Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat and HEMI Favorites Among Thieves

Posted on 31 August 2023 by Ken Zino

The Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat and Dodge Charger HEMI, once again top the Highway Loss Data Institute’s list of the most-stolen vehicles for model years 2020-22. Meanwhile, what HILDA called a “viral trend targeting Hyundai-Kia vehicles propelled four Kia models into the top 20.” Theft claims for the Charger SRT Hellcat were more than 60 times more frequent than the average for all 2020-22 models, relative to their numbers on the road, while theft claims for the Charger HEMI were more than 20 times higher than average, HLDI’s latest whole-vehicle theft report shows.

“If you own a Hellcat, you better check your driveway,” said HLDI Senior Vice President Matt Moore. “These numbers are unbelievable.” AutoInformed also recommends checking your rear-view mirrors when driving any performance car for flashing blue lights. Continue reading →

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Extreme E, FIA Plan Off-Road Hydrogen Racing Championship

Posted on 31 August 2023 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Extreme E and FIA Plan Off-Road Hydrogen Racing Championship

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The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) and Extreme E (EE) have signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding to create the first-ever hydrogen off-road racing world championship EE said in London today. The hydrogen series, dubbed Extreme H, for hydrogen not hype, will become an FIA Championship from its inaugural season in 2025, with the intention that it will become an FIA World Championship from 2026, should unstated “requisite criteria be met.” Furthermore, the MoU says that in 2024 Extreme E, currently an FIA International Series, would be recognized as an FIA Championship.

“Establishing alongside the FIA a world-first hydrogen racing world championship will be a momentous milestone for Extreme E and the new Extreme H series,” claimed Alejandro Agag, Founder and CEO of Extreme E. “Eventual accreditation as an FIA Championship and then an FIA World Championship means we would be amongst the top tier of global motorsport categories, and Extreme H would be the first-ever world championship racing series of its kind.” Continue reading →

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Stellantis and Its European Dealers Sign New Contracts

Posted on 31 August 2023 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Stellantis and Its European Dealers Sign New Contracts

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Stellantis (NYSE: STLA) said today in Amsterdam that it had completed the signing of new contracts with its European Dealer Network. With these new sweeping agreements it aspires to be first in customer satisfaction in all markets, products and services. The new retailer model will be fully effective from 4 September 2023, starting with three early test markets (Austria, Belux, the Netherlands), then gradually extend across Europe during 2024.

“This is a historic shift, not only for Stellantis but for the whole industry,” said Uwe Hochgeschurtz, Stellantis Chief Operating Officer, Enlarged Europe. “We acknowledge the importance of the convergence effort put in place by the parties, which is a path we will follow with dialogue and determination, in a competitive context that we know is rapidly evolving – both in our industry and in the entire economy of the European region.” Continue reading →

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EPA Offers Grants to Cut Oil and Gas Well Methane Emissions

Posted on 30 August 2023 by Ken Zino

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Department of Energy (DOE) and DOE’s National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) announced today the availability of up to $350 million in formula grant funding to help monitor and reduce methane emissions and for environmental restoration of well sites.

Methane is a deadly gas responsible climate change coming from the oil and gas sector. The funding, provided by the Biden Administration’s slightly bipartisan Inflation Reduction Act, will help or subsidize oil and gas well owners, as well as operators of applicable facilities, to reduce methane emissions voluntarily and permanently from leaks and daily operations of low-producing conventional wells on non-federal lands. It’s an awakened initiative taking breakthrough.  Continue reading →

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Hurricane Idalia – EPA Issues Florida Summer Fuel Waiver

Posted on 30 August 2023 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Hurricane Idalia - EPA Issues Florida Summer Fuel Waiver

EPA concluded with DOE that it’s necessary to waive federal regulations to sell summer gasoline to minimize or prevent the disruption of an adequate supply to consumers.

Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan issued an emergency fuel waiver to address a fuel supply emergency in Florida caused by Hurricane Idalia, today. Yesterday a state of emergency was declared in 49 counties to prepare for potentially harmful impacts to multiple population centers throughout the state from Hurricane Idalia.

Storm preparations have resulted in the closure of multiple ports in the state that receive fuel and have restricted and interrupted fuel terminal operations, preventing an adequate supply of gasoline. In addition, evacuations – including mandatory evacuations – are straining available supplies. Waiving federal requirements to sell summer gasoline can help address these supply shortages. Continue reading →

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July 2023 EU Car Sales Up 15%

Posted on 30 August 2023 by Ken Zino

During July 2023, the EU car market continued recovering by expanding registrations by 15.2%, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA)*, which released the data this morning. It was the twelfth consecutive month of growth. New car registrations reached 851,156 units as the bloc mends from last year’s component shortages.

Most markets posted growth, including the four largest: France (+19.9%), Germany (+18.1%), Spain (+10.7%) and Italy (+8.7%). Battery electric vehicle sales now represent 13.6% of the overall market. However, year-to-date volumes are still 22% lower than in pre-pandemic 2019. There were double-digit percentage gains in most markets during this current seven-month period, including the four largest: Spain (+21.9%), Italy (+20.9%), France (+15.8%), and Germany(+13.6%). Continue reading →

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GM Expanding Google Cloud AI Initiatives

Posted on 29 August 2023 by Ken Zino

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on GM Details Google Cloud AI Initiatives General Motors (NYSE:GM) and Google Cloud today added details on how the two companies collaborated to bring conversational AI technology into GM vehicles, which is continually expanding. Since its launch in 2022, GM’s OnStar Interactive Virtual Assistant (IVA), has used intent-recognition algorithms from Google Cloud’s conversational AI technologies to provide OnStar Members with responses to common inquiries, as well as routing and navigation assistance. The successful deployment of Google Cloud’s AI in GM’s OnStar service has led to future generative AI deployments being jointly piloted by GM and Google Cloud, the companies said.

“Generative AI has the potential to revolutionize the buying, ownership, and interaction experience inside the vehicle and beyond, enabling more opportunities to deliver new features and services,” claimed Mike Abbott, executive vice president, Software and Services, GM. “Our software-led approach has accelerated the creation of compelling services for our customers while driving increased efficiency across the GM enterprise. The work with Google Cloud is another example of our efforts to transform how customers engage with our products and services.” Continue reading →

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Unifor Picks Ford Motor Company as Detroit Three Target

Posted on 29 August 2023 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Virtually All Unifor Members Authorize Big Three Strike

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The Canadian auto workers union Unifor said today that it has picked Ford Motor Company as the target automaker to set the pattern agreement in the union’s negotiations with the Detroit Three. Unifor represents 5680 Ford members at the Oakville Assembly Plant, Annex Engine Plant, Essex Engine Plant, Bramalea and Paris Parts Distribution Centers, Casselman Parts Distribution Center, Edmonton Parts Distribution Center, and office and clerical workers in Windsor and Bramalea. (AutoInformed: Unifor Opens Contract Talks with Detroit Three in Canada)

“Our bargaining team is up to the monumental task of going first in these precedent-setting negotiations,” said John D’Agnolo, Unifor Ford Master Bargaining Chair. “Our membership is united behind us to negotiate a framework for improved pensions, wages, and issues related to the EV transition.” The union will now focus on negotiations with Ford in the lead up to the contract expiry of 18 September at 11:59 pm. Continue reading →

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Mercedes-Benz will expand EV Charging to 10,000 Points

Posted on 28 August 2023 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Mercedes-Benz NA adding Tesla Supercharger Network

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Mercedes-Benz said in Stuttgart today that it will open its first high-power charging stations this fall. Starting in October, the first Mercedes-Benz Charging Hubs will go into operation in Atlanta (USA), Chengdu (China) and Mannheim (Germany). By the end of 2024, Mercedes-Benz now says it will further expand its global charging network to more than 2000 high-power charging places. The long-term goal is to create more than 2000 Charging Hubs with more than 10,000 charging points by the end of the decade.

“We firmly believe that electric mobility is the key to a sustainable, zero-emission future. Our goal is to create an infrastructure that offers electric vehicles reliable and easy charging options. In this way, we are actively supporting the transformation to electric mobility With the Mercedes-Benz High-Power Charging Network, we are expanding global charging options and setting new standards in electric vehicle charging. We want to encourage our customers to switch to zero-emission vehicles and thus make a positive contribution to protecting our environment,” claimed Franz Reiner, CEO Mercedes-Benz Mobility AG. Continue reading →

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Unintended Acceleration Recalls on Elantra Hybrids

Posted on 28 August 2023 by Ken Zino

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling 2021-2023 Elantra hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), according to a required filing just released by The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). A software error in the motor control unit may cause unintended vehicle acceleration after the brake pedal is released. Almost 40,000 Elantra hybrids have a speed control safety defect. (AutoInformed: Hyundai Fire Recalls – Palisade, Tucson, Sonata, Elantra, Kona; Kia Soul, Sportage, Seltos)

The motor control unit (“MCU”) software may detect a transmission/drive motor synchronization fault while driving triggering a “fail-safe” condition that temporarily results in slow, unintended acceleration after release of the brake pedal. Service brake functionality is unaffected and remains fully operational. Continue reading →

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Virtually All Unifor Members Authorize Big Three Strike

Posted on 28 August 2023 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Virtually All Unifor Members Authorize Big Three Strike

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Unifor members at Ford Motor Company, General Motors and Stellantis have delivered crushing strike mandates, authorizing their bargaining committees to take job action, if needed, to achieve fair collective agreements with the Detroit Three (D3). Unifor is Canada’s largest union in the private sector and represents 315,000 workers in every major area of the economy. Unifor paused negotiations to hold the strike votes over the course of the weekend. (AutoInformed: Unifor Opens Contract Talks with Detroit Three in Canada; New Pattern Bargaining – UAW and Unifor Strike All Makers?)

“Canadian autoworkers have sent a strong message to D3 automakers that they are united behind our bargaining committees in an effort to improve pensions, increase wages, and secure good, union jobs in the EV future,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. Continue reading →

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BMW Group Expanding EV Battery Plant Leipzig

Posted on 25 August 2023 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on BMW Group Expanding EV Battery Plant Leipzig

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The BMW Group said today that it continues to invest in e-component production at Plant. A leasehold contract has now been signed for an area of land outside the plant premises, on the northern industrial estate, which is also home to the existing facility. The new plot for BMW use consists of 12 hectares, eight of which will be built on during the first stage of construction. This will produce a logistics hall for the current fifth-generation high-voltage batteries and an office building, both of which are due to reach completion in mid-2024.

“Leipzig continues to power ahead. Making the BMW i3, we were the BMW Group’s pioneer in electromobility. Now, with the development of e-component production and the upcoming launch of the MINI Countryman, the future is already taking shape,” said Petra Peterhänsel, Plant Director. Continue reading →

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Generative Artificial Intelligence – An Automaker Challenge

Posted on 25 August 2023 by Ken Zino

As the automotive industry embarks what it calls a “tech-driven journey, generative artificial intelligence (genAI) emerges as the new engine to combat some of its critical challenges and make operations more efficient, sales more effective, products safer, and customers more satisfied,” claimed GlobalData today.*

“The next decade is make-or-break for automakers, requiring them to either adopt transformative innovations or risk relinquishing control to major tech companies. With sustainability demands, electric revolutions, capacity challenges, and shifting mobility trends, the clock is ticking for automotive leaders,” said Kiran Raj, Practice Head of Disruptive Tech at GlobalData. Continue reading →

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UAW Members Vote Yes to Authorize Big Three Strike

Posted on 25 August 2023 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on UAW Members Vote Yes to Authorize Big Three Strike

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UAW President Shawn Fain announced today that the union’s strike authorization vote was passed by the 150,000 union workers at Ford, General Motors and Stellantis, aka the Big Three. Final votes are still being tabulated, but the current combined average across the Big Three was 97% in favor of strike authorization. The vote does not mean a strike will be called, only that the union has the right to call a strike if the Big Three refuse to reach what the UAW and the Biden Administration call “a fair deal.”  (AutoInformed: UAW and Big Three Makers – Biden Wants a Fair Deal)

“Our union’s membership is clearly fed up with living paycheck-to-paycheck while the corporate elite and billionaire class continue to make out like bandits,” said UAW President Fain. “The Big Three have been breaking the bank while we have been breaking our backs.” Continue reading →

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Annals of Marketing – 2024 Toyota Tacoma in Blue Beetle

Posted on 25 August 2023 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Annals of Marketing - 2024 Toyota Tacoma in Blue Beetle

Well, I guess it’s a Blue Carpet event.

Toyota (NYSE:TM) is marketing the 2024 Tacoma pickup with DC’s newest Superhero in his debut movie, “Blue Beetle,” which made its world premiere in theaters last week. The action movie uses multiple generations of Tacoma as Jaime Reyes is forever changed when an ancient piece of alien technology, the Scarab (no relation to the racing car) transforms the college grad into the hero – The Blue Beetle. The 2024 Takoma used is decidedly not stock as it has been modified by Toyota’s CALTY Design Studio with a unique design and paint for the film. (AutoInformed: First Look – 2024 Toyota Tacoma Pickup)

“We tasked our talented CALTY Studio team, led by Scott Roller, to conjure up a Tacoma that matched the singular style of the beloved, soon-to-be-iconic ‘Taco’ Uncle Rudy has made his own over the years, but in a way that was modern and integrated with the new 2024 Tacoma design,” said Tacoma Chief Engineer Sheldon Brown. “This is where the design of the ‘Blue Taco’ came from, and it was a pleasure to work on.” Continue reading →

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