Tag Archives: auto industry commentary

Sudden Power Loss Recall – Bronco Sport, Maverick Trucks

Posted on 22 April 2024 by Ken Zino

“An insufficient calibration strategy for detecting sudden battery degradations during a drive cycle can lead to (a) a vehicle that is unable to restart after an auto start/stop event or (b) experience a stall while coming to a stop at low speed. Either may be accompanied by a loss of 12-volt accessories, including hazard lights,” Ford said in the required filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which the Federal safety agency made public today. NHTSA prompted the recall. Continue reading →

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Earth Day – Solar Grants from The Inflation Reduction Act

Posted on 22 April 2024 by Ken Zino

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced 60 entities will receive $7 billion in awards through the Solar for All grant competition to deliver residential solar projects to over 900,000 households nationwide. The grant competition is funded by President Biden’s … Continue reading →

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April 20 – aka 420 – Marijuana Impaired Driving is Illegal

Posted on 20 April 2024 by Ken Zino

Today being 420 for stoners,* AutoInformed says don’t believe that marijuana won’t affect your driving. Driving impaired by any substance—alcohol or other drugs, whether legal or illegal—is against the law in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Continue reading →

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Nissan Arc Business Plan is Sinking?

Posted on 19 April 2024 by Ken Zino

The forecast sales volume has been lowered to 3.44 million units, net revenue to 12.6 trillion yen, and operating profit to 530 billion yen. Net income is forecast to reach 370 billion yen for fiscal year 2023. “The revision is due to a decrease in sales volume, various cost reliefs made to suppliers such as inflation, and other factors,” Nissan said. Continue reading →

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NHTSA Probing Whether Ford Fire Recall is Adequate

Posted on 19 April 2024 by Ken Zino

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said just days after this recall was posted by AutoInformed that “The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) reviewed Ford Motor Company’s proposed remedy for recall 24V-187 and started an investigation.” Continue reading →

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EPA Grants Emergency Fuel Waiver for Ethanol

Posted on 19 April 2024 by Ken Zino

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today issued an emergency fuel waiver to allow E15 gasoline – gasoline blended with 15% ethanol – to be sold during the summer driving season. This allows Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Nine Tribal Nations to sell the fuel that otherwise would be banned for the summer. Estimates show that on average, E15 is about $0.25 a gallon cheaper than E10. Continue reading →

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US Justice Department Expands Carjacking Task Forces

Posted on 18 April 2024 by Ken Zino

The Justice Department today announced that 11 U.S. Attorneys’ Offices have now established a carjacking task force to concentrate resources on the public safety threat. This latest move builds on the early efforts and best practices learned from carjacking task forces in the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the District of Columbia, Northern District of Illinois, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and Middle District of Florida where available data show that carjacking rates are now falling. Continue reading →

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EV Grumblings – 2025 Toyota Camry Will Be Hybrid Only

Posted on 18 April 2024 by Ken Zino

The 2025 Toyota Camry sedans are expected to arrive at Toyota dealerships in late spring 2024 with a starting Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $28,400* – more than $400 less than the outgoing Camry Hybrid base grade and includes more standard features. It is a formidable entry in AutoInformed’s view. Continue reading →

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GM Energy Offers Electric Vehicle-to-Home Charging

Posted on 18 April 2024 by Ken Zino

“GM Energy is committed to making the transition to an all-electric lifestyle an even more compelling option by simplifying all aspects of personal energy management,” said Wade Sheffer, vice president of GM Energy. “With the introduction of these new offerings, it has never been easier for our customers to access the expanded benefits of a holistic EV ecosystem, helping to mitigate the impacts of power outages and having the ability to offset certain energy costs over time.” Continue reading →

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March 2024 Global Light Vehicle Sales Effectively Flat

Posted on 17 April 2024 by Ken Zino

The Global Light Vehicle (LV) selling rate stood at 85 million units/year in March, roughly the same with February 2024, according to numbers and analysis  released by the GlobalData* consultancy. Worldwide, 8.0 million vehicles were sold last month, a 2% … Continue reading →

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EV Grumblings – Ford Cuts 2024 F-150 Lightning Prices

Posted on 16 April 2024 by Ken Zino

Ford Motors (NYSE: F) said today that online orders are open for the 2024 Ford F-150 Lightning trucks, now shipping from the Rouge Electric Vehicle Center. In January Ford dropped a shift at Rouge because of weak demand for the Lightning, the top-selling electric pickup in the US. Competition is reducing demand and trimming margins. The previously announced MSRP of the 2024 F-150 Lightning is being reduced. The so-called F-150 Lightning Flash™, is now available with a starting MSRP under $70,000, and comes with  an extended-range battery. Continue reading →

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UAW Practice Picketing at Daimler Truck in the US South

Posted on 16 April 2024 by Ken Zino

Daimler Truck workers from six different local unions in North Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee continue to conduct so-called “practice pickets” to demonstrate that they are strike-ready when their contract expires on 26 April. Practice pickets are not work stoppages or walkouts am  no entrances will be obstructed. Workers will report to their shifts as usual. Continue reading →

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Ford Again Recalls Bronco Sport and Escape SUVs for Fires

Posted on 15 April 2024 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is recalling more than 420,00 2022-2023 Bronco Sport and 2022 Escape vehicles because of engine fires. Affected SUVs are equipped with 1.5-liter engines where a fuel injector may crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment, Ford said in the required filing that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration made public this morning. This is an expansion of a previous fire recall since the original remedy was inadequate on what was then called the Dragon engine. Continue reading →

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Honda EV Hub in Ohio is Retooling

Posted on 12 April 2024 by Ken Zino

Non-unionized Toyota Motor, Honda and Hyundai, among other manufacturers in the US, have been increasing wages in an attempt to stop what appears to be impending successful UAW organizing efforts at plants owned by off-shore automakers following the UAW Detroit Three contract sweep last October. Continue reading →

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EPA – U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Increase in 2022

Posted on 11 April 2024 by Ken Zino

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today released its latest annual Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks (GHG Inventory),* which presents an overview of annual greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 to 2022. Net U.S. greenhouse gas emissions were 5,489 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2022, a 1.3% increase in emissions from 2021. EPA said the increase is mostly due to higher energy use in 2022, reflecting the continued recovery in economic activity following the height of the coronavirus pandemic. Crucially, emissions have declined 17% overall since 2005. Continue reading →

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