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Tag Archives: autoinformed.com
EV Grumblings – Auto Execs Waffling on Growth
With hybrid electric vehicle sales soaring, and the badly needed EV charging infrastructure lagging, there is considerable discussion among auto executives and industry pundits about the EV market.*
As always a walk – or in this case an electrified drive – into the unknown provokes considerable speculation and anxiety about where things are headed. Compounding the EV market grumblings are the intensive capital investments involved and the dire state of our climate with the deleterious effects of global warming increasingly laying waste to large areas of the planet. Continue reading
Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, customer satisfaction, economy, electric vehicles, environment, global warming, marketing, news analysis, public health
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, center for automotive research, EV charging availability anxiety, GlobalData, GlobalData Powertrain Forecasts, Ken Zino, Matt Lucki, Snehasis Ganguly
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EV Grumblings – Tire Replacement Rates?
J.D. Power said today that early data from its unpublished 2024 U.S. Original Equipment Tire Customer Satisfaction Study shows that EV tires may fall short of meeting this expectation, with a higher replacement rate in years One and Two of ownership than with internal combustion vehicle tires. (see AutoInformed: J.D. Power – Vehicle Dependability Down Again)
In what could be a stretch of a still to be verified conclusion based on a much needed larger sample size that doesn’t yet exist, Power claimed that “more than a quarter of new vehicle shoppers who are considering an EV cite reliability as a factor in this decision.” Well, duh, they might also prioritize other things such as saving the planet, eschewing fossil fuels, and charging at home. How this sorts out in a changing marketplace remains to be seen. Power did say that the gap in replacement rates appears to be closing. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, awards, blog, customer satisfaction, electric vehicles, global warming, marketing, news, news analysis, people, public health, transportation
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, BFGoodrich, Bridgestone, Continental, Cooper, Dunlop, EV Grumblings, Falken, Firestone, General, Giti, goodyear, hankook, j.d power, J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Original Equipment Tire Customer Satisfaction Study, Ken Zino, Kumho, michelin, Nexen, Nitto, Pirelli, Toyo, Vogue, Yokohama
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Annals of Marketing and Racing – Cadillac Opulent Velocity
Cadillac said today that its view what the future of electric performance is contained in teaser look released of the Opulent Velocity concept vehicle. It is designed to market the past, present and future of Cadillac and its performance brand, V-Series. In marketing speak, Opulent Velocity represents the duality of the Cadillac brand defined in the name, Opulent + Velocity.
“Opulent Velocity is designed to foreshadow a zero emissions expression of performance and modern luxury leadership,” said Bryan Nesbitt, executive director, Cadillac Global Design. “We will share more later this year, so stay tuned.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, design and styling, marketing, new vehicle, performance, racing
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Brandon Vivian, Bryan Nesbitt, Cadillac V-Series, Ken Zino, Opulent Velocity, Sebring International Raceway
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Chinese Auto Market is Flying High – Exports a Threat
The Chinese auto market soared at the beginning of 2024, according to numbers and an analysis just released by the respected GlobalData* consultancy. Total Light Vehicle (LV) retail sales – wholesales excluding exports – reached 2 million units in January … Continue reading
Toyota Motor North America R&D Leads in Patents
Toyota Motor (NYSE:TM) said today that it has been awarded more patents from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) than any other automaker, according to an annual report by the Intellectual Property Owners Association (IPO). Toyota Motor North America Research & Development – head office in Ann Arbor, Michigan – has led the automotive industry for 10th consecutive years. During 2023 there was 3% overall decline in patents granted across all industries in the United States. Toyota ranked seventh among all companies awarded patents in 2023, receiving a total of 2667 patents. Toyota globally spends ~$1 million per hour on Research & Development. Continue reading
Posted in awards, engineering, milestones, mobility company, news analysis
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Intellectual Property Owners Association, Ken Zino, Sandra Phillips Rogers, Toyota Motor North America. Toyota Motor North America Research & Development, United States Patent and Trademark Office
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Taycan Turbo GT Sets Records at Laguna Seca, Nürburgring
Porsche said today that the upcoming Taycan Turbo GT with Weissach package set the fastest electric production car lap at Weathertech Raceway Laguna Seca. The Taycan is scheduled to go on sale this spring as part of the expansion of the premium line of its all-electric sports sedan to include the Taycan Turbo GT and the Turbo GT with an optional Weissach package. The Weissach setup is built for the track and eliminates the rear seats for a higher power-to-weight ratio. At peak power, both models can deliver more than 1100 PS (pferdestarke) or 1084.51 horspower. Continue reading
Posted in electric vehicles, marketing, milestones, new vehicle, news analysis, performance, racing, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino, Laguna Seca, nürburgring, Taycan Turbo GT with Weissach package
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Nissan and Infiniti Recalls for Bad Airbags
Nissan North America (Nissan) is recalling model-year 2024 Titan, Frontier, Infiniti QX60, Pathfinder, 2023-2024 Sentra, Versa, Kicks, Infiniti QX50 and 2023 Rogue vehicles because of bad airbags that might not protect the driver, according to the required filling that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration made public this morning. Quick action by Nissan limited the scope of the potential safety defect. Continue reading
Posted in customer satisfaction, manufacturing, news analysis, quality, recalls, safety
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Daicel airbag recall, Ken Zino, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, NHTSA 24V154, Nissan and Infiniti airbag recall
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Bidenomics and the State of the Union
Once again President Biden took on the failed economic polices of the party of no hope, aka Republicans, and the former mis-administration disaster that he inherited in his State of the Union address last night. Nowhere is the contrast between good public policy and the republican politics of hate more evident than the ongoing recovery from the pandemic.
During an inspiring campaign speech that lasted more than an hour, Biden addressed – among other things – our economy. “I came to office determined to get us through one of the toughest periods in our nation’s history. And we have. It doesn’t make the news but in thousands of cities and towns the American people are writing the greatest comeback story never told. … America’s comeback is building a future of American possibilities, building an economy from the middle out and the bottom up, not the top down, investing in all Americans to make sure everyone has a fair shot … I inherited an economy that was on the brink,” Biden said. Continue reading
Posted in AutoInformed Editorial, blog, customer satisfaction, economy, environment, financial results, labor issues, manufacturing, news analysis, public health, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Bidenomics, donald trump, Ken Zino, Republican insurrectionists, State of the Union, The Hustings
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Acura 2024 ZDX Qualifies for $7500 EV Taxpayer Subsidy
Acura has released the power ratings for the 2024 ZDX all-electric SUV, and the high-performance ZDX Type S – the most powerful Acura ever. With a performance-tuned dual-motor AWD powertrain, ZDX Type S delivers a claimed 500 maximum horsepower and 544 lb.-ft. of maximum torque1 – more than the Acura NSX Type S supercar. ZDX A-Spec buyers can choose between a rear-wheel drive single-motor powertrain with 358 hp and 324 lb.-ft. of max torque or a more powerful dual-motor all-wheel drive configuration with 490 hp and 437 lb.-ft. of maximum torque. Continue reading
Honda Prologue SUV EV Gets $7500 Tax Subsidy
American Honda Motor said today that most all-new 2024 Honda Prologue models, the first all-electric Honda SUV, will qualify for the US $7500 EV tax credit. The federal tax credit applies to the purchase of all 2024 Prologues built after 25 February 2024. All 2024 Prologues will qualify when leased as do other EVs because of a quirk in the tax code. Prologue is arriving at Honda dealerships in the coming weeks, with a 296-mile EPA range rating. Prices before the credit range from ~$42,000 to $52,000. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, connected vehicles, electric vehicles, environment, fuel economy or emissions, global warming, marketing, mobility company, new vehicle, news analysis
Tagged 2024 Honda Prologue EV, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Honda Home Electrification, Ken Zino, Lance Woelfer, lithium ion batteries
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Chinese Junk Watch – EVERCROSS EV5 Hoverboard Fires
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) today is warning consumers to immediately stop using EVERCROSS EV5 hoverboards because they pose a risk of fire to consumers. CPSC has received one report of a fire, resulting in substantial property damage to a residential building in New York City in May 2023.* They were sold online on Amazon.com, eBay.com, Likesporting.com, Lowes.com, Newegg.com, Ridefaboard.com and Walmart.com for between $180 and $300 from July 2021 to the present.
“EVERCROSS has not agreed to recall these hoverboards or offer a remedy to consumers,” CPSC said. In AutoInformed’s view, Chinese products remain a problem both in their design, manufacturing quality control and labor employment practices. Continue reading
Posted in blog, customer satisfaction, electric vehicles, electronics, manufacturing, news analysis, quality, recalls, safety
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, cpsc, Ken Zino, lithium ion battery fires, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
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February Western European Passenger Car Sales Up 8%
The Western European passenger car (PV) selling rate rose month-on-month to 12.8 million units on an annual basis according to an analysis just released by the respected consultancy GlobalData.* (see Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on European Passenger Car Sales Soft … Continue reading
Turning over Taxpayer Assisted Leaf EVs
Nissan said today that 2024 Nissan LEAF vehicles manufactured in 2024 and sold on or after 6 March may be eligible for part of the U.S. federal EV tax credit under the Inflation Reduction Act, provided that the customer meets all purchase and income qualifications for the EV tax credit. Nissan also provides a $3750 incentive to LEAF customers who lease any 2024 or 2023 LEAF. Potential buyers of course should consult with their tax advisor about any potential federal and state tax credit eligibility. The LEAF and its battery are assembled in Smyrna, Tennessee by non-union workers.
The latest LEAF was initially available to customers through 31 December 2023. Nissan said it has been able to re-certify that 2024 LEAF vehicles produced in the U.S. in 2024 meet the “battery component” requirements of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA) and may now qualify for up to a $3750 tax credit. The IRA has been criticized because it has no requirements for what creates in effect massively taxpayer subsidized companies without protecting their production workers. There are no market-based wage or benefit requirements, nothing that mandates company leaders to pay workers a wage to support themselves or their families. Continue reading
CARB – Yanmar Power Emissions Violation Settled for $16M
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) said today that it reached a settlement agreement with Yanmar Power of Osaka, Japan for $16,196,120 for violating regulations aimed at reducing nitrogen oxides from off-road compression-ignition engines.
“Nitrogen oxide emissions worsen the health of Californians and increase the risk of respiratory illnesses, making it essential that manufacturers follow air quality laws both accurately and thoroughly,” said CARB Executive Officer Dr. Steven Cliff. “Californians breathe some of the worst air in the nation, and our enforcement efforts that keep companies accountable make it clear that everyone has to do their part to reduce the impacts of air pollution.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, environment, fuel economy or emissions, news analysis, public health, safety, transportation
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, California Air Resources Board, Dr. Steven Cliff, Ken Zino, transport refrigeration units, TRUs, Yanmar Power Emissions Violation
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EPA – 2023 Top Energy-Efficient Manufacturing Plants
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today recognized the 103 U.S. manufacturing plants that earned the agency’s ENERGY STAR certification in 2023, a title for plants in the top 25% of energy efficiency in their sector. These plants in sum prevented more than 8 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions, equivalent to the emissions from the electricity use of more than 1.5 million American homes.
“President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is breathing new life into energy efficient domestic manufacturing, and industry partners like those recognized today are leading the way,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “These ENERGY STAR certified plants demonstrate that cutting the embodied carbon of our industrial products through energy efficiency doesn’t just make environmental sense, it makes economic sense.” Continue reading →