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Category Archives: customer satisfaction
More Toyota Certification Problems Emerge from MLIT Probe
Toyota Motor Corporation said today that it had received a “correction order” from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), that calls for “drastic reforms to ensure appropriate certification operations.” Akio Toyoda’s chairman’s position remains under threat here from dissatisfied shareholders, AutoInformed notes. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, engineering, litigation, news analysis, quality, safety
Tagged akio toyoda, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Corolla Axio, Corolla Fielder, Ken Zino, Ministry of Land Infrastructure Transport and Tourism, MLIT, Noah/Voxy, TPS Jishuken, Yaris Cross
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J.D. Power 2024 US APEAL Study Improves Slightly
“Traditional manufacturers have listened to the Voice of the Customer,” said Frank Hanley, senior director of auto benchmarking at J.D. Power. “They’re launching enhanced vehicles that are more in line with what customers want, including improved interior storage and higher quality materials, as well as ensuring features have ease of use. For BEVs, recent launches from traditional manufacturers have surpassed perennial leader Tesla when it comes to owners’ level of emotional attachment and excitement with their new vehicle.” Continue reading
NHTSA – 31 Second Consumer Alert on Vehicle Theft
“Each year, vehicle theft costs Americans more than $8 billion. Victims are left handling the aftermath, such as higher insurance premiums and vehicle depreciation if they’re lucky enough to get their vehicle back. More than 1 million vehicles were stolen in 2023, a 25% increase in vehicle thefts over the previous few years,” NHTSA said. Continue reading
Fleet Owners with EVs and Traditional Vehicles Favor EVs
“The electric-vehicle story is much larger than just the retail story,” said Zo Rahim, senior analyst of Research and Market Intelligence at Cox Automotive. “In many ways, electric vehicles can be an ideal solution for many fleet operations, which often have set routes of known distances, vehicles that routinely overnight in the same location, and operations that prioritize the cost of ownership. The fleet business is significant in the U.S. market, and we expect the EV share of the fleet market to expand in the coming years.” Continue reading
Posted in alternative fuels, customer satisfaction, electric vehicles, environment, global warming, news analysis, transportation
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino, Research and Market Intelligence at Cox Automotive, Zo Rahim
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Hyundai Recalls 55,000 Vehicles for Sudden Power Loss
The fuel control valve in the high-pressure fuel pump assemblies equipped in the vehicles could allow excess fuel to enter the fuel pump due to gradual wear of the FCV plunger. An air/fuel mixture that runs too “rich” may result in a reduction or loss of motive power at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash. The problem resulted in a recall in Korea last month. According to HMC, upon detection of a fault, the vehicle entered a “limp” drive mode that limited acceleration when exceeding 60 MPH. Continue reading
BMW Has Yet Another Airbag Shrapnel Recall
“The inflator for the driver air bag may not have been produced according to specifications by the supplier. In extremely rare cases, the air bag inflator could rupture, which could result in injury or death to vehicle occupants,” BMW claimed in the required NHTSA filing. Continue reading
FCA US Recalls 332,000 Vehicles for Bad Airbags
In the required filing just made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, FCA said “A disrupted connector on the buckle switch hall effect may affect the conduction on the connectors of the seat wiring and buckle which may cause the front seat air bag to not perform as expected during a crash.” The part in question was made by ZF Group in Italy as Molex part number 98817-1025. Continue reading
Posted in customer satisfaction, manufacturing, news analysis, quality, recalls, safety
Tagged Alfa Romeo recalls, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Crysle FCA US recalls, FCA US recall 82B, Fiat recalls, jeep recalls, Ken Zino, Molex part number 98817-1025, NHTSA recall 24V-510 or 24V510
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Takata Airbag Shrapnel – BMW Recalls 400,000 3-Series Models
The original steering wheel may have been replaced with a sport or M-sport steering wheel equipped with a Takata inflator that can explode during deployment. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death. Continue reading
Posted in customer satisfaction, news analysis, recalls, safety
Tagged 24V513, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, BMW Takata airbag recall 24V-513, Ken Zino, Michael Brooks, New Leaf of Pfafftown North Carolina, NHTSA Number: 24V-513, The Center for Auto Safety
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Tilt! Stellantis Now Favoring Hybrids in Europe
Stellantis (NYSE: STLA) said today that is changing its self-described multi-energy approach to respond to the sharp rise in sales of hybrid vehicles in Europe, including models equipped with its new “advanced hybrid eDCT technology.”* The company will offer 30 … Continue reading
Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, customer satisfaction, electric vehicles, environment, fuel economy or emissions, manufacturing, marketing, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, hybrid vehicles, Ken Zino, Stellantis Dare Forward 2030, Stellantis eDCT technology
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GM Recalls 2024 Colorado and Canyon Models for Fuel Leaks
General Motors is recalling ~9000 2024 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon vehicles for fuel tank leaks. The lock ring that secures the fuel pump to the fuel tank assembly may not have been fully locked during assembly by the supplier Plastic Omnium. This can cause a leak during a crash, possibly leading to a fire, according to GM recall filings released today by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Continue reading
Ford Mustang, F-Super Duty Recalls for Steering and Brakes
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) today made public more safety defect recalls on 2022-2023 Ford Mustangs, some 2024 Mustangs as well as 2025 F-Super Duty F-650 and F-750 pickup trucks. The safety defects come from a variety of causes including, improper heat treating, power steering control module (PSCM) software and body control module (BCM) software. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, electronics, engineering, manufacturing, quality, recalls
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ford Recall 24S42, Ford Recall 24S43, Ford Recall 24S44, Ken Zino, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, NHTSA 24V493, NHTSA 24V494, NHTSA 24V496
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Ford Motor Recalls More than 550,000 F-150 Pickups
Ford Motor Company is recalling more than 550,000 2014 model F-150 vehicles, the National High Traffic Safety Administration said today. A loss of the signal between the transmission output shaft speed sensor and the powertrain control module can cause the transmission to unexpectedly downshift into first gear at any vehicle speed. A downshift to first gear without warning could result in a loss of vehicle control, obviously increasing the risk of a crash. Continue reading
EVs, PHEVs Worse Than Gas Vehicles On Power 2024 IQS
“Proponents of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) often state these vehicles should be less problematic and require fewer repairs than gas-powered vehicles since they have fewer parts and systems. However, newly incorporated repair data shows BEVs, as well as plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), require more repairs than gas-powered vehicles in all repair categories. “Owners of cutting edge, tech-filled BEVs and PHEVs are experiencing problems that are of a severity level high enough for them to take their new vehicle to the dealership at a rate three times higher than that of gas-powered vehicle owners,” Hanley said. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, electric vehicles, electronics, manufacturing, mobility company, news analysis, quality, software defined vehicles, software defined vehicles
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Frank Hanley, J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Initial Quality StudySM, JDPower.com, Ken Zino
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Stellantis Pursuing Share Buy Backs?
Stellantis N.V. (NYSE: STLA) said today that pursuant to its Share Buyback Program* announced on 15 February 2024, covering up to €3 billion to be executed in the open market, it has signed a share buyback agreement for the third tranche of its Program with an investment firm that will make its trading decisions concerning the timing of purchases independently of Stellantis. This despite (or because of?) its dreadful performance thus far in 2024. Continue reading →