Category: Automotive News

Tesla EV charging agreements with Ford, GM muddle standard

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Two pathways are emerging as electric vehicle charging infrastructure expands across the US Automaker partnerships will determine whether those technologies will coexist or whether one will push the other out, like VHS and Betamax. Four months ago, the US was heading toward a standard way of charging EV with chargers other than those built by Tesla using a common connector to become eligible for federal funding. Tesla’s charging agreement with Ford Motor Co. and General Motors threw that push to standardization into question and could further fragment the country’s charging infrastructure, at least for now, analysts say. GM and Ford…
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Toyota future EV plans include batteries with 900-mile range

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As it prepares for its new products, factory engineers will also introduce a slew of manufacturing techniques for the 2026 EVs. Their goal is to halve the number of production processes, halve the amount of plant investment and halve the amount of production lead needed to set up for new nameplates. The new techniques will include the use of giga casting, which eliminates the countless parts and brackets by essentially casting the vehicle’s front and back as two giant modules. The under-rear section of the current Toyota bZ4X, for example, is an amalgam complex of 86 parts manufactured through 33…
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Millions Of Kia Cars Could Have Dangerous Airbags

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View of the dashboard of a 2007 Kia Optima as it’s being driven. good morning! It’s Thursday, June 1, 2023 and this is The Morning Shift, your daily roundup of the top automotive headlines from around the world, in one place. Here are the important stories you need to know. 1st Gear: Kia And ARC Automotive On Wednesday, a newly released federal document placed the number of Kia vehicles equipped with airbags supplied by Knoxville-based ARC Automotive at almost 4 million, according to The Wall StreetJournal. This is believed to be merely a fraction of the total number of affected…
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Ford, GM, Volvo exhaust supplier Wescast closing Ontario foundry, Unifor says

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Wescast Industries, a Tier 1 automotive supplier of exhaust manifolds, has informed Unifor of its intention to close its foundry in Wingham, Ont., where it has operated for more than 120 years, the union said May 29. Unifor said the closure will devastate workers, families and the community of Wingham, about 190 kilometers northwest of Toronto. About 250 members of Unifor Local 4207 work at the facility. “Wescast and its overseas owners are turning their backs on the foundry’s dedicated workforce and the community that has supported them for generations,” Unifor National President Lana Payne said. “The Wingham foundry closure…
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NHTSA faulted for defect investigation delays, internal processes

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WASHINGTON — The nation’s top auto safety regulator is failing to complete defect investigations and upload related documents in a timely manner, potentially limiting its ability to address “rapidly evolving and severe” risks to motorists, a government audit found. In a report released Wednesday by the US Transportation Department’s Office of Inspector General, auditors reviewed a sample of investigations conducted in 2018, 2019 and 2021 to determine whether the agency has adequate tools, processes and resources to probe and identify safety defects. The audit was conducted between May 2021 and March 2023. Despite efforts to restructure its office, modernize its…
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Protect Your Car’s Windows and Windshield from Damage

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Drivers are powerless over flying projectiles on Jacksonville roadways. We can be hit with any number of unidentifiable debris that seems to appear out of nowhere. These small projectiles can cause serious damage to your auto glass. The only defense is to pray hard and be careful. Safeguard Your Ride Windshield damage from freak accidents can happen whether you’re driving a car or not. You can reduce the odds of an injury by always parking in the safest place possible. Garages are ideal, but even a basic carport provides protection. There are also special blankets that can shield your car…
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Nissan Mexico head Jose Roman appointed new global Infiniti chief

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TOKYO – Struggling Infiniti is getting a new global brand chief with the appointment of Jose Roman, Nissan’s most senior executive in Mexico and Latin America. Roman, a native of Ecuador, joined Infiniti parent Nissan Motor Co. in 2012 and has more than 25 years of automotive experience in such markets as Mexico, Colombia, Brazil and Japan, the company said in a June 1 news release announcing his promotion. He is managing director of Nissan Mexico and of the Nissan Importers Business Unit, which oversees 34 markets throughout Latin America. Infiniti’s newest leader starts July 1 and will be based…
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