BMW Invests in Rive for Making Interactive Vehicle Apps

Posted on 2 September 2025 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on BMW Invests in Rive for Making Interactive Vehicle Apps

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BMW i Ventures* today announced an investment in Rive, a company working on how teams design and ship user interfaces (UI). BMW claimed Rive has a “growing role in how modern user interfaces are built. Teams are shifting away from static mockups and work-intensive reconstruction in code, toward unified workflows that allow them to design and ship fully interactive content across platforms.” BMW i Ventures joins existing outside investors, including Andreessen Horowitz, Two Sigma, and Duolingo, a mobile learning platform already using Rive to power real-time, interactive experiences.**

“Rive is not only improving design workflows, it’s reshaping how brands build digital experiences and products,” said Kasper Sage, Managing Partner at BMW i Ventures. The BMW Group’s design department immediately recognized the potential. “By merging design and development into a unified workflow, Rive unlocks faster time to market, higher-quality User Interfaces, and frees up valuable developer time, reducing cost. We believe this sets a new standard for the next generation of interactive design.” Continue reading →

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Prepare for Child Passenger Safety Week 2025

Posted on 2 September 2025 by Ken Zino
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Child Passenger Safety Week 2025 will be held from September 21-27 this year. It’s a significant week for those who care for children and have them in a vehicle at any time. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) notes for every day in 2023, on average, two children under 14 were killed and 345 were injured in traffic crashes while riding in passenger vehicles. During 2023, 43% of children killed in car crashes were unrestrained.

“It’s important to make sure your child is in the right seat for their age and size – and that the seat is installed correctly,” NHTSA said. Continue reading →

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More Ford Motor Recalls – Air Bags, Brakes, Instrument Panels, Tail Lights, Trailer Lights

Posted on 1 September 2025 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor (NYSE: F) is recalling ~1,592,809 vehicles for a variety of safety defects on Lincoln MKX and Aviator, Ford Edge, Explorer and Mustang models, according to documents made public by The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on Labor Day. During the first half of 2025 Ford Motor booked a $1.3 billion loss from repairs of vehicles under warranty, cancellation of plans to build an electric sport utility vehicle and other one-time costs. Ford is operating under a consent order from NHTSA because of its handing of recalls. The largest current recall covers leaking brake hoses made in Mexico.

“The root cause of rear brake hose leaks has not been fully determined to date,” Ford told NHTSA in the mandatory safety defect recall filing. “Ford observed a significantly reduced rate of repair after the introduction of a robustness improvement change to the hose’s inner and outer braid material from Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) to Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) in December 2017. The driver may notice a change to the brake pedal feel and travel. The red brake fluid warning indicator light will illuminate if the brake fluid level in the master cylinder reservoir reaches a specified level,” Ford told NHTSA in the mandatory safety defect recall filing.  Continue reading →

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Genesis Adds In-App EV Charging, and Plug And Charge

Posted on 29 August 2025 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Genesis Adds In-App EV Charging, and Plug And Charge

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Genesis today announced the availability of two new charging features for public charging. Along with the Genesis Home marketplace, these intuitive public charging features give owners increased flexibility and new options on charging. The announcement arrives in the midst of the Trump Administration’s war on EVs, imported cars and incentives for clean transportation.

“With the introduction of in-app charging and plug and charge, we are making it even easier for customers to recharge their electric vehicles while on the go,” said Tedros Mengiste, chief operating officer of Genesis Motor North America. “These new features reinforce our commitment to an elevated ownership experience for every customer.” Continue reading →

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Annals of Marketing – Aston Martin F1 Safety Car

Posted on 29 August 2025 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Annals of Marketing – Aston Martin F1 Safety Car

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Aston Martin said today that it is “increasing the intensity at the front of the F1® grid as the new Vantage S becomes an Official FIA Safety Car of Formula 1®” This latest addition to Aston Martin’s line of high-performance ‘S’ models. The Aston Martin Vantage S is painted in the same Podium Green as the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One® Team cars.

“Vantage S represents the peak of performance for the model that is the beating heart of the Aston Martin brand. With increased power and even greater dynamic prowess, this car was destined to take on the prestigious role as an F1® Safety Car and it will be a source of great pride for our colleagues and our customers to see it leading the pack whenever it is called upon. In terms of brand awareness, nothing can compete with Formula 1® and we are proud to play our part in what we believe is the greatest show on earth,” said Alex Long, Global Marketing Director at Aston Martin. Continue reading →

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Oscar Piastri to Auction Race-Used Helmet For Charity

Posted on 28 August 2025 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Oscar Piastri to Auction Race-Used Helmet For Children’s Cancer

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McLaren F1 driver Oscar Piastri is collaborating with F1® Authentics, the official home of F1® memorabilia, on a special auction lot, in support of My Room Children’s Cancer Charity.* The F1® driver has signed and donated his official race worn helmet from the 2024 Bahrain Grand Prix, with all proceeds provided to the charity from his native Australia. The rare helmet will be a headlining item in F1® Authentics’ Austin GP Auction and is one of only a handful ever made available for purchase. Oscar Piastri or Lando Norris, also at McLaren, are the top two and only contenders for the driver’s title this year. (See AutoInformed.com on Piastri here: IndyCar – Palou 8 wins for 14 Taking Grand Prix of Monterey)

“It’s a pleasure to donate my 2024 Bahrain GP race helmet from my personal collection to raise funds for My Room, the children’s cancer charity in Australia, that I am a proud ambassador for. I hope that it will prove a popular item and a significant sum can be generated to go directly towards the tremendous work that My Room does, supporting children and their families in any way they can. My thanks go to F1 Authentics for their support with all the organization and I can’t wait for the auction to go live on the 7th of October,” Oscar Piastri said. Continue reading →

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Ford BlueOval SK Workers Vote to Join UAW

Posted on 28 August 2025 by Ken Zino

Last night BlueOval SK workers won a majority of votes in an NLRB election to unionize their joint venture Ford plant in Glendale called BlueOval SK.* This is a major step forward for workers who stood up against intense company opposition and chose to join the UAW, the UAW said in a statement.

“There are 41 challenge ballots still outstanding. We believe they are illegitimate and represent nothing more than an employer tactic to flood the unit and undermine the outcome. We will fight these challenges to defend the democratic choices of these workers, as we always do when corporations try to interfere with workers’ democratic choice. The challenged ballots are not part of the group of workers who built their union from the bottom up. They deserve to have their own union, in an appropriate bargaining unit with a representative of their own choosing,” the UAW said. Continue reading →

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Ford Charge Launches at 320 Dealerships

Posted on 28 August 2025 by Ken Zino
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Ford Motor (NYSE: F) said today in a confusingly muddled concoction of press release and social media post that “Ford Charge Launches at 320 Ford Dealerships Nationwide.”

“When my great-grandparents Rocco and Emanuela Grappone opened their Gulf gas station in Concord, New Hampshire, in 1924 with just one gas pump, they saw an opportunity to support their family by becoming part of the leap forward sweeping the country and experiencing the freedom that comes with owning a car,” said Amanda Grappone Osmer the Dealer Principal of John Grappone Ford in Bow, New Hampshire.* Continue reading →

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Volvo Cars Selling New XC70 PHEV in China

Posted on 27 August 2025 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Volvo Cars Selling New XC70 PHEV in China

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The new Volvo (VOLCAR-B.STO)* XC70 SUV is Volvo Cars’ first long-range plug-in hybrid with an all-electric driving range of more than 200km (~124 miles) based on the CLTC testing cycle . This is the longest of any Volvo plug-in hybrid to date. No surprise that given its Chinese ownership customers can now pre-order the SUV in China. Yes, China – Europe, North America, and Scandinavia can wait. Volvo Cars said today it plans to bring the car to Europe at some later unspecified time.

“The new XC70 is a very attractive choice for customers who want the benefits of electric driving but are not yet ready to go fully electric,” said Håkan Samuelsson, president and chief executive of Volvo Cars. “It is a cornerstone of our electrified product portfolio, a bridge to fully electric cars for our customers, and it will strengthen our presence in the world’s largest car market.”** Continue reading →

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Dedicated IndyCar Game Coming from iRacing Studios

Posted on 26 August 2025 by Ken Zino
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IndyCar and iRacing.com Motorsport Simulations today announced a long-term licensing agreement for iRacing Studios to produce standalone IndyCar titles for consoles and PCs. As part of the agreement, iRacing Studios will release an IndyCar title for PlayStation, Xbox, and Steam in the second half of 2026. The new product will mark the first dedicated IndyCar game in more than two decades.

“IndyCar fans have long been clamoring for a standalone title for consoles, and we’re excited to give them what they’re looking for in 2026,” said Tony Gardner, president, iRacing.com Motorsport Simulations. “iRacing Studios’ standalone IndyCar title will offer all the excitement of the NTT IndyCar series and an immersive experience that fans of all ages can enjoy. We are already very excited about how the game is coming together.” Continue reading →

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Formula One – Bottas and Perez to Drive for Cadillac

Posted on 26 August 2025 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Formula One – Bottas and Perez to Drive for Cadillac

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The Cadillac Formula 1® Team today announced the signing of two experienced  drivers – 10-time Grand Prix winner Valtteri Bottas* and six-time Grand Prix winner Sergio “Checo” Perez** – to lead the team during its debut season in Formula 1® in 2026. Thus, a Finn and a Mexican will race for the American brand Cadillac next year. The nascent team will operate out of three places: Fishers, Indiana; Charlotte, North Carolina; and Silverstone, UK. Clearly experience is key here: Bottas with his Mercedes background as a driver during the Lewis Hamilton glory years; Perez was a driver at Red Bull team when Verstappen ruled. ***

“Signing two very experienced racers like Bottas and Checo is a bold signal of intent,” claimed Team Principal Graeme Lowdon. “They’ve seen it all and they know what it takes to succeed in Formula 1®. But more importantly, they understand what it means to help build a team. Their leadership, feedback, race-hardened instincts and of course their speed will be invaluable as we bring this team to life.” Continue reading →

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Jeep Wrangler Recall for Tire Pressure Monitoring System

Posted on 25 August 2025 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Jeep Wrangler Recall for Tire Pressure Monitoring System

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Chrysler (FCA US, now Stellantis) is recalling ~78,989 2024-2025 model-year Jeep Wrangler vehicles. The remote start antenna cable may be pinched, which can cause the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) warning light not to illuminate as intended. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 138 “Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems,” according to documents released today by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

“This recall is not related to a part defect but rather an assembly issue where the remote start antenna cable can become pinched under the seat belt bracket. The remedy is to inspect if the remote start antenna cable is pinched by the seat belt bracket and replace if so,” Chrysler told NHTSA in the mandatory safety defect recall filing. Continue reading →

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Tailgate Gas Spring Failures – Mitsubishi Salt Belt Recall

Posted on 25 August 2025 by Ken Zino

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling ~91697 model-year 2018-2022 Outlander PHEV and 2014-2020 Outlander SUVs is some so-called U.S. Salt Belt areas,* according to documents releases today by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Critics of such limited recalls maintain that it leaves potentially defective pasts in use. 

“Salt water could penetrate and accumulate within the dust cap of the tailgate gas spring, which contains high pressure gas, leading to corrosion of the cylinder, which could become significant over time, causing the gas spring to rapidly lose pressure. potentially causing the lift gate to fall unexpectedly or causing the tailgate gas spring cylinder to rupture.” MMNA told NHTSA in the required safety defect recall document (49 CFR § 573). Continue reading →

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No Steering – Mercedes-Benz Recalls EQE and GLC Models

Posted on 25 August 2025 by Ken Zino

Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) is recalling ~3749 model year 2023-2026 vehicles, according to documents made public today by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The recall involves a flat head screw and a hexagon nut.

“The steering coupling bolt may have been improperly tightened, allowing the steering coupling to loosen from the steering rack,” MBUSA told NHTSA in the required safety defect recall filing. “In this case, the connection between the steering coupling and steering rack might loosen over time. Such an occurrence could result in a loss of steering control and may increase the risk of crash,” Mercedes said. Continue reading →

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Ram Recall for Wrong Instrument Panel

Posted on 25 August 2025 by Ken Zino

Chrysler (FCA US or Stellantis) is recalling ~2885 model-year 2026 Ram 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 2500, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. The instrument panel may display an incorrect brake system warning light. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, Control and Displays. Vehicles built with instrument panels that display the incorrect brake system warning light may cause the driver to not understand that a brake system problem potentially exists, which may cause a vehicle crash without prior warning.

“Some 2026 vehicles may have been built with the incorrect 3.5-inch Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) which displays the ISO symbol brake system warning light instead of “BRAKE” light,” Chrysler said in the mandatory filing made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) this morning. The panels were built by Marelli North America. Continue reading →

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