Category Archives: news

Connected Car Wars – Biden Takes on China and Russia

Posted on 23 September 2024 by Ken Zino

“Connected vehicles provide many benefits — from promoting vehicle safety to assisting drivers with navigation — but they also pose new and growing threats. These technologies include computer systems that control vehicle movement and collect sensitive driver and passenger data as well as cameras and sensors that enable automated driving systems and record detailed information about American infrastructure. Now more than ever, vehicles are directly connected into our country’s digital networks,” The White House said. Continue reading →

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Annals of Marketing – VW Gewürz Ketchup Brand

Posted on 23 September 2024 by Ken Zino

Volkswagen of America announced today that VW part number 00010 ZDK-259-101, VW Gewürz Ketchup Brand, a condiment used to dress VW currywurst, will be available in the U.S. for a limited time. The public can claim their own bottle, distributed through DriverGear retail operation, starting today at no cost while supplies last.

“This year we’re celebrating more than a big anniversary of selling cars,” said Rachael Zaluzec, Senior Vice President of Customer Experience and Brand Marketing, Volkswagen of America. “We’re celebrating stories, memories, passion, and all the fun, and unexpected things that make Volkswagen the brand we are today —things like our Gewürz Ketchup Brand condiment.” Continue reading →

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Solid-State Cell Technology – All Hype No Production Way?

Posted on 23 September 2024 by Ken Zino

“With a stream of major cell suppliers regularly announcing ‘major’ breakthroughs in solid-state cell technology, it is proving difficult to discern the reality of the state of play at present.” This from GlobalData’s dedicated research platform, the Automotive Intelligence Center, which was released today as an analyst’s comment.*

“The harsh reality is that 90% of news, plans and solid-state plant activity appears to be bogus, as start of production (SOP) dates slip or vanish, with this being particularly true of information coming from China,” said Oliver Petschenyk Powertrain Analyst at GlobalData. Continue reading →

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Unifor GM Members Ratify New Contract for CAMI Assembly

Posted on 23 September 2024 by Ken Zino

Unifor members working at the CAMI Assembly and Battery Assembly plants over the past week ratified a new collective agreement with General Motors.* There are pay increases, supporting Unifor’s Detroit Three pattern agreement and eliminates a historic pay lag with counterparts at other Canadian GM facilities. Unifor Local 88 members voted 95.7% in favor to ratify the new two-year agreement, which will expire on September 20, 2026. Local 88 represents more than 1300 members at CAMI Assembly and Battery Assembly who manufacture the Chevrolet BrightDrop EV 600 and EV 400 and Ultium battery modules.

“We are pleased our team members at CAMI Assembly, the manufacturing home of the Chevrolet BrightDrop electric van, have ratified a new agreement that supports our employees and our business. Thank you to the entire Unifor bargaining committee and our GM Canada labor team for your leadership and collaboration,” said Kristian Aquilina, GM Canada President and Managing Director. Continue reading →

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California Economy Booms as Greenhouse Gases Decline

Posted on 20 September 2024 by Ken Zino

A report* released today by the California Air Resources Board shows that for 2022 greenhouse gas emissions dropped across most sectors and is the equivalent of removing more than 2.2 million gasoline- or diesel powered cars off California’s roads for one year. Between 2000 to 2022, emissions fell by 20% while California’s gross domestic product increased by 78%. This shows the effectiveness of the state’s climate change and air quality programs, which will be rejected by climate deniers and fossil fuel lobbying funding organizations, political candidates or parties.

“California is proving that climate action goes hand-in-hand with economic growth. We’ve slashed carbon pollution by a whopping 20% since the turn of the century all while building the world’s fifth largest economy. Cleaner air, more good jobs – that’s the California way,” said Governor Gavin Newsom. Continue reading →

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GM Recalls 450,000 Vehicles for Brake Control Software Failure

Posted on 20 September 2024 by Ken Zino

General Motors is recalling 449,671 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2023-2024 Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade, and Escalade ESV vehicles. The electronic brake control module software may fail to display a warning light when a loss of brake fluid occurs. These vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 135, “Light Vehicle Brake Systems.” The recall safety defect is caused by a mismatch between the electronic brake control module (eBCM) software and eBCM calibrations.

“A driver may not receive an indicator of a loss of brake fluid before the level is below FMVSS 135’s requirement. In the event of a brake fluid leak, the vehicle’s brake pedal performance may degrade before the BRAKE telltale timely illuminates in accordance with FMVSS 135, increasing the risk of a crash. In the event of a brake fluid leak, affected vehicles still meet FMVSS 135’s stopping-distance requirements,” GM said in the required NHTSA filing made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration this morning. Continue reading →

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Shell Opens First Charging Station for Electric Trucks in UK

Posted on 19 September 2024 by Ken Zino

Shell has opened its first electric public charging station in the UK for trucks, at the Markham Moor Truck Stop in Nottinghamshire, according to The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).* The site, which Shell acquired in 2022 , is situated along the A1, about 25 miles south of Doncaster and 25 miles Southeast of Sheffield.  and is passed by more than 8000 heavy goods vehicles (HGV) a day. It has a 400kWh fast charging station, with two connectors, powered using 100% renewable electricity, which enables two vehicles to charge at once. Continue reading →

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August 2024 EU Car Registrations Plummet

Posted on 19 September 2024 by Ken Zino

During August 2024, new EU car registrations saw a sharp decrease (-18.3%) with negative results across the region’s four major markets: double-digit losses were witnessed in Germany (-27.8% at 197,322), France (-24.3% at 85,977), and Italy (-13.4% at 69,161), with the Spanish market declining by 6.5% at 52,322, the ACEA trade group said today.

With eight months of 2024 elapsed, new car registrations increased by 1.4%, at ~7.2 million units. Spain (+4.5% at 671,551) and Italy (+3.8% at 69,161) showed positive but modest performance. The French and the German markets stagnated (-0.5% at 1,126,900 and -0.3% at 1,907,226 respectively). Continue reading →

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BMW and Redwood Materials to Recycle Lithium-Ion Batteries

Posted on 19 September 2024 by Ken Zino

BMW North America and Redwood Materials* announced today a partnership to recycle lithium-ion batteries from electric, plug-in hybrid, and mild hybrid BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce, and BMW Motorrad in the U.S. The partnership is said to demonstrate a shared commitment to … Continue reading →

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Stellantis Signs New European Work Council Agreement

Posted on 19 September 2024 by Ken Zino

However, in the U.S. where there is no works council structure. The UAW filed federal unfair labor practice charges at the National Labor Relations Board earlier this week. The UAW said this is over what it says is Stellantis’ illegal refusal to provide information about the company’s plans regarding product commitments it made in the UAW’s 2023 collective bargaining agreement. Several UAW locals with thousands of members have also filed contract grievances over the company’s attempt to move Dodge Durango production out of the United States, in violation of the UAW’s national agreement.

“The new EWC will play a key role in informing and consulting employees on a transnational level, ensuring their voices are heard. Additionally, it will be essential in supporting Stellantis’ strategy of sustainable performance and transformation, always prioritizing the best interests of employees,” Stellantis said. AutoInformed notes that there is a double standard in play here – clearly working against North American employees. Continue reading →

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EPA Publishes New Kids and Climate Health Zone

Posted on 18 September 2024 by Ken Zino

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today released a new web contraption called the “Kids and Climate Health Zone.” The Zone is a collection of stories and information about how the hazards of climate stressors are impacting different childhood life stages and regions in the United States and what people can do to protect their children and families.

“Climate change is the challenge of our generation, and we owe it to the next generation – our nation’s children – to take action now in the fight to protect our health and our planet,” said EPA Deputy Administrator Janet McCabe. “Raising awareness of the impacts of climate and environmental stressors on children and highlighting actions that we can all implement to mitigate the effects are critical for the protection of children’s health and are central to our mission at EPA and to the efforts of the Biden-Harris Administration.” Continue reading →

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ChargeScape Vehicle-Grid Integration JV Begins Operations

Posted on 18 September 2024 by Ken Zino

BMW, Ford and Honda have begun operation of their new joint venture ChargeScape today ChargeScape also appointed the first CEO and CTO. (Read AutoInformed.com on EV Grid Unlock – BMW, Ford, Honda Create ChargeScape) As more Americans switch to EVs, cheaper fueling costs have become top-of-mind for drivers, particularly while charging at home where 80% of EV charging occurs according to U.S. Department of Energy estimates. The nation’s power grids have come under increasing strain due to electricity demand from data centers and the intermittent nature of current renewable technologies.

“ChargeScape is a software platform that integrates electric vehicles (EVs) into the power grid, shoring up grid stability while saving drivers money on their charging, the companies – all of them global giants – said in a joint release. “ChargeScape’s technology wirelessly connects to electric vehicles and, working with participating utilities, manages the flow of electrons in line with real-time grid conditions, temporarily reducing demand when the grid is constrained through smart charging (V1G) and even sending energy back into the power grid when needed (V2G). EV drivers have the potential to be rewarded financially for their flexibility and always have their vehicle charged by the time they specify,” ChargeScape claimed ex ante. Continue reading →

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GM Canada Has Tentative Unifor Agreement at CAMI Assembly

Posted on 18 September 2024 by Ken Zino

At 3:00 am today GM Canada reached a tentative agreement with Unifor, covering ~1300 represented employees at CAMI who build the Chevrolet BrightDrop electric vans and battery modules.

“This agreement, subject to member ratification, recognizes the many contributions of our employees and provides pattern increases in wages, benefits and job security.” GM Canada said. Continue reading →

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Shawn Fain to Speak to Stellantis UAW Membership Tonight

Posted on 17 September 2024 by Ken Zino

Yesterday, the UAW filed federal unfair labor practice charges at the National Labor Relations Board over what it says is Stellantis’ illegal refusal to provide information about the company’s plans regarding product commitments it made in the UAW’s 2023 collective bargaining agreement. Several UAW locals covering thousands of members have also filed contract grievances over the company’s attempt to move Dodge Durango production out of the United States, in violation of the UAW’s national agreement.

“In our 2023 contract, we won major gains, including a commitment to reopen an idled assembly plant in Belvidere, Illinois, and to build the Dodge Durango in Detroit. We also won the right to strike over those commitments, if we have to,” said UAW President Shawn Fain. “Now, Stellantis wants to go back on the deal. As a united UAW, we intend to enforce our contract, and to make Stellantis keep the promise.” Fain will address the UAW membership on Facebook Live tonight. Continue reading →

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DOJ – Defeat Devices Plea With COBB Tuning Products

Posted on 17 September 2024 by Ken Zino

The Justice Department and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have announced a settlement agreement with COBB Tuning Products to settle claims relating to the manufacture and sale of automotive emission defeat devices in violation of the Clean Air Act. The proposed consent decree, lodged in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, is subject to a 30-day comment period and final court approval.

The settlement requires COBB to pay a civil penalty of just over $2.9 million, based on the company’s limited ability to pay, and to stop the manufacture and sale of defeat devices.* COBB is an automotive aftermarket parts manufacturer and retailer based in Austin, Texas, which formerly sold its parts in Plano, Texas; Portland, Oregon; and Fountain Valley, California. Continue reading →

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