EPA and Justice Sue eBay for Selling Toxic Substances

Posted on 27 September 2023 by Ken Zino

The US Department of Justice today on behalf of the EPA filed a complaint against eBay Inc. (eBay) for unlawfully selling, offering for sale, causing the sale of, and distributing hundreds of thousands of products in violation of the Clean Air Act (CAA), the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (“FIFRA”) and the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The complaint filed with the federal Eastern District of New York in Brooklyn seeks a ruling that eBay’s business practices as an e-commerce retailer violated the CAA, FIFRA, and TSCA with injunctive relief to enjoin eBay from further violations of these laws, as well as civil penalties for violations of the CAA.

“Our nation’s environmental laws protect public health and the environment by prohibiting the unlawful sale of defeat devices; unregistered, misbranded and restricted use pesticides; and unsafe products containing toxic chemicals such as methylene chloride,” said Assistant Administrator David M. Uhlmann for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “The complaint filed today demonstrates that EPA will hold online retailers responsible for the unlawful sale of products on their websites that can harm consumers and the environment.” Continue reading →

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Woven by Toyota Now a Wholly Owned Toyota Subsidiary

Posted on 27 September 2023 by Ken Zino

Toyota Motor Corporation and Woven by Toyota announced today “that to accelerate the implementation of software in social systems and vehicles, they intend to strengthen their relationship by making Woven by Toyota a wholly owned Toyota subsidiary.” (AutoInformed: Toyota’s Woven Capital Invests in Ridecell for Mobility Services)

In April of this year, Woven Planet Holdings, Inc. changed its name to Woven by Toyota, as it undertook a corporate reorganization. Toyota said that was because of its desire to realize software implementation in vehicles at an early stage and Woven by Toyota’s belief that development that is in step with customers’ needs is necessary for accelerating software implementation in society. As such, Woven by Toyota was reorganized, and it was decided that software development by Woven by Toyota would take the form of being outsourced from Toyota.
Continue reading →

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Bentley Motors Unveils the Belonging Bentayga

Posted on 27 September 2023 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Bentley Motors Unveils the Belonging Bentayga

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Bentley Motors today revealed the ‘Belonging Bentayga.’ This is a hand-painted Alpine Green Bentayga Hybrid with different skylines and well-known buildings from cities all across the world, such as New York, London, Paris, Rome, Milan, Venice, Tokyo and Hong Kong. Each side of the car depicts a different continent.

The art piece that displays 29 different landmarks is drawn from memory by Stephen Wiltshire* MBE, a British architectural artist and autistic savant, who is known for his ability to draw a landscape after seeing it just once, Bentley said in a release. The design also includes many drawings of people, nationalities of the world united in one design. The Bentley Bentayga is the third such piece of art unveiled by the company to mark its awakened commitment to diversity. (AutoInformed:  Bentley Bentayga Hybrid Has 24-Mile Electric Range) Continue reading →

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Fraud – SEC Charges Hydrogen Truck Company Hyzon Motors

Posted on 27 September 2023 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Fraud - SEC Charges Hydrogen Vehicle Company Hyzon Motors

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The Securities and Exchange Commission  said it settled fraud charges against Hyzon Motors Inc.(NASDAQ: HYZN), a Rochester New York-based company that builds hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs). The SEC complaint was for misleading investors about its business relationships and vehicle sales before and after a July 2021 merger with a publicly traded special purpose acquisition company, or SPAC. The SEC also charged Craig M. Knight, Hyzon’s former CEO, and Max C.B. Holthausen, former managing director of Hyzon’s European subsidiary, for their roles in the fraudulent scheme.

“Transparency in the form of full, fair, and accurate disclosure is fundamental to the federal securities laws,” said Jason Burt, Regional Director of the SEC’s Denver Regional Office. “The defendants allegedly violated this principle by misleading investors about virtually every aspect of Hyzon’s business. The terms of today’s settlement, if approved by the court, will hold Hyzon and responsible individuals accountable for their misconduct.” Continue reading →

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President Biden on UAW Picket Line Backs Wage Bids

Posted on 26 September 2023 by Ken Zino

Present Biden joined a UAW picket line at the GM Willow Run distribution center in Michigan punctuating his claim to be a pro-labor president by standing up “with workers in our fight for economic and social justice The punctuation marks were!!! The move to join the picket line was once again a knockout blow to Republican presidential wannabes who are falling all over themselves to be anti-labor. Biden appeared in front of and on the picket line of Local 174, the home of UAW founder, reformer and visionary Walter Reuther. (AutoInformed: Labor Day – UAW Struggles Are Key to The American Dream; EV Politics – Biden versus the UAW)

“Hello, UAW!,” Biden said. “I marched in a lot of UAW picket lines when I was a senator – since 1973 – but I tell you what, it’s the first time I’ve ever done it as president. Folks, look, one thing is real simple – I’m going to be very brief – the fact of the matter is that you guys, the UAW – you saved the automobile industry back in 2008 and before. You made a lot of sacrifices. You gave up a lot. And the companies were in trouble. But now they’re doing incredibly well. And guess what? You should be doing incredibly well too. It’s a simple proposition. Folks, stick with it, because you deserve the significant raise you need and other benefits. Let’s get back what we lost, okay? Continue reading →

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Brand Loyalty Down Again for New Vehicles

Posted on 26 September 2023 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Brand Loyalty Down Again for New Vehicles

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With new-vehicle inventory and sales rebounding to pre-pandemic levels in the United States during the Biden Administration’s economic recovery, more buyers are ignoring loyalty to a specific brand. This is according to the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Automotive Brand Loyalty StudySM released today. The study, now in its fifth year, uses data from the Power Information Network to calculate whether an owner purchased the same brand after trading in an existing vehicle on a new vehicle.* AutoInformed notes that since ~20% of the new vehicle market consists of leased vehicles, it’s easier than ever to change brands.

“As vehicle availability increased and more choices hit the market for consumers, loyalty among brands as a whole saw a decline this year,” said Tyson Jominy, vice president of data & analytics at J.D. Power. “Additionally, owners were tied down to their vehicles for longer than normal due to ongoing supply chain disruptions, and as a result were more likely to experience problems with their vehicles.” Continue reading →

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Milestones – 90th Birthday of Derby Bentleys

Posted on 25 September 2023 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Milestones - 90th Birthday of Derby Bentleys

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Bentley Motors welcomed last Friday 60 examples of the “Derby era” to Crewe to celebrate the 90th birthday of the Bentley 3½ Litre, commonly called the “Derby Bentley.” An owners club dedicated to the Derby Bentley drove a convoy of cars to Bentley’s so-called Dream Factory in Crewe. Bentley said today that more than 100 guests toured the campus, saw Bentley’s newly refurbished Heritage Collection and visited the Mulliner workshops. (AutoInformed: Bentley Mulliner to Build 12 New 1929-30 Le Mans Winners; World’s First Electric Bentleys to be Built by Lunaz)

Bentley’s own Derby Bentley,* a 1934 3½ Litre with coachwork by Thrupp & Maberley, was on display for the guests in the newly opened Lineage area, where the eight pre-war cars of the Heritage Collection are on display. On Saturday evening, one of the jewels of Bentley’s fleet – the one-of-one 1939 MkV Corniche, recently re-registered and returned to the road for the first time in 84 years – was the guest of honor at a black tie dinner to formally mark 90 years of Derby Bentleys. Continue reading →

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Unifor Selects GM as Next Negotiation Target

Posted on 25 September 2023 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Unifor Selects GM as Next Negotiation Target.

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Unifor has selected General Motors in Canada as the next target company in the union’s negotiations with Detroit Three automakers. The announcement was just made by Unifor National President Lana Payne in a video message to members. (AutoInformed: Canadian Unifor Workers Ratify Ford Contract)

“We’ve got an incredibly strong pattern agreement at Ford that will serve us well over the coming years. Our job now is to negotiate that pattern in the form of a renewal collective agreement with General Motors and Stellantis,” said Payne. “General Motors will be our next target company. Starting tomorrow Unifor will be at the table with GM.” Continue reading →

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Power Loss Recall – Genesis G80, GV80, GV70 SUVs

Posted on 25 September 2023 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Genesis GV80 launch

The GV line was a late entry in luxury truck market.

Hyundai Motor America is recalling 2021-2022 Genesis G80, GV80, and 2022 Genesis GV70 vehicles because the fuel pump may fail, which can result in a loss of drive power. More than 19,000 SUVs are involved, according to the legally required documents that The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) made public this morning.

“The low-pressure fuel pump assemblies in the recalled vehicles may contain impellers that do not meet current material characteristic specifications, potentially leading to deformation. Deformation of the impeller could cause the impeller to interfere with the fuel pump housing, resulting in a mechanical resistance that could lead to a shutdown of the fuel pump,” Hyundai said. Hyundam Industrial Co. in Korea is the maker of the defective fuel pump module. Continue reading →

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Canadian Unifor Workers Ratify Ford Contract

Posted on 25 September 2023 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Unifor Picks Ford Motor Company as Detroit Three Target

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Unifor represented hourly employees ratified a three-year contract yesterday at Ford of Canada. The collective agreement covers more than 5600 workers at Ford facilities in Canada. Unifor Ford members voted 54% in favor of the  agreement, expiring on 20 September 2026. Unifor is Canada’s largest union in the private sector and represents 315,000 workers in every major area of the economy. The contract is a significant step forward for Unifor with record gains.* A Ford worker with one year seniority will move from $25.75 to $46.13 hourly during the contract’s three years. By implication the deal will have widespread effects in automotive labor wages, next at GM and Stellantis in Canada, as well as globally starting south of the border. (AutoInformed: UAW Expands Strike at GM and Stellantis; Unifor Has Provisional Contract Agreement with Ford Motor)

 “This contract will change lives in a profound way. It fundamentally transforms pension plans, provides protections during the EV transition and includes the highest wage increases in the history of Canadian auto bargaining,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. Continue reading →

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CHIPS Act – National Security Rules Issued

Posted on 22 September 2023 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on GM and Wolfspeed Cut Deal for silicon carbide power devices

One little part, so many concerns…

The US Department of Commerce released today the final rule implementing the  national security “guardrails” of the CHIPS and Science Act. The rule elaborates on core provisions law. The first one prohibits CHIPS funds recipients from expanding material semiconductor manufacturing capacity in foreign countries of concern for ten years. The second provision restricts recipients from certain joint research or technology licensing efforts with “foreign entities of concern.” (AutoInformed: CHIPS Act – a Vision for America’s Technological Leadership; Significant 2022 Automotive Stories and Trends)

“CHIPS for America is fundamentally a national security initiative and these guardrails will help ensure companies receiving US Government funds do not undermine our national security as we continue to coordinate with our allies and partners to strengthen global supply chains and enhance our collective security,” claimed Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. Continue reading →

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UAW Expands Strike at GM and Stellantis

Posted on 22 September 2023 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on UAW Expands Strike at GM and Stellantis

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UAW President Shawn Fain just said that the union starting at noon today is expanding its Stand Up Strike against General Motors and Stellantis at 38 locations in 20 states and all 9 UAW regions. Fain on Monday said the union would expand its strike against automakers not making “substantial progress” toward a fair agreement. “Neither company did,” Fain said.

Approximately 5600 Big Three workers are joining the ~13,000 who are already on strike. “We will shut down parts distribution until those two companies come to their senses and come to the table with a serious offer,” Fain said. (AutoInformed: High Noon – UAW Big Three Strike Expands Friday) Continue reading →

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First Look – 2024 Toyota RAV4 Compact SUV

Posted on 22 September 2023 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on First Look - 2024 Toyota RAV4 Compact SUV

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Toyota (NYSE: TM) says that the Woodland Edition of the upcoming 2024 Toyota RAV4 Compact SUV adds a new two-tone paint combination and 1¼-inch activity mount standard. It also has optional heated front seats and leather-trimmed steering wheel as part of a new Weather Package. It’s part of a line that has been a sales success – as the best-selling compact SUV in America for six years straight –  with prices ranging from ~$30,000-36,000.

The RAV4 Hybrid is available in LE, XLE, XLE Premium, SE, XSE, Woodland Edition and Limited grades, all of which come equipped with e-AWD standard. The e-AWD system combines the engine with front and rear electric drive motors to power all four wheels when needed. The RAV4 Prime PHEV model is available in SE and XSE grades – a blend of pure electric and hybrid-electric powered drive modes with e-AWD standard. Continue reading →

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US Honda Performance Development Now Global

Posted on 21 September 2023 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on US Honda Performance Development Now Global

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Honda Racing Corporation* (HRC) in Sakura, Japan, and Honda Performance Development** (HPD) in Santa Clarita, CA, jointly announced today that HPD will formally become Honda Racing Corporation USA (HRC US) starting with the 2024 motorsports season. With this change, HRC US will play a role in Honda’s global motorsports activities, which Honda said includes contributing to the company’s Formula One (F1) program.

AutoInformed suspects that we will ultimately hear from General Motors and Honda, perhaps as suppliers to the New Andretti Formula One Team that is currently under FIA consideration. (AutoInformed: Alpine, Audi, Ferrari, Honda, Red Bull Ford, Mercedes-AMG are V6 Power Unit Suppliers for Formula One in 2026) Continue reading →

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California Launches International Methane Reduction Initiative

Posted on 20 September 2023 by Ken Zino

California today announced a new climate initiative that will recruit sub-national governments globally to commit to mitigating and reducing methane, with founding signatories from Mexico, South Africa, Brazil, Nigeria, and India. The new “Subnational Methane Action Initiative” was launched by Governor Gavin Newsom at Climate Week in New York City. Seven jurisdictions from across the globe have signed on so far. More than 150 countries have agreed to collectively reduce global methane emissions by at least 30% below 2020 levels by 2030 through the Global Methane Pledge of 2021. Meeting this ambitious, but necessary planet saving target will require significant efforts from sub-national jurisdictions. As the primary regulators of emissions from agriculture, energy and landfills, these levels of government are particularly suited to reducing methane emissions.*

“The climate crisis knows no borders. We’re partnering with governments around the world to tackle methane emissions, a dangerous pollutant that has 80 times the warming power of carbon dioxide,” said Gov. Newsom. “By working together on strategies informed by science, like deploying methane detection satellites, we can help address this global threat.” Continue reading →

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