Category Archives: electronics

Stellantis Reveals STLA Large EV Platform

Posted on 19 January 2024 by Ken Zino

“Our goals for our STLA platforms are ambitious but this is what our customers need from us today,” said Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares. “Creating a family of vehicles from a well-engineered set of components that is flexible enough to cover multiple vehicle types and propulsions, over-performing any of our current products, will address each of our iconic brands’ customers. The flexibility and agility of this platform is its hallmark and will be a driving force for our success in the shift to electrification in North America.” Continue reading →

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Volvo Cars Recalls 2024 XC40 Hybrids for Bad Software

Posted on 15 January 2024 by Ken Zino

Volvo Car USA is recalling ~17,409 2024 XC40 hybrid SUVs. A diagnostic error in the Central Electronic Module (CEM) software may cause the left rear turn signal indicator to not function, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in a filing made public today. What is characterized as “a diagnostic mis-detection of short to ground of the left-hand rear turn indicator will result in no function of the left-hand rear turn indicator.” Continue reading →

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Supernal Shows S-A2 Electric Vertical Takeoff Aircraft

Posted on 11 January 2024 by Ken Zino

“From the beginning, Supernal has been on a mission to create the right product and the right market at the right time,” said Jaiwon Shin, president of Hyundai Motor Group and CEO of Supernal. “The unveiling of S-A2 demonstrates our unwavering commitment to deliver on that mission with a safe, efficient vehicle design that provides a clear path to market entry. By leveraging our talented 600-person team, the vast technical and business capabilities of Hyundai Motor Group and trusted aviation suppliers around the world, Supernal is ready to deliver a new era of flight.” Continue reading →

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Car Star Wars – Honda Debuts New Global EV Line

Posted on 9 January 2024 by Ken Zino

“The mobility we dream of is not an extension of the trend of ‘thick, heavy, but smart’ EVs,” said Toshihiro Mibe, Global CEO of Honda. “We will create a completely new value from zero based on thin, light and wise as the foundation for our new Honda 0 EV series to further advance the joy and freedom of mobility to the next level.” Continue reading →

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Hyundai, Kia, Samsung Electronics to Link Cars and Homes

Posted on 4 January 2024 by Ken Zino

“This is an opportunity to make the connected car’s Car-to-Home and Home-to-Car services more convenient in various fields,” said Haeyoung Kwon, Vice President of Hyundai and Kia’s Infotainment Development Center. “We plan to accelerate our technology development.” Continue reading →

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Japan Inc – Automakers Start Advanced SoC Research

Posted on 29 December 2023 by Ken Zino

ASRA aims to establish in-vehicle chiplet technology by 2028 and to install SoCs in mass-produced vehicles from 2030 onward. By combining Japan’s technological capabilities and experience in automotive, electrical components, and semiconductors, ASRA will work with industry, government, and academia to promote domestic and international collaboration as a world-leading technology research group, the socially and environmentally awakened firms said. Continue reading →

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Ford Recalls Maverick Pickups for Defective Software

Posted on 26 December 2023 by Ken Zino

In the required recall documents just made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Ford said the Mexican built Mavericks contain rear tail-lamps with two turn signal lamp bulbs on each side. The body control module will not provide an outage notification to the driver if only one of the two rear turn signal lamp bulbs has failed. Continue reading →

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Porsche Fires – Cayenne, Panamera, Taycan Charging Cables

Posted on 26 December 2023 by Ken Zino

Porsche Cars North America is recalling various models and model years of its Cayenne, Panamera and Taycan hybrid models because the 220V/240V compact/portable charging cable can overheat causing the risk of fires. More than 41,000 Porsches are involved. According to documents just released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Porsche is blaming the home wiring of affected customers for the safety defect. Continue reading →

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Tesla Model S and X Recalls for Failed Side Impact Protection

Posted on 26 December 2023 by Ken Zino

Tesla is recalling more than 120,000 model year 2021-2023 Model S and X vehicles, according to documents just released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The cabin doors can unlock during a crash. These Tesla models fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 214 “Side Impact Protection.” Continue reading →

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New Toyota, Lexus Airbag Recall ~1 Million US Vehicles

Posted on 21 December 2023 by Ken Zino

The recalled cars, SUVs and vans have the so-called Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensors in the front passenger seat that could have been improperly manufactured, causing a short circuit. This would prevent the airbag system from properly classify the occupant’s weight, and the airbag may not deploy as designed in certain crashes, increasing the risk of injury. Continue reading →

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Mercedes-Benz – Turquoise Autonomous Driving Marker Lights

Posted on 19 December 2023 by Ken Zino

Mercedes-Benz said today that it has approvals for turquoise-colored automated driving marker lights in California and Nevada. The exemption permit for California is for testing vehicles and initially limited to two years. The Nevada permit applies to Mercedes-Benz Model Year 2026 production vehicles. Thus a marketing component – styling with lights – is now part of the ongoing debate about the effect of autonomous vehicles on the safety of other road users and pedestrians. Continue reading →

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Preorders Open for Acura 2024 ZDX Performance EV

Posted on 18 December 2023 by Ken Zino

The 2024 ZDX A-Spec is forecast to start in the $60,000 range with a single-motor (rear-wheel-drive) powertrain. A more powerful dual-motor (all-wheel-drive) configuration is also available. ZDX Type S has a performance tuned dual-motor AWD powertrain producing ~ 500 horsepower and is expected to start in the $70,000 range. Continue reading →

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Tesla Recalls 2,031,220 Autopilot Equipped Vehicles

Posted on 14 December 2023 by Ken Zino

Tesla (Nasdaq: TSLA) is recalling 2,031,220 vehicles with Autopilot. Included are 2012-2023 Model S, 2016-2023 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3 and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles equipped with all versions of Autosteer leading up to the versions that contain the recall remedy, according to documents released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration yesterday.

“In certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, the prominence and scope of the feature’s controls may not be sufficient to prevent driver misuse of the SAE Level 2 advanced driver-assistance feature,” Tesla said in the required NHTSA filing. Continue reading →

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Cadillac VISTIQ Three Row SUV to Join EV Lineup

Posted on 14 December 2023 by Ken Zino

“VISTIQ adds another compelling EV to the Cadillac lineup, reinforcing our commitment to an electric future,” said John Roth, vice president of Global Cadillac. “Our brand now has an EV entry in most luxury segments, offering customers a range of choices, and Cadillac EVs will cover most luxury SUV segments across critical global markets in the next two years.” Continue reading →

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Happy New Year! GM Reorganizes Regions and PD

Posted on 13 December 2023 by Ken Zino

General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) said today that is making changes to its product development team and creating a new role to oversee its global regions. This reorganization is partially the result of the retirement of Doug Parks, GM executive vice president of Global Product Development, Purchasing and Supply Chain, after a ~40-year career at the company. All changes take effect on 2 January 2024.

“We’ve spent years preparing GM to transition to an all-electric future, and Doug’s leadership has been pivotal. We are grateful for his many contributions to GM’s success,” said GM Chair and CEO Mary Barra. “The changes we are announcing today will continue to drive technical excellence and deliver groundbreaking vehicles to our customers around the world.” Continue reading →

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