Page 3 - Auto Know News Today

For years carmakers from Ford to Nissan and others have used a "jackknife-style" ignition key where the ignition key folds into the body of the key fob when you press a button. This style of ignition key has presented a problem for Nissan, where wear has made it possible for the key to turn off the ignition when you are driving, creating a potential hazard. Nissan has recalled over 700,000 Nissan Rogues and Rogue Sports that used this style key to fix the problem.

Ford Pro, the business-oriented group for Ford customers, has added a digital rearview to the E-Transit van. The rearview gives you real-time imagery of what is happening behind the truck in video mode. It's very clear and detailed.

The Ford Lightning story is a cautionary tale for the auto industry. The automaker halted production of the electric pickup due to battery fire issues and notified a handful of customers of other battery-related problems. While standard vehicles go through teething problems, the industry is rushing headlong into the electric universe. Their problems with electrics, like Ford's issues, are standing out right. They will get better but right now there are issues.

In a shocking move, Ford has halted the production of its mega-popular F-150 Lightning EV pickup for at least the next week. Ford, though, says it has found the problem, although it has not publicly identified it.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened an investigation in reports that front windshield trim pieces are flying off some 2 million Ford Explorers.

Ford's Mustang crew has a lot to be proud of, especially the Mustang Dark Horse. Today, Torque News looks at the 2024 Dark Horse, talks to developers, and lets you in on some inside stuff.

From the early days of racing, Ford has used racing to improve its products. Brakes, for instance, are advanced by huge leaps thanks to racing through shoes and drums to discs. Tire tech, too, developed thanks to racing and events like the King of the Hammers where Ford pushes and refines products like the Bronco.

In the early history of the auto revolution, racing was an incubator for all kinds of technology. From propulsion to engine tech to safety tech, the torture test of high-speed racing provided the basis for the auto industry to move ahead in leaps. Take one more recent example, tire tech. In the latter 20th-century radial tire tech still needed a proof of concept. Racing did it, and now all tires -- with a very few exceptions -- are safer for radial technology.

Ford has honored six international dealers for their contributions to their communities. The automaker has given the favorite charities of the dealers donations honoring those contributions.

Although sales of full-sized pickups seemed to have taken a big hit this year, there is much more to the story. If you look at other segments -- like compacts and electrics -- and future prospects, the picture isn't gloomy.