Tag Archives: autoinformed.com

Hazel Chapman Co-Founder of Lotus Dead at 94

“Her contribution to motorsport and the motor industry in the latter half of the 20th century should not be under-estimated. She was a successful racing driver, a shrewd businesswoman and the rock upon which the Lotus foundations – since 1948, when the very first Lotus car was made – were built. Her involvement in the development of the Lotus business was almost without equal at the time, in a world where women so often played second fiddle to their husbands,” said Lotus. Continue reading

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Ford Testing Autonomous Delivery of Food in Detroit

The pilot will use a low-speed autonomous shuttle operated by the Ford future tech autonomous vehicle team and Quantum Signal AI, a wholly owned Ford subsidiary. It will run between the Southwest Detroit Ford Resource and Engagement Center, where bags will be loaded, taken to Rio Vista, where groceries will be unloaded and distributed to participating residents. Continue reading

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Back to the Future? November Global Sales Rate 80M

However, the disruptions in supply chains are much deeper, with the pandemic returning in force with no end in sight. As the supply crisis continues in Europe and the Americas, the resulting scarce inventories are accompanied by higher prices, which eventually will be another problem hindering sales. Looming near term is a potential trade war with Canada, over proposed US incentives for union-made EVs. In parts of Asia, LMC claims that there are “some signs the worst of the crisis over, though demand will continue to be disrupted well into 2022.” Continue reading

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CARB to Require Zero Emissions Off-Road Engines by 2024

The new requirement, an amendment to CARB’s existing small off-road engine regulations first adopted in 1990, applies to manufacturers and will impact new equipment (Model Year 2024 and later) only. Californians can continue to operate their current CARB-compliant gasoline-powered SORE equipment; there will be no “ban” on using older models or used equipment purchased in the future. Older models on store shelves can also be purchased even if they are gasoline-powered. Continue reading

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Corvette Racing Entering Two C8.Rs for Daytona Rolex 24

Corvette Racing returns to the Daytona after a 1-2 finish in 2021 for the mid-engine Corvette C8.R as part of the GT Le Mans (GTLM) category, which ended at the end of the 2021 season. The GTD-PRO Corvette C8.R will look similar to the GTLM. A revised wing profile will mean a slightly different level of down-force at the rear of the Corvette. The C8.R will run on customer Michelin tires, per GTD regulations. Continue reading

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Death of the Diesel – CARB Approves Truck, Bus Smog Checks

These heavy-duty vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) greater than 14,000 pounds consist of only 3% of all vehicles on California roads. However, they are responsible for more than 50% of nitrogen oxides and fine particle diesel pollution from all mobile sources in the state. Continue reading

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Ford Testing VIIZR Field Service Tool Built on Salesforce

Ford Motor is launching VIIZR, a new field service tool built on Salesforce. VIIZR can help small-business owners such as plumbers, and other technicians with invoicing, scheduling and managing requests, so they can work with their customers from anywhere. In … Continue reading

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GM Cuts More Deals on Materials, Factories for EV Motors

Lurking in the background of this issue is a larger national security problem that sees China spending twice as much on research and development as the US. A bill to restore and increase US government sponsored scientific R&D has passed the Senate but is being held up by infighting among Democrats in the House of Representatives, which is representative of our ongoing politically-based dysfunctional government. See David Leonard in The New York Times this morning.  Continue reading

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Future Fuel – VW Group Expands Investments in Batteries

“Volkswagen is implementing its battery strategy consistently and at a high pace,” claimed Thomas Schmall, Member of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Group for Technology, and CEO of Volkswagen Group Components. “Volkswagen’s unified cell must be at the forefront of performance, costs and sustainability right from the start. With our new partners, we are one step closer to reaching this goal. Together, we will focus on key parts of the battery value chain and develop innovative technologies.” Continue reading

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Ford to Update Thailand Manufacturing for Ranger, Everest

The investment brings Ford’s cumulative investments in the country to more than $3.4 billion (THB 100 billion) during the past 25 years. The modernization program supports Thailand’s role as a global production and export base for Ford, through its wholly-owned Ford Thailand Manufacturing (FTM) and joint-venture with Mazda at the AutoAlliance Thailand (AAT) truck plant. Continue reading

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Connected – Bosch Touts Application Independent Software

“Software development is a longstanding core competence at Bosch. Every year, we put more than 200 million control units running our own software into vehicles worldwide. With this new set-up, we want to become the leading provider of application-independent vehicle software,” says Dr. Stefan Hartung, chairperson of the Mobility Solutions business sector of Robert Bosch GmbH. Continue reading

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December 7th 1941, a Date that Will Live in Infamy

On December 8, President Franklin D. Roosevelt addressed a joint session of Congress, saying the attack on Pearl Harbor (along with attacks on Wake Island, Guam, Midway Atoll, and the Philippines) were “a date which will live in infamy.” One hour later, without Republican obstructionism or filibusters or attacks on voting rights and democracy, Congress passed a formal declaration of war against Japan (Public Law 77-328, 55 STAT 795) by a vote of 82-0 in the Senate and 388-1 in the House of Representatives. Jeannette Rankin [R-MT] cast the dissenting vote. The United States joined Great Britain, France, Russia against the Axis fascist and imperial powers that included Germany, Italy, and Japan. Continue reading

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BMW Recalls Cars, Crossovers for Diesel Engine Fires

Dealers will replace the Korean KORENS EGR cooler with one from another unnamed supplier and inspect the intake manifold, replacing it as necessary, free of charge as required by law. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed January 12, 2022. This recall includes all vehicles previously recalled under 18V-755. Continue reading

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Bad Brakes – Ford Recalls Bronco Sport, Escape SUVs

NHTSA discovered the problem. The Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance contacted Ford at the beginning of October 2021, regarding the results of its FMVSS 135 compliance audit on the 2021 model year Bronco Sport vehicle equipped with a brake vacuum booster. The stopping distance test results for “Brake Power Assist Unit Inoperative” were 191.9 meters which exceeds the federal regulation of 168 meters. Continue reading

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Honda Recalls 725,000 Models for Hoods Flying Open

American Honda Motor is recalling 725,000 2019 Passport, 2016-2019 Pilot, and 2017-2020 Ridgeline vehicles because the hood can fly open while driving. The hood latch striker can become damaged and separate from the hood. Honda has known about the problem for more than five years.* Honda said in the required NHTSA filing that there are no reports of accidents or injuries due to this safety defect. Continue reading

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