Category Archives: results

EV Tech-aches 2023 – More Problems than ICE Vehicles

“Innovation through a strong advanced tech strategy is crucial for all vehicle manufacturers, especially those working to build their reputation in the electric vehicle space,” said Kathleen Rizk, senior director of user experience benchmarking and technology at J.D. Power. “The perception in the industry is that most BEVs should offer many advanced technologies to compete with high-tech entrants like Tesla. Success will be dependent on those manufacturers that can execute flawlessly, while ensuring the user experience is the same for those who are tech savvy and those who are not.” Continue reading

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Half of California Diesel Fuel Is Replaced By Clean Fuels

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) said today that in its shift away from polluting fuel sources,  clean fuels are replacing more than  50% of the diesel used in the state during Q1 of 2023. The awakened Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS), a regulation which requires fuel producers to reduce the carbon intensity of fuel sold in the state, is largely responsible for the shift by encouraging the use and production of cleaner alternatives. Continue reading

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Iowa, Nebraska Sue EPA to Sell E-15 Year Round

“The EPA’s ongoing failure to act following our E15 notification more than two years ago is nothing more than a thinly veiled disguise of their disdain towards clean, renewable, American-produced ethanol. The EPA disfavors anything that doesn’t have the word ‘electric’ in its name,” said Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds. She has a point. Continue reading

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Circus Time – Cruise AV Collision with San Francisco Fire Truck

“First and foremost, our primary concern remains with our passenger and their well-being. We have been in contact to offer support and will remain in touch. In terms of what occurred around the scene of the collision there are many aspects that looked typical from the AV’s perspective and several factors that added complexity to this specific incident,” Greg Dietrerich Cruise General Manager, San Francisco Market said on 18 August. Continue reading

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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

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NHTSA Investigating Ford For Mach-E Recall Glitches

According to a story by Reuters published today, The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is now investigating Ford to see if the recall was mishandled and did not full address the problem because of continuing owner complaints that the vehicles suddenly stopped. Continue reading

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Republicans Increasing Support of IRA Climate Perks?

Surprising then to AutoInformed is the latest research from Data for Progress (DPA) that shows strong IRA support across partisan lines. Maybe the beating the Republicans (aka party of no hope) took in the midterms is beginning to have some corrective affect? Likely not at the upper levels of the party, however their Red Wave is waving bye, bye to them here. The people appear to get it. Maybe they (We The People) should dissolve the Republican leadership and elect a new one? Continue reading

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Public Charging Issues Could Hurt EV Growth

“Though purported to be the wave of the future, satisfaction with DC (direct current) fast chargers has declined even further, dropping 20 points to 654 on a 1000-point scale. More troubling is that satisfaction in both charging station segments has declined in nearly every attribute measured in the study. Since consumer skepticism regarding public charging availability is the primary reason vehicle shoppers reject EVs, this performance could prove to be a further hindrance to EV acceptance,” Power said. Continue reading

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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

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Honda Q1 FY2024 Profits Double – Stock Split Coming

A 3-for-1 stock split effective September 30th has been approved by management. Calculating on the current number of shares (~165,000,000) , the year-end dividend and the total annual dividend for fiscal 2024 are forecast at ¥75/share and ¥150/share. In current Tokyo trading the stock is up ~6% within ¥30 to its all-time (¥4,723) high posted in 2006. Continue reading

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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

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Mazda Motor Q1 Sales Surge from Large SUVs

Mazda Motor Corp. (Tokyo 7261) said today that for the first three months of the fiscal year ending 31 March 2024 net sales amounted to ¥1,091.0 billion, an increase of ¥473.8 billion or +76.8% compared to the matching period in the previous fiscal year. Increased sales of the CX-60 and CX-90 in Europe and the US were largely responsible for the Q1 surge. Continue reading

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Hyundai Fire Recalls – Palisade, Tucson, Sonata, Elantra, Kona; Kia Soul, Sportage, Seltos

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling 2023-2024 Palisade, 2023 Tucson, Sonata, Elantra, and Kona vehicles. The recall also includes 2023 Kia Soul, Sportage, and 2023-2024 Seltos vehicles. The electronic controller for the Idle Stop & Go oil pump assembly may contain damaged electrical components that can cause the pump controller to overheat, according to the require recalls documents released today by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Owners of the ~98,000 defective vehicles are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Continue reading

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Kia Hybrid Fire Recalls on Niro and Niro Plug-ins

Fluid may leak into the printed circuit board inside the hydraulic clutch actuator, which can result in an engine compartment fire. More than ~121,000 Kia hybrids are affected. Illumination of the HEV warning light is an indicator.

Kia will instruct dealers to inspect the HCA and replace, if necessary. Kia will also install a new HCA fuse with one of a higher capacity to mitigate the potential risk of fire caused by an electrical short circuit. Kia will reimburse owners for repair expenses already incurred. Continue reading

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US Sales Lengthen Bidenomics Growth Streak in July

“At the risk of sounding like a broken record, July continued the trends that we have observed for several months now. As vehicle availability has improved, sales have grown, and the economy remains sufficiently strong to support the market’s activity, despite high transaction prices, rising interest rates and fears of a recession later in the year or in 2024,” said David Oakley, Manager, Americas Sales Forecasts, GlobalData. Continue reading

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