Category Archives: auto news

Embracing the Inevitable? – Buick all EVs by 2030

Posted on 1 June 2022 by Ken Zino

The Buick Wildcat EV concept, a large  a 2+2 coupe with challenging sight-lines for the driver, demonstrates the new global brand design language that – it’s claimed – will be apparent in production vehicles going forward. The pointy nose could present a problem – when parking or when parking the badge. Continue reading →

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

Breathing? Toyota Connected Cabin Awareness Uses 4D Radar

Posted on 31 May 2022 by Ken Zino

It has the capability to sense micro movements, defined as a heartbeat, motion and respiration of occupants across three full seating rows, the cargo area and footwells. It also classifies all occupants according to size, posture and position – supporting advanced safety applications. Continue reading →

Posted in concept, electronics, engineering, mobility company, Privacy | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Stellantis, Toyota Expand with New Large Commercial Van

Posted on 31 May 2022 by Ken Zino

Stellantis and TME’s collaboration started in 2012 with the Toyota’s mid-size LCV produced at Stellantis’ Hordain plant in France, followed in 2019 by a compact-size LCV segment, produced at Stellantis’ plant in Vigo, Spain. The large-size LCV announcement allows Toyota to complete a full LCV line-up in Europe. It also – as many such emerging agreements do – offsets the ruinous development and production costs of the ongoing electrification of offerings demanded by governments and customers. Continue reading →

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

Supply Chain Disruptions – Government Solutions Working?

Posted on 27 May 2022 by Ken Zino

Retired General Lyons will take over the role from John D. Porcari. General Lyons will work with the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), the White House National Economic Council (NEC), ports, rail, trucking and other private companies across our US supply chains to continue to address bottlenecks, speed up the movement of goods, and help lower costs for people. Continue reading →

Posted in news analysis | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Adopt a Charger, Rivian Installing EV Chargers in MI Parks

Posted on 26 May 2022 by Ken Zino

Republicans continue to oppose and block the badly needed Build Back Better national program. Many governors are embracing the future in ways they can help clean energy.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan today joined state and local officials and representatives from Adopt a Charger and startup electric vehicle wanna-be Rivian* at the first of ~15 EV charging sites to be installed at state parks and a fish hatchery in Michigan during the next few years. Two Rivian Waypoints (sic) chargers were unveiled at the 142-acre state park in Ottawa County. Continue reading →

Posted in electric vehicles, environment | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

BREXIT Curse – UK Car Production Falls -11.3% in April

Posted on 26 May 2022 by Ken Zino

UK car production fell -11.3% in April year-on-year with 60,554 units rolling off factory lines, according to the latest figures released today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). The ongoing global shortage of semi-conductors, the impact of … Continue reading →

Posted in economy, environment, manufacturing, sales | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Pure EV Sales at All-Time Record in US

Posted on 26 May 2022 by Ken Zino

Pure EV Sales at All-Time Record in US, whose transaction prices are close to a $70,000 making them a new category – Luxury Clean – in AutoInformed’s view. Republicans, with a history of backing from Big Oil, continue to block the Biden Administration’s Build Back Better bill that addresses drastic climate change and prepares the way for a cleaner future. Continue reading →

Posted in economy, environment, global warming, news analysis, sales | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ford Joins 50 First Mover Coalition Companies

Posted on 25 May 2022 by Ken Zino

Ford is committing that at least 10% of its primary aluminum* purchases will have near-zero carbon emissions by 2030, a small step in the right direction of addressing planet-killing and people killing global warming. Continue reading →

Posted in news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Semiconductor Crisis – Toyota Again Suspending Production

Posted on 24 May 2022 by Ken Zino

“We at Toyota would like to again apologize for the repeated adjustments to our production plans due to the parts shortage resulting from the spread of COVID-19, and for causing considerable inconvenience to our customers, suppliers, and other parties concerned,” Toyota said. Continue reading →

Posted in customer satisfaction, manufacturing | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Stellantis and Samsung SDI JV to Build EV Batteries in Kokomo

Posted on 24 May 2022 by Ken Zino

The joint venture company will invest more than $2.5 billion (€2.3 billion) and create 1400 new jobs in Kokomo and the surrounding areas. The investment could gradually increase up to $3.1 billion (€2.9 billion). The new facility will supply battery modules for a range of vehicles produced at Stellantis’ North American assembly plants. Continue reading →

Posted in connected vehicles, electric vehicles, manufacturing | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Toyota 4Runner 40th Anniversary Special Edition Debuts

Posted on 24 May 2022 by Ken Zino

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner 40th Anniversary Special Edition is based on the SR5 Premium grade and will be available in three colors: White, Midnight Black Metallic and Barcelona Red Metallic. It has bronze-colored 17-inch alloy wheels, a body-color-matching heritage grille and a bronze-colored 40th Anniversary exterior tailgate badge. In short, all the “usual” special edition tweaks. Continue reading →

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

BMW Group to Open Cell Manufacturing Center this Fall

Posted on 23 May 2022 by Ken Zino

In an area of ~15,000 square-meters, the BMW Group claims it will demonstrate industrial feasibility of future generations of high-performance battery cells. The pilot line will make it possible to analyze and fully understand cell value creation processes. “This will enable future suppliers to produce cells to the BMW Group’s own specifications and thereby further optimize battery cell production with regard to quality, output and costs. The company is currently ruling out the option of establishing its own large-scale battery cell production,” BMW said. Continue reading →

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

Hyundai Motor Group to Build EV and Battery Plant in Georgia

Posted on 20 May 2022 by Ken Zino

The new plant represents an investment of ~$5.54 billion. Commercial production to begin during the first half of  2025 with annual capacity of 300,000 units. With the additional EV and battery production capabilities, the Group aims to become one of the top three EV providers in the US by 2026. Continue reading →

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

CARB Presents Six 2020-2021 Haagen-Smit Awards

Posted on 20 May 2022 by Ken Zino

“The Haagen-Smit Award is our way of honoring individuals who have championed public health with innovative and far-reaching contributions to air pollution research, science, clean air technology and advocacy, policy and leadership,” CARB Chair Liane Randolph said. “From shaping our understanding of the human health impacts of toxic diesel pollution to groundbreaking work in atmospheric chemistry research, the long and distinguished careers of these six extraordinary people have changed how we address climate change and fight air pollution around the world.” Continue reading →

Posted in awards, environment, people | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

BMW iX Flow Connected Directly to the Brain?

Posted on 20 May 2022 by Ken Zino

“We have already introduced further improvements for the technology since CES,” said Stella Clarke, project lead of the BMW iX Flow. “Previously, the changes between color patterns only took place in a gradual transition. Now, the control electronics have been tweaked to enable instantaneous transformations, resulting in an even more stunning visual effect.” Sounds like a stoner on speed to AutoInformed. Keep truckin’. Continue reading →

Posted in concept, connected vehicles, people | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment