Category Archives: engineering

Stellantis, Saft Show Battery Integrating Inverter and Charger

Integrating the inverter and charger functions creates a battery that is more efficient, which enhances the battery electric vehicle (BEV) range and is more reliable and less costly. It also increases space in the vehicle. Continue reading

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VW Patents High-Speed Wireless EV Charging System

“We are accelerating innovation within electric vehicles and contributing to more sustainable transportation in America by focusing our efforts on some of the most transformative automotive research being done in the country,” said Pablo Di Si, President and CEO at Volkswagen Group of America Inc. “Our technology teams in Tennessee are a great example. There, we are tapping American ingenuity fostered by the unique blend of world-class academic research and Volkswagen’s leading industry capabilities.” Continue reading

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Stellantis Shows New Global EV Platform – STLA Medium

The platform can be used on a variety of vehicles and propulsion configurations in the center of the mass-market, the C- and D-segments, which accounted for 35 million sales in 2022 of the 78.5 million vehicles sold globally that year. Stellantis brands right now offer 26 vehicle nameplates in those segments on a variety of platforms. Up to two million vehicles per year can be built on the STLA Medium platform in several plants. Continue reading

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Toyota Konpon Research Institute Debuts

The Genesis Research Institute since its beginning in 1996 has used disciplines such as natural science and the humanities to “further the development of energy and environmental technologies.” It was established on 11 June 1996 the birthday of the late Kiichiro Toyoda with joint funding from 12 Toyota Group companies, including Toyota Motor Corporation.

Today Toyota said that the Genesis Research Institute is renamed Toyota Konpon Research Institute. “Twenty-seven years on, society finds itself in an era of great transformation, with the rise of AI and advances in various other fields of science and technology. Continue reading

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Ford Recalls 2019-2020 Fusion PHEVs for Fires

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling 2019-2020 Fusion Plug In Hybrid (PHEV) vehicles because the battery energy control module (BECM) may become damaged resulting in sudden loss of power or fires This is according to the National Highway Traffic Safety … Continue reading

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General Motors Buys Israeli Battery Software Startup

The move  comes at a time of considerable turmoil and violence in Israel.  There is also the pending UAW contract negotiations where non-union EV partnerships and joint ventures are large, contentious issues. Continue reading

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Toyota Motor North America EV Executive Shuffle

Toyota now directly employs more than 48,000 people in North America who design, engineer, and assemble what totals ~45 million cars and trucks at 13 non-unionized manufacturing plants. The Research & Development, Manufacturing and Product Support changes are effective 3 July 2023. Continue reading

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IIHS – Small Crew Cab Pickups Flunk Crash Tests

Most small pickups fall short when it comes to protecting passengers seated in the rear, according to the latest crash test ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety released today. None of the five small crew cab pickups IIHS evaluated has a good rating. The Nissan Frontier is rated acceptable. The Ford Ranger earns a marginal rating, and the Chevrolet Colorado, Jeep Gladiator and Toyota Tacoma are all rated poor. The ratings only apply to the crew cab versions. Continue reading

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Honda Prologue EV Losing Vapor Ware Status

Long ago in April 2021, Honda global CEO, Toshihiro Mibe, announced a vision to achieve carbon-neutrality for its products and corporate activities by 2050, including key targets for sales of electrified vehicles. This vision called for the sales ratio of battery-electric and fuel cell electric vehicles in North America to increase from 40% by 2030 and 80% by 2035 to 100% by 2040. Continue reading

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Toyota to Build New Auto Battery Lab at Michigan R&D Site

“This new investment in our North American R&D operation, which has been a key pillar of the Michigan automotive industry for more than 50 years, shows Toyota’s directional shift towards electrification for all,” said Shinichi Yasui, executive vice president of Toyota Motor North America (TMNA), Research and Development. Continue reading

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Stellantis, TotalEnergies, Mercedes-Benz Open Battery Factory

Stellantis (NYSE: STLA), TotalEnergies and Mercedes-Benz, celebrated today the inauguration of  the Automotive Cells Company’s (ACC) battery factory in Billy-Berclau Douvrin, France, the first of three planned in Europe. Continue reading

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GM Defense and Black Sage Technologies to Work on Drones

“We understand how critical optionality is for our customers, who look for ways to outmaneuver increasingly complex threats from around the globe,” said Steve duMont, GM Defense president. “Our teaming agreement with Black Sage helps us offer greater flexibility to warfighters while continuing to develop mobility solutions that perform in diverse environments. This collaboration enables GM Defense and Black Sage to leverage the synergies of our respective companies, extend battlefield capabilities and showcase solutions that can drive mission readiness.” Continue reading

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Ford CEO says China is the Main Competitor, Not GM

“If you localize Chinese technology in the US – the customer is going to get screwed,” Farley said. The candid, tough talk comes at a time when Ford is investing more than $50 billion (2022 through 2026) in electric vehicles and battery components. Ford is on track to reach an annual targeted production run rate of 600,000 electric vehicles globally by the end of 2023, and 2 million by the end of 2026. Electric vehicles are expected to account for half of the company’s sales by 2030. Continue reading

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First Look – BMW 5 Series – Generation Eight

BMW today revealed  the new 5 Series, which for the first time ever will have a fully electric version. One of the most enduring and popular mid-size sports luxury sedans, more than 10 million have been assembled since its 1972 … Continue reading

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GM Expands Airbag Recalls Over Supplier ARC’s Objections

In an unusual move, NHTSA publicly revealed that it wrote Arc: “As you are aware, on July 13, 2015, the Office of Defect Investigation (“ODI”) of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (“NHTSA” or the “Agency”) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE15-027) to investigate certain air bag inflators designed by ARC Automotive, Inc. (ARC). NHTSA opened its defect investigation after learning of two driver air bag inflator field ruptures involving ARC designed inflators,” NHTSA wrote. Continue reading

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