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- Ford Recalls Expand – Six More Covering ~172,000 Vehicles
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Category Archives: environment
Fires Park Outside! – Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid EVs
“Owners are advised not to charge their vehicles, and to park outside and away from structures, until their vehicle is repaired. Dealers will update the high voltage battery pack control module software. In addition, dealers will inspect and replace the battery pack assembly, as necessary. All repairs will be performed free of charge,” Chrysler said in the mandatory safety defect filing made public this morning by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) this morning. Continue reading
Stellantis – Solar Now Powers Two-Thirds of EU Plants
Stellantis (NYSE: STLA. STLAM.MI) said today that it is accelerating the establishment of renewable energy generation and storage across its European manufacturing network. The company is maintaining its long-term goal of decarbonized electricity to reach carbon net-zero operations. Photovoltaic installations are being scaled across 27 manufacturing sites in Europe.
“Energy management is a critical enabler of our decarbonization roadmap. By expanding on‑site renewable solutions — including solar, wind, geothermal and biomass – together with energy storage, we are reducing emissions, improving energy autonomy and reinforcing the competitiveness of our manufacturing footprint,” said Francesco Ciancia, Global Head of Manufacturing at Stellantis. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, energy, environment, global warming, manufacturing, news, public health
Tagged auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, battery energy storage systems, Decarbonized electricity, energy management systems, Francesco Ciancia, Ken Zino commenting as AutoCrat, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Manufacturing at Stellantis, photovoltaic projects, X @KenAutoinformed
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Airbag Failures – American Honda Recalls ~99,000 Vehicles
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling ~99,000 Acura and Honda models because the front passenger seat weight-sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the airbags to deploy unintentionally during a crash. This is an expansion of a previous recall for the same safety defect.
“In the event of a crash, the front passenger frontal and knee airbags may deploy despite the presence of an occupant (infant in child seat, child, or person smaller than AF5) for whom deployment should be suppressed, increasing the risk of injury.” Honda said in the mandatory safety defect filing made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) this morning. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, manufacturing, mobility company, news analysis, public health, quality, recalls, safety
Tagged Aisin Electronics Illinois airbag sensor recalls, American Honda safety defect recalls, auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Honda and Acura air bag failure recall NHTSA 26V332 or 26V-332, Ken Zino commenting as AutoCrat, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, X @KenAutoinformed
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California Air Resources Board Tweaks Cap-and-Invest
“At a moment when climate policy is under attack and global economic upheaval is creating real uncertainty, this rule-making is critically important for California,” said CARB Chair Lauren Sanchez. “California has both an opportunity and a responsibility to lead with consistency. By moving forward today, we are responding to real affordability concerns while sending a clear and unwavering signal to the world that we remain committed to long-term investment in clean energy, good jobs, and healthier communities.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, economy, electric vehicles, energy, environment, financial results, fuel economy or emissions, global warming, milestones, news, news analysis, opinions, public health, transportation
Tagged auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, California Air Resources Board, CARB Cap-and-Invest Program Changes, energy affordability, Ken Zino commenting as AutoCrat, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Lauren Sanchez, X @KenAutoinformed
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Teen Drivers – Good Vehicle Buys With Solid Safety Credentials
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and Consumer Reports (CR) said today they have identified 45 used vehicles starting under $10,000 that offer good crash protection and are suitable for teen drivers. Another 29 vehicles that also have highly rated headlights and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection can be found for under $20,000. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, awards, electronics, engineering, insurance, news analysis, opinions, public health, safety, transportation
Tagged auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automatic emergency braking, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, consumer reports, CR Safety Verdict of Best, electronic stability control, Emily A. Thomas, iihs, IIHS Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ award, insurance institute for highway safety, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, Rebecca Weast, X @KenAutoinformed
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Chinese Junk Watch – E-Bully Youth Electric 1000W ATVs
The Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) warns that E-Bully Youth Electric 1000W ATVs sold under various brand names including “Seangles” and “Offroad Mall” fail to comply with mandatory U.S. Federal ATV safety standards. They create a risk of serious injury or death.
“The youth ATVs fail to meet mechanical suspension requirements, and the reverse indicator light fails to illuminate, posing a crash hazard. The parking brakes fail to hold, posing a collision hazard. Additionally, the surfaces near the footwell can reach high temperatures posing a risk of severe burns,” CPSC said in a release. Continue reading
Posted in customer satisfaction, manufacturing, news, public health, quality, recalls, safety
Tagged auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Consumer Products Safety Commission, cpsc, E-Bully Youth Electric 1000W ATV recall, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, Lil Pick Up, X @KenAutoinformed
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Chinese Dongfeng Voyah Vehicles Coming to EU Via Stellantis
Stellantis (NYSE: STLA) and the Dongfeng Group today announced their intention to form a European joint venture for shared sales, distribution, manufacturing, purchasing, and engineering activities. The joint venture would take responsibility for the sales and distribution of Dongfeng’s Voyah-branded vehicles in designated markets in Europe. This would circumvent EU tariff’s on Chinese-made vehicles. [Stellantis and Dongfeng Group recently announced the production of all-new Peugeot and Jeep models in China for the domestic market and export – AutoCrat]*
“The plans we are announcing today take our recently strengthened cooperation with Dongfeng to an all-new dimension of an international partnership to the benefit of customers around the world,” said Antonio Filosa, Stellantis CEO. “With this new chapter in our collaboration, we will give our customers an even greater choice of competitive products and pricing, leveraging the best of Stellantis’ global footprint alongside Dongfeng’s access to China’s advanced new energy vehicles ecosystem.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, electric vehicles, electronics, engineering, global warming, labor issues, manufacturing, marketing, milestones, mobility company, news, news analysis, opinions, software defined vehicles
Tagged Antonio Filosa, auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, battery electric vehicles, bevs, Dongfeng Peugeot Citroën Automobile Co., Dongfeng Voyah Vehicles, extended-range EVs, fcvs, fuel cell vehicles, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, PHEVs, Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles, Qing YANG, Rennes plant in France, Stellantis and Dongfeng, Voyah Free, Wuhan plant, X @KenAutoinformed
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BMW N.A. Starts Preferred Pricing at IONNA Charging Sites
“BMW firmly believes in an electric future, and it’s no secret that reliable high-speed charging infrastructure remains essential to the continued growth of the electric vehicle market,” said Shaun Bugbee, Executive Vice President, BMW of North America. “We currently offer one of the broadest portfolios of premium electric vehicles in the U.S., with the next-generation BMW iX3 arriving in the U.S. later this year. As our electric vehicle offerings continue to expand, initiatives like this help ensure our customers enjoy a seamless ownership experience wherever they travel.” Continue reading
First Glance – Acura Hybrid SUV
“Honda will reallocate more development and production resources into hybrid models to accelerate the market launch ahead of the original schedule and increase the number of compelling products,” said Toshihiro Mibe, global CEO of Honda Motor Co., Ltd. “We have made steady progress in the development of hybrid vehicle technologies, where Honda has strengths, based on our belief that hybrid models will continue to be the key to addressing environmental challenges.” [Today Honda posted its first Japanese full-year loss in history taking ~$9 billion in costs to restructure its electric-vehicle business. Honda also dumped its longer-term EV sales forecast.-AutoCrat] Continue reading
Posted in auto news, connected vehicles, economy, electric vehicles, electronics, engineering, environment, fuel economy or emissions, global warming, marketing, news analysis, opinions, shows and events
Tagged Acura Hybrid SUV Prototype, adas, auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Honda Motor posts first full-year operation loss, Honda two-motor hybrid system, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Toshihiro Mibe, X @KenAutoinformed
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California Starts $1 Billion Rebate Program for Electric Trucks
The California Air Resources Board (CARB)* today announced retailer enrollment is now open for the California Clean Fuel Reward (CCFR) for electric medium‑ and heavy‑duty trucks. CCFR is financed with revenue utilities generate from the state’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS). The innovative [and planet-saving initiative in AutoInformed’s view despite the ongoing efforts of the Trump Administration’s Environmental Pillaging Agency, aka EPA] plan is expected to become the largest utility-administered rebate program for electric trucks in the country. This year $250 million will be available. There will be more than $1 billion in total rebate funding expected through 2030. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, connected vehicles, economy, electric vehicles, energy, environment, global warming, news, news analysis, public health, Trump Truth Tests
Tagged auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, California Air Resources Board, California Clean Fuel Reward, carb, electric medium‑ and heavy‑duty trucks, Funmi Williamson, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Lauren Sanchez, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, Low Carbon Fuel Standard, Pacific Gas & Electric Company, Sacramento Municipal Utility District, San Diego Gas & Electric, Southern California Edison, X @KenAutoinformed
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Bosch Supplied Cloud-Based Driving Safety Alerts is Growing
A cloud-based service that uses continuously updated data from numerous sources to quickly warn drivers of potential hazards on their route, such as sudden fog or black ice is now being used in millions of different cars and commercial vehicles … Continue reading
Posted in auto news, electronics, engineering, mobility company, news analysis, public health, safety, software defined vehicles
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, BMW iX1, Bosch Group, Dr. Markus Heyn, iX2, iX3, Ken Zino, Robert Bosch GmbH, X @KenAutoinformed, X3
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Ford Recalls Expand – Six More Covering ~172,000 Vehicles
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is conducting six more recalls according to data released today by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration taken from the mandatory safety defect recall filings with the division of the U.S. Department of Transportation (NHTSA recalls 26V373 or 26V-373 sequentially through to 26V378.) Ford is operating under a NHTSA consent decree. [The Ford NHTSA consent order is a binding agreement issued on 14 November 2024, resolving allegations that the automaker failed to comply with federal recall requirements regarding defective rearview cameras. It includes a $165 million civil penalty, marking the second-largest in the agency’s 54-year history – AutoCrat.]*
The latest safety defects are headlamps, power windows, gear selector indication, transmission failures, and the lane center assist system transmission downshifting unexpectedly into first gear. Approximately 172,000 vehicles are affected. Several of the recalls are the result of improperly repaired previous Ford Motor safety defect recalls. Continue reading →