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Category Archives: manufacturing
Annals of Marketing – Aston Martin’s Vanquish 25
“Anyone familiar with this iconic British brand knows the provenance of the name ‘Vanquish’ in our modern history,” said Vittorio Gabba, Head of Q at Aston Martin. “25 years on from the unveiling of the very first Vanquish it is only right that we mark this nameplate’s contribution to our heritage. Vanquish 25 builds on the extraordinary achievements of the modern, third-generation Vanquish with a carefully curated package of exterior and interior features that subtly celebrate this important milestone in our history.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, design and styling, manufacturing, marketing, new vehicle, performance, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino, Ken Zino commenting as AutoCrat, Monterey Car Week, Q by Aston Martin, Vanquish 25, Vittorio Gabba, X @KenAutoinformed
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Ford Recalls ~288,000 Explorers for Flying Roof Rail Covers
“Affected vehicles are equipped with roof rail covers that may loosen over time, exhibiting a visible gap, developing a rattle, or detaching from the vehicle while in motion,” Ford said in the mandatory safety defect recall filing made public by NHTSA this morning.
“Vehicles with this condition may exhibit increased wind noise and/or squeaks and rattles as the roof rail cover begins to loosen. A visible gap or misalignment between the roof rail cover and the roofline may develop,” Ford said. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, manufacturing, recalls, safety
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Explorer recall 20N11, Ford Explorer roof rail cover recall 26S54, Ken Zino, Ken Zino commenting as AutoCrat, NHTSA Ford Explorer recall 26V448 or 26V-448. NHTSA Ford Explorer recall 21V316 or 21V-316, X @KenAutoinformed
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Jeep Grand Wagoneer, Grand Wagoneer L Brake Recalls
Chrysler* (FCA US) is recalling ~120,000 2026 model year Jeep Grand Wagoneer and Jeep Grand Wagoneer L SUVs. The brake system control module software may cause a loss of electronic stability control and a loss of electronic brake assist. These SUVs go not comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 126, “Electronic Stability Control Systems” and 135, “Light Vehicle Brake Systems.” The supplier is ZF group. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, electronics, manufacturing, quality, safety, software recalls
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Brake System Control Module recall, FCA US Jeep Recalls, FMVSS Nos.126 and 135, Ken Zino, Ken Zino commenting as AutoCrat, nhtsa recall, X @KenAutoinformed, ZF Group recalls
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Ford Mustang Recalls – Sudden Power Loss, Washer/Wipers
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F)) is recalling ~43,000 2021-2023 model-year Mustang Mach E vehicles for powertrain [primary drive unit or PDU- AutoCrat] failures. It is also recalling 2024-2026 Mustang and 2025-2026 Mustang GTD models for defective wiper and washer systems. All told ~111,000 Mustangs are affected. The most serious safety defect is a powertrain failure (NHTSA recall 26V417 or 26V-417, Ford 26S50) that results from Mexican supplied Borg Warner PDU for the 2021-2023 Mustang Mach E. The rear-wheel drive vehicles a rear differential pinion shaft may fracture without warning. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, engineering, manufacturing, quality, recalls, safety
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ford Motor recalls, Ford Mustang recall 26S50, Ford Mustang Wiper Washer Recall26C32, Ken Zino, Ken Zino commenting as AutoCrat, NHTSA Mustang recall 26V417 or 26V-417, NHTSA Mustang wiper/washer recall 26V418 or 26V-418, Valeo Mexico safety defect recalls, X @KenAutoinformed
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Park Outside! Kia Recalls ~463,000 Telluride Models for Fires
“Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete,” Kia said in the mandatory safety defect filing that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) made public this morning. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, electronics, engineering, manufacturing, news analysis, public health, quality, recalls, safety
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino, Ken Zino commenting as AutoCrat, KIA 2022-2024 EV6 and 2024 EV9 models battery fire recall SC375, Kia EV6 and EV9 NHTSA battery fired recall 26V431 or 26V-431, Kia Telluride seat fire recall SC374, NHTSA Kia fire recall 24V407 or 24V-407, NHTSA Kia Telluride fire recall 26V430 or 26V-430, X @KenAutoinformed
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Milestones – Honda Transmission Plant-Ohio 30th Anniversary
“As we celebrate 30 years of Honda manufacturing excellence in Ohio, we’re not just reflecting on our history; we’re accelerating toward the future,” said Jason Foster, Power Unit Manufacturing Plant lead. “The unyielding continued commitment of TMP-O associates to producing top-quality drivetrains will allow us to continue building on the legacy we celebrate today,”
With a total investment of more than $1 billion, the 1.1-million square-foot Ohio transmission plant employs more than 1200 associates, with the annual capacity to produce more than 1 million transmissions and gear shifts, 500,000 two-motor hybrid systems, along with transfer cases and differentials for four-wheel drive vehicles. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, manufacturing, milestones, mobility company, news analysis, shows and events
Tagged accord, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, civic, cr-v, differentials, Jason Foster, Ken Zino, Ken Zino commenting as AutoCrat, Prelude, Russells Point Ohio, TMP-O, transfer cases, two-motor hybrid systems, X @KenAutoinformed
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Regulatory Reform! CPSC Starts Mandatory eFiling for Imports
“America faces an unprecedented surge in imported consumer products entering through increasingly complex global supply chains, including millions of direct-to-consumer shipments that often bypass traditional retail distribution. CPSC faces significant enforcement challenges, particularly where products originate from countries that do not comply with U.S. safety laws,” said CPSC Acting Chairman Peter A. Feldman. Continue reading
Posted in manufacturing, milestones, news, news analysis, public health, recalls, safety, software recalls
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, compliance certificates, cpsc, CPSC Acting Chairman Peter A. Feldman, foreign-made products, Ken Zino, Ken Zino commenting as AutoCrat, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, X @KenAutoinformed
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Toyota – $3.6B Expansion at San Antonio Plant
“Toyota’s continued investment in North America is a testament to our confidence in the region’s workforce, innovation and long-term growth potential,” said Ted Ogawa, President and CEO TMNA. “By expanding our San Antonio plant, we are deepening our commitment to American manufacturing, creating meaningful and sustainable jobs, while advancing our mission to deliver high-quality vehicles that meet the changing needs of customers today and into the future.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, manufacturing, milestones, mobility company, news analysis, opinions
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, City of San Antonio, Frank Voss, Ken Zino, Ken Zino commenting as AutoCrat, San Antonio manufacturing site, Tacoma production, Ted Ogawa, Toyota Motor North America, X @KenAutoinformed
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Ford Leads All Manufacturers in NHTSA Recalls
The latest data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) show Ford Motor Company leads the safety defect recall parade. Ford Motor remains subject to a 2024 consent order from NHTSA. NHTSA retained an independent third party to oversee Ford Motor recall issues, required safety expenditures, and the cited Safety Act violations. The dataset includes recall information related to specific NHTSA campaigns. General Motors, Chrysler (FCAUS) Hyundai Motor and Toyota follow. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, engineering, manufacturing, news analysis, public health, recalls, safety
Tagged auto industry commentary, auto manufacturer recall number, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Chrysler (FCAUS), department of transportation, Ford Motor Company, Ford Motor recalls, ford recalls, general motors, Hyundai Motor, Ken Zino, Ken Zino commenting as AutoCrat, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nhtsa, toyota, X @KenAutoinformed
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BMW iX5 Electric Vehicle Debuts in Spartanburg SC
“When we announced our investment plans for South Carolina in 2022, we made a clear commitment to the future of the BMW Group in the United States,” said Milan Nedeljković, Chairman of the Board of Management, BMW AG.
“Our strategic course remains unchanged. We will continue to pursue the same technology-open strategy that has made BMW successful and will continue to make us successful in the future,” said Nedeljković. [Flexibility to build different powertrains in one plant decreases the possibility of spending million of Dollars or Deutschmarks shareholder capital betting on one model or powertrain. It hedges expensive automotive bets. – AutoCrat.] Continue reading
Posted in auto news, electric vehicles, global warming, manufacturing, milestones, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, battery electric, BMW iX5 Electric Vehicle, diesel, fuel cell EV, internal combustion, Ken Zino, Ken Zino commenting as AutoCrat, Milan Nedeljković, Plant Spartanburg and Plant Woodruff, plug-in hybrid electric, X @KenAutoinformed
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Bridgewater Interiors Workers Ratify New UAW Contract
UAW members who build seats for Ford F-150 pickup trucks and Dodge RAM Trucks have ratified a new contract by ~80%, the UAW said today.
“UAW Local 400 members at Bridgewater Interiors are another example of workers in the IPS sector [Independent Parts Suppliers – AutoCrat.]*who are ready to stand up and win their fair share,” said UAW President Shawn Fain. “They don’t treat IPS CEOs like second-class citizens. So why do they treat IPS workers that way? Whether you build axles or seats, the days of allowing IPS workers to be treated like second class citizens is ending.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, economy, labor issues, manufacturing, news analysis, opinions, people, shows and events
Tagged Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Dodge RAM Trucks, Ford F-150 pickup trucks, Ken Zino, Ken Zino commenting as AutoCrat, LaShawn English, Mark Hemphill, uaw, UAW Local 400, UAW President Shawn Fain, United Automobile, X @KenAutoinformed
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Milestones – 15 Million Honda Accords Sold in U.S.
The 15 millionth Accord, a 2026 Accord Sport-L Hybrid, was purchased from Norm Reeves Honda in Cerritos, Calif. by Andrea, a 26-year-old insurance agent from Southern California. Her new Accord replaces a 2017 Accord Sport that was passed down by her father, whose first vehicle purchase in 1997 was also a Honda Accord. Andrea’s younger sister, Alondra, also purchased a new Honda Accord from the same dealership that day. The 24-year-old chose a 2026 Accord Sport-L Hybrid and is now the owner of the 15,000,001st Honda Accord sold in America. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, manufacturing, marketing, milestones, mobility company, opinions, people, shows and events
Tagged 2026 Accord Sport-L Hybrid, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Jessika Laudermilk, Ken Zino, Ken Zino commenting as AutoCrat, Norm Reeves Honda, X @KenAutoinformed
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July 2026 Light Vehicle Production Forecast Slightly Higher
“Against that backdrop, our near-term forecast moves mostly higher, except in Greater China, where soft consumer sentiment is still dragging sales and pulling production down,” said Mike Wall, Executive Director, Automotive Analysis, Mobility Global. “The important nuance: Chinese OEMs are leaning harder on exports to keep plants running, and that is reshaping pricing and competitive intensity across multiple regions.**
“At the same time, inflation is keeping buyers price-sensitive. Demand is resilient in many markets, but it can turn quickly if fuel prices rise, credit tightens, or confidence slips, especially in higher-priced segments where mix and margins move first,” said Wall. Continue reading →