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
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on U.S. EV Adoption to Stall in 2025

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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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Corvette ZR1 Sets Five Records on U.S. Track Tour

Posted on 11 February 2025 by Ken Zino
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The Corvette ZR1* (NYSE: GM) set five new production car lap records during a U.S. track tour Chevrolet said today. The runs occurred at Road America, Road Atlanta, Virginia International Raceway Full Course, Virginia International Raceway Grand Course, and Watkins Glen Long Course.

“Corvette ZR1 continues to showcase how this nameplate elevates at every corner,” Corvette executive chief engineer Tony Roma said. “From design, engineering, development, validation, to driving and setting incredible lap records like these – we do it all in house.” Continue reading →

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Toyota Recalls 2024-2025 Tacoma Models for Bad Brakes

Posted on 11 February 2025 by Ken Zino

Toyota Motor North America is recalling more than 106,000 model 2024-2025 Tacoma 4-wheel-drive vehicles built in Mexico and California. The clearance between the rear brake hose and wheel may allow mud and dirt to build up, which can damage the brake hose and lead to a brake fluid leak.

“The subject 4-wheel drive vehicles are equipped with 16-inch brake systems where the brake hoses, attached to rear brake calipers, transfer brake fluid under hydraulic pressure to the calipers for braking. These components are positioned inside the rear Toyota 17-inch wheels. The brake calipers and wheels of this specific size combination have clearance between the brake hoses and wheels such that, if mud and dirt build up on the interior of the wheels when operating under certain off-road conditions, this mud/dirt can contact the brake hoses. Over time, this may damage and wear through the brake hoses, causing a brake fluid leak. This can lead to a reduction of brake performance and increase in brake stopping distance, which increases the risk of a crash,” Toyota said in the required filing made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Continue reading →

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First Look – New Volvo EX30 Cross Country

Posted on 10 February 2025 by Ken Zino
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Volvo Cars (Nasdaq Stockholm VOLCAR B)* at a literal fireside chat in the North of Sweden revealed today the new EX30 Cross Country SUV. Outdoors equipment brand Fjällräven was part of the show. The EX30 Cross Country is a compact fully-electric SUV. The Volvo EX30 Cross Country is available to order now in selected markets, with deliveries starting later this spring. It will eventually appear in North America.**

“We launched our first Cross Country car over 25 years ago, and this concept of durable and all-weather cars is core to the Volvo brand,” said Jim Rowan, Volvo Cars’ CEO. “In Sweden we face harsh winters, but we also like to make the most of them by getting out and exploring our amazing nature, even when it’s minus 20 Celsius outside. That’s why we want to deliver a fully rounded experience, not simply a car, to our EX30 Cross Country customers.” Continue reading →

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Ford Recalls Expeditions, Super Dutys and Lincoln Corsairs

Posted on 10 February 2025 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is recalling more than 72,000 model 2021 Expedition, 2021-2022 Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, F-600, and 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair vehicles. The rearview camera may display a blank or distorted image.

In the required safety defect recall notification made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration this morning, Ford said it doesn’t have fix for the safety defect. The remedy is currently under development. Continue reading →

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MBUSA Recalling EQB models for Battery Fires

Posted on 10 February 2025 by Ken Zino
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Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) is recalling more than 7000 model year 2022-2024 EQB 250, EQB 300 4MATIC, and EQB 350 4MATIC electric vehicles. The high voltage battery may fail internally and lead to a vehicle fire while parked or driving.*

In the mandatory safety defect recall filing made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration this morning, MBUSA said, “Due to the combination of certain production and vehicle use conditions, an internal short circuit of a battery cell in the high-voltage battery might occur, which could lead to the risk of a fire.” The defective software supplier is Farasis Energy-Ganzhou in China. Continue reading →

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Global Warming – U.S. Lags on EV Truck Battery Swapping

Posted on 10 February 2025 by Ken Zino

China is currently the largest market for deploying battery swapping trucks, The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy* said this morning in a well-researched and extensive analysis of zero-emission truck strategies. In 2023, 14% of all zero-emissions heavy-duty vehicles sold (12-month average) in China were swap-capable (Jin and Mao 2024). Tractor-trailers and dump trucks were the main applications for battery swap-capable HDVs. In China, 50% of zero-emissions tractor-trailers and 53% of zero-emissions dump trucks sold in 2023 were swap-capable.

Battery swapping is also emerging in other international markets. Janus Electric, an Australian manufacturer, advertises ranges of around 250 – 370 miles for its HDV technology that allows for battery swapping. In Japan, Ample, Inc., an American-based battery swapping company focused on light- and medium-duty electric vehicles serving shorter ranges, and Mitsubishi Fuso is piloting its technology with Mitsubishi’s light-duty eCanter electric truck using Ample’s battery swapping technology The pilot will test battery swapping for shorter driving ranges (~62-200 miles) in an urban environment. Continue reading →

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Chevrolet Blazer EV SS to Pace Daytona 500 on Sunday

Posted on 10 February 2025 by Ken Zino
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Chevrolet (NYSE: GM) said this morning that a 2025 Blazer EV SS, the fastest SS model Chevrolet ever, will pace the 67th DAYTONA 500 at Daytona International Speedway this Sunday in box stock form. The Blazer EV SS, set to go on sale late in Q1, is equipped with Wide Open Watts (WOW), which propels the vehicle from 0 to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds with 615 horsepower and 650 lb.-ft. torque. The pace car is a production vehicle with no performance upgrades, but has custom graphics and embedded strobe lighting. It’s the first EV to ever pace the race.

“Chevrolet has a long history with racing, it’s in our DNA, and the Blazer EV SS is a testament to that,” said Scott Bell, vice president of Chevrolet. “We’re excited for customers to watch the Blazer EV SS, the quickest SS we’ve ever produced, pace such an iconic race this weekend.” William Byron, driver of the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, is the defending DAYTONA 500 champion. Continue reading →

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NOAA – 2024 Was Earth’s Warmest Year on Record

Posted on 7 February 2025 by Ken Zino
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Planet Earth’s average land and ocean surface temperature in 2024 was 2.32 degrees F (1.29 degrees C) above the 20th-century average, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. This was the highest global temperature among all years in NOAA’s 1850-2024 climate record. It was 0.18 of a degree F (0.10 of a degree C) warmer than 2023, which previously was the warmest year on record. Regionally, Africa, Europe, North America, Oceania and South America (tied with 2023) had their warmest year on record. Asia and the Arctic had their second-warmest year on record.

The planet’s 10 warmest years since 1850 have all occurred in the past decade. In 2024, global temperature exceeded the pre-industrial (1850–1900) average by 2.63 degrees F (1.46 degrees C). Other scientific organizations, including NASA, the Copernicus Climate Change Service and the UK Met Office have conducted separate but similar analyses that also rank 2024 as the warmest year on record. Continue reading →

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Nissan to Increase Use of Green Steel in Japan

Posted on 7 February 2025 by Ken Zino
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Nissan Motor Company announced today that it will expand the use of low-CO2-emission steel manufactured in Japan.* Through this initiative, the proportion of low-CO2-emission steel Nissan uses in Japan in fiscal year 2025 is expected to increase by a factor of five compared to fiscal year 2023. Nissan aims to reduce CO2 emissions by 30% throughout the entire product life cycle [footnote 1] by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. (Read AutoInformed. Com on Nissan and Honda Sign Integration MOU! and Nissan Motor Posts Disastrous First Half Results, and Nissan Arc Business Plan is Sinking?)

To reach these goals, the company has increased efforts towards decarbonization in the entire process spanning from material procurement. How the apparent collapse of the proposed merger with Honda will affect embattled Nissan’s future is unclear.  Continue reading →

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