Volkswagen Recall for Bad Atlas Front-Passenger Airbags

Posted on 4 April 2023 by Ken Zino

Volkswagen Group of America is recalling more than 143,000 2018-2021 model year Atlas and 2020 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles because the passenger occupant detection system (PODS) may have a fault in the wiring and deactivate the front passenger air bag when the seat is occupied. According to the required filing, which the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration made public today, owners are advised not to use the front-passenger seat until the recall has been completed. (autoinformed.com on: KARPUT! Volkswagen Golf Alltrack, Sportwagen Die in 2019)

At this time, however, the repair that will be required is unknown by Volkswagen. The remedy is currently under development. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed 26 May 2023. Owners will receive a second notice once the remedy becomes available. Continue reading →

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Ford Motor Q1 2023 US Sales Up 10%

Posted on 4 April 2023 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor’s (NYSE: F) overall vehicle sales – Ford Blue, Ford Pro, Model e and Lincoln – totaled 475,906, up 10.% with estimated share up over a year ago, the Dearborn based automaker said this morning. Sales increased in the usual areas across Ford’s strengths, including trucks (up 19.6%); three-row SUVs (up 47.6%); Bronco brand (up 18.3%); Ford Pro Transit van (up 86%); Mustang (up 5.2%) and electric vehicles (up 41%) on a  year-over-year basis, which given last year’s dismal performance increased the percentage gains markedly. (autoinformed.com on: Ford Motor Q1 and March Sales off -17% and -26%. Cars Dying; GM Q1 2023 US Sales Increase 18% as Trucks and SUVs Lead)

“Ford’s sales growth and investments are a direct result of strong customer demand across our truck, SUV, and electric vehicle segments. And this year’s highly anticipated new product launches with Super Duty, Escape, Mustang and Ranger, will only add to this momentum,” said Andrew Frick, vice president, sales distribution, and trucks. Continue reading →

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Online Racing – Toyota Gazoo Racing 2023 GT Cup

Posted on 4 April 2023 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Online Racing - Toyota Gazoo Racing 2023 GT Cup

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Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR) today  announced details TGR GT Cup 2023, an online race in “Gran Turismo 7” for PlayStation®51 (PS5™) and PlayStation®41 (PS4®). The TGR GT Cup is a global competition held in “Gran Turismo 7” in which the GR lineup, dedicated racing cars, and other cars participate in competitive racing throughout the season.

This year’s racing will have a collaborative round with TGR’s partners in the Super Taikyu series, Mazda Motor Corporation and Subaru Corporation. Seven qualifying rounds will be held online, and the world’s top 24 players will qualify for the final. Continue reading →

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Stellantis Simplifies European Financing and Leasing Services

Posted on 4 April 2023 by Ken Zino

Stellantis (NYSE: STLA)* today confirmed a new, organization for financing and leasing services in Europe with the establishment of Stellantis Financial Services (formerly Banque PSA Finance) and Leasys (consolidating the activities of Leasys and Free2move Lease) organizations. Because of the two new organizations, Stellantis now has all-brand captive finance and leasing companies operating in Europe.

One objective is to become the European leasing leader with the target of reaching a fleet of one million vehicles by 2026. With its financial services arms, Stellantis wants to double its net banking income by 2030. (autoinformed.com on:Stellantis Consolidates Financial Services for All Brands; Stellantis to Consolidate Financial Services in China) Continue reading →

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Toyota Motor North American Sales in March and Q1 Drop 9%

Posted on 3 April 2023 by Ken Zino

Toyota Motor North America (NYSE:TM) today reported March 2023 U.S. sales of 176,456 vehicles, down 9.1% on a volume and daily selling rate (DSR) basis versus March 2022. Sales of electrified vehicles for the month represented 27.5% of total sales volume. During Q1 2023, TMNA reported sales of 469,558 vehicles, down -8.8. Sales of electrified vehicles for the first quarter totaled 118,836, representing 25.3 percent of total sales volume.

Toyota division posted March sales of 150,099 vehicles, down 12% on a volume and DSR basis. For the quarter, Toyota division reported sales of 401,306 vehicles, down 10.9%. Lexus division posted March sales of 26,357 vehicles, up 12.1 percent on a volume and DSR basis. For the quarter, Lexus division reported sales of 68,252 vehicles, up 6%. Continue reading →

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GM Q1 2023 US Sales Increase 18% as Trucks and SUVs Lead

Posted on 3 April 2023 by Ken Zino

General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) and its dealers delivered 603,208 vehicles during Q1 in the US. This is  an 18% increase during the first quarter of 2023 compared year-over-year. GM also estimated that its market share increased by 1.5 percentage points, which would be the largest increase of any automaker. Complete competitive data won’t be available until later this week. GM sold 270,376 full-size and mid-size pickup trucks as well as full-size SUVs during Q1.*

Total new-vehicle sales for March 2023, including retail and non-retail transactions, are forecast at 1,330,700, a 6.2% increase from March 2022, according to data from J.D. Power and LMC Automotive. New-vehicle total sales for Q1 2023 are projected to reach 3,526,700 units, a 7.3% increase from Q1 2022 when adjusted for selling days. New-vehicle transaction prices continue to rise, with the average price reaching a March record of $45,818. (autoinformed.com on: March US Auto Sales Forecast Up. Q1 to Set Spending Record) Continue reading →

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Milestones: Subaru Recycling – 8 Million Pieces of Trash

Posted on 3 April 2023 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Milestones: Subaru Recycling - 8 Million Pieces of Trash

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Subaru of America, Inc. today announced that the automaker and its dealer retailers have diverted more than eight million pieces of hard-to-recycle trash from landfills across the country through its “Subaru Loves the Earth program.”

During Subaru Loves the Earth month in April, and throughout the year, the automaker works with the global waste management firm TerraCycle® to offer recycling at more than 600 participating Subaru retailer locations nationwide to transform trash into products that benefit their communities. Items collected include disposable cups, lids, straws, snack wrappers, and single-use coffee capsules. Items collected include disposable cups, lids, straws, snack wrappers, and single-use coffee capsules. Continue reading →

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Annals of EV Marketing – GMC and EarthCruiser

Posted on 1 April 2023 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Annals of EV Marketing – GMC and EarthCruiser

Click image for more info. This isn’t April Fools.

GMC and EarthCruiser Overland Vehicles are working on  the future of overlanding with a product development scheme that will provide zero-tailpipe-emissions to the overlanding field. The brands say they share a vision of an electric future, (marketing babble alert> “while inspiring customers to get out and see all that the world has to offer.”

GMC claims that by working with EarthCruiser’s research and design division, and informed by its extensive experience in the field, GMC will produce a next-generation “upfit for electric vehicles that will be integrated onto the HUMMER EV Pickup.” In brief, here comes more premium-priced trucks. Continue reading →

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EPA Approves New California Heavy-Duty Emissions Standards

Posted on 31 March 2023 by Ken Zino

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today granted  two requests for so-called waivers of preemption regarding four California Air Resource Board (CARB) regulations related to California’s heavy-duty vehicle and engine emission standards. Under the Clean Air Act, California has wide discretion to adopt emissions requirements to meet its significant and long standing air quality problems. However, California must seek waivers from EPA for new motor vehicle emission standards. EPA conducted a virtual public hearing on June 28, 2022, which covered all three proposed actions. The written comment period for these actions closed on 2 August 2022.

In this latest victory for environmentalists, CARB requested two waivers for regulations relating to heavy duty vehicles and diesel engines. After reviewing the technical information provided by CARB, reviewing comments submitted by the public, and applying the limited authority for review under section 209 of the Clean Air Act, EPA said it was “appropriate” to grant the waiver and authorization requests. Continue reading →

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Subaru to Launch Forager Granola on 1 April

Posted on 31 March 2023 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Subaru to Launch Forager Granola on 1 April, yes April One

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Subaru of America today announced that as part of its commitment to be More Than a Car Company®, it will do just that this April. For those who like their snacks to be as crunchy as they are, Subaru is entering the granola business with the debut of the all-new Subaru Forager Granola.

“The closest thing you’ll find to eating compost for breakfast, Subaru Forager Granola is a companion snack to power you through life’s crunchiest pursuits. The ultimate driver’s seat treat (just ignore the crumbs) Forager can power even the busiest days, whether you’re scouting out trees to hug, talking to plants, or searching for a spot for your latest bumper sticker,” Subaru said in a release. Continue reading →

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Chinese Vehicle Sales Still Slumping

Posted on 30 March 2023 by Ken Zino

The Chinese market decelerated further in February, according to data just released by consultancy LMC Automotive.* Light Vehicle (LV) wholesales were 1.94 million units, which is a growth of 14% year‐on‐year (YoY). Passenger Vehicle (PV) wholesales came to 1.68 million units, an increase of 11% YoY while Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) wholesales, at 262k units, increased by 37% YoY. As for production, the total LV figure in February was also 1.94 million units, increasing by 12% YoY and 26% MoM.

However, the cumulative LV production from January to February in the world’s largest market, fell by -14% YoY. At the component level, passenger vehicle production in February increased by 12% YoY while cumulative PV production to February decreased by 14% YoY, the same as the decrease in LV overall. Continue reading →

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Ford Collaborates with Chinese Huayou on EV Battery Nickel

Posted on 30 March 2023 by Ken Zino

PT Vale Indonesia Tbk and China’s Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt Co. today announced an agreement with Ford Motor (NYSE:F) starting a three-party collaboration to advance nickel production in Indonesia, possibly making electric vehicle batteries more affordable. All three companies are putting equity investments in the Pomalaa Block High-Pressure Acid Leaching (HPAL) Project through an agreement celebrated today at a ceremony with Indonesia President Joko Widodo.

The Pomalaa Block HPAL Project will process ore provided by PT Vale Indonesia from its Pomalaa Block mine to produce mixed hydroxide precipitate – MHP. This HPAL plant will operate under PT Kolaka Nickel Indonesia in the Pomalaa Block nickel industrial area in Kolaka, Southwest Sulawesi, Indonesia. Subject to regulatory approval, it could produce up to 120 kilotons per year of contained nickel in MHP, a lower-cost nickel product used in EV batteries with nickel-rich cathodes. Continue reading →

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Friends, Families Can Change Distracted Driving Behaviors

Posted on 30 March 2023 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Friends, Families Can Change Distracted Driving Behaviors

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A new study released today from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety posits that safety officials should concentrate on leveraging friendships and family ties to inspire change, making drivers more aware of how serious a threat distraction represents and offering solutions to the common barriers that prevent them from simply ignoring their phones.

“It may come as a surprise, but many drivers still don’t realize how dangerous it is to check a text message or glance at their Instagram feed while they’re zipping along the road,” said IIHS Research Associate Aimee Cox, the lead author of the study. Continue reading →

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J.D. Power and Motorq to Monitor EV Battery Health

Posted on 30 March 2023 by Ken Zino

J.D. Power and Motorq have announced an alliance to provide the automotive industry with “insights based on connected vehicle data.” The first product from the alliance will measure real-world electric vehicle (EV) battery health. Using data provided by the electric vehicle itself, in collaboration with the manufacturers, J.D. Power and Motorq* said they will provide EV owners and potential buyers with an independent measurement of the health of that vehicle’s EV battery, compared with its stated health when new. Individual vehicles that achieve a pre-specified score will receive a J.D. Power validation that will give potential buyers “confidence in the health of the EV battery.”  

Yes, your vehicle will be monitored. Clearly, privacy issues arise and will have to be worked out. J.D. Power and Motorq, a connected vehicle analytics firm, will use thousands of measurements from the vehicle taken over time to assess how an individual EV battery is performing. The two companies are in discussions with vehicle manufacturers and other industry participants to bring empirical EV battery health to the market. Continue reading →

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Mazda Adding Renewable Solar Power to Japanese Plants

Posted on 29 March 2023 by Ken Zino

Toyo Seat, Choshu Industry, The Chugoku Electric Power, and Mazda Motor Corporation have reached an offsite corporate power purchase agreement (PPA)*1 on solar power generation, a renewable source of energy, to support the transition towards a carbon neutral society. Under the PPA, Choshu Industry will serve as the electric power producer, with Choshu Industry and Mazda installing new solar power generation facilities on unused land in the Chugoku Region, using those facilities to generate electricity, which will then be sold to Chugoku Electric Power. Chugoku Electric Power will then supply this electricity to Toyo Seat and Mazda as a source of renewable energy.*2

“Mazda began using renewable energy on site in July 2021 with the installation of solar panels on the roof of our plant. To become carbon neutral throughout our supply chain by 2050 and at out plants throughout the world by 2035, it is essential for us to work together with various stakeholders to promote the wider adoption of offsite corporate PPA, and we believe that this project will serve as a valuable first step towards the wider use of renewable energy sources within the Chugoku Region,” said Hironaka Taketo, Executive Officer, in charge of Production Engineering, Business Logistics, Carbon Neutrality and Cost Innovation, Mazda Motor Corporation.
 Continue reading →

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