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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Kia EV9 Joins the Three-Row SUV Parade

Posted on 29 March 2023 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Kia EV9 Joins the Three-Row SUV Parade

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Kia today in Korea revealed the EV9, its first three-row electric flagship SUV. Based on the Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), the EV9 has a projected all-electric range ~541 km for the Long Range model with 19-inch wheels, according to the World Harmonized Light vehicle Testing Procedure (WLTP). Fast 800-volt charging capability enables the EV9 battery pack to be replenished with sufficient charge to run the vehicle for 239 km in ~15 minutes based on preliminary data. (AutoInformed.com on: Hyundai Motor Group to Build EV and Battery Plant in Georgia)

“The Kia EV9 transcends all aspects of traditional SUV thinking and represents the pinnacle of Kia’s design and engineering capabilities. Created to meet the needs of all family members, the EV9 also spearheads Kia’s rapid transition to a sustainable mobility solutions provider, not just by its advanced EV architecture, but also through the numerous recycled and sustainable materials used in its creation,” said Ho Sung Song, President and CEO. Continue reading →

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Fuji Motorsports Forest to Be a New Corporation, Destination

Posted on 28 March 2023 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Fuji Motorsports Forest to Be a New Corporation, Destination

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Toyota Motor Corporation will establish a new company, Fuji Motorsports Forest, Inc. on April 3 to promote the Fuji Motorsports Forest Project. Fuji International Speedway Co., Ltd. will become a wholly owned subsidiary of the new company after Toyota receives a part of the shares held by Mitsubishi Estate Co., Ltd. and Taisei Corporation.

Arranged around the Fuji International Speedway circuit, Forest will consist of various facilities where motorsports culture can be enjoyed such as the Fuji Speedway Hotel, which offers a luxury experience, the Fuji Motorsports Museum which exhibits historic racing cars symbolizing each era, and garages of Japan’s leading racing teams. There are also spas and restaurants for the enjoyment of all visitors. Continue reading →

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Seattle Streets Safer Because of Lower Speeds

Posted on 28 March 2023 by Ken Zino

Accidents on Seattle streets were less likely to cause injuries after the city lowered speed limits, a new study published today by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety shows. In downtown Seattle, lowering default speed limits reduced the likelihood that a crash would involve an injury by a fifth on arterial roads, IIHS researchers found. Outside of the city center, where the new limits were less consistently implemented and publicized, there were smaller injury reductions, but these were not statistically significant.

Newton* understood this in his F=MA equation. That is, Newton’s second law says that force is proportional to what is required for an object of constant mass to change its velocity. This equals the object’s mass multiplied by its acceleration. The increase in weight (Mass) and speed (Acceleration) results in a substantial increase in the energy (Force) involved in such an accident or test of crashworthiness.
 Continue reading →

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Cordless EV w 400 Mile Range – 2023 Toyota Mirai Fuel Cell

Posted on 24 March 2023 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Cordless EV w 400 Mile Range - 2023 Toyota Mirai Fuel Cell

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Toyota said today in Texas that its 2023 Toyota Mirai Limited grade brings the latest in advanced driver assistance technology with Toyota Teammate™, a set of driver-assistance technologies that can be optionally purchased, that has two functions: Advanced Drive and Advanced Park. It uses an intelligent system of cameras, radar and LiDAR, which work together to help achieve what Toyota called convenient and efficient mobility.

Advanced Drive can help drivers on certain limited-access highways by detecting driving conditions and executing acceleration, braking and steering commands under active supervision of the driver. Hands-free driving is also possible under certain conditions with eyes-on-the-road operation confirmed by the driver monitor system – yes, the car is watching you. Advanced Park assists the operations necessary for hands-free parking by automatically controlling steering, acceleration, braking and gear changes when parallel parking or backing into a parking space. Continue reading →

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Ford Motor BlueOval City – 6000 Jobs go to Tennessee

Posted on 24 March 2023 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Ford Motor Blue Oval City - 6000 Jobs go to Tennessee

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Ford Motor said this morning in Stanton, Tennessee that construction at the so-called BlueOval City mega-campus is well underway. The electric vehicle and battery manufacturing site in West Tennessee begins production in 2025. BlueOval City is a vital part of Ford’s plan to increase US EV production and make them more accessible to customers. Ford is targeting a production rate of 2 million EVs globally by late 2026 – 500,000 from Tennessee.

“BlueOval City is the blueprint for Ford’s electric future around the world,” said Bill Ford, Ford’s executive chair. “We will build revolutionary electric vehicles at an advanced manufacturing site that works in harmony with the planet, aligning business growth and innovation with environmental progress.” Continue reading →

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CARB Environmental Justice Advisory Committee Renewed

Posted on 23 March 2023 by Ken Zino

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) today announced the reappointment of all 13 members to its ongoing Environmental Justice Advisory Committee (EJAC*). The Committee is comprised of representatives from California communities most heavily impacted by air pollution, including disadvantaged communities with minority or low-income populations.

“These appointments demonstrate the Board’s commitment to integrating environmental justice and equity as a cornerstone of CARB’s climate programs,” said CARB Chair Liane Randolph. “We know climate change impacts vulnerable communities the most. Each of these members brings a unique perspective from their communities. By partnering together, we can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address historic inequities by advancing environmental justice and equity in our implementation of the Scoping Plan.” Continue reading →

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NHTSA Prompts Expansion of Hyundai, Kia Fire Recall

Posted on 23 March 2023 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Fires! Park 2020-22 Hyundai Palisades, Kia Tellurides Outside

A good place to park until the recall repair is performed.

Hyundai Motor America and Kia America have issued expanded recalls for unexpected fires on more than 570,000 vehicles. The Korean companies are urging owners to park their vehicles outside and away from homes and other structures until the recall fix is applied, The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said today in a rare “critical recall alert,” the second one for this life-threatening safety defect. This safety recall is a direct result of NHTSA’s monitoring of recall NHTSA 22V-633, NHTSA said.

The affected vehicles are model years 2022-2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz, 2019-2023 Hyundai Santa Fe, 2021-2023 Santa Fe Hybrid, 2022-2023 Santa Fe Plug-in Hybrid, and 2022-2023 Kia Carnival. !Critical Vehicle Recall Information! Continue reading →

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March US Auto Sales Forecast Up. Q1 to Set Spending Record

Posted on 23 March 2023 by Ken Zino

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 just released 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.

“March is shaping up to be yet another positive month for the industry. With retail sales forecasted to be up nearly 2%, along with average transaction prices tracking up 3.5%, consumers are on pace to spend nearly $50 billion this month, an increase of 5.5% from what they spent on new vehicles a year ago,” said Thomas King, president of the data and analytics division at J.D. Power. Continue reading →

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