Tag Archives: autoinformed.com

IMSA NASCAR Street fight: Bye Road America, Hi Chicago

That weekend, of course, normally sees IMSA running sports cars at Road America in Wisconsin. NASCAR also runs at Road America too, usually in June. Whether this is, well, cheesy or not depends on your point of view. For the moment IMSA – owned by NASCAR – is officially silent on the matter. Continue reading

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Japan: Research Association of Biomass Innovation for Next Gen Fuels

The goal is for bio-ethanol fuel production to achieve carbon neutral society. ENEOS Corporation, Suzuki Motor Corporation, Subaru Corporation, Daihatsu Motor Co. Ltd, Toyota Motor Corporation and Toyota Tsusho Corporation have established next gen auto fuels group on 1 July 2022 to study ways to optimize the process of producing fuel. Continue reading

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All Porsche Taycan EVs Can be Upgraded to 2023 Specs

“This campaign will allow our customers to benefit from the continuous further development of the Taycan. We have extensively optimized the model series in almost every respect since 2019,” said Kevin Giek, Vice President Model Line Taycan. Continue reading

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VW Group Changes EV Strategy, Leadership in North America

Scout will launch all-electric pick-up trucks and SUVs in the U.S. market. Volkswagen, of course, has been haunted for years by its deliberate cheating on deadly diesel emissions levels by using defeat software on EPA compliance tests that made the diesels look compliant when they were far from it*. VW did not say anything about the name Scout, of International Harvester fame, the name it acquired as part another business deal back in 2021. Continue reading

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Hyundai Motor and Safran MoU on Advanced Air Mobility

The major air industry event occurred as sweltering temperatures continued to assault people globally. It is perhaps ironic that Farnborough, founded in Saxon times, is mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086. Continue reading

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IMSA LMDh: Cadillac and Porsche Testing Together

This is where Porsche comes in. The sessions at Sebring International Raceway were the first collaborative LMDh test as Cadillac was joined by Porsche on the track. The cooperation between the OEs during the development of the spec hybrid system will contribute to the success of the broader program, according to GM sports car program manager Laura Wontrop Klauser. Continue reading

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Detroit Auto Show Links with Wayne State University in 2022

“Students will be directly engaged with the show, managing and completing a demographic study of the various audiences that the show attracts. We are also delighted that the Mike Ilitch School of Business is hosting a mobility conference in association with the Public Show,” said Rod Alberts, Executive Director of the Detroit Auto Show. Continue reading

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Tilt! Stellantis and GAC to Stop Jeep China JV

Stellantis and GAC will proceed to an “orderly termination of local Jeep production, while Stellantis will recognize a non-cash impairment charge of approximately €297 million in first half 2022 results.” Continue reading

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Ford HEV Fire Recalls: Escape, Maverick, Lincoln Corsair

Owners are advised to park and shut off the engine as quickly as possible if they hear unexpected engine noises, notice a reduction in vehicle power, or see smoke. Owners will be notified by mail and instructed to take their vehicle to a Ford or Lincoln dealer to have the under-engine shield and active grille shutter modified. Continue reading

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First Look – Toyota Crown Returns to the US

Available in three grades: XLE, Limited and Platinum, Toyota Crown will offer a choice of two different hybrid powertrains: HYBRID MAX or the fourth generation Toyota Hybrid System (THS). The HYBRID MAX powertrain, exclusive to the Platinum grade, is Toyota’s latest performance hybrid that puts out a manufacturer estimated 340 net horsepower. Continue reading

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IIHS Wants Speed limiters on Trucks: ’bout time!

Why this is creeping at an idle rate in the bureaucracy is inexplicable because excessive speed was a factor in about one-third of all US crash deaths during 2020. FMCSA began discussing speed limiters more than a decade ago. Continue reading

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Porsche Sales Drop -5% at 146K Through Q2 of 2022

“We and our dealers have successfully navigated a first half-year shaped by external factors and uncertainties,” said Detlev von Platen, Board Member for Sales and Marketing at Porsche AG. “In addition to the difficulties posed by the resurgence of the COVID pandemic in China and other markets, ongoing supply-chain- and logistics-related challenges have accompanied us. At the same time, the desirability of our brand and popularity of our products remains strong. We expect the second half-year to be dynamic.” Continue reading

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Electric Vehicle Shoppers Unhappy with Makers’ Websites

The study also shows an increase in satisfaction when shoppers engage with manufacturer website tools, though BEV shoppers are still less satisfied than non-BEV shoppers. This “wave” (latest research)  finds that overall satisfaction averages 711 on a 1,000-point scale for the premium segment and 705 for the mass market segment, down 13 and 6 points, respectively, from the previous wave. Continue reading

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June Global Light Vehicle Sales Still Lag 2021

The Global Light Vehicle (LV) selling rate rose to 85 mn units/year in June 2022, making it the best result in 2022 to date. However, in year-to-date (YTD) terms, sales are -8.5% below the same period in 2021, according to … Continue reading

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GM and Pilot to Build Coast-to-Coast EV Fast-Charging Grid

The network of 2000 charging stalls, co-branded “Pilot Flying J” and “Ultium Charge 360”, will be powered by EVgo eXtend and open to all EV brands at up to 500 Pilot and Flying J travel centers. GM customers will receive special benefits such as exclusive reservations, discounts on charging, a streamlined charging process through “Plug and Charge” and integration into GM’s vehicle brand apps providing real-time charger availability and help with route planning. This collaboration is targeting the installation of charging stalls at 50-mile intervals across the US. For GM, this development is one more step in its ~$750 million investment in EV charging infrastructure. Continue reading

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