Stellantis Unveils STLA AutoDrive

Posted on 20 February 2025 by Ken Zino
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Stellantis (NYSE: STLA) today debuted  STLA AutoDrive 1.0, the Company’s first in-house-developed automated driving system. It claims to deliver Hands-Free and Eyes-Off (SAE Level 3) functionality. STLA AutoDrive is a key to Stellantis’ technology strategy, alongside STLA Brain and STLA Smart Cockpit, by advancing vehicle intelligence, automation and user experience. STLA AutoDrive enables automated driving at speeds up to 60 km/h (37 mph), reducing driver workload in stop-and-go traffic. It’s described as ideal for commuters in dense urban areas since , STLA AutoDrive will allow drivers to temporarily engage in non-driving tasks such as watching a movie, catching up on emails, reading a book or simply looking out the window, reclaiming valuable time.

“Helping drivers make the best use of their time is a priority,” said Ned Curic, Stellantis Chief Engineering and Technology Officer. “By handling routine driving tasks, STLA AutoDrive will enhance the driving experience, making time behind the wheel more efficient and enjoyable.” Continue reading →

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Michigan Signs MOU With UAE

Posted on 19 February 2025 by Ken Zino

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer joined His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah (RAK), and leaders from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and the University of Michigan (U-M) to sign a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to advance global innovation, entrepreneurship, economic growth, and job creation. The ceremony was attended by Robert Raines, Consul General of the United States in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, along with a delegation of business, academic, and innovation leaders from the State of Michigan.

“Michigan is an international leader in manufacturing and innovation,” said Governor Whitmer. “By signing a Memorandum of Understanding with RAK and the University of Michigan, we are highlighting our advanced manufacturing strength, engineering talent, and cutting-edge R&D while showing the world why they should continue to create jobs and invest in Michigan.” Continue reading →

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Society of Automotive Analysts – New Board of Directors

Posted on 18 February 2025 by Ken Zino
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The Society of Automotive Analysts (SAA) today announced its Board of Directors for 2025. Adam Bernard, Founder and Principal of AutoPerspectives, will serve as SAA president, while Jeff Schuster, President of Forecasting, GlobalData, moves into the vice president role. (read AutoInformed.com on: Ford Trends – Climate Change and Post Covid Consumer Views)

The SAA’s stated goals are to provide automotive professionals exclusive access to industry leaders, early insights and outstanding networking opportunities. “SAA members include every automotive industry professional interested in timely and useful auto industry data, discussion and dissemination of ideas, concepts and solutions,” the SAA said. Continue reading →

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Honda and Oracle Red Bull F1 Machines to Run through Tokyo

Posted on 17 February 2025 by Ken Zino
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Honda Motor Company and Red Bull said today that they are proud to support “Red Bull Showrun x Powered by Honda,” a special event featuring an F1 machine showrun organized by the International TOP Motorsports Experience Executive Committee [ITOM]. On 2 April 2035 (Wed) Honda and Oracle Red Bull Racing F1 machines will run through Tokyo. (Read AutoInformed.com on: Honda 1964 RA272 F1 Car to Lap Laguna Seca Historic Races)

“In this final year, ahead of the Formula 1 Lenovo Japanese Grand Prix 2025 held at Suzuka Circuit in Mie Prefecture from Friday, April 4 to Sunday, April 6, this showrun event brings the speed, sound, smell, power, excitement, and atmosphere of F1 machines to the people. Come witness Max Verstappen, Yuki Tsunoda, and other racing drivers push F1 machines to their limits in Tokyo. Tickets are required for admission. Ticket and venue details will be announced on the official website. Proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to charity or invested in local community initiatives,” the companies said. Continue reading →

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Toyota and Lexus Recalls for Bad Safety Belts

Posted on 17 February 2025 by Ken Zino

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing is recalling ~50,000 2025 Toyota Camry Hybrid, Lexus NX250, NX350, NX350 Hybrid, 2024-2025 Lexus RX350, RX350 Hybrid, and RX500 Hybrid vehicles for damaged Mexican made seat belts.

“The second-row center seat belt webbing may be damaged. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 209, Seat Belt Assemblies,” Toyota told the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in the mandatory safety defect filing made public by NHTSA today. Continue reading →

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GM Recalls Sierra 1500 Trucks for Grilles Flying Off

Posted on 17 February 2025 by Ken Zino

General Motors (NYSE: GM) is recalling more than 70,000 2022 model GMC Sierra 1500 pickup trucks equipped with chrome front grille deflectors. The attachments that hold the front grille deflectors in place may fracture, resulting in grille detachment, according to the mandatory safety defect filing made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration today.

“This recall only involves GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles with chrome grille deflectors produced after GM’s 2022 model year mid-cycle enhancement for the Sierra (RPOJ22). 2022 model year Sierra 1500 series vehicles produced prior to the mid-cycle enhancement (RPO J21) are not affected by this recall. Vehicles with non-chrome grille deflectors are not part of this recall. 2500/3500 vehicles have a different grille design and are not part of this recall,” GM told NHTSA. Continue reading →

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Hyundai Motor America recalls 2025 IONIQ 5 EVs

Posted on 17 February 2025 by Ken Zino

Hyundai Motor America is recalling 2025 IONIQ 5 EV vehicles. The rear floor wiring harness may contain an open circuit, which can result in the rear side airbag not deploying as intended, according to the mandatory safety recall filing made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration today. The driving will see the Illumination of the airbag warning lamp. A rear side airbag non-deployment may increase the risk of injury to occupants during crashes warranting commanded deployment of the SRS.

“The rear floor wiring harness in the subject vehicles may have been produced with insufficient crimping at the rear side airbag connector terminal(s), increasing the risk of an open circuit. An open circuit could impede the deployment signal in the affected connector,” Hyundai told NHTSA. Continue reading →

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Volvo Car USA Recalls EX90s for Headlight Failures

Posted on 17 February 2025 by Ken Zino

Volvo Car USA is recalling 2025 EX90 electric full-size SUVs. Due to a software error in the low power controller (LPC), the headlight shutters may close over the high and low beams while driving, according to the mandatory safety recall filing made public today by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. A Temporary DIM message is displayed for 2-3 seconds during the safety defect.

The LPC software will be updated through an over-the-air (OTA) update or by a dealer, free of charge as required by U.S. safety regulations. Owner notification letters are not expected to be mailed until 3 April 2025. Owners may contact Volvo’s customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo’s number for this recall is R10298. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-888-275-9171) or go to nhtsa.gov about NHTSA recall 25V071 or 25V-071. Continue reading →

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Trump Tax Cuts for Rich among other things Wildly Unpopular

Posted on 14 February 2025 by Ken Zino

Data for Progress said today that House Republicans currently debating budget reconciliation are planning to extend and expand President Trump’s 2017 tax cuts for corporations and high-income households, which are expected to cost trillions in the coming years. To pay for this, GOP Congress members have proposed slashing health care, food assistance, education funding, and many tax credits benefiting low-income communities and shifting costs to states and families.

Together with the Student Borrower Protection Center and Groundwork Collaborative, Data for Progress conducted a survey from 31 January – 2 February measuring voter sentiment toward cuts to federal funding and tax breaks for the wealthy. The poll shows that many government programs are very popular with likely voters: Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, and SNAP each have support from more than 3 in 4 respondents. Continue reading →

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World Endurance Championship – New Ferrari 499P

Posted on 14 February 2025 by Ken Zino
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Ferrari officially marked the start of its third season in the FIA World Endurance Championship’s top class by unveiling today the 2025 livery of the 499Ps which will compete under the official Ferrari – AF Corse team banner.*

“True to the philosophy of the Prancing Horse, the 2025 499P looks ahead, supported by the creativity of Ferrari’s designers. The livery has been modernized with a new composition, blending red – a darker shade that reinterprets the colors seen on Ferrari race cars from past decades, with Giallo Modena, accentuating the car’s body lines,” Ferrari said. Continue reading →

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Toyota Develops New 3rd Gen Fuel Cell System

Posted on 14 February 2025 by Ken Zino
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Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC: Tokyo 7203. NYSE: TM) said today that it has developed a new fuel cell system – its third-generation – as part of its ongoing efforts toward the realization of a hydrogen powered society.* The 3rd Gen FC System will be unveiled on Wednesday 19 February at the H2 & FC EXPO (International Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Expo) in Tokyo, Japan.

“The all-new 3rd Gen FC System is designed to meet the particular needs of the commercial sector with the same durability as conventional diesel-powered engines. Additionally, the new system features significant improvements in performance, including fuel efficiency and a significant reduction in costs compared to the prior version. In addition to passenger vehicles, the 3rd Gen FC System will be expanded for use in heavy-duty commercial vehicles, and is planned for introduction in markets mainly in Japan, Europe, North America, and China after 2026 at the earliest,” Toyota said. Continue reading →

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J.D. Power – Three Year Old Vehicle Problems Up

Posted on 14 February 2025 by Ken Zino
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Vehicle problems after three years of ownership have reached the highest level since 2009, according to the J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Vehicle Dependability StudySM (VDS), released this week. Compared with 2024 results, the industry experiences a 6% increase in problems per 100 vehicles (PP100), which is 12 PP100 worse than a year ago, resulting in an industry average of 202 PP100. The rise in problems is attributable to mass market brands experiencing a 16 PP100 increase related in part to software defects.

“While the increase in problems this year may be a thorn in the side of automakers and owners, it’s important to remember that today’s three-year-old vehicles were built during a time when the industry was grappling with major disruptions,” said Jason Norton, director of auto benchmarking at J.D. Power. “Supply chain issues, record-high vehicle prices, and personnel disruption in the wake of the pandemic were problematic.” Continue reading →

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Penske Automotive Group Posts Record Q4 Revenue of $7.7B

Posted on 13 February 2025 by Ken Zino
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Penske Automotive Group (NYSE: PAG), today announced fourth quarter and twelve-month 2024 results. For Q4 net income attributable to common stockholders was $236.4 million compared to $190.7 million in the prior year period, and related earnings per share was $3.54 compared to $2.84 in the prior year period. Fourth quarter 2023 results include a goodwill impairment charge of $40.7 million (before and after tax), representing $0.61 per share.*

“I am pleased with our financial performance during the fourth quarter. Revenue increased 6% to $7.7 billion, a quarterly record. New and used automotive gross profit per unit retailed remained strong, including a $74 per unit sequential increase in new vehicle gross profit per unit retailed when compared to the third quarter of 2024, and same-store service and parts revenue and gross profit increased 7% and 9%, respectively,” said Chair Roger Penske. Continue reading →

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Magna Expands Partnership with Mercedes-Benz

Posted on 12 February 2025 by Ken Zino
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Magna said this week that it is expanding its work with Mercedes-Benz.* Heretofore the relationship has spanned multiple areas of the vehicle, including powertrain and drivetrain systems, ADAS technologies, body and chassis components, electrification, interior systems, and vehicle assembly.

“Strong partnerships with our customers are essential for driving innovation and advancing the automotive industry,” said Eric Wilds, Magna Chief Strategy & Commercial Officer. “Our continued partnership with Mercedes-Benz exemplifies how working together can lead to groundbreaking solutions and mutual success.” Continue reading →

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U.S. EV Adoption to Stall in 2025

Posted on 12 February 2025 by Ken Zino
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J.D. Power said today that it is projecting that 2025 will be a flat year for EV adoption, in which total retail share will hold at 9.1% as manufacturers and consumers adjust to new market undercurrents.*

“Amid a flurry of speculation about how Trump administration policies on everything from EV incentives and tariffs on foreign imports to federal emissions and mileage standards will affect the future of EV adoption, J.D. Power has focused its attention on the data, reassessing the major trends in EV adoption for the past four years, and analyzing current government policies and manufacturer strategies to get the most accurate reading possible on consumer sentiment heading into 2025. Though many variables are still at play, which could create potential headwinds and tailwinds to EV adoption, J.D. Power is projecting that 2025 will be a reset year for EV adoption, in which total retail share will hold at 9.1% as manufacturers and consumers adjust to new market dynamics,” J.D. Power said. Continue reading →

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