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Tag Archives: autoinformed.com
Suzuki, Daihatsu, Toyota to Release EV Mini-Commercial Vans
Suzuki Motor Corporation, Daihatsu Motor Company and Toyota Motor Corporation said today that they have decided to aim for the release of their mini-commercial van electric vehicles (BEVs) respectively in fiscal 2025.*
“This mini-commercial van BEV, jointly developed by the three companies, combines Suzuki and Daihatsu’s expertise in creating small-size cars with Toyota’s electrification technology and is equipped with a BEV system suitable for mini-commercial vehicles. Commercial Japan Partnership Technologies Corporation also participated in the planning to achieve a vehicle with optimal specifications for efficient last-mile logistics,” the companies said in a joint release. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, car sharing, electric vehicles, engineering, global warming, manufacturing, milestones, new vehicle, news analysis
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Commercial Japan Partnership Technologies Corporation, Daihatsu, Ken Zino, mini-commercial van BEV, Suzuki, toyota, X @KenAutoinformed
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Stellantis Buys All of the Punch Powertrain JV
Stellantis (NYSE:STLA) announced today that it has acquired all the shares in the joint venture created in 2018 with the Belgian multinational Punch Powertrain, an original equipment maker of transmission and propulsion systems in the automotive sector. In the complex world of global automakers, the JV worked in the plants at Metz (FR) and Turin, at the Mirafiori complex (IT), where the advanced eDCT (Electrified Dual Clutch Transmission) gearboxes are produced. They will be seen in the entire Stellantis range of Mild Hybrid (MHEV) vehicles and the new generation of Plug-in (PHEV) vehicles.
“With this decision, Stellantis assumes full management of the design and production activities of the eDCT transmissions, characterized by class leading performance in terms of weight and production cost, fuel savings and reductions in harmful emissions,” the muti-national auto maker said in a release. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, electronics, fuel economy or emissions, global warming, manufacturing, milestones, mobility company, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, electrified dual clutch transmission, Ken Zino, Mirafiori complex, Stellantis and Punch Powertrain JV, X @KenAutoinformed
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Software Recall for Honda Pilot, Acura MDX, TLX
American Honda Motor (7267.T) is recalling ~295,000 model year 2022-2025 Acura MDX Type-S, 2023-2025 Honda Pilot, and 2021-2025 Acura TLX Type-S vehicles. A software error in the fuel injection electronic control unit (FI-ECU) may cause an engine stall or a loss of power.
In the required filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Honda said: “Due to improper programming of the fuel injection electronic control unit settings, sudden changes in the throttle opening could cause the MIL [Malfunction Indicator Light] to illuminate and/or the engine to lose drive power, hesitate and/or stall.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, car sharing, customer satisfaction, electronics, engineering, news analysis, quality, recalls, software recalls
Tagged 2022-2025 Acura MDX Type-S recall, Acura recall AL0, acura recalls, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Honda recall EL1, honda recalls, Ken Zino, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, NHTSA 25V031 or 25V-031, software recalls, X @KenAutoinformed
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Quantum Materials Discovery by Honda Research Institute
“Our technology provides a new pathway for the synthesis of quantum nanoribbons with precise width control, leveraging their unique mechanical and electronic properties as a single photon light source to realize secure communication known as ‘quantum communication’,” said Dr. Avetik Harutyunyan, Senior Chief Scientist, Honda Research Institute USA Inc. and the leader of the quantum research. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, awards, car sharing, electronics, mobility company, news analysis, safety, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Dr. Avetik Harutyunyan, Dr. Xufan Li, Honda Research Institute, Ken Zino, nanoribbon material, Nature Communications journal, Nicholas Borys Montana State University, Professor James Schuck Columbia University, X @KenAutoinformed
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Kia Niro Recalls for Air Bags or Seat Belts
Dealers will inspect, replace and reroute the floor wiring assembly, as necessary, free of charge as required by long-standing Federal safety regulations. In addition, dealers will install wiring covers. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed 14 March 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia’s number for this recall is SC332. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 or go to nhtsa.gov about NHTSA 25V024. Continue reading
Posted in electric vehicles, electronics, manufacturing, news analysis, quality, recalls, safety
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino, Kia airbag and seat belt recalls, Kia Niro Recalls for Air Bags or Seat Belts, Kia recall SC332, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, NHTSA 25V024 or 25V-024, X @KenAutoinformed
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Ford Bronco Recalls – Shocks and Batteries
Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) is recalling 149,449 2021-2024 Bronco vehicles. The rear shock absorbers may corrode and fail, resulting in detachment of the external reservoir. Ford is also recalling a previous recall on 272,817 2021-2023 Bronco Sport and 2022-2023 Maverick vehicles. The 12-volt battery may experience degradation and suddenly fail. If the battery suddenly degrades during a drive it can lead to a vehicle that is unable to restart after an auto stop/start event or experience a stall while coming to a stop at low speed. Either of these conditions may be accompanied by a loss of 12-volt accessories, including hazard lights. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, car sharing, customer satisfaction, manufacturing, news analysis, quality, recalls, safety, software recalls
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Chinese Camel EFB battery failures, Ford Bronco and Maverick Battery Recalls, Ford Bronco shock absorber recall 25S01, Ford Motor Company, Ken Zino, NHTSA 24V267 or 24V-267, NHTSA recall 25V019 or 25V-025, NHTSA recall 25V025 or 25V-025, X @KenAutoinformed
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First Look – 2026 Model Cadillac LYRIQ-V
Cadillac is adding a significant model to its high-performance V-Series family with the 2026 Cadillac LYRIQ-V – the first-ever all-electric V-Series performance vehicle. Cadillac- estimates it has 615 horsepower and 650 lb.-ft . (880 Nm) of torque, which deliver a Cadillac-estimated 0-60 time of 3.3 seconds with Velocity Max. This makes it the quickest Cadillac ever starting at $79,990. The timing is unfortunate given Trump’s emerging trade and economic policies that likely will negatively affect Lyric’s prospects in the U.S., Canada and globally. LYRIQ-V will also be sold in the Australia, New Zealand, as well as other markets to be announced. Production starts early 2025 at General Motors’ Spring Hill Manufacturing plant in Tennessee. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, electric vehicles, engineering, manufacturing, marketing, milestones, news analysis, performance, software defined vehicles
Tagged 2026 Cadillac LYRIQ-V, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Dave Stutzman, John Roth, Ken Zino, Trump Mis-Administration, Trump tariffs, Trump trade policies, X @KenAutoinformed
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Pre-Trump US Q3 EV Sales Set All Time Record
During Q3 of 2024, automakers sold 408,688 electric vehicles (EVs include battery, plug-in hybrid, and fuel cell electric vehicles) in the United States, meaning 10.6% of overall light-duty vehicle sales. This represents a 0.6 percentage point (pp) market share increase compared to the second quarter of 2024 amounting to an increase of ~22,000 vehicle sales. Simply put this makes EV Sales volume in Q3 the highest on record according to data released today by the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, a trade and lobbying group for automakers. Continue reading
Posted in electric vehicles, environment, global warming, milestones, news analysis, people, public health, sales
Tagged Alliance for Automotive Innovation, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, battery, electric vehicles, EV plug-in hybrid EVs, EVs, fuel cell EVs, Ken Zino, X @KenAutoinformed
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Used Vehicle Mileage Fees – Nissan Expands Flexible Leases
Nissan Motor Acceptance Company (NMAC) and INFINITI Financial Services (IFS) said today the SignatureFLEX lease program will expand to include drivers with legacy leases maturing on 1 Feb 2025 or after.
“SignatureFLEX is an innovative lease program that puts customers first by offering them the flexibility to manage mileage needs while avoiding lease-end overage penalties,” said Jim DeTrude, vice president, NMAC Sales & Marketing. “By including legacy leases in the program, we’re enabling a more customized lease experience to better fit their lifestyles while reducing unexpected costs.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, marketing, news analysis
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, end of lease mileage fees and penalties, INFINITI Financial Services, Jim DeTrude, Ken Zino, Nissan Motor Acceptance Company, SignatureFLEX, X @KenAutoinformed
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Hybrid Crossing Beacons Often Ignored by Pedestrians
Traffic signals known as pedestrian hybrid beacons (PHBs) allow walkers who need to cross a busy road to evoke a stoplight by pressing a button. However, while the devices are great at getting drivers to yield, many pedestrians don’t bother to activate them before crossing, a new study from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety shows. Pedestrians are more likely to activate rectangular rapid flashing beacons (RRFBs), even though they’re less effective at getting drivers to stop.
“It’s well-documented that both of these common pedestrian warning signals make drivers more likely to yield and allow walkers to cross the street safely,” said IIHS President David Harkey. “But they can only do that if pedestrians push the button to activate them. This study offers valuable lessons for how we can make that more likely.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, news analysis, people, safety, transportation
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, David Harkey, insurance institute for highway safety, Ken Zino, pedestrian hybrid beacons, Raul Avelar, rectangular rapid flashing beacons, X @KenAutoinformed
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First Look – 2025 BMW R 18 Heritage Series Motorcycles
BMW Motorrad USA today announced an updated R 18 family of Heritage series of cruising motorcycles, presumably not to take advantage of the non-cycling weather. MSRP pricing for the new 2025 BMW R 18 models, not including destination, is $15,395 (R 18), $18,395 (R 18 Classic), $18,995 (R 18 Roctane), $20,375 (R 18 B), and $24,395 (R 18 Transcontinental). There’s an increase of 4 lb.-ft. of torque to 120 lb.-ft for all R 18 models. And all are Euro 5+ emissions compliant. For 2025, all R 18 models gain 4 ft.-lb. in torque at 3000 rpm ( up to 120 lb.-ft) and meet the latest Euro 5+ emissions standards. More than 110 lb.-ft. of torque is available between 2000 – 4000 rpm. Power from the 1802 cc air/oil cooled boxer twin engine remains at 91 horsepower.
“Even more riding fun ,that was our goal when revising the BMW R 18 and R 18 Classic. We have refined the design, added numerous improvements in terms of detail and comfort and made the R 18 even more fun to ride with the 18-inch rear wheel. In addition to new finishes and equipment, the BMW R 18 Roctane, R 18 B and R 18 Transcontinental have also undergone a technical revision to bring the entire BMW R 18 range into line with the EU 5+ standard,” said Markus Lederer, Head of BMW Boxer Series Continue reading
Posted in design and styling, marketing, mobility company, motorcycles, news analysis, shows and events
Tagged (R 18 Roctane, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, BMW R 18 Heritage Series Motorcycles, Ken Zino, R 18, R 18 B, R 18 Classic, R 18 Transcontinental, X @KenAutoinformed
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Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency Executive Order
“This Executive Order establishes the Department of Government Efficiency to implement the President’s DOGE Agenda, by modernizing Federal technology and software to maximize governmental efficiency and productivity By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America,” President Trump said yesterday “it is hereby ordered (read AutoInformed.com on: New DOGE Scorecard Announced to Track Trump) Continue reading
Posted in connected vehicles, customer satisfaction, economy, milestones, news, news analysis, people, shows and events, Trump Truth Tests
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Department Of Government Efficiency executive order, Donald J. Trump, Ken Zino, Trump scorecard, X @KenAutoinformed
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Toyota Motor Leads Global 2024 CY Sales at 10.8M
Toyota Motor Corporation (7203.T) today posted its sales, production, and export results for December 2024 , and significantly the total from January to December 2024, including those for subsidiaries Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd. and Hino Motors. With 10.8 million sold – down ~3.7% because of regulatory compliance issues in Japan and the ongoing EV price war in China – TMC easily out sold the Volkswagen group, which reported a 2.3% drop in global sales for 2024 at ~9 million. This makes TMC the undisputed global sales leader for the fifth straight year. Continue reading →