Category Archives: engineering

Park Outside! Nissan Leaf Battery Fire Recall

Posted on 6 April 2026 by Ken Zino

Nissan North America is recalling 51 2026 model-year LEAF vehicles. The high voltage battery may have internal damage that can cause a short circuit within the lithium ion battery module.

“Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures and should not charge their vehicles until the remedy is completed. Dealers will replace the battery modules or the battery, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed 17April 2026,” Nissan said in the mandatory Safety Defect filing made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) this morning. Continue reading →

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Shared Fuel Cell Technology – Daimler Truck, Volvo, Toyota

Posted on 6 April 2026 by Ken Zino

Daimler Truck AG (Daimler Truck), the Volvo Group (Volvo), cellcentric (sic) and Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) have signed a non-binding agreement to cooperate in the fuel cell system joint venture called cellcentric. The timing is propitious given the Artemis II Orion spacecraft uses hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell systems to generate electricity and potable water for the crew during its 10-day mission that is underway. Continue reading →

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April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month

Posted on 3 April 2026 by Ken Zino

“No one should ever get hurt or lose their life because of a text or a phone call,” said Lorraine Martin, NSC CEO. “By keeping our eyes on the road and our hands on the wheel, we all have the power and responsibility to make our roads safe for everyone. The National Safety Council calls on every driver to travel distraction free – doing so will save lives.” Continue reading →

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Ford GT Mk IV Runs Nordschleife at 6m15.977s

Posted on 2 April 2026 by Ken Zino

The Ford GT Mk IV (NYSE: F) has set the record as the fastest American OEM around the Nürburgring Nordschleife, Ford Racing said today. It is at the moment the third fastest overall car to ever lap the Nordschleife. The 6:15.977 ET also means that the GT Mk IV, as a track-only vehicle classified in the prototype category, is the fastest car currently available for purchase to lap the Nürburgring Nordschleife. Just bring money –  stacks of it – starting price of ~$1.7 million. Continue reading →

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Annals of Marketing – Manual Trans Return to Nissan Z

Posted on 31 March 2026 by Ken Zino

“We try to do something every year for the sports cars to keep them relevant and top-of-mind. We love working on these cars for our customers, and it’s a joy for us to continuously improve these things. We’ve been listening to our customers and talking to them. I think we’ve made a substantial improvement. The big thing everyone kept talking about is the desire for a manual transmission option for Z NISMO. It’s now here. Initially we didn’t launch with it because it’s a track-focused car,” said Paul Hawson, director of Advanced Product Planning & Strategy at Nissan North America. Continue reading →

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Volvo Cars to Combine Polestar 3 Production in U.S.

Posted on 31 March 2026 by Ken Zino

“The move to consolidate global Polestar 3 production in Charleston help generate efficiencies for both companies, whilst also underscoring our confidence in the plant and the role it plays in our manufacturing footprint,’ said Håkan Samuelsson, chief executive of Volvo Cars. ‘The US is a very important market for Volvo Cars, both to support our growth ambitions as well as a strategic production site to meet regional and export demands.”** Continue reading →

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Chinese Owned Volvo Cars to Import Lynk & Co Cars in Europe

Posted on 30 March 2026 by Ken Zino

“With this new arrangement, we will leverage our commercial system to support Lynk & Co’s growth ambitions in Europe,” said Erik Severinson, chief commercial officer at Volvo Cars. “At the same time, it enables Volvo Cars and our retail partners to address a wider customer base. With the support of our retailers and our commercial organization, Lynk & Co can achieve its true potential in Europe.” Continue reading →

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Ford Recalls for Diesel Pumps, Seat Belts, Rearview Cameras

Posted on 30 March 2026 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is conducting recalls for more than 252,000 vehicles for a variety of safety defects including electrical system programming management and manufacturing assembly errors. The largest involves the loss of the rearview camera image and advanced driver assistance (ADAS) systems, including pre-collision assist, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring on model year 2022-2025 Lincoln Navigator, 2024-2025 Lincoln Nautilus, 2025 Lincoln Aviator and Explorer vehicles. Continue reading →

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Milestones – Acura Celebrates 40th Birthday

Posted on 27 March 2026 by Ken Zino

My own personal experience and respect for Acura came in 1990. Covering the auto business Acura debuted of the groundbreaking NSX. This mid-engine sports car that would establish new levels of performance, refinement and drive-ability at a relatively inexpensive price compared to, oh, Ferrari and Porsche. I remembered a conversation with the esteemed and estimable John Dinkel of Road&Track who I had known years before I joined the magazine as its Detroit editor. Having gone to Japan to drive the car prior to its introduction, John – when I asked about it – just shook his head and said “they are going to own the world.” This opinion was not contested among the entire R&T staff as I recall. Ferrari performance, Japanese quality and an undervalued price. Continue reading →

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Corvette Grand Sport to Share LS6 6.7L V8 with Sting Ray

Posted on 26 March 2026 by Ken Zino

“Grand Sport has always been the Corvette for drivers who want the spirit of a race car in a package they can enjoy every day,” said Scott Bell, vice president of Global Chevrolet. “With the new Grand Sport and Grand Sport X, we’ve taken that formula into the mid-engine era, pairing a heritage-rich design with the most advanced Corvette technologies we’ve ever offered. The Grand Sport model has historically acted as a high-volume player in the Corvette lineup. We expect the Stingray and Grand Sport lineup combined to account for the vast majority of Corvette sales.” Continue reading →

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Magna Increases Its Hybrid Drive Offerings

Posted on 24 March 2026 by Ken Zino

“Magna’s approach to electrification is centered on giving our customers flexible pathways forward,” said Diba Ilunga, President Magna Powertrain. “DHD REX reflects our commitment to adaptable, customer‑focused solutions that support a wide range of performance and market expectations.” Continue reading →

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IIHS – 63 Vehicles Earn 2026 Top Safety Pick Awards

Posted on 24 March 2026 by Ken Zino

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety* today said that with new more stringent imperatives 63 vehicles qualify for the IIHS awards thus far. That is up from 48 at the same time last year. Of the winners, 45 earn a … Continue reading →

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California Ballot Scheme Limiting Robocar Liability Criticized

Posted on 19 March 2026 by Ken Zino

Uber announced today a partnership to put 50,000 Rivian Robotaxis on the road, including in San Francisco, the site of the Cruise AV crash with a pedestrian and Fire Truck. This comes as powerful corporate and legal interests are embattled in a fight over an upcoming California ballot initiative in November limiting victims’ medical recovery in all accident cases. Opponents claim it will prevent the seriously injured from finding contingency fee attorneys, making it difficult to sue robocar operators, manufacturers, or any reckless driver or automaker.

“This is a naked power grab by Uber to remove liability for its robotaxis and accelerate their rollout without accountability when their robotaxis harm or kill pedestrians and other drivers,” said Jamie Court, president of Consumer Watchdog, a non-profit that issued a report, “License To Kill: How Uber’s Rush To Close Courthouse Doors And Roll Out Robocars Threatens Public Safety.” Continue reading →

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First Look – Genesis GV60 Magma Performance EV

Posted on 18 March 2026 by Ken Zino

“In a very short period of time, our engineers achieved something truly remarkable,” stated Manfred Harrer, President and Head of Hyundai Motor Group’s R&D Division. “They created a car that is not only fast, but truly Genesis; a car that inspires confidence and provides a true emotional connection.” Continue reading →

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Sudden Power Loss – Ford Motor Recall Parade Persists

Posted on 16 March 2026 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is recalling ~48,000 model year 2025 Ranger, Mustang, Maverick,  and Lincoln Nautilus vehicles. The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve may fail, resulting in an unexpected loss of drive power. Affected vehicles are equipped with suspect Korean-made EGR valves installed in the 2.0-liter Gas, and 2.0-liter Hybrid Engines.

“Customers may initially experience weak acceleration, engine vibration, a no start condition, or a check engine light,” Ford said in the mandatory safety defect filing made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration this morning. Ford is operating under a consent order from NHTSA because of its previous handing of recalls Continue reading →

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