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Category Archives: milestones
BYD builds its 5 millionth EV in China
BYD in Shenzhen, China has built its 5 millionth new energy vehicle – a DENZA N7 – on 9 August 2023 causing it to become the first automaker in the world to achieve this milestone. BYD* spent 13 years producing … Continue reading
Vehicle-to-Home Bidirectional Charging Coming on All GM EVs
General Motors (NYSE:GM) said today that it will expand vehicle-to-home (V2H) bidirectional charging technology across its retail portfolio of Ultium-based electric vehicles by model year 2026. The first vehicles to receive the technology include the previously announced 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV RST, followed by the 2024 GMC Sierra EV Denali Edition 1, 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV, 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV, 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ and the upcoming Cadillac ESCALADE IQ.
Information on additional availability of V2H technology and specific timing of V2H rollout to individual vehicle models will be provided in future updates. Just bring money. The question is how much? Continue reading
USDOT Proposes 58 MPG Fuel Economy Standard
The US Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration today issued a proposal to update fuel economy standards for passenger cars and light trucks. The “preferred alternative” among several in NHTSA’s proposal includes a 2% per year improvement in fuel efficiency for passenger cars and a 4% per year improvement for light trucks beginning in model year 2027. This increases through model year 2032, potentially reaching an average fleet fuel economy of 58 miles per gallon by 2032. However, NHTSA notes that real word fuel economy is ~20-30% lower than estimated CAFE fuel economy.* Continue reading
Old Curiosities Found During Sunbeam LSR Restoration
“It’s the first 200mph screwdriver, which couldn’t have been taken out of the oil tank because it was buried under the engine. We cleaned out the tank where the oil had solidified, using hot water and detergent, and after shaking the tank the vintage screwdriver eventually tipped out, “said National Motor Museum Senior Engineer Ian Stanfield. “After the LSR breaking run, the oil would have stuck like glue on top of the chassis, which is where we made the other discoveries.” Continue reading
Seven Automakers to Build North American Charging Network
The awakened policy shift from partisanship toward cooperation in saving the planet for the pernicious effects of climate change, aka global warming, is the latest beneficial result of the Biden Administration’s Inflation Reduction Act, which in part is using once eschewed and mocked national industrial policy to effectively serve all – as in We the People – in the US. The socialist aspects of the policy also have larger global benefits as well. Continue reading
Teamsters Union Agrees with UPS on New Contract
The Teamsters said today that it has reached what it called “the most historic tentative agreement for workers in the history of UPS, protecting and rewarding more than 340,000 UPS Teamsters nationwide.” The contract raises wages for all workers, creates more full-time jobs, and includes dozens of workplace protections and improvements. The UPS Teamsters National Negotiating Committee unanimously endorsed the five-year tentative agreement. The agreement increases the pressure on automakers to settle with the UAW under the ongoing contract negotiations. Continue reading
Stellantis and Samsung SDI to Build Second US Battery Plant
“This new facility will contribute to reaching our aggressive target to offer at least 25 new battery electric vehicles for the North American market by the end of the decade,” said Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares. “We are continuing to add more capacity in the United States together with our great partner Samsung SDI and laying the next steps to reaching our carbon neutrality commitment by 2038.” Continue reading
Milestones – 40M Engines Built at Nissan Yokohama Plant
The Nissan Yokohama Plant has built 40 million engines in the same year Nissan celebrates its 90th anniversary. Yokohama opened in 1935, two years after Nissan’s founding. It built its 10 millionth engine in 1976, its 20 millionth in 1986 and its 30 millionth in 1997. With the launch of the all-electric LEAF in 2010, the plant has also been producing electric motors, including those for e-POWER vehicles such as the Nissan Note. During the Japanese fiscal year 2022, motors accounted for approximately 40% of Yokohama Plant’s production. Continue reading
Fourth of July 2023 – Reject Despots and Their Institutions
Today we remember 1776 when 13 colonies embarked on a notable experiment in self-governance as an independent, autonomous nation because the course of human events made it necessary to separate ourselves from our unjust rulers. That foundation led to an immense and thus far enduring enterprise in self-governance. The colonies had but 2.5 million people at that time of English and other ancestry. Small numbers in today’s world, but they were people with far bigger aspirations, following far, far larger ideas. Continue reading
EV Battery Gold Rush – GM and Element 25
General Motors (NYSE: GM) and Element 25 (ASX: E25) announced today in Detroit and Perth, Australia an agreement for Element 25 to supply up to 32,500 metric tons of manganese sulfate annually to support the annual production of more than … Continue reading
Longtime Nissan COO Ashwani Gupta Leaving
The timing is less than ideal for the Alliance, which arguably has not recovered from the Carlos Ghosn matter. Now, more internal strife and likely damaging infighting have appeared at Nissan. Only four months ago Renault, Nissan and the Alliance said that they are taking new steps to increase value for stakeholders. These include operational projects in Latin America, India and Europe; enhanced strategic agility with new initiatives that partners can join; and a re-balanced Renault Group-Nissan cross-shareholding and reinforced Alliance governance. The Boards of Directors of Renault Group and Nissan Motor have approved these changes. Continue reading
FedEx Canada Receives first BrightDrop Zevo’s
FedEx Express Canada in Toronto today received its first 50 BrightDrop Zevo 600 electric delivery The introduction of BrightDrop’s electric vans into the FedEx fleet in Canada is part of the company’s goal to transform its entire parcel pickup and delivery (aka PUD – we didn’t make this acronym up they did – AutoCrat) fleet to all-electric, zero-tailpipe emission vehicles by 2040. Continue reading
Nancy Edelbrock of California Hot Rodding Royalty Passes
“It is with heavy hearts and profound sadness that we announce the passing of Nancy Edelbrock, a loving wife, devoted mother, and cherished friend of many in the Edelbrock family. Nancy left this world on 10 June 2023, leaving behind a legacy of love, kindness, and unwavering strength,” the Edelbrock Group has posted on its website. Continue reading
NHTSA Proposes Rule Expanding Seat Belt Use Warnings
In 2019, NHTSA published an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeking comment on a variety of issues related to potential rear seat belt warning requirements. The feedback from the 45 comments received years ago was incorporated [Finally? Slowly?] into the development of the newly issued NPRM. Continue reading →