EVs – Ford to Spend $11.4B Creating a Tennessee Campus, Twin Battery Plants in Kentucky

Posted on 28 September 2021 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company claims it is making the largest U.S. investment in electric vehicles at one time by any automaker. With its partner, SK Innovation, Ford plans to invest $11.4 billion and create ~11,000 new jobs at the Tennessee and Kentucky “mega-sites.” Overall, Ford expects 40% to 50% of its global vehicle volume to be fully electric by 2030.

Both states are “right to work” (for less?) states, which means workers don’t have to be unionized. Tennessee sent $500 million in incentives from its taxpayers. Kentucky donated $300 million and what appears to be about 1500 acres of free land. Thus Ford is the latest automaker attempting to lay off some or more of the huge capital costs needed to build EVs as global warming make their increasing use inevitable. SK Innovation will split off its battery business on October 1 as a wholly owned subsidiary. (EU Gets Tougher on Climate Change – Wants All EVs by 2035; Toyota, Subaru at Shanghai Introduce Latest Joint-Venture EVs; Volvo to Only Sell EVs Online as a Pure EV Company by 2030; GM Doubles Down on EVs in Bid to Win Global Race) Continue reading →

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Palou Driving a Honda is 2021 IndyCar Series Champion

Posted on 27 September 2021 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on NTT IndyCar Series Long Beach Grand Prix

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The new NTT IndyCar series champion Alex Palou earned his first title with a composed, calculating drive to fourth place Sunday in the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach. Colton Herta won the race. Palou became the first Spaniard to win a championship and is now Chip Ganassi Racing’s second consecutive title winner. Once again the pace car was on the track many times for crash induced yellow flags,

Several crashes marred the Long Beach race – consistent with the season – as several IndyCar drivers demonstrated the idiocy of making moves that were almost always likely to hurt theirs and other driver’s chances. Reigning 2020 champion Simon Pagenaud finished fifth with a decent run. Other drivers in contention weren’t so lucky or level headed. Josef Newgarden finished second and Scott Dixon, the six-time and reigning champion, finished third. Palou took the championship by 38 points over Newgarden. Continue reading →

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Climate Change – EPA Targets Hydrofluorocarbons Again

Posted on 24 September 2021 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on EPA Targets Hydrofluorocarbons Again

The tip of the regulatory iceberg?

The United States Environmental Protection Agency has issued a final rule establishing what it calls “a comprehensive program to cap and phase down the production and consumption of climate-damaging hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) in the United States.” Hydrofluorocarbons, aka HFCs, are powerful greenhouse gases commonly used in refrigeration and air conditioning equipment, as well as foams and other applications.

A global phasedown of HFCs is expected to avoid up to 0.5 °C of global warming by 2100. This final rule will phase down the U.S. production and consumption of HFCs by 85% during the next 15 years, as mandated by the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act that was enacted in December 2020 after the environmental hater “global warming is a Chinese hoax” was evicted by voters the month before from occupying the Whitehouse. Continue reading →

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Lithium-Sulfur – Better than Lithium-Ion Battery?

Posted on 24 September 2021 by Ken Zino

A Silicon Valley startup is claiming a new electric vehicle battery – LytCell EV lithium-sulfur (Li-S) battery is designed to deliver three times the gravimetric energy density of conventional lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries (claimed potentially at 900 Wh/kg). Moreover it also claims to outperform solid state batteries.

Whether this is a genuine breakthrough or just another silly-CON (Do you know the ways of San Jose? Privately held until the IPO?) remains to be validated by vehicle use on the road and ultimately adoption by major automakers. Lyten expects full production and market availability for ‘25-‘26 model year vehicles. Continue reading →

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Honda, Google Team on In-Vehicle Connected Services

Posted on 23 September 2021 by Ken Zino

Honda and Google in Tokyo today said that the two companies have agreed to integrate Google’s in-vehicle connected service into an all-new model that will come to market in the second half of 2022 in North America, then expand it globally in stages. Continue reading →

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Semiconductors – Auto Industry to Lose $210B in Revenue

Posted on 23 September 2021 by Ken Zino

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on the semiconductor shortage is severely hurting the global automotive industryAlixPartners today released its latest forecast regarding how much the ongoing semiconductor shortage is costing the global automotive industry. The consultancy’s updated estimate is that the shortage will cost the industry globally $210 billion in lost revenues this year. This is a breathtaking increase its estimate in May of $110 billion. AlixPartners is now forecasting that production of 7.7 million units will be lost in 2021, up from 3.9 million in its May forecast.

Exec Summary: There are no more cushions left in the industry when it comes to production or obtaining material. Any shortage or production interruption in any part of the world affects companies around the globe. Worse, the impacts are now amplified due to all the other shortages. Continue reading →

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Constellium to Make Aluminum Parts for Ford F-150 Lightning

Posted on 23 September 2021 by Ken Zino

Constellium SE (NYSE: CSTM) today announced that it will supply aluminum structural components for the all-electric Ford F-150 Lightning that is might be available Spring 2022. The F-150 Lightning, and all F-Series pickup trucks, extensively use high-strength aluminum alloys. Constellium-supplied structural components for the F-150 Lightning include the windshield header, rocker, and radiator support.

Aluminum can be used in electric vehicles to manage crash energy in front, side and rear impacts, and provide intrusion resistance. Plug-in hybrid and full battery electric vehicles use more aluminum than the typical internal combustion engine vehicle today. (Ford Introduces All-Electric F-150 Lightning Pro – Bring Money; EV Pickup! Ford is Betting Lightning Can Strike Twice; Ford Motor Posts Q2 Revenue $26.8B, Net Income $56M, Earnings $1.1B as Market Share Drops ) Continue reading →

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FAA – Unruly Passenger Rate Remains Too High

Posted on 23 September 2021 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Unruly Airline Passenger Rate Remains Too High

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The Federal Aviation Administration said today that unruly passenger incidents on commercial flights has dropped since the FAA launched its Zero Tolerance campaign, but the rate remains too high, according to new data just released.

As of last week, unruly passenger incidents were occurring approximately six times per every 10,000 flights. That’s a ~50% drop from early 2021, when Republicans were promoting the “Big Lie” about voter fraud, which was the cause of the January 6th insurrection at the US Capital. However, it’s more than twice as high as the end of 2020. Since the FAA launched its public awareness campaign with memes and two public service announcements, the rate has fallen ~30%.  Continue reading →

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GM, Amazon Offer OnStar Emergency Service at Home

Posted on 22 September 2021 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on GM and Amazon Offer OnStar Emergency Service at Home

Members reach OnStar Emergency-Certified Advisors by saying, “Alexa, call for help.”

General Motors and Amazon today announced plans to introduce “OnStar Guardian skill for Amazon Alexa1. This new addition will provide a voice-enabled connection to Emergency-Certified OnStar Advisors2 at home through compatible Alexa-enabled devices. The OnStar Guardian skill for Amazon Alexa is part of the OnStar Guardian platform, which aims to help keep people safe.

When the OnStar Guardian skill for Amazon Alexa (OStGsfAA?) is enabled on compatible, in-home Alexa devices, people can reach OnStar Emergency-Certified Advisors by saying, “Alexa, call for help,” during crisis events, such as house fires, medical emergencies, break-ins and so forth. Continue reading →

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First Look – Gen 3 2022 Toyota Tundra

Posted on 20 September 2021 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on the 2022 Toyota Tundra

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Toyota has previewed what it calls an “all new” Tundra pickup truck, which will be in its third generation when it debuts later this year as a 2022 model. That’s an if, perhaps a big if – if the runaway corona virus Delta variant in Texas and the semi-conductor supply crisis don’t abate.

A new twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 engine is rated at 389 horsepower and 479 lb.-ft. of torque. When paired with a >marketing babble alert> ”brilliantly engineered bell-housing motor system called the i-FORCE MAX, the result is a combined performance output of 437 horsepower and a whopping 583 lb.-ft. of torque.” Both configurations use the same 10-speed automatic transmission.

SR, SR5, Limited, Platinum and 1794 models will eventually be available. TRD Pro will also return to the Tundra lineup, but it will only be offered with the i-FORCE MAX powertrain, whereas i-FORCE MAX will be an option on Limited, Platinum and 1794 models. Continue reading →

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IndyCar – Honda Takes Manufacturers’ Title at Laguna Seca

Posted on 20 September 2021 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Indy Car Grand Prix of Monterey

Jimmy Johnson and Romain Grosjean, who suffered right sidepod damage after his No. 51 Dallara-Honda briefly went airborne in the corkscrew.

In a hard-fought and thrilling race, Honda took the makers championship yesterday after the 95-lap Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey by sweeping the podium with Colton Herta first from the pole, and the mulita-lingual Alex Palou* and Romain Grojean finishing 2nd and third respectively.

It was Honda’s tenth maker’s title** ending this year with an impressive fourth straight maker’ crown. If Palou participates at Long Beach next week, all drivers not within 49 points do not have a chance. That means Palou’s only significant challenger is Pato O’Ward. Continue reading →

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European Light Vehicle Production Tanking

Posted on 17 September 2021 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on European Light Vehicle Production Tanking

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Optimism by European automakers and analysts, with now wrongful claims that vehicle output would improve markedly in the second half of 2021 are a stark lesson in the resilience of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The most recent setback has been the forced closure of semiconductor facilities in Malaysia to contain the latest COVID-19 outbreak, the LMC Automotive consultancy notes. This disaster comes from raw material price increases, semiconductor shortages and bottlenecks in the production of intermediate products. Continue reading →

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De-Carbonize the Police. Ford Submits EV to Michigan

Posted on 17 September 2021 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on De-Carbonize the Police. Ford Submits EV Pilot Car to Michigan State Police

Graphics on EV are not available for sale.

Ford is now toying with all-electric, purpose-built law enforcement vehicles. The Dearborn base automaker said today that  a vehicle with an electric powertrain stand up to demanding police duty cycles. Ford is submitting an all-electric police pilot vehicle based on the 2021 Mustang Mach-E SUV for testing as part of the Michigan State Police 2022 Model Year Police Evaluation on Sept. 18 and 20.

Ford said it will use the pilot program testing as a benchmark while it continues to explore purpose-built electric police vehicles in the future. Continue reading →

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Carlos Tavares to Step Down from Airbus Board

Posted on 17 September 2021 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Carlos Tavares

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Stellantis N.V. today announced that CEO Carlos Tavares has decided to step down from the Airbus Board of Directors at the end of his second term in 2022. (Stellantis Posts Record H1 Results. Full-Year Guidance Upped)

“This personal decision should allow Carlos to dedicate his full professional time to leading Stellantis to success, together with the leadership team, through this critical transformation period in the automotive industry,” Stellantis said in a statement. AutoInformed opines that cars are much more fun than airlines where all the customers – at best – dislike them.

 

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GM Defense – $36.4M Development Contract for HD Surburbans

Posted on 16 September 2021 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on purpose-built HD Suburbans for US Diplomatic Security Service

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The U.S. Department of State has awarded GM Defense a contract to develop next generation Large Support Utility Commercial Vehicles (SUV). The goal is to start mass production to support of the Department’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS). As part of the total development contract valued at, gulp, $36.4 million, GM Defense will create a purpose-built Heavy-Duty (HD) Suburban, building 10 vehicles over the next two years.

GM says the commercial vehicle architecture designed for full size pickup trucks and large SUVs – already paid for –  will use significant commercial-off-the-shelf parts, including the body, exterior, propulsion, interior and brakes for the government, purpose-built HD Suburban. Continue reading →

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