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- Instrument Panel Display Failures – Honda, Acura Recalls
- Ford Recalls 850,000 Bronco, Edge SUV Rear View Cameras
- Ford Recalls Escape, Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, Corsair SUVs
- Silverado and GMC HD Pickups Recalled for Sudden Stalling
- IndyCar Phoenix – Newgarden Wins Good Ranchers 250
- Windshield Wiper Failures – Ford Motor Recalls 605,000 SUVs
- Jeep Wrangler Finally Fixes Crash-Test Tipping
- Acura and Honda to Export U.S. Made Vehicles to Japan
- BMW Group Plant Spartanburg Largest U.S. Auto Exporter
- IIHS Pushing for Optimal State Safety Belt Use Laws
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- Porsche Motorsport Daytona Victory on Daytona 24 Hours – Old and New Stars Getting Ready to Run
- UAW Ford Department Director VP Laura Dickerson on Trump's Ford Plant Visit on Whitmer Stands in Stark Contrast to Trump at Detroit Auto Show
- Ken Zino on Ford Fuel Injector Leak Recall Now at ~694,000
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Tag Archives: automotive blog
Valero Refining Company Fined $82 Million in California
The penalty arises from a 2019 inspection that found unreported emissions from the facility’s hydrogen system containing harmful organic compounds in violation of Air District regulations. These organic compounds contributed to the Bay Area’s regional smog and particulate pollution problems. They contained benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene, or BTEX, compounds, which cause cancer, reproductive harm and other toxic health effects. Air District inspectors discovered that refinery management had known since at least 2003 that emissions from the hydrogen system contained these harmful and toxic air contaminants but did not report them or take any steps to prevent them. The refinery emitted an estimated 8400 tons of these organic compounds in total over this period in violation of Air District regulations – an average of more than 2.7 tons for each day on which a violation occurred, more than 360 times the legal limit. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, environment, news, news analysis, safety
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Bay Area Air Quality Management District, benzene, BTEX, California Air Resources Board, compounds, Dr. Philip Fine, Dr. Steven Cliff, ethylbenzene, Ken Zino, toluene, X @KenAutoinformed, xylene
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One Payment – VW Maintenance, Insurance, Road Calls
Volkswagen Group of America said today that with Volkswagen Financial Services (Volkswagen Credit Inc.) it’s starting a vehicle subscription service for Volkswagen vehicles in the Atlanta metro area. This all-new, month-to-month subscription service for some Volkswagen models bundles maintenance, insurance, and 24/7 roadside assistance into a single monthly payment. It’s branded VW Flex. Beginning today 30 October, Atlanta-area consumers will be able to start their vehicle subscription memberships, selecting from Atlas, Atlas Cross Sport, Tiguan, Golf GTI and Jetta models.
“We’re thrilled our customers have a new mobility option through this partnership with Volkswagen Financial Services,” said Andrew Savvas, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer for Volkswagen North American Region. “This subscription service brings our brand to a whole new segment of consumers who are looking for a simple and flexible mobility option, as well as those who want an easy way to experience the Volkswagen brand for themselves.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, marketing, milestones, news analysis
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Jim Ellis Volkswagen, Ken Zino, said Andrew Savvas, Tina Unterlaender, VW Flex, VW Flex Vehicle Subscription Service, X @KenAutoinformed
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Volvo Cars Joins Tesla Supercharger Network in North America
Volvo Cars* (VOLCAR B:STO) said this week that drivers of its fully electric vehicles including the new EX90 flagship SUV will have access to more than 17,800 Tesla Supercharger stations in the U.S. and Canada.**
“As part of our journey to electrification, we want to make life with an electric car, including our new flagship EX90, as seamless as possible,” said Mike Cottone, President, Volvo Car USA and Canada. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, connected vehicles, customer satisfaction, electric vehicles, global warming, marketing, mobility company, news analysis
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, EC40, EX40, Ken Zino, Mike Cottone, NACS adapters, North American Charging Standard, Tesla Supercharger network, Volvo EX90, X @KenAutoinformed
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Cadillac Lyric EV SUV Gets V-Series Performance Option
Cadillac (NYSE: GM) said today that the first electric SUV to earn the V-Series badge – the 2026 LYRIQ-V – debuts in early 2025. LYRIQ-V will appear markets around the world in both left-hand-drive and right-hand-drive, including the U.S., Canada, … Continue reading
Volkswagen Adds New Collision Avoidance Alerts
Volkswagen of America today announced new collision avoidance alerts that can provide advance warning to Volkswagen drivers of oncoming roadside hazards and notify some oncoming vehicles that a Volkswagen vehicle is disabled. Starting later this fall, this technology will be included with VW Car-Net Safe & Secure subscriptions* at no additional charge for most MY24 and MY25 Volkswagen vehicles equipped with the proper technology. Volkswagen is the first automaker in the United States to integrate H.E.L.P. ® (Hazard Enhanced Location Protocol) and Road Awareness collision avoidance alerts within its connected vehicle services.
“Putting these collision avoidance alerts into Volkswagen vehicles advances our commitment to the safety of both our drivers and all others who are on the road,” said Rachael Zaluzec, Senior Vice President of Customer Experience and Brand Marketing at Volkswagen of America. “Volkswagen continues to democratize access to features that help both enhance vehicle safety and exceed the expectations of our vehicle owners.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, marketing, mobility company, news analysis, safety, shows and events, software defined vehicles, software defined vehicles
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, connected vehicle-to-everything CV2X, Frank Weith, Hazard Enhanced Location Protocol, Ken Zino, Rachael Zaluzec, VW Car-Net Safe & Secure, X @KenAutoinformed
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Honda Recalls Accords, Civics, CR-V Hybrids for Fuel Leaks
American Honda Motor is recalling ~721,000 vehicles because the high-pressure fuel pump may crack and leak fuel creating a fire hazard. Affect are 2023-2024 Honda Accord, Accord Hybrid, 2023-2025 Honda CR-V Hybrid, and 2025 Honda Civic and Civic Hybrid vehicles. Warnings may include a fuel odor while the vehicle is driven or idling.
“Due to improper production of the high-pressure fuel pump, cracks can form at the solenoid core component of the fuel pump. As a result, a fuel leak can occur in lower mileage vehicles when the high-pressure fuel pump is in operation,” Honda said in the required NHTSA filing. As of 7 October 2024, Honda has had 145 warranty claims, and no reports of injuries or deaths related to this safety defect from February 2023 through September 2024. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, manufacturing, news analysis, recalls, safety
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Hitachi Astemo Ltd. in Japan, Honda recall PJW for fuel leaks, hydrogen embrittlement cracks, Ken Zino, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, NHTSA 24V763, X @KenAutoinformed
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More Ford Recalls – 2024 Rangers and 2024-2025 Broncos
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) ) is recalling 2024 Ranger, and 2024-2025 Bronco vehicles. The front upper-control-arm ball joint nut may not have been installed or tightened properly, allowing the front upper control arm to detach from the knuckle assembly, … Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, manufacturing, news analysis, quality, recalls, safety
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ford Bronco recalls, Ford Motor recall 24S64, Ford Motor recalls, Ford Ranger recalls, Ken Zino, NHTSA recall 24V770, X @KenAutoinformed
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Ford Recalls Mach-E Models for Power Brake and other Failures
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is recalling 2021 Mach-E vehicles because An Over-The-Air (OTA) update to the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) may result in a loss of power brake assist, ABS, Electronic Stability Control, Traction Control, and driver assistance features. The instrument cluster will display several ABS-related warning lamps and text messages at vehicle startup, according to the required filing made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration today. Continue reading
Posted in connected vehicles, customer satisfaction, manufacturing, news analysis, quality, recalls, safety, software defined vehicles
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ford recall 24S65, ford recalls, Ken Zino, Mach-E recalls, NHTSA recall 24V777, Over-The-Air (OTA) update recalls, software recalls, X @KenAutoinformed
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IIHS – Lax Helmet Laws Kill More Than 20,000 Motorcyclists
More than 20,000 motorcyclists who died in crashes in the U.S. since the mid-1970s would have survived if stronger helmet laws had been in place, a new study from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety shows. Briefly, If every state had required all riders to wear helmets from 1976 to 2022, a total of 22,058 motorcyclists’ lives could have been saved. The number represents 11% of all rider fatalities during those years.
“Requiring all riders to wear helmets is a commonsense rule not that different from requiring people in cars to buckle up,” said IIHS President David Harkey. “We have an obligation to protect everyone on our roadways through smart policy.” Continue reading
Posted in motorcycles, news, news analysis, public health, safety
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, David Harkey, Eric Teoh, insurance institute for highway safety, Ken Zino, National Highway Safety Act, X @KenAutoinformed
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Annals of Marketing Rolls-Royce Phantom Goldfinger
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars today showed a one-of-one Phantom Extended that pays homage to the 1964 James Bond film, Goldfinger – one of twelve Rolls-Royce appearances in the 007 film franchise. Revealed in the film’s 60th anniversary year, it is said to be inspired by the 1937 Phantom III Sedanca de Ville owned by the eponymous villain, Auric Goldfinger. The British license plate ‘AU 1’, which graced the Goldfinger Phantom III in the film, has been secured.. This will remain with Phantom Goldfinger, which has now been delivered to” a significant Rolls-Royce client and collector based in England.” It’s a reference to the chemical symbol for gold on the periodic table of elements. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, design and styling, marketing, news analysis, shows and events
Tagged 1964 James Bond film Goldfinger, Auric Goldfinger Chris Brownridge, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Furka Pass, Ken Zino, Nick Rhodes, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, X @KenAutoinformed
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Software Defined Vehicles – NTT, Toyota Motor Link Together
NTT and Toyota Motor Corporation said today in Japan that they have agreed toa joint initiative in the field of mobility and AI/telecommunications with the aim of realizing a society with zero traffic accidents. (read Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on: Connected Cars – Toyota and NTT Want Standardization)
“Through their previous collaborations, the two companies have confirmed that they share common values, such as contributing to society through technological and industrial development, a people-centered approach, and global contributions that start in Japan. This time, they will further deepen their collaboration with the aim of achieving a ‘society with zero traffic accidents’ as the first step towards realizing a prosperous mobility society where safety and freedom are in harmony,” the release said. Continue reading →