Category Archives: auto news

First Look – 2027 Model Year Toyota Land Cruiser

Posted on 7 April 2026 by Ken Zino

Toyota (NYSE: TM, 7203T) said today that the 2027 model-year Land Cruiser revealed last fall will have a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) starting at $57,880. [excludes $1450 Dealer Processing and Handling Fee, which can vary – AutoCrat] when it finally arrives at dealerships this spring. Land Cruiser is offered in two grades the retro-look Land Cruiser 1958 and Land Cruiser.

“Both Land Cruisers are equipped exclusively by the turbocharged i-FORCE MAX hybrid powertrain and a full-time four-wheel drive system. This performance hybrid powertrain is rated by Toyota at 326 net combined horsepower and 465 lb.-ft. of torque,” Toyota said. Continue reading →

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Volkswagen Recalls 2025 Jetta and Taos Vehicles for IP failures

Posted on 6 April 2026 by Ken Zino

“When the ignition is switched on, the instrument cluster may read incorrect or corrupt Non-Volatile Memory (NVM) data required for proper system initialization. If invalid data is detected, the software discards the data and applies default configuration values. However, the instrument cluster and the immobilizer system are not designed to operate using these default values, which can result in the instrument cluster failing to function as intended. Software revisions introduced over time significantly increased NVM access and data traffic within the instrument cluster, thereby increasing the likelihood of NVM-related errors,” Volkswagen said in the required safety defect recall filing made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) this morning. Continue reading →

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Mercedes-Benz USA 2026 Model-Year Air Bag Recall

Posted on 6 April 2026 by Ken Zino

“The passenger air bag fabric may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can cause the air bag not to deploy as intended.,” Mercedes said in the required safety defect filing made public this morning by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Continue reading →

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Lucid Gravity SUV 2025-26 Model-Year Recall for Seat Belts

Posted on 6 April 2026 by Ken Zino

“During testing for an unrelated issue, Lucid observed that the 2nd row lap belt anchor bracket did not hold under load for the FMVSS-required time or did not reach the required load. Lucid determined that the outboard lap belt anchor bracket weld was shorter than specified and not in the correct location due to an alteration in the manufacturing process made by the seat manufacturer, Camaco, without notice to or approval by Lucid,” Lucid said in the mandatory safety defect filing made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) this morning. Continue reading →

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Park Outside! Nissan Leaf Battery Fire Recall

Posted on 6 April 2026 by Ken Zino

Nissan North America is recalling 51 2026 model-year LEAF vehicles. The high voltage battery may have internal damage that can cause a short circuit within the lithium ion battery module.

“Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures and should not charge their vehicles until the remedy is completed. Dealers will replace the battery modules or the battery, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed 17April 2026,” Nissan said in the mandatory Safety Defect filing made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) this morning. Continue reading →

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Lexus 2022-24 Model-Year Front Passenger Airbag Recall

Posted on 6 April 2026 by Ken Zino

The front passenger seat in the subject vehicles is secured to a seat frame, which is equipped with a stopper and has an Occupant Classification System (OCS) that provides input to the Supplemental Restraint System to determine the deployment strategy of the front passenger airbag system, depending on the occupant load. Due to a manufacturing error during a specific production period at a certain supplier’s plant [Toyota Boshoku Corporation – AutoCrat], some vehicles may have an insufficient clearance between the seat frame and the stopper when taking into account normal production variation. If there is insufficient clearance, interference can occur between the seat frame and the stopper if the seat height is adjusted to certain positions, depending on the occupant load applied,” Toyota said in the required safety defect recall filing (49 CFR § 573) made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) this morning. Continue reading →

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Shared Fuel Cell Technology – Daimler Truck, Volvo, Toyota

Posted on 6 April 2026 by Ken Zino

Daimler Truck AG (Daimler Truck), the Volvo Group (Volvo), cellcentric (sic) and Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) have signed a non-binding agreement to cooperate in the fuel cell system joint venture called cellcentric. The timing is propitious given the Artemis II Orion spacecraft uses hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell systems to generate electricity and potable water for the crew during its 10-day mission that is underway. Continue reading →

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Lucid Debuts 2027 Gravity Model EV Lineup

Posted on 3 April 2026 by Ken Zino

Lucid Group (NASDAQ: LCID) this week announced updates and enhancements to the Lucid Gravity model lineup for the 2027 model year along with the Lucid Air sedan. Both models are “soon to be joined by the mid-size Lucid Cosmos and … Continue reading →

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April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month

Posted on 3 April 2026 by Ken Zino

“No one should ever get hurt or lose their life because of a text or a phone call,” said Lorraine Martin, NSC CEO. “By keeping our eyes on the road and our hands on the wheel, we all have the power and responsibility to make our roads safe for everyone. The National Safety Council calls on every driver to travel distraction free – doing so will save lives.” Continue reading →

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Ford GT Mk IV Runs Nordschleife at 6m15.977s

Posted on 2 April 2026 by Ken Zino

The Ford GT Mk IV (NYSE: F) has set the record as the fastest American OEM around the Nürburgring Nordschleife, Ford Racing said today. It is at the moment the third fastest overall car to ever lap the Nordschleife. The 6:15.977 ET also means that the GT Mk IV, as a track-only vehicle classified in the prototype category, is the fastest car currently available for purchase to lap the Nürburgring Nordschleife. Just bring money –  stacks of it – starting price of ~$1.7 million. Continue reading →

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AAA – National Gasoline Prices Hit Four Year High!

Posted on 2 April 2026 by Ken Zino

Today’s average of $4.08 is ten cents higher than last week and $1.08 higher than a month ago. Crude oil prices have been surging, surpassing $100/barrel, as the conflict in the Middle East continues and the Strait of Hormuz remains closed. In 2022, gas prices remained elevated from March through August, peaking in June when the national average reached a record of $5/gallon for one week,” AAA said. Continue reading →

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Ground Effects Workers – Yet Another UAW Supply Chain Win

Posted on 2 April 2026 by Ken Zino

Auto supply chain workers have voted to unionize at Ground Effects, the UAW said late yesterday in a  second UAW union organizing victory in two days. Workers at Ground Effects have been organizing since last year. “They began their campaign to form a union due to low pay, overwork, forced overtime, management abuse, and favoritism.,” the UAW said in a release. Workers at Ground Effects won a majority in a National Labor Relations Board election to form a union with the UAW. Ground Effects produces spray-on truck bedliners, in addition to other aftermarket parts. Continue reading →

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AAA Promoting April as National Car Care Month

Posted on 1 April 2026 by Ken Zino

AAA said today that it is collaborating with industry organizations, including NAPA, the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), and the Auto Care Association to celebrate National Car Care Month this April. It wants to highlight the importance of preventive vehicle maintenance as drivers gear up for spring travel. Continue reading →

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Webasto Detroit – Another UAW Supply Chain Win

Posted on 1 April 2026 by Ken Zino

The unionization at Webasto Detroit is “part of a growing movement of auto supply workers who want the benefits and protections of forming a union at their plants. Workers in the supply chain are a vital part of the auto industry but are paid well below their counterparts at assembly plants. They often face dangerous working conditions, including exposure to hazardous chemicals without proper precautions,” the UAW said. Continue reading →

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Subaru Shows 2027 Forester Wilderness Hybrid SUV

Posted on 1 April 2026 by Ken Zino

As with the Subaru Forester Hybrid, the Forester Wilderness Hybrid uses an Atkinson/Miller-cycle [Delayed intake valve closing, compensated for with supercharging or other methods such as electric motors for recovering lost power – AutoCrat.] 2.5-liter Subaru Boxer® engine optimized for efficiency, paired with a high-capacity lithium-ion battery and electric motors to produce 194 horsepower. The next-generation Subaru Hybrid system uses a series-parallel configuration to integrate with the existing Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system. Continue reading →

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