Category Archives: auto news

Century – Toyota is Stalking the Global Limousine Market

Given its history and now its formidable global sales potential as a chauffeur-driven or personally driven luxury vehicle for politicians, rock stars, athletes and even royalty, Century is potentially a breakthrough product. These are people who need to work, and need to rest. Their entrance and exit from an event is often under intense public scrutiny and debate. This will give global automakers – notably the Germans and US based ones – a serious challenge to their hegemony in this exclusive domain. Continue reading

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Ford Recalls 2023 Super Duty Pickups for Failing Axles

Personnel at the axle shaft supplier Mid-West Forge Corp. in Ohio entered an incorrect process parameter into one of the two machines that perform electromagnetic induction heat treatment of the recalled left rear axle shafts. The axle shafts did not meet Ford’s torsional yield and case depth design specifications in the fractured area. Returned parts had fractured at ~44 mm from the flange, indicating an area of incomplete induction heat treatment. Continue reading

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Automated Driving – BMW to use Amazon and Qualcomm

“In the next decade, consumer habits and expectations will drive more changes in the automotive industry than we’ve seen over the past 30 years,” said Dr. Nicolai Martin, senior vice president of Driving Experience at BMW Group. “This is just the beginning of a new era of highly automated driving, fueled by innovations in technology and engineering. By collaborating with AWS, the BMW Group, along with our partner, Qualcomm Technologies, is building our new automated driving platform.” automated driving and parking functions.” Continue reading

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Strange Green Bedfellows – Stellantis and Aramco

Low carbon eFuel is a drop-in synthetic fuel made by reacting CO2, captured either directly from the atmosphere or from an industrial facility, with renewable hydrogen. The use of low carbon eFuel has the potential to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from existing internal combustion vehicles by at least 70% on a lifecycle basis, compared to conventional fuels its advocates claim. Continue reading

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Labor Day – UAW Struggles Are Key to The American Dream

Let us pause here to remember and reflect on Walter P. Reuther (1907 – 1970). “There is no greater calling than to serve your fellow man. There is no greater satisfaction than to have done it well,” he famously said. Reuther built the United Automobile Workers into one of the most awakened and progressive forces in American history. A fierce champion of collective bargaining, Reuther also had a much larger vision of the American society then many of our mere politicians. He viewed the labor movement in the context of community – the whole community. Led by him the UAW fought for civil rights, health care, affordable housing, environmental protections among other things. Continue reading

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Gen 5 Three-Door MINI Cooper is Electric

Entering its fifth generation with a first, the purely electric 3-door MINI Cooper now has digital experiences, modern assistance systems and a pure electric powertrain. BMW is hoping it remains a MINI in buyer’s minds, while at the same time marking the brand’s all-electric future. This transformation starting now will make MINI an all-electric brand by 2030. Continue reading

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Ford UAW Offer – Pay Increases, Tiers Gone. UAW says No

Not a propitious way to start the Labor Day weekend… Continue reading

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Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat and HEMI Favorites Among Thieves

“If you own a Hellcat, you better check your driveway,” said HLDI Senior Vice President Matt Moore. “These numbers are unbelievable.” AutoInformed also recommends checking your rear-view mirrors when driving any performance car for flashing blue lights. Continue reading

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Extreme E, FIA Plan Off-Road Hydrogen Racing Championship

This means that Extreme H would join the company of just seven other official FIA World Championships, which includes ABB FIA Formula E World Championship. Development of the Extreme H series is underway, with plans advanced to have a prototype launched later this year ahead of the first season in 2025. Continue reading

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GM Expanding Google Cloud AI Initiatives

However, in AutoInformed’s view there are insufficient regulations and guidelines in the industry about who owns your personal data and how it is used or sold to other entities. Therefore this might not be good for everyone or the sun might not be so sunny in a personal vale. Continue reading

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Unifor Picks Ford Motor Company as Detroit Three Target

Unifor National President Lana Payne said, “Ford was selected as the target because we believe that the company is in the best position to reach an agreement that delivers on the needs of our members and sets a strong pattern for Canada’s auto industry. These negotiations are about reaching an agreement that reflects the historic nature of the transition to electric vehicle manufacturing. That means setting the highest possible standards that protect the livelihoods and job security of all autoworkers now and in the future.” Continue reading

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Mercedes-Benz will expand EV Charging to 10,000 Points

Mercedes-Benz said in Stuttgart today that it will open its first high-power charging stations this fall. Starting in October, the first Mercedes-Benz Charging Hubs will go into operation in Atlanta (USA), Chengdu (China) and Mannheim (Germany). By the end of 2024, Mercedes-Benz now says it will further expand its global charging network to more than 2000 high-power charging places. The long-term goal is to create more than 2000 Charging Hubs with more than 10,000 charging points by the end of the decade. Continue reading

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Unintended Acceleration Recalls on Elantra Hybrids

The motor control unit (“MCU”) software may detect a transmission/drive motor synchronization fault while driving triggering a “fail-safe” condition that temporarily results in slow, unintended acceleration after release of the brake pedal. Service brake functionality is unaffected and remains fully operational. Continue reading

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Virtually All Unifor Members Authorize Big Three Strike

“Canadian autoworkers have sent a strong message to D3 automakers that they are united behind our bargaining committees in an effort to improve pensions, increase wages, and secure good, union jobs in the EV future,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. Continue reading

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BMW Group Expanding EV Battery Plant Leipzig

“Leipzig continues to power ahead. Making the BMW i3, we were the BMW Group’s pioneer in electromobility. Now, with the development of e-component production and the upcoming launch of the MINI Countryman, the future is already taking shape,” said Petra Peterhänsel, Plant Director. Continue reading

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