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Category Archives: milestones
First Look – Gen 2 Citroën C5 Aircross
Citroën unveiled today the second-generation C5 Aircross SUV, which is the first Citroën built from the new Stellantis STLA Medium platform. It has a range of electrified powertrains – hybrid, plug-in hybrid or electric.
“The New C5 Aircross offers greater peace of mind by incorporating driving aids that make life easier, such as the Citroën Matrix Leds or Pack drive Assist 2.0, and by offering a choice of several electrified energies to suit different needs, setting new standards in terms of freedom of movement: more than 100 km in electric mode in the plug-in hybrid version for everyday journeys in town, up to 680 km (WLTP combined cycle) in the electric version, and more than 950 km in the hybrid version (WLTP combined cycle),” Citroën said. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, electric vehicles, marketing, milestones, mobility company, new vehicle, news analysis, shows and events
Tagged at Citroën's Rennes plant, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, compact C-segment SUVs, Gen 2 Citroën C5 Aircross, Ken Zino, Stellantis STLA-medium platform, X @KenAutoinformed
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Porsche 911 GT3 – Sets Nordschleife Record
“More and more 911 GT3 customers are opting for the six-speed manual transmission. And more and more often we are asked by these customers how fast a 911 GT3 with manual transmission would be on the Nordschleife,” said Andreas Preuninger, Director GT Model Line. “We have now answered this question and – although we know that the variant with PDK seven-speed is significantly faster – we drove our official lap time with a manual six-speed gearbox. Even without the automated, super-fast and precise gearshifts of the PDK, and with a conventional instead of electronically controlled limited-slip differential, the new 911 GT3 shaved ~3.6 seconds off the time of its predecessor with PDK.” Continue reading
Annals of Marketing – Cadillac Dining Experience
Cadillac said today that its limited-time dining experience “Cadillac of Reservations” is expanding to three more U.S. cities this spring and summer. More consumers will have the chance to enjoy a dining experience in the all-electric Cadillac Escalade IQ* at some of the buzziest restaurants including La Dolce Vita in Beverly Hills (April), COTE Korean Steakhouse in Miami (early summer) and State Bird Provisions in San Francisco (late summer). Continue reading
Posted in auto news, marketing, milestones, mobility company, people, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Cadillac Dining Experience, Call Mom, COTE in Miami and State Bird Provisions in San Francisco, Ken Zino, La Dolce Vita, Marc Rose and Med Abrous, Stuart Brioza and Nicole Krasinski, X @KenAutoinformed
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Honda R&D to Test Life-Support Systems in Space
Honda today announced plans to test its high-differential pressure water electrolysis system at the International Space Station (ISS) in collaboration with space and technology companies Sierra Space and Tec-Masters.
“The project is part of Honda’s vision for a regenerative fuel cell system that could provide advanced energy storage capable of supporting human life on the lunar surface,” Honda said. Continue reading
Posted in alternative fuels, electronics, engineering, environment, global warming, milestones, mobility company, news analysis, public health
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, circulative renewable energy system, International Space Station Testing, Ken Zino, Sierra Space, Sierra Space Dream Chaser® spaceplane, Tec-Masters, U.S. Honda Space Development Division, X @KenAutoinformed
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Annals of Marketing – Rolls-Royce Phantom Cherry Blossom
Cherry blossoms are celebrated in the centuries-old Japanese tradition of “Hanami” or ‘”flower viewing.” During Hanami, families and friends gather beneath the delicate pink blooms of cherry trees for picnics and celebrations, enjoying the transient beauty of the season, Rolls Royce noted today. A client in Japan wished to capture their cherished Hanami memories, spanning childhood and parenthood. Thus is the backstory of the latest custom or bespoke Phantom Cherry Blossom. This is a one-of-one Phantom commission said to be inspired by the fleeting beauty of the Sakura blooms and a Japanese client’s formative memories of this natural spectacle. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, design and styling, milestones, mobility company, people, quality, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Bespoke Design at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, Ken Zino, Martina Starke, offset tatami stitch, Rolls-Royce Phantom Cherry Blossom, X @KenAutoinformed
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Renault and Nissan Shuffle Alliance Holdings
Renault Group (Euronext: RNO) and Nissan (7201T and NSANY ADR) today announced new business projects for the evolving remains of the failed Renault Nissan Alliance. Renault Group would own 100% of Renault Nissan Automotive India Private Ltd (RNAIPL) by acquiring the 51% shareholding currently held by financially ailing Nissan. Nissan said it will maintain a presence in India with a focus on increasing market coverage. At its heart the shuffle involves complex product programs across global markets, once again requiring cooperation among diverse and distinct corporate cultures that have a troubled past working together. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, financial results, manufacturing, milestones, mobility company, news analysis, shows and events
Tagged alpine, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, carbon neutrality in Europe, Dacia, Ivan Espinosa, Ken Zino, Luca de Meo, Mobilize, Nissan and Ampere termination, Nissan Magnite, Renault, Renault Nissan Automotive India Private, Twingo, X @KenAutoinformed
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Porsche Adding Wider Range of Apps and Services
Porsche AG (P911.DE) said this week that it is optimizing its hardware for improved performance so that its App center offers a wider range of services, including Dolby Atmos® for an immersive sound, the integration of the Amazon Alexa® voice assistant among other things. It will also be offering Porsche Connect at no charge for 10 years on the purchase of new Porsche models. Thus Porsche known for its automotive performance technology is finally updating its digital age technology.*
“With the start of the new model year, the 911, Taycan, Panamera and Cayenne model series will benefit from significant improvements in infotainment technology and an expanded range of new functions in this area,” Porsche said. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, connected vehicles, electronics, marketing, milestones, mobility company, news analysis
Tagged 911, Amazon Alexa, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, cayenne, Dolby Atmos, Ken Zino, Panamera, Porsche Connect, Taycan, X @KenAutoinformed
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Genesis Offers Free NACS Adapters
Genesis today announced that current U.S. EV owners who purchased their vehicle on or before 31 January 2025 will begin receiving emails inviting them to redeem their complimentary North American Charging Standard (NACS) adapters starting the week of 7 April. This Genesis authorized adapter gives Combined Charging System (CCS1) port GV60, Electrified GV70 and Electrified G80 owners access to an additional 20,000 NACS DC fast chargers in the U.S. at the Tesla Supercharger Network. Continue reading
Posted in connected vehicles, customer satisfaction, electric vehicles, global warming, marketing, milestones, news analysis, public health
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino, NACS adapters, North American Charging Standard adapters, Tedros Mengiste, Tesla Supercharger network, X @KenAutoinformed
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Aston Martin Debuts Vanquish Volante
Aston Martin in Gaydon today announced the arrival of the new Vanquish Volante. It is the fastest, most powerful open top (convertible in Brit speak – AutoCrat) series production Aston Martin to date. It shares with the coupe the claim as the fastest, most powerful front-engine production car on sale today. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, design and styling, electronics, engineering, marketing, milestones, new vehicle, news analysis, performance, shows and events
Tagged 5.2-liter V12 engine, Adrian Hallmark, Aston Martin twin-turbocharged, Aston Martin Vanquish Volante, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino, X @KenAutoinformed
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CARB Using Methane Leak Satellite Data
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) today announced that the state is moving forward with an innovative effort to reduce planet-warming methane emissions using satellite technology. The project is made possible by a $100 million state budget investment to purchase methane plume data collected by satellites. Methane is a climate pollutant that warms the atmosphere at least 25 times more than carbon dioxide.
“Decades of progress to protect public health is on the line with these EPA rollbacks. California isn’t having it. Thanks to our state investment, we’re using satellite technology to detect methane leaks as they happen. With this new data, we’ll be able to move faster to cut harmful methane pollution – protecting Californians and the clean air we’ve fought so hard for,” said Governor Gavin Newsom. Continue reading
Posted in environment, global warming, milestones, news, news analysis, public health, Trump Truth Tests
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, California Energy Commission, climate harming pollutants, co2, Governor Gavin Newsom, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Ken Zino, methane leaks, satellite methane monitoring and reduction programs, X @KenAutoinformed
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Annals of Marketing – Indy 500 Milk Cartons
Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) said today that the American Dairy Association Indiana and Prairie Farms Dairy are collaborating to bring Indianapolis 500-branded milk pints and cartons to fans across the Midwest. The tradition of drinking milk after winning the Indianapolis 500 goes back to 1936 when Louis Meyer, an avid drinker of buttermilk, requested a bottle after winning his third Indy 500. As the story goes, a dairy industry executive saw the newsreel footage of the iconic moment and requested milk be made available to the winner of each Indianapolis 500 thereafter. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, marketing, milestones, news analysis, people, racing
Tagged American Dairy Association Indiana, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Helio Castroneves, indianapolis 500, Indianapolis 500-branded milk, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, indycar, J. Douglas Boles, Josef Newgarden, Ken Zino, Marcus Ericsson, Penske Entertainment, Prairie Farms Dairy, Takuma Sato, Will Power, X @KenAutoinformed
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Global Warming – Rising Weather and Climate Impacts!
There are clear signs that human-induced climate change reached new heights in 2024, with some of the consequences being irreversible over hundreds if not thousands of years, according to a new report from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), which also underlined the massive economic and social upheavals from extreme weather.
“Our planet is issuing more distress signals – but this report shows that limiting long-term global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius is still possible. Leaders must step up to make it happen — seizing the benefits of cheap, clean renewables for their people and economies with new National climate plans due this year, ” said United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres. Continue reading
Posted in environment, global warming, milestones, news, news analysis, public health
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Celeste Saulo, economic and social upheavals from extreme weather, Ken Zino, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterre, World Meteorological Organization, X @KenAutoinformed
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Nissan and SK On Reveal EV Battery Deal
Nissan (7201T and NSANY ADR) and SK On said today that SK On will supply ~100GWh of U.S.-made batteries from 2028 to 2033. This is Korean SK On first partnership with a Japanese automaker.
“This agreement with SK On is a significant milestone for Nissan’s electrification journey and supports further investment in U.S. manufacturing,” said Christian Meunier, chairman, Nissan Americas. “Through this smart partnership with SK On, we can leverage their growing U.S. production capacity to deliver innovative, high-quality electric vehicles that meet the needs of our customers.” Continue reading
Posted in alternative fuels, electric vehicles, energy, environment, global warming, manufacturing, milestones, news analysis, public health, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Canton Assembly Plant, christian meunier, Ken Zino, nissan americas, Seok-hee Lee, sk on, X @KenAutoinformed
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CFC Reduction Induces Ozone Layer Fixing
A new MIT-led study confirms that the Antarctic ozone layer is healing as a direct result of global efforts to reduce ozone-depleting substances such as chlorofluorocarbons or CFCs. This is significant because scientists have observed signs of ozone recovery in the past. However, the new study is the first to show, with high statistical confidence, that this recovery is due primarily to the reduction of ozone-depleting substances, instead of other influences such as natural weather variability or increased greenhouse gas emissions to the stratosphere.
“There’s been a lot of qualitative evidence showing that the Antarctic ozone hole is getting better. This is really the first study that has quantified confidence in the recovery of the ozone hole,” says study author Susan Solomon, the Lee and Geraldine Martin Professor of Environmental Studies and Chemistry. “The conclusion is, with 95% confidence, it is recovering. Which is awesome. And it shows we can actually solve environmental problems.” Continue reading
Posted in environment, global warming, milestones, news analysis, public health, results, shows and events, Trump Truth Tests
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, El Niño, Kane Stone, Ken Zino, Klaus Hasselmann, La Niña, massachusetts institute of technology, mit, nasa, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Nobel Prize in Physics, Peidong Wang, Susan Solomon, the Montreal Protocol, the National Science Foundation, the polar vortex, X @KenAutoinformed
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Milestones – Seven Million U.S. Assembled BMWs
“This beautiful BMW ALPINA XB7 is a testament to the great products we have, the quality of our supplier network, and the unwavering commitment and dedication of our valued associates,” said Dr. Robert Engelhorn, president and CEO of BMW Manufacturing. “For over 30 years, BMW has proudly invested in South Carolina and its people, creating a remarkable legacy. We are excited about our future as we prepare to assemble fully electric vehicles at this plant.” Continue reading →