An exposed database at Honda allowed anyone to see which systems on its network were vulnerable to unpatched security flaws, potentially giving hackers insider knowledge of the company’s weak points.
The server contained 134 million rows of employee systems data from the company’s endpoint security service, containing technical details of each computer and device connected to the internal network. Affected by the White Hat probe were locations in Japan, USA, Mexico, and the UK. Continue reading
Audi of America announced today a new customer program, “Always Audi.” Customers – apparently, they are scarce – who purchase or lease a 2019 or newer Audi A4, A5 Cabriolet, Audi Q5 or Audi Q7 will receive seven rental days, which can be used individually, with Silvercar at no additional cost.
Silvercar is the fledgling all-Audi, car rental service available in 26 Silvercar locations nationwide. Program marks industry first for the so-called premium market by in Audi’s view proving a “customer experience linking ownership and on-the-go transportation needs.” Continue reading
Electrify America, a fast-charging provider for electric vehicles today launched its newest marketing campaign titled “Normal Now.” The digital campaign will kick off nationwide with a new informational website – www.NormalNow.com – as well as online videos, streaming TV ads, digital banner ads, social media ads, paid search, and streaming audio and podcast.
The “Normal Now” campaign aims to introduce and normalize zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) for the vast majority of Americans who are not aware of or have never considered switching to a zero-emission vehicle.
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Pole-sitter Josef Newgarden, #2 Hitachi Team Penske Chevrolet V6 (l to r); Simon Pagenaud, #22 Penske Truck Rental Team Penske Chevy V6; and race winner #12 Verizon Team Penske Chevy – Will Power.
Will Power, driver of the #12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet IndyCar V6 won a rain-shortened NTT IndyCar Series ABC Supply 500 at Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pennsylvania yesterday. The victory marked the 13th consecutive season that Power has won at least one race, a streak that dates to the 2007 Champ Car World Series season.
It was only a couple of miles into what was supposed to be a 500-mile race at the Pocono tri-oval, when a bonehead move by Takuma Sato eliminated five contenders. The restart 45 minutes later pretty much determined the outcome in a thunderstorm shortened race that purported to be professional racing. Thus far Sato has not been penalized for causing a life-threatening accident.
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Software continues to affect to performance of hardware – not always to the driver’s or passenger’s benefit.
Toyota Motor is recalling some 2019 Camry vehicles blowing up. for a programming defect that prevents front airbags from inflating. The Occupant Classification System (OCS) “may have been improperly calibrated, which may prevent the proper deployment of the front passenger air bag and knee air bag, in the event of a crash.”
Dealers have been instructed to comply with the law and stop selling affected cars in inventory.* Continue reading
Everywhere you look the economy is fragile and likely headed for a recession.
July global light vehicle (LV) sales fell 1.5% in year-on-year (YoY) terms in July, but the selling rate rose to 92.5 mn units/year, from 92.1 mn units/year in June, according to consultancy LMC.
Sales performance was mixed, with good results in some regions counterbalanced by weakness elsewhere. There was YoY growth in the USA, Western Europe, Japan and South America, but the US selling rate was lower than in June, while Western Europe was propped up by Germany. Continue reading
All Carvana vehicles come with a 7-day return policy.
Carvana (NYSE: CVNA), an e-commerce platform for buying and selling used cars, unveiled its newest Car Vending Machine today, located in the Westminster area of Los Angeles. The newest addition stands eight stories high and holds 30 vehicles, offering a unique pickup experience for those who purchase a vehicle on Carvana.com.
Customers that choose to pick up their vehicle at the Car Vending Machine are greeted by a Customer Advocate and receive a commemorative, oversized Carvana coin to activate the fully automated vending process, taking only minutes to complete the transaction compared to hours spent at the dealership. Continue reading
How the One Percent live…
Aston Martin today revealed a new design service for car enthusiasts and collectors. Aston Martin Automotive Galleries and Lairs, revealed at Pebble Beach, enables people to “create the perfect space for their car in a customer garage or a complete, luxury retreat.
“Automotive Galleries and Lairs is an opportunity for clients to work with the Aston Martin Design Team but also with renowned architects, focusing on those with local knowledge and an excellent understanding of the specifics of the brief,” said Aston. Continue reading
The previous Xfinity Mustang started racing full-time in 2011, winning the driver’s championship three times and the owner’s title on six occasions.
Ford Motor today revealed the all-new 2020 NASCAR Xfinity Series Mustang racecar. It’s part of Ford’s presence in race series around the world, from hot rods to stock cars to endurance racers.
The NASCAR Mustang marks the fifth all-new motorsports Mustang unveiled in the past year. It joins the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, National Hot Rod Association Funny Car division, Virgin Australia Supercars Championship, and grassroots Cobra Jet, which have all found their way to the winner’s circle in their respective forms of racing. Continue reading
The end of petrol? Click to Enlarge.
In fewer less than 100 years since the UK’s first petrol pump was installed there are now ~1,000 more public places to charge electric cars than there are forecourts to pump petrol – 9,300 EV charging locations compared to 8,400 fuel stations.
The crossover happened more than a year before Nissan’s 2016 prediction of August 2020 – a result of the accelerating adoption of EVs (electric vehicles) amongst UK motorists some of which was forced by regulations. Continue reading
Here’s what it takes to get this view.
2020 mid-engine Chevrolet Corvette Stingray starts at $59,995* but won’t enter production until late this year. Preorder at Chevrolet.com or by visiting a preferred Chevrolet dealer.
The popular Z51 Performance Package price remains unchanged at $5,000 and on any trim of Corvette. The package propels the new mid-engine Stingray from 0-60 mph in fewer than 3 seconds, nearly a second faster than the 2019 Corvette Stingray. Paired with the 1LT trim, that level of performance can be had for less than $65,000. Continue reading
More is better?
Well, the bad old auto company practice of trying to put a “fence” around a recall – the smaller and cheaper the better – is well entrenched. The latest Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ seat-belt recall appears to be a good example, although the ongoing tardiness of NHTSA in posting relevant documents is also in play here.
Ford Motor Company said today it is recalling “certain model year 2013-2016 Ford Fusion vehicles manufactured November 2, 2012, to July 31, 2014, and 2013-2015 Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured November 14, 2012, to July 31, 2014. In the event of a crash, heat from the deployment of a seat belt pretensioner may cause a front seat belt anchor cable to fail.” Continue reading
Click to Enlarge.
FCA Q2 2019 results continue the weakening trend at the Detroit Three and partially confirming fears of an imminent recession. FCA posted net profit from continuing operations at €0.8 billion. Worldwide combined shipments of 1,157,000 were down -11%. This made for an adjusted net profit of €0.9 billion, and a weak Adjusted EBIT of €1.5 billion, margin at 5.7%, with “significant reductions in dealer stock.”
With the first financial results since an attempt to merge with France’s Renault, FCA said its adjusted earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) would top last year’s 6.7 billion euros ($7.5 billion). It also said it continues the quest for partners. Previously it promised to deliver 2020 adjusted earnings before interest and tax (EBIT), excluding the Magneti Marelli unit it sold, of €9.2-10.4 billion. Continue reading
In 1961, the Mini fell into the hands of British racer John Cooper, who added a more powerful engine, bigger brakes, and tuning tweaks to create the Mini Cooper 997.
At the Monterey Car Week and the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, the MINI brand celebrates its 60th Anniversary with a preview of both the MINI Cooper SE battery electric along with the John Cooper Works GP. MINI is an independent brand of the BMW Group.
In addition MINI will showcase its past with a grouping of historic models that include; a US spec 1965 MINI Morris Cooper S in full rally livery, two special edition classic Minis from 2000 that represent the last production run of the classic bodied Mini introduced in 1959, the first generation MINI John Cooper Works from 2006, and a 2009 MINI E, the brand’s first generation EV. Continue reading
My Friend Jim Dunne
It had it all – Detroit Royalty surprised, hot cars, and a globally saleable glamour shot. Yes, Jim Dunne had it – he was the sine qua non of an entire category of journalism – automotive spy photography.
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