Category Archives: auto news

Nissan X-in-1 – Shared, Modular EV Components

“We make the most of our expertise and know-how from our more-than-a-decade long development and production of electrified technologies. Through our innovations in electrified powertrain development, we’ll continue to create new value for customers and deliver 100% motor-driven vehicles – EVs and e-POWER – as widely as possible,” said Senior Vice President Toshihiro Hirai, who leads powertrain & EV engineering powertrain development. Like all automakers, converting to EVs is an expensive process, potentially ruinous for shareholders. Continue reading

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EV Servicing – First Power CSI Satisfaction Drop in 28 Years

You can sell EVs, but you can’t service them to the customer’s satisfaction. That’s the bottom line of the results in the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Customer Service Index (CSI) Study,SM released today. The growing volume of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) being serviced at dealerships is having a negative effect on overall customer service satisfaction, resulting in a year-over-year decline in score for the first time in 28 years. Satisfaction with the service experience declines 2 points to 846 (on a 1,000-point scale) in this year’s study. Continue reading

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IIHS Questions the Safety of Electric Vehicles on Others

“Assuming the new generation of heavy EVs is designed to perform well in our crash tests, there is no reason they can’t provide good protection to their occupants. In fact, their extra weight will afford them greater protection in a multivehicle crash. Unfortunately, given the way these vehicles are currently designed, this increased protection comes at the expense of people in other vehicles,” Arbelaez said. Continue reading

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Mercedes-Benz EQE Priced from +$79,000 in the US

For the first time, the fully variable 4MATIC all-wheel drive system with torque shift in the EQE 350 4MATIC SUV is offered at the same starting price as the EQE 350+ SUV. Mercedes-Benz claimed that this , enhances value for customers for the highest volume model. Each trim has EQ-specific innovative technologies and luxurious features, along with an array of additional options for further personalization. All are built in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.* Continue reading

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NHTSA Opens Tesla Probe for Steering Wheels Falling Off

In the filing, ODI said both vehicles received an end of line repair requiring removal and re-installation of the steering wheel. A friction fit maintained the connection between the steering wheel and the column splines during operation until separation. Sudden separation occurred when the force exerted on the steering wheel overcame the resistance of the friction fit while the vehicles were in motion. Both known incidents occurred at low vehicle mileage. Continue reading

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Cadillac CELESTIQ Debuts With Hands-Free Driving Possible in Most Conditions Early in 2024. Caveats Apply

General Motors (NYSE: GM) announced today that Ultra Cruise1, the company’s next-generation advanced driver assistance system2 designed to enable hands-free driving in 95% of all driving scenarios, will have a 360-degree view of the vehicle through a unique sensor suite when it launches on the ~$300,000 Cadillac CELESTIQ 3 in early 2024. There are of course many technical, regulatory and insurance issues the need to be resolved before full deployment is underway. Continue reading

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SEC Charges Mining Company Rio Tinto with Bribery

Ford Motor (NYSE: F) and Stellantis (NYSE: STLA) among other large international corporations have supply contracts or business relationships with the mining conglomerate  involving electric vehicle battery materials. Whether this is a bum in the road or a longer-term impediment to EV advancement is an open and ongoing matter subject to debate in industrial and public policy sectors. Continue reading

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Honda Shows New Prototype Autonomous Work Vehicle

Honda aims to commercialize its AWV. Honda looking for partners to participate in field testing, as well as to improve functions and enhance services, especially in the areas of: Product distribution Product support and aftermarket sales, as well as software and attachment development. The AWV use Honda’s mobility technologies, and common components from its automobiles and other products. Continue reading

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February 2023 Western EU Passenger Vehicle Sales Up 11%

However, LMC hedged by saying that 2022 is a weak base for comparison. “In YoY terms, the market was up 2.8%, though the same period last year was particularly weak” Continue reading

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Honda Using Fuel Cell to Back Up Power at Its Data Center

The power station uses Honda’s hydrogen fuel cell technology know-how and contributes to the company’s global goal to achieve carbon neutrality for all products and corporate activities by 2050.In the coming years, Honda will begin applying a next-generation stationary fuel cell system to Honda manufacturing facilities and data centers globally, thereby reducing the company’s greenhouse gas emissions. Continue reading

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US Light Vehicle Sales Up in February Amid Uncertainty

The February selling rate was estimated to be 15.0 million units/year, aka SAAR, down from 16.0 million units/year in January. However, as LMC observed last month, January’s rate appears to have been distorted by changing seasonality and the unique conditions in the market whereby a lack of supply is still constraining sales in some cases. Continue reading

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AutoFlight Claims World’s longest eVTOL flight of 155 Miles

The flight, which took place at AutoFlight’s eVTOL testing facility on 23 February, consisted of 20 circuits on a predefined flight track, with the plane remotely piloted from the ground by AutoFlight’s Flight Test team. Although AutoFlight’s Gen4 aircraft is fitted with the latest in state-of-the-art avionics, the aircraft also ran third-party avionics to record and verify the distance flown on ForeFlight, an independent system widely used in the aviation sector. Continue reading

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Stellantis Sells Its Turkish Distribution Company

As a result, all Stellantis brands available for distribution in Türkiye – Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Citroën, DS Automobiles, Jeep®, Maserati, Opel and Peugeot – will be distributed by Tofaş.** The transaction, which will be subject to requisite regulatory approvals, including the approval of the relevant competition authorities, is expected to close in the second half of 2023. Continue reading

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USPS Reveals Electrification Buys for Largest Federal Fleet

The Postal Service’s total investment in vehicles is expected to reach $9.6 billion, including $3 billion from Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funds. The December 2022 plan announced intended acquisitions during the next five years of a 75% electric fleet of Next Generation Delivery Vehicles (NGDV). Acquisitions of NGDV after 2026 will be 100% electric unless the anti-environment or big oil factions of the Republican party interferes, of course. Continue reading

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Michigan Opens New EV Jobs Academy Website

The EV Jobs Academy is devised to provide Michiganders with tuition assistance and supportive services, including “earn while you learn” opportunities through a Registered Apprenticeship, to support and streamline “on-ramps to high-wage, in-demand careers. ” With more than 100 partners including employers, industry stakeholders and education institutions, the EV Jobs Academy is driving the state’s advanced mobility talent development for the future. It’s the latest example of a growing progressive awakening to make America great again by creating high-paying jobs for blue collar workers. Continue reading

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