Category Archives: auto news

NASCAR – Johnson, Rockenfeller, Button to Drive Camaro ZL1 at the 24-Hour Le Mans Race in June

The Garage 56 project is a business and/or marketing deal among NASCAR, Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet and Goodyear – the winning-est team, manufacturer and tire in the sport’s 75-year history. All three drivers will participate in next week’s two-day test at Daytona International Speedway. The Camaro will have to have working headlights and taillights of course, not the usual NASCAR decals simulating them at NASCAR races. Jordan Taylor, who currently competes in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship for Corvette Racing, will serve as the backup driver and “help coach the drivers.” Taylor won the 2015 24 Hours of Le Mans GTE Pro Class and has finished on the podium four times. He is a four-time IMSA champion. Continue reading

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Corvette Z06 GT3.R 2024 Racecar Shown at Daytona

During 2024, Chevrolet and Corvette Racing will continue seeking key sports car racing championships with North American and global entries. The IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship will see up to four Corvette Z06 GT3.R entries with a mix of GTD PRO and GTD teams starting with the 2024 Rolex 24. Two Corvette chassis will be bound for FIA WEC in hopes of a double entry in the yet-to-be-named GT category, which would include the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Chevrolet Motorsports said it will also be appraising opportunities to be represented in SRO Motorsports including SRO America and the Intercontinental GT Challenge. Specific team announcements including drivers will be announced at a later date. Continue reading

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January US Vehicle Sales Up as Transaction Prices Hit Record

The record transaction prices means that buyers are on track to spend nearly $39.9 billion on new vehicles this month, the highest level ever for the month of January, an increase of 2.4% from January 2022 despite the Federal Reserve’s efforts to send the US into a recession. The looming Republican creation of a depression over the deficit, aka Congressional contract hit on America II, remains ominous. Continue reading

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Crash Course – Euro NCAP on 2022 Safety Tests

However, AutoInformed thinks the emerging fresh data on electric vehicles is the most notable result. As in 2021, the EV market continues to expand quickly. During 2022, full electric vehicles made up 22 out of 65 new models, or 34%. Specifically, five out of six Euro NCAP’s Best in Class winners were electric. Europe’s bestselling car the Tesla Model Y and new Model S both achieved Top Scores in Euro NCAP. Perhaps this is a good thing because Tesla’s autopilot is a dismal safety failure on the road, as class action suits in the US attest. Also, since EVs are heavier, it remains to be seen how they affect other non-EVs when the two types collide – so-called crash compatibility. Continue reading

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Corporate Climate Change – Honda Reveals Reorganization

Today’s announcement concerns the restructuring of Regional Operations and Corporate Functions, as well as the creation of what is called “Electrification Business Development Operations.” EBDO is an outgrowth of the Business Development Operations established last April to strengthen electrification business. Continue reading

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Volvo Car USA Recalls all 2023 Models for Software Bug

Volvo Car USA is recalling all 2023 S60, V60, V60CC, V90CC, XC60, XC90, XC40, and C40 vehicles because of a computer code error the Brake Control Module 2 (BCM2) may cause a loss of  the Antilock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), and the traction control system. A certain diagnostic test case that checks the grounding may put the BCM2 in a faulty state potentially resulting in a loss of brake support functions. Continue reading

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EV Battery Gold Rush – Honda and GS Yuasa JV Announced

The two companies will discuss specifics with the goal of establishing a joint venture company by the end of 2023 for battery production methods as well as the establishment of a supply chain for key raw materials and a “highly-efficient” battery production system. Continue reading

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Daytona Qualifying Opens 2023 IMSA Racing Season

The IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship’s 2023 season opened Sunday with qualifying to set the grid lineup for the Rolex 24 at Daytona season opener next weekend. Under intense scrutiny were the brand-new hybrid-powered prototypes in the  Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) class. Continue reading

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GM Investing in Full-Size Truck and SUV Production

Significant amounts will be spent on updating full-size truck and SUV production. GM declined to release product details, timing, performance and other aspects related to GM’s next gen V8 engine. As with other automakers, vehicles with internal combustion engines (ICEs) will still play a role as GM converts to EVs. ICEs power GM’s most profitable vehicles. GM said its spending and plans for U.S. manufacturing sites totals more than $37 billion since 2013, including the Ultium Cells joint venture plants. Continue reading

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Milestones – Honda Makes 30 Millionth US Vehicle

This was a significant move at the time since Honda was the first Japanese automaker to produce cars in the US. It arguably forced Toyota and Nissan and other offshore makers to follow. Since then, Honda has invested $16 billion in Honda US manufacturing facilities for auto and associated components for autos. During 2022, more than two-thirds of all Honda and Acura vehicles sold in America were made in the US. Continue reading

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New 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLA will be a Hybrid

Mercedes-Benz said today in Stuttgart that the new 2024 CLA Coupe has a revised front fascia, a radiator grille with star pattern and new rear diffuser. LED high performance headlamps will now be standard with the LED taillights. There are new paint colors Hyper Blue (exclusive to the CLA models) and Starling Blue, as well as three additional wheel designs in sizes up to 19 inches. The new 2024 CLA Coupe will arrive at U.S. dealerships later in 2023. FYI: Mercedes refers to the CLA as a coupe even though it has four-doors. Continue reading

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Red Card – Premier League Scandal Rocks Stellantis Board

Exor – (EXOR.AS), the Agnelli family holding company that controls the English Premier League Juventus football club, will designate a successor director at the AGM in accordance with Article 19.3 of the Stellantis’s Articles of Association.

The billionaire Juventus Chairman Andrea Agnelli could be tried over the football club’s accounting procedures and alleged illegal commissions or payments, as well as false transactions. He also resigned today  as president from Juventus and his position at Exor. Curiously the BBC – normally rife with Premier League football coverage – is not featuring this news item as far as I can tell.   Continue reading

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Current Flows – J.D. Power Now Tracking EV Parity

Today, the EV Index score is 47 (based on the most recent available data from November 2022), with some categories improving and others declining during the 12-month pilot period. The EV Index score and accompanying analysis will be available monthly. The index is of use to people who are considering purchasing, one of the reasons AutoInformed uses it. Continue reading

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Electrifying – Fastest Corvette in History is a Hybrid

Not surprisingly, the E-Ray is the quickest production Corvette in history at 2.5-second 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) time with a quarter-mile in 10.5 seconds, according to General Motors. The 2024 Corvette E-Ray goes on sale in late 2023 as a 2024 model, priced ranging from ~$103,000 to  $114,000 or more.* Production will be at GM’s Bowling Green Assembly facility in Kentucky. Continue reading

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Becoming One of Us – Mercedes-Benz Recruiting Globally

Mercedes said “that people are more motivated, more efficient and happier when they are constantly developing and can contribute their personality and identity as is. The company creates and promotes equal opportunity and a culture of appreciation and respect. For example, Mercedes-Benz has set the goal of filling 30% of senior management positions with qualified women by 2030. The Management Board is already 37.5% female. Continue reading

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