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Category Archives: customer satisfaction
VW Driver Access Program adds Torsten Gross
“As someone who’s experienced both the challenges and the triumphs of adaptive driving, I’m honored to join VW in a mission to help others find their way forward,” said Torsten Gross. “Every time I get behind the wheel, whether it’s my race car or my street car, I’m reminded that possibilities are endless and through the Driver Access program, we’re opening that sense of freedom and confidence to even more Volkswagen drivers.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, marketing, milestones, news analysis, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Certified Pre-Owned Volkswagen vehicles, Ken Zino, physical disabilities and driving, Rachael Zaluzec, Torsten Gross, Volkswagen Inclusive Environment Workforce, VW Driver Access program, X @KenAutoinformed
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Honda Joins American Red Cross Disaster Giving List
“We are proud to build on our longstanding commitment to American Red Cross disaster recovery efforts,” said Jennifer Thomas, senior vice president of Corporate Affairs, American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “Through the Annual Disaster Giving Program, we will strengthen the ability of the Red Cross to provide immediate support when it is needed in communities across America, where Honda associates, customers, dealers and suppliers live and work.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, environment, global warming, news, news analysis, people
Tagged American Red Cross Annual Disaster Giving Program, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Cliff Holtz, Honda USA Foundation, Jennifer Thomas, Ken Zino, X @KenAutoinformed
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Bring Your Own Bronco Optional at Off-Roadeo
Ford Motor (NYSE:F) said today that it is now offering Bronco owners who have attended the complimentary Bronco Off-Rodeo – an immersive driving school available to new Bronco, Bronco Sport, and Bronco Raptor owners the chance to bring their own Bronco to an advanced dirt driving program so to speak.
“Ninety percent of Bronco Off-Roadeo participants say they want to return and learn even more,” said Kelsey Gerken, Bronco consumer strategy manager at Ford. “Bring Your Own Bronco gives them that chance, expanding the Off-Roadeo experience to two unique, four-hour courses that further grow a Bronco owner’s skillset.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, marketing, mobility company, people, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Bronco consumer strategy, electronic locking differentials, Ken Zino, recovery techniques, Rock Crawl Camera, Trail Control, X @KenAutoinformed
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Ford and Lincoln Add Zoom App Meet on the Move
Ford Motor (NYSE: F) said today that it is launching the Zoom app Meet on the Move. It is built and customized specifically for vehicles in the U.S. equipped with the all-new Ford and Lincoln Digital Experience.* With the new digital cabin, customers can bring along things they use in their so-called digital life, including their favorite apps to be entertained or to stay productive on the go – all without a smartphone – Ford said in a release. This is unique because it offers an immersive experience built directly into the vehicle, which is different from using smartphone projection. Whether this is a distinction without a real difference remains to be seen. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, connected vehicles, customer satisfaction, distracted driving, electronics, marketing, news analysis, safety, software defined vehicles
Tagged 2024/2025 Lincoln Nautilus, 2025 Ford Expedition, 2025 Ford Explorer, 2025 Lincoln Aviator, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino, X @KenAutoinformed, Zoom App Meet on the Move
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Ford Motor Recalls – Seat Belts, Instruments, Lost Steering
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is recalling more than 36,000 vehicles for a variety of safety defects. Included are Lincoln Aviator and Corsair, Transit and F150 Lightning models, according to filings made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) this morning. Among the group of the latest Ford Motor recalls, the most potentially deadly safety defect appears to be loss of steering control caused by “Front Control Arm Separation” covering 2024-2025 model F-150 Lightning battery electric vehicles.
“Certain vehicles may have an improperly torqued nut on the ball joint which secures the front upper control arm to the knuckle assembly. An improperly torqued nut on the ball joint can result in separation of the front upper control arm from the knuckle assembly,” Ford told the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in the mandatory safety defect recall filing. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, manufacturing, quality, recalls, safety
Tagged 2024-2025 F-150 Lightning Safety Recalls, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ford Motor Safety Recalls, Ford Transit Safety Recalls, Ken Zino, Lincoln Aviator and Corsair Safety Recalls, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nhtsa, X @KenAutoinformed
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Autonomous Vehicles – Skepticism Rules Consumers
Virtually all automakers now have some type automated driving system categorized as Level 2 or Level 2+ on the SAE Autonomous Driving Levels standard. These include General Motors’ Super Cruise; Tesla Autopilot; and numerous Mercedes, BMW and Stellantis systems in Europe and Nio in mainland China. More options are becoming obtainable each year.
“The choice between Level 3 automation [conditional] and Level 2/Level 2+ systems [partial automation] often divides the industry, resulting in notable differences in strategies among autonomous vehicle companies,” said Vivek Beriwal of S&P Global Mobility, a distinct part of S&P Global. “A key assumption of Level 3 systems is that the automaker assumes liability for its safe operation in “autonomous mode.” This has caused some automakers to focus on expanding functionality within Level 2+ while delaying any potential Level 3 upgrades,” Beriwal observes. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, autonomous vehicles, connected vehicles, customer satisfaction, electronics, engineering, news analysis, safety, software defined vehicles
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino, S&P Global Mobility, SAE Autonomous Driving Level 2, SAE Autonomous Driving Level 3, SAE Autonomous Driving Levels, Vivek Beriwal, X @KenAutoinformed
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More IndyCar Cheating Penalties Coming to Detroit
IndyCar this morning announced a six-position starting grid penalty for the entries of No. 9 Chip Ganassi Racing and No. 15 Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing According to Rule 16.1.6.1.2., the penalty is a six-position starting grid penalty on road and street course events and nine positions at oval events and will be served at the series’ next event, which is the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear Sunday, 1 June on the Streets of Detroit. Ironically the violations are both on Honda powered cars. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, news analysis, racing, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear, Chip Ganassi Racing, Colton Herta, Graham Rahal, IndyCar cheating, Ken Zino, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, X @KenAutoinformed
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EV App Gap Frustrates Growing Number of Users
“The report includes apps from the top 28 award-eligible brands that sell EVs in the United States; 10 profiled EV brands in China; and eight profiled EV brands in Europe. Brands from China and Europe are included in this report given their expanding presence in the EV marketplace. Additionally, 1966 EV owners in the United States were surveyed in March-April 2025 to gather insights on app usage; feature desirability; and app overall execution for the 2025 report,” said Power. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, connected vehicles, customer satisfaction, electric vehicles, news analysis
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, j.d power, Ken Zino, mobile app satisfaction, mobile apps, Violet Allmandinger, X @KenAutoinformed
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Light Truck Tread Separation Recall from Michelin Tire
Michelin North America is recalling ~7000 Agilis Cross Climate C-Metric tires, size 185/60R15C. This is a an aftermarket replacement all weather tire. If placed into service, the affected tires may not provide the expected performance and could potentially increase the risk of a crash.
“Chunks of tread rubber may detach from the shoulder blocks. As such, these tires fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 139, New Pneumatic Radial Tires for Light Vehicles,” Michelin told the National Highway Traffic Safet Administration in the mandatory safety defect recall filing. NHTSA made the Michelin tire recall public this morning. Continue reading
Posted in aftermarket, auto news, customer satisfaction, quality, recalls, safety
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino, Michelin Agilis Cross Climate C-Metric tires, Michelin North America tire recalls, NHTSA Tire Recall Campaign Number 25T008, X @KenAutoinformed
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Bad Brakes! Recalls on Ford Expeditions, Lincoln Navigators
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is recalling ~274,000 2022-2024 model year Navigator and Expedition SUVs for failing brakes.
“The front brake line may have been bent during the engine installation process at Ford’s Kentucky Truck final assembly plant,” according to the mandatory safety defect recall filing made public today by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, manufacturing, news analysis, quality, recalls
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ford Expedition recalls, Ford Motor brake recall 25S47, Ken Zino, Lincoln Navigator Recalls, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, NHTSA brake recall number 25V314 or 25V-314, X @KenAutoinformed
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Hyundai Fire Risk Recall on 2025 Palisade SUVs
Hyundai Motor America is recalling ~600 Korean-made 2025 model Hyundai Palisade SUVs. An insufficient seal from Korean supplier MNEX on the controller for the electric oil pump may allow moisture to accumulate in the printed circuit board, which can cause an electrical short circuit and result in a fire. Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until the recall remedy is completed.
“The tooling used for sealing the EOP controller housing during supplier manufacturing contained a damaged spring,” Hyundai told the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which made this mandatory recall filing public this morning. Drivers may perceive a burning/melting odor or the illumination of Malfunction Indicator Light. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, manufacturing, quality, recalls, safety
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Hyundai Palisade recall 278, Hyundai Palisade SUV recall 278, Ken Zino, Korean supplier MNEX recalls, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, NHTSA Hyundai Palisade SUV recall 25V291 or 25V-291, NHTSA Hyundai recall 25V291 or 25V-291, X @KenAutoinformed
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Volvo Car USA Rearview Camera Software Recall
Volvo Car USA is recalling ~413,000 model year 2021-2025 XC40, 2022 V90, 2022-2025 S90, V90CC, C40, XC60, and 2023-2025 S60, V60, V60CC and XC90 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display when the vehicle is placed in reverse. These Volvos fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111 on Rear Visibility. The center display will show “Camera is temporarily not available”.
Wide Angle Vision Module (WAM) Software from Google is the problem. “A fault code may be set under certain conditions, which could result in the backup camera image to not be available for the rest of the driving cycle. Park assist warnings, rear automatic braking and cross traffic alert will still be functional if the vehicle is equipped with those features, which will automatically stop the car if an obstacle is detected,” Volvo told the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which made the mandatory recall filing public this morning. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, electronics, engineering, news analysis, quality, recalls, safety, software recalls
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, C40, ICUP or Google built-in infotainment system safety recalls, Ken Zino, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, NHTSA Volvo recall 25V282 or 25V-282, S60, S90, V60, V90, V90CC, Volvo Car recall R10320, Volvo Recalls, X @KenAutoinformed, XC40, XC60
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Volkswagen Recalls ID.BUZZ Third Row Seats
Volkswagen Group of America is recalling ~6000 model year 2025 ID. BUZZ vehicles. The third-row rear bench is wide enough for three passengers, but is designed for two passengers and equipped with two seat belts. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, Occupant Crash Protection.
“Based on the third-row rear bench seating surface width, the vehicle is required to have three DSPs. The third-row rear bench in the ID.Buzz has only two DSPs and with this only two seat belts available. If three passengers were to be seated the third-row rear bench, there would be insufficient seat belts for all three passengers. This could increase the risk of an injury for passengers in the event of a crash,” Volkswagen said in the mandatory safety defect recall filing made public today by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, design and styling, news analysis, recalls, safety
Tagged 2025 VW ID.BUZZ recalls, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino, NHTSA Campaign Number 25V269 or 25V-269, Volkswagen Group of America, Volkswagen recall 72LC, X @KenAutoinformed
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Annals of Marketing – Porsche Italia and Ferragamo
Porsche (P911.DE) said today that Porsche Italia is observing its 40th anniversary with two special-edition models based on the Porsche 911 Carrera 4 GTS and the Porsche Taycan 4S. Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur workers have decoratively enhanced the exterior and the interior of the two sports cars.
“Our dream was to create something truly unique that embodies the spirit that has guided us for the past 40 years: Porsche style combined with Italian culture and aesthetics. That’s why we chose Ferragamo as a partner for this project, a brand with which we share values such as excellence of craftsmanship, timeless elegance and a tireless attention to detail,” said Pietro Innocenti, CEO of Porsche Italia. Salvatore Ferragamo became famous in Hollywood by custom-making shoes for movie stars. In 1927, the ‘shoemaker of dreams’, as he was known, returned to his homeland and settled near Florence. Continue reading →