Category Archives: news analysis

Tesla Recalls 48,184 Model 3s and 1, Yes 1, Model X

In yet another safety recall, Tesla is buying back one 2022 Model X vehicle. A body structure reinforcement bracket was not installed at the second-row seat. As such, this vehicle fails to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 207, “Seating Systems” and 210, “Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages.” Tesla will replace the vehicle, free of charge. An owner notification letter is expected to be mailed June 6, 2022. Continue reading

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Auto Loan, Lease Total at Record $1.3 Trillion during 2021

“Auto finance growth in 2021 was largely driven by strong – and expensive – used cars, which bolstered originations,” said Marcie Belles, author of the report… “many financiers recorded lower ratios of new cars in their portfolios. Still, origination volume has been nearly restored to pre-COVID levels, and it continues to climb.” Continue reading

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Mazda North America April Sales Down -3.3%

With 27 selling days in April, compared to 26 the year prior, the company posted a decrease of 6.9% on a Daily Selling Rate (DSR) basis. Certified Pre-owned sales totaled 5,274 vehicles in April, a decrease of 23% compared to April 2021. Continue reading

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IMSA Racing – Laguna Seca Today

Jordan Taylor and Corvette Racing will start sixth on the GTD PRO grid Sunday for the Hyundai Monterey Sports Car Championship as the No. 3 Mobil 1/SiriusXM Chevrolet Corvette C8.R goes for its second victory of the season in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. Next stop for Corvette? LeMans! Continue reading

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Congress Investigating Face Verification Vendor ID.me

The Oversight and Reform Committee is looking for records detailing all of ID.me’s federal, state, and local contracts, the number of people who submitted face scans to ID.me, the number of facial recognition errors, and information on the company’s use of many facial recognition technologies. Continue reading

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M-B Group Runs Self-Congratulatory First Annual Meeting

Well, in the face of  the ongoing pandemic and supply bottlenecks, as well as German funding of the Russian war on Ukrainian men, women, children and babies by buying Russian energy products, the financial year 2021 at Mercedes-Benz Cars, Mercedes-Benz Vans and Mercedes-Benz Mobility was successful. A dividend of €5.00 was proposed with €4.30 new reference point for dividend payments. Continue reading

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Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Expands Mentoring

“Helping the pupils to think beyond the bounds of school and home can spark aspirational ideas and the motivation to accept the challenges that lie ahead. By sharing their own journeys, which have not always followed conventional educational and employment paths, the mentors demonstrate that no doors are closed, and opportunities come with the desire to pursue things they enjoy and are interested in, however bold,” Rolls said. Continue reading

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Chinese Commerce – Dongfeng Honda Begins Sale of NS1 EV

The all-new e:NS1 and e:NP1 are the first of the so-called “e:N Series” models developed as the first Honda-brand EV models in China. The newly created e:N architecture consists of an electric motor that delivers instantaneous output and a claimed subtle control in various driving situations. A large-capacity battery enables a range of 510 km (CLTC base in China). It also allows dedicated body frames. Continue reading

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GM Ultium-based EVs Now Have a Heat Pump

Since EV batteries, power electronics and other propulsion components produce heat, this is another step toward the more efficient use of energy. The Ultium Platform can recover and store this waste heat from the Ultium propulsion system. It can also capture and use humidity from both inside and outside the vehicle, including body heat from passengers. Continue reading

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GM Asks Suppliers to Pledge on Taking Global Climate Actions

Companies comprising 53%  of its annual purchase value of GM’s tier 1 materials have already signed the pledge. The Environmental, Social and Governance Partnership Pledge is significant because it calls for social and governance commitments, including human rights protections and fair operating practices. The supplier pledge expands on GM’s goal to bring “Everybody In” for the all-electric future with a commitment to establishing a collaborative supply chain that endeavors to minimize environmental impact and enhance long-term sustainability. GM will continue to provide support as it identifies opportunities for significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and energy use, provide educational webinars and resources, and develop tools to help remove barriers in the transition to renewable energy.
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Toyota to Spend $383M in US for Gasoline Engines?

The new investment supports the production of four-cylinder engines, including options for hybrid electric vehicles, at its Alabama, Kentucky, Missouri and Tennessee plants – all red states that are part of the ongoing Republican denial of climate change and its deadly human and planetary effects caused by the use of fossil fuels. Toyota’s U.S. plants produce roughly half of the vehicles it sells in the US. Continue reading

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Founder’s Birthday Party – Alpine Fans to Meet in Dieppe

Participants and visitors will be taken on a journey through the major milestones of the brand’s history. This will include an exhibition of Jean Rédélé’s famous vehicles, belongings, and personal memorabilia, as well as an Alpine parade through the streets of Dieppe. Continue reading

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Software – Automakers Out of Touch with Drivers and Safety

“Having a giant touchscreen interface is really about saving hardware costs by implementing everything in software,” says Blackie. “Recently, though, there’s been growing disquiet as years of ergonomic study and usability experience are abandoned in the rush to cram everything onto a single screen.” Continue reading

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Electrify America – Kilowatt-Hour EV Pricing in 30 States

“Electric vehicle owners like the transparency of kilowatt-hour pricing – letting them pay for the amount of energy used to charge their EVs,” said Robert Barrosa, senior director, business development & marketing of Electrify America. “We are continuing work to expand kilowatt-hour pricing to even more states.” Continue reading

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GM, Honda to Develop New EVs for Sale in 2027

The business justification for the expansion of GM Honda collaboration has increased in urgency since yesterday’s release of the latest UN report on Greenhouse Gases. It said that greenhouse gas emissions must peak by 2025 at the latest, and then drop by more than 40% by the end of the decade to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial levels. Continue reading

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