Tag Archives: auto industry commentary

Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport take a 1-2 at Silverstone

Posted on 15 July 2019 by Ken Zino

“I remember my first win here in 2008 and the feeling that I had coming out of Brooklands and going down the straight and seeing the crowd, it felt so reminiscent of that today – the excitement and happiness and joy that I felt were exactly the same as back then,” said Hamilton. “I’ve done so many races now, and you would think that after so many races you’d get used to it and the feeling would numb down, but it felt like it was the first win I ever had.” Continue reading →

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Connected Car Shakeout – Bosch Sells Packaging Business

Posted on 15 July 2019 by Ken Zino

This is the latest development in the restructuring of traditional automotive suppliers to concentrate on connected and autonomous vehicles. Bosch announced a year ago that it was looking for a buyer for its packaging technology business. The company is giving increasing attention to mobility and connectivity over the internet of things. It is focusing its existing resources on areas of future importance, such as shaping the transformation process and preparing for further digitization. Continue reading →

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Mid-Engine Chevrolet Corvette Debut to be Livestreamed

Posted on 15 July 2019 by Ken Zino

The livestream opens at 7:30 p.m. PDT/10:30 p.m. EDT on 18 July. Continue reading →

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Volkswagen Joins Ford by Investing in Argo AI

Posted on 12 July 2019 by Ken Zino

Citing improved competitiveness, cost and capital efficiencies, as well as quicker time to a yet unknown, nebulous market, Volkswagen CEO Dr. Herbert Diess and Ford President and CEO Jim Hackett shared a stage for a discussion about a move that could make or break one or both companies. The alliance, which covers collaborations outside of Volkswagen and Ford’s joint investments in Argo AI, does not entail cross-ownership between the two companies and is independent from the investment into Argo AI. Continue reading →

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F1 2019 Silverstone – British Grand Prix Preview

Posted on 11 July 2019 by Ken Zino

Conventional wisdom has that Silverstone’s popularity, however, does not solely rest on the speeds reached. Instead, it’s the circuit sequences of fast and flowing corners that thrill both competitors and spectators alike. Continue reading →

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Aston Martin Red Bull at the 2019 British Grand Prix

Posted on 11 July 2019 by Ken Zino

To mark the 50th anniversary of the Aston Martin DBS, which is in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, 50 special-edition 2019 Aston Martin DBS Superleggeras will be sold. The first of these special cars will be on-track at Silverstone during the Pirelli Hot Laps sessions. Continue reading →

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Concours d’Elegance of America adds GM Design on the new C8 Corvette as It Celebrates AutoMobility

Posted on 11 July 2019 by Ken Zino

During the last decade Concours organizers have worked to expand the show so all kinds of vehicles from every era, can be seen. If you like cars or motorcycles the show has something to divert you from the mundane. Continue reading →

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Polaris Slingshot Celebrates “National Stick Shift Day”

Posted on 10 July 2019 by Ken Zino

Only 18% of Americans know how to drive a manual trans, but Polaris – not without self-interest – wants to replace what it claims is an experience in an old, mundane vehicle with – guess what – a ~$21,000 to +$30,000 Slingshot. Each has a GM Ecotec 2.4L DOHC four-cylinder engine rated at 173 horsepower with a five-speed manual transmission. Continue reading →

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Toyota Shifts Plans at Its Mazda JV Plant in Alabama to SUVS

Posted on 10 July 2019 by Ken Zino

Japanese Goliath Toyota – the new plant will be Toyota’s 11th manufacturing facility in the U.S. – and tiny Mazda, which no longer builds here after the messy Ford Motor divorce,  claimed this is of mutual benefit by using the resources of both companies and complementing each other’s products and technologies toward the goal of making more appealing cars. Continue reading →

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American League Defeats National 4-3 in 2019 All Star Game

Posted on 10 July 2019 by Ken Zino

The weather was perfect in front of a noisy crowd of 36,747. Domineering innings from Justin Verlander, Jacob deGrom, Jose Berrios, Luis Castillo and local hero Shane Bieber, guaranteed that the offensive onslaught of last summer’s Midsummer Classic would not repeat itself – even in a 2019 season that has doubled as a year-long Home Run Derby because of aerodynamically slicker balls. Continue reading →

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Ford Motor Recalls a Software Recall on 58,000 Focus Models

Posted on 9 July 2019 by Ken Zino

Affected vehicles did not receive the intended 18S32 calibration software that will detect a malfunctioning canister purge valve. When the canister purge valve is stuck open in these vehicles, an excessive vacuum can develop in the fuel vapor management system, potentially deforming the fuel tank. Continue reading →

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Groupe Renault, Its Works Council and Industrial Global Union Sign Global Quality of Work Life Agreement

Posted on 9 July 2019 by Ken Zino

The agreement, signed by the 10 trade union federations or unions represented in the Group Works Council, provides a basis for structuring social dialogue, both at Group and local level. It “encourages the launching of new initiatives, as well as finding relevant pragmatic solutions to improve employees’ life at work, through the negotiation of local agreements.” Continue reading →

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Honda Finally Begins Last Takata Airbag Inflator Recalls

Posted on 9 July 2019 by Ken Zino

The total number of recalled inflators rises to approximately 22.6 million in ~12.9 million Honda and Acura automobiles that have been or now are subject to recall for replacement of a Takata driver and/or passenger front airbag inflator in the United States. Continue reading →

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Marketing by Regulation – Are Hybrid Electric Vans a Practical Solution for Cleaner Air in European Cities?

Posted on 8 July 2019 by Ken Zino

The taxpayer subsidized trial – supported by £4.7 million grant from the U.K. Government-funded Advanced Propulsion Centre – consisted of 20 Ford Transit Custom Plug-In Hybrid vans covering 150,000 miles during a 12-month period. Continue reading →

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Privateers – Toyota Gazoo Racing to Sell GR Supra GT4 in 2020

Posted on 8 July 2019 by Ken Zino

The GT4 category is popular with private race teams around the world due to its low cost and ease of entry. GT4 cars are eligible to participate in a variety of races across the globe, including the Super Taikyu Series in Japan, the GT4 European Series and the VLN Endurance Championship Nürburgring in Europe, and the Michelin Pilot Challenge Series in the U.S. Continue reading →

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