Category Archives: results

Steering Loss – Toyota Recalls Corolla and Corolla Hybrids

Posted on 2 December 2024 by Ken Zino

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing is recalling 8057 model year 2023-2024 Corolla and Corolla Hybrid vehicles for the loss of steering control, according to documents made public today by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

“Due to cracks developed during the manufacturing process, the steering intermediate shaft assembly may fracture and possibly result in the shaft detaching from the steering column,” Toyota told NHTSA in the required safety defect recall filing. Continue reading →

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Recalls – Hyundai Motor America Backup Cameras

Posted on 2 December 2024 by Ken Zino

Hyundai Motor America is recalling 226,118 model year 2021-2022 Santa Fe, Santa Fe HEV, Elantra, Elantra HEV and 2022 Elantra N and Santa Fe PHEV vehicles, according to the required safety defect filing made public today by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

“Due to a damaged printed circuit board, the rearview camera image may fail to display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, Rear Visibility,” Hyundai told NHTSA. Continue reading →

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Mercedes-Benz USA Recall – Sunroofs Flying Off

Posted on 2 December 2024 by Ken Zino

Mercedes-Benz USA is recalling 33,456 model year 2001-2011 C-Class, CLK, E-Class, and CLS vehicles because the glass sunroof panel from Webasto Roof & Components may not be properly secured and can detach, according to the required safety defect filing made public this morning by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Continue reading →

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Carlos Tavares Out as Stellantis CEO

Posted on 2 December 2024 by Ken Zino

Stellantis (NYSE: STLA ) in an unusual but not surprising Sunday release said that the Company’s Board of Directors, under the Chairmanship of John Elkann, has accepted Carlos Tavares’ resignation on 1 December 2024 as Chief Executive Officer with immediate effect. The process to appoint the new permanent Chief Executive Officer is well under way, as AutoInformed* previously reported, managed by a Special Committee of the Board. It will conclude within the first half of 2025. Until then, a new Interim Executive Committee, chaired by John Elkann, will be established. Continue reading →

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Bernie Ecclestone Selling His F1 Car Collection

Posted on 2 December 2024 by Ken Zino

“I have been collecting these cars for more than 50 years, and I have only ever bought the best of any example. Whilst many other collectors over the years have opted for sports cars, my passion has always been for Grand Prix and Formula 1 cars,” said Ecclestone. “A Grand Prix and in particular a Formula 1 car is far more important than any road car or other form of race car, as it is the pinnacle of the sport, and all the cars I have bought over the years have fantastic race histories and are rare works of art.”

“I love all of my cars but the time has come for me to start thinking about what will happen to them should I no longer be here, and that is why I have decided to sell them. After collecting and owning them for so long, I would like to know where they have gone and not leave them for my wife to deal with should I not be around,” said Ecclestone. Continue reading →

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F1 – Qatar Investment Authority Buys Into Sauber

Posted on 29 November 2024 by Ken Zino

QIA was founded in 2005 to invest and manage the state reserve funds. QIA is among the largest and most active sovereign wealth funds globally. QIA invests across a wide range of asset classes and regions as well as in partnership with institutions around the world “to build a global and diversified investment portfolio with a long-term perspective that can deliver sustainable returns and contribute to the prosperity of the State of Qatar.” It is the subject of controversies, including its dealings with Russia, embezzlement charges of former executives, its ownership of Heathrow airport, the PGA tournaments, the football World Cup, among others. Continue reading →

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Battery Electric Vehicle Sales In EU Slumping

Posted on 29 November 2024 by Ken Zino

Roughly half of all European markets saw a drop in battery electric vehicle sales through September 2024, compared to the same period in 2023. There was a slight improvement in Q3.

“This was contrary to consensus market projections. Battery electric vehicle sales in the EU experienced a year-on-year decline of 4% during the first nine months, prompting most OEMs to re-evaluate and rescale their investment plans and strategies towards electrification,” said Vivek Satheesh, a powertrain analyst at the respected  GlobalData consultancy. Continue reading →

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Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles – Japan vs Korea

Posted on 26 November 2024 by Ken Zino

“This rivalry is more than a market battle – it’s a bid for energy independence and environmental sustainability. FCEVs (fuel cell electric vehicles) offer several advantages over traditional fossil-fuel vehicles and even BEVs (battery electric vehicles), such as longer range and faster refueling, making them a potentially transformative solution, especially for long-haul and heavy-duty applications,” GlobalData said. Continue reading →

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EPA – US Fuel Economy Record High. CO2 Record Low

Posted on 26 November 2024 by Ken Zino

“This annual report indicates EPA’s commitment to provide the public with information about new light-duty vehicle greenhouse gas emissions, fuel economy, technology data, and auto manufacturers’ performance in meeting the nation’s emissions standards. EPA’s annual Automotive Trends Report is separate from the agency’s regulatory process, which is far more complex and has been subject to political and judicial interference funded by special interest groups. – AutoCrat.” Continue reading →

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Genesis, Hyundai, Kia recalls for Sudden Power Loss

Posted on 25 November 2024 by Ken Zino

Hyundai Motor is recalling Genesis, Hyundai and Kia models from the 2022 though 2025 models years because of sudden power loss. Warning symptoms may occur during “fail-safe” mode driving over period of ~20-40 minutes through various illumination of dashboard MIL; an audible chime; warning messages displayed in vehicle information display(s); and noticeable degradation in vehicle motive power or speed.

In the required filing made public today by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, it said “the Integrated Charging Control Unit (ICCU) may become damaged and stop charging the 12-volt battery, which can result in a loss of drive power.” The vehicle’s “fail-safe” mode will trigger upon detection of a fault associated with over-voltage induced at the start and end of the vehicle’s battery charging cycle or thermal loading during charging/driving. Continue reading →

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EPA – Tighter NOx Emissions Limits on Combustion Turbines

Posted on 22 November 2024 by Ken Zino

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today proposed to strengthen limits on emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) from most new, modified, and reconstructed fossil fuel-fired stationary combustion turbines. The stated goal is to reduce exposure to dangerous air pollution for nearby communities. The proposal would ensure that new turbines built at power plants or industrial facilities, especially large ones that could operate for decades, would be among the most efficient and lowest-emitting turbines ever built. NOx contributes to harmful health effects, such as asthma and respiratory infections, and reacts with other volatile organic compounds to form ozone (i.e., smog) and fine particulate matter. Children, the elderly, and people with chronic heart, lung, or other cardiopulmonary diseases are most at risk. Continue reading →

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Hyundai Debuts 2026 IONIQ 9 EV SUV

Posted on 21 November 2024 by Ken Zino

Hyundai Motor Company today revealed IONIQ 9, a three-row, all-electric SUV in Los Angeles. The 110.3 kWh battery delivers a WLTP-projected driving range of 620 km [see footnote 2].* The E-GMP architecture delivers 10% to 80% recharge in 24 minutes[3]. The seven seat IONIQ 9 will be shown publicly at the LA Auto Show and on sale in Korea and the United States during the first half of 2025. Rollouts are planned for Europe and other markets subsequently. It has the longest wheelbase of any Hyundai model, at 3130 mm. (read AutoInformed.com on:Vast Executive Reorganization at Hyundai Group)

“IONIQ 9 embodies Hyundai Motor’s unwavering commitment and confidence in electrification,” said Jaehoon Chang, President and CEO of Hyundai Motor Company. “Based on Hyundai Motor Group’s acclaimed Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), IONIQ 9 offers outstanding interior space, providing customers with unique value while solidifying our leadership in the global EV market.” Continue reading →

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Stellantis Bets the Company on STLA Frame

Posted on 20 November 2024 by Ken Zino

Stellantis (NYSE: STLA) has debuted a new multi-energy Platform: dubbed STLA Frame. Purposely designed for full-size, body-on-frame trucks and SUVs, STLA Frame can use internal combustion, hybrid, hydrogen, battery electric (BEV) and range-extender electric vehicle (REEV) technologies. In short, struggling Stellantis’ future is dependent on this new architecture. (read AutoInformed.com on: Beleaguered Stellantis Cuts 2024 Financial Guidance, and Stellantis Q3 2024 – Shipments and Revenues Plunge)*

“Like STLA Medium and STLA Large, STLA Frame combines an unprecedented range with new levels of capability and performance to offer best-in-class range, payload and towing for our customers who need reliable and powerful trucks and SUVs, to haul their families or power their businesses,” said Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares. “With full EV and extended-range EV tech coming soon, we’re bringing ‘no compromise’ solutions to buyers who may be hesitant on trying their first electric vehicle. We’re proud of this engineering marvel and look forward to seeing it come to life in our upcoming product blitz on Jeep and Ram.” Continue reading →

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Large European Job Cuts Coming at Ford, Again

Posted on 20 November 2024 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) announced today its restructuring plans to create a badly needed more “cost-competitive structure.” The main focus is the health of Ford’s passenger vehicle business in Europe, where it incurred significant losses for years. Ford is also lagging in the European shift to electrified vehicles, and new competition – especially Chinese – has been disruptive. Through Q3 of 2024, Ford sales are down ~18% in Europe. Continue reading →

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Lexus, Honda Top 2025 U.S. ALG Residual Values

Posted on 19 November 2024 by Ken Zino

“Honda stayed disciplined with pricing in 2024, avoiding the aggressive manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) increases that diminished affordability at other brands, while Lexus’ restraint with incentives paid dividends, as incentives have a direct negative effect on the resale values of older models,” said Danny Battaglia, managing director of ALG customer success at J.D. Power. “Additionally, the top brands consistently employ a balanced strategy with regard to trim levels, powertrains and pricing, which helps bolster residual performance and long-term value for consumers who are shopping in a highly competitive market.” Continue reading →

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