First CHIPS for America Funding Applications Now Open

Posted on 1 March 2023 by Ken Zino

The US Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology today launched the first CHIPS for America funding opportunity for manufacturing incentives to “restore U.S. leadership in semiconductor manufacturing, support good-paying jobs across the semiconductor supply chain, and advance U.S. economic and national security.”

Awards will take the form of direct funding, federal loans, and/or federal guarantees of third-party loans. Awards are designed to complement – not replace – private investment and other sources of funding, and applicants are strongly encouraged to bring capital to the table. CHIPS for America awards will be made as soon as applications can be evaluated and negotiated. The automobile industry, of course, has been hobbled by interruptions in its supply of offshore-produced chips or semi-conductors.
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Honda Performance Development Shows CR-V Hybrid Racer

Posted on 28 February 2023 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Honda Performance Development Shows CR-V Hybrid Racer

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The new Honda CR-V Hybrid Racer will debut at next month’s IndyCar season-opening Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. Partly a publicity ploy, and also a technology demonstrator, the vehicle combines a Honda Performance Division IndyCar drivetrain, racing suspension, Firestone high-performance tires with Honda CR-V Hybrid bodywork.

“This project vehicle is an INDYCAR ‘beast’ in Honda CR-V ‘sheep’s clothing’,” said David Salters, presumably with tongue in cheek, the president and technical director for Honda Performance Development, the North American racing arm of American Honda and Acura, referring to the code name of the project.

“The CR-V Hybrid Racer is our ‘rolling electrified laboratory,’ to investigate where the talented men and women of HPD and Honda could go with electrification, hybrid technology and 100% renewable fuels,” said Salters. “It epitomizes Honda’s fun-to-drive ethos, showcases electrification and it just rocks our car culture roots and racing heritage! We present the CR-V Hybrid Racer–aka ‘The HPD Beast’!” AutoInformed notes, wryly, that this isn’t in keeping with meeting the nicest people on a Honda, but it has, well, light comedy or entertainment value. Video click here Continue reading →

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Honda, LG Energy Solution Break Ground for New Battery Plant

Posted on 28 February 2023 by Ken Zino

Honda and LG Energy Solution* (KRX: 373220) today held the official groundbreaking ceremony for a new joint-venture EV battery plant to be located in Fayette County, near Jeffersonville, Ohio. The two companies have committed to invest $3.5 billion in the new joint venture (JV) facility, with their overall investment projected to reach $4.4 billion.

The facility is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2024, with plans to create 2,200 jobs, and the aim for approximately 40GWh of annual production capacity. The JV company will deliver lithium-ion batteries with cutting-edge technology to support Honda’s plan to build battery-electric vehicles (EV) in North America. Continue reading →

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US Electric Vehicle Satisfaction Shifting to Quality, Styling

Posted on 28 February 2023 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on US Electric Vehicle Satisfaction Shifting to Quality, Styling

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As more battery electric vehicle (BEV) models become available for purchase, owners’ satisfaction with their overall experience is shifting to more traditional factors such as quality and styling. According to the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Electric Vehicle Experience (EVX) Ownership StudySM released today, the shift is most evident in the respective premium and mass market segment award recipients, Rivian R1T and MINI Cooper Electric.

“The electric vehicle landscape is changing quickly, and newer models are bringing in more mainstream, first-time EV buyers,” said Brent Gruber, executive director of the EV practice at J.D. Power. “Recent vehicle launches from both new brands and traditional automakers have had a profound effect on what factors are most important in the ownership experience. Today’s EV owners are looking for quality, reliability, driving enjoyment, safety and technology features.” Continue reading →

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Stellantis to Convert Three Indiana Plants to EV Components

Posted on 28 February 2023 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Stellantis to Convert Three Indiana Plants to EV Components

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Stellantis (NYSE: STLA) announced today that it will invest a total of $155 million in three Kokomo, Indiana, plants to produce new electric drive modules (EDM) that will help power future electric vehicles assembled in North America. The money will be spent at Indiana Transmission, Kokomo Transmission and Kokomo Casting Plants. Production is expected to start in the third quarter of 2024, following retooling.

As a result more than 265 jobs will survive. Stellantis* said that its total investments in Indiana since 2020 to support electrification goals will increase to nearly $3.3 billion, including gigafactory joint venture with Samsung SDI. This is to support the goal of 50% battery electric sales in the U.S. by 2030. Continue reading →

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Cadillac to Run the 24 Hours of Le Mans with Three Entries

Posted on 27 February 2023 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Cadillac to Run the 24 Hours of Le Mans with Three Entries

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Cadillac said today it will return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June with three of the newly named Cadillac V-Series.R entries to compete for the overall win in the Hypercar class. During 2023, Cadillac will contest the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and the FIA World Endurance Championship. The Cadillac V-Series.R was developed by Cadillac Design, Cadillac Racing and Dallara.

The engineering challenge – of course – is to bring the old success of Cadillac’s DPi V.R, which won two titles and four consecutive Rolex 24s in its six years in the IMSA WeatherTech Championship – to the new car. Notably, this marks the brand’s return to Le Mans after 22 years. Continue reading →

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Biden Harris Administration Announce $1B in Airport Funding to Meet Growing Travel Demand as Covid Recovery Continues

Posted on 27 February 2023 by Ken Zino

The Federal Aviation Administration is awarding ~$1 billion from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to 99 airports across the country. Larger security checkpoints, more reliable and faster baggage systems and better roadways and multi-modal connections are just some of the improvements passengers will see. The funding is going to small, medium and large communities.

“Americans deserve the best airports in the world, and with demand for air travel surging back, this funding to improve the passenger experience couldn’t come at a more urgent time,” said US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, “all while creating jobs and supporting local economies.” Continue reading →

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EVs – Stellantis Now Large Shareholder in McEwen Copper

Posted on 27 February 2023 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on EVs - Stellantis Now Large Shareholder in McEwen Copper

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Stellantis (NYSE: STLA) announced today in Amsterdam a $155 million investment in EV batteries by acquiring a 14.2% equity stake in McEwen Copper*, a subsidiary of Canadian mining company McEwen Mining. McEwen owns the Los Azules project in Argentina and the Elder Creek project in Nevada, US. With this investment, Stellantis will become McEwen Copper’s second largest shareholder, along with Rio Tinto, through its copper leaching technology venture, Nuton. Los Azules plans to produce 100,000 tons per year of cathode copper at 99.9% purity starting in 2027. The resources can secure the operation for at least 33 years, Stellantis said.

“Stellantis intends to lead the industry with the commitment to be carbon net zero by 2038 – a goal that requires innovation and a complete redefinition of the entire business,” said Carlos Tavares, Stellantis CEO. “We are taking important steps in Argentina and Brazil, with the aim of decarbonizing mobility and ensuring strategic supplies of raw materials necessary for the success of the Company’s global electrification plans.” Continue reading →

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Hyundai Recalls Genesis Models Again for Seat Belt Shrapnel

Posted on 27 February 2023 by Ken Zino

Hyundai Motor America is recalling more than 65,000 2020-2023 Genesis vehicles because the front driver-side and/or passenger-side seat belt pretensioners may explode upon deployment. Affected models are 2020-2023 Genesis GV80, 2021-2023 Genesis G80, 2022-2023 Genesis GV70, and 2023 Genesis GV60, according to a NHTSA filing just made public. Vehicles previously repaired under recall 21V-796 will need to have the new repair completed. (autoinformed.com: Hyundai, Kia Recall 2022 Seat Belts for Shrapnel Explosions; Hyundai Expands Seat Belt Shrapnel Recall)

All owners of the subject vehicles will be notified by first class mail with instructions to bring their vehicles to a Genesis dealer to have the seat belt pretensioner’s micro gas generator and delivery pipe secured with a cap to prevent potential abnormal deployment. The repair is free of charge as required by Federal regulations. Continue reading →

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Ford Motor Recalls 2023 Model Year F-150 Air Bags

Posted on 27 February 2023 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company is recalling 2023  model-year F-150 vehicles because the instrument panel top cover on the passenger-side may prevent the air bag from deploying as intended. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, “Occupant Crash Protection,” according to a filing just make public by the National Highway Traffic Safety administration. (Autoinformed.com on: Multiple Ford Motor Recalls for Rollaway Safety Defects)

The “non-conforming instrument panel toppers” were built by Faurecia Interior Systems in Michigan with either an injection molded substrate that was manufactured with contaminated resin or with a skin cover extruded with contaminated colorant material.
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Brooklands Winning 100-year-old Bentley to be Auctioned

Posted on 27 February 2023 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Brooklands Winning 100-year-old Bentley to be Auctioned

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A 1923 vintage, race winning Bentley 3-Litre with continuous vehicle history from new, and a current sixty-year ownership, is going under the hammer at H&H’s auction on 15 March at the Imperial War Museum, Duxford UK with an estimated value of £140,000 – £180,000.

The Bentley 3-Litre 90, chassis number 110, spent the first part of its life racing at Brooklands, picking up a win in a 90mph Long Handicap recording two laps at 92.23mph. It also went on to claim a third-place finish at the 35th 100 mph Short Handicap in the hands of Captain Cecil Wingfield Twisleton-Wykeham Fiennes – relative of explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes and actor Ralph Fiennes. Continue reading →

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EVs – Honda, Ascend to Buy Recycled Nickel, Cobalt, Lithium

Posted on 27 February 2023 by Ken Zino

Honda Motor Company in Tokyo  today said that it has reached a basic agreement with Ascend Elements* to work toward the stable procurement of resources from recycled lithium-ion batteries in North America for Honda electrified vehicles.

Through this collaboration, Honda will seek to acquire a consistent supply of nickel, cobalt and lithium that Ascend Elements reclaims from recycled lithium-ion batteries. Honda will then use these materials in its battery supply chain. Continue reading →

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Nissan Testing Heavy-Duty EV Trucks for Vehicle Deliveries

Posted on 24 February 2023 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Nissan Testing Heavy-Duty EV Trucks for Vehicle Deliveries

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Nissan said today that it is now using two battery electric vehicle (BEV) heavy-duty, Class 8 trucks to deliver new vehicles from the Port of Los Angeles to dealerships in the Los Angeles region. Two manufacturers of electric heavy-duty trucks, Nikola and Kenworth, will provide trucks to pull traditional car haulers. The program is being conducted in collaboration with logistics partner Avant-Garde Auto Logistics  based in Smyrna, Tennessee. Nissan collaborated with current logistics partner Wallenius Wilhelmsen to install a charging equipment to support the trucks operating from the Port of Los Angeles. (autoinformed.com on: Nissan and Wallbox to Offer Home EV Charging)

“Exploring the use of BEV trucks for new vehicle delivery is an important milestone in our journey toward carbon neutrality throughout our business,” said Chris Styles, vice president, Supply Chain Management, Nissan North America. “By being an early adopter of this technology, we’re showcasing our innovative spirit and positioning ourselves to meet our long-term goals for zero-tailpipe-emission transportation.” Continue reading →

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Recession? US Consumer Auto Spending at Record Levels

Posted on 24 February 2023 by Ken Zino
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New-vehicle sales in the US for February, including retail and non-retail transactions, are projected to reach 1,117,100 units, a 7.2% increase from February 2022, according to a joint forecast from J.D. Power and LMC Automotive* just released. (autoinformed.com on: January US Vehicle Sales Up as Transaction Prices Hit Record)

Retail sales of new vehicles this month are expected to reach 907,900 units, a 0.1% increase from February 2022. New-vehicle transaction prices continue to rise, with the average price reaching a February record of $46,229, a 4.8% increase from a year ago. Consumers are forecast to spend ~$42.0 billion on new vehicles this month—the most ever for the month of February and an increase of 5.0% from February 2022, as the Biden Administration economic recovery continues. Continue reading →

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IIHS Toughens Musts for Top Safety Pick Ratings

Posted on 23 February 2023 by Ken Zino

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety said today that it is strengthening the requirements for its Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick+ awards in 2023 by wanting better side crash protection and improved pedestrian crash prevention systems and eliminating weak headlights from the field of qualifying vehicles. (Award Winners click here)

The biggest change to the criteria for both awards is the replacement of the original IIHS side crash test with the updated evaluation launched in 2021. The updated test involves 82% more energy than the original test. Vehicles must earn an acceptable or good rating to qualify for Top Safety Pick, while a good rating is required for the “plus.” Notably absent from the highest Plus rating are products from what were once called the Detroit Three makers thus far. Continue reading →

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