Tag Archives: auto industry commentary

Happy New Year United States – All ~335 Million of You!

Posted on 1 January 2024 by Ken Zino

The US. Census Bureau calculates that the US. population will be 335,893,238 today on New Year’s Day, an annual increase of 1,759,535 or 0.53%.

“The combination of births, deaths and net international migration increases the U.S. population by one person every 24.2 seconds. In January 2024, the United States is expected to experience a birth every 9.0 seconds and one death every 9.5 seconds. Meanwhile, net international migration is expected to add one person to the U.S. population every 28.3 seconds. The combination of births, deaths and net international migration increases the U.S. population by one person every 24.2 seconds,” said Derick Moore, senior communications specialist in the Census Bureau’s Communications Directorate. Continue reading →

Posted in milestones, news analysis, people, shows and events | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Almost All New US Light Vehicles have Automatic Braking

Posted on 29 December 2023 by Ken Zino

All 20 participating automakers have fulfilled a voluntary pledge to equip nearly all the light vehicles they produce for the U.S. market with automatic emergency braking (AEB), according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Five new manufacturers installed AEB on more than 95% of the light vehicles they produced between 1 September 2022 and 31 August 2023, to meet the deadline set in a previous agreement.* General Motors, Jaguar Land Rover, Maserati and Porsche all dramatically increased the proportion of their vehicles equipped with the technology to meet the target. Kia, which was already close last year, also crossed the finish line.

Audi, BMW, Ford/Lincoln, Honda/Acura, Hyundai/Genesis, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Nissan/Infiniti, Stellantis, Subaru, Tesla, Toyota/Lexus, Volkswagen and Volvo fulfilled the voluntary commitment in previous years. Continue reading →

Posted in customer satisfaction, insurance, safety, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Japan Inc – Automakers Start Advanced SoC Research

Posted on 29 December 2023 by Ken Zino

ASRA aims to establish in-vehicle chiplet technology by 2028 and to install SoCs in mass-produced vehicles from 2030 onward. By combining Japan’s technological capabilities and experience in automotive, electrical components, and semiconductors, ASRA will work with industry, government, and academia to promote domestic and international collaboration as a world-leading technology research group, the socially and environmentally awakened firms said. Continue reading →

Posted in connected vehicles, electric vehicles, electronics, engineering, environment, global warming, manufacturing, milestones, mobility company, news analysis, public health | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ford F-Series Truck Best Seller Again

Posted on 28 December 2023 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company said today that during calendar year 2023 more than 700,000 customers chose a new F-Series truck, making it the best-selling truck in the United States for the 47th consecutive year. (AutoInformed: Ford Claims F-Series Retains Title of Best-Selling Truck in 2022) Continue reading →

Posted in customer satisfaction, marketing, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Climate Change – 25% of US People Susceptible to Severe Heat

Posted on 28 December 2023 by Ken Zino

As we close out the year of extreme shifts in weather – with 2023 trending to be the hottest year on record – US Census Bureau data show that almost 1 in 4 people in the United States are socially … Continue reading →

Posted in environment, global warming, people, public health | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Nissan Motor Global Production up 27% in November

Posted on 27 December 2023 by Ken Zino

Nissan Motor said today in Yokohama that global production of passenger and commercial vehicles in November surpassed year-earlier results by 27.4% (317,233). Production in Japan also rose Year-over-Year (YoY)  by 21.3 % (68,683). Furthermore production outside Japan rose YoY by 29.2% (248,550). In the US production during November at 48,056 was up +16.8%. Continue reading →

Posted in economy, manufacturing, mobility company, results, sales | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Honda Motor November 2023 Global Production up 27%

Posted on 27 December 2023 by Ken Zino

Honda Motor said today in Japan that global production in November rose more than 27% at 414,429 vehicles when compared year-over-year (YoY). It was the third straight month of global increases. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, economy, manufacturing, mobility company | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

GM Recalls Chevrolet Bolt EVs for Fires Again

Posted on 26 December 2023 by Ken Zino

In the required safety defect report just made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, GM said that Bolts with recall 22V-930 completed by dealerships other than Simpson Chevrolet of Irvine are not affected by this new recall. A GM employee submitted this issue to GM’s Speak Up For Safety (SUFS) program on 29 August 2023, following a dealer report that 66 vehicles that received the recall remedy in GM recall 22V930 at Simpson Chevrolet of Irvine were in fact not repaired. Continue reading →

Posted in customer satisfaction, electric vehicles, engineering, manufacturing, recalls, safety | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ford Recalls Maverick Pickups for Defective Software

Posted on 26 December 2023 by Ken Zino

In the required recall documents just made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Ford said the Mexican built Mavericks contain rear tail-lamps with two turn signal lamp bulbs on each side. The body control module will not provide an outage notification to the driver if only one of the two rear turn signal lamp bulbs has failed. Continue reading →

Posted in customer satisfaction, electronics, engineering, manufacturing, news analysis, quality, recalls, safety | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Honda Expands Sudden Fuel Pump Failure Recalls

Posted on 26 December 2023 by Ken Zino

American Honda Motor is recalling more than 2.5 million gasoline and hybrid vehicles because the Denso-made fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail. In the required safety defect report just made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Honda said the fuel pump impeller was improperly molded, resulting in low density impellers. Over time, the low-density impeller can deform and interfere with the fuel pump body, making the fuel pump inoperative. If the fuel pump module is inoperative, the engine may not start or can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash or injury. Continue reading →

Posted in customer satisfaction, manufacturing, recalls, safety | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Porsche Fires – Cayenne, Panamera, Taycan Charging Cables

Posted on 26 December 2023 by Ken Zino

Porsche Cars North America is recalling various models and model years of its Cayenne, Panamera and Taycan hybrid models because the 220V/240V compact/portable charging cable can overheat causing the risk of fires. More than 41,000 Porsches are involved. According to documents just released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Porsche is blaming the home wiring of affected customers for the safety defect. Continue reading →

Posted in customer satisfaction, electric vehicles, electronics, engineering, quality, recalls | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Tesla Model S and X Recalls for Failed Side Impact Protection

Posted on 26 December 2023 by Ken Zino

Tesla is recalling more than 120,000 model year 2021-2023 Model S and X vehicles, according to documents just released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The cabin doors can unlock during a crash. These Tesla models fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 214 “Side Impact Protection.” Continue reading →

Posted in customer satisfaction, electronics, engineering, manufacturing, recalls | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Honda, Mitsubishi, Tokuyama Studying Fuel Cell Recycling

Posted on 25 December 2023 by Ken Zino

Honda Motor, Tokuyama Corp., and Mitsubishi Corp. will run a joint demonstration to operate a data center using by-product hydrogen and a stationary fuel cell (FC) power station. It will reuse FC systems from fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs). Project Members will explore the potential of reusing automotive FC systems in a stationary application. The objective of the Demonstration Project is to reduce the economic liability on customers installing and operating stationary FC systems, which will contribute to the decarbonization of electric power. Continue reading →

Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, autonomous vehicles, economy, electric vehicles, engineering, environment, fuel economy or emissions, global warming, milestones, news analysis, public health, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Isuzu and Honda Public Road Testing Fuel Cell HD Truck

Posted on 23 December 2023 by Ken Zino

The demonstration testing, scheduled to run through September 2024, will collect data and detect technical issues in preparation for a 2027 market introduction of production trucks, the companies said. Continue reading →

Posted in alternative fuels, electric vehicles, environment, fuel economy or emissions, global warming, milestones, news analysis, public health, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Chinese BYD to Build Hungarian EV Factory

Posted on 22 December 2023 by Ken Zino

Hungary is an essential transportation hub and has a rich history of expertise in the automotive industry, according to BYD. With a mature infrastructure and a well-established industrial foundation, Hungary has been chosen by several premium European manufacturers as a production location for passenger cars. “This further supports BYD’s decision to make Hungary the center of European production operations,” the company said. However, there is an ongoing dispute about whether Hungary can maintain its status as an EU member, which could hurt BYD’s plans to have 10% of the market. Continue reading →

Posted in electric vehicles, environment, global warming, manufacturing, milestones, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment