Tag Archives: autoinformed.com

Seat Belt and Electrical Recalls from Mercedes-Benz USA

Posted on 28 April 2025 by Ken Zino

Mercedes-Benz USA is recalling a previous recall for fuse boxes, electronic stability control programming and driver’s side seat belt covers, according to documents made public this morning by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. First, an incorrect fuse box that was not designed for the vehicle may have been installed. Second, the vehicle’s electronic stability program (ESP) may display an incorrect warning light during an ESP system failure. Third, the driver-side seat belt cover may not be properly installed on the seat belt tensioner, which can cause the seat belt anchor to come loose.

All told ~6700 vehicles are affected. NHTSA recall campaigns are 25V255 or 25V-255, 25V254 or 25V-254, 25V253 or 25V-253. Planned owner notification dates are not until June 2025. Continue reading →

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Nissan Revised Outlook ¥700-750B Loss

Posted on 25 April 2025 by Ken Zino

“Compared with the outlook issued at the time of Nissan’s third quarter results in February, the forecast full-year sales volume has been lowered to 3.35 million units. Full-year net revenue is now expected to reach ¥12.6 trillion, with operating profit of ¥85 billion. This is primarily due to changes in the competitive environment and deterioration in sales performance,” Nissan said. Continue reading →

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UK Car Production Down. Trump’s Tariffs Threaten Future

Posted on 25 April 2025 by Ken Zino

“A March uplift to manufacturing is overdue good news, although the performance was boosted by a comparatively weaker month last year, when holiday timings and product changeovers combined to reduce output. With the last quarter showing demand for British-built cars rising overseas, navigating the new era of trade uncertainty is now the major challenge. Government has rightly recognized automotive manufacturing’s critical role in Britain’s export economy and must now show urgency and creativity to deliver a deal that supports our competitiveness, spurs domestic demand for the latest cleanest vehicles, and helps factory lines flourish,” said Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive. Continue reading →

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Hybrid-Electric Cars Dominate EU Car Sales

Posted on 24 April 2025 by Ken Zino

During Q1 2025, new EU car registrations declined by 1.9% compared to Q1 2024, with March 2025 figures showing a slight 0.2% year-on-year (YOY) decline according to registration data released today by the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association, aka ACEA derived from its French name.* The battery-electric car market share stood at 15.2% market in Q1 2025, far from where it was expected to be by regulators and analysts. Hybrid electric models continue to grow in popularity, retaining their place as the most popular power type among buyers. Continue reading →

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Stellantis – Notable Progress in Solid State Batteries

Posted on 24 April 2025 by Ken Zino

Stellantis N.V. (NYSE: STLA) and Factorial Energy today announced the successful validation of Factorial’s automotive-sized FEST® (Factorial Electrolyte System Technology) solid-state battery cells. This feat claims to be  a significant step forward on the path to bringing next-generation electric vehicle (EV) batteries to market.

“Reaching this level of performance reflects the strengths of our collaboration with Factorial,” said Ned Curic, Stellantis Chief Engineering and Technology Officer. “This breakthrough puts us at the forefront of the solid-state revolution, but we are not stopping there. We continue working together to push the boundaries and deliver even more advanced solutions, bringing us closer to lighter, more efficient batteries that reduce costs for our customers.” Continue reading →

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California Continues Expanding ZEV Programs

Posted on 24 April 2025 by Ken Zino

The State of California has awarded $500 million to school districts and other educational agencies to buy zero-emission school buses and chargers. Zero-emission school buses are part of the state’s relentless move to a clean-energy future and lead to better health for students and communities. California’s transition to zero-emission transportation is also accelerating with support from the state’s Clean Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP). Funded primarily with proceeds from the Cap-and-Trade Program, HVIP underwent 177% year-over-year growth in 2024. This February, more than 200 HVIP-funded zero-emission trucks and buses were deployed with $31 million in incentives. The incentive program is a collaboration between the California Air Resources Board (CARB)* and the California Energy Commission (CEC), and is administered by CALSTART, a non-profit transportation organization. Continue reading →

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New Toyota and Lexus Models Debut at Auto Shanghai

Posted on 23 April 2025 by Ken Zino

Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE: TM) announced at Auto Shanghai 2025 in China today that it will be expanding its battery electric vehicle (BEV) lineup in China.

“China is a highly advanced market that leads the way in electrification, with BEVs accounting for a high proportion of new car sales. Toyota announced the new bZ7 BEV, which follows the bZ4X, bZ3, bZ3X, and bZ5, while Lexus announced the new ES BEV, which follows the UX and RZ BEVs, in order to further accelerate a multi-pathway approach while responding to the needs of local customers,” Toyota said. Continue reading →

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Tesla Tanking as Musk Leaves DOGE

Posted on 23 April 2025 by Ken Zino

Tesla said late yesterday that 2025 profits during Q1 plunged from $1.39 billion to $409 million. This was a drastic drop from analyst guess-timates as the Elon Musk’s DOGE chainsaw kicked back on the company and slashed revenue from $21.3 billion to $19.3 billion. Amidst the carnage of lower customer deliveries, lower margins and lower profits, Elon Musk also claimed that he was leaving DOGE behind as his major work there was finished.

“So at Tesla, we’ve gone through many, many of crisis over the years and actually been through many near death experiences. Like, we probably were on the ragged edge of death at least on maybe a dozen times,” Musk claimed. “This is not one of those times.” Continue reading →

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Toyota to Make Next-Gen Hybrid Transaxles at West Virginia

Posted on 23 April 2025 by Ken Zino

Toyota’s North American subsidiary announced today an additional investment of $88 million in Toyota Motor Manufacturing West Virginia to assemble the next generation of hybrid transaxles.

“Production is set to begin in late 2026, with plans to incorporate the drivetrain component into future Toyota and Lexus models, TNA said. Continue reading →

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Bentley Azure Models at Auto Shanghai 2025

Posted on 23 April 2025 by Ken Zino

The new Azure models debut Bentley’s new High Performance Hybrid powertrain, which combines an advanced 4.0-liter V8 engine and an electric motor to develop a maximum power output of 680 PS and a maximum torque output of 930 Nm. Completing the stand display is a pinnacle Bentayga EWB Azure, finished in a Mulliner custom color, Nila Blue. “Far more than just a luxury car, this extended wheelbase SUV is a showcase of advanced, well-being technology,” Bentley claimed. Continue reading →

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Audi Airbag Recall – RS E-TRON GT and E-TRON GT

Posted on 23 April 2025 by Ken Zino

Audi, part of Volkswagen Group of America, is recalling ~4000 2022-2023 model year RS E-TRON GT and E-TRON GT vehicles. The passenger occupant detection system (PODS) may experience a fault in the wiring and deactivate the front passenger air bag when the seat is occupied.

“A manufacturing error may cause the passenger occupant detection system(PODS) to detect a malfunction and switch off the passenger airbag even though the seat may be occupied. As designed, a warning light in the instrument panel comes on together with an acoustic warning sound and an error message is displayed in the instrument cluster. The airbag indicator light shows Passenger Airbag OFF,” Audi said in the mandatory safety recall filing made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Continue reading →

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Ford Recalls Expedition and Navigator SUVs for Bad Brakes

Posted on 21 April 2025 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is recalling ~124,000 model year 2017-2018 F-150, Expedition, and Lincoln Navigator SUVs. The brake master cylinder may allow brake fluid to leak from the front wheel circuit into the brake booster. Customer complaints to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration prompted this latest expansion of a previous safety defect recall.

“In some of the affected vehicles, a seal in the rear of the brake master cylinder may become compromised, allowing brake fluid to leak into the brake booster. If the brake fluid reservoir is depleted below a predetermined level, the driver will be alerted that brake system service is required by a combination of  an audible chime, a full screen message center alert, and illumination of the red brake warning indicator,” Ford said in the mandatory safety defect recall notification made public this morning by NHTSA. Continue reading →

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Porsche 911 GT3 – Sets Nordschleife Record

Posted on 18 April 2025 by Ken Zino

“More and more 911 GT3 customers are opting for the six-speed manual transmission. And more and more often we are asked by these customers how fast a 911 GT3 with manual transmission would be on the Nordschleife,” said Andreas Preuninger, Director GT Model Line. “We have now answered this question and – although we know that the variant with PDK seven-speed is significantly faster – we drove our official lap time with a manual six-speed gearbox. Even without the automated, super-fast and precise gearshifts of the PDK, and with a conventional instead of electronically controlled limited-slip differential, the new 911 GT3 shaved ~3.6 seconds off the time of its predecessor with PDK.” Continue reading →

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Q1 2025 U.S. EV Sales Up 10%. Tesla Down

Posted on 18 April 2025 by Ken Zino

“General Motors sold a lot of EVs in Q1 of 2025. While GM suffered through painful and slow product launches in 2023 and 2024, the long-promised EVs are starting to flow. More than 30,000 EVs from General Motors brands were sold last quarter, nearly doubling the volume from a year ago and passing both Ford Motor Company and Hyundai Group along the way. And worth noting, Honda and Acura added more than 14,000 EVs to the U.S. market last quarter as well, up from zero a year ago, all courtesy of a short-lived partnership with GM. Stellantis got in the EV game in Q1, with new products from Dodge, Jeep and Fiat. It’s a start.” said Cox Automotive. Continue reading →

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Trump Tariff Pandemic is Crisis for the U.S. Auto Industry

Posted on 17 April 2025 by Ken Zino

Swamy Kotagiri the Chief Executive Officer of MAGNA spoke to the Automotive Press Association this week in Michigan about the complexities of the global automobile industry. He spoke as global volumes are relatively flat and volumes in North America and Europe are down. Now programs are being canceled after the investments are made. Volumes are being reduced after the capacity is installed.

“There is increased spending over a smaller number of units. This is sub-optimal for returns. And what does our industry look for? Scale and we need stability to be efficient through the value chain, given how the industry works to be efficient,” said Kotagiri, whose next big event is the Shanghai Motor Show at the end of the month to be held in the midst of the ongoing Trump versus the world trade wars. Last year MAGNA did ~$5.5 billion in sales in China, growing 15%. Continue reading →

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