FHWA Large Bridge Project Grants Underway

The US Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) today announced the first round of Large Bridge Project Grants from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s competitive Bridge Investment Program.

This program is part of the Administration’s largest dedicated investment in highway bridges since the construction of the Interstate highway system. Almost $40 billion projected to be spent over five years that will help repair or rebuild ten of the most economically significant bridges in the country. Thousands of other bridges across the country are covered by the program as well. Continue reading

Posted in news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

GE Engineer Sentenced for Economic Espionage Conspiracy

A New York man was sentenced today to 24 months in prison for conspiring to steal General Electric (GE) trade secrets, knowing or intending to benefit the People’s Republic of China (PRC). Xiaoqing Zheng, 59, of Niskayuna, New York, was convicted of conspiracy to commit economic espionage, following a four-week jury trial that ended on March 31, 2022. US District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino also sentenced Zheng to pay a $7500 fine and serve one year of post-imprisonment supervised release.

“This is a case of textbook economic espionage. Zheng exploited his position of trust, betrayed his employer and conspired with the government of China to steal innovative American technology,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “The Justice Department will hold accountable those who threaten our national security by conniving to steal valuable trade secrets on behalf of a foreign power.”  Continue reading

Posted in aviation, litigation | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Ford Claims F-Series Retains Title of Best-Selling Truck in 2022

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Milestones - Production Begins for F-150 Lightning EV. Photo courtesy of and copyright Ford Motor.

Click for more information.

F-series will surpass 640,000 trucks in 2022, making it America’s best-selling truck for 46 consecutive years and America’s best-selling vehicle for 41years after selling an average of at least one F-Series Truck every 49 seconds last year, Ford Motor (NYSE: F) said today. The lineup is impressive – F-150 to F-550 chassis cab, entry level XL to well-equipped Limited, EcoBoost to the all-electric F-150 Lightning.

However, since Ford’s Edsel and Mercury brands are long gone and Lincoln is not in this segment, there is room to debate that General Motors with its Chevrolet, GMC and Hummer pickup lines might sell a greater number of pickups when final sales numbers are in. This also means that Ford Maverick, Ranger, F-150, Super Duty all the way up to F-750 should also be included in the competitive tally for Number One . Continue reading

Posted in marketing, sales | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

US Construction Spending For November 2022 Flat

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on US Construction Spending For November 2022 Flat

Click for more information.

US construction spending during November 2022 was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1,807.5 billion, 0.2 percent (±0.8 percent)* above the revised October estimate of $1,803.2 billion. The November figure is 8.5 percent (±1.3 percent) above the November 2021 estimate of $1,665.2 billion. During the first eleven months of this year, construction spending amounted to $1,657.6 billion, 10.5 percent (±1.0 percent) above the $1,499.8 billion for the same period in 2021, the United States Census Bureau said today (3 Jan 2023).

Construction, aside from being an indicator of the overall health of the US economy, is particularly important to automakers with a substantial stake in the highly profitable pickup truck segments at the Detroit Three – General Motors with Chevrolet and GMC; FCA with Ram; and Ford Motor with F-series. While the Biden administration recovery is continuing, The Federal Reserve interest hikes appear likely to send the US economy into an unneeded and unwanted recession. Continue reading

Posted in economy, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Mercedes-Benz USA Recalls Sunroofs for Flying Off

Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) is recalling 2001-2011 C-Class, CLK, E-Class, and CLS vehicles because the glass sunroof panel may not be properly secured and may detach. This latest recall of a previous recall goes back to December 2017, when Mercedes Benz in Germany launched initial investigations based on what it said were isolated field reports from outside the US claiming that the sliding roof panel detached from vehicles. No damage or injuries were reported as a result of these unsafe incidents.

However, the sliding roof assemblies of the affected vehicles were requested and returned by individual markets, including the US. The returned parts were analyzed by the supplier and an external laboratory. Continue reading

Posted in customer satisfaction, recalls | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Significant 2022 Automotive Stories and Trends

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on State of the Union and the Auto Industry - significant stories and trends of 2022. Photo courtesy of the White House.

Click for more information.

AutoInformed once again notes, humbly and wryly, that its vision is mostly clear on the significance of long past occurrences. Nonetheless, with each passing year we still pause and attempt to bring insight into events of the time. When we get it right, our perspective observes that we are what we were, but that is only a partial influence amidst the chaos of the American present and our aspirations of becoming a more useful part of our society comprised of “We the People.” This American can-do spirit provides glimpses of optimism through the darkness and shadows that are obscuring a better tomorrow where mobility in all its forms remains key.

With that in mind, here’s our latest takes on the 2022 annum of automobility, from autonomous and electric vehicles needed to foil planet-killing global warming, to driving-caused deaths, to trade, tariffs, allies and, alas, the still ongoing threats from American fascism and racism that are opposing our collective growth. We undertake this with an awareness that AutoInformed conducts its education in public with our deficiencies apparent. We begin our annual taking stock with comments on significant automotive stories of 2022 as we look to endure another year of plagues – covid variants, political insurrections, social unrest and others unknown but still to come. Continue reading

Posted in autonomous vehicles, economy, environment, global warming, news analysis, transportation | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

US Recovering from Covid. Greenhouse Gasses a Problem

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on BTS - US Recovering from Covid. Greenhouse Gas Emissions a Problem

Click for more information.

The Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) released today the 28th edition of the Transportation Statistical Annual Report or TSAR.* Covered in the TSAR by legislative mandate are the State of the System; Passenger Travel and Equity; Freight and Supply Chain; Transportation Economics; Transportation Safety; Energy and Sustainability.

Transportation accounted for 8.4% of the US gross domestic product in 2021, up from 7.7% in 2020, but down from 9.1% percent in 2019. During 2021, the wholesale and retail trade sector continued to require more transportation services than any other sector to produce one dollar of gross output. Continue reading

Posted in economy, electric vehicles, energy, environment | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Drowning Risk – Body Glove Tandem Inflatable Paddle Boards

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Drowning Risk - Body Glove Tandem Inflatable Paddle Boards. Photo courtesy of Surf 9

Click for more information.

Surf 9 is recalling  Body Glove Tandem and ULI Inflatable Paddle Boards because of a drowning risk. The paddle boards were sold exclusively at Costco (Costco item# 2622049), The US Consumer Product Safety Commission said today in a release.

Users should immediately stop using the inflatable paddle-board and return to a Costco warehouse to obtain a full refund. About 12,000 units of the affected product in the US and 7,200 were in Canada are involved:  Sold from December 2021 to July 2022 in the United States and March 2022 to July 2022 in Canada. Surf9  has received 0 reports of injuries in Canada or the United States. Continue reading

Posted in customer satisfaction, manufacturing, quality, recalls, transportation | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Japanese Global Sales Weak in November. China is a Disaster

The global sales results of major Japanese automakers just released for November 2022 show weakness and an uncertain outlook for 2023. The world’s largest car market, China, as well Putin’s war against Ukraine are major culprits. Add in economically destructive monetary policy and it is our view that there are significant clouds with a chance of thunderstorms on the horizon for 2023. However, Toyota Motor is showing resilience to the sales flu thus far as winter sets in. 

It looks like a continuing trend of recent negative developments as November’s Global Light Vehicle (LV) selling rate eased back to 84 million units/year from October’s revised 85 million units/year, according to data and analysis by the LMC Automotive* consultancy more than a week ago. See AutoInformed.com on November Global Light Vehicle Selling Rate Lessens. Continue reading

Posted in economy, manufacturing, marketing, news analysis | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Wayne Taylor Racing, Andretti Autosport Ink 2023 IMSA Deal

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Wayne Taylor Racing, Andretti Autosport Ink 2023 IMSA Deal. Photo courtesy of and copyright WTR.

Click for more information.

Andretti Autosport* and Wayne Taylor Racing** announced a new, long-term partnership today that will see the championship-contending and winning teams combine to run in IMSA’s top classes.

Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti Autosport’s No. 10 Konica Minolta Acura ARX-06 and its No. 93 Harrison Contracting Company Acura NSX Evo22 will make their official debut at the 2023 Roar Before the Rolex 24 and will be on the grid for the Rolex 24 at Daytona. The newly formed team will also compete in the Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America series. For 2023, Andretti will continue to operate in IMSA’s LMP3 category with Jarett Andretti. Continue reading

Posted in racing | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Political Climate Change – Man Sentenced in Foiled Michigan Governor Kidnapping Conspiracy

As the Department of Justice is weighing whether to indict Donald J. Trump on Conspiracy to Defraud the United State, and aiding an insurrection – an effort to hold Trump directly accountable for his supporters who stormed the Capitol – it is moving ahead by bringing others to account for domestic terrorism. A Michigan man was sentenced today to 16 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release for conspiracy to kidnap the Governor of Michigan and conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction against persons or property.

A jury in an earlier trial was unable to reach a verdict. In my view, things have changed significantly in many people’s minds about the Big Lie and the associated, often violent, assaults against institutions and people as the January 6 Committee during the past year presented its devastating case of what went on and who was part of it. Call it a national warming toward protecting our Democracy after the melting of the last Republican ice age.  National security is also a critical issue in Trump’s case with his unexplained stolen documents. (See: The Hustings) Continue reading

Posted in AutoInformed Editorial, fools 'n frauds, news analysis, people | 1 Comment

Budget Changes EV Rental Terms. Singles out Tesla

Budget Rent A Car System as part of its new amendments to its rental car agreement terms released today, revised a section on Electric Vehicles with specifics added for Tesla. As such it is likely to be similar to other rental car company EV agreements as EV use grows. Hertz said in September it is investing to create the largest rental fleet of EVs in North America, with tens of thousands of EVs available for rent at 500 Hertz locations across 38 states. The company’s current goal is for one-quarter of its fleet to be electric by the end of 2024. (Autoinformed.com: Hertz and GM Plot Major EV Rental Expansion)

“This EV Amendment simultaneously amends the terms of your rental from Budget with respect to the terms herein only. All other terms of your rental remain in full force and effect. In the event of any conflict between the terms of this EV Amendment and your other rental terms, the terms of this EV Amendment shall govern,” Budget said. In other words EVs are singled out. 
Continue reading

Posted in customer satisfaction, electric vehicles, news analysis | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

More Fuel Cell Vehicles from CJPT

Commercial Japan Partnership Technologies Corporation (CJPT) said today in Japan that it is has entered a partnership agreement that includes jointly implementing initiatives to expand the adoption of fuel cell electric vehicles in the logistics industry, public transportation, and government use.

“The aim is to advance the development of a hydrogen society to achieve carbon neutrality.” Hydrogen is a key technology for carbon neutrality in the Japanese national government’s Green Growth Strategy. (AutoInformed.com: CJPT expels Hino over Emission Data Certification Fraud) Continue reading

Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, autonomous vehicles, economy, environment, fuel economy or emissions, global warming, milestones | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Chevrolet Bolt EVs Recalled for Fires

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Chevrolet Bolt EVs Recalled for Fires

Click for more information.

General Motors is recalling 2017-2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV vehicles because after a crash with seat belt pretensioner deployment, the pretensioner exhaust may ignite carpet fibers near the B-pillar.

More than 111,000 Bolt EVs are being recalled for repairs because of an incident in Korea. GM said that the estimated percentage of Bolt’s with the defect is 1%. Continue reading

Posted in customer satisfaction, quality, recalls | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ford Motor Recalls Bronco and E-Series Vehicles

Ford Motor Company is recalling some 2021-2022 Bronco vehicles. The right or left side impact sensors may not be properly secured to the vehicle. Ford is also recalling 2022-2023 E-350, E-450, and 2021-2022 F-59 vehicles used as buses. The paint along the weld seam of the fuel tank may peel and lead to corrosion of the exposed metal, which can result in a fuel leak.

Both of the latest recalls were made public this morning by The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Continue reading

Posted in customer satisfaction, quality, recalls | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment