Japan: Research Association of Biomass Innovation for Next Gen Fuels

Posted on 20 July 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Japan: Research Association of Biomass Innovation for Next Gen Fuels

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In a release this morning from Japan, Toyota Motor said it is part of  a newly formed “Research Association of Biomass Innovation for Next Generation Automobile Fuels.”

The goal is for bio-ethanol fuel production to achieve carbon neutral society. ENEOS Corporation, Suzuki Motor Corporation, Subaru Corporation, Daihatsu Motor Co. Ltd, Toyota Motor Corporation and Toyota Tsusho Corporation have established next gen auto fuels group on July 1, 2022 to study ways to optimize the process of producing fuel.
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All Porsche Taycan EVs Can be Upgraded to 2023 Specs

Posted on 20 July 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on All Porsche Taycan EVs Can be Upgraded to 2023 Specs

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Porsche has announced that virtually all of ~75,000 examples of the Taycan have been delivered since Porsche introduced its first all-electric sports car at the end of 2019 can be upgraded to 2023 specs.

“Regardless of vehicle age, engine and body, all model variants can be brought up to the status of the 2023 model year with a software update. The update will be implemented on a market-specific basis,” Porsche said. Internally, Porsche refers to this as the ‘uPdate,’ because the 2023 model year, which started in July 2022, bears the letter ‘P’.

In AutoInformed’s view, this is a significant example of the potential benefits of connected vehicles; benefits that in some cases are ahead of federal or state regulations, which do not accommodate them. 
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VW Group Changes EV Strategy, Leadership in North America

Posted on 19 July 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on VW Group Changes EV Strategy and Leadership in North America

Pablo Di Si, left, and Scott Keogh.

The Volkswagen Group today announced a new strategy and leadership for its North American Region. Pablo Di Si, Executive Chairman of Volkswagen South American Region,  is appointed President and CEO of Volkswagen Group of America, and CEO of Volkswagen North American Region. Scott Keogh, President and CEO of Volkswagen Group of America, and CEO of Volkswagen North American Region, will become President and CEO of a newly established company dubbed Scout. The changes will take effect 1 September.

Scout will launch all-electric pick-up trucks and SUVs in the U.S. market. Volkswagen, of course, has been haunted for years by its deliberate cheating on deadly diesel emissions levels by using defeat software on EPA compliance tests that made the diesels look compliant when they were far from it*. VW did not say anything about the name Scout, of International Harvester fame, the name it acquired as part another business deal back in 2021.**
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Hyundai Motor and Safran MoU on Advanced Air Mobility

Posted on 19 July 2022 by Ken Zino

Hyundai Motor Group and Safran* today signed a Memorandum of Understanding “to explore and identify possible opportunities in Advanced Air Mobility,” the companies said at the Farnborough air show in the UK.

The major air industry event occurred as sweltering temperatures continued to assault people globally. It is perhaps ironic that Farnborough, founded in Saxon times, is mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086. Continue reading →

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IMSA LMDh: Cadillac and Porsche Testing Together

Posted on 19 July 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on IMSA LMDh: Cadillac and Porsche Testing Together

The first race is in late January 2023 at Daytona International Speedway.

Cadillac Racing drivers Sebastien Bourdais, Renger van der Zande, Earl Bamber and Alex Lynn participated in five days of testing last week at Sebring International Raceway in Florida, which followed the initial July 7-8 shakedown.

The all-new Cadillac 5.5-liter DOHC V8 engine developed by GM’s Performance and Racing propulsion team based in Pontiac, Michigan, is paired to the LMDh common or shared  hybrid system. The new race car was co-developed by Cadillac Design, Cadillac Racing and chassis constructor Dallara.
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Detroit Auto Show Links with Wayne State University in 2022

Posted on 19 July 2022 by Ken Zino

The North American International Auto Show today announced a partnership with Wayne State University. WSU students will be conducting a demographic study for the revised event, commonly known as the Detroit Auto Show, as a student project. The University’s Mike Ilitch School of Business is also planning to host a series of panel discussions regarding diversity and the future of mobility during Public Days.

“Students will be directly engaged with the show, managing and completing a demographic study of the various audiences that the show attracts. We are also delighted that the Mike Ilitch School of Business is hosting a mobility conference in association with the Public Show,” said Rod Alberts, Executive Director of the Detroit Auto Show.
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Tilt! Stellantis and GAC to Stop Jeep China JV

Posted on 18 July 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Tilt! Stellantis and GAC to Stop Jeep China JV

A Chinese JV runs out of charge.

Stellantis, the mega-merger between FCA and PSA, said today that the “lack of progress in the previously announced plan for Stellantis to take a majority share in their joint venture” has resulted in the GAC Group and Stellantis to start figure out how to terminate the joint-venture that produces and distributes Jeep products in China.

Stellantis and GAC will proceed to an “orderly termination of local Jeep production, while Stellantis will recognize a non-cash impairment charge of approximately €297 million in first half 2022 results.” (AutoInformed.com: Chinese GAC Group to Build Jeep Models in China) Continue reading →

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Ford HEV Fire Recalls: Escape, Maverick, Lincoln Corsair

Posted on 18 July 2022 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company is recalling 2020-2022 Escape, 2021-2022 Lincoln Corsair and 2022 Maverick vehicles equipped with the 2.5-liter HEV or PHEV engines for fires. In the event of an engine failure, engine oil and fuel vapor may be released into the engine compartment and accumulate near ignition sources such as hot engine or exhaust components, possibly resulting in an engine compartment fire. More than 100,000 of the compact SUVs are affected.*

Owners are advised to park and shut off the engine as quickly as possible if they hear unexpected engine noises, notice a reduction in vehicle power, or see smoke. Owners will be notified by mail and instructed to take their vehicle to a Ford or Lincoln dealer to have the Under-Engine shield and Active Grille-Shutter modified. Continue reading →

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First Look – Toyota Crown Returns to the US

Posted on 15 July 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on First Look: Toyota Crown Returns to the US

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Toyota has unveiled a full-size sedan, the 2023 Crown*, that it claims will deliver an “intuitive driving experience.” Marketing babble aside, this new premium sedan on paper offers acceleration and comfort in a new design. It is the first Toyota sedan to offer the HYBRID MAX**System, Toyota’s performance hybrid.

Available in three grades: XLE, Limited and Platinum, Toyota Crown will offer a choice of two different hybrid powertrains: HYBRID MAX or the fourth generation Toyota Hybrid System*** (THS). The HYBRID MAX powertrain, exclusive to the Platinum grade, is Toyota’s latest performance hybrid that puts out a manufacturer estimated 340 net horsepower.
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IIHS Wants Speed limiters on Trucks: ’bout time!

Posted on 15 July 2022 by Ken Zino

The federal government should expedite plans to require speed limiters on large trucks and extend the requirement to medium-duty trucks, IIHS said in a recent regulatory comment that was posted today. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is considering a proposal to require devices that limit the top speed on commercial vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating over 26,000 pounds. A specific top speed would be determined later in the rulemaking process.

Why this is creeping at an idle rate in the bureaucracy is inexplicable because excessive speed was a factor in about one-third of all US crash deaths during 2020. FMCSA began discussing speed limiters more than a decade ago. (Read AutoInformed on: Covid Lock-downs Caused Ongoing Speeding, Risky Driving) Continue reading →

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Porsche Sales Drop -5% at 146K Through Q2 of 2022

Posted on 15 July 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Porsche Sales Drop -5% at 146,000 through Q2 of 2022

Cayenne (right) remains the most popular Porsche.

Today Porsche said that during the first half of 2022 it delivered 145,860 vehicles to customers, a decline of 5% compared to the prior year. Market conditions were varied and the delivery figures for the different regions and markets were mixed.

In Europe, Porsche deliveries rose to 43,087 – a year-on-year increase of 7% over what was a strong prior half year. In China, Porsche only delivered 40,681 vehicles to customers with  months-long lock-downs in some cities. The decline in deliveries over the first half-year amounted to a -16% drop compared to previous year. Continue reading →

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Electric Vehicle Shoppers Unhappy with Makers’ Websites

Posted on 14 July 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Electric Vehicle Shoppers Unhappy with Makers’ Websites

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Overall website satisfaction declined among battery-electric vehicle shoppers J.D. Power said today. Fast-loading technical specifications, comparison tools and payment/lease calculators are having a big effect on satisfaction among online shoppers, specifically those researching battery electric vehicles (BEVs), according to the J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Manufacturer Website Evaluation Study,SM  – Summer.*

The study also shows an increase in satisfaction when shoppers engage with manufacturer website tools, though BEV shoppers are still less satisfied than non-BEV shoppers. This “wave” (latest research) finds overall satisfaction averages 711 on a 1000-point scale for the premium segment and 705 for the mass market segment, down 13 and 6 points, respectively, from the previous wave.
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June Global Light Vehicle Sales Still Lag 2021

Posted on 14 July 2022 by Ken Zino

The Global Light Vehicle (LV) selling rate rose to 85 mn units/year in June 2022, making it the best result in 2022 to date. However, in year-to-date (YTD) terms, sales are -8.5% below the same period in 2021, according to LMC Automotive.

In LMC’s expert view this means that the global market has a long road to recovery. “While supply issues are still impacting demand in most regions, a strong sales recovery in China, supported by the easing of lock-downs that allowed OEMs to ramp up production as well as a new temporary tax cut for Passenger Vehicles (PVs), meant last month’s selling rate jumped up from May,” LMC* said in a release today.
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GM and Pilot to Build Coast-to-Coast EV Fast-Charging Grid

Posted on 14 July 2022 by Ken Zino

GM and Pilot Company (Pilot and Flying J) said today that they are collaborating on a national DC fast charging network that will be installed, operated and maintained by EVgo through its eXtend offering.

“This project demonstrates how public and private entities can come together to build out the nation’s charging infrastructure, particularly along American highways, connecting urban and rural communities, the East and West Coasts and different metropolitan areas,” the companies said. (AutoInformed: GM and EVgo to Add EV Fast Chargers Nationwide; GM’s Ultium Charge 360 Fleet Customers Can Now Access Preferred Electric Vehicle Charging Providers) Continue reading →

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Automobili Pininfarina: Battista Hyper GT Starts Production

Posted on 13 July 2022 by Ken Zino

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Automobili Pininfarina: Battista Hyper GT Starts Production Production of  the Battista*, said to be the world’s first pure-electric hyper GT, has begun in a dedicated new Atelier space in Cambiano, Italy, Automobili Pininfarina** said today. Located in the Piemonte region of Italy, this  is a milestone in the tale of new Italian luxury carmaker. Battista is now being hand-crafted by a team of artisans in the bespoke 2,300 square-meter facility, with no more than 150 to be built over its lifecycle. Owners of Battista can look forward to “world-class customer service “through 25 experienced luxury partners in the Automobili Pininfarina global retailer network, as well its own team of Client Relations specialists.

During summer of 2021, the Battista Anniversario made its physical world premiere appearance during Monterey Car Week. All five models were sold during the event for the “world’s first pure-electric luxury car company,” as Automobili Pininfarina bills itself. (AutoInformed: Automobili Pininfarina Adds Dealers in North America) Continue reading →

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