J.D. Power: Gasoline Powered Vehicle Satisfaction Drops

Posted on 21 July 2022 by Ken Zino

Satisfaction with fuel economy and range is normally stronger among owners of gas-powered vehicles than satisfaction with range and charging speed among owners of battery-electric vehicles (BEVs). This year, BEV owners have a similar, albeit slightly lower, level of satisfaction with charge times and driving range as they did a year ago.

However, high gas prices have led to a noticeable decrease in fuel economy/range satisfaction among owners of gas-powered vehicles, according to the J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study,SM released today. The gap between economy/range is only 7 points on a 1,000-point scale. Continue reading →

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OnStar Adds Motorcycles and Integrates Amazon Alexa

Posted on 21 July 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on OnStar Adds Motorcycles and Integrates Amazon Alexa

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General Motors’ OnStar today announced a new brand identity that it says is “a modern, simpler design that represents its commitment to elevating the standards of safety and security, both inside and outside the vehicle.” OnStar is expanding its safety services to motorcycle riders and into the home through Amazon Alexa integration.

“OnStar’s new identity and logo kicks off a new era for the brand and how we are innovating to make our promise of safety and security available to more people,” said Jeff Massimilla, vice president of OnStar Safety and Connectivity at GM.
 Continue reading →

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EV Battery Gold Rush: Ford Has New Battery Capacity Plan

Posted on 21 July 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on EV Battery Gold Rush: Ford Has New Battery Capacity Plan

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Ford Motor today announced a series of schemes for sourcing battery capacity and raw materials that it claims will allow it to reach its targeted annual run rate of 600,000 electric vehicles by late 2023 and more than 2 million by the end of 2026. The company also explained its global vehicle portfolio plans supporting these production goals as  part of its Ford+ plan. Ford expects a compound annual growth rate for EVs to exceed 90% through 2026, more than double mainstream forecast global industry growth.

Center for Automotive Research data show that Ford is only one maker in the crowd as automakers invest billions in north American EV and battery manufacturing facilities. For almost two decades, the CAR Automotive Communities Partnership (ACP) has tracked announced automotive manufacturing investments in North America. Continue reading →

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Hot, Fast Company: Penske Automotive Increases Dividend 6%

Posted on 21 July 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Hot, Fast Company: Penske Automotive Increases Dividend 6%

We are only half kidding when sometimes we think PAG exists to support Roger’s love of racing.

Penske Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE: PAG) – an international transportation services company, a significant force among premier auto and commercial truck retailers, and a successful racing organization – today announced that its Board of Directors has increased the  dividend by $0.03 per share, or 6%, to $0.53 per share.

The dividend is payable September 1, 2022, to shareholders of record on August 10, 2022. Shares of PAG during the past 52 weeks have ranged from $123.60 to $78.60. It is currently trading at ~$107.
 Continue reading →

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IMSA NASCAR Street fight: Bye Road America, Hi Chicago

Posted on 20 July 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on IMSA NASCAR Street fight: Bye Road America, Hi Chicago

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The business of racing has taken precedent over the sport of racing as NASCAR will run the first-ever street Cup Series Points Race on NBC During Fourth of July Weekend next year, supported by an unnamed IMSA series that will be announced at a later date. That weekend, of course, normally sees IMSA running sports cars at Road America in Wisconsin. NASCAR also runs at Road America too, usually in June. Whether this is, well, cheesy or not depends on your point of view. For the moment IMSA – owned by NASCAR – is officially silent on the matter. (AutoInformed:Brickyard Sunday – Allmendinger in Chevy Wins NASCAR Cup)

Here’s what Bubba Wallace said (excepted and edited – Autocrat): “Yeah, well, obviously you guys know, the majority owner of our team has done a lot for this city, Michael Jordan obviously, being under his banner, being under his wing and knowing how much he means to the Chicago area is super cool, and I’m proud to carry that to our race team and in our race cars and to the racetrack… Continue reading →

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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.
 Continue reading →

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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. 
Continue reading →

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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.**
Continue reading →

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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.
 Continue reading →

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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.
 Continue reading →

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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.
 Continue reading →

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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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