GMC Brand Extension – 2023 Yukon Denali Ultimate

Posted on 4 May 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on GMC Brand Extension - 2023 Yukon Denali Ultimate

Click to enlarge price, err, vehicle.

The 2023 Yukon Denali Ultimate trim “elevates” the GMC sub-brand it’s claimed. “Distinguished with exterior and interior details, next-level materials, innovative available (optional, bring money- Autocrat) technologies and impressive capability, the new 2023 Yukon Denali Ultimate is the most premium Yukon ever offered.” AutoInformed guesstimates the elevated price will be just under ~$100,000.

The Yukon Denali Ultimate goes on sale this fall with a standard 6.2L V8 or optional Duramax 3.0L Turbo-Diesel (ahem? Let ’em eat EVs?). Both engines have a 10-speed automatic transmission. Also, standard are Magnetic Ride Control, Air Ride Adaptive Suspension, Active Response 4WD™ system with electronic limited-slip differential and Auto Track two-speed transfer case. Continue reading →

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Tesla Recalls 48,184 Model 3s and 1, Yes 1, Model X

Posted on 3 May 2022 by Ken Zino
AutoInformed.com on Tesla Model 3 recalls

Non-safety in numbers?

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling more than 48,000 2018-2022 Model 3 vehicles. The unit of speed (mph or km/h) may fail to display on the speedometer while in Track Mode. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, “Control and Displays.” Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed June 6, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla’s number for this recall is SB-22-00-008. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153) or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

In yet another safety recall, Tesla is buying back one 2022 Model X vehicle. A body structure reinforcement bracket was not installed at the second-row seat. As such, this vehicle fails to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 207, “Seating Systems” and 210, “Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages.” Tesla will replace the vehicle, free of charge. An owner notification letter is expected to be mailed June 6, 2022. Continue reading →

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Auto Loan, Lease Total at Record $1.3 Trillion during 2021

Posted on 3 May 2022 by Ken Zino

The auto finance market grew 6.7% in 2021, in spite of challenges securing new-car inventory during the COVID-19 pandemic. This growth drove auto loans and leases remaining open to reach $1.3 trillion, an all-time high, according to the annual Big Wheels* Auto Finance ranking of car lenders and lessors released today.

“Auto finance growth in 2021 was largely driven by strong – and expensive – used cars, which bolstered originations,” said Marcie Belles, author of the report… “many financiers recorded lower ratios of new cars in their portfolios. Still, origination volume has been nearly restored to pre-COVID levels, and it continues to climb.” Continue reading →

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Mazda North America April Sales Down -3.3%

Posted on 3 May 2022 by Ken Zino

Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) today reported total April sales of 30,093 vehicles, a decrease of 3.3% compared to April 2021. Year-to-date sales totaled 112,361 vehicles; a decrease of 1.8% compared to the same time last year. With 27 selling days in April, compared to 26 the year prior, the company posted a decrease of 6.9% on a Daily Selling Rate (DSR) basis. Certified Pre-owned sales totaled 5,274 vehicles in April, a decrease of 23% compared to April 2021. Continue reading →

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Electrify America: 2021 EV Charging up 54 Times cf 2020

Posted on 2 May 2022 by Ken Zino

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Electrify America - 2021 EV Charging up 54 Times 2020Electrify America said today it provided 1.45 million customer electric vehicle (EV) charging sessions in 2021 compared to 268,000 customer EV charging sessions during 2020.

Electrify America estimates that EV drivers avoided the use of 5.7 million gallons of gas while traveling more than 145 million electric vehicle miles. The company dispensed 41.4 gigawatt-hours of energy to power customer’s electric vehicles in 2021. Continue reading →

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Computer Bugs – Ford Launches New Certified Glass Network

Posted on 2 May 2022 by Ken Zino

The newly launched – today –  Ford Certified Glass Network (FCGN) Ford “offers industry-leading process coaching to help ensure every Ford and Lincoln vehicle glass installation is completed to the highest quality standards using original equipment procedures and parts.”

Ford has apparently discovered the latest bugs in computerized vehicles. They are not the ones that smear your windshield. The adverse effects of a poor installation on driving assistance technology happen when an aftermarket windshield cannot duplicate the precise location of the camera attachment brackets on a windshield which often distorts the optical quality of the camera. Continue reading →

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NLRB – National Labor Relations Act Protects Immigrants

Posted on 2 May 2022 by Ken Zino

Today, National Labor Relations Board General Counsel Jennifer Abruzzo released a new protocol to advance immigrant worker protections to freely exercise rights under the National Labor Relations Act* (NLRA) and safely participate in NLRB investigations.

In a memo issued to all field offices, the NLRB’s Division of Operations Management advised Regions to distribute information (available in English and Spanish) to all witnesses advising them that immigration status is not relevant to whether there has been a violation of the NLRA, that information obtained during NLRB investigations is protected, and that a charging party or witness can ask the NLRB to seek immigration relief for employees at a worksite if it is necessary to protect employees who are participating in NLRB processes or exercising their rights under the NLRA. The clarification has implications for auto makers, suppliers and their logistics companies, among others. Continue reading →

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Ford Recalls Explorer, Super-Duty F-Series for Safety Defects

Posted on 2 May 2022 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor is recalling 2020-2021 Explorer Police FHEV, Explorer Police 3.3L, and 2020-2022 Explorer 2.3L RWD, 3.0L PHEV, 3.3 L FHEV, and 3.0L ST gasoline vehicles because the rear-axle horizontal mounting bolt may fracture and cause the driveshaft to disconnect.*

In another recall, Ford is recalling 2020 Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 vehicles equipped with 6.7L diesel engines. A washer within the vehicle’s transmission can disintegrate, causing metallic debris to become lodged in the ‘Park’ mechanism. Debris lodged within the ‘Park’ mechanism may prevent the vehicle from achieving or holding ‘Park,’ increasing the risk of a vehicle roll-away and a crash.** Continue reading →

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IMSA Racing – Laguna Seca Today

Posted on 1 May 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Corvette Racing

The #3 Mobil 1/SiriusXM Chevrolet Corvette C8.R driven by Garcia and Taylor.

It’s a big weekend for sports car racing in the US as IMSA goes to WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, California.

Jordan Taylor and Corvette Racing will start sixth on the GTD PRO grid Sunday for the Hyundai Monterey Sports Car Championship as the No. 3 Mobil 1/SiriusXM Chevrolet Corvette C8.R goes for its second victory of the season in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. Next stop for Corvette? LeMans!

Taylor qualified the No. 3 C8.R on Saturday with a time of 1:24.160 (95.731 mph) to put him 1.018 seconds off Mathieu Jaminet’s pole time. Taylor and Garcia have placed second the last two years at Laguna Seca, but the lack of performance will make the task of winning for the ninth time in Monterey – and maintaining the lead in the GTD PRO points standings – even tougher. Continue reading →

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IndyCar – Chevy Front Row at Grand Prix Of Alabama

Posted on 30 April 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on IndyCar – Chevy Front Row at Grand Prix Of Alabama

“I thought we had potential,” Veekay said.

Rinus Veekay in the No. 21 SONAX Ed Carpenter Racing car took his second NTT IndyCar pole with a top lap of 1m, 6.2507s for the Grand Prix of Alabama at Barber Motorsports Park tomorrow.* Pato O’Ward in the No. 5 Arrow McLaren SP Chevrolet qualified second to make it an all-Chevrolet power front row. VeeKay became the fourth different NTT P1 Award winner in as many races this season.

“I thought we had potential,” VeeKay said. “It was a chaotic session. We knew we were in a good position, but to actually put it on pole was an accomplishment. I think the whole team maximized everything. We made the right decisions with tires, setup, everything. “Confidence is high. I think from here we can have a great race and fight for the win, definitely.” Continue reading →

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Congress Investigating Face Verification Vendor ID.me

Posted on 29 April 2022 by Ken Zino

The House Committee on Oversight and Reform in a letter has requested detailed documents from ID.me, a company that uses facial recognition technology for identity verification. The Committee’s letter highlighted “serious concerns about the efficacy, privacy, and security of ID.me’s technology” including denial of government benefits because of ID.me’s software and long wait times for verification.

The Oversight and Reform Committee is looking for records detailing all of ID.me’s federal, state, and local contracts, the number of people who submitted face scans to ID.me, the number of facial recognition errors, and information on the company’s use of many facial recognition technologies. Continue reading →

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Awakenings – Toyota to Nurture Butterflies, Bees, Bats

Posted on 29 April 2022 by Ken Zino

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Toyota to Nurture Butterflies, Bees, Bats, Toyota is donating today $400,000 to the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) and the Pollinator Partnership (P2) that will be used to enhance 26,000 acres of pollinator habitat across North America over the next five years.

It’s another example about how corporations are awakening to the need to nurture planet earth after centuries of neglect, creating a threat to life and the cessation of business. It also coincides nicely with the Biden Administration’s environmental policies as Democrats emerge as the party helping big business cope with the increasingly dire effects of global warming. Continue reading →

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GM CAMI – Becoming Canada’s First Full-Scale EV Plant

Posted on 29 April 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on GM’s CAMI Assembly Accelerates BrightDrop EV600 Production

 CAMI-based BrightDrop production is on track for Q4. The start of something big.

GM Canada’s CAMI Assembly plant in Ingersoll Ontario today begins retooling and preparation for dedicated production of BrightDrop fully electric commercial delivery vans. (AutoInformed: BrightDrop? General Motors New Business Claims It Will Electrify, Improve Goods and Services Delivery; GM’s CAMI Assembly Hastens BrightDrop EV600 Production)

When BrightDrop’s Zevo 600 production begins in Q4 2022, CAMI will become Canada’s first full-scale EV plant. BrightDrop’s Zevo 400, a smaller version of the electric van, will also be built at CAMI beginning in 2023.  Continue reading →

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M-B Group Runs Self-Congratulatory First Annual Meeting

Posted on 29 April 2022 by Ken Zino

The first annual meeting of Mercedes-Benz Group AG (stock exchange code: MBG) today in Stuttgart saw management reassert its claim to leadership in the automotive luxury segment. “In addition to accelerating electrification and digitalization, the company’s transformation continues with a relentless focus on improving financial robustness,” MB said. “Strong results in the financial year 2021 and a successful start to 2022 affirm the company’s strategic path, even in a volatile environment.”

“Last year Mercedes-Benz made good progress: We were able to sell not only more electric vehicles, but also more top models: And this, despite the ongoing pandemic and the supply bottlenecks for semiconductors. Thus, we have come a step closer to our goal of becoming fully electric and offering the most desirable vehicles,” Bernd Pischetsrieder, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Mercedes-Benz Group AG said on Friday at the virtual Annual Meeting. Continue reading →

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Green Autonomous Mobility at Michigan State University

Posted on 29 April 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Green Autonomous Mobility at Michigan State University

Click to Enlarge.

Michigan State University officially deployed a full-size autonomous EV bus this week. A 27-foot, 22-seat Karsan Autonomous e-ATAK bus is taking passengers on the 2.5-mile campus route. The autonomous bus is one of the largest of its kind to be deployed on U.S. roadways to date. The bus has 22 seats, with students, staff and faculty being able to board and depart the bus at two stations. The bus also has a wheelchair ramp and audio messaging for accessibility.

The Spartan bus completed on-campus testing, which did not include written college admission tests. More than 650 test runs of its route during all hours of the day helped make the official deployment possible. As part of the process to accept passengers, validation of the bus, route and infrastructure was granted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It appears to be the first and only SAE Level-4 automated bus that has NHTSA approval. Continue reading →

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