In the News – ZeroLimits2021

Posting Date: March 10, 2024 – Article Date: April 19, 2023 – Inside Hyundai’s plan to turn software into a profit machine

It’s the first news article of 2024! 3 months in is a little late I know, but it gave the automotive industry enough time to make some ground breaking headlines appear.

Hyundai is a very well known car company. Among some of the already famous cars they have produced including the Santa Fe, Elantra, and Tucson, there’s also the Veloster, Kona, NEXO, and of course the recent edition of electric vehicles. It is here that we see the most advancements now and mainly what the company is in the papers for.

It’s a race between car companies to design better apps for users to have a better experience using and interacting with their electric vehicles through company developed applications, and Hyundai wants to be the first to get there.

The company is still trying to work out some kinks and make sure everything is running smoothly before releasing anything to the public however they have to overcome one major challenge – figuring out exactly who will use the app and what they would consider important enough to have on the app – because remember, everyone’s needs will be different.

To find out more, please visit: https://techcrunch.com/2023/04/19/inside-hyundais-plan-to-turn-software-into-a-profit-machine/

Posting Date: December 16, 2023 – Article Date: December 13, 2023 – Tesla Recalls Autopilot Software in 2 Million Vehicles

Autopilot can be a great feature to have in your car, however, it can also be the most unsafe option if the software malfunctions – as it did with Tesla. Now, Tesla has been in the news a lot recently, for a couple of different reasons, and never for good things. But this by far has to be the worst, even going as far as to ruin the brand reputation of the company.

The basis of the recall circles around regulators concerns that Tesla did not do enough to prevent drivers from misusing the system, which includes turning it on while traveling on local roads, and becoming distracted assuming the function will work as it should without them having to pay attention. It is important to note Tesla’s definition of Autopilot is a collection of features allowing the car’s technology to take control of a vehicle over varying degrees.

This recall is the fourth in less than 2 years and the most significant to date. It includes almost all of the cars produced in the United States since 2012, including the most popular, Model Y sport-utility.

To find out more, please visit: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/13/business/tesla-autopilot-recall.html

Posting Date: September 14, 2022 – Article Date: September 11, 2022 – NASCAR World Praying Following Devastating Team Loss Sunday

On Sunday morning the world was met with some serious life changing news – JR Hollar passed away at the age of 57. He was a hauler driver for the team and had a serious impact on the racing community. It was with heavy hearts that the team he was part of, the JTG Daugherty Racing team, went on with the race at the Kansas Speedway.

This is still a developing story and the cause of his death is yet to be determined.

Posting Date: September 5, 2022 – Article Date: September 2, 2022 – It’s the end of the car as we know it

Internal Combustion Engines have always been the preferred choice to get around in the United States and they represent the biggest sales of new cars today. However, there is evidence that these cars are nearing the end of the road. A new generation of electric cars will not only help to fix the mess caused by its counterpart, but it’s also easier to maintain and surprisingly easier to drive.

Electric vehicles make up about 3 percent of new vehicles in the United States currently and the government is doing all they can (investing billions of dollars into ads) to push this trend onto people. This includes funding nationwide charging stations, and the EV tax credit (offered under the Inflation Reduction Act), among other things.

But the transformation of cars goes far beyond the transition into EV’s. In today’s modern times, getting your license is something that many young people are actually having second thoughts about. I mean with Uber and Lyft practically anywhere you live, it makes it easier to get around and the need (or want) for a car of your own really isn’t a first thought. The percentage of young people getting their license has actually dropped 20 percent since the 1980s, according to National Highway Administration data.

To find out more, please visit: https://www.vox.com/recode/23333356/ev-electric-vehicle-self-driving-cars-internal-combustion-driving

Posting Date: September 1, 2022 – Article Date: September 1, 2022 – Luxury goods tax now in effect in Canada – what you need to know

Luxury just got that much more expensive. I know right, just when you thought luxurious things were in your future, think again. As of today (September 1, 2022), the federal government’s luxury good tax comes into effect. It specifically targets luxury cars, private jets, and yachts. Plans for a luxury goods tax was first revealed in last year’s federal budget, but a bill to enact the tax was only introduced back in April of this year.

Expectedly, this law was met with a lot of controversy and mixed feelings around the message it was sending out to the consumers and citizens of the country. Aircraft and boat manufacturers feel that the tax could threaten their jobs. Chrystia Freeland (Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister) ensures that the tax will ensure that the wealthier bunch of Canadians will be paying their fair share of taxes.

Organizations representing the aviation industry wrote a letter, it said in part, “The trickle-down effect of the implementation of this proposed luxury tax on private aircraft will have long-term detrimental effects on the average working-class Canadian family,”.

To find out exactly what is being taxed and how, please visit: https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/luxury-goods-tax-now-in-effect-in-canada-what-you-need-to-know-1.6051836

Posting Date: July 16, 2022 – Article Date: July 16, 2022 – Drivers start your engines: The Honda Indy is set to make its return to the lakeshore after pandemic hiatus

That’s right! Expect more delay’s in downtown Toronto, but I promise this time it’s for a good reason (more exciting than construction). It’s the Honda Indy Toronto! This is the 4th oldest continuously running race on the IndyCar circuit, dating back all the way to 1986.

After so long events are finally starting to see joyous (and happily welcomed) returns across the city, with Caribana now scheduled for July 30, 2022 among others. For far too long people have been forced to stay in their homes and even the weather this weekend is trying to spread that ‘get out of the house’ vibe! Why not check it out?

“It means a lot. It’s a world class motorsport festival that we put on in the streets of Toronto and there’s a lot that goes into the event. So just to see all those (familiar) faces again that you haven’t seen for three years, whether it be the volunteers, the workers, the fans, I’m just excited to reconnect with everyone and I think I think the city is excited to reconnect with the Honda Indy Toronto,” [Jeff] Atkinson [President of Honda Indy Toronto] told CP24.com this week. “You know it is just going to be nice to put on this event again after taking that absence and too see those cars return to the streets of Toronto.”

Posting Date: July 10, 2022 – Article Date: June 21, 2022 – “How auto companies are adapting to the global chip shortage”

Let’s start by putting the implications caused by the shortage into perspective. According to stats from 2021:

The automotive industry lost more than $200 billion because of the global chip shortage
$11 million fewer vehicles were produced as manufacturing plants were brought to a standstill
Ford suspended operations in certain plants across North America to focus solely on truck assembly, where the margins are better

700
Microchip assembly comprises roughly 700 steps over a 14-week period

No matter how many people you add to the production line, how much equipment you have available, “…if you don’t have that front-end product to supply to the back end, then you’re not going to get anywhere.” (Jessica Kelly, Senior Director of Offering Management, ADAS). For the automotive industry specifically, this point has provided quite challenging. Over the years, the automotive industry has seen a recent hike in ‘smarter vehicles’ – which requires a large number of electronics.

Did you Know: The automotive industry only uses 5% to 10% of annual semiconductor production; most chips go to consumer electronics.

Posting Date: March 25, 2022 – Article Date: March 23, 2022 – “Rising gas prices hurting your wallet? Here’s what you can do to save money at the pump”

Not too long after Russia invaded Ukraine back in February, United States president, Joe Biden, imposed sanctions on Russia which sparked a chain of reactions to follow, all too quickly and some very extreme. Oil, natural gas, and coal coming from Russia was banned which led to a big uproar globally.

Another contributing factor actually happened to be the pandemic – or rather the easing of restrictions – as people were given freedom to travel, travel they did. The demand for gasoline surged which led to oil companies struggling to keep up, so gas prices were forced to rise – make something more expensive and less people will want to buy, steading the stock’s rate of decreasing.

Looking for tips on how to save money especially during these tough times? Don’t worry we have you covered!

Use an app to find the cheapest gas prices and discounts in your area
- Apps like GasBuddy and AAA (open to US residents) are really going to be your friend and are super easy to use
Don’t use premium gas
- Yes it may increase the overall performance of your car, but it really isn’t necessary. Your car’s manual will get down to the specifics when it comes to the grade of gas ideal for your car
Don’t drive too fast or be an aggressive driver
- This almost hurts me to say or even admit but yes unfortunately speed does affect gas. Using cruise control can help improve fuel efficiency

To read more please visit: https://www.cnbc.com/select/how-to-save-money-on-gas/

March 1, 2022 – What to Expect for the Future of Auto Sales

With the pandemic still running its high course, tensions worldwide over the fate of Ukraine, and the threat of WW3 looming in the air, I could say things are anything but okay in the current moment. But this isn’t the only issues the world is dealing with. Another big problem? The auto industry is being severely impacted by these factors and more.

From the beginning of the pandemic, many dealerships were forced to shut down and auto sales plummeted in the last year. Paired with supply chain shortages and it’s effect on car manufacturing and even higher gas prices, auto retailers are forced to raise prices to reflect the fluctuating economy.

But it hasn’t been all bad, and perhaps the most shocking revelation to come out of all of this would be the speed and evolution at which auto retailers, dealerships, and manufacturers pivoted to digital alternatives in order to better serve their customers. The auto industry traditionally relies on in-person interactions – whether they be purchases or customers just coming in to browse – but has recently found itself making adaptions to digital ways almost immediately. Car buying is seeing a new front…just think of the headlines now…’Buy your car ONLINE from the comfort of your own home’.

Posting Date: September 2, 2021 – Article Date: October 21, 2020 – The Fast and Furious Franchise Has Reached the End of the Road after 11 movie Installments

I wish this was a joke, but the report is true. After delays with the Fast and Furious 9 movie (originally supposed to hit the theatres in May 2021, but instead hitting them in June 2021) the franchise has made the unfortunate announcement that the series will be coming to an end. With the Fast and Furious 10 movie scheduled currently for release in 2023, and the Fast and Furious 11 movie release date still unclear, fans at least have a few more guaranteed years to enjoy new stuff from the group before the series gets retired under ‘the classics”.

The franchise knows this is hard news for their fans to take in, creating a tv series with eight direct sequels, one movie spin-off and an animated TV series.

To read more please visit: https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-54627795

April 12, 2021 – Watch: Dodge Challenger showing off at Colorado car meet flips truck

When you have a nice car but don’t know how to use it…SMH…

If you are trying to make sense of what you just watched let me just say…yeah me too. This is crazy! One person was sent to hospital with minor injuries according to local media. The Challenger can be seen (in the video above) moving quickly out of the roadside parking lot before breaking and losing control slamming directly into the white Silverado – not part of the event, but that was sitting there. The truck ended up turning over completely landing on its roof. Needless to say charges were laid against the Challenger driver for reckless driving.

March 29, 2021 – How a Chip Shortage Snarled Everything From Phones to Cars

The COVID 19 pandemic has made everything a lot more interesting to say the least. Not only are schools being shut down and students being forced to learn online but it’s been affecting production, in this case the production of chips used in phones and cars. The chip is called the lowly chip which is used in powerful computers and is an expensive component under the hood of modern day gadgets. Just to paint a clear picture (or try to at least) in February 2021 lead teams (the length of time it takes for an order to be placed and when it actually gets filled) stretched to 15 weeks on average, the first time since data collection started in 2017.

March 26, 2021 – Zoinks! 2022 Nissan Z Car’s Pricing, Specs, and Details Spill Forth

Nissan made a big announcement and every gearhead is losing it! They are releasing new cars come later on this year and its all people can talk about. What was originally thought to be released as “the 400Z” will actually be called the Nissan Z. It will be sporting a 400 horsepower version of the 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 VR30DDTT under the hood, with bodywork that is very eye catching and very different. It will also be coming with two options for the transmission: A six-speed manual is standard and a Mercedes-Benz-supplied nine-speed will serve as the automatic transmission option. The price? Well it starts from $34,995.

Since your here and I can tell I peaked you’re interest if you made it this far, why not check out our gallery? Tons of featured talents and pretty nice looking cars (if I do say so myself) fill the page https://zerolimits2021.com/gallery/

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