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Category Archives: electronics
Ford Introduces All-Electric F-150 Lightning Pro – Bring Money
Ford is the only automaker, thus far, to offer an 80-amp charge station as standard equipment with the so-called extended-range truck. It uses the only dual onboard charging system in the industry to cut the 15%-to-100% charge time to roughly eight hours for the hoped-for EPA-estimated 300-mile-range. This might help “reduce charging infrastructure investments and battery wear,” but this is Ford speculating about what remains a core issue with EVs – the ability to charge them and America’s outdated grid and infrastructure that the Republicans refuse to cooperate with job-creating Democrats to update. Continue reading
First Look – Kia EV6 Joins Electrification Parade
The 11kW on-board charger (OBC) for Level 2 recharging from 10-to-100% in – gasp – 7 hours, 10 minutes (240v AC, at 40-amps) for the larger 77.4 kWh battery versions. No wonder Last Mile Navigation provides walking directions to the driver’s actual destination if the vehicle is parked between 0.1 and 1.2 miles away. Continue reading
EV Pickup! Ford is Betting Lightning Can Strike Twice
Two giant questions lurking the floors of the Dearborn Glass House are: When Ford builds it next year in 2022 will they come; Can Ford build a complicated new technology vehicle without a series of recalls, glitches and bugs that have been standard equipment on previous high-technology launches including the current generation Explorer? (See AutoInformed* below) Another unknown is EV tax credits. The maximum Federal tax credit is $7,500 for any vehicle no matter the cost. It ceases for automakers at 200,000 total EVs sold. Both General Motors and Tesla have hit the subsidy wall and currently do not qualify for the $7,500 tax credit. The Biden Administration could change this. Continue reading
Stellantis, Foxconn JV for Digital Cockpits, Connected Services
Leaving the marketing babble aside, Mobile Drive will combine Stellantis’ global vehicle design and engineering with Foxconn’s development in the changing software and hardware realms of smartphones and consumer electronics. Continue reading
Solid Power – More Money from BMW, Ford, Volta Energy Technologies for Solid-State EV Batteries
Of the three companies in the new agreement, BMW Group is the clear leader in electrification. Its Neue Klasse presented at its annual conference in March said this new generation of vehicles, which will be launched by the middle of this decade, will be uncompromisingly electric, digital, circular – and clearly focused on all-electric drivetrains. (All-Electric BMW i4 Shown, Q1 Financial Results of BMW Exceed Market Expectations) Continue reading
Ford Ion Park – New Global Battery R&D Site in Michigan
It is supposed to accelerate research and development of battery and battery cell technology, including future battery manufacturing – areas where Ford is lagging behind other automakers, notably General Motors in the US and global makers such as Nissan, Toyota and Honda. Continue reading
Gaming Technology for Autonomous Vehicles at Porsche?
This – in theory – shortens development times, saves costs and makes mobility safer, according to Porsche. Furthermore, in the nascent Porsche Car Configurator, Game Engines are intended to help the customer in the configuration of her vehicle in retail. In the future, customers in Porsche Centers will see an “almost photo-realistic, three-dimensional simulation of their configured vehicle” via a gaming PC with connected VR glasses. Continue reading
GM and LG Energy to Build Second Battery Cell Plant in US
Ultium Cells will build the new plant on land leased from GM. The new battery cell plant will create 1,300 new jobs. Construction on the approximately 2.8 million-square-foot facility will begin immediately, and the plant is scheduled to open in late 2023. Once operational, the facility will supply battery cells to GM’s Spring Hill assembly plant. The latest move clearly positions Korean company LG as the key partner in GM’s push for leadership in the growing Electric Vehicle market. Continue reading
Ford Motor Recalls 2020-21 Lincoln Aviators for Bad Software
The image processing module may be intermittently unable to provide a video feed to the display screen. This could result in a loss of the rearview camera image when the vehicle is in reverse. Continue reading
NHTSA Warns Hyundai, Genesis Owners to Park Outside Away from Buildings Because of Computer Module Fires
The anti-lock brake system modules could malfunction internally and cause an electrical short over time, potentially resulting in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving. “Until these recalled vehicles have been repaired, the safest place to park them is outside and away from homes and other structures,” NHTSA said. Continue reading
Nissan Recalls 80,376 Sentra Cars for Failed Brake Lights
The stop lamp switch may become contaminated with off-gassing from silicon- based grease used in surrounding components (HVAC and brake booster clevis pin) in close proximity. Oxidation may occur at the switch contact surface due to electric arcing, resulting in silicon dioxide build-up. This build-up may lead open circuits and an inoperative stop lamp switch. Continue reading
Posted in electronics, news analysis, recalls, safety
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed, autoinformed.com, Ken Zino, nhtsa, Sentra recalls
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Billion Dollar Oops – Ford F-150s, Edges Without Electronics
The global semiconductor supply collapse has its teeth into Ford Motor, which is now building F-150 trucks and Edge SUVs in North America without some parts. These include electronic modules that contain scarce semiconductors. Ford will build and hold them … Continue reading
Honda Supplying Electric Power Unit for Commercial Work
Taking advantage of the characteristics of the electrified power unit, the eGX accommodates the needs of work equipment use in places where it is difficult to secure adequate ventilation and in use environments where users want to avoid equipment noise as much as possible, such as during nighttime and in residential areas. Moreover, the eGX improves operability and ease of maintenance, which will reduce the user’s workload. The eGX also contributes to the users’ zero-emission goals, said Honda. Continue reading →