-
Recent Posts
- BMW Group Adds Alpina Brand
- Milestones – 50 Years of the VW Golf GTI
- EPA Administrator and Trump Booster Zeldin Praises Himself
- Happy Clean New Year California Air Resources Board!
- Chicago Auto Show Shrinks
- Porsche – Happy Birthday Hans-Joachim Stuck
- Ford Recalls Mavericks, Escapes, Mach Es, Transits, Broncos
- Annals of Marketing – Kia and Times Square New Year Partyers
- December U.S. Vehicle Sales Forecast Down. Global Sales Up
- Mazda Axes Advance, Production and Design Modeling Studios
- Detroit Auto Show 2026 – Winners of HS Poster Contest
- Rising EV Sales Deepen Need for Charging Systems
- ACEA – EU November Car Sales Flat. Tesla Wilts
- Honda Aircraft Company Offers Performance Upgrade Package
- November 2025 UK Vehicle Production Plunges
Recent Comments
- Ken Zino on Ford Fuel Injector Leak Recall Now at ~694,000
- LAVERNE L OLIVER on Ford Fuel Injector Leak Recall Now at ~694,000
- Magna on its Share Repurchase Plan in reference to on Magna Posts Solid Q3 2025 Earnings Gain
- Daniel Ricciardo Global Ford Racing Ambassador on Ford Performance Rebranded as Ford Racing
- Gen 3 2026 Nissan Leaf Less than $30,000? | AutoInformed on Milestones – Nissan Begins Assembly of 2013 LEAF EV in Tennessee
Archives
Meta
Category Archives: software defined vehicles
Nissan Joins EV Grid Management Group ChargeScape
Nissan said today that it has entered into an agreement to invest in ChargeScape, a joint venture equally owned by BMW, Ford and Honda* concentrated on electric vehicle-grid integration. Once the transaction is complete, Nissan will become an equal 25% … Continue reading
Posted in auto news, electric vehicles, energy, environment, news analysis, shows and events, software defined vehicles
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, BMW, ChargeScape JV, Ford, Grid Management, honda, Joseph Vellone, Ken Zino, Kent O'Hara, nissan, smart charging, vehicle to grid, X @KenAutoinformed
Leave a comment
Prius Prime Changes its Name to Prius Plug-in Hybrid for 2025
Toyota (NYSE:TM) said today that the 2025 model year version of Prius Prime will be rebranded as the Prius Plug-in Hybrid. The change to the Prius Plug-in is intended to help consumers easily identify the powertrain choices among Prius models. The 2025 Prius Plug-in Hybrid will also adopt a “PHEV” badge on the rear, indicating its Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle powertrain. It will be available in three grades: SE, XSE and XSE Premium. Pricing was omitted. Back in 2022 when a new Prius Prime model was introduced, with a manufacturer estimated EV range of up to 44 miles and a 6.6-second 0-60 time, it was a flexible vehicle short and longer trips. The 2025 with a 13.6 kWh lithium-ion battery, the SE grade has a manufacturer-estimated 44-mile all-electric driving range rating. While the XSE and XSE Premium have a manufacturer-estimated 40 mile all-electric driving range rating. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, connected vehicles, electric vehicles, electronics, engineering, environment, global warming, marketing, new vehicle, news analysis, software defined vehicles, software defined vehicles
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino, M20A-FXS, prius plug-in hybrid, Toyota Safety Sense, ToyotaCare, X @KenAutoinformed
1 Comment
Stellantis Holds Media Drive for Chinese Leapmotor EVs
The first European Media Drive is now taking place in Milan for the C10 and T03 models of the Leapmotor brand, a Chinese company in the technology field which has the highest growth in the New Energy Vehicle (NEV) sector.* The event, held in Milan and Lake Maggiore, marks the official debut of Leapmotor International in Europe. In a controversial move in October of 2023 Stellantis took 51% of a joint venture with Leapmotor that gives it exclusive rights to build, export and sell Leapmotor EVs outside China.**
“Stellantis will invest more than €50 billion during the next 10 years in the field of electrification and will do everything it can to reach the targets set out in its Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan, including the achievement of a 100% sales mix of BEV vehicles in Europe by 2030 and 50% of BEV passenger cars and light commercial vehicles in the United States. To reach these sales goals, the company is ensuring around 400 GWh of battery capacity with the support of six battery factories in North America and Europe. Stellantis aims to become a zero carbon-emissions company across all sectors by 2038, with a percentage offsetting for an amount of the remaining emissions,” the company formed by the merger of FCA and PSA said today. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, connected vehicles, economy, electric vehicles, electronics, engineering, environment, fuel economy or emissions, global warming, labor issues, manufacturing, marketing, new vehicle, news analysis, public health, shows and events, software defined vehicles
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Belgium, Chinese Leapmotor EVs, Chinese Trade Wars, Dare Forward 2030, FCA-PSA Merger, france, Germany, Greece, Italy, Ken Zino, Luxemburg, Malta, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Switzerland, The Netherlands, UK, X @KenAutoinformed
1 Comment
Connected Car Wars – Biden Takes on China and Russia
“Connected vehicles provide many benefits — from promoting vehicle safety to assisting drivers with navigation — but they also pose new and growing threats. These technologies include computer systems that control vehicle movement and collect sensitive driver and passenger data as well as cameras and sensors that enable automated driving systems and record detailed information about American infrastructure. Now more than ever, vehicles are directly connected into our country’s digital networks,” The White House said. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, autonomous vehicles, economy, electronics, engineering, environment, milestones, news analysis, safety, software defined vehicles, software defined vehicles
Tagged Alliance for Automotive Innovation, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automated driving systems, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Biden Administration, John Bozzella, Ken Zino, national security, People’s Republic of China, prc, russia, VCS and ADS software, vehicle connectivity systems, X @KenAutoinformed
Leave a comment
Tech-Aches – Vehicle Owners Overwhelmed by New Gizmos
Vehicle owners are overwhelmed with technology features that don’t solve a problem, don’t work, are difficult to use or are just too limited in functionality. The results of the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Tech Experience Index* (TXI) StudySM released today shows that. The study, which focuses on the user experience with advanced vehicle technologies as they come to market, finds that while owners offer praise for some advanced features, others are found to be lackluster. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, awards, customer satisfaction, electronics, engineering, marketing, news analysis, software defined vehicles, software defined vehicles
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Tech Experience Index, Kathleen Rizk, Ken Zino, return on investment analysis, TXI, X @KenAutoinformed
Leave a comment
Shareholder Warning – Ford Delays Next Gen Electric Truck
Electric vehicle consumers currently, so to speak, are more cost-conscious than early adopters, looking to electric vehicles as a practical way to save money on fuel and maintenance, as well as time by charging at home. This, along with numerous new electric vehicle choices coming to market during the next 12 months , as well as rising compliance requirements, has multiplied pricing pressures. In short (groan) all automakers to survive must have globally competitive cost structure, emphasizing some customer and product segments to ensure profitable growth and capital efficiency. Continue reading
Posted in alternative fuels, electric vehicles, environment, global warming, manufacturing, mobility company, new vehicle, news analysis, shows and events, software defined vehicles
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, BlueOval City, chinese evs, Jim Farley, John Lawler, Ken Zino, Project T3, X @KenAutoinformed
Leave a comment
Relatively Cheap – The 2025 Nissan Rogue On Sale
Nissan said today that the 2025 Nissan Rogue* is on-sale now with a starting Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price [MSRP footnote 2 below] of $29,230, a minor price increase following a less than successful mild changes for the 2024 model year and the addition of Google built-in. Continue reading
Annals of Marketing – Cadillac Opulent Velocity Concept EV
Cadillac today introduced the Opulent Velocity* concept vehicle, with claimed advanced technology and personalized luxury. It also combines EV and self-driving technology, or a split-personality of two emerging dynamic technologies.
“Opulent Velocity is an experience-based design study,” said Bryan Nesbitt, executive director, Global Cadillac Design. “It’s the future vision of luxury performance, incorporating Cadillac’s leadership in hands-free driving capabilities, electrification and performance excellence. Opulent Velocity expresses the most artful integration of technology, luxury and exhilaration characterized by Cadillac’s halo V-Series variants, and future electrification design expressions,” Nesbitt claimed. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, concept, design and styling, electric vehicles, marketing, mobility company, new vehicle, news analysis, shows and events, software defined vehicles
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Bryan Nesbitt, Cadillac Opulent Velocity concept EV, Ken Zino, Magalie Debellis, V-Series, X @KenAutoinformed
1 Comment
IIHS On Intelligent Speed Assistance
“ISA systems have been around for several decades. Using GPS devices with speed limit maps, onboard sensors or cameras that “read” signs or both, they can identify the speed limit in the vehicle’s location and detect when the driver exceeds it, but they vary in their response. Unlike the unit I used, which worked by restricting the engine’s output, some systems only provide an audible or visual warning or make the accelerator harder to press. As of July 1, new vehicles sold in Europe are required to have ISA that at least provides a warning, and the California legislature is currently considering a similar mandate for vehicles sold in the state.
“Even without a legal requirement, ISA systems of various types are starting to appear as options on new vehicles in the U.S., and companies such as MAGTEC and Sturdy sell aftermarket ISA systems, primarily targeting fleet operators. Navigation apps also include speed warnings if the user chooses. Continue reading
Posted in autonomous vehicles, blog, electronics, engineering, litigation, news analysis, people, public health, safety, shows and events, software defined vehicles, software defined vehicles
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ian Reagan, insurance institute for highway safety, Ken Zino, X @KenAutoinformed
Leave a comment
J.D. Power 2024 US APEAL Study Improves Slightly
“Traditional manufacturers have listened to the Voice of the Customer,” said Frank Hanley, senior director of auto benchmarking at J.D. Power. “They’re launching enhanced vehicles that are more in line with what customers want, including improved interior storage and higher quality materials, as well as ensuring features have ease of use. For BEVs, recent launches from traditional manufacturers have surpassed perennial leader Tesla when it comes to owners’ level of emotional attachment and excitement with their new vehicle.” Continue reading
EVs, PHEVs Worse Than Gas Vehicles On Power 2024 IQS
“Proponents of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) often state these vehicles should be less problematic and require fewer repairs than gas-powered vehicles since they have fewer parts and systems. However, newly incorporated repair data shows BEVs, as well as plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), require more repairs than gas-powered vehicles in all repair categories. “Owners of cutting edge, tech-filled BEVs and PHEVs are experiencing problems that are of a severity level high enough for them to take their new vehicle to the dealership at a rate three times higher than that of gas-powered vehicle owners,” Hanley said. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, electric vehicles, electronics, manufacturing, mobility company, news analysis, quality, software defined vehicles, software defined vehicles
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Frank Hanley, J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Initial Quality StudySM, JDPower.com, Ken Zino
Leave a comment
Off The Grid! – New GM Energy PowerBank
GM Energy said today that it is launching the so-called GM Energy PowerBank, a stationary storage product that allows EV owners the ability to store and transfer energy from the grid. It also has the option of integrating with solar power equipment. The General Motors* subsidiary has also expanded access to energy management products across all 50 states. It’s the latest step whereby EV customers can gain increasing independence from utility companies and the unreliable, climate change vulnerable power grid. It’s also the latest move that shows fossil-fueled stock analysts – many of them reflexively negative on GM – are headed for extinction. Continue reading →