Team Rubicon Disaster Relief Program Announced

Posted on 20 June 2023 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Team Rubicon Disaster Relief Program Announced

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Ford Motor Company, the Ford Fund and Team Rubicon today announced a new disaster relief initiative, called Team Rubicon Powered by Ford, As the rate of floods, tornadoes, hurricanes and wildfires continue to increase, Ford and its philanthropic arm are investing in a new endeavor to increase Ford’s support of disaster relief work.

It’s a timely announcement as there are clearly a growing number of communities across the United States that are impacted by hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes and wildfires – clear evidence of the pernicious effects of Global Warming from the use of fossil fuels, which Ford Motor and the rest of the entire industry are now addressing with awakened products. Continue reading →

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Cleared for Takeoff – Archer Aviation and Stellantis

Posted on 19 June 2023 by Ken Zino
Takeoff Approved - Archer Aviation and Stellantis

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Archer Aviation (NYSE: ACHR)* and Stellantis (NYSE: STLA)** said today in Le Bourget, France that their strategic manufacturing partnership is well underway on the world’s first high-volume eVTOL – electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft  at a manufacturing facility located in Covington, Georgia outside of Atlanta. Stellantis increased its strategic shareholding of Archer through a series of purchases of Archer stock in the open market on 19 June 2023. (AutoInformed: Paris Air Show – Stellantis and Archer to Debut eVTOL Aircraft)

Stellantis previously said it will provide up to $150 million in equity capital for potential draw by Archer at its discretion in 2023 and 2024, subject to achievement of certain business milestones which Archer predicted will occur during 2023. If AutoInformed’s math is right, manufacturing aircraft at the forecast volumes would make Covington the world’s leading aircraft manufacturing facility. Continue reading →

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Ford Motor Recalls – Restraints, Lightning on I Million Vehicles

Posted on 19 June 2023 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company is recalling ~1 million vehicles for safety defects according to documents made public today by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). One of the safety defects affects 2018-2023 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles equipped with third-row seating; and 2019-2023 F-Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, and F-600 SuperCab and three-passenger front bench seat regular cab vehicles. (*)

“The owner’s manual does not include instructions for adjusting or removing certain head restraints. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 202, “Head Restraints,” NHTSA said. (#) Continue reading →

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Road America Kill – Palou and Honda Dominating IndyCar

Posted on 19 June 2023 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com Road America Kill Palou and Honda Dominating IndyCar

N 26 – Herta, Andretti Autosport Honda, N 5 O’Ward, Arrow McLaren Chevrolet. Click for more.

Alex Palou took his third win in four races at the Sonsio Grand Prix of Road America – the fifth win for a Honda driver in eight races. Palou secured the victory on Sunday during the closing laps of 55-laps on a newly repaved track that was lacking much grip – with barely any available millimeters off the racing line. He passed a hapless Colton Herta, also with a Honda engine who had made his final pit stop a lap prior to Palou. Despite leading a race-high 33 laps, Herta’s need to conserve fuel in the closing laps resulted in fifth place.

Josef Newgarden, No. 2 PPG Team Penske Chevrolet, finished second for his third podium of the season including two wins – Texas Motor Speedway and the 107 Indianapolis 500. Pato O’Ward, No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet, claimed his fourth podium of the season with a third-place finish in the 55-lap/220.77-mile race on a 4.014-mile track. Continue reading →

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Longtime Nissan COO Ashwani Gupta Leaving

Posted on 16 June 2023 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Nissan Losses.

Nissan COO-CPO Ashwani Gupta left, Nissan CEO Makoto Uchida, center – February 2021 in Japan.

Nissan Motor in Yokohama, Japan said that Ashwani Gupta, Representative Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer (COO), will leave the company “to pursue other opportunities” effective 27 June 2023. Gupta will also “retire” from the board of directors at the end of the annual general meeting of shareholders to be held on that same day.

The timing is less than ideal for the Alliance, which arguably has not recovered from the Carlos Ghosn matter. Now, more internal strife and likely damaging infighting have appeared at Nissan. Only four months ago Renault, Nissan and the Alliance said that they are taking new steps to increase value for stakeholders. These include operational projects in Latin America, India and Europe; enhanced strategic agility with new initiatives that partners can join; and a re-balanced Renault Group-Nissan cross-shareholding and reinforced Alliance governance. The Boards of Directors of Renault Group and Nissan Motor have approved these changes.  Continue reading →

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Diesels Still Selling in the EU New Car Market

Posted on 16 June 2023 by Ken Zino

Preliminary May diesel market share figures for the European Union show that ~16.8% of new car sales were with a diesel engine, including diesel hybrids, according to data just publicly released by the respected LMC Automotive consultancy, part of the GlobalData. *

LMC also confirmed that the April diesel share was 17.1%. The latest share figure is a 2.7 percentage-point drop from the year-ago sales, while volume, conversely, rose by ~5000 units to just under 170000 sales,” LMC said. Continue reading →

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Acura 2024 Integra Type S – $12,999 per Cylinder

Posted on 16 June 2023 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Acura 2024 Integra Type S - $12,999 per Cylinder

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The 2024 Acura Integra Type S, said to be the most powerful, best performing Integra ever, will arrive at Acura dealers Monday, June 19, with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $50,800.1

This works out to at least $12,999 per cylinder for a turbocharged engine rated at 320 horsepower (SAE net @ 6500 rpm) and 310 lb.-ft. of torque (SAE net @ 2,600 – 4000 rpm). This is an increase of 120 hp and 118 lb.-ft. compared to the 2023 model that returned the Integra nameplate to the Acura lineup about a one year ago (AutoInformed on: Pre-Order 2024 Acura Integra Type S on 11 May). Continue reading →

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Dream Cruise – Roadkill Nights Moves to Woodward Ave

Posted on 16 June 2023 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Dream Cruise - Roadkill Nights Moves to Woodward Ave

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MotorTrend Presents Roadkill Nights Powered by Dodge is taking street-legal drag racing on Woodward Avenue to the center of downtown Pontiac, Michigan, and increasing the presence of the one-day horsepower celebration. The enthusiast event is scheduled to take place on Saturday 12 August 2023. Roadkill Nights set a one-day attendance record of more than 40,000 attendees in 2022. This year it will move the starting line for drag racing competition to the corner of Woodward Avenue and W. Pike St. in Pontiac. (AutoInformed: Dream Cruise Drag – Roadkill Runs Legally on Woodward Ave) 

“We can’t wait to bring Roadkill Nights and street-legal drag racing to the heart of downtown Pontiac,” said Tim Kuniskis, Dodge brand CEO at Stellantis. “Roadkill Nights continues to evolve each year, with the Pontiac stop serving as the second of two Roadkill Nights events in 2023. Our little horsepower circus has grown from a grassroots event to a can’t-miss event for any true muscle car enthusiast.” Continue reading →

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Subaru 2024 Ascent – $37,000 to $51,235

Posted on 15 June 2023 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Subaru 2024 Ascent - $37,000 to $51,235

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Subaru of America today announced pricing on the 2024 Ascent,* its 3-row, 7- or 8-passenger SUV. The Ascent has decent amount of standard safety, driver assist, and in-vehicle technologies. Available in six trim levels – Base, Premium, Onyx Edition, Onyx Edition Limited, Limited and Touring – the 2024 Ascent arrives in Subaru retailers this fall and will be priced from $35,790 to 49,790 plus $1295 or $1445 destination and delivery depending on state.

Standard items include “Steering Responsive” LED headlights with High Beam Assist; Rear Seat Reminder; front tri-zone and rear automatic climate control; automatic power door locks; power windows and power side mirrors; security system with engine immobilizer; rear vision camera; USB-A and USB-C input/charge ports in the front center console; USB-A and USB-C charge ports in the rear center console; raised roof rails; 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels in silver finish and 19 cupholders. Continue reading →

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Automakers Remain Challenged in Search for EV Buyers

Posted on 15 June 2023 by Ken Zino

New-vehicle buyer “consideration” is increasing for electric vehicles slowly, according to the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Electric Vehicle Consideration (EVC) StudySM released today*. This year’s study reveals that 26% of shoppers say they are “very likely” to consider purchasing an EV, up from 24% a year ago, while the percentage of shoppers who say they are “overall likely” to purchase an EV increases to 61% from 59% in 2022.

Affecting the slight year-over-year increases are a combination of positive and negative market elements such as lower gas prices, inflation, rising interest rates, greater model availability and charging availability. Charging availability is growing more slowly year over year (13% vs 33% in 2022), while model availability has increased, with 42% of buyers now having a viable EV model that meets their needs in Power’s view. (AutoInformed: Ford CEO says China is the Main Competitor, Not GM) Continue reading →

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FedEx Canada Receives first BrightDrop Zevo’s

Posted on 14 June 2023 by Ken Zino

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FedEx Express Canada in Toronto today received  its first 50 BrightDrop Zevo 600 electric delivery The introduction of BrightDrop’s electric vans into the FedEx fleet in Canada is part of the company’s goal to transform its entire parcel pickup and delivery (aka PUD – we didn’t make this acronym up they did – AutoCrat) fleet to all-electric, zero-tailpipe emission vehicles by 2040.

“FedEx Express Canada is proud of the role we’re playing to help our company work toward the goal of carbon neutral operations globally by 2040. Working with companies like BrightDrop that are helping to build these solutions, right here in our own backyard, shows how Canada is helping to bring more sustainable solutions to life across a variety of industries,” said Dean Jamieson, vice president of operations, FedEx Express Canada. Continue reading →

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Global Light Vehicle Sales at ~89 Million Rose Again in May

Posted on 14 June 2023 by Ken Zino

The Global Light Vehicle (LV) selling rate rose to 89 million units/year in May (aka SAAR), from 85 million units/year in April according to data just released by the respected LMC Automotive* consultancy. (AutoInformed:Global Light Vehicle Sales Soar in April 2023; May US Light Vehicles Sales Forecast Up 20%)

“US LV sales grew 23.5% YoY to 1.4 million units as OEMs raised vehicle production on the back of fewer supply issues. China performed stronger than the first four months of the year with a selling rate of 29.6 million units/year. All major West European countries reported positive YoY growth as their markets continue to recover with the easing of supply issues,” LMC said in copyrighted report for clients. Continue reading →

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Nancy Edelbrock of California Hot Rodding Royalty Passes

Posted on 14 June 2023 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Nancy Edelbrock of California Hot Rodding Royalty Passes

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“It is with heavy hearts and profound sadness that we announce the passing of Nancy Edelbrock, a loving wife, devoted mother, and cherished friend of many in the Edelbrock family. Nancy left this world on 10 June 2023, leaving behind a legacy of love, kindness, and unwavering strength,” the Edelbrock Group has posted on its website.

Born on August 30, 1936, in Evanston, Illinois, Nancy was the daughter of Frederick and Alice Marie Crook, who moved to Hermosa Beach, California, after WWII. Nancy Crook was accepted to Stanford university in the fall of 1954 but transferred to the University of Southern California. “As a member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority, she became president of Panhellenic and was extremely active in the student senate. She was also a Helen of Troy member for her academic achievements,” the Edelbrock says.
 Continue reading →

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Mustang Dark Horse in Rolling Road Wind Tunnel

Posted on 13 June 2023 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Mustang Dark Horse in Rolling Road Wind Tunnel

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Ford Motor Company released today photos of its new Mustang Dark Horse on its  vehicle-sized treadmill, aka Rolling Road Wind Tunnel (RRWT). The Rolling Road Wind Tunnel was used to help develop the all-new Mustang® Dark Horse™, which has the most downforce of any 5.0-liter Mustang when equipped with the expensive and optional Handling Package that helps the vehicle stick to the ground both on the street and on the track. (AutoInformed: Ford To Run Mustangs in GT3 and GTD Next Year; Ford Shows 2023 Mustang GT Racer before Bathurst 1000)

“The amount of air moved by our wind tunnel is enough to fill a K-Class blimp in just over 5 seconds,” said John Toth, North America Wind Tunnels Engineering Supervisor. Even by Ford standards this release is remarkably free of useful content. However, the photo is interesting to us, and maybe you? Continue reading →

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Buick Teases the 2024 Envision SUV

Posted on 13 June 2023 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Buick Teases the 2024 Envision SUV

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Buick today provided a glimpse of the upcoming new 2024 Envision mid-size, two-row SUV for the US and Canada, which introduces a slightly refreshed design inside and out, and adds Super Cruise to the brand. This is the first time that Buick drivers will have the option to use Super Cruise1, the industry’s first true hands-free driver assistance system, compatible on more than 644,000 km of highways in the US. and Canada. Additional vehicle details and more information on the new 2024 Envision will be released later in the year. AutoInformed bets it will be priced ~US $34,000 to ~+$50,000 for the five trim levels.  (AutoInformed on: First Look – 2021 Buick Envision Mid-Size SUV)

The Envision is the third of five new vehicles Buick is debuting through 2024. Buick claims it has  become the fastest-growing mainstream brand in the US with sales up ~76% through May 2023. In Canada, Envision sales are up ~78.5% through May 2023. The current Envision has achieved its highest ever retail sales over the first half of 2023 and is on track to have its best sales year ever in the US and Canada as North American demand for luxury SUVs continues unabated. Continue reading →

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