Tag Archives: autoinformed.com

Nissan Testing Cooperative Congestion Management

Posted on 10 September 2025 by Ken Zino

Nissan said today that a trial with UC Berkeley and Contra Costa Transportation Authority showed how connected vehicles can help reduce congestion. Nissan’s Cooperative Congestion Management (CCM) trial resulted in 85% fewer hard-braking events and 70% less time stopped in traffic during 600 miles of testing. It’s the latest example of how connected vehicles can yield safety benefits, although there are still huge, unanswered questions about privacy rights and the lack of regulations with the impending monitoring by State and the Federal government entities. Continue reading →

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Annals of Marketing – Audi F1 and Adidas

Posted on 10 September 2025 by Ken Zino

The Audi F1 Team and adidas (sic) today announced a multi-year partnership whereby the German sporting goods manufacturer becomes the team’s official apparel partner. The collection will be released before the start of the 2026 season when Audi takes over Sauber Motorsport.

“adidas and Audi have decades of collaboration in top-level sports – built on shared values and the desire to inspire through performance. Our partnership in Formula 1 goes far beyond the pursuit of innovation and peak performance: it combines the strengths and visions of two progressive brands. The upcoming adidas collection will be characterized by clarity and precision, just like Audi’s new design philosophy. The fact that we are shaping our brand’s entry into the premier class of motorsport together with adidas underscores the great trust and appreciation we have for our collaboration,” said Gernot Döllner, CEO of AUDI AG and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sauber Motorsport AG. Continue reading →

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IIHS Safety Award to Use Risky Driver Behavior Tech

Posted on 9 September 2025 by Ken Zino

Vehicle technology that can detect certain types of risky driver behavior will soon be added to the requirements for a safety award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the Institute’s president, David Harkey, announced today during a roundtable on impaired driving organized by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).

“As part of our 30×30 vision to cut U.S. road deaths 30% by 2030, we are committed to addressing the risky – and often illegal – behavior that underlies most fatalities today,” Harkey said. “One way we plan to do that is to leverage our ratings and award programs to encourage automakers to adopt this new class of safety technology, just as we got them to improve vehicle structures, airbags and collision avoidance systems.” Continue reading →

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Chinese Junk Watch – Makita Grease Guns, Hoses

Posted on 9 September 2025 by Ken Zino

The Consumer Products Safety Commission https://www.saferproducts.gov/SaferProducts.gov says that there is s recall for ~63,000 Chinese-made Makita Professional Cordless Grease Guns with model numbers XPG01S1, XPG01SR1 and XPG01Z, and Makita Grease Gun Hoses with model numbers 191A79-9, 191A80-4, 191W59-7 and 191W58-9.

“Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled Makita Cordless Grease Guns and Makita Grease Gun Hoses and contact Makita for a free replacement hose,” CPSC said. Continue reading →

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A BMW Motorcycle for Pope Leo XIV?

Posted on 9 September 2025 by Ken Zino

BMW today said that on 3 September 2025, a specially modified BMW R 18 Transcontinental motorcycle was presented to Pope Leo XIV for his blessing and signature during a celebratory event at the Vatican. This R 18 Transcontinental bearing the Pope’s signature will be auctioned by Missio Austria via Sotheby’s in October 2025, with the proceeds going to children’s aid projects in Madagascar. Markus Flasch, the CEO of BMW Motorrad and Michael Sommer, head of BMW Motorrad Germany, presented the motorcycle to the Pope for blessing and signing, after the general audience at the Vatican.

“What initially sounded more like a crazy idea has developed into a great charity campaign. I am happy that we at BMW Motorrad can support aid projects for children in Madagascar with our R 18 Transcontinental. I would also like to thank Pope Leo XIV for taking the time to support this project,” said Flasch. Continue reading →

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Toyota – Latest Emission Scandal Compliance Report

Posted on 9 September 2025 by Ken Zino

Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE: TM, 7203T) said today that it has submitted a progress report on recurrence prevention of model certification application issues to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) in compliance with the correction order issued by the ministry. This report, summarizing actions taken to date, is the fourth of a series of quarterly reports that resulted after Toyota and Group companies falsified emission compliance reports*

Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda took the lead during February 2024 “in calling on Group companies to start Toyota’s company-wide TPS (Toyota Production System) training program for Certification Work. The aim of this initiative is to create a better work system through improvement. The president and other members of management continue to be on-site daily at various genba [In the Toyota production system Genba means the actual place where the work is done such as a factory floor or an engineering center. Monozukuri, below is craftsmanship or the art of manufacturing. It is used as shorthand to represent the whole history and depth of Japanese manufacturing practices. – AutoCrat]. This is being done to clarify stagnation factors in each process and to create a system to identify abnormalities,” Toyota said. Continue reading →

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Togg Türkiye Debuts Two Models at IAA Mobility

Posted on 8 September 2025 by Ken Zino

Mobility brand Togg said today that it is celebrating its market entry in Germany at IAA Mobility 2025 in Munich, alongside the world premiere of its production-ready T10F fastback sedan. With the all-electric SUV T10X and the T10F, Togg is introducing two models to the German market, both of which achieved the top rating of five stars in the independent Euro NCAP safety assessment.

“With the T10X and T10F, we are entering the European market with confidence. Achieving five stars from Euro NCAP underlines that safety has been a top priority for us from the very beginning” said CEO Gürcan Karakaş. Starting September 29, 2025, both models will be available for online orders exclusively via Trumore, the in-house service and ordering platform of Togg. More than 70,000 users in Türkiye are already driving the flagship T10X. Continue reading →

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WEC – Porsche Penske Motorsport Finally Win

Posted on 8 September 2025 by Ken Zino

Porsche Penske Motorsport finally took its first victory of the 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship campaign in monsoon conditions at Circuit of The Americas yesterday in Texas. United Autosports put McLaren in the winners’ circle in LMGT3. Corvette got thumped. Unseasonable rain in Texas resulted in the early stages of the six-hour race taking place behind the safety car, and following a red flag interruption, the competitive action finally got underway just before one-third of the distance. At the start, the front row-sitting #83 and #51 Ferraris led the 18-car Hypercar class, but the #6 Porsche driven by Laurens Vanthoor clung to third place, which became second when Philip Hanson lost more than half-a-minute due to a pit-stop delay. Continue reading →

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BMW North America Recalls X5 PHEVs, X5 and X7 SUVs

Posted on 8 September 2025 by Ken Zino

“If the windshield was not sealed according to specifications, then it could be possible for water to ingress at the right-hand A-pillar. If water traveled down the A-pillar, it could contact a power distribution box and an electronic control unit. Moisture exposure of the electrical components can lead to functional failures, such as headlights or door closing functions. In rare cases, this could lead to a short-circuit and, in an extreme case, could cause a thermal event [defect speak for FIRE – AutoCrat], even when the ignition is off, which could increase the risk of injury,” BMW told the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in mandatory safety defect recall documents (49 CFR § 573) released today by the agency. Continue reading →

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Numerous Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Plymouth Recalls

Posted on 8 September 2025 by Ken Zino

FCA US ( part of Stellantis now) is recalling ~93,000 vehicles for various defects, including air bags, vehicle rollaways, incorrect cross car beams, and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle software errors, according mandatory safety defect recall filings made public this morning by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The largest recall by far covers model year 2022-2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV) vehicles. A software error within the hybrid control processor may result in a loss of drive power. Continue reading →

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First Look – 2026 Toyota Highlander

Posted on 5 September 2025 by Ken Zino

“For over 25 years, the Toyota Highlander has earned a reputation for delivering passenger-car-like handling and control coupled with the power and versatility of a mid-size SUV. Gas models will be available in XLE, XSE, Limited, and Platinum grades and hybrid models will be available in XLE, Limited, and Platinum. Assembled in Princeton, Indiana, Toyota Highlander gas models have a manufacturer-estimated 24 MPG combined rating and hybrid models have a manufacturer-estimated 35 MPG combined rating,” Toyota said. Continue reading →

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Milestones – Toyota Online Selling 1 Millionth Customer

Posted on 5 September 2025 by Ken Zino

Toyota (NYSE: TM and 7203.T) said today that its on direct online selling program, dubbed SmartPath reached a milestone when Dorianne Malone, a Philadelphia-area mom and school administrator, became the 1 millionth customer to purchase a Toyota using the electronic retail technology. On 19 August when Malone arrived at Ardmore Toyota in suburban Philadelphia to purchase her brand-new RAV4 through SmartPath. What she didn’t know was that Toyota representatives were waiting with a check to pay off her vehicle in recognition of the SmartPath milestone.

“Reaching 1 million vehicles sold is a huge milestone for SmartPath and a testament to the hard work of our dealers and teams,” said John Myers, general manager of Retail Transformation for SmartPath Sales at Toyota Motor North America. “SmartPath has become a true differentiator for the Toyota brand, and we are excited to be shaping the future of the car buying experience.” Continue reading →

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New Mercedes-AMG Customer Racing Car Debuts

Posted on 4 September 2025 by Ken Zino

“The comprehensive further development of the Mercedes-AMG GT2, unveiled at the end of 2022, combines the fundamental characteristics of the base GT2 with technology and design inspired by the current Mercedes-AMG F1 W16 E PERFORMANCE. An outstanding power-to-weight ratio and numerous new aerodynamic components, such as active louvers above the front wheels, a Push2Pass function and the integrated Drag Reduction System (DRS), make the GT2 Edition W16 the most powerful Mercedes-AMG Customer Racing car of all time,” Mercedes said. Continue reading →

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Ford Performance Rebranded as Ford Racing

Posted on 4 September 2025 by Ken Zino

“This is not a marketing exercise. This is a promise. It signals a new, more focused mission to tear down the wall between our race teams and the engineering of the vehicles you drive every day on and off road. Under one global Ford Racing banner, our engineers and designers will develop our performance road cars right alongside our race cars. The technology that survives the Baja 1000 will be in the DNA of the next F-150 Raptor. The aerodynamic lessons we learn at Daytona and Le Mans will be sculpted into the body of the next Mustang,” said Will Ford.

The move comes during a period of intense change at the upper levels of Motorsport in Formula 1, endurance racing or the World Endurance Championship, and various international and national forms of sports car racing where Ford Motor in the past has had considerable success. This could be a rite pf passage for Will moving him out of the protective family environment into bare-knuckled competitive realms. Continue reading →

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Porsche to Debut Wireless Charging on 26 Cayenne!

Posted on 4 September 2025 by Ken Zino

Porsche said today that it will offer an 11-kW charging system with a one-box base plate for wireless charging on its upcoming battery-electric vehicles. This at the moment appears to be breakthrough. If things go as planned, Porsche will be the first automaker to offer a convenient recharging system already in widespread use in cellphone apps.

“Ease of use, suitability for everyday use and charging infrastructure are still the decisive factors when it comes to the acceptance of electric mobility,” said Porsche Board Member for Development Dr. Michael Steiner. “We are proud that inductive charging will soon be available in series production at Porsche. Charging an electric car at home has never been so easy and convenient.” Continue reading →

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