Category Archives: auto news

US States Lagging Badly on EV Adoption Policies

“We are seeing incremental progress, not transformational progress. States will have to move far more aggressively to do their part to enable the electric vehicle transition that the climate crisis demands,” said Peter Huether, senior research associate at ACEEE and the lead writer of the report. “Auto manufacturers are expanding their EV options and consumers are increasingly choosing them, but supportive state policies are needed to ensure that the electric grid is ready and that all households and businesses, including those in under-served communities, can use EVs and have adequate access to charging.” Continue reading

Posted in electric vehicles, environment, global warming, news analysis, public health | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Mercedes-Benz NA adding Tesla Supercharger Network

Mercedes-Benz  said today that drivers can use Tesla Superchargers in North America starting in 2024, in an attempt to expand electric vehicle sales appeal by providing full access to all major charging networks. The move follows other major automakers already in the process of plugging in to the network – Ford and GM  – since there are more than 12,000 Tesla Superchargers across North America right now. Mercedes-Benz will be the first German automaker to implement the so-called NACS ports into its new electric vehicles starting in 2025 as part o an attempt to have one universal charging system hookup. Continue reading

Posted in customer satisfaction, electric vehicles, marketing, mobility company | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

2024 BMW CE 02 – A Two Wheel EV

BMW Motorrad USA today announced the new 2024 BMW CE 02 – an electric two-wheeler something or other. BMW said (marketing babble alert> “it’s electric, designed to appeal to young people and it’s neither an e-motorbike nor an e-scooter. It’s an eParkourer (sic), created for the urban environment. Nimble, practical, tough, and reduced to the essentials in terms of design. Large wheels meet the demand for robustness and at the same time ensure riding fun on many differing terrains.” Whatever it is, when it rolls into the US, the MSRP will be $7599 plus destination, plus accessories, plus taxes. CE 02 has a top speed of 59 mph, and a range of ~56 miles. Continue reading

Posted in electric vehicles, marketing, motorcycles, new vehicle | Leave a comment

GMC Shows 2024 Canyon AT4X AEV Edition

“GMC is giving customers the ability to forge their own path within the premium off-roading space,” said Duncan Aldred, global vice president, Buick-GMC. “GMC Sierra LD and HD AT4X AEV Editions delivered what customers were looking for in the off-roading space and now we’re applying that same formula to the next-generation Canyon.” Continue reading

Posted in new vehicle | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Toyota Teases New Land Cruiser

Toyota Motor Sales USA from Plano, Texas released two teaser images of what it claimed was the “all-new Toyota rugged SUV.” We are not sure how to say with tongue firmly planted in cheek in Japanese (頬にしっかりと舌を植えて ? – we are trying to keep a straight face here – expecting the usual long, slow marketing rollout), but this is obviously the new Land Cruiser, unless the Republican Texas pox has removed from Toyota’s memory the legendary Land Cruiser nameplate. Continue reading

Posted in marketing, new vehicle | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

Posted in connected vehicles, electric vehicles, engineering, global warming, manufacturing, mobility company | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Fourth of July 2023 – Reject Despots and Their Institutions

Today we remember 1776 when 13 colonies embarked on a notable experiment in self-governance as an independent, autonomous nation because the course of human events made it necessary to separate ourselves from our unjust rulers. That foundation led to an immense and thus far enduring enterprise in self-governance. The colonies had but 2.5 million people at that time of English and other ancestry. Small numbers in today’s world, but they were people with far bigger aspirations, following far, far larger ideas. Continue reading

Posted in AutoInformed Editorial, milestones, people | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

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

Posted in electric vehicles, energy, engineering, mobility company, people, shows and events, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

Posted in customer satisfaction, electronics, recalls, safety | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Automotive Designer Peter Horbury Passes

Peter was charismatic and among the most influential UK automotive designers. He joined Lotus in 2021, the culmination of a career which had lasted nearly half a century, and which saw him design some of the world’s most significant and pioneering cars. Prior to joining Lotus, Peter was Executive Vice-President of Design for the Geely Group, overseeing the design for a huge portfolio of vehicles for its many brands. He had previously held senior global positions at Ford, Volvo and Chrysler. Continue reading

Posted in design and styling, people | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

Posted in connected vehicles, electric vehicles, electronics, manufacturing | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

US 2023 National Export Strategy – Jobs Through Exports

The 2023 NES was released during the Biden-Harris Administration’s inaugural meeting of the President’s Export Council (PEC), a body that serves as the major national advisory committee on international trade. The PEC is comprised of more than two dozen leaders from the private sector, labor, and academia who provide recommendations to the President on policies and programs that affect US trade performance. It is a decidedly awakened approach in stark contrast to the job losing export killing trade war polices of the previous Administration that voters dumped four years ago. Continue reading

Posted in economy, labor issues | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

Posted in electric vehicles, engineering, manufacturing, people | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Electrify America to add Tesla’s NACS EV Charging Connector

Electrify America said today it will add the North American Charging Standard (NACS) connector to Electrify America and Electrify Canada’s fast charging networks to broaden charging s for electric vehicle (EV) drivers. NACS was previously known as the Tesla connector introduced more than a decade ago with its unique pin or plug design that can use both a/c and d/c charging. Electrify America will continue to provide the Combined Charging System (CCS-1) connector throughout its network as it transitions to also support automakers adding NACS charging ports. Continue reading

Posted in connected vehicles, electric vehicles, global warming, marketing | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Cox Automotive Study – EV Consideration at Record High

“Education for both consumers and dealers remains a critical factor in driving widespread confidence and adoption of electric vehicles,” said Kayla Reynolds, Manager of Research & Market Intelligence, Cox Automotive Mobility. “For dealers specifically, preparation is paramount, and our findings emphasize the urgency of equipping dealers with EV sales and servicing capabilities to meet the needs and demands of EV buyers.” Continue reading

Posted in electric vehicles, global warming, mobility company, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment