Category Archives: engineering

Plug-in Hybrid Jeeps Recalled for Battery Fire Risks

Posted on 1 October 2024 by Ken Zino

“A routine company review of customer data led to an internal investigation that discovered 13 fires. All vehicles were parked and turned off. The company estimates 5% of affected vehicles may have the defect,” FCA said. “Vehicle risk is reduced when the battery charge level is depleted. Accordingly, owners are advised to refrain from recharging. Out of an abundance of caution, the company is also advising owners of these vehicles to park away from structures or other vehicles until the remedy is obtained.” Continue reading →

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Mercedes-Benz USA Software Recall for Sudden Stalling

Posted on 30 September 2024 by Ken Zino

“In the event of an independent hardware failure in the Camtronic system, the amount of injected fuel might be erroneously increased by the lambda control system during cylinder deactivation. As a result, exhaust temperatures may increase and might damage surrounding components (e.g. engine wiring harness, catalytic converter). A loss of propulsion without warning and an increased risk of fire cannot be ruled out.” Continue reading →

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Mazda Recalls 2016 – 2023 Miata Sports Cars for Bad Airbags

Posted on 30 September 2024 by Ken Zino

Mazda North American Operations is recalling 2016-2023 MX-5 Miata sports cars built in Japan. A software error in the Robert Bosch  supplied air bag control module may cause the front air bags to deploy with excessive force during a crash. Mazda has been aware of the problem for more than a year.

In the required safety defect filing made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration today, Mazda said as of 11 September 2024, it is not aware of any reports of accidents or injuries related to this safety defect. Also, as of this date, no field reports have been received by the United States or Territory markets. Continue reading →

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McLaren W1 Supercar Global Reveal This Sunday

Posted on 27 September 2024 by Ken Zino

McLaren Automotive today said that the next version of its legendary ‘1’ car lineage – a new supercar named W1, will be revealed at 13:00 BST on Sunday 6 October 2024. The McLaren W1 is the successor to the McLaren F1. The W1 name “celebrates McLaren’s World Championship mindset.” The public reveal date marks the 50th anniversary of McLaren winning its first Formula 1 Constructors’ World Championship, and Emerson Fittipaldi winning the 1974 World Drivers’ Championship with McLaren.

“The McLaren W1 is defined by real supercar principles and is the ultimate expression of a McLaren supercar. Born of our rich racing history and World Championship mindset, W1 pushes the boundaries of performance and is worthy of the ‘1’ name. Like its predecessors the F1 and McLaren P1™, W1 defines the rulebook of a real supercar,” Michael Leiters, Chief Executive Officer, McLaren Automotive. Continue reading →

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Prius Prime Changes its Name to Prius Plug-in Hybrid for 2025

Posted on 26 September 2024 by Ken Zino

Toyota (NYSE:TM) said today that the 2025 model year version of Prius Prime will be rebranded as the  Prius Plug-in Hybrid. The change to the Prius Plug-in is intended to help consumers easily identify the powertrain choices among Prius models. The 2025 Prius Plug-in Hybrid will also adopt a “PHEV” badge on the rear, indicating its Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle powertrain. It will be available in three grades: SE, XSE and XSE Premium. Pricing was omitted. Back in 2022 when a new Prius Prime model was introduced, with a manufacturer estimated EV range of up to 44 miles and a 6.6-second 0-60 time, it was a flexible vehicle short and longer trips. The 2025 with a 13.6 kWh lithium-ion battery, the SE grade has a manufacturer-estimated 44-mile all-electric driving range rating. While the XSE and XSE Premium have a manufacturer-estimated 40 mile all-electric driving range rating. Continue reading →

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GM Milford Proving Centennial Noted

Posted on 25 September 2024 by Ken Zino

More than 7,000 General Motors employees, retirees, and their families gathered at the company’s Milford Proving Ground site in southeastern Michigan last Saturday to mark the 100th anniversary of the company’s flagship vehicle testing facility.

“The Milford Proving Ground is at the heart of GM’s long history of innovation that has revolutionized the auto industry, from safety technology to Super Cruise – it’s where vehicles get better, and it’s where I started my career as a summer intern working on V6 noise and vibration,” said Mark Reuss, president, General Motors. “Today, we celebrate 100 years of Milford and look forward to its next century of leadership in vehicle testing and development.” Continue reading →

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Stellantis Holds Media Drive for Chinese Leapmotor EVs

Posted on 24 September 2024 by Ken Zino

The first European Media Drive is now taking place in Milan for the C10 and T03 models of the Leapmotor brand, a Chinese company in the technology field which has the highest growth in the New Energy Vehicle (NEV) sector.* The event, held in Milan and Lake Maggiore, marks the official debut of Leapmotor International in Europe. In a controversial move in October of 2023 Stellantis took 51% of a joint venture with Leapmotor that gives it exclusive rights to build, export and sell Leapmotor EVs outside China.**

“Stellantis will invest more than €50 billion during the next 10 years in the field of electrification and will do everything it can to reach the targets set out in its Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan, including the achievement of a 100% sales mix of BEV vehicles in Europe by 2030 and 50% of BEV passenger cars and light commercial vehicles in the United States. To reach these sales goals, the company is ensuring around 400 GWh of battery capacity with the support of six battery factories in North America and Europe. Stellantis aims to become a zero carbon-emissions company across all sectors by 2038, with a percentage offsetting for an amount of the remaining emissions,” the company formed by the merger of FCA and PSA said today. Continue reading →

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Connected Car Wars – Biden Takes on China and Russia

Posted on 23 September 2024 by Ken Zino

“Connected vehicles provide many benefits — from promoting vehicle safety to assisting drivers with navigation — but they also pose new and growing threats. These technologies include computer systems that control vehicle movement and collect sensitive driver and passenger data as well as cameras and sensors that enable automated driving systems and record detailed information about American infrastructure. Now more than ever, vehicles are directly connected into our country’s digital networks,” The White House said. Continue reading →

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Solid-State Cell Technology – All Hype No Production Way?

Posted on 23 September 2024 by Ken Zino

“With a stream of major cell suppliers regularly announcing ‘major’ breakthroughs in solid-state cell technology, it is proving difficult to discern the reality of the state of play at present.” This from GlobalData’s dedicated research platform, the Automotive Intelligence Center, which was released today as an analyst’s comment.*

“The harsh reality is that 90% of news, plans and solid-state plant activity appears to be bogus, as start of production (SOP) dates slip or vanish, with this being particularly true of information coming from China,” said Oliver Petschenyk Powertrain Analyst at GlobalData. Continue reading →

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GM Recalls 450,000 Vehicles for Brake Control Software Failure

Posted on 20 September 2024 by Ken Zino

General Motors is recalling 449,671 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2023-2024 Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade, and Escalade ESV vehicles. The electronic brake control module software may fail to display a warning light when a loss of brake fluid occurs. These vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 135, “Light Vehicle Brake Systems.” The recall safety defect is caused by a mismatch between the electronic brake control module (eBCM) software and eBCM calibrations.

“A driver may not receive an indicator of a loss of brake fluid before the level is below FMVSS 135’s requirement. In the event of a brake fluid leak, the vehicle’s brake pedal performance may degrade before the BRAKE telltale timely illuminates in accordance with FMVSS 135, increasing the risk of a crash. In the event of a brake fluid leak, affected vehicles still meet FMVSS 135’s stopping-distance requirements,” GM said in the required NHTSA filing made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration this morning. Continue reading →

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ChargeScape Vehicle-Grid Integration JV Begins Operations

Posted on 18 September 2024 by Ken Zino

BMW, Ford and Honda have begun operation of their new joint venture ChargeScape today ChargeScape also appointed the first CEO and CTO. (Read AutoInformed.com on EV Grid Unlock – BMW, Ford, Honda Create ChargeScape) As more Americans switch to EVs, cheaper fueling costs have become top-of-mind for drivers, particularly while charging at home where 80% of EV charging occurs according to U.S. Department of Energy estimates. The nation’s power grids have come under increasing strain due to electricity demand from data centers and the intermittent nature of current renewable technologies.

“ChargeScape is a software platform that integrates electric vehicles (EVs) into the power grid, shoring up grid stability while saving drivers money on their charging, the companies – all of them global giants – said in a joint release. “ChargeScape’s technology wirelessly connects to electric vehicles and, working with participating utilities, manages the flow of electrons in line with real-time grid conditions, temporarily reducing demand when the grid is constrained through smart charging (V1G) and even sending energy back into the power grid when needed (V2G). EV drivers have the potential to be rewarded financially for their flexibility and always have their vehicle charged by the time they specify,” ChargeScape claimed ex ante. Continue reading →

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Software Recall on 2024 Porsche Taycans

Posted on 16 September 2024 by Ken Zino

Porsche Cars North America is recalling 2024 Taycan vehicles. The incorrect headlight control module software may have been installed, according to documents release this morning by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. As such, these 2024 Taycans fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, “Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment.”

The supplier- ZKW Lichtsysteme in Austria – erroneously adopted the ECE-compliant lighting behavior in the data set. Due to this programming error, affected vehicles were equipped with headlight control module software intended for the EU market that does not comply Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108. Continue reading →

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Mazda Software Recall on Forward Sensing Camera

Posted on 16 September 2024 by Ken Zino

Mazda North American Operations is recalling 2024 Mazda 3, CX-30, and 2025 CX-50 vehicles. A software malfunction in the forward sensing camera may prevent the automatic emergency braking system and the lane-keep assist system from functioning.

In addition, the headlights will not automatically adjust from high beams to low beams as intended, according to documents released this morning by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The recalled Mazda models were built at Mazda de Mexico Vehicle Operation. Continue reading →

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Strange Clean Energy Bedfellows – GM and Hyundai

Posted on 12 September 2024 by Ken Zino

General Motors (NYSE: GM) and Hyundai Motor Company (KRX: 005380 KS) said today that they have signed an agreement to explore future collaboration across key strategic areas. The culturally different companies will look at joint product development, manufacturing and future clean energy technologies. They will also review prospects for combined sourcing in battery raw materials, steel and other areas. What this immediately calls into question is GM’s existing similar agreements with Honda Motor. Continue reading →

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Volkswagen Group Recalls 2021-2024 ID.4 Models

Posted on 10 September 2024 by Ken Zino

The affected vehicles may have been built with door handles that do not meet the factory specifications for protection against water ingress. Water ingress into the printed circuit board can lead to malfunctions causing an “open command” – signaling an open command by the door handle when the handle is not being activated by a person. An open door on a moving vehicle puts occupants at risk of injury, and can cause damage to objects and people who may be outside of the vehicle. If the recall problem is present in the vehicle, occupants may notice an audible clicking noise , similar to the sound of a vehicle door being locked/unlocked by the key fob. The planned recall remedy and series production countermeasures are still under development. It is not corrected yet in production. Continue reading →

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