IONNA Breaks Ground on So-Called Rechargery for EVs

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on IONNA Breaks Ground on So-Called Rechargery for EVs

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IONNA,* a charging network founded by eight automakers – BMW, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz, Kia, Stellantis and Toyota –  announced today the ground breaking for the first IONNA ‘Rechargery.’ It is remaking a historic district gas station into an EV charging station in Apex, North Carolina. AutoInformed notes the irony, and also  that the town was built around a railroad steam engine refill pond, which the workers dubbed Apex. (Read Autoinformed.com onToyota Joins IONNA EV Charging Network in North America)

“This metro site is perfectly situated to serve local and traveling customers within the Triangle. Providing 10 covered parking bays, protected from the elements and accessible to both CCS and NACS, the charging ports will be capable of up to 400kW and 800+ Volts. Continue reading

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U.S. Vehicles Sales Drop as Consumers Wait for Discounts

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on U.S. Vehicles Sales Drop as Consumers Wait for Discounts

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U.S. Light Vehicle sales totaled 1.17 million  units in September, according to a preliminary analysis just released by the respected GlobalData* consultancy. The annualized selling rate for the month was 15.8 million units/year, up from 15.2 million units/year in August. The daily selling rate was estimated at 50,700 units/day in September, down from 50,900 in August.** Light Vehicle (LV) sales fell by 13.1% year-on-year (YoY). September lacked the Labor Day holiday weekend this year, and “with only 23 selling days in the month compared to 26 in 2023, the month was always likely to be weak in terms of an adjusted YoY comparison,” GlobalData said.

“September sales were in line with our forecast, although our expectations were modest for what was always penciled in to be a quieter month. Even though the Federal Reserve cut interest rates by 50 basis points – above the expectations of many analysts – it is likely to take some time for lower borrowing costs to feed through to the auto industry. Generally, high vehicle pricing is keeping monthly payments elevated, and therefore some consumers are still sitting on the sidelines,” said David Oakley, Manager, Americas Sales Forecasts at GlobalData.
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NHTSA Issues Park Outside Consumer Alert for Jeep Fires

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has issued a rare Consumer Alert telling owners of more than 154,000 model year 2020-2024 Jeep Wrangler plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and model year 2022-2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee plug-in hybrid electric vehicles due to a risk of fire while parked or driven. There have been two alleged injuries reported to date. The affected vehicles may have been built with a high voltage battery that may fail internally. (read AutoInformed.com on Plug-in Hybrid Jeeps Recalled for Battery Fire Risks)

Owners should park their vehicles outside and away from structures and other vehicles until their vehicle has been remedied. In addition, owners should not charge unrepaired vehicles, because the risk of fire is higher in a charged battery and the risk of fire is reduced when the battery is depleted. Continue reading

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Nissan Group U.S. Q3 Sales Off 2.2% with Varying Results

Nissan Group today announced total U.S. third-quarter (July – September) sales for 2024 of 212,068 units, a decrease of -2.2% versus the prior year.

Broken out ,Infiniti USA reported deliveries of 14,540 vehicles Q3 2024, a decrease of 12.1%.The QX50 crossover bucked the trend, with an increase of 11.7% for the quarter and 10.1% for the year. Infiniti car sales plunged -36.2% at 2041. Infiniti CUV/SUV sales were off -8.7% at 14,503. Continue reading

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American Honda September Sales Drop 9%

American Honda today posted tepid September sales of 105,527 units down ~9% month over month and year-to-date.

“Our sales momentum has continued through the third quarter with strong demand for Honda and Acura SUVs, and growing sales of electrified models,” said Lance Woelfer, vice president of Auto Sales at American Honda Motor Company. Continue reading

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Toyota Motor North America September Sales off 20%

Toyota Motor North America (NYSE: TM) posted U.S. September sales of 162,595 vehicles, down 20.3% on a volume basis and down 9.9% on a daily selling rate (DSR) basis versus September 2023. This is consistent with the expected industry sales slump evident at all other automakers thus far. September electrified vehicle sales consisting of hybrids, plug-in hybrids, pure electrics and fuel cells were 48.4% of total sales volume and totaled 78,683, up 22.4% on a volume basis and up 38.3 % on a DSR basis. Toyota remains the industry’s number one retail brand through the nine month period.

“In September, nearly 50% of our total sales volume was an electrified model, an achievement made possible by our outstanding team and dealers,” said Jack Hollis, executive vice president, Sales, TMNA. Continue reading

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GM Posts Modest U.S. Sales increase for Q3 2024

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on GM Posts Modest U.S. Sales increase for Q3 2024

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General Motors (NYSE: GM) said today its dealers increased retail sales by 3% year over year in September and delivered 659,601 total vehicles, down 2%, in the U.S. during Q3 of 2024. The company posted another record quarter of EV sales with 32,195 total deliveries, up 60% year-over-year and up 46% compared to the second quarter of 2024. The industry total SAAR is estimated at 16.2 million, equal to Q2 and YOY. There were 76 selling days for Q 3 2024 and 78 selling days for the same Quarter last year.

“GM’s EV portfolio is growing faster than the market because we have an all-electric vehicle for just about everybody, no matter what they like to drive,” claimed Rory Harvey, GM executive vice president and president of Global Markets. Continue reading

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Mattias Ekström Joins Ford Performance for 2025 Dakar Rally

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Mattias Ekström Joins Ford Performance for 2025 Dakar Rally

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Rally and off-road driver Mattias Ekström will be joining Ford Performance for the 2025 Dakar Rally, Ford (NYSE: F) said today. Ekström, a two-time DTM champion, World Rallycross champion, and experienced rally raid competitor, will join Mitch Guthrie Jr, Nani Roma, and Carlos Sainz Sr in piloting the Ford Raptor T1+.

“Bringing Mattias Ekström into the Ford Performance family is a big step forward for our Dakar program,” said Mark Rushbrook, global director of Ford Performance. “Mattias brings a wealth of experience in rally and off-road racing, and his skills add to a formidable team in the Ford Raptor T1+. The Dakar Rally is a test like no other, but we’re confident in our lineup.” Continue reading

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Plug-in Hybrid Jeeps Recalled for Battery Fire Risks

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Jeep Wrangler 4xe Plug-In Hybrid

Jeep Wrangler 4xe Plug-In Hybrid.

FCA US (now part of Stellantis NYSE: STLA via a PSA merger) is recalling ~154,032 U.S.-market plug-in hybrid SUVs to resolve a potential fire risk, according to a media statement issued late yesterday. This recall affects certain model-year 2020-2024 Jeep® Wrangler 4xe and 2022-2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe SUVs. (read AutoInformed.com on: Beleaguered Stellantis Cuts 2024 Financial Guidance)

“A routine company review of customer data led to an internal investigation that discovered 13 fires. All vehicles were parked and turned off. The company estimates 5% of affected vehicles may have the defect,” FCA said. “Vehicle risk is reduced when the battery charge level is depleted. Accordingly, owners are advised to refrain from recharging. Out of an abundance of caution, the company is also advising owners of these vehicles to park away from structures or other vehicles until the remedy is obtained.” Continue reading

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Mercedes-Benz USA Software Recall for Sudden Stalling

Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) is recalling more than 27,000 model year 2021-2023 S580, and Maybach S580 vehicles. In the event of a mechanical failure in the engine Camtronic system, the engine control unit (ECU) software may cause the engine to overheat or stall, according to the required safety defect filing made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration today.

“In the event of an independent hardware failure in the Camtronic system, the amount of injected fuel might be erroneously increased by the lambda control system during cylinder deactivation. As a result, exhaust temperatures may increase and might damage surrounding components (e.g. engine wiring harness, catalytic converter). A loss of propulsion without warning and an increased risk of fire cannot be ruled out. Due to a deviation in the development process, in the event of an independent hardware failure in the Camtronic system, the lambda control might not be deactivated as intended if cylinder deactivation is engaged. Before the issue occurs, the driver will not receive a warning due to the nature of the failure mechanism,” MBUSA said. Continue reading

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Mazda Recalls 2016 – 2023 Miata Sports Cars for Bad Airbags

Mazda North American Operations is recalling 2016-2023 MX-5 Miata sports cars built in Japan. A software error in the Robert Bosch supplied air bag control module may cause the front air bags to deploy with excessive force during a crash. Mazda has been aware of the problem for more than a year.

In the required safety defect filing made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration today, Mazda said as of 11 September 2024, it is not aware of any reports of accidents or injuries related to this safety defect. Also, as of this date, no field reports have been received by the United States or Territory markets. Continue reading

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Beleaguered Stellantis Cuts 2024 Financial Guidance

Stellantis N.V. (NYSE: STLA) today revised its 2024 financial guidance, “reflecting decisions to significantly enlarge remediation actions on North American performance issues, as well as deterioration in global industry dynamics.” Actions include North American shipment declines of more than 200,000 vehicles in the second half of 2024 (up from 100,000 prior guidance), compared to the prior year period, increased incentives on 2024 and older model year vehicles. (Read AutoInformed.com on: Stellantis Tanks in First Half of 2024 – Net Profit -48%)*

“The Company will continue to leverage and expand its competitive differentiators and believes that the recovery actions being put in place will ensure stronger operational and financial performance in 2025 and beyond,” Stellantis said in a terse release. “Deterioration in the global industry backdrop reflects a lower 2024 market forecast than at the beginning of the period, while competitive dynamics have intensified due to both rising industry supply, as well as increased Chinese competition,” Stellantis said. Continue reading

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Loyalty Keeps Vehicle Buyers Out of Market Amidst Shortages

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Loyalty Keeps Vehicle Buyers Out of Market Amidst Shortages

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Perennial brand loyalty leaders including Toyota, Honda and Lexus have each been able to grow their respective shares of loyal customers amid stagnation experienced by other brands, according to the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Automotive Brand Loyalty StudySM.

“Amid ongoing inventory shortages, the most loyal customers actually stayed out of the market if they were unable to get their desired vehicle,” said Tyson Jominy, vice president of data & analytics at J.D. Power. “Now that inventory levels are recovering, customers are coming back. In particular, Toyota and Honda are benefiting from increased availability of hybrid vehicles, with Honda owners swapping out their gas-powered vehicles for hybrids at nearly triple the rate of the industry average. Lexus is also benefiting from strengthened residual values, which are helping drive loyalty for the brand despite premium brands as a whole experiencing a plateau this year.” Continue reading

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IPR Center Warns Consumers of Chinese Counterfeit Airbags

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on IPR Center Warns Consumers of Chinese Counterfeit Airbags

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Vehicle owners and drivers across the country should be on high alert for unsafe and potentially deadly counterfeit auto parts as the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPR Center) said this week as it launched a new campaign, “Put the Brakes on Fakes.” Presumably auto repair shops know better, but AutoInformed wouldn’t bet on it.

“The rise in counterfeit automotive parts and equipment continue to be an alarming upward trend,” said IPR Center Director Ivan Arvelo. “This campaign, which is not just an initiative or routine consumer safety alert, is a movement to save lives, prevent the use of counterfeit parts, and ensure consumers and auto repair professionals are informed about critical risks associated with counterfeit and substandard auto parts.” Continue reading

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Lima Refining Settles Clean Air Act Violations in Ohio

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Lima Refining Settles Clean Air Act Violations in Ohio

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The Justice Department and the Environmental Protection Agency today announced a settlement with the Lima Refining Company (LRC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Canadian-based Cenovus Energy, to address violations of the Clean Air Act at its refinery in Lima, Ohio. LRC must pay a civil penalty of $19 million and implement ~$150 million in capital investments, including control technology expected to reduce emissions of benzene by an estimated 4.34 tons per year, other hazardous air pollutants (HAP) by 16.26 tons per year, and other volatile organic compound emissions (VOC) by 219 tons per year.

“This settlement is part of an ongoing initiative to curtail illegal benzene and VOC emissions at refineries that have failed to allocate the necessary personnel and capital investments to ensure compliance with rules they have long been subject to,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “Under the settlement, the refinery will implement controls that will greatly improve air quality and reduce health impacts on the overburdened community that surrounds the refinery.” Continue reading

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