Tag Archives: Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat

Park Outside! Nissan Leaf Battery Fire Recall

Posted on 6 April 2026 by Ken Zino

Nissan North America is recalling 51 2026 model-year LEAF vehicles. The high voltage battery may have internal damage that can cause a short circuit within the lithium ion battery module.

“Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures and should not charge their vehicles until the remedy is completed. Dealers will replace the battery modules or the battery, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed 17April 2026,” Nissan said in the mandatory Safety Defect filing made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) this morning. Continue reading →

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Lexus 2022-24 Model-Year Front Passenger Airbag Recall

Posted on 6 April 2026 by Ken Zino

The front passenger seat in the subject vehicles is secured to a seat frame, which is equipped with a stopper and has an Occupant Classification System (OCS) that provides input to the Supplemental Restraint System to determine the deployment strategy of the front passenger airbag system, depending on the occupant load. Due to a manufacturing error during a specific production period at a certain supplier’s plant [Toyota Boshoku Corporation – AutoCrat], some vehicles may have an insufficient clearance between the seat frame and the stopper when taking into account normal production variation. If there is insufficient clearance, interference can occur between the seat frame and the stopper if the seat height is adjusted to certain positions, depending on the occupant load applied,” Toyota said in the required safety defect recall filing (49 CFR § 573) made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) this morning. Continue reading →

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Shared Fuel Cell Technology – Daimler Truck, Volvo, Toyota

Posted on 6 April 2026 by Ken Zino

Daimler Truck AG (Daimler Truck), the Volvo Group (Volvo), cellcentric (sic) and Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) have signed a non-binding agreement to cooperate in the fuel cell system joint venture called cellcentric. The timing is propitious given the Artemis II Orion spacecraft uses hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell systems to generate electricity and potable water for the crew during its 10-day mission that is underway. Continue reading →

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Lucid Debuts 2027 Gravity Model EV Lineup

Posted on 3 April 2026 by Ken Zino

Lucid Group (NASDAQ: LCID) this week announced updates and enhancements to the Lucid Gravity model lineup for the 2027 model year along with the Lucid Air sedan. Both models are “soon to be joined by the mid-size Lucid Cosmos and … Continue reading →

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April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month

Posted on 3 April 2026 by Ken Zino

“No one should ever get hurt or lose their life because of a text or a phone call,” said Lorraine Martin, NSC CEO. “By keeping our eyes on the road and our hands on the wheel, we all have the power and responsibility to make our roads safe for everyone. The National Safety Council calls on every driver to travel distraction free – doing so will save lives.” Continue reading →

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Ford GT Mk IV Runs Nordschleife at 6m15.977s

Posted on 2 April 2026 by Ken Zino

The Ford GT Mk IV (NYSE: F) has set the record as the fastest American OEM around the Nürburgring Nordschleife, Ford Racing said today. It is at the moment the third fastest overall car to ever lap the Nordschleife. The 6:15.977 ET also means that the GT Mk IV, as a track-only vehicle classified in the prototype category, is the fastest car currently available for purchase to lap the Nürburgring Nordschleife. Just bring money –  stacks of it – starting price of ~$1.7 million. Continue reading →

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AAA – National Gasoline Prices Hit Four Year High!

Posted on 2 April 2026 by Ken Zino

Today’s average of $4.08 is ten cents higher than last week and $1.08 higher than a month ago. Crude oil prices have been surging, surpassing $100/barrel, as the conflict in the Middle East continues and the Strait of Hormuz remains closed. In 2022, gas prices remained elevated from March through August, peaking in June when the national average reached a record of $5/gallon for one week,” AAA said. Continue reading →

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Ground Effects Workers – Yet Another UAW Supply Chain Win

Posted on 2 April 2026 by Ken Zino

Auto supply chain workers have voted to unionize at Ground Effects, the UAW said late yesterday in a  second UAW union organizing victory in two days. Workers at Ground Effects have been organizing since last year. “They began their campaign to form a union due to low pay, overwork, forced overtime, management abuse, and favoritism.,” the UAW said in a release. Workers at Ground Effects won a majority in a National Labor Relations Board election to form a union with the UAW. Ground Effects produces spray-on truck bedliners, in addition to other aftermarket parts. Continue reading →

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AAA Promoting April as National Car Care Month

Posted on 1 April 2026 by Ken Zino

AAA said today that it is collaborating with industry organizations, including NAPA, the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), and the Auto Care Association to celebrate National Car Care Month this April. It wants to highlight the importance of preventive vehicle maintenance as drivers gear up for spring travel. Continue reading →

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Webasto Detroit – Another UAW Supply Chain Win

Posted on 1 April 2026 by Ken Zino

The unionization at Webasto Detroit is “part of a growing movement of auto supply workers who want the benefits and protections of forming a union at their plants. Workers in the supply chain are a vital part of the auto industry but are paid well below their counterparts at assembly plants. They often face dangerous working conditions, including exposure to hazardous chemicals without proper precautions,” the UAW said. Continue reading →

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Subaru Shows 2027 Forester Wilderness Hybrid SUV

Posted on 1 April 2026 by Ken Zino

As with the Subaru Forester Hybrid, the Forester Wilderness Hybrid uses an Atkinson/Miller-cycle [Delayed intake valve closing, compensated for with supercharging or other methods such as electric motors for recovering lost power – AutoCrat.] 2.5-liter Subaru Boxer® engine optimized for efficiency, paired with a high-capacity lithium-ion battery and electric motors to produce 194 horsepower. The next-generation Subaru Hybrid system uses a series-parallel configuration to integrate with the existing Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system. Continue reading →

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Annals of Marketing – Manual Trans Return to Nissan Z

Posted on 31 March 2026 by Ken Zino

“We try to do something every year for the sports cars to keep them relevant and top-of-mind. We love working on these cars for our customers, and it’s a joy for us to continuously improve these things. We’ve been listening to our customers and talking to them. I think we’ve made a substantial improvement. The big thing everyone kept talking about is the desire for a manual transmission option for Z NISMO. It’s now here. Initially we didn’t launch with it because it’s a track-focused car,” said Paul Hawson, director of Advanced Product Planning & Strategy at Nissan North America. Continue reading →

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Volvo Cars to Combine Polestar 3 Production in U.S.

Posted on 31 March 2026 by Ken Zino

“The move to consolidate global Polestar 3 production in Charleston help generate efficiencies for both companies, whilst also underscoring our confidence in the plant and the role it plays in our manufacturing footprint,’ said Håkan Samuelsson, chief executive of Volvo Cars. ‘The US is a very important market for Volvo Cars, both to support our growth ambitions as well as a strategic production site to meet regional and export demands.”** Continue reading →

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NYAS – Honda To Show Fastport eQuad EV Delivery Van

Posted on 30 March 2026 by Ken Zino

Honda Motor Company (7267.T and NYSE: HMC) said today that it will show the all-electric Fastport eQuad EV Hybrid at a press event on 1 April 1 at the  Test Track where the New York Auto Show is held  [Level 1 Javits’s Center -AutoCrat.]* Fastport Chief of Operations Jamie Davies will share updates and lead a walk-around and demonstration of the vehicle.

“Fastport uses the Honda Mobile Power Pack (MPP) swappable batteries and is a software-defined vehicle (SDV) project. The Fastport eQuad in theory will help address urban congestion and rising consumer demand for faster, more frequent deliveries,” AutoInformed previously noted. Continue reading →

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Chinese Owned Volvo Cars to Import Lynk & Co Cars in Europe

Posted on 30 March 2026 by Ken Zino

“With this new arrangement, we will leverage our commercial system to support Lynk & Co’s growth ambitions in Europe,” said Erik Severinson, chief commercial officer at Volvo Cars. “At the same time, it enables Volvo Cars and our retail partners to address a wider customer base. With the support of our retailers and our commercial organization, Lynk & Co can achieve its true potential in Europe.” Continue reading →

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