Blank Screen – Audi Instrument Panel Software Recalls

Posted on 14 April 2025 by Ken Zino

Audi (Volkswagen Group of America) is recalling more than 44,000 model year 2021 SQ8, A6 SEDAN, A7, A8, Q7, Q8, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, S6 SEDAN, S7, S8, A6 Allroad, and SQ7 vehicles. Because of a software error, the instrument panel display may fail.

“A vehicle’s virtual cockpit instrument cluster may shut down because of detection of an internal fault. When this occurs the engine speed (RPM), vehicle speed and gear/mode indicators will not be displayed. In addition to this, other information, such as time, date and mileage are also not displayed,” Audi said in the mandatory filing made public this morning by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Continue reading →

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Dark Roadways Deadly for Cyclists, Pedestrians

Posted on 11 April 2025 by Ken Zino
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The twice-yearly time change is not a major factor in America’s ongoing road safety problem that some call an emergency. However, the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation yesterday held a hearing on whether to continue switching back and forth between daylight saving time and standard time every year.

“Whatever you decide to do about the clock, I hope you will also consider actions to keep pedestrians and bicyclists safe, especially after sundown,” said David Harkey president of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in written testimony submitted to the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.* Continue reading →

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Annals of Marketing – McMurtry Upside Down Spéirling

Posted on 11 April 2025 by Ken Zino
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McMurtry Automotive said today that it has driven its record-breaking Spéirling hyper track car upside down. Proprietary Downforce-on-DemandTM fan system enabled the upside-down driving stunt. Customer deliveries of all-electric hypercar are scheduled for 2026; with 100 to be made. The specific car used was the McMurtry Spéirling PURE Validation Prototype 1 (VP1).

“That was just a fantastic day in the office! Strapping in and driving inverted was a completely surreal experience. The 2000kg of downforce that the fan system can generate is truly astonishing to experience and it’s great to show the reason why our Spéirling continues to take records around the world,” Said Thomas Yates, Co-founder & Managing Director of McMurtry Automotive. Continue reading →

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Porsche EV Sales Up in Q1 2025

Posted on 11 April 2025 by Ken Zino
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Porsche AG (P911.DE) said today that it substantially increased the share of electrified vehicles it sold in the first quarter of 2025. A total of 71,470 vehicles were delivered to customers worldwide between January and March, 38.5% of which were electrified. This share is comprised of 25.9% all-electric vehicles and 12.6% plug-in hybrids.

“The Macan performed very well in the first quarter and, with the all-electric variant, is making a significant contribution to our increased electrification rate. Overall, we have a very balanced powertrain mix that reflects the different preferences of our customers, globally,” said Matthias Becker, Member of the Executive Board for Sales and Marketing at Porsche AG. Continue reading →

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Concepts of What Could be a C9 Corvette Concept?

Posted on 11 April 2025 by Ken Zino
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The algorithmic-driven world of electronic media is taking over traditional automotive marketing communications. In the latest example, General Motors (NYSE:GM) used the opening of a new UK advanced design studio to show a concept of what a future concept of the next generation C9 Corvette might look like.* The publicity ploy involves multiple studios that will see additional Corvette concepts revealed throughout 2025. Concepts of what could ultimately be a concept of what could be a production hypercar. In short, concepts, almost ad infinitum.

“Our advanced design team’s mandate extends well beyond creating production vehicles,” said Michael Simcoe, senior VP of global design. “While they collaborate within our global design network on production and concept vehicle programs, these teams are primarily tasked with imagining what mobility could look like five, 10, and even 20 years into the future and driving innovation for GM.” Continue reading →

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CARB – More E-Bike Vouchers Coming

Posted on 10 April 2025 by Ken Zino
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The California Air Resources Board (CARB) said today it will open its second application window for income-eligible Californians to receive up to $2000 toward the purchase of a new electric bike (e-bike) through the California E-Bike Incentive Project on April 29 at 5 p.m. Applications will be taken through an online portal. The December 2024 launch of the voucher program was completed in less than an hour due to high demand. At one point the online queue had nearly 100,000 people waiting, and it closed once 1500 applications were reserved.

“The unprecedented interest in the vouchers shows there is a big need and strong interest in electric bikes in California,” said Dr. Steven Cliff, CARB executive officer. “The growth of this technology is an important part of our efforts to make zero-emission transportation options available to all Californians.” Continue reading →

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Pew Research on Trump Versus the Media

Posted on 10 April 2025 by Ken Zino
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A Federal Judge has ordered the Trump Administration to reestablish access of The Associated Press to government facilities after The AP refused to use Gulf of Mexico decree from Trump. This prompted the independent Pew Research Center to release its polling data on opinions of, well, the threadbare Trump versus the media attacks.

“Americans are more likely to say the Trump administration has been too critical of the media (46%) than to say the administration has not been critical enough (22%), while 29% say the administration has been mostly fair. Democrats are much more likely than Republicans to say the Trump administration has been too critical of the news media (70% vs. 23%),” Pew noted. Continue reading →

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Trump Tariff Chaos – Latest CAR Analysis is Grim

Posted on 10 April 2025 by Ken Zino

The Center for Automotive Research (CAR) released today a new analysis* of the impact of potential tariffs on imported auto parts and light vehicles. It tackles what impact will a uniform 25% tariff on all trading partners have on the automotive industry overall?

“The analysis emphasizes the complexity of the modern automotive supply chain, noting that ‘the modern automotive supply chain is both global and complex, convoluting the seemingly simple question of the cost of 25% tariffs on the industry,’ and that ‘automakers and their suppliers are often multinational companies with facilities spread out across the world,’ making it difficult to discern how much of a vehicle is domestically produced,” said Dr. K. Venkatesh Prasad, Senior Vice President of Research and Chief Innovation Officer at CAR.**
 Continue reading →

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Nissan Launches Next Gen Autonomous Drive in FY 27

Posted on 10 April 2025 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Nissan Launches Next Gen Autonomous Drive in FY 27

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Nissan (7201T and NSANY ADR) said today it will launch the next generation of autonomous driving technology in the Japanese fiscal year of 2027 (1 April 2026 and ends on 31 March 2028).*

“The system, featuring Nissan Ground Truth Perception technology with next-generation Lidar and Wayve AI Driver software, will set a new standard for autonomous driving with advanced collision avoidance capability,” Nissan claimed. (AutoInformed: Nissan Motor Shows Latest Autonomous-Drive Technologies) Continue reading →

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BMW Group Posts Slight Q1 2025 Sales Drop

Posted on 10 April 2025 by Ken Zino
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BMW Group (Bayerische Motoren Werke AG ADR BMWYY) said today that global automotive deliveries were basically flat at 586,149. Compared to the previous year this represented a drop of -1.4%. China. was largely the problem, as it is for all non-native automakers. During the first three months of 2025, the BMW Group saw growth in Europe ( 241,867 for +6.2%) and the US (94,591 for +4.0%). This gives U.S. bragging rights to BMW since MBUSA (Mercedes-Benz Group AG MBGAF) sold 75,100 vehicles in the quarter. Outside of China, BMW growth was +5.9%. year-over-year.*

“The BMW Group’s technology-open strategy is proving successful. Our products are winning over customers worldwide across all drive technologies, with positive momentum driven, in particular, by the new MINI models – especially the fully-electric variants. One in three MINIs sold in Europe and more than one out of every two sold in China were fully-electric,” said Jochen Goller, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Customer, Brands, Sales. Continue reading →

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Annals of Marketing – Mercedes and Disney+

Posted on 9 April 2025 by Ken Zino
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Mercedes-Benz (MBGn.DE) said today that Disney+, the streaming service from The Walt Disney Company, is now available to Mercedes-Benz customers in the U.S. [footnote 1]. Disney+ will also be available in the new CLA, which arrives at U.S. dealerships later in 2025.

“We are excited to collaborate with Disney+ to bring a new level of entertainment to our customers. This integration reflects our commitment to enhancing the in-car experience and providing innovative solutions that align with our customers’ lifestyles. With Disney+ on board, every journey becomes an adventure,” said Markus Schäfer, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG. Continue reading →

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Kill The Cuts National Day of Action Against Trump Administration

Posted on 9 April 2025 by Ken Zino
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Researchers and educators who have had their funding cut spoke today at 37 separate demonstrations about the effects this Trump Administration assault on publicly-funded research is having at their institutions and across the country. Senator Ed Markey and Representatives Jayapal and Simon were at the DC rally. President Trump has issued Executive Orders attacking the NIH, NSF, while dismantling the Department of Education.

“Thousands of people across the country came together today for Kill the Cuts, a national Day of Action to raise awareness and fight back against the Trump administration’s devastating attacks on research, health, and higher education. The events (the full list here) were sponsored by a coalition of education, labor and health advocates, including UAW, SEIU, AFSCME, UE, NEA, AFT, CWA, AAUP, HELU, Labor for Higher Education, the Debt Collective,” the United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW),” said. Continue reading →

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Michigan Governor Whitmer Offers Sensible Tariff Fixes

Posted on 9 April 2025 by Ken Zino
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Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer today delivered her “Build, America, Build” speech in Washington D.C. Simply put, it was a plan to show both parties and federal officials how to build America’s manufacturing might, increase jobs, invest in people and protect our national defense. It was based on  Whitmer’s proven approach – work with friends and compete against adversaries.*

“I came to DC because I believe in our ability to bridge political divides and make lasting progress. Even in my 7th year as governor, I’m still guided by the values I was taught growing up in a bipartisan household. Those core, Midwestern values of decency, respect, and kindness still shape the way I approach this work because it helps me get things done,” Whitmer said. Continue reading →

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Mercedes-AMG Hybrid Wagon Coming to the U.S.

Posted on 8 April 2025 by Ken Zino
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Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) said today that its first performance hybrid wagon from Mercedes-AMG will be offered in U.S. later in the 2025 calendar year. There will be 12 exterior paint colors, including four MANUFAKTUR hues, along with the optional AMG Night Package, AMG Night Package Plus and AMG Exterior Carbon Fiber Package. Standard are 20-inch AMG 5-Twin Spoke wheels with 20-inch AMG 10-Twin Spoke and 21-inch AMG Forged Cross-Spoke wheels in several finishes are optionally available.

“An AMG-enhanced 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder turbocharged engine and permanently excited synchronous electric motor powers the AMG E 53 HYBRID Wagon, generating a 577-hp combined system output as standard, and 604 hp with optional RACE START [footnote 2],” MBUSA claimed. Continue reading →

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Annals of Marketing – Cadillac Dining Experience

Posted on 8 April 2025 by Ken Zino
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Cadillac (NYSE: GM) said today that its limited-time dining experience “Cadillac of Reservations” is expanding to three more U.S. cities this spring and summer. More consumers will have the chance to enjoy a dining experience in the all-electric Cadillac Escalade IQ* at some of the buzziest restaurants including La Dolce Vita in Beverly Hills (April), COTE Korean Steakhouse in Miami (early summer) and State Bird Provisions in San Francisco (late summer).

“This expansion builds on the successful Cadillac x COQODAQ (New York City) collaboration in January, where a few lucky patrons enjoyed COQODAQ’s signature fried chicken dishes in the Executive Second Row of the Escalade IQ. The immersive five-course dining experience featured table settings on the vehicle’s stowable tray tables along with a song pairing for each dish played through the AKG [see footnote 1] studio reference 40-speaker audio system. Available massaging, heated and ventilated second row captain’s seats, and a virtual fireplace displayed on the available rear infotainment screens added to the comfortable atmosphere,” Cadillac said. Continue reading →

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