Latest news with #reliability
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
ComEd Announces New Improvements To The Itasca Substation's Power Infrastructure
Exelon Corporation (NASDAQ:EXC) is among the 13 Best Electrical Infrastructure Stocks to Invest In. Exelon Corporation (NASDAQ:EXC)'s ComEd announced the completion of a $96 million upgrade to its Itasca substation on July 15, 2025. An overhead view of a powerful electricity transmission tower with in motion cables. This significant infrastructure investment strives to strengthen northern Illinois's economy and increase reliability. The project, which was started in 2022, adds huge power transformers and modern gas-insulated switchgear technology to the bulk 345 kV transmission line, increasing its capacity. The upgrade is a component of a larger regional investment of $1 billion that is linked to the Western O'Hare area's growing power demands. Gil Quiniones, president and CEO of Exelon Corporation (NASDAQ:EXC)'s ComEd, stressed the importance of these modifications in light of growing electrification and extreme weather. Ruiz Construction Systems led the project, which was developed in collaboration with the Village of Itasca to reduce the impact on the neighborhood. Illinois State Rep. Jennifer Sanalitro underlined the grid's economic relevance, while Choose DuPage CEO Greg Bedalov highlighted its role in attracting firms. ComEd, a division of Exelon Corporation (NASDAQ:EXC), provides services to 4 million customers in northern Illinois. It is ranked eleventh on our list of the Best Electrical Equipment Stocks. While we acknowledge the potential of EXC as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 10 High-Growth EV Stocks to Invest In and 13 Best Car Stocks to Buy in 2025. Disclosure. None. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
5 of the Least Reliable Hybrid Cars in 2025
What hybrid cars shouldn't you buy? It's something to know before you invest in something that costs about $40,000 on average, according to The Zebra. Consider This: Check Out: In a recent study, Consumer Reports ranked the most and least reliable 2025 hybrid cars so shoppers know before they drive. They take a look at common problem areas such as brakes, out-of-warranty engines, transmissions, batteries and more. Below are the hybrid cars that were at the bottom of the list that you should steer clear of. Ford F-150 Price: Starts at $37,450 Consumer Reports ranked the Ford F-150 model as the least reliable hybrid vehicle. The report cited its transmission and hybrid battery as problem areas. In addition, drivers might not like the stiff ride that Ford F-150 provides. The 2025 hybrid model already has one recall for the electrical system, which causes a sudden loss of drive power, leading to potential crashes. I Sold My Tesla: Ford Escape Price: Starts at $29,515 Ford was once again under fire with their hybrid model of the Escape. Consumer Reports said the hybrid Escape scored far lower on reliability than the conventionally gas-powered Escape. One issue called out was the lag in the infotainment system, which can be extremely annoying to drivers trying to urgently look at navigation screens or change what they're listening to. Consumer Reports projected the 2025 Ford Escape Hybrid will be less reliable than other new cars on the market. Mazda CX-90 Price: Starts at $49,945 This plug-in hybrid is less reliable than its conventional model. It scored well below average when it came to Consumer Reports' reliability tests and rankings. The transition from electric to gas power was called out as not smooth, and might cause issues for drivers. They predict its reliability will be much less than the average new car. BMW X5 Price: Starts at $73,800 For such a pricey car, Consumer Reports said the BMW X5 plug-in hybrid vehicle scored just average when it came to reliability. Its conventional counterpart scored above average, suggesting that BMW still has to work out some of the kinks when it comes to its X5 hybrid model. Issues with previous models include decreasing range when temperatures dropped and slow charging speeds, according to Electrifying. Lexus NX Price: Starts at $61,140 The Lexus NX plug-in hybrid also only scored average when it came to Consumer Reports' reliability rankings. Consumer Reports cited the brake pedal as a potential issue for the 2025 model, saying it was 'a bit touchy and takes some getting used to.' They also called out the electronic interior door releases, unintuitive gear selector, and low center dash vents as problem areas. More From GOBankingRates I'm a Retired Boomer: 6 Bills I Canceled This Year That Were a Waste of Money This article originally appeared on 5 of the Least Reliable Hybrid Cars in 2025 Sign in to access your portfolio
Reuters
5 days ago
- Business
- Reuters
US economic data quality a worry, authorities not acting urgently enough, experts say- Reuters poll
BENGALURU, July 25 (Reuters) - Risks to the quality of official U.S. economic data - long seen as the gold standard - are worrying 89 of 100 top policy experts polled by Reuters, with most also concerned that the authorities are not addressing the issue urgently enough. A decline in official survey participation rates and recent deep staff cuts at statistical agencies risk undermining the reliability of data that policymakers, companies and even households rely on to make decisions. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the principal agency for labor market and inflation data has, like other government departments, been hit by firings, resignations, early retirement and hiring freezes as part of a White House cost-cutting push. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, who has held interest rates steady all year while keeping a close eye on whether President Donald Trump's tariffs have added to already-elevated price pressures, last month warned cutbacks could degrade key economic surveys. Most economists in a July 11-24 Reuters poll, 89 of 100, said they were concerned about the quality of official U.S. economic data, including 41 who said they were "very concerned". Survey respondents, who included Nobel Laureates, former policymakers, academics from top U.S. universities, and economists from major banks, consultancies and think tanks, were mainly worried about future data releases. "I can't help but worry some deadlines are going to be missed and undetected biases or other errors are going to start creeping into some of these reports just because of the reduction in staff," Erica Groshen, BLS commissioner from 2013-2017, told Reuters. "Another very big risk is all of the current administration's changes will make civil service employees more like political appointees .... I can't name any senator or congressperson who is a champion for federal statistics and has made supporting these agencies an important part of their agenda going forward." When Trump took office in January, the federal civilian workforce was 2.3 million. It was nearly 260,000 civil servants lighter by end-April, according to a Reuters tally. Estimates show BLS headcount is down at least 15%. Partly as a result, the agency is ending the calculation and publication from next month of about 350 components of the Producer Price Index, an indicator of inflation before goods reach the consumer. A BLS spokesperson said in a statement: "Response rates to most federal surveys have been declining for many years .... In addition to outreach efforts focused on encouraging households and businesses to participate in our surveys, BLS is exploring ways to overcome response rate and limited resource challenges." Other agencies, including the Bureau of Economic Analysis and the Census Bureau have had recent cutbacks to budgets and staff, said some sources familiar with the matter. Asked if U.S. authorities were treating the issue of economic data accuracy with sufficient urgency, more than 80% of respondents, 71 of 87, said "no". Some 70%, 63 of 90, also said U.S. government agencies did not have enough resources to maintain the collection and release of high-quality economic data. "Budget cuts are coming at a time when it's getting harder and harder to run surveys. You have to sample more people and chase people down, and that's a labor-intensive effort," said Ethan Harris, former head of global economic research at Bank of America. "People take statistical agencies for granted. So they're easy to cut because there's no lobby or special interest group that's powerful enough to protect them. I don't see any improvement going forward." More than two-thirds of those polled, 66 of 98, also said they were worried that deteriorating statistics would hurt Fed policymaking. A similar proportion of economists in a separate recent Reuters survey published this week said they were also concerned about the Fed's independence from political influence amid Trump's public attacks on Fed chief Powell. "Major statistical agency ... budgets are not adequate to support ongoing production of the wide range of high-quality statistics they have traditionally released," said Karen Dynan, professor at Harvard University and former U.S. assistant secretary of the Treasury for economic policy. "Policymakers are not prioritizing the issue enough to ensure the U.S. maintains its status as having the best statistical system in the world." Reuters surveys published this month also showed concerns about the quality of economic data published in Britain and the accuracy of unemployment statistics in India.
News.com.au
6 days ago
- Business
- News.com.au
NSW Premier Chris Minns warns trains a ‘massive' election issue after brutal report
NSW Premier Chris Minns has given a frank assessment of Sydney's train network, warning if they don't turn things around 'then voters will send a message' next election. Transport for NSW data released on Thursday revealed the bleak reality for commuters, with 16 per cent of city trains not running on time in the 2024-25 financial year. The result is the worst for Sydney's rail network in years and comes after months on instability wrought by protracted industrial action and major technical failures. Mr Minns on Thursday refused to blame industrial action as being the sole cause of the network's issues, admitting it was a 'huge challenge for the government'. 'If we don't rapidly improve performance on our railways in the coming months, then voters will send a message to us loud and clear at the next election,' he said. 'This is a massive issue for us. I'm not running away from it … I'm not putting it down to industrial disputes. 'The pressure and the responsibility is on us, the government, to increase reliability and on-time running in the public transport network. 'I can assure you, we're putting resources into it as we speak.' Mr Minns admitted solving the state's longstanding pay dispute with the Combined Rail Unions had been the government's 'focus'. With a deal reached, Mr Minns said the 'full resources' of senior leadership of Sydney Trains and TfNSW, and the Premier's office, would be on 'punctuality'. 'We're a big international city, (and) the only way big international cities work and people can get to work and from work is using public transport,' he said. 'There is no alternative, and we need to make sure that it's world class'. Mr Minns said the state government had invested $740m into backlog maintenance on the rail network. At the same time, TfNSW secretary Josh Murray announced in an email to staff on Wednesday plans to slash 950 senior positions at the transport authority. It comes after earlier jobs were cut as part of an election pledge by Mr Minns to slash senior echelons of the public service by 15 per cent. Public Service Association general secretary Stewart Little said the union was seeking details on the specific positions to be cut. Asked whether he could assure commuters the cuts would not affect the performance of the network, Mr Minns said: 'Yes, I can. 'I've looked and scrutinised these numbers very closely, and I'm not flippant about this. 'I realise that these are jobs, they're families, they're people's lives and … it's a difficult decision for the government to make. 'The simple truth, however, was that Transport for NSW grew by 48 per cent over four years – a massive, massive increase in the headcount of that department. 'We need more on-the-ground, frontline public servants doing the difficult but necessary job of providing that service, and that's where our focus is going.' Addressing the data later on Thursday, Opposition Leader Mark Speakman said it 'came as no surprise' to commuters. 'This is not just a set of statistics. This is a set of failure by the Minns Labour government,' he said. 'We have the worst on-time performance on the city network since data started to be collected in 2019. 'One in six Sydney trains last year were late, and around one in three regional trains were late. 'This is a government that has failed to handle Sydney Trains. The Premier provides an apology but no plans to fix the trains. There's no timeline to get things fixed.' Mr Speakman called on the government to explain which jobs would be cut and how that would impact the network. When asked what he would 'do differently', Mr Speakman said he had 'a plan to get the trains running on time'. 'We have a program with clear timelines and a clear set of performance criteria to get, pardon the pun, the trains running back on track. 'What we'd be doing is having a clear plan with clear performance criteria, so you could mark whether you're making satisfactory progress.' Opposition transport spokeswoman Natalie Ward floated removing Mr Murray as Transport secretary. The Rail, Tram, and Bus Union led the Combined Rail Unions through months of industrial action. Earlier this month, they voted to approve a deal with the state government. While the details of the pay agreement are not known, the opposition has accused Labor of providing the union with 'perks'.
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Are Kias Reliable? Here's Everything You Need To Know
Are Kias Reliable? Here's Everything You Need To Know originally appeared on Autoblog. Can Kia match Toyota in the reliability stakes? Kia recently posted record sales in the United States, emphasizing just how far the brand has come since the Sephia compact arrived here in the first half of the 1990s. Once known for little more than plasticky, high-value econoboxes, today's Kia's are true style leaders, boast the latest tech, and some are as quick as far more expensive sports cars. One would assume that the brand's success has something to do with a strong reputation for dependability, too, but are Kias actually reliable? And can the brand match Toyota in this aspect? We'll try to answer that here. Brand Reliability Vs. Model Reliability Many consumers like to paint a single brand and all its models with the same brush. Just because you were able to cover 250,000 trouble-free miles in a basic Civic doesn't mean that all Hondas are automatically as reliable, which is why it's important to distinguish between brand reliability and model reliability. Often, there is some correlation, but even the best manufacturers are guilty of producing a lemon every now and then. For this exercise, therefore, we'll hone in on specific Kia model issues while also taking a bird's eye view of the brand as a whole. We'll consult a range of reputable sources and customer complaints, as one source can often be at odds with another. Most of our information will also be based on Kia models from the 2022 model year and older, as it's impossible to make an accurate dependability assessment for vehicles that are still quite new and which have not racked up many Brand Reliability: Consistently Better Than Average We'll start by looking at Kia as a brand. According to the J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study, which assesses issues that owners of 2022 model year vehicles experienced over the first three years of ownership, Kia fares quite well. The study ranks automakers by the number of problems per 100 vehicles (PP100); the lower the number of problems, the higher that manufacturer ranks. Vehicle owners were surveyed about aspects such as the driving experience, infotainment systems, the seats, the powertrain, and anything else that could affect the ownership experience. Kia was ranked 11th out of 30 brands, with 196 PP100. This was marginally better than the study average of 202 PP100. With this score, Kia outperformed the likes of Honda and Subaru, while ranking far higher than its corporate rival, Hyundai (222 PP100). Rival brands like Mazda (161 PP100) and Toyota (162 PP100) performed better than Kia, but the Korean brand still put in a decent showing. We went back a few years to see how Kia performed: 2024 study: Ranked 8th with 187 PP100 (study average: 190 PP100) 2023 study: Ranked 3rd with 152 PP100 (study average: 186 PP100) 2022 study: Ranked 1st with 145 PP100 (study average: 192 PP100) 2021 study: Ranked 3rd with 97 PP100 (study average: 121 PP100) 2020 study: Ranked 14th with 132 PP100 (study average: 134 PP100) 2019 study: Ranked 10th with 126 PP100 (study average: 136 PP100) So, how reliable are Kias? Based on these results, we can see that while Kia's ranking has fluctuated, it has consistently been above-average in brand rankings for dependability. Consumer Reports ranks Kia ninth out of 22 brands for predicted reliability. Much like J.D. Power's results, Kia is above average but does not quite hit the consistently high ratings of Toyota. Examples Of Reliable Kia Models Below, we've looked at some of the most reliable Kias between the 2010 and 2020 model years. We've chosen this time span, as these vehicles have been around long enough for reliability data to accumulate, but they're also not so old whereby maintenance will become an issue. These models have a low number of recalls and complaints, and the complaints that were logged are also not severe or have been successfully resolved via a recall. This is by no means an exhaustive list of reliable Kias, but gives us an idea of specific models and years that have high ratings. 2020 Kia Sportage J.D. Power quality and reliability rating: 89/100 No. of complaints via Car Complaints: 12 A high quality and reliability rating and few complaints single out the 2020 Sportage, which is part of the crossover's fourth generation. This model was affected by two recalls for a fire risk, but these recalls affected many Sportage model years and once addressed, we see no issue with buying one of these. 2019 Kia Soul J.D. Power quality and reliability rating: 87/100 No. of complaints: 15 Kia's Soul is a simple, affordable crossover without a lot of technology that can fail. For the lowest-risk option, consider the base 1.6-liter model with no turbo and the manual gearbox. The only recall on record is from 2022 and relates to airbags, so as long as these have been checked, this should be a solid runabout. 2018 Kia Optima J.D. Power quality and reliability rating: 86/100 No. of complaints: 12 With few complaints and a high quality score, the now-defunct Optima sedan makes for a solid used buy. Over at Kelley Blue Book, it also has a commendable 4.3 out of 5 rating for reliability. KBB suggests you can pick up a used example for under $10k, which is great value for a spacious and comfortable sedan. 2016 Kia Forte J.D. Power quality and reliability score: 82/100 No. of complaints: 10 One minor recall for a trunk emergency release that could fail, few complaints, and a good quality score make the 2016 Forte a solid used bet. Consumers on KBB also rated it at 4.4 out of 5 for reliability, and a used example will cost you under $6,000. There's nothing remarkable about it, but the Forte is hard to beat for simple, honest motoring. The Most Problematic Kias According to Car Complaints, the following Kias have racked up the highest and/or most serious number of complaints by drivers: 2013 Kia Optima 2013/2014/2015/2016 Kia Sorento The 2016 Sorento, for example, is prone to complete engine failure for a rod bearing issue. The typical repair cost is extremely high, at $7,390, and the average mileage this occurs is at just over 94,000 miles. Major Kia Reliability Issues No automaker is perfect, and even Kia doesn't have an untarnished reliability record. These are some of the brand's most serious issues to watch out for. Theta II Engine Failure This four-cylinder engine family was introduced in 2009 and went on to power many Hyundai and Kia models. Equipped with gasoline direct injection (hence the GDI name), two versions were available: A 2.0-liter and a 2.4-liter, both with four cylinders. Once consumers began to put some miles on the Theta II engines, a range of very serious issues cropped up. In 2015, the NHTSA recalled 470,000 Sonatas with these engines, manufactured for the 2011 and 2012 model years. According to Hyundai, metal debris may have been left in the crankshaft's oil passages, forcing the debris into the connecting rod oiling passages amd restricting oil flow to the bearings. Ultimately, this leads to premature bearing wear, a knocking noise, and complete engine failure in some cases. On Car Complaints, there are 193 complaints for a seized engine on the 2011 Sonata, with a typical repair cost of $5,150. Later, the 2015 recall was expanded to include thousands of Optima, Sorento, Sportage and other models with the Theta engine. Lawsuits followed, and it's estimated that Hyundai and Kia spent over $2 billion in settlements and engine replacements related to this engine. In 2022, Hyundai and Kia announced a settlement for over 2 million affected vehicles, plus a replacement (if necessary) of vehicles still in the extended warranty period of 15 years/150,000 miles. Some Kia model years appear to be much more affected than others, so we recommend thoroughly researching your specific model if buying a used Kia with this engine. Other Kia Problems On RepairPal, the most complaints related to Kia are for the following issues. Fortunately, none are as serious as the Theta II engine troubles: Headlamps Malfunctioning door locks Difficulty starting due to malfunctioning anti-theft control module Faulty throttle position switch Transmission issues We have also noted a few cases of owners noticing paintwork issues on some older Kias, which can be prone to cracking, peeling, or fading. If Anything Goes Wrong, Kia Has A Brilliant Warranty Together with Hyundai, Kia has one of the best warranties for new cars. Its limited warranty runs for five years/60,000 miles, but the powertrain warranty is particularly good, stretching to 10 years of 100,000 miles; that's double the duration offered by Toyota or Honda. EV batteries are also covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Kia's long-term reliability reputation may not match Toyota's, but its warranty provides great peace of mind. Summary: So, Is Kia A Reliable Car Brand? Based on the available data, we'd say that yes, Kia can generally be regarded as a reliable car brand. It consistently ranks higher than the average for all car brands in terms of the number of customer issues, and many individual models score highly. Build quality of modern Kias has improved steadily, to the point where most of its models now feel quite premium. The Theta II engine scandal is a particularly serious blemish, though, so we'd advise you to find a used model without one of these engines, or to make sure that your particular model year isn't one of the riskier options. That said, even Toyota has had engine troubles; it had to recall certain Tundra and Lexus LX models for almost exactly the same issue as the Theta II engines, whereby machining debris could be left in the engine from the manufacturing process. While these issues are damaging to the brands' reputations, it would be unfair to suggest they don't make any reliable cars. If you buy a well-maintained used Kia, it has the potential to last for a long time before a serious issue occurs. FAQs Is Kia a good, reliable vehicle? Many Kias are reliable, but watch out for models equipped with the Theta II engine. Do Kia cars last long? Kias can last for well over 10 years if well-maintained, although the brand doesn't have the same reputation for longevity as Toyota. Where does Kia rank in reliability? Depending on the study or year, Kia often ranks above the industry average, and has even been as high as number 1 previously. Is Kia as reliable as Toyota? Kia ranks as better than average, but it does not consistently outrank Toyota for reliability. Is Kia or Honda better? In terms of reliability, both brands are above average, but Honda has a slightly stronger reputation in this area. Kia leads in some areas, though: Its cars are more boldly styled, generally pack in more tech, and its EV lineup is much broader than Honda's. Are Kias Reliable? Here's Everything You Need To Know first appeared on Autoblog on Jul 20, 2025 This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Jul 20, 2025, where it first appeared.
