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Category Archives: customer satisfaction
Forecast is Finally Normal for 2024 US Auto Market
“Our research suggests that Americans are putting more emphasis on buying/owning personal transportation, in contrast to 2018 and 2019, when consumers put a higher value on “access to transportation,” said Jonathan Smoke Cox Automotive Chief Economist. “And after tumbling in 2021 and 2022, satisfaction with the car buying process is expected to improve in the year ahead, thanks in part to better inventory and the return of discounting, but also from improved processes at the dealership that save time and make car buying more efficient.” Continue reading
Mercedes-Benz GLE350 and GLE450 Recalls for Fire Risk
Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) is recalling 2021-2022 model year GLE350 and GLE450 vehicles (the so-called 167 platform). A 12-volt ground connection under the driver seat may not be secured properly, resulting in the ground connection overheating. This might increase the risk of a fire. Continue reading
Kia Soul and Seltos Recalls for Sudden Airbag Inflation
The side curtain airbag may inflate inadvertently without a deployment command from the ACU increasing the risk of injury to an occupant and may also create a driver distraction increasing the risk of a crash, Kia said in the required safety defect recall filing made public today by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The initial explosion came in a parked vehicle. There are no known crashes, injuries or fatalities. Continue reading
Ford Recalls F-150s, Mustangs for Software, Hardware Defects
Ford Motor Company is recalling late model F-150s, F-150 Lightnings and Mustangs for various safety defects that involve bad programing and improper assembly, according to documents made public this week by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Ford does not publicly release its safety recalls. Continue reading
Posted in customer satisfaction, electronics, engineering, manufacturing, quality, recalls
Tagged 23V800, 23V801, 23V802, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, F-150 recalls, ford recalls, Ken Zino, Mustang recalls, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nhtsa
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Fossil Fuel Powered Vehicles Plagued with Connectivity Bugs
“Smartphone apps remain a highly problematic vehicle feature, even as manufacturers continue to focus on resolving connectivity-related issues,” said Jason Norton, senior manager of global automotive consulting at J.D. Power, “It’s clear that customers will have a better overall ownership experience if they have a better smartphone app experience.” Continue reading
Recalls on 2015-16 Lincolns, Fords for Sudden Door Openings
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling 2015 Fiesta, 2016 Fusion, and 2016 Lincoln MKZ vehicles sold, or ever registered in certain US regions, According to documents released today by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. This recall is an expansion of … Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, engineering, manufacturing, recalls, safety
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ford and Lincoln recalls, Ken Zino, latches locks linkage recalls, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, NHTSA Campaign Number 23V775
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Annals of Marketing – Honda Offers EV at Hybrid Price
It’s the latest example of how the proposition that EVs are too expensive ignores marketplace competition combined with automaker advantages of scale and decades of innovation in manufacturing, design and cost cutting will relentlessly and inevitably make EVs desirable. Continue reading
Posted in customer satisfaction, electric vehicles, environment, manufacturing, marketing, milestones, mobility company, new vehicle, news analysis, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Honda e:Ny1 Electric Elegance, Honda UK, HR-V Hybrid Advance, Ken Zino, Rebecca Adamson
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EV Pickups Least Reliable Says Consumer Reports at APA
New Electric vehicles (EVs) have on average 79% more problems than (ICE) vehicles with internal combustion engines(ICE). Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) are even worse with an average of 146% more problems, according to the Annual Auto Reliability survey* from Consumer Reports Continue reading
Posted in awards, connected vehicles, customer satisfaction, electronics, engineering, manufacturing, news analysis, quality
Tagged AOA, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, automotive press association, Consumer Reports Annual Auto Reliability survey, jake fisher, Ken Zino
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Connected Technicians at Nissan Speed Repairs
“TECH LINE did a great job of walking me through the process. They made sure we went through it together and everything went smoothly,” said Skyler Petrille, Nissan master technician at Mossy Nissan El Cajon just outside San Diego. “It’s super cool when Nissan invests in tools to help make our work easier, better and more efficient.” Continue reading
New Circus Ringmaster at Cruise Autonomous Vehicles
Well, it seems that the discovery that Cruise altered released accident footage to eliminate one of its accident vehicles dragging a pedestrian with it as it continued to run (drive away?) has moved the normally buttoned-down GM safety culture and it people to the verge of, well, annoyance. So send in the lawyers to monitor the California clowns starting with Cruise CEO Kyle Vogt. Continue reading
Posted in autonomous vehicles, customer satisfaction, electronics, engineering, insurance, litigation, mobility company, news analysis, people, recalls, transportation
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, AV technology, Craig Glidden, Cruise CEO Kyle Vogt, Ken Zino
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NHTSA Consumer Alert on Steering Wheel Decorations
The product is a metal or plastic plate, usually covered with rhinestones or other shiny decorations, with an adhesive back that covers the vehicle’s logo in the center of the steering wheel. In a crash, the force of a deploying air bag can turn the product into a projectile, like shrapnel, resulting in serious injury or death.
“Unlike the permanently affixed logo on your vehicle’s steering wheel, these aftermarket decals can easily become dislodged when the air bag is deployed. Any alterations or changes to your air bag or its cover can also cause it to not function correctly,” NHTSA said. Continue reading
Kia America Recalls all 2015-19 Soul Hybrids for Software Bug
All owners of 2015-2019 model year Soul hybrids will be notified by first class mail telling them to bring their vehicles to a Kia dealer. Dealers will update the Electronic Control Unit software for the Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) logic so that the EPB automatically activates when the gear shift lever is in the “P” (Park) position regardless of whether the vehicle is powered ON or OFF. Kia will reimburse owners for repair expenses already incurred as required by US law. Continue reading

Audi, Porsche, Scout Motors and VW EVs to offer NACS in 2025
“This is great news for our electric vehicle customers in the North American Region,” said Pablo Di Si, President and CEO, Volkswagen Group of America. “This potentially provides them with access to more than 15,000 additional charging points as well as the current near-4,000 DC fast charging outlets operated by Electrify America.” Continue reading →