Toyota Recalls ~130,000 Tundra, Tundra Hybrid Pickups

Posted on 13 March 2023 by Ken Zino

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing is recalling more than 130,000 2022-2023 model year Tundra and Tundra Hybrid pickups that may be equipped with a Toyota accessory tonneau cover. The tonneau cover attachment joints may come loose, allowing the cover to detach at highway speeds.

In the required NHTSA filing just released, Toyota said that field surveys investigating the tonneau cover securing joint and torque studies showed that there is a possibility that the torque values of some joints in the field are lower than the amount of torque required to compress the lock washer completely. Continue reading →

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Electrified – Mitsubishi Motors Releases Latest Mid-Term Plan

Posted on 10 March 2023 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Electrified - Mitsubishi Motors Releases Latest Mid-Term Plan

The xAUTO  demonstration car uses Mitsubishi Electric technology for autonomous driving. Click for more information.

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (7211.T) in Japan today released its next Mid-Term Business Plan (MTP). This three-year plan, Challenge 2025, states MMC’s corporate direction. As with all recent global automaker’s mission statements, MMC claimed to be reinforcing the company’s environmental commitment toward a carbon-neutral future, laying the foundation for how MMC will work within the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance and other global alliances. It also talks about future plans for various global markets.  (autoinformed.com on: Renault and Nissan, Mitsubishi Alliance to Restructure)

Challenge 2025 says MMC will accelerate efforts toward a sustainable carbon neutral future, made possible through a reduction of vehicle CO2 emissions by 40% and a reduction in operational CO2 by 50% by 2030. MMC aspires to make 50% of global sales EVs by 2030. MMC projects 100% of the fleet electrified by 2035 (EV means a blend of plug-in hybrids (PHEV), hybrids (HEV) and pure electrics (BEV)). “This goal is made possible through more aggressive investment in R&D and CAPEX, particularly in areas of electrification, IT, and new business,” MMC said. MMC also projects a ¥200 billion (~$1.5 billion) investment in battery sourcing for its 2030 EV sales. Continue reading →

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Nissan X-in-1 – Shared, Modular EV Components

Posted on 10 March 2023 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Nissan X-in-1 – Shared, Modular EV Components

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Nissan has a new approach to electrified powertrain development, which it calls “X-in-1”. Under the approach, core EV and e-POWER powertrain components will be shared and modularized, resulting in a 30% reduction, compared to 2019, in development and manufacturing costs by 2026, Nissan claims (7201.T-JP: Tokyo Stock Exchange). The X-in-1 approach, which covers 3-in-1,  as well as 5-in-1, and other possible variants, has been developed to allow EV and e-POWER core components to be produced on the same assembly line, Nissan said in Yokohama, Japan.

“We make the most of our expertise and know-how from our more-than-a-decade long development and production of electrified technologies. Through our innovations in electrified powertrain development, we’ll continue to create new value for customers and deliver 100% motor-driven vehicles – EVs and e-POWER – as widely as possible,” said Senior Vice President Toshihiro Hirai, who leads powertrain & EV engineering powertrain development. Like all automakers, converting to EVs is an expensive process, potentially ruinous for shareholders. Continue reading →

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EV Servicing – First Power CSI Satisfaction Drop in 28 Years

Posted on 9 March 2023 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on EV Servicing - First Power CSI Satisfaction Drop in 28 Years

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You can sell EVs, but you can’t service them to the customer’s satisfaction. That’s the bottom line of the results  of the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Customer Service Index (CSI) Study,SM released today. The growing volume of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) being serviced at dealerships is having a negative effect on overall customer service satisfaction, resulting in a year-over-year decline in score for the first time in 28 years. Satisfaction with the service experience declines 2 points to 846 (on a 1000-point scale) in this year’s study. This is not necessarily statistically significant, AutoInformed notes, but it could become a worrisome trend.

“As the electric vehicle segment grows, service is going to be a ‘make or break’ part of the ownership experience,” said Chris Sutton, vice president of automotive retail at J.D. Power. “The industry has been hyper-focused on launches and now these customers are bringing their electric vehicles in for maintenance and repairs. As training programs for service advisors and technicians evolve, EV service quality and customer experience must address both the vehicle and the unique customer needs. The EV segment has the potential to spur massive convenience improvements in how customers service their vehicles—but we’re not seeing the benefits yet.” Continue reading →

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IIHS Questions the Safety of Electric Vehicles on Others

Posted on 9 March 2023 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Crash Course – Euro NCAP on 2022 Safety Tests

EV crash compatibility with other vehicles and their effect on people or pedestrians is a valid concern.

In a piece just released this morning by Raul Arbelaez the Vice President, Vehicle Research Center at IIHS, asked: “How safe are electric vehicles? It’s a question that keeps coming up in different ways in my role overseeing our vehicle crashworthiness evaluations.” Based on IIHS’s 55 crash tests of EVs starting in 2011, Arbelaez outlined his current concerns, some of which are cited below.

This is just the latest discussion on the expanding concerns about EV safety  and their societal impact. In AutoInformed’s view these issues need to be worked on. They mirror an earlier problem with large pickup trucks and their crash compatibility with other vehicles, which the industry did partially address. See below for relevant stories* Continue reading →

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Mercedes-Benz EQE Priced from +$79,000 in the US

Posted on 8 March 2023 by Ken Zino

The fully electric 2023 EQE SUV will arrive at Mercedes-Benz US dealerships this with prices ranging from $79,050 to more than $96,000. The 2023 EQE SUV line- includes the EQE 350+ SUV, EQE 350 4MATIC SUV and EQE 500 4MATIC SUV. As with EQS SUV, all models will be offered in Premium, Exclusive and Pinnacle Trims for the U.S. market.

For the first time, the fully variable 4MATIC all-wheel drive system with torque shift in the EQE 350 4MATIC SUV is offered at the same starting price as the EQE 350+ SUV. Mercedes-Benz claimed that this , enhances value for customers for the highest volume model. Each trim has EQ-specific innovative technologies and luxurious features, along with an array of additional options for further personalization. All are built in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.* Continue reading →

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NHTSA Opens Tesla Probe for Steering Wheels Falling Off

Posted on 8 March 2023 by Ken Zino

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened a probe about Tesla steering wheels falling off. In a document just made public, ODI said it is aware of two reports of complete detachment of the steering wheel from the steering column while driving in 2023 Model Year Tesla Model Y vehicles. Both Model Y Teslas were delivered to the owners missing the retaining bolt (P/N1036655-00-A) which attaches the steering wheel to the steering column. Continue reading →

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Nissan Recalls Rogues for Sudden Engine Shutoff

Posted on 7 March 2023 by Ken Zino

Nissan North America is recalling more than 700,000 2014-20 model year Rogue and 2017-2022 Rogue Sport hatchbacks equipped with a jackknife style ignition key. The jackknife key may collapse into a folded position. Over time the internal pivot of the jackknife key may weaken, and the key fob could unlock and rotate downwards. If the Rogue is driven with the key in the collapsed position, contact with the key fob by the driver could inadvertently turn the vehicle off without warning while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Owners are warned not to attach any accessories to their key and only use the key in the unfolded orientation until the remedy for the safety defect is available. In addition, dealers and rental fleets will be instructed on an interim remedy to insert a fastener into the key slot that will prevent the key from folding. When remedy parts are available, dealers will insert a spacer into the key slot of the customer’s key fob that will not allow the key to collapse. Continue reading →

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Ford Recalls Ranger Airbag Recall for Unsafe Repair

Posted on 7 March 2023 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company is recalling ~100,000 2004-2006 model year Ranger pickup trucks that received replacement front-passenger air bag inflators under a previous recall. The replacement frontal passenger air bag inflators may have been installed incorrectly. This means that airbag may not deploy as intended, increasing the risk of injury.

Although Ford service instructions include diagrams and instructions for proper airbag inflator installation, technicians who mis-installed the inflator told Ford they did not review the instructions prior to installation. Ford did not name the “select dealerships (responsible) and a certain third-party mobile repair team,”  which discovered botched repair(s) in the required filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.* Continue reading →

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Justice Sues to Block JetBlue’s Purchase of Spirit Airlines

Posted on 7 March 2023 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Justice Sues to Block JetBlue’s Purchase of Spirit Airlines

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The Justice Department filed a civil antitrust lawsuit today to block JetBlue Airways Corporation’s (JetBlue) proposed $3.8 billion acquisition of its largest and fastest-growing ultra-low-cost rival, Spirit Airlines, Inc. (Spirit). The Attorneys General of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the State of New York, and the District of Columbia joined in the action under an alleged violation of  Section 7 of the Clayton Act, 15 U.S.C.§18.*

“JetBlue’s proposed acquisition of Spirit eliminates a disruptive, low-cost option for millions of Americans. Whether they fly Spirit or not, travelers throughout the United States benefit from an independent Spirit because where Spirit competes, other airlines – including JetBlue – are forced to compete more vigorously by lowering fares, offering greater innovations, and delivering more consumer choice,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Doha Mekki of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. “This transaction occurs against the backdrop of years of airline consolidation in the United States.” Continue reading →

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Cadillac CELESTIQ Debuts With Hands-Free Driving Possible in Most Conditions Early in 2024. Caveats Apply

Posted on 7 March 2023 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Cadillac CELESTIQ Debuts With Hands-Free Driving Possible in Most Conditions Early in 2024. Caveats Apply

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General Motors (NYSE: GM) announced today that Ultra Cruise1, the company’s next-generation advanced driver assistance system2 designed to enable hands-free driving in 95% of all driving scenarios, will have a 360-degree view of the vehicle through a unique sensor suite when it launches on the limited edition ~$300,000 Cadillac CELESTIQ 3  flagship in early 2024. There are, of course, many technical, regulatory and insurance issues the need to be resolved before full deployment is underway.

The destination-to-destination hands-free system will use a variety of cameras, short- and long-range radars, LiDAR behind the windshield, an all-new computing system and a driver attention system to monitor the driver’s head position and/or eyes in relation to the road to help ensure driver attention. These systems work together through what GM calls “sensor fusion” to provide Ultra Cruise with a 360-degree, three-dimensional representation of the vehicle’s surroundings. Continue reading →

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SEC Charges Mining Company Rio Tinto with Bribery

Posted on 6 March 2023 by Ken Zino

The Securities and Exchange Commission announced today charges against global mining and metals company, Rio Tinto, for violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) arising out of a bribery scheme involving a consultant in Guinea. The company has agreed to pay a $15 million civil penalty to settle the SEC’s charges.

Ford Motor* (NYSE: F) and Stellantis** (NYSE: STLA), among other large international corporations, have supply contracts or business relationships with the mining conglomerate  involving electric vehicle battery materials. Whether this is a bum in the road or a longer-term impediment to EV advancement is an open and ongoing matter subject to debate in industrial and public policy sectors. Continue reading →

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Honda Shows New Prototype Autonomous Work Vehicle

Posted on 6 March 2023 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Honda Shows New Prototype Autonomous Work Vehicle

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Honda said this morning that it will showcase the new capabilities of the latest generation of its prototype Honda Autonomous Work Vehicle (AWV) for construction industry and worksite efficiencies at CONEXPO 2023 in Las Vegas, 14-18 March. Businesses can learn more about field testing the off-road platform at their worksites, Honda said.

Honda aims to commercialize its AWV. Honda looking for partners to participate in field testing, as well as to improve functions and enhance services, especially in the areas of: Product distribution Product support and aftermarket sales, as well as software and attachment development. The AWV use Honda’s mobility technologies, and common components from its automobiles and other products. Continue reading →

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February 2023 Western EU Passenger Vehicle Sales Up 11%

Posted on 6 March 2023 by Ken Zino

The Western Europe passenger vehicle selling rate climbed from 10.7 million units/year in January to 11.7 million units/year in February 2023, with  improved sales in Germany and the UK. The monthly registrations of ~800,000 units resulted in a year‐on‐year (YoY) growth of 11.3%, according to the latest data just released by the LMC Automotive consultancy*. (autoinformed.com on: Recession? US Consumer Auto Spending at Record Levels; January 2023 Western EU Passenger Vehicles Sales Plunge)

However, LMC hedged by saying that 2022 is a weak base for comparison. “In YoY terms, the market was up 2.8%, though the same period last year was particularly weak” Continue reading →

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Honda Using Fuel Cell to Back Up Power at Its Data Center

Posted on 6 March 2023 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Honda Using Fuel Cell to Back Up Power to Its Data Center

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Honda at the end of last week began operation of a stationary fuel cell power station on its corporate campus in Torrance, California. This is the company’s first step toward future commercialization of zero-emission backup power generation.

The power station uses Honda’s hydrogen fuel cell technology know-how and contributes to the company’s global goal to achieve carbon neutrality for all products and corporate activities by 2050. In the coming years, Honda will begin applying a next-generation stationary fuel cell system to Honda manufacturing facilities and data centers globally, thereby reducing the company’s greenhouse gas emissions. Continue reading →

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