Elena Ford and William Clay Ford III in New Roles at Ford Motor

Posted on 12 September 2023 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) announced today that Elena Ford, Ford’s chief customer experience officer, is now named chief dealer engagement officer, effective immediately. In this role, Ms. Ford will work with Ford’s 10,000 dealers worldwide to “accelerate their transformation into a competitive differentiator across Ford’s global businesses.” The stated goal is “to increase the consistency and efficiency of Ford’s global dealer council’s governance, improve retail facilities, modernize training and development, become more diverse, further raise community engagement, and amplify best practices.”

Ford also announced that Lisa Materazzo, previously Toyota’s top marketing executive in North America, is joining Ford as global chief marketing officer effective today, reporting to Ford President and CEO Jim Farley. At Toyota, Materazzo also held positions at Lexus and Scion. At Ford, Materazzo will lead advanced product planning and all marketing activities across Ford Blue, Ford Model e and Ford Pro. She will also oversee Ford Performance and Lincoln. Senior Marketing positions have experienced some churn at Ford recently. Continue reading →

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Audi E-Tron and Porsche Taycan EVs Recalled for Battery Fires

Posted on 11 September 2023 by Ken Zino

Volkswagen Group of America is recalling ~7000 2023 model Audi E-Tron and Porsche Taycan EVs for battery fires. The high-voltage battery may have an insufficient amount of sealant. “Over time, if a sufficient amount of conductive liquid accumulates in the battery, arcing can occur, which could increase the risk of a thermal eve. (recall euphemism for fires – AutoCrat) Volkswagen said in the required National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recall filing documents made public today by NHTSA today “that Insufficiently robust sealant of the high voltage battery can lead to the defect condition, which can allow liquid to accumulate in the battery leading to electrical arcing and fires.”

Battery fires pose a public health threat since they cannot be extinguished with conventional first-responder tools. Continue reading →

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UAW Says First Stellantis Contract Offer is Deeply Unfair

Posted on 8 September 2023 by Ken Zino

Mark Stewart, Stellantis North America COO, told employees today that the company’s “First Economic Proposal to the UAW” (aka the 2023 contract) includes “significant wage increases in each year of the contract and, in percentage terms, this opening offer is larger than where we ultimately landed in 2019.” The contract, which represents ~43,000 employees expires at 11:59 p.m. on 14 September. The offer came as Stellantis was celebrating the opening of a battery center in Italy saying it was committed to Italian workers. Stellantis resulted from the merger in January 2021 of Fiat Chrysler, aka FCA, and Peugeot or PSA. (AutoInformed: Stellantis Opens Its First Battery Technology Center in Italy)

“This is a responsible and strong offer that positions us to continue providing good jobs for our employees today and in the next generation here in the U.S. It also protects the company’s future ability to continue to compete globally in an industry that is rapidly transitioning to electric vehicles. Because we know this is important to you and your families, we remain committed to bargaining in good faith and reaching a fair agreement,” said Mike Resha, Head of North America Manufacturing. Continue reading →

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Stellantis Opens Its First Battery Technology Center in Italy

Posted on 8 September 2023 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Stellantis Opens Its First Battery Technology Center in Italy

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Stellantis (NYSE: STLA) said today it is marking the grand opening of its first Battery Technology Center, at the Mirafiori complex in Turin, Italy. The ~€40 million investment increase Stellantis’ capability to design, develop and test battery packs, modules, high-voltage cells and software that will power upcoming Stellantis brand vehicles. The center with 32 climatic test cells is the biggest in Italy and among the largest in Europe, Stellantis claimed. (AutoInformed: Maserati – First Italian Luxury Brand to Produce EVs?; Stellantis, LG Energy Solution JV for Battery Plant in Canada)

“We are in the midst of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to redefine mobility, providing smart and sustainable solutions for our customers,” claimed Ned Curic, Stellantis Chief Engineering and Technology Officer. “Our new Battery Technology Center at Mirafiori brings together the tools and talented people we need to design, test, verify and produce class-leading products that will meet our customers’ needs and accelerate bringing class-leading electric vehicles to customers around the world.” Continue reading →

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Honda Joins North American Charging Standard Parade

Posted on 7 September 2023 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on SUV EVs - Acura ZDX and ZDX Type S Debut

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Honda Motor Company in Tokyo (TYO: 7267) today said that it has reached an agreement with Tesla. to adopt Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS) for the charging port of its EV models that will go on sale in North America starting from 2025. EVs that  Honda launches in North America before 2025 will be equipped with a Combined Charging System (CCS) port, which is compatible with NACS through the use of a charging adaptor.

NACS, aka the Tesla connector, was introduced more than a decade ago by Tesla with its unique pin or plug design that can use both a/c and d/c charging. Continue reading →

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UAW Pans GM’s First Contract Offer

Posted on 7 September 2023 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on UAW Pans GM's First Contract Offer

The UAW is not smiling. What team are we talking about?

In a letter today to its ~46,000 UAW employees at manufacturing plants, General Motors said it is offering a 10% wage increase for most, but not all employees. GM is also offering to recognize Juneteenth as a paid holiday making it 16 to 18 paid holidays per year. There will be a one-time $5500 ratification bonus as well. Current “entry-level in-progression employees” earn a 56% wage rate increase over the contract. Existing temporary employees will receive a 20% increase to a mere $20 per hour. The tier system to achieve the top labor rate is also eliminated. There are also two unequal, barely comprehensible inflation payments.

“After refusing to bargain in good faith for the past six weeks, only after having federal labor board charges filed against them, GM has come to the table with an insulting proposal that doesn’t come close to an equitable agreement for America’s autoworkers,” said Shawn Fain UAW President this morning. “GM either doesn’t care or isn’t listening when we say we need economic justice at GM by 11:59 pm on September 14th. The clock is ticking. Stop wasting our members’ time. Tick tock.” Continue reading →

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Toyota, FuelCell Energy Make Renewable Hydrogen, Electricity

Posted on 7 September 2023 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Toyota, FuelCell Energy Make Renewable Hydrogen and Electricity

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Toyota Motor North America (NYSE: TM) and FuelCell Energy (Nasdaq: FCEL) announced the completion today of the first Tri-gen system at Toyota’s Port of Long Beach operations. The Tri-gen system, owned and operated by FuelCell Energy, produces renewable electricity, renewable hydrogen, and water from directed biogas. FuelCell Energy has contracted with Toyota to supply the products of Tri-gen under a 20-year purchase agreement. Tri-gen’s carbon neutral products are projected to reduce more than 9000 tons of CO2 emission from the power grid annually.

“FuelCell Energy is committed to helping our customers surpass their clean energy objectives. By working with FuelCell Energy, Toyota is making a powerful statement that hydrogen-based energy is good for business, local communities, and the environment. We are extremely pleased to showcase the versatility and sophistication of our fuel cell technology and to play a role in supporting Toyota’s environmental commitments,” said FuelCell Energy CEO Jason Few. Continue reading →

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August 2023 Western European Car Sales Best of the Year

Posted on 6 September 2023 by Ken Zino

The Western Europe passenger vehicle selling rate rose to 14.6 million units per year in August, according to an analysis just released by the GlobalData* consultancy. This is up from a 11.5 million units rate in July, making it the best sales result of the year. Registrations stood at nearly 800k units, representing an increase of 22% year-over-year (YoY). The supply situation continues to improve but the market is still well below 2019 levels.

“For another month, all the top five Western European markets, barring Spain, experienced double digit YoY growth for August 2023. The macroeconomic environment remains challenging as countries face high interest rates and subdued economic growth. However, with backlogs, and 2022 being a low base, growth remains our core assumption, with 2023 expected to reach 11.2 million units,” GlobalData said. Continue reading →

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Century – Toyota is Stalking the Global Limousine Market

Posted on 6 September 2023 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Century - Toyota is Stalking the Global Limousine Market

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Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) today unveiled is new fourth generation Century model as it began accepting orders. The new Century, well it looks to AutoInformed to be a full-size SUV – launches during 2023 while the Century sedan will still be available. The new model of the Century will be fully customizable on a global basis.

“Today marks a special moment for a car at the very pinnacle of the Toyota portfolio. Century is a singular automobile representing the height of Japanese sensibilities. Born as the pride of Toyota, Century has become the pride of Japan. It takes a nation to build a Century. And that nation is changing. But to understand the future, we must first understand the past. Every great product is created by great people,” said Simon Humphries, of the Toyota Board of Directors at the premier. Continue reading →

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Ford Recalls 2023 Super Duty Pickups for Failing Axles

Posted on 6 September 2023 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company is recalling 2023 Super Duty F250 and F350 vehicles equipped with single rear wheels and a 10.5-inch rear axle shaft. The left rear axle shaft may have been improperly heat-treated during manufacturing and may break, Ford said in the required filing just made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). More than half of the 42,000 vehicles made have the safety defect. Ford said it is not aware of any reports of accident or injury related to this safety defect.

Personnel at the axle shaft supplier Mid-West Forge Corporation in Ohio entered an incorrect process parameter into one of the two machines that perform electromagnetic induction heat treatment of the recalled left rear axle shafts. The axle shafts did not meet Ford’s torsional yield and case depth design specifications in the fractured area. Returned parts had fractured at ~44 mm from the flange, indicating an area of incomplete induction heat treatment. Continue reading →

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Automated Driving – BMW to use Amazon and Qualcomm

Posted on 5 September 2023 by Ken Zino

Amazon Web Services announced today that the BMW Group will use AWS as the “preferred cloud provider” for its automated driving platform due to launch in 2025. The new cloud-based system will use BMW’s pre-existing Cloud Data Hub on AWS. It will also use AWS to generative artificial intelligence (generative AI), Internet of Things (IoT), machine learning, and storage capabilities to speed the delivery of highly automated BMW vehicles.

“In the next decade, consumer habits and expectations will drive more changes in the automotive industry than we’ve seen over the past 30 years,” said Dr. Nicolai Martin, senior vice president of Driving Experience at BMW Group. “This is just the beginning of a new era of highly automated driving, fueled by innovations in technology and engineering. By collaborating with AWS, the BMW Group, along with our partner, Qualcomm Technologies, is building our new automated driving platform.” automated driving and parking functions.” Continue reading →

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Strange Green Bedfellows – Stellantis and Aramco

Posted on 5 September 2023 by Ken Zino

Stellantis said today it has determined that 24 engine families in European vehicles sold since 2014 are ready to use advanced drop-in eFuel without any powertrain modification, following months of testing at its technical centers across Europe. If accurate this means ~28 million vehicles on the road can become greener. The tests were conducted using substitute eFuels provided by Aramco, which is exploring development of low carbon eFuels as a way to potentially reduce carbon dioxide emissions from existing vehicles.*

Low carbon eFuel is a drop-in synthetic fuel made by reacting CO2, captured either directly from the atmosphere or from an industrial facility, with renewable hydrogen. The use of low carbon eFuel has the potential to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from existing internal combustion vehicles by at least 70% on a lifecycle basis, compared to conventional fuels its advocates claim. Continue reading →

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Labor Day – UAW Struggles Are Key to The American Dream

Posted on 4 September 2023 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on UAW Members Vote Yes to Authorize Big Three Strike

The labor movement fight for economic justice continues on.

Labor Day was likely first observed on 5 September 1882 when some 10,000 workers amassed in New York City for a parade. Today as then, labor movement workers continue to face fearsome opposition from wealthy people and politicians funded by special interests. Labor Day at AutoInformed this year is of particular significance given the ongoing struggles of a resurgent United Auto Workers Union trying to negotiate a new contract that would give UAW members and the middle-class communities they sustain some security and a piece of profits that CEOs and Board of Directors at the Big Three want to retain for themselves or others.

“As we head into Labor Day, we ought to take a step back and take note of the fact that America is now in one of the strongest job-creating periods in the history of our country, President Biden said three days ago when the latest jobs report was released.” However, AutoInformed along with the UAW observes that there are dark forces at work against working people. Continue reading →

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Gen 5 Three-Door MINI Cooper is Electric

Posted on 2 September 2023 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Gen 5 MINI Cooper is Electric

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Entering its fifth generation with a first, the purely electric 3-door MINI Cooper now has digital experiences, modern assistance systems and a pure electric powertrain. BMW is hoping it remains a MINI in buyer’s minds, while at the same time marking the brand’s all-electric future. This transformation starting now will make MINI an all-electric brand by 2030. (AutoInformed: Mini Countryman Grows Larger, Adds Plug-in Hybrid)

“With its electric drive and purist design, the new MINI Cooper is a perfect fit for an urban lifestyle. In the fifth generation of the MINI Cooper, we combine the traditional MINI DNA with innovative, future-oriented technology while enabling locally emission-free driving fun that is typical of MINI,” said Stefanie Wurst, Head of MINI. Continue reading →

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Ford UAW Offer – Pay Increases, Tiers Gone. UAW says No

Posted on 1 September 2023 by Ken Zino
Battle of the Overpass Ford Rouge Plant - 26 May 1937 Robert Kanter, Richard Frankensteen and Walter Reuther - courtesy of Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University.

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Ford Motor Company released late yesterday a proposal on the upcoming contract that would provide hourly employees with 15% guaranteed combined wage increases and lump sums, and improved benefits over the life of the contract. Wages (including overtime) and lump sum bonuses for Ford’s UAW-represented hourly workers would increase from $78,000 on average in 2022 to $92,000 in the first year of the contract.

After this occurred UAW president Shawn Fain met with members electronically and in essence tossed the Ford proposal into a trash can. “What has Ford proposed? A 9% general wage increase over the life of the contract. And instead of cost-of-living, they’ve offered one-time lump sum bonuses. Companies love lump sum bonuses because they keep your base wages low, reducing your lifetime earnings. Ford’s wage proposals not only fail to meet our needs, it insults our very worth,” said Fain. Continue reading →

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