Category Archives: results

EPA Approves New California Heavy-Duty Emissions Standards

In this latest victory for environmentalists, CARB requested two waivers for regulations relating to heavy duty vehicles and diesel engines. After reviewing the technical information provided by CARB, reviewing comments submitted by the public, and applying the limited authority for review under section 209 of the Clean Air Act, EPA said it was “appropriate” to grant the waiver and authorization requests. Continue reading

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Chinese Vehicle Sales Still Slumping

However, the cumulative LV production from January to February in the world’s largest market, fell by -14% YoY. At the component level, passenger vehicle production in February increased by 12% YoY while cumulative PV production to February decreased by 14% YoY, the same as the decrease in LV overall. Light Commercial Vehicle output at 255,000 was up 9% YoY. but down by -17% YTD. The February selling rate was 21 million units/year, down 11% from a weak January, and the lowest rate since the Shanghai lockdown of April 2022. In YoY terms, however, sales (i.e., wholesales) increased by 14.3% against a low base, due to the timing of the Chinese New Year, said LMC. Continue reading

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J.D. Power and Motorq to Monitor EV Battery Health

Yes, your vehicle will be monitored. Clearly, privacy issues will have to be worked out. J.D. Power and Motorq, a connected vehicle analytics company, will use thousands of measurements taken from the vehicle over time to assess how an individual EV battery is performing. The two companies are in active discussions with vehicle manufacturers and other industry participants to bring empirical EV battery health to the market. Continue reading

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Mazda Adding Renewable Solar Power to Japanese Plants

Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (MITI) provides subsidies to cover a portion of the expense of installing solar power generation facilities in cases where consumers of electric power coordinated with an electric power producer to establish such facilities. “These subsidies are intended to promote such collaborations and encourage wider adoption of independent initiatives to establish renewable energy sources, contributing to a reliable, long-term, supply-demand balance in energy use during the period up until 2030, thereby supporting the achievement of ambitious targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.” Continue reading

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Kia EV9 Joins the Three-Row SUV Parade

“The Kia EV9 transcends all aspects of traditional SUV thinking and represents the pinnacle of Kia’s design and engineering capabilities. Created to meet the needs of all family members, the EV9 also spearheads Kia’s rapid transition to a sustainable mobility solutions provider, not just by its advanced EV architecture, but also through the numerous recycled and sustainable materials used in its creation,” said Ho Sung Song, President and CEO. Continue reading

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Cordless EV w 400 Mile Range – 2023 Toyota Mirai Fuel Cell

At its heart, Mirai remains a breakthrough fuel-cell electric vehicle where the driver fills the tank with compressed hydrogen gas rather than liquid gasoline. It was derived from the Lexus LS 400 platform (rear-wheel drive – RWD-GA-L). A FCEV, of course, generates its own electricity onboard from hydrogen, with water as the only emission. A fuel cell system combines stored hydrogen with oxygen from the air, and a chemical reaction that produces electric current, and water, which drops out of a vent pipe beneath the Mirai. Continue reading

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NHTSA Prompts Expansion of Hyundai, Kia Fire Recall

Hyundai Motor America and Kia America have issued expanded recalls for unexpected fires on more than 570,000 vehicles. The Korean companies are urging owners to park their vehicles outside and away from homes and other structures until the recall fix is applied, The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said today in a rare “critical recall alert,” the second one for this life-threatening safety defect. This safety recall is a direct result of NHTSA’s monitoring of recall NHTSA 22V-633, NHTSA said. Continue reading

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March US Auto Sales Forecast Up. Q1 to Set Spending Record

“March is shaping up to be yet another positive month for the industry. With retail sales forecasted to be up nearly 2%, along with average transaction prices tracking up 3.5%, consumers are on pace to spend nearly $50 billion this month, an increase of 5.5% from what they spent on new vehicles a year ago,” said Thomas King, president of the data and analytics division at J.D. Power. Continue reading

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Ford Motor New Financial Reporting – Billions in EV Losses

Part of today’s presentation showed Ford’s nascent electric vehicle venture – Ford Model e – lost $3 billion before taxes during 2021 and 2022. More such losses are coming in the near term. Helping stem the tide of red ink, Ford Blue – its traditional internal combustion business – is forecast to post a $7 billion pretax profit in 2023, marginally better than last year. Ford Pro is forecast to earn $6 billion before taxes, almost double 2022 earnings. Other business units include corporate, Ford Credit and Ford Next, dubbed a new business incubator. Continue reading

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John Dion to be Chief Transformation Officer at Struggling Ford

Ford Motor reported a disappointing 2022 full-year net loss of $2.0 billion. During Q4 of 2022 Ford posted an adjusted EBIT $10.4 billion, and operating cash flow $1.2 billion for the quarter, $6.9 billion for the year. This was in stark contrast to GM, which reported a record $14.5 billion in earnings for 2022. (autoinformed.com: GM Posts Record $14.5 Billion in Earnings During 2022) “We should have done much better last year,” said CEO Jim Farley at the time. “We left about $2 billion in profits on the table that were within our control, and we’re going to correct that with improved execution and performance.” Continue reading

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BMW Manufacturing Spartanburg Supports 43,000 SC Jobs

The plant’s direct employment base also accounts for 4.8% of all manufacturing jobs across South Carolina. The former Confederate state of South Carolina is currently enmeshed in battle over whether or not to impose the death penalty for abortions. BMW Manufacturing has a Family Health Center at its South Carolina plant for all BMW workers, retirees and their dependents with occupational, primary care services, as well as vision, dental and physical therapy. The combination of cost savings and the benefits of having medical services all in one location offer the company’s non-unionized workforce a progressive option in their healthcare management. The center is a $5 million investment in a 25,000 square foot facility. To say that this would be a politically sensitive at a woke German automaker is an understatement. Continue reading

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More Ford Recalls Published – Millions of Vehicles Involved

According to the latest safety defect recalls made public this morning by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, aka NHTSA, Ford Motor Company is also recalling numerous vehicles that have not been published by AutoInformed. These include recalls for windshield wipers, brake calipers, brake hoses, and towing trailer tail lights. In some cases millions of vehicles are involved. Continue reading

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Ford Motor Recalling Bronco SUVs Again

Affected Bronco SUVs are equipped with 8-inch low-level SYNC infotainment screens and have had a previous Ford safety recall 22C27 performed. Information as to the applicability of this action to specific vehicles “can best be obtained by either calling Ford’s toll-free line (1-866-436-7332) or by contacting a local Ford or Lincoln dealer who can obtain specific information regarding the vehicles from the Ford On-line Automotive Service Information System (OASIS) database,” Ford said in the filing. Continue reading

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American Honda Recalls 450,000 Vehicles for Bad Seat Belts

Registered owners of all affected vehicles will be contacted by mail and asked to take their vehicle to an authorized Honda dealer. The vehicles covered by the safety defect recall are: 2017-2020 model-year CR-V, 2018-2019 Accord and Accord Hybrid, 2018-2020 Odyssey, 2019 Insight, and 2019-2020 Acura RDX vehicles. Continue reading

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Ford Recalls Steering on Bronco Wildtrak, Bronco Raptor

Ford’s Field Review Committee reviewed the concern and approved a recall on 3 March 2023. There have been no reports of accident or injury associated with this safety defect.However, owner notification letters are not expected to be mailed until 27 March 2023. Nexteer Automotive in Auburn Hills Michigan is the supplier of the steering gear. Continue reading

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