Tag Archives: death

Motorsport

Stellantis Spending $6 Billion On New Gasoline Engines That Run On Ethanol

The loss of life of the inner combustion engine has been exaggerated since a number of the largest automakers are nonetheless pouring billions into new ICEs. Stellantis is the following auto juggernaut to sign it has no intention of abandoning piston-powered automobiles anytime quickly. The automotive conglomerate that owns 14 manufacturers is spending the equal of $6 billion in South America on new engines and autos.

Touted as being the most important funding ever in South America’s automotive sector, the expenditure will help the launch of over 40 automobiles and the event of flex-fuel engines. In case you are unfamiliar with the time period, it refers to an inner combustion engine engineered to run on gasoline and ethanol.

Stellantis can also be planning autos with hybrid-flex and plug-in hybrid-flex setups for even higher effectivity by combining the versatile combustion engine with a battery. In addition, it will produce no less than one absolutely electrical automobile within the area. The investments can be made between 2025 and 2030.

These electrified flex-fuel engines are being developed to accommodate a number of fashions throughout Stellantis’ in depth portfolio. Moreover, all can be suitable with current manufacturing strains in South America to maintain prices low. New flex-fuel hybrid fashions are attributable to come out in late 2024, and a few autos are getting a dual-clutch automated transmission.

The area represents large enterprise for the automotive conglomerate contemplating Stellantis has a market share of 31.4 % in Brazil and 23.5 % throughout everything of South America. It additionally tops the gross sales charts in Argentina and Chile. Last yr, Stellantis moved greater than 878,000 autos within the area. It’s additionally the chief within the business automobile section, with a share of 28.6 %.

The foremost purpose why Fiat was Stellantis’ best-selling brand in 2023, for the third yr in a row, was due to its wonderful efficiency in South America. The Italian automaker is a shadow of its former self at residence in Europe and almost absent in North America however it’s doing huge enterprise in lots of Latin American nations.

Toyota has additionally expressed its long-term dedication to combustion engines by saying growth has began on a new family of ICEs. While emissions laws usually are not as harsh in South America as they’re in Europe, the EU’s ban on new automobiles which have dangerous emissions from 2035 might be pushed back. Porsche Chief Financial Officer Lutz Meschke stated so firstly of the yr in an interview with Automotive News Europe.

Motorsport

Mercedes CLS And Rolls-Royce Ghost Hearses Are Posh Rides To The Afterlife

The saying that death and taxes are unavoidable is still very true. While some people find ways to avoid paying taxes, no one can escape death. When that unfortunate event occurs, why not depart in style with a luxurious hearse? The Italian company Biemme specializes in converting luxurious models for the journey to the afterlife, and some of the conversions are quite interesting, or should we say, unusual.

One of these conversions, named “Aymon,” is a fancy hearse made from the Mercedes CLS. Ironically, the CLS itself is no longer in production as it ended in August. The conversion maintains the rear seats and doors while adding a sizable coffin compartment with a shatterproof divider. Additionally, Biemme has reinforced the body structure with external moldings and stainless steel. It also installed a glass rear door and retained the spare wheel.


News

Michele Colaninno Takes Over as Piaggio CEO Following His Father’s Passing

Michele Colaninno has been appointed as the CEO of Piaggio after the death of his father, Roberto Colaninno, who held the position of chairman and CEO. Prior to his promotion, Michele served as the chief executive of global strategy, product, marketing, and innovation.

After the passing of Roberto Colaninno on August 19, 2023, Piaggio’s board of directors had to restructure the corporate governance. Following shareholder recommendations, Michele Colaninno assumed the role of CEO, with similar powers and responsibilities to his previous position. In addition, Carlo Zanetti has been appointed as a new non-executive director, maintaining the number of board members unchanged.

The board of directors of Piaggio & C. S.p.A now consists of Michele Colaninno as CEO and Matteo Colaninno as Executive Chair. Additionally, Graziano Gianmichele Visentin, Rita Ciccone, Patrizia Albano, Federica Savasi, Micaela Vescia, and Andrea Formica serve as independent directors. Carlo Zanetti has been appointed as a non-executive director.

Piaggio has announced that its shareholders’ meeting will take place on December 31, 2023. During this meeting, shareholders will need to approve the company’s financial statements. It will also mark the end of the current board’s term.

Besides his role as the head of Piaggio, Michele Colaninno is the founder of Piaggio Fast Forward, a robotics company based in the United States. He is also the CEO and COO of the Immsi Group, a financial, real estate, and industrial holding company listed on the Milan Stock Exchange. Additionally, Michele Colaninno serves as the president of the European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers (ACEM).

Michele Colaninno joins KTM CEO Stefan Pierer, BMW Motorrad’s head Markus Schramm, and Yamaha Motor Europe President Eric de Seynes as one of ACEM’s three vice presidents.

Cars

The Risks of Quiet Electric Cars: A Danger for Pedestrians

According to the “Headphone use and pedestrian injury and death in the United States: 2004–2011” study published in Injury Prevention, Richard Lichenstein et al provide alarming information about the dangers posed by silent electric cars. During the study period, 116 pedestrians wearing headphones were killed, with over half of them being hit by trains. Shockingly, 29% of these fatalities occurred even after an audible warning was given. This highlights the need to protect individuals who are deaf, hearing impaired, blind, or visually impaired from the risks of these quiet vehicles, as failure to sense approaching cars can have fatal consequences.

Various electric cars may not be completely silent while in motion, but compared to the noisy vehicles on our roads, they are significantly quieter. Recognizing this, lawmakers came up with a brilliant and life-saving solution: Just as natural gas is infused with a foul-smelling substance called mercaptan to quickly detect potential gas leaks, electric vehicles should be equipped with intentional sounds and sensors to make them more audible.

In response, the European Union implemented legislation in July 2019 to address this issue. Known as Uniform Provisions Concerning the Approval of Quiet Road Transport Vehicles with Regard to their Reduced Audibility, this regulation requires electric cars in the E.U. to have an Acoustic Vehicle Alert System. As reported by New Atlas, this system produces a continuous noise of at least 56 decibels when the vehicle is traveling at 20 km/h (12 mph) or slower.

News

This Dodge Ram Do-Not-Drive Warning Shows The Takata Airbag Saga Isn’t Over

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), another death has been attributed to a faulty Takata airbag. This time, it involves the driver of a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup truck. As a result, a “Do Not Drive” order has been issued for owners of 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 vehicles that haven’t had their airbags fixed. The NHTSA states that 385,686 2003 Dodge Rams were already recalled in 2015, but as many as 84,000 have yet to be repaired.

Unfortunately, this warning for Ram trucks is just one in a long series of recalls related to Takata airbags. These recalls have affected millions of cars from various automotive brands and have been linked to 26 deaths. If your vehicle is part of the Takata recall and hasn’t been repaired, it’s crucial to get it fixed as soon as possible. The repair is free, and driving a vehicle with an unrepaired airbag could be a life-threatening risk.

How to check if your vehicle is affected

Last year, a driver of a 2006 Ford Ranger was killed when a Takata side airbag exploded. The NHTSA emphasizes that even minor accidents that wouldn’t normally trigger airbag deployment can result in a deadly malfunction, particularly in older cars. In a press release, NHTSA Acting Administrator Ann Carlson stated, “The older a defective Takata airbag inflator gets, the more dangerous it becomes. Please, get your airbag replaced now for your sake, and for the sake of those who love you.”

The Takata airbag recall has been ongoing for years, and the most recent reported death shows that it is still a concern. General Motors, one of the world’s largest truck manufacturers, had to recall over six million vehicles three years ago due to the same issue that Ram trucks are facing. Therefore, it is highly recommended to check if your vehicle is affected by the recall through the NHTSA’s website and schedule a repair at your car’s dealership.

News

Obituary: Designer Peter Horbury dies aged 72

The international car design community is in shock and mourning following the sudden passing of Peter Horbury, a highly accomplished and respected figure in the industry.

Horbury, aged 72, tragically passed away during a business trip to China while visiting the headquarters of his employer, the Geely group. Until 2021, he held the position of executive vice-president of design at Group Lotus, where he played a crucial role in establishing a strong connection between Lotus and its Chinese owners. Prior to that, he served as the head of design for the fast-growing Geely group.

Throughout his career, Horbury worked on a wide range of design projects. He began his journey at Chrysler UK in the 1970s, where he was responsible for designing the iconic Talbot Horizon grille. After graduating from the Royal College of Art with a degree in design in 1974, he went on to achieve significant milestones. However, he is best known for his extraordinary tenure as Volvo’s design chief from 1991 to 2002. His innovative vision and philosophy played a pivotal role in saving the company, and his design influences can still be seen in modern Volvo vehicles.

After his time at Volvo, Horbury held design leadership positions at Ford’s Premier Automotive Group and eventually became the head of Ford design in the United States. He later returned to Volvo for another successful period before assuming his position at Geely. Regarded as a superb leader and mentor, as well as a captivating storyteller and a constant source of joy, Horbury will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege to know him during his illustrious 50-year career, including his close ties with Autocar.