Shared Fuel Cell Technology – Daimler Truck, Volvo, Toyota

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Shared Fuel Cell Technology - Daimler Truck, Volvo, Toyota

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Daimler Truck AG (Daimler Truck), the Volvo Group (Volvo), cellcentric (sic) and Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) have signed a non-binding agreement to cooperate in the fuel cell system joint venture called cellcentric. The timing is propitious given the Artemis II Orion spacecraft uses hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell systems to generate electricity and potable water for the crew during its 10-day mission that is underway.*

“The three companies intend to collaborate based on an equal shareholding with Toyota as the third joint venture partner to cellcentric.** The combination of the parties’ complementary experience and know-how will support and advance their joint objective to develop, produce and commercialize fuel cell systems for heavy-duty vehicles and other heavy-duty applications with comparable requirements,” the companies said in a joint release. Continue reading

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Lucid Debuts 2027 Gravity Model EV Lineup

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Lucid Debuts 2027 Gravity Model EV Lineup

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Lucid Group (NASDAQ: LCID) this week announced updates and enhancements to the Lucid Gravity model lineup for the 2027 model year along with the Lucid Air sedan. Both models are “soon to be joined by the mid-size Lucid Cosmos and Earth models.”*

“Lucid continues to set the benchmark for what an electric SUV can be – efficient, versatile, and deeply luxurious,” said Erwin Raphael, SVP Revenue at Lucid. “With the 2027 updates, we’ve expanded standard features, simplified choices, and introduced a new Prestige Package that showcases the very best of Lucid design and technology. These enhancements reflect our continued focus on delivering compelling products as Gravity gains momentum in the market.” Continue reading

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April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month

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During 2024, more than 3000 people died in distraction-affected crashes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). This averages ~nine lives lost each day, every day.*

“No one should ever get hurt or lose their life because of a text or a phone call,” said Lorraine Martin, NSC CEO. “By keeping our eyes on the road and our hands on the wheel, we all have the power and responsibility to make our roads safe for everyone. The National Safety Council calls on every driver to travel distraction free – doing so will save lives.”** Continue reading

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Ford GT Mk IV Runs Nordschleife at 6m15.977s

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Ford GT Mk IV Runs Nordschleife at 6m15.977s

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The Ford GT Mk IV (NYSE: F) has set the record as the fastest American OEM around the Nürburgring Nordschleife, Ford Racing said today. It is at the moment the third fastest overall car to ever lap the Nordschleife. The 6:15.977 ET also means that the GT Mk IV, as a track-only vehicle classified in the prototype category, is the fastest car currently available for purchase to lap the Nürburgring Nordschleife. Just bring money –  stacks of it – starting price is ~$1.7 million. There are only 67 examples of the car scheduled for production, ending Gen Three of the Ford GT. A twin-turbo Ford EcoBoost® engine with more than 800 horsepower, coupled with Adaptive Spool Valve (ASV) race suspension from Multimatic, a longer wheelbase, racing gearbox., and a “long tail” carbon-fiber body were the ingredients of the run. The chef – so to speak – at the wheel was Frédéric Vervisch, a factory driver for Ford Racing.

“Driving the Ford GT Mk IV at the Nürburgring is an experience unlike any other,” said Frédéric Vervisch after the run. “The car is an absolute weapon, a true extension of your will. Every input is met with an immediate, precise response. Through the Kesselchen, over the Flugplatz, it just inspires confidence, allowing you to push harder and harder.” Continue reading

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AAA – National Gasoline Prices Hit Four Year High!

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on AAA - National Gasoline Prices Hit Four Year High!

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The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline exceeded $4/gallon this week for the first time since August 2022, according to the latest data published today by AAA.*

Today’s average of $4.08 is ten cents higher than last week and $1.08 higher than a month ago. Crude oil prices have been surging, surpassing $100/barrel, as the conflict in the Middle East continues and the Strait of Hormuz remains closed. In 2022, gas prices remained elevated from March through August, peaking in June when the national average reached a record of $5/gallon for one week,” AAA said.** Continue reading

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Ground Effects Workers – Yet Another UAW Supply Chain Win

Auto supply chain workers have voted to unionize at Ground Effects, the UAW said late yesterday in a  second UAW union organizing victory in two days. Workers at Ground Effects have been organizing since last year. “They began their campaign to form a union due to low pay, overwork, forced overtime, management abuse, and favoritism.,” the UAW said in a release. Workers at Ground Effects won a majority in a National Labor Relations Board election to form a union with the UAW. Ground Effects produces spray-on truck bedliners, in addition to other aftermarket parts.*

“Ground Effects workers just showed what courage and determination can do,” said UAW Region 1D Director Steve Dawes. “These workers stood together and stood strong against the underhanded anti-union tactics coming from the boss and their hired guns. Now, Ground Effects workers will have the right to sit with management as equals and negotiate a contract that gives them the dignity and respect they deserve.”*** Continue reading

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AAA Promoting April as National Car Care Month

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on AAA Promoting April as National Car Care Month

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AAA said today that it is collaborating with industry organizations, including NAPA, the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), and the Auto Care Association to celebrate National Car Care Month this April. It wants to highlight the importance of preventive vehicle maintenance as drivers gear up for spring travel.*

“Car Care Month is a reminder that simple, proactive maintenance can drastically reduce the chance of a breakdown,” said Bryan Sander, AAA Vice President of AAA Automotive. “As we celebrate 50 years of AAA’s Approved Auto Repair (AAR) program, AAA is proud to work alongside trusted repair partners committed to keeping drivers safe on the road.”** Continue reading

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Webasto Detroit – Another UAW Supply Chain Win

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Webasto Detroit - Another UAW Supply Chain Win

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Workers at Webasto Detroit voted 276-133 in a National Labor Relations Board election to form a union. Workers at Webasto Detroit have been organizing for 2.5 years before the election, over concerns about favoritism, bullying by management, overwork, and scheduling issues,” the UAW said in a release. Webasto Detroit produces hard top roofs, primarily for the Ford Bronco.*

“Tonight, I am proud to welcome Webasto Detroit workers to the UAW family. These workers fought for years to form their union and faced another tough fight from the boss in this election. But they believed in one another and never gave up,” said UAW Region 1A Director Mark DePaoli. “Webasto Detroit workers have won a collective voice on the job, and now they’ll begin working to win the fair pay, time off, and safer working conditions they deserve.”** Continue reading

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Subaru Shows 2027 Forester Wilderness Hybrid SUV

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Subaru Shows 2027 Forester Wilderness Hybrid SUV

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Subaru of America (Subaru Corp. NASDAQ: FUJHF) today showed its most efficient model, the 2027 model year Forester Wilderness Hybrid. The newest addition to the Subaru Wilderness line has a fuel-efficient Subaru Hybrid powertrain with what’s claimed to be up to 25% better fuel economy. While Subaru is late to expand in the growing hybrid powertrain segment, it is becoming more aligned with global markets.*

“The Subaru Forester Wilderness Hybrid retains the same 9.3-inch ground clearance, X-MODE® Dual Mode System, Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, upgraded suspension, and all-terrain tires as the non-hybrid model,” Subaru said in a release. Continue reading

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Annals of Marketing – Manual Trans Return to Nissan Z

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Annals of Marketing - Manual Transmissions Return to Nissan Z

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The Nissan (7201T and NSANY ADR) 2027 model year Z and Z NISMO, expected summer 2026, will bring performance and design changes. The Z NISMO will be available with a manual transmission tuned to handle its 420 horsepower and 384 lb. ft. of torque. It also receives front brake rotors derived from the Nissan GT-R.*

“We try to do something every year for the sports cars to keep them relevant and top-of-mind. We love working on these cars for our customers, and it’s a joy for us to continuously improve these things. We’ve been listening to our customers and talking to them. I think we’ve made a substantial improvement. The big thing everyone kept talking about is the desire for a manual transmission option for Z NISMO. It’s now here. Initially we didn’t launch with it because it’s a track-focused car,” said Paul Hawson, director of Advanced Product Planning & Strategy at Nissan North America. Continue reading

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Volvo Cars to Combine Polestar 3 Production in U.S.

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Volvo Cars to Combine Polestar 3 Production in U.S.

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Chinese-owned Volvo Cars (VOLCAR-B.STO)* and Polestar (Nasdaq: PSNY) said today that there are plans to consolidate the production of Polestar 3 cars at Volvo Cars’ US-based car plant in Ridgeville outside Charleston in South Carolina. The Polestar 3 is currently also produced in Chengdu, China.

“The move to consolidate global Polestar 3 production in Charleston help generate efficiencies for both companies, whilst also underscoring our confidence in the plant and the role it plays in our manufacturing footprint,’ said Håkan Samuelsson, chief executive of Volvo Cars. ‘The US is a very important market for Volvo Cars, both to support our growth ambitions as well as a strategic production site to meet regional and export demands.”** Continue reading

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NYAS – Honda To Show Fastport eQuad EV Delivery Van

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on NYAS - Honda To Show Fastport eQuad EV Delivery Van

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Honda Motor Company (7267.T and NYSE: HMC) said today that it will show the all-electric Fastport eQuad EV Hybrid at a press event on 1 April 1 at the  Test Track where the New York Auto Show is held  [Level 1 Javits’s Center -AutoCrat.]* Fastport Chief of Operations Jamie Davies will share updates and lead a walk-around and demonstration of the vehicle.*

“Fastport uses the Honda Mobile Power Pack (MPP) swappable batteries and is a software-defined vehicle (SDV) project. The Fastport eQuad in theory will help address urban congestion and rising consumer demand for faster, more frequent deliveries,” AutoInformed previously noted. Continue reading

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Chinese Owned Volvo Cars to Import Lynk & Co Cars in Europe

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Chinese Owned Volvo Cars to Import Lynk & Co Cars in Europe

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Volvo Cars (VOLCAR-B.STO)* and Geely Auto have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU), for a new commercial partnership with Lynk & Co in Europe, subject to final agreements. The announcement was made in compliance with an EU Market Abuse Regulation (EU nr 596/2014).

“The partnership states Volvo Cars becoming the exclusive importer of Lynk & Co cars in Europe and being responsible for Lynk & Co’s commercial and brand operations in Europe, further supporting the brand’s growth plans in the region. In addition, the commercial partnership aims to increase the sales and servicing business for Volvo Cars’ retailer partners,” Volvo Cars said.** Continue reading

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Ford Recalls for Diesel Pumps, Seat Belts, Rearview Cameras

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is conducting recalls for more than 252,000 vehicles for a variety of safety defects including electrical system programming management and manufacturing assembly errors. The largest involves the loss of the rearview camera image and advanced driver assistance (ADAS) systems, including pre-collision assist, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring on model year 2022-2025 Lincoln Navigator, 2024-2025 Lincoln Nautilus, 2025 Lincoln Aviator and Explorer vehicles.

“The Image Processing Module A (IPMA) may experience a computational overload when tracking a high volume of moving objects in dense vehicle and pedestrian traffic environments. This overload can trigger a module reset; in certain instances, multiple module resets occurring over multiple ignition cycles can lead to a persistent loss of functionality,” Ford said in the mandatory safety defect recall filing made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) this morning. Continue reading

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Milestones – Acura Celebrates 40th Birthday

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Milestones - Acura Celebrates 40th Birthday

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Acura today celebrates 40 years since debuting in America on 27 March, 1986, as the first Japanese luxury car brand. [Infiniti and Lexus appeared in 1989 – AutoCrat.] The debut of the Legend sedan and the more performance oriented Integra were important in the highly profitable luxury car market dominated by the Europeans and what were then known as the Detroit Three.

“As we celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Acura brand, we’re not just honoring our history, we’re accelerating toward a future that will continue to be defined by daring innovation, a deep commitment to Acura customers and our Precision Crafted Performance brand DNA,” said Mike Langel, assistant vice president of Acura National Sales. Continue reading

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