on Cylindrical Lithium-Ion Batteries
Panasonic Energy Company and Mazda Motor Corporation today announced that they will prepare for the supply of next-generation cylindrical automotive lithium-ion batteries, in anticipation of their installation in Mazda’s battery electric vehicles with scheduled production from 2027 onward. In a release they said this follows their formerly concluded agreement and reflects their aim of establishing a medium- to long-term partnership.
Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry also approved today their joint project for the expansion of battery production and technology development as part of its plan for establishing a stable supply of batteries. The Japanese government has positioned storage batteries as a strategic asset for achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, and is working to expand the domestic battery supply chains and improve industrial competitiveness. Continue reading
Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, electric vehicles, electronics, environment, global warming, manufacturing, milestones, news analysis, public health, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Kazuo Tadanobu, Ken Zino, Masahiro Moro, MAZDA BEVs, Mazda Motor Corporation, METI, Ministry of Economy, Panasonic Energy, Panasonic Suminoe and Kaizuka factories, the Japanese Minister of Economy Trade and Industry, X @KenAutoinformed
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Jaguar Again Recalls I-Pace Models for Battery Fires
Jaguar Land Rover is conducting a safety defect recall campaign involving 2019 MY Jaguar I-Pace* vehicles built at the Graz Vehicle Assembly Plant from 9 January 2018 through 14 March 2019. The basis for the recall population is all Jaguar I-Pace 19 model year vehicles not included in the Jaguar H484 safety defect recall. The batteries in question were from LG Energy Solution in Poland. Recalled vehicles will receive a software update that will change the maximum state of charge of the battery to 80%. A permanent remedy is under development.
Owners are advised to park and charge their vehicle outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete and for 30 days after the repair has been completed. As an interim repair, dealers will update the battery energy control module software, free of charge as required by US safety regulations. The final fix is currently under development. Continue reading
Posted in customer satisfaction, electric vehicles, electronics, engineering, manufacturing, news analysis, quality, safety
Tagged 23V369, 23V709, 24V085, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, H44, H459, H47, Jaguar recall H484, Jaguar recall H514, Ken Zino, LG Energy Systems battery recalls, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, NHTSA 23V369, NHTSA 24V633, NHTSA recall 24V183, softwre recalls, Tata Group, X @KenAutoinformed
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Tech-Aches – Vehicle Owners Overwhelmed by New Gizmos
Vehicle owners are overwhelmed with technology features that don’t solve a problem, don’t work, are difficult to use or are just too limited in functionality. The results of the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Tech Experience Index* (TXI) StudySM released today shows that. The study, which focuses on the user experience with advanced vehicle technologies as they come to market, finds that while owners offer praise for some advanced features, others are found to be lackluster. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, awards, customer satisfaction, electronics, engineering, marketing, news analysis, software defined vehicles, software defined vehicles
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Tech Experience Index, Kathleen Rizk, Ken Zino, return on investment analysis, TXI, X @KenAutoinformed
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Six New Ford Motor Recalls on Various Safety Defects
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released today information about six more Ford Motor Company safety defect recalls covering a vast array of design, engineering, manufacturing and software defects.
Problems, some of them life threatening, include power windows, engine fires, windshield wipers, failing rear suspension knuckles, loss of steering, and body as well as powertrain control modules. NHTSA Campaign Numbers include: 24V590, 24V591, 24V593, 24V594, 24V597, 24V598. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, electronics, engineering, manufacturing, news analysis, quality, recalls, safety
Tagged 24V591, 24V593, 24V594, 24V597, 24V598, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ford Motor recalls, Ken Zino, NHTSA Ford Recall Campaign Numbers 24V590, NYSE F, X @KenAutoinformed
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IIHS On Intelligent Speed Assistance
“ISA systems have been around for several decades. Using GPS devices with speed limit maps, onboard sensors or cameras that “read” signs or both, they can identify the speed limit in the vehicle’s location and detect when the driver exceeds it, but they vary in their response. Unlike the unit I used, which worked by restricting the engine’s output, some systems only provide an audible or visual warning or make the accelerator harder to press. As of July 1, new vehicles sold in Europe are required to have ISA that at least provides a warning, and the California legislature is currently considering a similar mandate for vehicles sold in the state.
“Even without a legal requirement, ISA systems of various types are starting to appear as options on new vehicles in the U.S., and companies such as MAGTEC and Sturdy sell aftermarket ISA systems, primarily targeting fleet operators. Navigation apps also include speed warnings if the user chooses. Continue reading
Posted in autonomous vehicles, blog, electronics, engineering, litigation, news analysis, people, public health, safety, shows and events, software defined vehicles, software defined vehicles
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ian Reagan, insurance institute for highway safety, Ken Zino, X @KenAutoinformed
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BMW Recalls More than 100,000 SUVs, Cars for Software Glitch
“In certain cases in which the engine starter has some mechanical damage, the engine may not be able to be started. If the driver repeatedly attempts to start the engine using excessively long starting attempts, this may cause an electrical overload of the starter. If the engine acoustic protection material is contaminated by, e.g. oil, then in an extreme case, the proximity of the starter to the acoustic protection material could lead to a thermal event,” BMW said in the required filing which the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration made public this morning. “Thermal event” is a fire in recall speak. Continue reading
Nissan Recalling More 2023 Ariya EV models for Power Loss
Nissan North America is recalling more 2023 Ariya hybrid EV models because the inverter software may misdiagnose an error, which can shut down the EV system, resulting in a loss of drive power, according to documents made public this morning by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
“All of these Ariya have been previously recalled under Recall 23V-657 (Nissan Ariya Inverter). Nissan Ariya vehicles that have received the reprogramming remedy for Recall 23V-657 no longer contain the issue and are not included in this recall,” Nissan claimed in the required NHTSA filing. Continue reading
Posted in customer satisfaction, electronics, news analysis, quality, recalls, safety, software defined vehicles
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, hybrid recalls, Ken Zino, NHTSA 24V560 or 24V-560, Nissan Ariya recalls, Nissan recall R24A8, software recalls, X @KenAutoinformed
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FAA Okays Automated Commercial Drone Flights
The FAA said today that it has authorized commercial drone flights without visual observers in the same Dallas-area airspace. In a first for U.S. aviation, Zipline International and Wing Aviation can now deliver packages while it’s claimed that their drones safely separated from other air traffic using so called Unmanned Aircraft System Traffic Management (UTM) technology.
Previously, when operating drones, the drone pilot must be able to always see the unmanned aircraft. However, what the FAA claims are new advancements in air traffic technology and procedures are making these “Beyond Visual Line of Sight” (BVLOS) flights routine. Considerable lobbying pressure no doubt is in play. The FAA budget was threatened by Republicans last year in latest fiscal year fiasco. The current budget expires on 30 September, so fasten your safety belt, this is going to be a stormy flight. Continue reading
Posted in aviation, electronics, engineering, milestones, news analysis, shows and events, software defined vehicles, transportation
Tagged advanced air mobility industries, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Beyond Visual Line of Sight, BVLOS, commercial space, drones, faa, Ken Zino, unmanned aircraft
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Software Recall on 2024 Porsche Taycans
Porsche Cars North America is recalling 2024 Taycan vehicles. The incorrect headlight control module software may have been installed, according to documents release this morning by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. As such, these 2024 Taycans fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, “Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment.”
The supplier- ZKW Lichtsysteme in Austria – erroneously adopted the ECE-compliant lighting behavior in the data set. Due to this programming error, affected vehicles were equipped with headlight control module software intended for the EU market that does not comply Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108. Continue reading →