First Look – 2027 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Posted on 17 August 2026 by Ken Zino
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The new Mercedes‑Benz (MBG.DE, MBGAF OTC U.S.) C‑Class introduces the most comprehensive update to date for its best-selling sedan model family, according to a release today from MBUSA. The internal-combustion-engine powered sedan with an old tech stop/start system arrives at U.S. dealerships during the first half of 2027. [No word yet on if there will be a special Global Warming edition. The battered German luxury car makers are reeling from the effects of the Trump mis- administration Trade, Tariff and shooting wars.* MBUSA is posting sales declines. Luxury-Brand Makers are also facing a marked shift in consumer presences to hybrid vehicles, as well defections to less expensive brands – AutoCrat. See APEAL story below.]*

“The new C‑Class proves that continuity and innovation are not mutually exclusive. With its sporty elegance, electrified high-tech powertrain and intelligent support powered by MB.OS, it delivers what drivers truly need: proven reliability and innovative technology that creates real added value in everyday life. In this way, a familiar classic becomes a modern companion, ” claimed Mathias Geisen, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, Sales & Customer Experience. Continue reading →

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Software Recall – 500,000 Toyota Camry Hybrids

Posted on 17 August 2026 by Ken Zino
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Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (NYSE: TM, 7203T) is recalling more than 500,000 model year 2025-2026 Camry Hybrid vehicles. The Visteon Corporation Mexican-built instrument cluster display may fail during vehicle startup.

“The subject vehicles are equipped with a 7-inch display combination meter, which controls certain vehicle functions and displays various information in the instrument panel. At vehicle startup, an error may occur in the startup sequence for this combination meter that can cause the combination meter to become blank,” Toyota said in the mandatory safety defect recall filing made public this morning by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Continue reading →

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IndyCar 2026 – Markum Street Race Ups and Downs

Posted on 16 August 2026 by Ken Zino
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IndyCar racing* moved from its traditional street course around Exposition Center in Center in Toronto that saw 40 races a bit Northwest ~19 miles to Markum streets for the Inaugural Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham. The 12-turn, 2.19-mile (3.52 km)  90 lap-race was the second new venue in 2026 following Phoenix and wedged between the upcoming Freedom 250 Grand Prix in Washington DC next weekend. As with all new venues, driver and team prospects were unknown, made complicated here because the  promoter was not able to complete the track build on time.**

This changed the pulse and pace of what are incredible fast IndyCar race weekends. What didn’t change was the ensuing fast, tough and aggressive driving along with severe crashes. The ensuing chaos ultimately put a premium on a driver’s ability to run cleanly while meticulously adhering to changing team strategies. There were 258 on-track passes, 242 of those for position – many of them high-risk overtakes. [Click for >Race Results] Continue reading →

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California Car Week – Acura NEXERA Vision Concept Debuts

Posted on 15 August 2026 by Ken Zino
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Acura this week unveiled the Acura NEXERA Vision at The Quail, a Motorsports Gathering and the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance Concept Lawn. NEXERA  is said to be introducing new exterior and interior design language for the brand. Designed at the Acura Design California studio in Los Angeles under Yasutake Tsuchida, the new Acura Creative Director and Vice President of Auto Design, NEXERA Vision will influence future Acura styling starting with the upcoming 4th-generation RDX Hybrid.*

“Our goal with this new design direction is to define Acura performance through disciplined proportions, sculpted form and the seamless integration of advanced technology, creating an expression that is both progressive and authentic to the brand,” said Yasutake Tsuchida, Acura Creative Director and Vice President of Auto Design. Continue reading →

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Annals of Nostalgia Marketing – McLaren McL 6GT

Posted on 14 August 2026 by Ken Zino
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McLaren Automotive today showed the McL 6GT at the 2026 Monterey Car Week. The first McLaren car of its kind, its design connects McLaren’s heritage to the present, using the McLaren M6GT – Bruce McLaren’s original, but unfulfilled Super Car dream, as its inspiration.but unfulfilled Super Car dream, as its inspiration. [The past is present here: McL 6GT celebrates a form of rare driving connection: tactile, analogue, and mechanical. Whether this endangered species is sought after awaits production and sales results – AutoCrat.]

“The McLaren McL 6GT imagines what our inspirational founder had wished to complete but with six additional decades of innovation and passion woven through every element, creating a modern icon of driver connection. It is symbolic of the bold, provocative and hugely exciting future that we are preparing to realize,” said Nick Collins, Chief Executive Officer, McLaren Automotive. Continue reading →

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Annals of Marketing – Cadillac V-ONE Concept Shown

Posted on 14 August 2026 by Ken Zino
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Cadillac (NYSE: GM) today revealed the V-ONE, a concept study “combining the brand’s race-winning authenticity and bespoke Cadillac refinement,” at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering in Carmel, California. Its name unites the Cadillac V-Series performance legacy with a one-of-one, single-seat Super Car articulation, the first of its kind for the GM brand. [Thus far it is the automotive equivalent of  computer vaporware – it’s not for sale. Also, production street versions would likely need a second seat – AutoCrat.]*

“The Cadillac V-ONE Concept is the ultimate manifestation of a customer performance concept and is a clear sign of our ambition for the Cadillac V-Series brand in the future,” said Dominic Najafi, Executive Design Director, Global Cadillac. Continue reading →

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Aston Martin Valen Super Car Debuts in California

Posted on 14 August 2026 by Ken Zino
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Aston Martin today in Monterey debuted Valen, the latest V12 special from bespoke service, Q by Aston Martin. Valen appears to be world’s most powerful front-engine production car. Valen, however, is indisputably the most powerful front-engined Aston Martin in the company’s 113-year history. Production is strictly limited to 150 examples with first deliveries scheduled for Q2 2027.*

“The latest in a bloodline of limited production special series models from our bespoke service, Q by Aston Martin, Valen’s world-beating performance required a design to capture the raw motion and unmatched output of our V12 powertrain. With more power, less weight, and a spectacular soundtrack, the dramatic design is backed up by equally dramatic performance,” said Aston Martin CEO Adrian Hallmark. Continue reading →

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Mustang Dark Horse SC Convertible Debuts

Posted on 14 August 2026 by Ken Zino
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Ford Racing today introduced the new Mustang® Dark Horse® SC convertible, the first new high-performance Mustang convertible since 2013. It’s also the most powerful open-air Mustang ever. Orders open this fall, with cars arriving in dealer showrooms in spring 2027. [Just bring money – a lot of it: A Dark Horse SC sticker starts at ~$108,485. Track Pack adds ~$36,500 for a total of $144,985, There were also Track Pack Special Editions at ~$175,965. – AutoCrat]. The drop-top counterpart to the Dark Horse SC coupe brings Ford Racing engineering to the newest member of the Mustang Dark Horse family. The coupe is built for lap times. The ragtop, err convertible is set up for for open-air street driving with unlimited headroom, zero visual barriers, and the sound of a supercharged V8.*

“If the coupe is the race-bred side of our DNA, this convertible is the pure street cred part of the formula,” said Mark Rushbrook, global director, Ford Racing. “It’s just pure fun, fast, freedom.” [The preview on the day before the annual Woodward Dream Cruise also brings some street cred to Ford marketing – AutoCrat.] Continue reading →

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First Look – 2027 Nissan Kicks Rock Creek Edition

Posted on 13 August 2026 by Ken Zino
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Nissan (7201T and NSANY ADR) said today that the 2027 model year will offer its first-ever Rock Creek package, available on Kicks SV grade. Joining the popular Rogue and Pathfinder Rock Creek models, the 2027 Kicks Rock Creek has an Off-Road driving mode to improve performance on grass, trails and similar terrain.*

“The 2027 Kicks Rock Creek is for drivers who want more adventure from their daily drive, with trail-ready styling and added confidence when the road ends,” said Marco Fioravanti, vice president, product planning, Nissan U.S. and Canada. “With the addition of Rock Creek to an already well-equipped lineup, the 2027 Kicks continues to deliver the style, capability and value that have made it a favorite among customers.”** Continue reading →

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Ford Motor to Stop Producing Lincolns in China

Posted on 13 August 2026 by Ken Zino
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Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) plans to increase Lincoln model production in the U.S. beginning in 2030. Lincoln will phase out importing of vehicles from China for the U.S. market The Nautilus, Lincoln’s best-selling SUV is assembled in Hangzhou in China. It is imported into the U.S. and is thereby caught in President Trump’s ongoing, unstable and unpredictable tariff, trade and shooting wars.*

“Lincoln is a quintessentially American brand, and Ford is America’s automaker. This wasn’t necessarily the easiest path. In fact, it’s a path most of our competitors aren’t choosing to take. But Ford builds in America because we believe in America, and we’re betting on that belief again,” said Ford CEO and President Jim Farley. Continue reading →

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Audi Nuvolari Debuts in U.S. at Monterey Car Week

Posted on 12 August 2026 by Ken Zino
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Audi of America today announced that the Audi Nuvolari will make its U.S. debut on the Monterey Peninsula during Monterey Car Week.* For the first time in the U.S. visitors will have the opportunity to see the limited-production plug-in hybrid supercar in person at both The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering and the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Additional private events and appointments will be hosted with interested buyers and collectors throughout the weekend.

“Once a year, the Monterey Peninsula becomes the pinnacle backdrop for premium and exclusive mobility, which makes it the ideal place to introduce our halo performance model to North America and share our excitement with customers, collectors, and enthusiasts,” said Audi of America President, Vito Paladino. “The Nuvolari is more than an extraordinary supercar; it is a defining moment for Audi, built on substance. Substance that delivers on what has always shaped Audi to be an iconic brand – performance, design, and innovation.” Continue reading →

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The 2027 NTT IndyCar Series Schedule Partially Announced

Posted on 12 August 2026 by Ken Zino
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IndyCar today announced the dates and locations for the first eight races of the 2027 NTT IndyCar Series season as Phase One of the schedule unveiling.* For the third consecutive season, all NTT IndyCar Series races will be broadcast on FOX. The NTT IndyCar Series is again the only major motorsport series in North America with all races broadcast on network television.

“It has been another remarkable year of growth through our powerful partnership with FOX Sports, and we look forward to focusing on even greater opportunities through the 2027 NTT IndyCar Series schedule,” Penske Entertainment Corp. President and CEO Mark Miles said. “We are pleased to confirm Phase One of next year’s championship alongside another accelerated start with races in St. Petersburg, Phoenix and Arlington. 2026 has been proof of concept that our sport is fueled by an expanding presence across marquee events and destinations, and we look forward to carrying that momentum into 2027.” [Maybe they can improve starting times which vary from published because of other FOX Sports variables – AutoCrat.] Continue reading →

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Annals of Marketing – Curated by Cadillac Escalade IQ

Posted on 11 August 2026 by Ken Zino
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Cadillac today announced Curated by Cadillac Escalade IQ, extending the brand’s low volume concierge-led experience to its all-electric flagship SUV. The Curated by Cadillac package for the ESCALADE IQ is $54,995. This MSRP does not include the vehicle MSRP, tax, title, license and dealer fees. Dealer sets final price.*

“Curated by Cadillac Escalade IQ gives clients the chance to create a vehicle that reflects their individual taste by working alongside expert Cadillac designers,” said Kristian Aquilina, vice president, Global Cadillac. “We’re extending the hand-built CelestIQ experience to deliver true customization capabilities for a select number of Escalade IQ clients.” Continue reading →

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Penske Automotive Group Take Private Proposal Advisors Set

Posted on 11 August 2026 by Ken Zino

Penske Automotive Group (NYSE: PAG),* has announced that the special committee of independent and disinterested directors (the “Special Committee”) of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) has retained Moelis & Company LLC to act as its independent financial advisor and Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP to act as its independent legal counsel.

The Board established the Special Committee to review and consider the unsolicited, preliminary and non-binding proposal received by the Board on July 22, 2026 from Penske Corporation and Mitsui & Co., Ltd. to acquire the remaining shares of the Company’s common stock that they and their affiliates do not currently own for cash consideration of $210 per share (the “Proposal”). Continue reading →

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Alex Palou All But Assured of 2026 NTT IndyCar Series Title

Posted on 10 August 2026 by Ken Zino
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Alex Palou is now clearly the favorite to post a record-tying fourth consecutive NTT IndyCar Series championship and fifth overall title with his victory Sunday in the OnlyBulls Grand Prix of Portland.* Palou earned his sixth victory of the season and 25th of his career, driving his No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda to a 4.1167-second victory over the No. 60 SiriusXM Honda of NTT P1 Award winner Felix Rosenqvist of Meyer Shank Racing w/Curb Agajani, finishing second.

“Everybody at CGR and Honda did an incredible job,” Alex Palou said. “I had an absolute rocket ship today. It was very, very nice to drive every single lap. Chip puts the best guys around me, but then also everybody is just executing. That car is a rocket ship, and I’m just lucky enough to drive it.” Continue reading →

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