Category Archives: awards

EV Satisfaction Improves But Trump Chaos Looms

Posted on 27 February 2025 by Ken Zino

“The elimination of EV tax incentives and public charging funding has the potential to affect two critical barriers to EV adoption: public charging availability and vehicle prices,” said Brent Gruber, executive director of the EV practice at J.D. Power. “This temporary slowdown in market share growth for EVs creates a unique challenge for the industry as manufacturers forge ahead with new vehicle introductions. The EV market will be faced with expanded product offerings and flat share, creating increased competition.” Continue reading →

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J.D. Power – Three Year Old Vehicle Problems Up

Posted on 14 February 2025 by Ken Zino

The results of this year’s study are consistent with the results of the J.D. Power 2022 Initial Quality StudySM which tracked problems early in the ownership period of 2022 model-year vehicles. That year, initial vehicle quality notably declined from 2021, and problems also reached a record high. Three years later, the issues continue to be problematic for owners, according to findings of the 2025 VDS. (Read Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Vehicle Quality Flaws at 36-Year Record High) Continue reading →

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Quantum Materials Discovery by Honda Research Institute

Posted on 28 January 2025 by Ken Zino

“Our technology provides a new pathway for the synthesis of quantum nanoribbons with precise width control, leveraging their unique mechanical and electronic properties as a single photon light source to realize secure communication known as ‘quantum communication’,” said Dr. Avetik Harutyunyan, Senior Chief Scientist, Honda Research Institute USA Inc. and the leader of the quantum research. Continue reading →

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First Look – 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid

Posted on 16 January 2025 by Ken Zino

Subaru of America today announced the new 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid. The third-generation Subaru Crosstrek returns with a hybrid model for 2026 in the fall of 2025, equipped with a next-generation Subaru series-parallel hybrid system, a high-capacity lithium-ion battery and standard Symmetrical All-Wheel-Drive. Continue reading →

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Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer Defends Auto Industry

Posted on 15 January 2025 by Ken Zino

“To grow Michigan’s economy and fight for the auto industry, I’ll work with anyone who’s serious about solving problems in Lansing or DC,” said Governor Whitmer. “Right now, there’s an ongoing, global competition between Michigan, China, and other states to build the future of the auto industry. To make sure we win, we need commonsense, bipartisan tools that create good-paying jobs and bring supply chains home. We must also find a fiscally responsible, sustainable solution to fix the damn roads work with our Canadian neighbors to ensure tariffs don’t lead to higher costs for families and businesses. Together, let’s create Michigan jobs, fix Michigan roads, and grow Michigan’s economy. The road ahead is bright, so let’s roll up our sleeves and get to work.” Continue reading →

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Ian Callum Wins 2025 Lifetime Design Achievement Award

Posted on 10 January 2025 by Ken Zino

A group of the world’s automotive designers selected Ian Callum as the winner of the 2025 EyesOn Design Lifetime Design Achievement Award for his outstanding career in vehicle design, it was announced at the Detroit Auto Show today. Callum will receive the 2025 Lifetime Design Achievement Award at a black tie event on June 13, 2025 as part of the week-long series of EyesOn Design activities. These culminate in its annual automotive design show, held every Father’s Day on the grounds of the lakefront Eleanor & Edsel Ford House in Grosse Pointe Shores, Michigan.

“Callum, who was born in Scotland, knew he wanted to design cars at a young age after he saw a Jaguar E-Type in a dealership window while on a trip to Glasgow with his grandfather. Later, he would work for the storied English brand, where he and his team designed some of the most striking Jaguars, including the R-Coupe, the F-Type, F-PACE and I-PACE, a World Car of the Year Award winner,” EyesOn Design said. Continue reading →

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Hyundai Claims EV Altitude Change Record

Posted on 26 December 2024 by Ken Zino

Hyundai Motor Company said today that an IONIQ 5 recorded a record-breaking total elevation change of 5802 meters over a +4900 km run across India. The publicity route began in Umling La in Ladakh, through steep Himalaya mountain passes, to the finish in the coastal region of Kuttanad, Kerala. (Read AutoInformed.com on: Hyundai Revises Ioniq EV for 2022 with New Platform) Continue reading →

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Annals of Marketing – Honda Prelude Returns as Hybrid

Posted on 26 December 2024 by Ken Zino

Honda has announced that an all-new hybrid-electric Prelude* sports coupe will be re-introduced to the U.S. market late next year, presumably as a 2026 model. The first prelude appeared in November 1978. This new one will debut Honda S+ Shift, … Continue reading →

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Ram ProMaster Diesel Engines – CARB Fines FCA $4.2M

Posted on 24 December 2024 by Ken Zino

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) said this week it has reached a settlement agreement with FCA US LLC (FCA) of Auburn Hills, Mich., for $4,185,820 for violations of CARB’s air quality regulations. The FCA vehicles concerned include model year (MY) 2014 through 2016 Ram ProMaster 1500, 2500 and 3500 vehicles equipped with 3-liter inline-4 diesel engines.*

“CARB’s robust compliance testing ensures that auto manufacturers sell the exact vehicles that received certification for sale within California, without alterations made to skirt the state’s regulations and release excess emissions that harm air quality and public health,” said CARB Executive Officer Dr. Steven Cliff. Continue reading →

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Toyota to Get $4.5M in Fed Funding for EV Batteries

Posted on 18 December 2024 by Ken Zino

Toyota (NYSE:TM) said today that Toyota Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. (TEMA), inclusive of Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) R&D, has been selected to receive $4.5 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Energy, Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E). The funding is part of the Catalyzing Innovative Research for Circular Use of Long-lived Advanced Rechargeables (CIRCULAR) Program, designed to support a circular domestic supply chain for electric vehicle (EV) batteries.

“As it stands, this project and program will highlight avenues for everyone to rethink their approach to battery circularity, and help prioritize the extension of battery life, facilitate battery reuse, and reduce battery waste while unveiling the appropriate pathways to achieve such priorities,” said Nik Singh, principal scientist at TRINA (Toyota Research Institute of North America) who is Principal Investigator on this project. “This is only made possible by the collaboration between the exceptional teams comprised within this project group.” Continue reading →

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Clean Air Act – Power Performance Enterprises Fined

Posted on 18 December 2024 by Ken Zino

Louisiana-based company Power Performance Enterprises Inc. (PPEI) and its president and owner, Kory B. Willis, were sentenced yesterday in federal court in Sacramento, California, for violating and conspiring to violate the Clean Air Act by tampering with the monitoring devices … Continue reading →

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IIHS – Latest 2024 Top Safety Pick Laggards

Posted on 31 October 2024 by Ken Zino

Four vehicles from four different brands fall short in one or more tests required for a 2024 Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ award in the latest ratings release today from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. To qualify for either award in 2024, vehicles need good ratings in the small overlap front and updated side tests, an acceptable or good rating in the pedestrian front crash prevention evaluation and acceptable- or good-rated headlights across all trim levels. Continue reading →

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Life Saving Seat Belt Reminders Improving

Posted on 10 October 2024 by Ken Zino

Automakers have moved quickly to install louder, more persistent seat belt reminders, the  Insurance Institute for Highway Safety said today. IIHS began rating the devices in 2022. The first year, only 17% of the new models tested earned a good rating; 65% were rated marginal or poor. However, 62% of the 2024 models tested so far are rated good. Only 24% are rated marginal or poor.

“The math is pretty simple,” said David Kidd, the IIHS senior research scientist who led that research as well as the development of the seat belt reminder rating program. “We found that an audible reminder that lasts at least 90 seconds increased belt use by around 30%. That means we could save almost 1,600 lives a year if every vehicle on the road was equipped with a good-rated system.” Continue reading →

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Loyalty Keeps Vehicle Buyers Out of Market Amidst Shortages

Posted on 30 September 2024 by Ken Zino

Perennial brand loyalty leaders including Toyota, Honda and Lexus have each been able to grow their respective shares of loyal customers amid stagnation experienced by other brands, according to the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Automotive Brand Loyalty StudySM.

“Amid ongoing inventory shortages, the most loyal customers actually stayed out of the market if they were unable to get their desired vehicle,” said Tyson Jominy, vice president of data & analytics at J.D. Power. “Now that inventory levels are recovering, customers are coming back. In particular, Toyota and Honda are benefiting from increased availability of hybrid vehicles, with Honda owners swapping out their gas-powered vehicles for hybrids at nearly triple the rate of the industry average. Lexus is also benefitting from strengthened residual values, which are helping drive loyalty for the brand despite premium brands as a whole experiencing a plateau this year.” Continue reading →

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Tech-Aches – Vehicle Owners Overwhelmed by New Gizmos

Posted on 22 August 2024 by Ken Zino

Vehicle owners are overwhelmed with technology features that don’t solve a problem, don’t work, are difficult to use or are just too limited in functionality. The results of the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Tech Experience Index* (TXI) StudySM released today shows that. The study, which focuses on the user experience with advanced vehicle technologies as they come to market, finds that while owners offer praise for some advanced features, others are found to be lackluster. Continue reading →

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