Category Archives: environment

Brawley GTS ROVS Recalled for Sudden Acceleration

Posted on 10 August 2026 by Ken Zino

“Consumers should stop using their vehicles immediately and contact Vanderhall North America for instructions on how to update their vehicles to at least firmware version 7.1.0 through the Vanderhall customer mobile app. The updated software was released on 15 April 2026, and can be identified by the Vanderhall logo. Owners requiring assistance updating their firmware should contact their dealer or Vanderhall directly for assistance,” Vanderhall said in a recall filing released by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Continue reading →

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UAW Clout in Michigan Apparent in Primary Wins

Posted on 5 August 2026 by Ken Zino

The UAW said today that after months of organizing on shop floors and in communities across Michigan, UAW members helped deliver “a rebuke to billionaire-funded politics on Tuesday, powering victories for working-class champions across the state.” UAW-endorsed Abdul El-Sayed defeated what it “termed an obscene flood of outside spending” to win the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate. His a grassroots campaign was promoted in large part by UAW members. UAW-endorsed Jocelyn Benson won the Democratic nomination for governor, while Donovan McKinney won Michigan’s 13th Congressional District after earning the union’s support. Continue reading →

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SMMT – Battery Electric Cars Sales Set Record in England!

Posted on 5 August 2026 by Ken Zino

Well, with Europe and England melting, burning and experiencing droughts as the pernicious results of Climate Change, something is clearly going have to be done – now! This means more non-fossil fueled vehicles. Enter the next round of, well, heated debates. The age old problem here is WHO PAYS. AutoInformed votes for shared costs, and is wary of subsidies to industries that are literally destroying life on planet earth. There is some room for nuance, although Britain’s revolving door of Prime Ministers, and the near suicide by Brexit policies to withdraw from a collective union in AutoInformed’s view makes the future grim for inhabitants of Old Blighty. This is a global war that needs to be won by all. Continue reading →

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General Motors and Chinese SAIC Motor Lengthen JV to 2047!

Posted on 5 August 2026 by Ken Zino

This is GM’s latest commitment to selling vehicles in world’s largest auto market. GM led the way starting in 1997 among global automakers to profit from China, whose sage industrial policy required that advanced western automakers link with local partners via JVs so that Chinese jobs were created and profits shared with Chinese communities. This also transferred advanced western mass production technologies, engineering processes and prowess, to China so that it emerged as the preeminent Global Force in automobility. GM posted second-quarter 2026 sales of more than 357,000 units in China. Continue reading →

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IIHS – Driver Death Rates and Vehicles That Kill other Drivers

Posted on 31 July 2026 by Ken Zino

More than half of the model 2023 vehicles with the highest driver death rates are small cars, sports cars or muscle cars, according to a  new report released by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.* IIHS has been calculating driver death rates about every three years since 1989. This year marks the second time IIHS also analyzed the “other-driver death rate” – the number of drivers in other vehicles killed in crashes with each model. Size and power largely describe the worst models that are deadly to other vehicle drivers and occupants. Ten of the top 20 are large or very large pickups, including several heavy-duty variants with more powerful engines.[Given the laws of physics (start with F=MA – AutoCrat) it’s not surprising that the biggest vehicles are most dangerous to others. However, the age of vehicles on the road; where and when they are driven are among the many variables in play here -AutoCrat.] Continue reading →

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Magna to Supply Chery with 800V 2-Speed eDrive

Posted on 28 July 2026 by Ken Zino

Magna (TSX: MG; NYSE: MGA) said today that it has secured an 800-volt electric drive (eDrive) program award with Chery, advancing the Canadian parts supplier advanced electrification strategy in China. The program will be produced at Magna’s new Wuhu plant bringing what is inarguably state of the art electric drive technologies into localized production for leading Chinese OEMs. Unlike U.S. based suppliers and automakers, Magna operates relatively unfettered by government policies in stark contrast to King Trump’s latest threatened 50% tariff tirade against Canadian goods. Continue reading →

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Bosch Fuel-Cell System Begins Testing in Madrid

Posted on 28 July 2026 by Ken Zino

Urban public transit with a Bosch fuel cell has started test operations in Madrid. Equipped with a fuel-cell power module (FCPM) from Bosch, an Irizar bus has been transporting passengers through the Spanish capital for several weeks now. Vehicle operation will focus on routes where the fuel cell’s long range allows it to demonstrate its advantages. The operator is the Spanish bus company Alsa.

“The fuel cell is the perfect complement to battery-electric powertrains – even in bus operations,” said Thomas Pauer, member of the Bosch Mobility sector board and president of Bosch Power Solutions. Continue reading →

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Non-Binding ‘cellcentric’ Fuel Cell Agreement Moves Ahead

Posted on 27 July 2026 by Ken Zino

So-called ‘cellcentric’ will continue to operate as an independent and autonomous company and serve a broad range of customers in heavy-duty on-road and off-road transport, as well as other heavy-duty applications such as coaches, stationary power generation, marine, rail and heavy off-highway equipment. The Volvo Group, Daimler Truck AG and Toyota said they will continue to compete independently in all other areas of their respective businesses. [This will be a tricky task – AutoCrat.] Continue reading →

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EPA Certifies Higher Estimated Range for 2027 Volvo EX60

Posted on 24 July 2026 by Ken Zino

“After its debut earlier this year and the opening of U.S. order books in May, the EX60 positions Volvo Cars in the mid-size electric SUV segment, the largest and fastest-growing category in the electric vehicle market. The game-changing SUV offers impressive range, fast charging, and exceptional performance – all at a competitive price,” Volvo Car claimed. Continue reading →

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First Look – The 2027 Trendsetting Toyota Prius Hybrid

Posted on 17 July 2026 by Ken Zino

The 2027 Toyota Prius (NYSE: TM, 7203T)* is expected to arrive at Toyota dealerships this summer with a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price, of $28,755 plus a Dealer Processing and Handling fee of $1295. The top of the range MSRP is … Continue reading →

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Volvo Cars Posts Grim Q2 2026 Operating Results

Posted on 17 July 2026 by Ken Zino

Volvo Cars (VOLCAR B: STO. ADR OTC VLVCY) today released its financial results for the second quarter of 2026. The news was grim as revenue, free cash flow and retail sales showed drops of -17%. -5.2% and – 6% respectively compared to Q2 2025. However, the Q2 EBIT margin was a razor thin +1.1%, which buys the Chinese-owned company more time to revitalize itself. [10.6% EBIT Q2 2025 AutoCrat.]

“In this very challenging external environment, we made progress on our strategic actions,” claimed Håkan Samuelsson, president and CEO. “This gives us the momentum and confidence that the second half of the year will improve compared to the first six months.” Continue reading →

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Cut Energy Waste. Save $4.8 Trillion or $31,000 a Household!

Posted on 15 July 2026 by Ken Zino

ACEEE found opportunities for progress in eight broad areas: buildings equipment efficiency, zero-emissions new buildings, existing building improvements, industrial energy efficiency and electric heat, reduced industrial materials, efficient and electric vehicles, transportation system efficiency and access, and electricity demand flexibility. Continue reading →

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Park Outside! Kia Recalls ~463,000 Telluride Models for Fires

Posted on 13 July 2026 by Ken Zino

“Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete,” Kia said in the mandatory safety defect filing that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) made public this morning. Continue reading →

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Honda Recalls ~326,000 Odysseys for Bad Rearview Cameras

Posted on 8 July 2026 by Ken Zino

“The defect was caused by two contributing factors. First, the specification for the rearview camera housing boss hole was inadequate for the mounting screw. Second, due to variations in the positioning of the housing on the assembly jig, the mounting screw is susceptible to being misaligned during assembly. As a result, the stress generated during screw fastening exceeded the material strength of the boss, causing it to crack. Through environmental exposure (thermal expansion/freezing of trapped water), these cracks can expand, allowing water to penetrate the interior of the assembly,” Honda told NHTSA. [This causes the printed circuit board (PCB) to corrode and fail – AutoCrat.] Continue reading →

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Regulatory Reform! CPSC Starts Mandatory eFiling for Imports

Posted on 8 July 2026 by Ken Zino

“America faces an unprecedented surge in imported consumer products entering through increasingly complex global supply chains, including millions of direct-to-consumer shipments that often bypass traditional retail distribution. CPSC faces significant enforcement challenges, particularly where products originate from countries that do not comply with U.S. safety laws,” said CPSC Acting Chairman Peter A. Feldman. Continue reading →

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