Tag Archives: automotive commentary automotive blog

Mercedes-Benz Barely Bests BMW in September US Sales

Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) today reported September sales of 26,169 Mercedes-Benz models, a decrease of 9.8% from September 2017. Mercedes-Benz Vans reported best-ever month of 4,448 units (up 44.0%) and smart reported 98 units, bringing MBUSA to a grand total of 30,715 vehicles for the month. Continue reading

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50 Years of Jaguar XJ at Paris Motor Show

“The Jaguar XJ story is one of design, desirability and performance and over the past 50 years it has become a true giant in the automotive world” Continue reading

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Autonomous Car Road Bumps – Mercedes Lane Keeping Recall

The software calibration for the Active Lane Keeping Assist in the top of the line S-class may be incorrect. As a result, the system may not intervene in the event of an unintended lane departure while traveling faster than 65 miles an hour. Continue reading

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Trump’s International Ratings Remain Laughably Low

As the second anniversary of U.S. President Donald Trump’s election approaches, a new 25-nation Pew Research Center survey finds that Trump’s international image remains poor, while ratings for the United States are much lower than during Barack Obama’s presidency. Continue reading

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Milestones: Rouge at 100 Years

By the 1930s, more than 100,000 workers punched in every day. Today, Ford employs approximately 201,000 people worldwide. Continue reading

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GM Recalls 2014-16 Cadillac CTS Vehicles for Seat-Heater Fires

In cold ambient temperatures, the seat heaters in these vehicles can turn on automatically when the vehicle is remotely started. If a damaged seat heater is turned on while no one is inside the vehicle, the damaged seat heater can overheat, increasing the risk of a fire. Continue reading

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Volkswagen and Microsoft Link on Digital Connected Car

Together, the two companies will develop the technological basis for a comprehensive industrial automotive cloud. In the future, all in-car services for vehicles of the core Volkswagen brand as well as the Group-wide cloud-based platform (also known as One Digital Platform, ODP) will be built on Microsoft’s Azure cloud platform and services as well as Azure IoT Edge. This will – VW hopes – streamline the technical landscape or is that a jungle Microsoft rules? Continue reading

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FAA Targets UAS or Drone Violators for Enforcement

In July 2016, Congress authorized the FAA to impose a civil penalty of not more than $20,000 for anyone who operates a drone and deliberately or recklessly interferes with wildfire suppression, law enforcement, or emergency response efforts. Continue reading

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Nissan Starts 2019 Altima Production in Mississippi

Building on 25 years more than 5.6 million sales to date, the all-new Altima is a competent mid-size sedan that competes well with the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. True to the clichés of autotalk Nissan touts “expressive styling, an uplifting interior and two new engines.” Continue reading

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Mercedes AMG ONE Debuts at Paris Motor Show

The German luxury vehicle maker gushingly claims that the Mercedes-AMG ONE will be the pinnacle of the model portfolio and the absolute top-of-the-line model – ergo the One. (Translation: not as expensive as an F1 car, but way up there in the automotive pricing ionosphere. With intensive testing having been ongoing for months in England on high-performance test stands and race tracks, Mercedes-AMG now has the latest development of active aerodynamics. Continue reading

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Route 66 on Regent Street?

While Regent Street is arguably the English capital’s prime shopping “High Street,” Illinois is the start of America’s Route 66. Celebrated in both rock ‘n roll history and car culture, America’s epic ‘Mother Road’ in its original form stretched for almost 2,500 miles from Chicago to Santa Monica in California. Continue reading

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CARB Increases Low-Carbon Fuel Use Regulations

Amendments include the most stringent carbon intensity requirement, additional incentives for zero emission vehicles, and a protocol for carbon capture & sequestration. Today’s public hearing was the second hearing on these amendments, which take effect on January 1, 2019. Continue reading

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Porsche Increases Investment in Start-Ups by €150 Million

Porsche says it is focusing on investments in business models relating to the “customer experience, mobility and digital lifestyle,” as well as on future technologies such as “artificial intelligence, blockchain and virtual and augmented reality.” Through its venture capital activities, the aging sports car manufacturer is seeking to invest in new companies that are in the early and growth phases. Continue reading

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Porsche 911 Highest-Rated Vehicle for 2018 Model Year

Power says the scores are based on depreciation and verified data from real owners in the areas of quality, dependability, performance, reviews, awards and dealership ratings. Continue reading

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US September Sales Soothsaying: Downward Trend Continues

Replacement demand and delayed purchases following Hurricane Harvey in August 2017 saw a September 2017 pace of 18.1 million, the highest pace since 2005.Vehicle sales hit an all-time high last year as well, up nearly 80,000 units above the previous two Septembers, which occurred during record sales years. Continue reading

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