Category Archives: mobility company

EV Bedfellows – Nissan and Mitsubishi Sign MoU

Posted on 18 March 2024 by Ken Zino

Nissan Motor (7201T. NSANY ADR) and Mitsubishi Corporation (8058.T) have signed a memorandum of understanding to pursue a new joint initiative in next-generation-mobility and energy-related services using electric vehicles in Japan. The companies said today that Japan as a country has been addressing issues such as driver shortages due to a declining population, and difficulties maintaining public transportation services due to decreasing numbers of users. Nissan and MC have also been undertaking various initiatives to solve these problems.

Joint initiatives of course have potential economies of scale, reducing the intense capital costs required to develop EVs and autonomous vehicles. This is making for what would have previously been unlikely hookups or strange bedfellows. Nissan and Honda, Two of Japan’s Big Three automakers, previously announced that will study sharing automotive software platforms, core components related to EVs, and complementary products. Continue reading →

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Tracker Off Road OX EVs Recalled for Battery Fires

Posted on 16 March 2024 by Ken Zino

Textron Specialized Vehicles is recalling Tracker Off Road OX EV light utility vehicles because the lithium ion battery pack catch on fire. Owners should immediately stop using the Tracker OX EV and contact their authorized Tracker Off Road dealer or service center to schedule a free inspection and repair of the battery module.

Textron advises that until the Tracker Off Road dealer or service center has completed this service, do not charge the recalled vehicle and park the recalled vehicle outdoors at least 15 feet away from any buildings or other vehicles.
Continue reading →

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Annals of Marketing – Honda Prologue AI Dream Generator

Posted on 15 March 2024 by Ken Zino

Honda said today it is celebrating the launch of the all-new 2024 Prologue, its first all-electric SUV, by taking families on an “unforgettable” trip powered by AI. The so-called artificial intelligence “Dream Generator” was developed for Honda in collaboration with Amazon Ads Brand Innovation Lab. It is said to create stories by combining user-provided inputs with AI-generated visuals to produce a custom and shareable animated film. Each member of the family is in the figurative driver’s seat as they build a Prologue adventure, say, through jungle terrain inhabited by dinosaurs, above the roads in a magic cloud world, through a microscopic garden jungle teeming with bugs or to outer space. Continue reading →

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Honda and Nissan Sign MoU for EV Technology Sharing

Posted on 15 March 2024 by Ken Zino

Nissan Motor and Honda Motor said today in Japan that they have signed a memorandum of understanding whereby they will begin a feasibility study of a strategic partnership in the fields of vehicle electrification and intelligence. In what  looks like a re-run of the Nissan Renault alliance that pursued economies of scale, the intense capital costs required to develop EVs and autonomous vehicles is making for what would have previously been unlikely hookups.

Honda and Nissan, Japan’s second and third largest automakers, will study sharing automotive software platforms, core components related to EVs, and complementary products. Continue reading →

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Toyota Motor North America R&D Leads in Patents

Posted on 12 March 2024 by Ken Zino

Toyota Motor (NYSE:TM) said today that it has been awarded more patents from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) than any other automaker, according to an annual report by the Intellectual Property Owners Association (IPO). Toyota Motor North America Research & Development – head office in Ann Arbor, Michigan – has led the automotive industry for 10th consecutive years. During 2023 there was 3% overall decline in patents granted across all industries in the United States. Toyota ranked seventh among all companies awarded patents in 2023, receiving a total of 2667 patents. Toyota globally spends ~$1 million per hour on Research & Development. Continue reading →

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Acura 2024 ZDX Qualifies for $7500 EV Taxpayer Subsidy

Posted on 8 March 2024 by Ken Zino

Acura has released the power ratings for the 2024 ZDX all-electric SUV, and the high-performance ZDX Type S – the most powerful Acura ever. With a performance-tuned dual-motor AWD powertrain, ZDX Type S delivers a claimed 500 maximum horsepower and 544 lb.-ft. of maximum torque1 – more than the Acura NSX Type S supercar. ZDX A-Spec buyers can choose between a rear-wheel drive single-motor powertrain with 358 hp and 324 lb.-ft. of max torque or a more powerful dual-motor all-wheel drive configuration with 490 hp and 437 lb.-ft. of maximum torque. Continue reading →

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Honda Prologue SUV EV Gets $7500 Tax Subsidy

Posted on 7 March 2024 by Ken Zino

American Honda Motor said today that most all-new 2024 Honda Prologue models, the first all-electric Honda SUV, will qualify for the US $7500 EV tax credit. The federal tax credit applies to the purchase of all 2024 Prologues built after 25 February 2024. All 2024 Prologues will qualify when leased as do other EVs because of a quirk in the tax code. Prologue is arriving at Honda dealerships in the coming weeks, with a 296-mile EPA range rating. Prices before the credit range from ~$42,000 to $52,000. Continue reading →

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Turning over Taxpayer Assisted LEAF EVs

Posted on 6 March 2024 by Ken Zino

Nissan said today that 2024 Nissan LEAF vehicles manufactured in 2024 and sold on or after 6 March may be eligible for part of the U.S. federal EV tax credit under the Inflation Reduction Act,  provided that the customer meets all purchase and income qualifications for the EV tax credit. Nissan also provides a $3750 incentive to LEAF customers who lease any 2024 or 2023 LEAF. Potential buyers of course should consult with their tax advisor about any potential federal and state tax credit eligibility. The LEAF and its battery are assembled in Smyrna, Tennessee by non-union workers.

The latest LEAF was initially available to customers through 31 December 2023. Nissan said it has been able to re-certify that 2024 LEAF vehicles produced in the U.S. in 2024 meet the “battery component” requirements of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA) and may now qualify for up to a $3750 tax credit. The IRA has been criticized because it has no requirements for what creates in effect massively taxpayer subsidized companies without protecting their production workers. There are no market-based wage or benefit requirements, nothing that mandates company leaders to pay workers a wage to support themselves or their families. Continue reading →

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Nissan Cuts Ariya EV Starting Price to $41,340

Posted on 4 March 2024 by Ken Zino

Nissan USA said today that it is cutting the starting price of the 2024 Ariya EV now on sale with a starting Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price [1]* (MSRP) from $39,590 with “enhanced MSRP across all trim levels to appeal to a wider audience of EV buyers.” Ariya Engage, the entry point to the Ariya line-up, has been reduced by $3600 with other trim levels receiving a reduction of up to $6000.

“As the electric vehicle market continues to develop and grow, the revised pricing for the 2024 Ariya will improve the model’s competitiveness and ensure we are delivering maximum value to our customers,” said Trisha Jung, senior director, EV Strategy and Transformation, Nissan USA. Continue reading →

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Stellantis Posts 2023 Pro One Commercial Vehicle Results

Posted on 28 February 2024 by Ken Zino

“Our performance in 2023 reaffirms that Stellantis Pro One is a keystone of Stellantis business around the world,” said Xavier Peugeot, Stellantis Senior Vice President, Commercial Vehicles Business. “Propelled by the renewal of our entire van lineup and the widest offering of electrified propulsion, Stellantis Pro One is determined to be the most customer-focused product of choice. It is our customers who will drive us to our goal of market leadership by 2027.” Continue reading →

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Mercedes USA Recalls 2023-24 Models for Sudden Stalls

Posted on 26 February 2024 by Ken Zino

Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) is recalling ~32,000 models.* The 80-amp fuses used in them may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can cause the fuses to fail. An 80-amp fuse that fails can result in a sudden loss of drive power or a loss of critical safety functions such as the restraint systems or instrument cluster, increasing the risk of a crash or injury. Additionally, there could be an increased risk of a fire.

In the required filing made public this morning by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Mercedes said that before the failure occurs, the driver “will not receive a warning due to the nature of the failure mechanism.” Continue reading →

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Ayvens and Stellantis – 500,000 Fleet Sales Deal

Posted on 26 February 2024 by Ken Zino

Ayvens* (Euronext: ALD) and Stellantis (NYSE: STLA) said today that they have reached a multi-billion euro agreement “that encourages Ayvens’ affiliates to buy as many as 500,000 vehicles for its long-term leasing fleet across Europe during the next three years. The first significant delivery volumes are expected to begin in the first half of 2024 and continue throughout the year.

“One of the shared priorities will be integrating Stellantis’ innovative range of sustainable vehicles to support Ayvens’ multi-brand strategy,” the mobility companies said. Their stock prices are contrary with Stellantis near record highs and Ayvens near record lows. Stellantis also has its own leasing business, which is to a degree a competitor of Ayvens. Continue reading →

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Stellantis Posts Record 2023 Results – €18.6B Net

Posted on 15 February 2024 by Ken Zino

“As we just passed the three-year mark since Stellantis’ inception, I warmly thank our teams who are executing at the highest levels and contributing greatly to our growth story, even in the strongest of headwinds. Today’s record financial results are proof that we have become a new global leader in our industry and will remain rock solid as we look to a turbulent 2024. Thanks to our flexible technology and product roadmap, we are prepared to address the various scenarios that could arise and to continue delivering on our Dare Forward 2030 targets,” said Carlos Tavares, CEO. Continue reading →

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BMW i Ventures Invests in Skylo Technologies

Posted on 13 February 2024 by Ken Zino

Skylo has launched its initial service across US, Canada, and Europe, in partnership with major chipset makers including Qualcomm, Samsung, MediaTek, and Sony, together with the leading device OEMs and mobile carriers, such as Deutsche Telekom. Continue reading →

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Toyota Cleans Daihatsu House Over False Tests

Posted on 13 February 2024 by Ken Zino

“President-to-be Inoue has for many years been working on structural reform of Toyota’s Latin American business, including a renewed regional management system involving Brazil and Argentina. Despite the many difficult decisions he has had to make, he is a leader who has moved reforms forward by implementing thorough dialogue with front-line members. Utilizing this experience, he will lead the revitalization of Daihatsu as the person responsible for ‘on-site management,’ Executive Vice President-to-be Kuwata will promote corporate cultural and organizational reform initiatives by leveraging his experience in human resources and on-site management,” Toyota said. Continue reading →

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