Census Bureau on Trump Economy

Posted on 17 July 2020 by Ken Zino
AutoInformed Ken Zion of AutoInformed.com on Trump Economy

Click to Enlarge. And Worry?

Based on U.S. Census Bureau Pulse Survey just released with survey  responses collected and compiled July 2 through July 7.

The Household Pulse Survey now estimates that during the COVID-19 pandemic: Continue reading →

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Ford Bronco Sequel Appears with First-Ever Four-Door

Posted on 16 July 2020 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on 2021 Ford Bronco

Pre-production 2021 two-door Bronco Black Diamond series in Cyber Orange. Click to Enlarge.

In Covid-free electronic debuts – some during sporting-like events with empty stands – the 2021 Bronco two-door and the first-ever four-door have appeared in what Ford is marketing as the flagship of an all-new family of rugged off-road vehicles. About the only thing standard is the marketing hype.

The all-4×4 has – what else – cliched heritage-inspired style, engineering and off-road technology, plus some doodads “to help outdoor enthusiasts create adventures in the most remote corners of the world.” The all-new Bronco after years of hype and hope at Ford appears with an all-4×4 lineup. Production begins in early 2021. The first models might appear in Ford dealerships next spring.
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Audi R8 V10 Quattro – Kaput, Tschüss

Posted on 16 July 2020 by Ken Zino
AutoInformed - Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on demise of Audi R8 V10 quattro

Cars are an endangered species as people flock to trucks.

Audi of America says a limited edition of 30 R8 V10 quattro models marks the end of the ten-year run of the R8 V10. The units bring technologies and other items previously reserved for the performance version and adds different interior and exterior design elements. The limited edition R8 V10 quattro is scheduled go on sale this summer with an MSRP of $186,000 for the Coupe and $195,900 for the Spyder.

The R8 V10 performance model will continue for the 2021 model year, but given the ongoing global economic crisis, Covid 19 plague, and that most governments increasingly are taking legislative action against global warming and CO2 output – it clearly is on the endangered species list. It could survive only as a model for e-racing simulations. Continue reading →

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District of Columbia,15 States to Completely Wipe Out Toxic Diesel Fumes By 2050 in New MOU

Posted on 14 July 2020 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on toxic diesel truck and bus fumes

“One of our primary goals was to position Windsor among the first cities in North America to pioneer the efficient use of electric buses,” said Chinese company BYD.

Today, 15 states and the District of Columbia announced a joint memorandum of understanding so that 100% of all new medium- and heavy-duty vehicle sales be zero emission vehicles by 2050, with an interim target of 30% zero-emission vehicle sales by 2030.

While trucks and buses only account for 4% of vehicles on the road, they are responsible for ~25% of total transportation sector greenhouse gas emissions. Included in the sweeping reform are large pickup trucks and vans, delivery trucks, box trucks, school and transit buses, and long-haul delivery trucks (big-rigs). Continue reading →

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First Look – Jeep Wrangler Rubicon V8 Concept

Posted on 13 July 2020 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of auotInformed.com on Wrangler Rubicon V8 Concept

Click to Enlarge.

Yes, there’s a truck performance war under way. The Ford Bronco is due to be unveiled tonight. Consider: Jeep has just electronically introduced its new Wrangler Rubicon 392 Concept, powered by a 6.4-liter (392 cubic-inch) V8 engine that delivers  a claimed 450 horsepower and 450 lb.-ft. of torque. This means a 0-60 mph elapsed time in less than 5 seconds.  Continue reading →

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Volvo Recalls 308,000 Cars for Defective Seat belts

Posted on 13 July 2020 by Ken Zino

In a sweeping recall that covers 308,000 vehicles, Volvo Cars USA is recalling defective seat belts from model years 2008-2015. The steel cable that connects the seat belt to the front outboard seating positions may fatigue over time, causing the seat belt to not secure the occupant in the event of a crash. Volvo has known about the problem with the Autoliv supplied cable since 2016, but had trouble determining the cause it said in the required NHTSA filing. Continue reading →

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Chinese CATL and Honda Alliance to Make EV Batteries, Technology and Maybe Autonomous Vehicles

Posted on 10 July 2020 by Ken Zino

Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. (SZ: 300750) and Honda (TYO: 7267)have signed an agreement for a “comprehensive strategic alliance on new energy vehicle batteries to strengthen their strategic partnership and promote the popularization of electrified vehicles.” Honda has acquired ~1% of CATL shares through CATL’s non-public issuance of stocks. This makes Honda a leading strategic partner of CATL.

The companies said the agreement will enable them to begin discussions on a broad range of areas including joint development, stable supply, and the recycling and reuse of batteries. Honda is spreading the risk and costs and hedging its bets on battery electric vehicles, the development of which is threatened by the ongoing Covid crisis that has already cost automotive companies billions of dollars. A key byproduct of EVS is autonomous vehicles – which may not justify the investment required for a decade or more. Continue reading →

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Toyota Plating Machine Significantly Reduces CO2

Posted on 9 July 2020 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino on Toyota Stamping-type Plating - AutoInformed

Toyota is also providing its patents and expertise to vacuum press manufacturer Mikado Technos, which has incorporated its own technologies to develop and manufacture a stamping-type plating machine for sale through Kanematsu.

As the world swelters and arctic fires burn uncontrolled, Toyota Motor Corporation is reducing CO2. Toyota is using the world’s first stamping-type plating technology that has a polymer membrane (solid electrolyte membrane), through which metal ions can pass, to apply plating only to areas requiring it. The technology is used in the plating process for forming copper, nickel, and other metal coatings on substrates during the manufacturing of electronic parts.

This new stamping-type plating machine eliminates the need of a dipping process where parts to be plated are completely immersed in multiple baths of plating solution, which is required in the most common plating processes at present. As a result, waste solution can be dramatically reduced to about one-thirtieth and CO2 emissions to about one-third, which contributes to a significant reduction in environmental impact. The technology also reduces plating time and the process footprint.
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Covid Coupon – Carryover Pricing on 2021 Corvette

Posted on 9 July 2020 by Ken Zino

AutoInformed - Ken Zino of AutoInformed,com on 2021 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Coupe and ConvertibleThe 2021 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray has carryover pricing – the same as the introductory model – with MSRP starting at $59,995 for the coupe and $67,495 for the convertible. Both models include destination freight charge.
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Uber to Acquire Postmates, Cornershop Closing in Days

Posted on 7 July 2020 by Ken Zino

Uber Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: UBER) and Postmates Inc. say they have reached an agreement where Uber will acquire Postmates for approximately $2.65 billion in an all-stock transaction. The Postmates transaction brings together Uber’s global Rides and Eats platform with Postmates’ delivery business in the U.S. Postmates is roughly the same as Uber Eats, with different geographic  areas and customers.

Postmates does business with small- and medium-sized restaurants, particularly local favorites that draw customers to the Postmates brand. Postmates has been an early pioneer of “delivery-as-a-service,” which complements Uber’s growing survival efforts in the delivery of groceries, essentials, and other goods.
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Toyota Recalls 266k More Prius Models for Stalling

Posted on 6 July 2020 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Toyota Prius Recalls

Sudden stalling caused by a software defect.

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing is recalling more than 266,000 2013-2015 Prius and 2014-2017 Prius V hybrid vehicles originally not included in recall 18V-684. Excessive voltage in the Intelligent Power Module (IPM) within the Denso inverter may cause the hybrid system to shut down, causing the vehicle to suddenly stall while being driven.

With this safety defect, power steering and braking will not be affected. However, a hybrid system that shuts down without entering a fail-safe mode could result in the vehicle losing motive power while driving at higher speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.   Continue reading →

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Xpeng Now Delivering P7 Intelligent EV Sports Sedan

Posted on 6 July 2020 by Ken Zino
AutoInformed Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Xpeng P7 EV

China is clearly moving forward on being a dominant player in high technology and emergent digital technologies.

Xpeng Motors has begun nation-wide delivery of its new P7 smart EV sports sedan to customers. The “super-long range” sports sedan Xpeng P7, a pure EV, is the company’s second production model at ~$32,400 – $49,200.The P7 is available through Xpeng’s growing 190-store sales and service network, including 99 experience centers, 64 service centers and 27 sales outlets in 57 cities in China.

The P7 claims cutting-edge autonomous vehicle and electric vehicle technology. On paper it’s formidable. P7 arrives as the Trump Administration is being outflanked in a trade war that Trump started and is losing.
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BMW Motorrad Expands Rent-A-Ride

Posted on 6 July 2020 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on BMW Motorrad Rent-a-Ride.

The Rent-A-Ride platform will be continuously expanded.

With currently 89 participating rental partners in seven countries, Rent-A-Ride is the largest motorcycle rental platform in Europe. By year end, BMW Motorrad aims to expand it to include more than 100 rental partners in 12 countries. By consistently expanding the rental partners and participating countries, the goal for 2021 is to become the worldwide leader in this segment of motorcycle rental.

At www.rentaride.com customers can reserve a virtually new BMW motorcycle and, if necessary, rider equipment with just a few clicks, to go on a ride with friends or to take a bike out for a thorough test ride. The motorcycles are explained in detail by on site at BMW Motorrad partners and handed over in a relaxed atmosphere. If a long distance journey is currently too hazardous for you, you can rent your dream bike from Rent-A-Ride in a flexible and uncomplicated way and go on a motorcycle discovery tour.
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4 July 2020 – We Hold These Truths to be Self-Evident

Posted on 4 July 2020 by Ken Zino

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on the Fourth of July 2020 – We Hold These Truths to be Self-EvidentAs a nation founded on a proposition that is simple to state but challenging to live by and fulfill, this Fourth of July sees us examining ourselves and our leadership against what Jefferson believed was innately possible as a gift from our creator.

Few nations or kingdoms have been blessed at their origin with such a profound and explicit pledge that believes in equality and when properly governed that the goodness of people will emerge.
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Chinese Junk Watch – Cub Scout Pins Recalled for Lead

Posted on 3 July 2020 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Recalled Chinese Made Cub Scout Activity Pins With Lead - CPSC

Take the pin away from children. Now.

The Boy Scouts of America are recalling Cub Scout activity pins due to violation of the federal lead content ban – recall 20-144 . The pins are made in China according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

The pin’s face and shaft contain levels of lead that exceed the federal lead content ban. Lead is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health issues.
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