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Category Archives: engineering
EV Grumblings – 2025 Toyota Camry Will Be Hybrid Only
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
Ford Again Recalls Bronco Sport and Escape SUVs for Fires
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
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, electronics, news analysis, public health, quality, recalls
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Bronco recalls, Bronco sport recalls, Ford Bronco recalls, Ford Escape recalls, Ford recall 24S16, ford recalls, Ken Zino, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, NHTSA 24V187
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New Grille and Battery for 2025 Mercedes-Benz EQS
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
More US Jobs Coming from Chips and Science Act
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
Posted in economy, electric vehicles, electronics, manufacturing, milestones, news analysis
Tagged 2 Nanometer or More Advanced Chips, AMD, apple, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Bidenomics, CHIPS and Science Act, Dr. Mark Liu, Ken Zino, large-scale datacenters, machine learning, NVIDIA, President Joe Biden, Qualcomm, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, The U.S. Department of Commerce, TSMC Arizona Corporation
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Suniva, Heliene to Make First U.S. Domestic Content Solar Cells
“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
Posted in economy, electric vehicles, electronics, energy, environment, global warming, manufacturing, milestones, news, news analysis, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Biden Administration economic recovery, Cristiano Amoruso, Domestic Content Bonus Investment Tax Credit, Heliene, Ken Zino, making American manufacturing great again, Martin Pochtaruk, renewable energy, Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen, solar polar, Suniva
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PEVE to Become Toyota Battery Company
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
Posted in connected vehicles, electric vehicles, electronics, energy, environment, global warming, milestones, mobility company, news analysis
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, bevs, ev batteries, hevs, Ken Zino, Masamichi Okada, PEVE, PHEVs, Primearth EV Energy Co., Toyota Motor Corporation
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Department of Commerce Proposes $8.5B Intel Funding
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
Posted in auto news, autonomous cars, autonomous vehicles, economy, electric vehicles, electronics, engineering, manufacturing, milestones, news analysis, software defined vehicles, software defined vehicles
Tagged artificial intelligence, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Biden-Harris Administration, CHIPS and Science Act, Gina Raimondo, Intel, Intel 18A, Ken Zino, Pat Gelsinger, semi-conductors, U.S. Department of Commerce
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EPA Finalizes Vehicle Pollution Standards for 2027-32
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced final national pollution standards for passenger cars, light-duty trucks, and medium-duty vehicles for model years 2027 through 2032 and beyond. The standards will have significant effects on the types of vehicles available, how much they cost to buy, own and operate, as well as the economy and public health in a politically dysfunctional country. Let the lawsuits commence, particularly from anti-environmentalists, the Republican party, and fossil fuel funded groups.
“With transportation as the largest source of U.S. climate emissions, these strongest-ever pollution standards for cars solidify America’s leadership in building a clean transportation future and creating good-paying American jobs, all while advancing President Biden’s historic climate agenda,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “The standards will slash over 7 billion tons of climate pollution, improve air quality in overburdened communities, and give drivers more clean vehicle choices while saving them money. Under President Biden’s leadership, this Administration is pairing strong standards with historic investments to revitalize domestic manufacturing, strengthen domestic supply chains and create good-paying jobs.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, economy, energy, engineering, environment, fuel economy or emissions, global warming, litigation, manufacturing, milestones, mobility company, news analysis, public health, transportation
Tagged Alliance for Automotive Innovation, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Biden-Harris Administration, cafe, epa, greenhouse gas emissions, greenhouse gas standards, Inflation Reduction Act, John Bozzella, Ken Zino, uaw
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Petroleum Equivalency Factor Change Slows EV Adoption
The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) final greenhouse gas and criteria pollutant rules for light-duty vehicles covering model years 2027-2032 is about to be to be announced. It’s part of a tangled maze of regulations from multiple federal and state agencies affecting automakers and ultimately consumers in the US, often referred in shorthand as CAFE – corporate average fuel economy.
In the latest development, The Department of Energy last year proposed decreasing the so-called “petroleum-equivalent fuel economy factor” (PEF) for EVs by 72% in 2027. The Petroleum Equivalency Factor expresses electric vehicle efficiency as equivalent-miles-per-gallon of gasoline for purposes of the EPA’s calculation of manufacturers’ compliance with NHTSA’s CAFE regulations. DOE is responsible for establishing the value of the PEF. With a final rule, issued yesterday, the PEF will be established for model years beginning in 2027. It slows forcing EV adaption, and in AutoInformed’s view this is a good thing. Continue reading
Posted in alternative fuels, AutoInformed Editorial, blog, economy, electric vehicles, energy, engineering, environment, fuel economy or emissions, global warming, labor issues, manufacturing, milestones, news analysis, public health
Tagged Alliance for Automotive Innovation, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, battery electric vehicles, cafe, CAFE civil penalties, Corporate Average Fuel Economy, department of energy, epa, John Bozzella, Ken Zino, petroleum-equivalent fuel economy factor
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Jaguar Land Rover North America Recalls I-Pace EVs
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
Posted in connected vehicles, customer satisfaction, electric vehicles, electronics, engineering, manufacturing, quality, recalls, safety
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, EV recalls, Jaguar I-Pace recalls, Jaguar recall H484, Ken Zino, LG Energy Systems battery recalls, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, NHTSA 23V369, NHTSA recall 24V183, Tata Group
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More Ford Safety Recalls on Bronco, Explorer, Maverick SUVs
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
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, electronics, engineering, manufacturing, quality, recalls, safety
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Bronco recalls, Explorer Recalls, Ken Zino, Maverick recalls, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nhtsa, NHTSA 24V185, NHTSA 24V188, NHTSA 24V189
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Another Tesla Software Recall – Pedestrian Warnings
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
Posted in auto news, connected vehicles, customer satisfaction, electric vehicles, electronics, engineering, mobility company, news, news analysis, public health, recalls, safety, software defined vehicles
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, forward collision warnings, Ken Zino, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, NHTSA recall 24V153, pedestrian safety, Tesla recall SB-24-00-006
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EV Bedfellows – Nissan and Mitsubishi Sign MoU
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
Posted in auto news, autonomous cars, autonomous vehicles, connected vehicles, economy, electric vehicles, electronics, engineering, milestones, mobility company, news, news analysis, public health, software defined vehicles, software defined vehicles, transportation
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, EV Bedfellows, Japan Inc, Ken Zino, Makoto Uchida Nissan president and CEO
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Tracker Off Road OX EVs Recalled for Battery Fires
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.
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Posted in customer satisfaction, electronics, mobility company, quality, recalls, safety, transportation
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, cpsc, EV battery fires, Ken Zino, Textron Specialized Vehicles recalls, Textron Tracker Off Road OX EV recall, United States Consumer Product Safety Commission
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Sudden Power Loss Recall – Bronco Sport, Maverick Trucks
“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 →