Tag Archives: autoinformed.com

Toyota Starts Free Autonomous Shuttle in Indianapolis

he route was designed to increase mobility options by providing a connection from the Vermont Station – along IndyGo’s Red Line – to areas west of downtown. The route also circles the IU Health University Hospital and the Riley Hospital for Children campuses. Riders can plan their trips on Google Maps and see live updates of a shuttle’s location.  Continue reading

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Hyundai Motor Group Buys Boston Dynamics from SoftBank

“By acquiring Boston Dynamics and securing a leading presence in the field of robotics, the Group takes another major step toward its strategic transformation into a Smart Mobility Solution Provider. To propel this transformation, the Group has invested substantially in the development of future technologies, including autonomous driving, artificial intelligence (AI), Urban Air Mobility (UAM), smart factories and robots,” said Hyundai Motor Group. Continue reading

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Ram HD Cab Chassis Vehicles with Cummins Diesels Recalled

The Cummins engine calibration software may not warn about low oil volume. This safety defect can result in engine compartment fires caused by oil leaks started by connecting rod failures. Continue reading

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Woodward Dream Cruise Returns with Ford Sponsorship

Ford Motor Company and Detroit’s main artery share a history. At his Ford Piquette Avenue Plant, Henry Ford developed and produced the first Model T’s a few hundred feet from Woodward Avenue, which made became the first paved road in America. Continue reading

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Toyota Research Inst. Claims Advances in Home Use Robotics

As TRI shows in a new video, this system allows robots to make generalizations in a range of scenarios, including in different homes. The somewhat humorous video (comments welcomed here by the non-androids of AutoInformed), released on National Selfie Day, shows these new capabilities on film, as the un-named robot is seen recording itself as it performs these new skills around a house. It is less cranky, humoours and personable than R2-D2, a tough act to follow for anyone competing in the Artoo-Detoo defined field. After all, it was developed by engineers, not Hollywood – Where is George Lucas when you need him? Continue reading

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Porsche Customcells JV adds Cellforce on Manufacturing Lithium Ion Batteries as the P3 Group Leaves

However, use on a race track does not necessarily require the battery to function in sub-zero temperatures nor remain stable for years over many charging cycles – goals which have yet to be achieved with this new cell technology. Continue reading

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Ford Buys Electriphi to Provide Ford Pro Commercial Customers with Charging and Energy Management

The Electriphi acquisition comes as Ford prepares for the launch of all-electric versions of two of its high-volume commercial vehicles – the Transit van and F-150 pickup. Ford will start shipping E-Transit to customers later this year; F-150 Lightning Pro will be available in spring 2022. Continue reading

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Toyota’s Woven Capital Invests in Ridecell for Mobility Services

“Ridecell is accelerating the digital transformation of a key part of the mobility industry―creating a comprehensive platform that connects fleets and automates workflow at scale,” claimed Michiko Kato, Principal, Woven Capital. Continue reading

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Ford Follows GM: Q2 2021 Earnings to Exceed Its Expectations

This ”follow the leader” move is the result of unfortunate timing and lingering suspicions that the future of the automotive business with automated vehicles, fuel cells and other connected car technologies will consume enormous amounts of capital that will hurt shareholders, which in the case of Ford contains numerous family members. Yesterday GM said it will increase its EV and AV investments from 2020 through 2025 to $35 billion. This is a – gulp – 75% increase from its initial pledge announced prior to the ongoing pandemic.

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Ford Bronco Production Underway at Michigan Assembly Plant

If you want to ride the beast, just bring money, not bitcoins: MSRP for the base two-door Bronco is $29,995, including $1,495 destination and delivery. In 1965, the Michigan Truck Plant — now the Michigan Assembly Plant — began production of an off-road SUV: the original Ford Bronco. Bronco continued through five generations and ended production on June 12, 1996. In that 31-year span, Ford produced more than 1.1 million Broncos. Continue reading

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GM Ups Bet by $35B in Autonomous, Electric Vehicle Games

The seemingly bottomless pit of capital being consumed in the race to survive the connected, green and autonomous vehicle wars has grown deeper with General Motors saying today it will increase its EV and AV investments from 2020 through 2025 to $35 billion. This is a – gulp – 75% increase from its initial pledge announced prior to the ongoing pandemic. Continue reading

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Park It! Wheels Falling Off Ford 2021 Super Duty Pickups

Owner notifications begin this week. Customers will be instructed not to drive their vehicle until it can be verified that the front-wheel hub extender nuts are tightened to specification – by contacting their dealer to have the service completed at their location or towed to a dealership. The Ford reference number for this recall is 21S26. Continue reading

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Toyota Agile Space – Motorized Store or Mobility Company?

Toyota Motor North America R&D has selected digital brand Cuyana as its first tenant. About the only thing AutoInformed sees in common with its vehicle business is that leasing could be involved for customers. Continue reading

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Battery Powered – Mercedes-Benz Trucks to Unveil eActros

It’s been a long time coming, allowing Japanese maker Toyota through Hino to seize the apparent lead. Daimler first showed a concept for a heavy-duty electric truck back in 2016. It took two years to get ten prototypes into testing during 2018. The key of course will be customer adaptation and government incentives to fight climate change that spur purchases and above all retirements of diesels. Continue reading

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Mexican-Built 2022 Ford Maverick Hybrid Shrinks Size, Price

To AutoInformed, it looks like a clever updating and use of the former Mazda-derived Ranger pickup. Ford Motor, of course, once dominated the compact pickup truck market in the U.S. until years of product neglect combined with an assault by Toyota and Nissan pushed it to a footnote in the segment. Continue reading

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