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Category Archives: auto news
Annals of Marketing – RIP MINI Clubman
The last MINI Clubman rolled off the production line at MINI Plant Oxford today 55 years after the model’s debut with rear swinging doors in 1969. Since its introduction more than 1.1 million MINI Clubman models have been built, with half of these made at MINI Plant Oxford. Exported to more than 50 countries, the Clubman darts around the globe if they haven’t rusted into premature oblivion. During 2023, the Clubman was pushed with the launch of The Final Edition. It had an edition-specific Shimmer Copper radiator grille and side scuttles, 18” Final Edition 2-tone alloy wheels and exclusive ‘Final Edition’ lettering on the rear. Limited to 1969 units, the Final Edition noted the launch year of the original. Continue reading
Kia Recalls Niro EV and EV6 Models for Driveshaft Failures
Due to a manufacturing error by the supplier, Hyundai WIA, the left hand drive shaft in the subject Niro EV vehicles and rear inner drive shaft in the subject EV6 vehicles may have been improperly heat-treated. An improperly heat-treated drive shaft may break under load resulting in a sudden, unexpected loss of motive power, thereby increasing the risk of a crash. Continue reading
Posted in customer satisfaction, manufacturing, quality, recalls, safety
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Hyundai made driveshafts, Ken Zino, Kia 2024 Niro EV and 2023 EV6 recalls, Kia driveshaft recall, NHTSA recall 24V057
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Tesla Recalls 2.2 Million Vehicles Covering 13 Model Years
Tesla is recalling 2012-2023 Model S, 2016-2024 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, 2019-2024 Model Y, and 2024 Cybertruck vehicles. An incorrect font size is displayed on the instrument panel for the Brake, Park, and Antilock Brake System (ABS) warning lights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 105, “Hydraulic and Electric Brake Systems” and 135, “Light Vehicle Brake Systems.”
A visual warning indicator whose letter font size is smaller than 3.2 mm (1/8 inch), as prescribed in FMVSS Nos. 105 (105 – Hydraulic and electric brake systems) and 135 (135 – Light vehicle brake systems), could reduce the driver’s detection of it when illuminated, increasing the risk of a collision. Continue reading
Posted in customer satisfaction, electric vehicles, energy, mobility company, news analysis, public health, quality, recalls, safety, software defined vehicles
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Brake Park and Antilock brake system recall, Ken Zino, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V051, Tesla Recalls
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Chiyoda, Toyota to Develop Large-Scale Hydrogen Electrolysis
With the signing of this deal, the introduction of an electrolysis system in Hydrogen Park at the Toyota Honsha Plant will start in FY2025. It will be expanded in the future to the 10 MW class and used for verification and development. Any further developments will be released as they happen, Toyota said. Continue reading
Posted in news analysis
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Chiyoda Corporation and Toyota Motor, Ken Zino, Large-Scale Hydrogen Electrolysis, MITI, NEDO, New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization, the Japanese Minister of Economy Trade and Industry
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Air Travel Consumer Report Shows Improvements in 2023
The US Department of Transportation (DOT) today released its Air Travel Consumer Report (ATCR)* on airline operational data compiled for the month of November 2023 for on-time performance, mishandled baggage, and mishandled wheelchairs and scooters. During 2023, DOT issued the largest fines on airlines in the history of the Office of Aviation Consumer Protection while helping return more than $3 billion in refunds to travelers since the start of the pandemic. Continue reading
Posted in aviation, customer satisfaction, news analysis, people, transportation
Tagged air travel consumer report, ATCR, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino, Office of Aviation Consumer Protection, President Biden and DOT Secretary Buttigieg, USDOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics
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US Transportation Sector January Unemployment Flat
Unemployment in the transportation sector was higher than overall unemployment. BLS reports that the US unemployment rate, not seasonally adjusted, in January 2024 was 4.1% or 0.6 percentage points below the transportation sector rate. Seasonally adjusted, the U.S. unemployment rate in January 2024 was 3.7%, as the Federal reserve continues its indefensible ideological, anti-data tight money policy (the highest interest rates in two decades!) with little or lately no inflation in AutoInformed’s view. Continue reading
Slow Sales Start for US Light Vehicles in January 2024
“After a flurry of sales activity in December, there was always a risk that January would see some payback, with fewer consumers on the hunt for a new vehicle, and so it transpired. Apart from normal seasonal effects, the current environment is such that buyers remain price-sensitive and if the right deals are not available, volumes are liable to suffer,” said David Oakley, Manager, Americas Sales Forecasts, GlobalData. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, economy, electric vehicles, marketing, news analysis, results, sales
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, David Oakley, GlobalData, GM, Jeff Schuster, Ken Zino, tesla, Toyota Group, Toyota RAV4, US light vehicle sales January 2024
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China – Full-year 2023 Production, Sales at Record Highs.
China’s auto market full-year production and sales in 2023 hit record highs, according to an analysis released by the respected GlobalData* consultancy. Total Light Vehicle (LV) sales reached 29.7 million units (+11%) in 2023, exceeding the previous all-time high of … Continue reading
Posted in news analysis
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, China’s vehicle exports, Chinese automobile market in 2023, Ken Zino, nev, New energy vehicle, personal purchase tax exemption, pickup truck sales, Russia-Ukraine crisis
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Ford to Show Revised 2025 Explorer at Chicago Auto Show
“The new Explorer starts with a great foundation. Customers told us they love the way it drives and the choice of rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. So, we focused on improving other areas including redesigning the interior with new materials, textures and colors to make sitting inside Explorer as enjoyable as driving one,” said Kelley Clark, Explorer chief engineer. Continue reading
Posted in connected vehicles, marketing, mobility company, shows and events
Tagged 2025 Explorer, Amazon Music, Audible, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ford BlueCruise option, iHeartRadio, Kelley Clark, Ken Zino, siriusxm, Spotify
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Polestar 4 now on Sale in Europe and Australia
“The introduction of Polestar 4 into all our markets through the course of 2024 is key to our success, adding this third model to our line-up. Polestar 4 tackles the premium performance class in the D-SUV segment. Polestar 4’s innovative interpretation of an SUV coupé offers great interior space and a stunning appearance,” said Thomas Ingenlath, Polestar CEO. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, connected vehicles, electric vehicles, electronics, engineering, fuel economy or emissions, manufacturing, marketing, milestones, shows and events, software defined vehicles
Tagged (Nasdaq: PSNY), auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Borås Textilhögskolan, Geely Holdings SEA factory Hangzhou Bay China, Ken Zino, Polestar 4, Thomas Ingenlath
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Group Troubles Move Forward Akio Toyoda’s Vision Speech
Toyota Motor Corporation Chairman of the Board of Directors Akio Toyoda (aka Morizo) today spoke to an audience of chairmen, presidents, and front-line leaders from 17 Toyota Group companies [1] at the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology [2] on the company’s founding principles and outlining his vision for the Group’s future direction – called “Inventing our path forward, together.”
While originally planned for 14 February 2024, the birthday of company founder Sakichi Toyoda, the speech was brought forward in light of recent “irregularities” at Group companies. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, electronics, engineering, manufacturing, mobility company, news analysis, people, shows and events
Tagged Art of Making Things, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Inventing our path forward together, Ken Zino, MLIT, monodzukuri, monozukuri, Morizo, the Toyota Group, Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology
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Biden-Harris Administration – 157 More Infrastructure Grants
The US Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said today it will award $245.9 million in Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Airport Infrastructure Grants (AIG). under the. The $245.9 million includes 153 grants in 37 states to modernize airport infrastructure, improve runway safety, and create jobs to build a better America. This trumps the trend during the last decade where political talk without funding delayed the ability to modernize technology and infrastructure that support the airspace. Continue reading
Posted in aviation, environment, milestones, news, news analysis, transportation
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Biden-Harris Administration, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, dot, faa, Federal Aviation Administration, Ken Zino, Pete Buttigieg, President Biden, Vice President Harris.
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Cox Automotive – US Vehicle Market Off To Slow Start, But…
Chief Economist of Cox Automotive* Jonathan Smoke said this morning that the US auto market is off to a slow start. However, the two-handed economist said that “We are seeing more positive momentum in the used-car market and in fixed operations. Tax refunds are just now starting to flow, and that should bring the strongest used-car market performance for the year.”
“We’re only halfway through January with the credit card spending data. But so far it appears that the consumer is holding up with spending growth stable relative to the level of spending growth we had at the end of last year. That was slower than we had seen previously in 2023. But it is enough. To produce growth of roughly 4% in nominal terms in consumer spending, and that’s enough to keep the economy moving forward,” Smoke said.** Continue reading →