Category Archives: safety

General Motors Revises 2015 Strategy to Slash Costs and Streamline Engineering as Market and Competition Toughen

General Motors (NYSE: GM) said this morning that it will accelerate its business plan, building on the strategy it laid out in 2015 that has resulted in lack-luster returns for shareholders. GM is acknowledging what most automakers hold private: the marketplace is moving faster than automakers. Continue reading

Posted in auto news, autonomous vehicles, economy, electric vehicles, engineering, financial results, labor issues, manufacturing, mobility company, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Auto Workers Strike at Hyundai Motors, Kia Motor and GM

Auto workers at Hyundai Motors, Kia Motor, General Motors (GM), shipyard workers at Hyundai Heavy Industries, Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine, and auto parts workers at Hyundai Mobis and other major components workers went on strike for four hours or more. Continue reading

Posted in auto news, economy, fools 'n frauds, labor issues, litigation, manufacturing, people | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Nissan Board Deletes Carlos Ghosn as Chairman and Director

The board of directors for Nissan Motor Co. met today at the company’s global headquarters in Yokohama, Japan. The board endorsed the long-standing and profitable Alliance partnership with Renault saying, “it remains unchanged” and that “the mission is to minimize the potential impact and confusion on the day-to-day cooperation among the Alliance partners.” Continue reading

Posted in auto news, financial results, litigation, milestones, people | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

VW ID.Buzz Teases New Light Commercial Vehicles

Over seven decades and six vehicle generations, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has refined and sharpened its van design,never losing sight of the role of the model series. With the debuts of the ID.Buzz, the upcoming decade will see the advent of another series of all-round vehicles to supplement the T6 Transporter, Caravelle, Multivan and California. Continue reading

Posted in auto news, autonomous vehicles, electronics, fuel economy or emissions, new vehicle | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Hyundai Motor Links to UAV Startup Top Flight

The Boston-based startup and Korean Hyundai will “explore ways to accelerate the commercial application and deployment of UAVs across various sectors and markets. Joint efforts will extend to seeking new business opportunities around UAVs, using Top Flight’s patented hybrid-electric power system. The global UAV (aka ‘drones’) market, is growing at a fast pace, expected to garner $22.1 billion by 2026. Continue reading

Posted in autonomous vehicles, aviation, electric vehicles, mobility company, news analysis, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Moovel Shows Digital Marketplace for Mobility as a Service

The Smart City Expo World Congress says it wants to strengthen cities with a unique platform focusing on sustainable and future-oriented urban development. As a Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) platform, moovel offers cities and transit authorities the opportunity to boost access to mobility and thus make it more attractive with a tailored mobility app. Continue reading

Posted in autonomous vehicles, car sharing, news analysis, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Daimler and Bosch Target San José for Automated Ride-Hailing

Daimler, Bosch and San José have signed a memorandum of understanding to pursue this test. Using automated Mercedes-Benz S-Class vehicles, Daimler will offer the service to a selected users in the San Carlos/Stevens Creek corridor between downtown and west San José. With its population expected to grow 40% in the next two decades, the metropolitan area faces growing transportation challenges. Continue reading

Posted in autonomous vehicles, milestones, mobility company, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

SAE Autonomous Driving Levels

SAE Autonomous Vehicle Driving Levels Continue reading

Posted in autonomous vehicles | Tagged | 4 Comments

Distracted Dining? Buick Adds Yelp

Marketplace, claimed to be the industry’s first in-vehicle commerce platform, is one more way Buick is using connectivity to enhance vehicles and create new and convenient “customer experiences,” if you are willing to give up your privacy and have your personal data sold for the profit of other organizations. Continue reading

Posted in distracted driving, electronics, marketing, milestones, mobility company | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

VW Group Quantum Algorithm Cuts Waiting for Passengers

Quantum computers can solve highly complex tasks such as traffic optimization much faster than conventional super-computers; and in some cases, a solution is only possible with quantum computers. For this future-oriented computing technology, Volkswagen sees considerable potential for new applications within the company and new business models. Continue reading

Posted in autonomous vehicles, customer satisfaction, electronics, engineering, fuel economy or emissions, mobility company, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Chinese Junk Watch – Black & Decker DR560 Drill/Driver

The side handle sold with the drill can slip or break, leading to a loss of control of the tool, posing an injury hazard . About 641,000 (in addition, about 18,000 were sold in Canada) potentially dangerous drills are in the hands of customers. Black & Decker has received 11 reports of side handles slipping or breaking and one report of a torn rotator cuff injury. Consumers should immediately stop using the drills and contact Black & Decker for a free replacement side handle. Continue reading

Posted in manufacturing, recalls, safety | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Potential Performance Improvement in Energy-Dense Batteries Touted by Toyota

Technologies such as cellphones, laptops, and hybrid and electric cars rely on Li-ion batteries, of course. The configuration of such batteries is predominantly a graphite anode and a cobalt-based material cathode. The electrolyte typically consists of an organic electrolyte that is generally flammable and volatile as numerous vehicle and laptop fires can attest. Continue reading

Posted in autonomous vehicles, electric vehicles, electronics, energy, fuel economy or emissions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Toyota Recalls Scion xA for Sudden Airbag Blowups

The Scion airbag can electrically short and damage the circuits in the system. This could cause the airbag warning lights to illuminate and the airbag(s) and seat belt pretensioner(s) to become deactivated; or it could cause those systems to inadvertently deploy. These conditions can increase the risk of injury or crash.
Continue reading

Posted in customer satisfaction, electronics, recalls, safety | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Airbag Recalls on Ford 2010 Fusion, 2010-12 Lincoln MKZ Cars

In a crash requiring deployment of the passenger airbag, a bracket that secures the airbag inflator to the module housing may deform and allow gas that inflates the airbag to leak. Continue reading

Posted in customer satisfaction, manufacturing, recalls | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

GM Collision Repair Network Growing

“Collision repair professionals are telling us they see how the Network can help make their business more efficient, speed up the repair process and give confidence that vehicles are repaired accurately and safely,” said John Eck, collision manager, GM Customer Care and Aftersales. Continue reading

Posted in aftermarket, customer satisfaction, insurance | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment