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Category Archives: engineering
Teen Drivers – Good Vehicle Buys With Solid Safety Credentials
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and Consumer Reports (CR) said today they have identified 45 used vehicles starting under $10,000 that offer good crash protection and are suitable for teen drivers. Another 29 vehicles that also have highly rated headlights and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection can be found for under $20,000. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, awards, electronics, engineering, insurance, news analysis, opinions, public health, safety, transportation
Tagged auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automatic emergency braking, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, consumer reports, CR Safety Verdict of Best, electronic stability control, Emily A. Thomas, iihs, IIHS Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ award, insurance institute for highway safety, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, Rebecca Weast, X @KenAutoinformed
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Toyota Eliminates Production Engineering Development Center
Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE: TM, 7203T) said today that it is eliminating its Production Engineering Development Center. It’s part of the organizational changes TMC is taking to recover from its weak 2026 Japanese fiscal-year results as well as changes announced at the 122nd Ordinary General Shareholders’ Meeting in April 2026.
“Manufacturing engineering functions across the Production Group, Production Engineering Development Center, Powertrain Company, and other relevant organizations will be consolidated under the newly established Production Engineering Group,” TMC said in a release.
“By bringing together the capabilities and expertise cultivated in each area and further integrating engineering, production, and manufacturing engineering, Toyota will strengthen its manufacturing capabilities for the future,” TMC claimed. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, engineering, manufacturing, milestones, mobility company, news analysis, people
Tagged auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, Motoki Watanabe, Takefumi Shiga, Toyota Motor Production Engineering Group, X @KenAutoinformed, Yuko Kamata
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Stellantis FaSTLAne 2030 Financial Reform Revealed
“We have great people, the muscle of global scale, unmatched brands that connect and inspire, the deep local roots of our regions and dealer partners to meet our customers’ distinctive needs, and a relentless focus on innovation and excellence in execution. With these strengths, we are uniquely positioned to offer delight, functionality, and affordability. Adding to these the accelerating and amplifying benefits of our ‘win-win’ partnerships, we have everything we need to deliver our FaSTLAne 2030 ambitions,” claimed Filosa. [This is the corporate equivalent of betting on the come line in the Casino at Monte Carlo – AutoCrat.] Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, engineering, financial results, labor issues, manufacturing, marketing, milestones, mobility company, news analysis, opinions, results, shows and events
Tagged alfa romeo, Anthony Filosa, auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, chrysler, citroën, Dodge, Dongfeng Group, Fiat, jeep, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, opel, Peugeot, ram, Stellantis FaSTLAne 2030, STLA One platform, X @KenAutoinformed
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Chinese Dongfeng Voyah Vehicles Coming to EU Via Stellantis
Stellantis (NYSE: STLA) and the Dongfeng Group today announced their intention to form a European joint venture for shared sales, distribution, manufacturing, purchasing, and engineering activities. The joint venture would take responsibility for the sales and distribution of Dongfeng’s Voyah-branded vehicles in designated markets in Europe. This would circumvent EU tariff’s on Chinese-made vehicles. [Stellantis and Dongfeng Group recently announced the production of all-new Peugeot and Jeep models in China for the domestic market and export – AutoCrat]*
“The plans we are announcing today take our recently strengthened cooperation with Dongfeng to an all-new dimension of an international partnership to the benefit of customers around the world,” said Antonio Filosa, Stellantis CEO. “With this new chapter in our collaboration, we will give our customers an even greater choice of competitive products and pricing, leveraging the best of Stellantis’ global footprint alongside Dongfeng’s access to China’s advanced new energy vehicles ecosystem.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, electric vehicles, electronics, engineering, global warming, labor issues, manufacturing, marketing, milestones, mobility company, news, news analysis, opinions, software defined vehicles
Tagged Antonio Filosa, auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, battery electric vehicles, bevs, Dongfeng Peugeot Citroën Automobile Co., Dongfeng Voyah Vehicles, extended-range EVs, fcvs, fuel cell vehicles, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, PHEVs, Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles, Qing YANG, Rennes plant in France, Stellantis and Dongfeng, Voyah Free, Wuhan plant, X @KenAutoinformed
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Stellantis, Jaguar Land Rover Sign MOU on Tech Development
Stellantis (NYSE: STLA. STLAM.MI) and Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to explore opportunities to collaborate on product development in the United States. Under the terms of the non-binding MOU, Stellantis and … Continue reading
Posted in auto news, connected vehicles, customer satisfaction, design and styling, electronics, engineering, news analysis, software defined vehicles, software defined vehicles
Tagged amazon, Antonio Filosa, apple, artificial intelligence, auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, google, jaguar land rover, jlr, JLR USA technology hub in Portland, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, NVIDIA, Revenge of the RAJ, Tata Sons, V2X, X @KenAutoinformed
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HondaJet APMG S Upgrade Expands to Mexico
Honda Aircraft Company said today that the so-called APMG S program (footnote 1) is now available to owners in both the U.S. and Mexico of HondaJet Classic and APMG aircraft. This improves performance and adds the capabilities of recent technical innovations.
“We are excited to provide our customers in Mexico the opportunity to upgrade their aircraft with the advanced technology and performance of more recent iterations of the award-winning HondaJet,” said Amod Kelkar, Senior Vice President, Chief Commercial Officer at Honda Aircraft Company. “We are pursuing additional international certifications and hope to expand availability of the APMG S upgrade package to more HondaJet customers around the world soon.” Continue reading
Posted in aviation, electronics, marketing, milestones, mobility company, news, news analysis, performance
Tagged Amod Kelkar, auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, avionics software, Honda aircraft company, hondajet, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, legacy HondaJet fleet, X @KenAutoinformed
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Chrysler Recalls Jeep Cherokee Models for PTU Failures
Chrysler (FCA US) is recalling ~62,000 2019-2023 model year Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The Dauch Corporation supplied power transfer unit (PTU) may fail resulting in the sudden loss of power or parked vehicle rollaways. The driver may notice a Service 4WD message, noise, vibration or change in drive quality.
“Some 2019-2023 MY Jeep Cherokee vehicles may have been built with two-speed Power Transfer Unit (PTU) which may fail internally,” FCA said in the mandatory safety defect filing made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) this morning. “A loss of motive power can cause a vehicle crash without prior warning. A vehicle that rolls in PARK can cause a vehicle crash without prior warning or injury to others outside the vehicle.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, engineering, manufacturing, quality, recalls, safety
Tagged auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Cherokee loss of power recalls, Dauch Corporation Jeep transfer case recalls, FCA Jeep recall 40D, Jeep Cherokee Recalls, Jeep Cherokee rollaway recalls, Jeep PTU recalls, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, NHTSA Jeep Recalls 20V-343 or 20V343, NHTSA Recall ID Number 26V290 or 26V-290, X @KenAutoinformed
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Coming Soon Chinese-Built Jeeps?
“Dongfeng Motor has always taken the transformation and revitalization of Dongfeng Peugeot Citroën Automobile Co., Ltd. (DPCA) as a key strategic priority, fully supporting and advancing its sustainable development. Through the signing of this strategic cooperation, by integrating Hubei’s industrial strengths, Stellantis’ global layout advantages and Dongfeng’s intelligent electric vehicle technologies, a new path featuring complementary strengths and win-win outcomes for all parties has been forged. This will undoubtedly inject strong momentum into DPCA’s transformation,” said Qing Yang, Dongfeng Group Chairman. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, connected vehicles, design and styling, electric vehicles, electronics, engineering, manufacturing, mobility company, new vehicle, news analysis, shows and events
Tagged Antonio Filosa, auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Chinese Peugeot and Jeep® vehicles, Dongfeng Peugeot Citroën Automobile Co., Ken Zino commenting as AutoCrat, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Qing YANG, Stellantis and Dongfeng, X @KenAutoinformed
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First Glance – Acura Hybrid SUV
“Honda will reallocate more development and production resources into hybrid models to accelerate the market launch ahead of the original schedule and increase the number of compelling products,” said Toshihiro Mibe, global CEO of Honda Motor Co., Ltd. “We have made steady progress in the development of hybrid vehicle technologies, where Honda has strengths, based on our belief that hybrid models will continue to be the key to addressing environmental challenges.” [Today Honda posted its first Japanese full-year loss in history taking ~$9 billion in costs to restructure its electric-vehicle business. Honda also dumped its longer-term EV sales forecast.-AutoCrat] Continue reading
Posted in auto news, connected vehicles, economy, electric vehicles, electronics, engineering, environment, fuel economy or emissions, global warming, marketing, news analysis, opinions, shows and events
Tagged Acura Hybrid SUV Prototype, adas, auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Honda Motor posts first full-year operation loss, Honda two-motor hybrid system, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Toshihiro Mibe, X @KenAutoinformed
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Lexus ES to Debut AT&T 5G Network Connectivity in 2026 ES
Lexus (NYSE: TM, 7203 T) said today it debuting the first integration of AT&T 5G Network Connectivity in the Lexus lineup. The enhanced version of the Lexus Interface multimedia system will make its debut in the 2026 ES before rolling out to future models in the Lexus lineup.
“We are excited for guests to experience something truly special,” said Brian Inouye, chief engineer, Connected Experiences Division. “We’ve made bold updates to Lexus Interface that deliver both function and performance, with every detail meticulously designed to delight, inform and entertain.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, connected vehicles, customer satisfaction, electronics, engineering, marketing, mobility company, news analysis, software defined vehicles, software defined vehicles, vehicle personalization
Tagged AT&T 5G Network, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Brian Inouye, Digital Key, Drive Recorder clips, EV Charge Management, EV Routing, Ken Zino, Lexus Voice Assistant, siriusxm, Spotify, Toyota Connected, vehicle personalization, X @KenAutoinformed
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Bosch Supplied Cloud-Based Driving Safety Alerts is Growing
A cloud-based service that uses continuously updated data from numerous sources to quickly warn drivers of potential hazards on their route, such as sudden fog or black ice is now being used in millions of different cars and commercial vehicles … Continue reading
Posted in auto news, electronics, engineering, mobility company, news analysis, public health, safety, software defined vehicles
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, BMW iX1, Bosch Group, Dr. Markus Heyn, iX2, iX3, Ken Zino, Robert Bosch GmbH, X @KenAutoinformed, X3
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Magna International Posts Q1 2026 EPS Loss of $0.04
This is a good result in AutoInformed’s view given that Magna is managing its production volumes impacted by a large and complicated range of factors. Recently, Trump’s military conflicts and tariffs. Then there are global supply chain issues, including interference to supply of and/or increased costs of steel, aluminum, resin, energy supplies and so forth. Critical parts include semiconductor and memory (DRAM) chips which are causing OEM, supplier or sub-supplier disruptions. Then there are commodity prices, labor disruptions, cost of skilled labor and political regulatory actions among other challenges – AutoCrat. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, economy, engineering, financial results, manufacturing, mobility company, news analysis, opinions, results, sales, shows and events, transportation
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino, Magna International Inc, Magna Q1 2026 Earnings, Swamy Kotagiri, X @KenAutoinformed
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FuelFest – 2027 Toyota GR86 Sports Car Debuts
“Track testing played a key role in shaping these updates, with every lap helping engineers further refine the vehicle’s response and feel. To improve control, engineers refined the relationship between accelerator input and torque delivery to help create a smoother, more linear response. They also widened the chamfer of the shifter interlock between 4th and 5th gear by approximately 0.02 inches to help deliver a smoother shift feel,” Toyota said. Continue reading →