Category Archives: auto news

Volvo Cars Recalls 2024 XC40 Hybrids for Bad Software

Posted on 15 January 2024 by Ken Zino

Volvo Car USA is recalling ~17,409 2024 XC40 hybrid SUVs. A diagnostic error in the Central Electronic Module (CEM) software may cause the left rear turn signal indicator to not function, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in a filing made public today. What is characterized as “a diagnostic mis-detection of short to ground of the left-hand rear turn indicator will result in no function of the left-hand rear turn indicator.” Continue reading →

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Ford Recalls EcoSport and Focus Models for Engine Seizures

Posted on 15 January 2024 by Ken Zino

A loss of engine oil pressure can result in engine damage or seizure, which can result in a loss of motive power and a loss of the mechanical vacuum pump required to provide power braking assist, increasing the risk of a crash. The engine oil pump drive belt tensioner arm may fracture, separate from the tensioner backing plate, and/or the oil pump drive belt material may degrade and lose teeth, resulting in a loss of engine oil pressure, according to the NHTSA filing. Continue reading →

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Kristian Aquilina New GM Canada President

Posted on 15 January 2024 by Ken Zino

“Our Canadian manufacturing plants are also set to thrive with recent new investments in Oshawa Assembly, St. Catharines Propulsion Plant and CAMI Assembly. The Canadian Technical Centre continues to be a hotbed of innovation in software, R&D and advanced vehicle testing. We’ve also just begun to tap into the potential for Canada in the emerging raw mineral and EV battery supply chain, beginning with the new Ultium CAM processing facility in Bécancour, Quebec,” Aquilina said. Continue reading →

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Toyota GR Yaris Debuts at Tokyo Auto Salon 2024

Posted on 12 January 2024 by Ken Zino

Toyota consolidated motorsports activities under Gazoo Racing in 2015. “Gazoo” is based on gazō, Japanese for image. TGR has continued to compete in various motorsports following the debut of the GR Yaris. It has been implementing “driver-first car-making” through repeated “breaking and fixing” in extreme environments and reflecting feedback from professional race drivers and evaluation drivers, as well as from Toyota Motor Corporation Chairman and accomplished driver Akio Toyoda, aka Morizo. Continue reading →

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Lucid Motors Recalls Air Sedans for Defroster Failures.

Posted on 12 January 2024 by Ken Zino

The HVCH supplies warm air for both cabin heat and defrosting capability in Lucid Air vehicles. If an HVCH fails, coolant cannot be heated and the windshield cannot be defrosted. Loss of adequate windshield defrost capability could lead to restricted driver field of vision and an increased risk of a crash. Continue reading →

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EPA Wants Stronger Standards for Solid Waste Burning

Posted on 11 January 2024 by Ken Zino

“President Biden believes every person deserves clean air to breathe and the opportunity to lead a healthy life, and EPA’s proposal is just the latest action to achieve this vision. By reducing harmful pollution and improving air quality, this rule will also advance environmental justice for nearby communities already overburdened with pollution,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “EPA is committed to working with communities and state, local, and Tribal governments to ensure that large facilities burning municipal waste utilize the most up-to-date and cost-effective control technologies to reduce pollution and protect public health.” Continue reading →

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Cummins Diesel Penalties Finalized in $1.675B Settlement

Posted on 11 January 2024 by Ken Zino

“Cummins installed illegal defeat devices on more than 600,000 RAM pickup trucks, which exposed overburdened communities across America to harmful air pollution,” said Assistant Administrator David M. Uhlmann of EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. Continue reading →

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Supernal Shows S-A2 Electric Vertical Takeoff Aircraft

Posted on 11 January 2024 by Ken Zino

“From the beginning, Supernal has been on a mission to create the right product and the right market at the right time,” said Jaiwon Shin, president of Hyundai Motor Group and CEO of Supernal. “The unveiling of S-A2 demonstrates our unwavering commitment to deliver on that mission with a safe, efficient vehicle design that provides a clear path to market entry. By leveraging our talented 600-person team, the vast technical and business capabilities of Hyundai Motor Group and trusted aviation suppliers around the world, Supernal is ready to deliver a new era of flight.” Continue reading →

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Stellantis, BlackBerry QNX and AWS Launch Virtual Cockpit

Posted on 10 January 2024 by Ken Zino

“Software is becoming increasingly crucial in vehicles, leading us to innovate in how we develop and validate it,” said Yves Bonnefont, chief software officer at Stellantis. “With our virtual cockpit, we’re revolutionizing not just our approach, but also that of our suppliers and partners in the industry. Essentially, we’re able to get closer to our customer’s needs through this technology with faster development cycles, faster feedback loops, and quicker delivery of the technology they use and love. It’s a leap toward customer-first innovation and efficiency in the automotive world.” Continue reading →

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Premium Dolby Atmos Storytelling Coming From Mercedes

Posted on 10 January 2024 by Ken Zino

“This collaboration with Audible and Amazon Music is another important facet of digital experience in a Mercedes-Benz. Immersive audio storytelling enables our customers to benefit fully from the advanced sound technology in our vehicles. For us, unparalleled in-car entertainment is a further dimension of the hyper-personalized user experience,” said Markus Schäfer, Member of the Board of Management at Mercedes-Benz Group AG, Chief Technology Officer. Continue reading →

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Car Star Wars – Honda Debuts New Global EV Line

Posted on 9 January 2024 by Ken Zino

“The mobility we dream of is not an extension of the trend of ‘thick, heavy, but smart’ EVs,” said Toshihiro Mibe, Global CEO of Honda. “We will create a completely new value from zero based on thin, light and wise as the foundation for our new Honda 0 EV series to further advance the joy and freedom of mobility to the next level.” Continue reading →

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Manheim – Used-Vehicle Values Fall -21% from All-Time High

Posted on 9 January 2024 by Ken Zino

“We ended 2023 with about half of the used-vehicle value decline we saw in 2022, but still more than we’d see in a typical year,” said Cox Automotive Chief Economist Jonathan Smoke. “For 2024, the key word for the wholesale market is ‘normalcy.’ Manheim expects constrained growth with a volume increase of less than 1%. As for price patterns, we anticipate a normalization trend, and we expect that 2024 will be the first year in five where we will experience fairly normal depreciation in the wholesale market.” Continue reading →

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Kia Shows Modular EV and Autonomous Driving Concepts

Posted on 9 January 2024 by Ken Zino

Kia has revealed its so-called Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) future strategy at a trade show in Las Vegas. Kia’s PBV business will start around the introduction of an all-new, modular vehicle, previewed by the Kia Concept PV5. This was presented … Continue reading →

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Penske Automotive Completes Acquisition of Rybrook Group

Posted on 9 January 2024 by Ken Zino

“We are pleased to expand our brand footprint and increase our scale,” said Darren Edwards, CEO of the Company’s Sytner Group subsidiary in the U.K. “The Rybrook dealerships represent exceptional brands with a strong commitment to providing outstanding customer service. We look forward to continuing this legacy and welcome the Rybrook associates to our team.” Continue reading →

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Volkswagen to Add ChatGPT into its Vehicles

Posted on 8 January 2024 by Ken Zino

Volkswagen said today that it will introduce the artificial-intelligence-based chatbot ChatGPT into all Volkswagen models equipped with the IDA voice assistant.1 Cerence Chat Pro from technology partner Cerence Inc. is the foundation of the new function, which claims to off … Continue reading →

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