Cadillac Developing All-New LMDh Endurance Racecar

Posted on 24 August 2021 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of Auto Informed.com on Cadillac Developing All-New LMDh Endurance Racecar

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Cadillac today announced it is developing a fourth generation Cadillac prototype for the new IMSA and Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) LMDh regulations. The Cadillac LMDh prototype will compete in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and the WEC Championship beginning in 2023.

Cadillac and constructor Dallara are designing the new Cadillac LMDh. The two companies’ cooperative efforts led to the design of the championship-winning Cadillac DPi-V.R. A new GM developed engine will integrate with the LMDh common hybrid system. Continue reading →

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FIH Mobile, Stellantis JV Begun on Connected Car Technology

Posted on 24 August 2021 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Kia battery-electric EV6

Mobile Drive will develop infotainment, telematics, and a cloud service platform.

Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd., (“Foxconn”) (TPE: 2317) together with its subsidiary FIH Mobile Ltd., (“FIH”) (HKG:2038) and Stellantis N.V. (NYSE / MTA / Euronext Paris: STLA) (“Stellantis”) late yesterday announced that they have entered into a joint venture agreement dubbed Mobile Drive.

It will focus on delivering – marketing babble alert> “smart cockpit solutions for vehicles that will disrupt current design conventions and foster the development of intelligent connected vehicles.” Continue reading →

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Chinese Covid Recovery Policies is Zero-Sum Game for Automakers Overall. Luxury, Compact Segments Benefit Most?

Posted on 23 August 2021 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of Auto Informed.com on Chinese Government Covid Recovery Policies Zero-Sum game for Automakers

The Chinese Passenger Vehicle market is on track for sales of ~22 million units in 2021 – equal to the 2019 level. But the segment mix will differ from 2019, and “the rate of recovery from the 2020 decline will be far from uniform across the various sales groups per LMC. In terms of market status the Premium share is expected to improve from 14% in 2019 to 18%. The Low-Cost segment is forecast to end 2021 with 2% market share, up from 0.5% in 2019. Click to Enlarge.

The Chinese central government put into action a series of policies focused on ample monetary funding and pro-active fiscal measures during the still ongoing Covid crisis. With the effective containment of the virus in China from strong government public health/common good rules and regulations, the government intervention resulted in a quick economic recovery. While the auto market in other major economies floundered during the second half of 2020, the Chinese auto market beat expectations. The recovery continues during 2021.

As with most statistics though, the devil is hiding in the details. Consultancy LMC Automotive says there is an enduring imbalance in the economy’s internal structure: the performance of the Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) among medium and large enterprises is significantly better than that among smaller enterprises. Continue reading →

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Eruption Green, Hot Pepper Red Paints Set for 2022 Bronco

Posted on 23 August 2021 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of Auto Informed.com on Eruption Green, Hot Pepper Red Colors Set for 2022 Bronco

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The Ford Bronco’s early years are the inspiration for new Bronco color choices for the 2022 model year. Ford Bronco color and materials designers developed Eruption Green Metallic as a “modern interpretation” of Mallard Green, which was featured on first-generation Bronco models in the early- to mid-1970s.

New-for-2022  is Hot Pepper Red Metallic Tinted clearcoat. Both Eruption Green and Hot Pepper Red Metallic will be available for every Bronco series in the lineup. Continue reading →

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Toyota First Hypercar Winner at Le Mans in Fourth Straight Victory. Ferrari First then Corvette, Porsche in GTE Pro

Posted on 23 August 2021 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of Auto Informed.com on Le Mans 2021

What no German factory teams competitive in Hyper Car?!

Toyota Gazoo Racing achieved a notable and theatrical fourth consecutive Le Mans 24 Hours victory to become the first Hypercar winners at the Circuit de la Sarthe. The No. 7 Toyota GR010 Hybrid Hypercar driven by Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi and Jose Maria Lopez ended their streak of mechanical disasters at Le Mans to take their first victory at the legendary 24-hour race, which this year saw the return of a limited number of fans.

The No. 7’s win is only the second time ever that an Argentine (Jose Maria Lopez) has won Le Mans and is the team’s seventh consecutive WEC race victory. The Hypercar finished two laps ahead of the sister No. 8 car with Brendon Hartley, Kazuki Nakajima and Sebastien Buemi sharing the wheel. (Hypercar Hype or Close Racing Next Week at Le Mans? Toyota vs Alpine vs Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus; C’est Bien – Corvette Racing off to Le Mans 24 Hour; WEC SPA – Toyota One-Two. 24 Hours of Le Mans Next) Continue reading →

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Confirmed: General Motors to Recall more Bolt EVs at $1B Cost

Posted on 20 August 2021 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of Auto Informed.com on General Motors is expanding the current Chevrolet Bolt EV Recall

All Chevrolet Bolt electric vehicles are now recalled.

General Motors is expanding the current Chevrolet Bolt EV recall to cover the remaining 2019 and all 2020-2022 model year vehicles, including the Bolt EUV. With this expansion, all Chevrolet Bolt electric vehicles are now recalled due to the risk of the high-voltage battery pack catching fire.

“In rare circumstances, the batteries supplied to GM for these vehicles may have two manufacturing defects – a torn anode tab and folded separator – present in the same battery cell, which increases the risk of fire,” GM said in a statement. GM will replace defective battery modules in Chevrolet Bolt EVs and EUVs with new modules, with an expected additional cost of approximately $1 billion.  (AutoInformed – NHTSA – Urgent Fire Recall Again on 2017-2019 Chevrolet Bolts) Continue reading →

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C’est Voilà – Renault Trafic Hippie Caviar Hotel in Reality

Posted on 20 August 2021 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of Auto Informed.com on all-new Renault Trafic Space Nomad

The concept is now reality.

As we said earlier this month, here’s comes the Hippie Caviar Hotel concept built from the new Renault Trafic van. It debuts at the 2021 Caravan Salon in Düsseldorf. It claims to be the world’s largest van and camper show. Renault Design says it “chose the new Trafic to imagine a nomadic life with all the space, comfort and modularity necessary for all journeys.” The photo of the real thing – a production Trafic Space Nomad – has just been released from Switzerland. (Nouveaux Chic? Renault Trafic Hippie Caviar Hotel)

“Renault’s ambition is to expand its nomadic range in Europe, in a market that has been exploding for the last 10 years. After a successful test in Switzerland, all-new Trafic Space Nomad extends its scope to freedom aficionados,” said Thierry Plantagenets, LCV Global Sales & Marketing Director, Renault Group. Continue reading →

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Global Village – Record UK Used Car Prices. Demand High

Posted on 20 August 2021 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of Auto Informed.com on Record UK Used Car Prices.

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Remarkably strong levels of consumer demand in the UK vehicle market are continuing to result in record price growth. Based on the ~400,000 used vehicles currently advertised on its marketplace, the average price of a used car increased 15.2% year-on-year (YoY) on a like-for-like basis last week (as of w/c 9th August 2021). This is according to the latest data from Auto Trader.

“It not only marks 66 weeks of consecutive price growth, but a huge acceleration on what is now a comparatively conservative 5.7% increase recorded during the week of 12 April when physical forecourts (that’s dealerships in ‘Merican – editor) reopened,” said Auto Trader. Continue reading →

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Special Editions Dream or Nightmare?

Posted on 20 August 2021 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of Auto Informed.com on Mustang Ice White Edition Appearance Package

Maybe Ford should spend a little more money on locations?

Today in what Ford Motor says is in celebration of the Woodward Dream Cruise kickoff, Ford is introducing the new Mustang Ice White Edition Appearance Package for both Mustang coupe and Mustang Mach-E models. This marks the first time in 28 years Ford is offering a white-on-white Mustang and the first time ever for the coupe. This of course begs the question are special editions special given that Mustang by some measures [1] is the most popular sports car in the world?

“Mustang has always had the power to attract attention on the road, but the new Mustang Ice White Edition could – just like the original ’93 Triple White Fox body feature Mustang – become one of the hot collectibles of future generations,” counters Jim Owens, Mustang brand marketing manager, not without self-interest. “We are proud to continue a longstanding Mustang tradition of continuously offering fresh, new styling options for customers to empower them to make their Mustang an extension of who they are.” Continue reading →

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Ford Sending Three Broncos to 2021 Desert Navigational Rally

Posted on 20 August 2021 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of Auto Informed.com on 2021 Rebelle Rally

Ford Bronco 2021 Rebelle Rally Left to Right: Dale, Hall, Fischer, Reinhardt.

Ford is sending its full Bronco lineup of all-4×4 SUVs to compete in the 2021 Rebelle Rally – an all-women off-road event that challenges participants to conquer the harsh desert terrains of Nevada and California. (Ford Bronco Production Underway at Michigan Assembly Plant; Personalization – Bronco Riptide Project Vehicle Shown; Ford Bronco Sequel Appears with First-Ever Four-Door)

Three two-women teams will compete in a Bronco two-door, Bronco four-door and Bronco Sport at the October event. The rally will start near the Hoover Dam on Oct. 8, wind its way across rugged, parched and perhaps on fire swept terrain in Nevada and California. The finish is at Imperial Sand Dunes in California Oct. 16. Participants spend their nights at designated checkpoint basecamps along the way. Continue reading →

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GM and AT&T Set Auto Connectivity Goal at 5G

Posted on 19 August 2021 by Ken Zino

Ken Zino of Auto Informed.com on GM and AT&T Set 5G Automotive Connectivity GoalGeneral Motors and AT&T said today they will bring 5G cellular connectivity to millions of GM vehicles coming off the assembly line during the next decade in the United States. GM and AT&T want to set the benchmark for automotive connectivity with a fifth-generation cellular network architecture to meet the needs of an all-electric and autonomous future. GM and AT&T are collaborating to build a high performance 5G core network.

5G connectivity will first be available in some model year 2024 vehicles. Additionally, through GM’s fifth generation network, current 4G LTE-equipped model year 2019 and newer vehicles will experience faster connectivity speeds and many of the same performance benefits of future 5G-equipped vehicles., it’s claimed. Current Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac owners in the U.S. with 4G LTE-capable model year 2019 and newer vehicles will migrate to the new network infrastructure once available. (GM Adds New Hands-Free Super Cruise to 6 MY 2022 Vehicles; 911 Safety Technology – OnStar Expands with RapidDeploy) Continue reading →

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First Look – 2022 Hyundai Elantra N

Posted on 19 August 2021 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of Auto Informed.com on Hyundai 2022 Elantra N

Looks to be a good sports sedan. Simple ordering: 2- or 3-pedal, which one of the five colors?

Hyundai today unveiled an all-new 2022 Elantra N for the North American market in a virtual debut. With the introduction of Elantra N, Hyundai says it continues N brand line of “Everyday Sports Cars.” Elantra N is a high-performance variant of the new Elantra. It adds – at least virtually – dynamic driving capabilities and insistent design elements to the standard front-wheel drive model. Hyundai says there are more than 40 specialized N elements applied to the Elantra N to enhance driving performance. The N has two meanings – Namyang, where Hyundai develops vehicles and Nürburgring, where it runs cars. However, Hyundai doesn’t publish lap times? Pricing not until year-end.

Elantra N is powered by a 2.0-liter, turbocharged, direct-injected four-cylinder engine with a 52-mm turbine wheel and a 12.5-mm turbine passage – with an area increased by 2.5 mm. These enhancements, along with the optimization of the shape and material of the cylinder block, improve both performance and durability it’s claimed. As a result, the so-called flat-power technology makes maximum output from 5,500 rpm for quick acceleration. Continue reading →

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FAA – $531,545 in Fines For 34 Unruly Airline Travelers

Posted on 19 August 2021 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of Auto Informed.com on FAA Fines for Unruly Airline Travelers

If you travel, you are still required to wear a mask on planes.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration has proposed another $531,545 in civil penalties against 34 airline passengers for alleged unruly behavior, bringing the total for 2021 to more than $1 million. Since Jan. 1, 2021, the FAA has received ~3,889 reports of unruly behavior by passengers, including ~2,867 reports of passengers refusing to comply with the federal facemask mandate.

Today’s fines are part of the agency’s Zero Tolerance campaign against unruly passenger behavior. Earlier in August, the FAA sent a letter to airports requesting they coordinate more closely with local law enforcement to prosecute egregious cases since the FAA does not have criminal prosecutorial authority. The letter also requested that airports work to prevent passengers from bringing “to-go” cups of alcohol aboard the aircraft. (AutoInformed.com on: Trump Legacy – FAA Adopts Stricter Unruly Passenger Policy; FAA Wants $14,500 Fine Against Drunken Passenger for Causing an Emergency Landing at JFK Airport; FAA Cuts Boeing a Deal on More 737 Airworthiness Violations?; FAA – Global COVID-19 Testing Required for ALL Entering US) Continue reading →

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Ford – Flip Flops Stamp “Float to Live” on UK Beaches

Posted on 18 August 2021 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of Auto Informed.com on Ford - Flip Flops Stamp Float to Live on UK Beaches

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While the people in the UK appear daft sometimes to ‘Mericans, here’s a useful bit of treacle. The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) with their partners at Ford created a unique flip flop using recycled car tires They will print the charity’s vital ‘Float to Live’ message in the sand. Alas, new data show a decline in awareness of this simple but important life-saving action.

‘We want people to enjoy the coast but urge everyone to respect the water, think about their own safety and know what to do in an emergency,” said Guy Addington, RNLI Water Safety Lead. “Think about planning your trip to a beach where lifeguards are patrolling to keep you, your family and friends safe, and also ensure you are aware of the RNLI’s safety advice before getting into the sea, wherever you are holidaying… We’ve seen high numbers of people at UK beaches this summer so it’s imperative that we continue to raise awareness of important water safety advice,” he concluded.
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Nissan Shows All-New 2023 Z Sports Car

Posted on 18 August 2021 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of Auto Informed.com on 2023 Nissan Z

In a first for a rwd Nissan, Z Performance models with a manual transmission have launch-assist.

Abandoning the German style of nomenclature it emulated, Nissan has just revealed the latest version of what began as the 1970 Datsun 240Z. This time numeric designations are dropped; the redesign will be known in the United States by just one letter – Z. The 2023 Z is offered in Sport and Performance grade levels each with a choice of a 6-speed manual or new 9-speed automatic transmission and a “Proto Spec” edition, which is limited to 240 units. (See AutoInformed.com on Nissan Motor Posts ¥75.7B Operating Profit for Q1 FY)

“When we introduced the Z in 1969, the Z was a revolution. Since then, for more than 50 years, Nissan has brought style, speed, reliability and so much more to millions of enthusiasts around the world,” claimed Ashwani Gupta, representative executive officer and chief operating officer, Nissan Motor Company. Continue reading →

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