First Look – 2024 Toyota Tacoma Pickup

Posted on 19 May 2023 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on First Look - 2024 Toyota Tacoma Pickup

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Toyota (NYSE:TM) revealed today extensive details of its 2024 Tacoma mid-size pickup truck now built off the same TNGA-F global truck platform used for the Tundra and Sequoia. The all-new 2024 Tacoma will go on sale later this year with i-FORCE MAX models arriving in early 2024. The manufacturer’s suggested retail pricing will be announced closer to the on-sale dates. (AutoInformed.com: 2016 Toyota Tacoma Pickup Debuts at NAIAS)

“With even more off-road capability and the quality, durability, and reliability that our customers expect along with a host of options for every owner, we’re confident that Tacoma will remain the top choice for mid-size pickup buyers when it arrives later this year,” said Toyota group vice president and general manager Dave Christ. Continue reading →

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Three-Row ID.Buzz Debuts on International VW Bus Day

Posted on 18 May 2023 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Volkswagen Debuts ID.Buzz and ID.Buzz Cargo

VW’s two-row version. Ford’s variant is yet to come?

Volkswagen said today it will celebrate the first ever International Volkswagen Bus Day with the debut of the three-row version of Volkswagen’s all-electric ID.Buzz in Huntington Beach, California. A combined media and public global reveal event will include new product showcases, live entertainment and streamed programming, plus a “Cars & Coffee” style gathering for classic Volkswagen Bus owners.

“Whether you call them Buses, Bullis or Kombis, the legacy Type 2s have left on modern culture is unmatched,” said Cameron Batten, Chief Communications Officer, Volkswagen Group of America. “As we continue to introduce the T2’s 21st Century electric successor, the ID.Buzz, we’re thrilled to create this annual day of celebration for Volkswagen bus fans and enthusiasts everywhere.” Continue reading →

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Toyota Eco or EV Button Study Shows Greenhouse Gas Cuts

Posted on 18 May 2023 by Ken Zino

Data were released today from a week-long study of Toyota employees and family members who drove more than 480,000 miles in Eco or EV mode. The results show a CO2 reduction of 45,235,623 g of greenhouse gases compared to the baseline; that 5091 gallons of gasoline were saved for a reduction of $18,304 based on the national average.

“We have the ability to use data to help empower customers so that they can make a difference,” said Brian Kursar, chief technology officer, Toyota Connected North America (TCNA). “While this study focused on Toyota-owned vehicles, we know there are millions of connected Toyota and Lexus vehicles in the US. If everyone drove in Eco mode, it could help greatly reduce our collective CO2 output. Given how successful this internal campaign was, we’d love to see where we can take this initiative, and we hope we inspire other automakers to do the same.” Continue reading →

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ChargeX Consortium to Improve EV Charging Announced by the US Department of Energy National Laboratories

Posted on 18 May 2023 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on ChargeX Consortium to Improve EV Charging Announced by US Department of Energy National Laboratories

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The Joint Office of Energy and Transportation today announced the launch of the National Charging Experience Consortium (ChargeX Consortium), a new initiative led by U.S. Department of Energy national laboratories that “will work to rapidly develop solutions that ensure a reliable and frictionless charging experience for all Americans.” At least 29 transportation organizations, including BMW, Ford Motor, GM, Rivian, Stellantis, and J.D. Power are part of the progressive, awakened effort to save Planet Earth from extinction.

“Argonne National Laboratory, Idaho National Laboratory, and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory will collaborate with organizations representing a cross-section of the electric vehicle (EV) charging industry on complex issues that require multi-stakeholder collaboration to solve and simplify. This effort aligns with the Joint Office mission to accelerate an electrified transportation system that is affordable, convenient, equitable, reliable, and safe and fulfills a specific mandate to plan, coordinate, and implement data sharing to inform the buildout of a national charging network,” DOE said in a release. Continue reading →

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BMW Going with the EV Tyde at Cannes

Posted on 17 May 2023 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on BMW Going with the EV Tyde at Cannes

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BMW and boat maker TYDE are debuting “THE ICON” at 76th Cannes Film Festival, the luxury transport purveyor BMW said today. The boat claims to be the first battery-powered watercraft of its kind. BMW said it brings together emission-free travel with a top-to-bottom vision of luxury. (AutoInformed.com on: EV Boats – GM Buys Into Pure Watercraft; Glub? Aston Martin Going into Submarine Business!; Lexus LY 650 Luxury Yacht Revealed)

At 43.14 feet in length with a top speed of 30 knots, THE ICON is representative of the latest battery-electric watercraft. The project, err publicity/marketing promo?, is the work of people at BMW, TYDE, and Designworks, a BMW Group subsidiary with studios in Los Angeles, Munich, and Shanghai. Continue reading →

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Record Clean Air Act Settlement with BP North America

Posted on 17 May 2023 by Ken Zino

The US Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Justice today announced a Clean Air Act Settlement with BP Products North America, a subsidiary of BP p.l.c. infamous for the Deepwater Horizon environmental disaster. (BP Deepwater Horizon Liabilities – GULP – $61.6 Billion) The settlement requires control technology that is projected to reduce benzene* by an estimated seven tons per year, other hazardous air pollutants by 28 tons per year, and other volatile organic compound emissions (VOCs)** by 372 tons per year at BP’s Whiting Refinery in Indiana. The settlement results in the largest civil penalty ever secured for a Clean Air Act stationary source violation.

The Department of Justice’s complaint complaint, filed simultaneously with the settlement, alleges that BPP broke federal regulations limiting benzene in refinery wastewater streams, and hazardous air pollutants and volatile organic compound emissions at its Whiting Refinery, as well as the general requirement to use good air pollution control practices. As part of the settlement, BPP will install one or more permanent benzene strippers to reduce benzene in wastewater streams leading to its lakefront wastewater treatment plant. Continue reading →

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US and Canada Announce Bi-National EV Charging Corridor

Posted on 16 May 2023 by Ken Zino

US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Canadian Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, and IBEW Member Bill Baisden today announced the first Bi-National Electric Vehicle (EV) Corridor. The new EV corridor will run from Kalamazoo, Michigan to Quebec City, Quebec using part of the ~75,000 miles of Alternative Fuel Corridors in the United States. The Corridor will have DC fast chargers every ~50 miles or 80 kilometers.

“Canada and the United States have built the world’s largest market-based energy trading relationship, which provides a firm foundation as we strive to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions,” said Canadian Transport Minister Alghabra. This first cross-border alternative fuel corridor will help drivers to travel across the border and charge or refuel worry-free. It contributes to bringing us another step closer to making our air cleaner while helping people save money on traditional fuels.” Continue reading →

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Wayne Taylor Racing, Andretti Autosport to Run Two IMSA Cars

Posted on 16 May 2023 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Wayne Taylor Racing, Andretti Autosport to Run Two IMSA Cars

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Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti Autosport (WTRAndretti) announced today that it has expanded plans for a two-car GTP effort in IMSA with Acura and Honda Performance Development (HPD). The two-car factory supported program will compete for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar (GTP) Championship beginning at the 2024 Rolex 24 At Daytona. WTRAndretti’s current GTP dynamic duo of Ricky Taylor and Filipe Albuquerque will continue to drive – or is that aim – the No. 10 Konica Minolta Acura ARX-06 with additional drivers for both cars to be announced in the coming months. Will they raid Meyer-Shank?

“It has always been our plan to go to a two-car program,” said Wayne Taylor, Team Owner, Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti Autosport. “There are so many advantages in being a two-car team and now, going up against all the other factory backed two-car efforts, it is vital. HPD and ORECA have built an amazing race car. When you look back at the season so far, we’ve proved to be quickest almost wherever we go and I believe we now have the car to beat. With the combination of HPD, ORECA, Andretti Autosport and all our corporate partners, we have a really strong organization.” Continue reading →

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Global Light Vehicle Sales Soar in April 2023

Posted on 16 May 2023 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Global Light Vehicle Sales Soar in April

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The Global Light Vehicle (LV) selling rate rose to 86 million units annually in April 2023, up from March’s 84 million units per year, according to data just released from the LMC Automotive* consultancy. The US market remains strong. (AutoInformed: US New Vehicle Sales Soar in April 2023 at 1.3 Million)

Numerous national or regional markets also have advanced from an easing of supply constraints, with overall Year-over-Year growth of 25%. China, the world’s largest auto market remains problematic. Following are LMC observations. Continue reading →

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Stellantis Buys Share of Symbio for Fuel Cell Technology

Posted on 16 May 2023 by Ken Zino

Faurecia, Michelin and Stellantis announced today the signing of a binding agreement for Stellantis (NYSE: MTA Euronext Paris: STLA) to buy a 33.3% stake in Symbio*, a company centered around hydrogen mobility. Faurecia and Michelin will also remain shareholders with 33.3% holding each. (AutoInformed on: Stellantis to Buy a Large Part of Faurecia Michelin Hydrogen)

“Acquiring an equal stake in Symbio will bolster our leadership position in hydrogen-powered vehicles by supporting our fuel cell van production in France, and it also serves as a perfect complement to our growing battery electric vehicle portfolio,” said Carlos Tavares, Stellantis CEO. Continue reading →

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Semiconductor Talent and Automotive Research MOU with Global Aspirations Announced in Antwerp

Posted on 16 May 2023 by Ken Zino

KLA Corporation (NASDAQ: KLAC) and imec (sic) today announced and Memorandum of Understanding the goal of establishing the so-called Semiconductor Talent and Automotive Research (STAR) initiative in Belgium, focusing on “developing the talent base and infrastructure necessary to accelerate advanced semiconductor applications for electrification and autonomous mobility and move the automotive industry forward.”

The plan establishes a center of excellence (COE) in Michigan to formalize support for the development of the semiconductor industry workforce, as well as the advancement of autonomous automotive technology and electric vehicle research. Star is designed to connect automotive, semiconductor and innovation research initiatives in Europe (Belgium), the United States (Michigan) and Asia (Japan). Continue reading →

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GM Expands Airbag Recalls Over Supplier ARC’s Objections

Posted on 15 May 2023 by Ken Zino

General Motors is recalling ~1,000,000 model 2014-2017 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, and GMC Acadia vehicles. The driver’s air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect, spreading potentially fatal shrapnel flying about the interior. The airbag inflator manufacturer, ARC, disputes the need for a recall. The cause of inflator ruptures remains unknown and is disputed.

In an unusual move, NHTSA publicly revealed that it wrote Arc: “As you are aware, on July 13, 2015, the Office of Defect Investigation (“ODI”) of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (“NHTSA” or the “Agency”) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE15-027) to investigate certain air bag inflators designed by ARC Automotive, Inc. (ARC). NHTSA opened its defect investigation after learning of two driver air bag inflator field ruptures involving ARC designed inflators,” NHTSA wrote. Continue reading →

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Ford Expanding Explorer SUV Roll-away Recall

Posted on 15 May 2023 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company is recalling 2020-2022 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 2.3L RWD, 3.3L GAS, 3.3L FHEV, or 3.0L ST powertrain, according to documents made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration today. The Explorers can roll-away.

The previous powertrain control module (PCM) update completed under recall 22V-255 did not include what is described as “the automatic electronic parking brake feature when the vehicle is shifted to park, as intended.” In addition, the rear axle horizontal mounting bolt may fracture and cause the driveshaft to disconnect. Continue reading →

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Mazda Motor Posts Improving FY 2203 Financial Results

Posted on 12 May 2023 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Mazda Motor Posts Weak FY 2203 Financial Results

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Mazda Motor (7261:JP – Tokyo) posted Fiscal Year 2023 (ended 31 March 2023) financial results of net sales at ¥4.5 trillion, operating income at ¥180 billion, and net income at ¥130 billion. This was based on a global sales volume of 1.11 million units, down 11.3% year-on-year. Sales dropped in all countries except Japan, “mainly due” to reductions in production from semiconductor supply shortages in the first half of the fiscal year and a shortage of car transport ships. China was a notable problem area.

However, Mazda said: “Under these conditions, the Mazda Group steadily improved its profit base by implementing group-wide initiatives to improve per-unit profit, curb costs, reduce marketing expenses, improve fixed cost efficiency, and redesign components to expand the use of general-purpose semiconductors as a means of mitigating semiconductor shortages.” Continue reading →

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SEMA CEO Testifies Against Proposed EPA Standards

Posted on 11 May 2023 by Ken Zino

SEMA President and CEO Mike Spagnola testified remotely yesterday before the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in opposition to the agency’s newly proposed new federal emissions standards for motor vehicles model years ’27-’32, which are intended to significantly increase sales of electric vehicles (AutoInformed: EPA Wants Toughest Federal Emission Standards Ever).

“SEMA and its members have serious concerns with this proposal, which aggressively seeks to lower carbon emissions under timelines that effectively make electric vehicles the de facto choice option for automakers to meet the requirements. Government shouldn’t pick winners and losers. This far too-fast mandate will create a seismic shift for small businesses who don’t have the capacity to make the shift this quickly, especially when they’re not receiving billions in government funds like the large automakers are to fund their electric vehicle programs,” said Spagnola.
Continue reading →

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