Volkswagen Group 2024 Results Drop Significantly

Posted on 11 March 2025 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Volkswagen Group 2024 Results Drop Significantly

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Volkswagen Group said today that 2024 operating result declined significantly to €3.9 billion, mainly due to restructuring expenses related to the site in Brussels and residual value effects, as well as intense competition and the current model offensive. The operating Margin was a scant 6.0%. (Read AutoInformed.com on Pablo Di Si Out at VW Group of America and VW Group – €2.6 Billion Exposure Over EV Plant Closing)

“In 2024, Volkswagen Group has set a decisive strategic course. With innovative, emotional products. With trailblazing strategic decisions. In 2025, we will continue to focus on consistent implementation. As our transformation gains in traction, the new strength of Volkswagen Group comes to life. Our continuing model offensive, regionally tailored products for our markets around the globe and strong partners constitute the basis for sustainable positive development. With the ramp-up of affordable e-mobility, our autonomous vehicle fleet and the battery cell production in Germany, Volkswagen is showcasing European innovation for the world as the global automotive tech driver,” claimed Oliver Blume, CEO Volkswagen Group. Continue reading →

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Electrify America Invests Millions in ZEV Workers

Posted on 11 March 2025 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Electrify America Invests Millions in ZEV Workers

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Electrify America* announced today a $7.4+ million investment in organizations across the U.S. to support zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) access programs, education, and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) workforce development. The funding builds on Electrify America’s previous investments in organizations to advance equitable access to electric vehicle (EV) transportation in low-income and disadvantaged communities and building a skilled EV workforce.

“Electrify America is committed to providing access to zero-emission vehicles while building a skilled workforce to support expanding EV infrastructure,” said Robert Barrosa, president and CEO of Electrify America. “By supporting education and hands-on training, we’re creating opportunities for individuals to thrive in the growing domestic EV industry  and drive the transition to electric transportation.” Continue reading →

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Mercedes-Benz USA Offers Customization of Sprinter Vans

Posted on 11 March 2025 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Mercedes-Benz USA Offers Customization of Sprinter Van

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Mercedes-Benz USA said today that its new VanSolution is starting for the customization of Sprinter and eSprinter Cargo Vans. VanSolution premieres with foundational shelving upfits, starting at $3152, directly installed by Ranger Design at the Mercedes-Benz USA Vehicle Processing Center in Ladson, South Carolina.

“This new approach underscores Mercedes-Benz’s dedication to enhancing the customer experience and driving excellence in the commercial vehicle sector. By leveraging our extensive dealer network and industry-leading expertise, we are reshaping the way vocational upfits are delivered, ensuring that our customers receive integrated solutions that streamline both the ordering and invoicing process,” said Iain Forsyth, Director, Product Management and Marketing, Vans. Continue reading →

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Toyota and Evgo Open First Charging Stations

Posted on 11 March 2025 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Toyota and Evgo Open First Charging Stations

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Evgo, one of the largest providers of public fast charging stations for electric vehicles (NASDAQ: EVGO), and Toyota Motor North America (NYSE:TM) today announced the opening of the first DC fast charging (DCFC) stations in Baldwin Park and Sacramento, California. They are part of Toyota’s so-called “Empact” vision.* The new co-branded stations, owned and operated by EVgo, each serve up to eight vehicles simultaneously and have 350kW fast chargers.

“Together with EVgo, we are supporting broader access to charging infrastructure for all battery EV drivers, including those driving Toyota and Lexus BEVs. We aim to ensure that customers find the newly opened stations both convenient and efficient for their charging needs,” said Toyota Motor North America’s General Manager of EV Charging Solutions James George. Continue reading →

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Nissan CEO Uchida Ousted

Posted on 11 March 2025 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Nissan Arc Business Plan is Sinking?

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Nissan Motor Company (7201T and NSANY ADR) today said that effective 1 April 2025  the Board of Directors has approved titles and areas of responsibility for the representative executive officer and executive officers. Ivan Espinosa, currently the chief planning officer, has been appointed as the representative executive officer, president, and CEO, succeeding Makoto Uchida. (read AutoInformed.com on:Nissan Arc Business Plan is Sinking?)

Thus the Nissan soap opera continues going all the way back to the overthrowing of CEO Carlos Ghosn.* The move comes as the Honda Nissan merger talks collapsed.** Continue reading →

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Nissan Motor Shows Latest Autonomous-Drive Technologies

Posted on 10 March 2025 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Nissan Motor Shows Latest Autonomous-Drive Technologies

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Nissan Motor Company today showcased its latest autonomous-drive (AD) technology in Yokohama’s Minato Mirai area. For the first time in Japan, a test vehicle with no driver in the car has navigated a public road in a complex urban environment. [1*]

“This is a significant step to empower mobility by resolving transportation service challenges faced by local communities, such as driver shortages resulting from an aging population. By leveraging its technology, Nissan will provide a broad range of new services that enable freedom of mobility. Nissan is maximizing its efforts to establish and verify the safety of AD technology tailored to different traffic conditions worldwide. To do this, it is utilizing insights and technologies gained through research in Japan, research in Silicon Valley conducted by the Nissan Advanced Technology Center, and participation in the U.K.’s evolvAD project,” Nissan Motor said. Continue reading →

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Ford Motor Recalls a Previous Hybrid Powertrain Recall

Posted on 10 March 2025 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is recalling some 2022-2024 Maverick, 2022 Escape, and 2021-2022 Lincoln Corsair vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 24V-330. The Hybrid Powertrain Control Module (HPCM) software may cause the vehicle to shift into neutral unexpectedly, causing a loss of drive power.

“The Ford process is capable of determining which software part numbers have been installed in production and service. Affected vehicles do not contain the remedy Hybrid Powertrain Control Module (HPCM) software for recall 24S33, Ford Motor said in the mandatory Safety Defect Filing made public today by the still functioning National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Continue reading →

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Mercedes-Benz USA Recalling AMG Hybrid Electric Vehicles

Posted on 10 March 2025 by Ken Zino

Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) is recalling ~3000 2023-2024 model year AMG GT 63 S E Performance 4-door coupes, 2025 AMG GLC 63 S E Performance, GLC 63 S E Performance Coupes, AMG GT 63 S E Performance, 2023-2025 AMG S 63 E Performance, and 2024-2025 AMG SL 63 S E Performance vehicles with a hybrid powertrain. A software error may cause the high-voltage starter alternator control unit to fail, causing a loss of drive power.

In the required filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration made public by NHTSA today MBUSA said: “Vehicles with a hybrid powertrain, the control unit for the high-voltage starter alternator might experience sporadic processor overload As a consequence, the monitoring function in the high-voltage starter alternator system might erroneously detect a component fault. In this case, the function of the high-voltage starter alternator could deactivate. This could lead to an unexpected loss of propulsion, which could increase the risk of crash. Continue reading →

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Volkswagen Group EV Recall for Sudden Loss of Power

Posted on 10 March 2025 by Ken Zino

Volkswagen Group of America is recalling~14,000 2024-2025 model year AUDI Q4 E-Tron SUV, AUDI Q4 E-Tron Sportback, and 2024 VW ID.4 vehicles. The on-board charger (OCDC) may fail and stop charging the 12-volt battery, which can result in an unexpected loss of drive power. The defective component was made by Robert Bosch in Hungary.

In the required safety defect recall filing made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration today, VW said “In the affected vehicles, condensation may form within the Onboard Charger with integrated DC/DC-Converter (OCDC), causing electromigration on the printed circuit board (PCB) due to insufficient protective coating of the complete area. The OCDC may fail and not charge the 12V battery. Continue reading →

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Vision V – Mercedes- Teases Luxury Limousine

Posted on 7 March 2025 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Vision V - Mercedes- Teases Luxury Limousine

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Mercedes-Benz said today in a release from Shanghai and Stuttgart that its new Van Electric Architecture (VAN.EA) will appear starting in 2026. It showed the so-called Vision V concept car, err van, err MPV…

“This innovative architecture re-imagines spacious, privately positioned vehicles elevating them into the luxury segment with a focus on the ‘Private Lounge’. The future model portfolio will cater to a range of customer needs offering a versatile, spacious vehicle designed to provide exceptional space and comfort. From exclusive VIP and high-end limousine transport to luxurious family vehicles, the new model will deliver on both the flexibility customers require and the refined luxury they desire. By expanding the top-end of its model portfolio, Mercedes-Benz Vans is defining a unique segment of its own that bestows true greatness to automotive luxury,” Mercedes claimed. Continue reading →

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Cadillac Formula 1 Team to Run in 2026

Posted on 7 March 2025 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Cadillac Formula 1 Team to Run in 2026

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General Motors (NYSE: GM) said today that the Cadillac Formula 1 Team has received final approval run in Formula One. It will be the 11th team as new F1 regulations are put in place that year. Supported by TWG Motorsports* and General Motors, the team will join the FIA Formula One World Championship in March 2026.

“We’re thrilled the Cadillac Formula 1 Team is official, as the team has been accelerating its work,” said GM President Mark Reuss. “We’re incredibly grateful for the support from the FIA and Formula One Management leadership for us and for our collaboration with TWG. The excitement only grows as we get closer to showcasing GM’s engineering expertise on the prestigious global stage of F1.” Continue reading →

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Interlagos Lap Record – Taycan Turbo GT

Posted on 7 March 2025 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Interlagos Lap Record - Taycan Turbo GT

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A Taycan Turbo GT* set a time of 1:42.1 minutes on the 4.3-kilometer Interlagos circuit on 5 February 2025, Porsche said today. The lap time trimmed almost eight seconds off the record set by the Taycan Turbo S in 2022 (1:49.8 minutes). It was also just under a second inside an earlier production-car lap record set by the 911 Turbo S (1:43.087 minutes).

“Coming to Interlagos and getting behind the wheel of the Taycan Turbo GT right after winning the 24 Hours of Daytona was an incredible experience. I expected the strong acceleration and brutal torque but, ultimately, it was the overall performance that really impressed me,” said Porsche works driver Felipe Nasr who drove. Continue reading →

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Genesis Magma Racing in 2026 FIA WEC

Posted on 7 March 2025 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Genesis Magma Racing in 2026 FIA WEC

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Genesis is into motorsports with plans to compete in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) in 2026 and the IMSA SportsCar Championship (IMSA) in 2027 with an Oreca-based car called GMR-001 Hypercar. “At Genesis Magma Racing, hyperspeed isn’t just a concept – it’s a reality,” said Team Principal Cyril Abiteboul in a recent interview with the Genesis newsroom.

“Building the team together and putting the different building blocks together is a challenge because nothing existed at first. It’s not just a car that we need to build. It’s a racing team. An organization. A new identity,” said Abiteboul. “Another big challenge, from a timing and engineering perspective, is the powertrain. And anyone who knows about engines will appreciate that we only had six months to develop a complete engine. Continue reading →

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McLaren Automotive Using Aerospace-Grade Carbon Fiber

Posted on 6 March 2025 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on McLaren Automotive Using Aerospace-Grade Carbon Fiber

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McLaren Automotive* said today it has developed a world-first application of an aerospace industry composites manufacturing method scaled appropriately for volume supercar manufacturing. Deployed at the McLaren Composites Technology Center (MCTC) in Sheffield, UK, the new Automated Rapid Tape (ART) production method produces McLaren ART carbon fiber structures that can be optimized to be lighter, stiffer and stronger via advanced structural optimization. They are also produced with less waste material generation.

“With more than four decades of experience in exploiting the benefits of carbon fiber as an enabler of light weight, high performance, and structural strength, McLaren has driven key developments in racing and automotive uses for the material, making it not only the standard across the Formula 1 grid, but bringing it to the road, too. Every single McLaren ever made has been based on a carbon fiber monocoque, while McLaren also maximizes the benefits of this lightweight, strong and durable material in body structures and aerodynamic systems, to unlock maximum performance and thrilling driving dynamics without compromise,” McLaren said. Continue reading →

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First Look – 2026 Cadillac Escalade IQL EV

Posted on 6 March 2025 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on First Look - 2026 Cadillac Escalade IQL

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Cadillac is expanding the Escalade lineup with the introduction of the all-electric 2026 Cadillac Escalade IQL. The Escalade IQL build off the Escalade IQ, but adds additional passenger and cargo capacity to meet the lifestyle needs of customers who require extra space. Escalade IQL will be sold globally, including in the U.S. and Canada, with production starting in mid-2025 at General Motors’ Factory ZERO plant in Detroit. Since its launch, the Cadillac Escalade has dominated the full-size luxury SUV segment for more than 25 years, selling more than 1 million units globally. [see footnote 1]

“Escalade has been the best-selling luxury full-size SUV in North America since 2014. The Escalade IQL is an important addition to the Escalade franchise and the Cadillac portfolio,” said John Roth, vice president, Global Cadillac. “With the Escalade IQL, Cadillac now offers a full lineup of internal combustion and all-electric Escalade options for our customers, no matter the propulsion.” Continue reading →

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