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Tag Archives: autoinformed.com
Solar Trees with 3D Leaf-Shaped Photovoltaics?
It claims that this first-generation Tree will eventually generate a family of products primarily aimed at the rapid Electric Vehicle charging market for homes, businesses and commercial car parks, where solar power can be captured and stored for charging points. Continue reading
Parked: August US Light Vehicle Sales Still at 1.1M
Thanks to an accounting quirk, US Light Vehicle sales were up by 4% YoY compared to August 2021. This positive number comes from a weak 2021 base and an extra selling day, instead of a real recovery of the market, according to an analysis by LMC Automotive* just released. However, actual volumes in the last three months have been flat at ~1.13 million units. Continue reading
Ford Fires: 200k Expeditions and Navigators Recalled
No cause of the Expedition and Navigator fires has been identified to date. Ford “believes they originate in the blower motor, which is located on the passenger side interior behind the glovebox.” Ford was alerted by NHTSA of the potential fire problem during October of 2020 because of consumer complaints to the Federal safety Agency. Mailing of owner notification letters is expected to begin September 12, 2022 and is expected to be completed by September 16, 2022. The supplier of the defective part is the ironically named Detroit Thermal Systems of Romulus Michigan. Continue reading
More EV Tires Added to Goodyear Replacement Line
ElectricDrive™ comes with a 60,000-mile tread life limited warranty**, V speed rating and is available in sizes 215/50R17 95V XL and 215/55R17 94V SL. This all-season tire is built for touring sedans and CUVs, such as the Nissan Leaf, Chevrolet Bolt and Volt and the Kia Niro EV. Continue reading
CARB: Small E-Fleet Project Spurs Shift to Electric Trucks
“There are quite a few options in terms of equipment, financing, and planning assistance that fleets can take advantage of in pursuing adoption of electric vehicles. The key first step is showing them they have a resource to help them take advantage of those options,” said Niki Okuk, deputy director of CALSTART Trucks and Off Road. Continue reading
Posted in electric vehicles, environment, global warming, transportation
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, CALSTART, isef, Ken Zino, Niki Okuk
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Night Testing Scores of Pedestrian Automatic Braking Poor
However, since reaching a low point in 2009, federal estimates for 2021 show pedestrian crash deaths have risen ~80%. The ~7300 pedestrians killed in 2021 accounted for almost a fifth of all traffic fatalities. Three-quarters of those fatalities occur at night, when research shows most pedestrian AEB systems are less effective. Continue reading
New 2022 Jeep Gladiators Recalled for Rollaways
An improperly crimped parking wheel could become loose and move towards the rear of the transmission housing and potentially compromise the engagement with the parking pawl. Compromised engagement of the parking wheel to the parking pawl could result in a loss of park position which may result in inadvertent vehicle movement, which could cause a vehicle crash without prior warning. Continue reading
Posted in customer satisfaction, quality, recalls, safety
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, Jeep Gladiator recalls, Ken Zino, nhtsa, zf
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Air Travel Consumer Complaints Up 2.7X Pre-Pandemic levels
DOT uses the data from the ATCR, consumer complaints, and other information it secures from the airlines to inform its enforcement activities and the adequacy of existing rules. Judging by DOT’s own data, clearly its so-called rules from its Office of Aviation Consumer Protection are ineffective to laughable in AutoInformed’s view. However if you are in the automobile business, it’s an incentive to use vehicles for your transportation needs. Free marketing from the Airline industry and the US Government. Continue reading
LG Energy Solution, Honda to Form US EV Battery Production
The two companies want to begin construction in early 2023, in order to enable the start of mass production of advanced lithium-ion battery cells by the end of 2025. The plant aims to have an annual production capacity of approximately 40GWh but the location has not yet been established. Let the taxpayer-financed bidding war on incentives among the states begin. Continue reading
CARB Shows Heavy-Duty Inspection and Maintenance Program
The progressive public health program is the first in the nation of its kind and will ensure that emissions control systems on heavy-duty vehicles operate effectively for the life of the vehicle, improving air quality and protecting public health. The HD I/M program will apply to all heavy-duty trucks, buses, agricultural equipment and personal motor-homes with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of more than 14,000 pounds traveling in the state regardless of whether they are registered in California. Continue reading
Pro Consumer Milestones: California Mandates 100% Zero Emissions Vehicles by 2035. More States Certain to Follow
The CARB regulation codifies the light-duty vehicle goals set out in Governor Newsom’s Executive Order N-79-20. Transportation is responsible for ~50% of greenhouse gas emissions (when accounting for fuel production emissions) and 80% of air pollutants in California. States that now follow California’s vehicle rules are expected to adopt these regulations through their rulemakings. These states constitute ~40% of the nation’s new car sales.* Continue reading
DOJ Thwarts Chinese Takeover of Shipping Containers
It’s the latest example of the effective use of Industrial Policy for widespread and long-term consumer and business benefits that virtually all Republicans renounce in favor of policies that only benefit the wealthy, with accompanying tax-payer financed handouts, checks, tax policy and other aspects of a Republican welfare state run solely for the rich. Continue reading
US Retail New Vehicle Sales to Decline in July. Prices Up
Higher prices along with a rising interest rates are leading to monthly loan payments reaching new all-time highs. After breaking $700 for the first time ever in July, the average monthly finance payment in August is forecast to hit a record $716, up $78 from August 2021. That translates to a 12.2% increase in monthly payments from a year ago, which is above the 11.5% increase in transaction prices. Continue reading
Posted in economy, news analysis, sales
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, j.d power, Ken Zino, lmc automotive, Thomas King
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CJPT expels Hino over Emission Data Certification Fraud
In a move that appears to be an attempt to isolate Hino’s owner Toyota from the ongoing legal and other liabilities in the matter that started in 2003, Akio Toyoda, President of Toyota Motor Corporation “suggested that the misconduct committed by Hino is incompatible with CJPT’s * aspirations and goals and that the continued inclusion of Hino in activities will not gain the understanding of its customers and the public,” the Toyota statement said. Continue reading

Honda and Hanwa Combine to Buy Battery Metals
Through the Hanwa partnership, Honda said it will ensure stable procurement in the medium to long term, of essential metals necessary for batteries such as nickel, cobalt and lithium, with the mined resources secured by Hanwa. It’s the latest move in what has become and EV battery ‘Gold Rush’ albeit centered on nickel, cobalt, and lithium. It remains problematic that China is well entrenched in EV research and development, manufacturing and various processes needed to support EVs. Continue reading →