Category Archives: news

Driving 2020 Explorer: Big Size and Complexity, Bigger Price

The 2020 Explorer is a credible SUV offering surrounded by other strong offerings. Pricing and marketing are the potential issues. Then there’s the test drive problem – fewer and fewer prospective buyer’s actual drive a prospective new vehicle und the conditions they will use it. Some don’t test drive at all, preferring web-page touring to tire turning. Continue reading

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Nissan Shareholders Elect 7 Independent Directors Out of 11

The new board of directors comprises 11 individuals, seven of whom are independent outside directors. Power appears to be evenly split between Renault and Nissan despite Nissan’s and the Japanese government’s interest in asserting more control. Renault, which owns 43% of Nissan and the French government, which owns 15% of Renault, are pushing for a merger. Paper organization charts are not always how business is conducted in mega, joint venture corporations. So, it will take some time to see how this works out as the Ghosn matter proceeds through the Japanese “legal” system. Continue reading

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BMW Group Power BEV – A Regulation Forced Car

In  a brand defensive move – increasingly difficult with regulation spec vehicles – chassis and powertrain engineers worked to maximize the car’s performance. Key to its dynamic attributes is that the two electric motors at the rear axle are controlled separately. This allows so-called  e-torque vectoring, which enables maximum drive power to be translated into forward propulsion even in extreme driving maneuvers, it’s claimed. Continue reading

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Ford and Austin Launch Mobility Challenge Program

The goal is to help improve the quality of life for Austin residents and visitors through dynamic mobility options that complement the existing transportation system. Continue reading

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Roadkill Nights – Drag Racing Back on Woodward Avenue

Roadkill is now the  traditional kick off to southeast Michigan’s week-long celebration of classic cars and car culture. There will be  thrill rides in the 717-horsepower Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and the 707-horsepower Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat models, more participants in the celebrity showdown races, and an overall $40,000 purse with $10,000 going towards United Way. Continue reading

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UAW Post Chattanooga Loss Calls for Labor Law Reviews

In the end, the difference between a unionized workplace and one without real worker representation was narrow: 833 employees voted against union representation and 776 in favor, a difference of merely 29 votes. Continue reading

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Renault, Nissan Ink Deal with Waymo on Driverless Mobility

The agreement is claimed to be designed to bring together the “strengths of each party and expand expertise by assessing market opportunities, working together to research commercial, legal and regulatory issues related to driverless transportation-as-a-service offerings in France and Japan.” Continue reading

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Trade Wars: Commerce Finds Dumping, Countervailable Subsidies of Chinese and Thailand Propane Cylinders

During 2017, imports of steel propane cylinders from China and Thailand were valued at an estimated $89.8 million and $14.1 million, respectively. In addition, Commerce found that exporters from China received countervailable subsidies at rates from 37.91 to 142.37%. Continue reading

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FAA Issues Waiver for Drones with Parachutes, New Supersonic Rulemaking, 737 Max Modifications Still Stalled

This remains to be seen at the beleaguered agency that appears to be too close to the aircraft industry as the ongoing Boeing 737 Max software modifications needed to prevent additional fatalities appears to be stalled. Continue reading

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Hyundai, Kia Announce Autonomous Investment in Aurora

The move strengthens a partnership formed between the companies in 2018, under which Hyundai, Kia, and Aurora have been collaborating on self-driving technologies on Hyundai’s flagship fuel cell vehicle NEXO. With the new investment, the companies have agreed to expand research to a wide range of models and to build an optimal platform for Hyundai and Kia’s autonomous vehicles. Continue reading

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GM Invests $150M in Flint to Increase Pickup Production

This news follows GM’s announcement last month to expand light-duty, full-size pickup production capacity in Fort Wayne, Indiana, in response to strong customer demand. (This news follows GM’s announcement last month to expand light-duty, full-size pickup production capacity in Fort Wayne, Indiana, in response to strong customer demand. (GM to Invest $1.2 Billion in Fort Wayne Pickup Plant) Continue reading

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Ford House Previews Spring ‘Driven by Design’ Exhibit

Three rare vehicles never shown together will be the centerpiece: a breathtaking1939 Lincoln Continental prototype, the 1932 Ford Model 18 Speedster and 1934 Ford Model 40 Special Speedster. These three vehicles tell the story of Edsel Ford’s role in bringing design to Ford Motor Company. Continue reading

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FCA Recalls Ram Pickups for Unsafe Airbags, Seat belts

Some of the Ram pickups may have been built with an Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) containing software that has a potential vulnerability during power-down memory clean-up events which can corrupt flash memory. Corrupted ORC flash memory may result in internal fault codes, illuminated Airbag Warning Lamp, and disabled deployment of airbags and pretensioners. Continue reading

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Trump Backs Down on Mexican Import Taxes. Declares Victory by Solving His Self-Created Crisis for American Workers

Automakers, farmers, the equity markets and his normally sycophantic Republican party were all protesting the reckless move. Thus adding  to the need to reverse the very course that Trump had set. Continue reading

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Renault Returns the Nissan Abstinence Vote Favor

This after the French government asked for more time to study the FCA Renault merger when it learned that Nissan intended to abstain from a vote that would allow it to go forward. Continue reading

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