Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X To Pace 110th Indianapolis 500

Posted on 30 April 2026 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X To Pace 110th Indianapolis 500

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A 2026 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X will lead the field to the green flag for the 110th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge on Sunday 24 May 24 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.*

“Having America’s sports car, the Corvette, pacing the field feels especially fitting this year as we celebrate our nation’s 250th anniversary,” said IndyCar and IMS President J. Douglas Boles. “With race car-like performance, the Corvette ZR1X is the perfect choice to pace the field of 33 in the Indianapolis 500.” Continue reading →

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Stellantis Posts Q1 2026 Net Profit of €0.4 Billion

Posted on 30 April 2026 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Stellantis Posts Q1 2026 Net Profit of €0.4 billion

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Stellantis N.V. (NYSE: STLA / Euronext Milan: STLAM / Euronext Paris: STLAP) today reported Q1 2026 financial results that show a slight year-over-year improvement.* Net revenues increased 6% year-over-year to €38.1 billion, with improved performance in North America, as well as gains in Enlarged Europe and Middle East & Africa. Net profit increased to €0.4 billion from volume growth and stronger operating performance. As with all global automakers, Stellantis is struggling wars – trade, tariff and mid-eastern regional military actions. (see footnotes 1 – 10 below)

“As we initiate quarterly reporting, the first three months of 2026 reflect the early results of our actions to return Stellantis to sustainable, profitable growth. The products we launched in 2025 have been well received and we’re confident that the 10 new vehicles planned for 2026 will build on this momentum,” said CEO Antonio Filosa. Continue reading →

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AAA – Weekly Average Pump Gas Prices Up 27 Cents!

Posted on 30 April 2026 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on AAA – Weekly Average Pump Gas Prices Up 27 Cents!

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Gas prices are going back up again, according to the latest data from AAA. The national average is $1.12 higher than it was at this time last year. Oil prices are above $100/barrel.*

“After ticking down for nearly two weeks, gas prices are going back up again with the national average seeing a 27-cent hike in one week. The national average is $1.12 higher than it was this time last year, as oil prices surge above $100/barrel with no indication of when the Strait of Hormuz will reopen. Gas prices are the highest they’ve been in four years since late July 2022,” AAA said in a release.** Continue reading →

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Ford Motor Posts Q1 2026 Operating Net of $2.5B

Posted on 29 April 2026 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Ford Motor Posts Q1 2026 Operating Net of $2.5B

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Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) today reported Q1 revenue of $43.3 billion with a net income of $2.5 billion. The Net income of $2.5 billion and adjusted EBIT of $3.5 billion reflect a $1.3 billion one-time IEEPA tariff benefit,  and what was claimed as a strong product mix and net pricing, with growth in software and physical services. [Much of the improvement can be attributed to Ford’s robust truck businesses – AutoCrat]*

“Our strong first-quarter results and raised full-year guidance reflect the momentum of the Ford+ plan,” said Ford President and CEO Jim Farley. “We built the foundation for a more modern, resilient Ford, improving cost and quality and building our world-class team. We are well- prepared to deliver for our customers and shareholders as we enter one of the most intensive product, software and physical services rollouts in our history.” Continue reading →

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Penske Automotive Group Posts Q1 2026 Net of $234.5M

Posted on 29 April 2026 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Penske Automotive Group Posts Q1 2026 Net of $234.5M

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Penske Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE: PAG), a diversified international transportation services company and one of the world’s premier automotive and commercial truck retailers, today announced financial results for the first quarter of 2026. For the quarter, revenue was $7.9 billion compared to $8.0 billion for the same period in 2025. Net income attributable to common stockholders was $234.5 million compared to $257.7 million for the same period in 2025, and related earnings per share was $3.56 compared to $3.86 for the same period in 2025.*

“In the first quarter of 2026, our business delivered over 126,000 retail automotive and commercial truck units, generated $7.9 billion in revenue and $323.7 million in earnings before taxes. During the quarter, we continued to demonstrate a flexible approach to capital allocation by completing the acquisition of two Lexus dealerships in the Orlando metropolitan area of Central Florida, increasing the dividend paid to stockholders by 1.4% and repurchasing 170,393 shares of common stock,” said Chair Roger Penske.** Continue reading →

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Volvo Cars Q1 2026 Earnings per Share Rise

Posted on 29 April 2026 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Volvo Cars Q1 2026 Earnings per Share Rise

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Volvo Cars (VOLCAR B:STO) today posted group operating income (EBIT) of SEK 1.6 billion and EBIT margin of 2.2% for the first quarter of 2026.* Volvo Cars strength in electric cars and cost and cash actions helped the improvement at the struggling Chines-owned automaker.** As with all global automakers, Volvo is  operating under a challenging external political environment, such as the President Trump’s Iranian war, tariffs, heavy competition, geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty.

“The first quarter of 2026 shows a divide between what we can control and a very challenging external environment,” said Håkan Samuelsson, Volvo Cars’ CEO. “The areas we can control continued to improve in Q1. Our BEV share increased to a class-leading level and we delivered a strong momentum in our cost and cash actions.” Continue reading →

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GM Canada to Build Next-Generation Truck V8 Engines

Posted on 29 April 2026 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on GM Canada to Build Next-Generation Truck V8 Engines

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General Motors Canada (NYSE: GM) said today that it is investing C$691 million in its St. Catharines Propulsion Plant to support production of the sixth generation of General Motors’ V8 engine, which will power GM full-size trucks and SUVs. Yesterday, GM reported strong sales and earnings for Q1 2026 bolstered in part by sales of such vehicles. Complicating GM’s global strategy is the Trump mis-administration’s repudiation of the successful North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and its subsequent revision proposed, promoted and signed by President Trump known in the U.S. as USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement)*

“Today’s announcement confirms St. Catharines will play a key role in one of our core vehicle programs for years to come, and it reflects General Motors’ confidence in the St. Catharines team and their proud 74-year legacy of powering our most popular vehicles,” said Jack Uppal, president and managing director, GM Canada.** Continue reading →

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IIHS – Drivers More Likely To Use Phones While Speeding

Posted on 28 April 2026 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on IIHS – Drivers More Likely To Use Phones While Speeding

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Drivers are more likely to use their phones while speeding, a tendency that increases crash risk by combining two dangerous behaviors, according to a new study released today by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.*

“Until now, safety experts believed drivers used their cellphones most at slower speeds,” said IIHS President David Harkey. “But data from insurance companies’ safe-driving apps show that, in free-flowing traffic, the opposite is true.”** Continue reading →

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GM Posts $2.6B Q1Net on $46.3B Revenue. Ups Guidance

Posted on 28 April 2026 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on GM Posts $2.6B Q1 Net on $46.3B Revenue. Ups Guidance

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General Motors (NYSE: GM)* today reported Q1 2026 revenue of $43.6 billion, net income attributable to stockholders of $2.6 billion, and EBIT-adjusted number of $4.3 billion. This was an EPS of $3.70 compared analyst’s predictions $2.61. The company is raising its full-year 2026 EBIT adjusted guidance due to a favorable adjustment of a~$0.5 billion resulting from the U.S. Supreme Court decision regarding certain U.S. tariffs that were paid under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.**

“We have solid momentum in our core operations. We maintained overall sales leadership in the U.S. and Canada. We led the U.S. industry in full-size pickup sales and share, with 42% of the market, and we were #1 in Fleet, including Commercial deliveries. In addition, we were Number Two in EVs with growing market share, and Number One in Canada,” said CEO and Chair Mary Barra. Continue reading →

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NHRA Charlotte – Cobra Jet 2200 fastest EV in 1320 Feet

Posted on 27 April 2026 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on NHRA Charlotte - Cobra Jet 2200 fastest EV in 1320 Feet

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At the NHRA Charlotte competition this weekend, a Mustang Cobra Jet 2200 ran an ET of 6.76s with a top speed of 222 mph in the quarter mile, the fastest EV time. [Slower than Pro Stock – AutoCrat]. Reigning Top Fuel world champion Doug Kalitta shattered the track speed record in the final round en route to the win on Sunday at zMAX Dragway, beating a talent laden final quad of Shawn Langdon, Tony Stewart, and Leah Pruett at the 16th annual NHRA 4-Wide Nationals. Ron Capps (Funny Car), Matt Hartford (Pro Stock) and Gaige Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also won the fourth of 20 races during the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season.*

“This was our opportunity to put Cobra Jet 2200 in front of fans, racers, media, and the broader performance community to show what this program is capable of in the environment where it matters most.” said Nick Kuhajda, Ford Racing Engineering Manager, Electric VehicleDemonstrators. (sic)” Continue reading →

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Nissan Revises Full Fiscal-Year Profit Up to Loss of ¥550B

Posted on 27 April 2026 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Nissan Revises Full Fiscal-Year Profit Up to Loss of ¥550B

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Nissan Motor Co. (7201T and NSANY ADR) today updated to its full‑year financial outlook for the Japanese fiscal 2025, ending 31 March 2026. The revised outlook reflects an upward adjustment to the forecast announced on 12 February 2026. It still is projecting a sizeable operating loss.*

“The revision uplifts operating profit for fiscal year 2025 from the previously forecasted negative 60 billion yen to positive 50 billion yen. The improvement mainly reflects a one-time positive impact from changes to U.S. emissions regulations, along with ongoing cost reductions and favorable foreign exchange effects,” Nissan said.** Continue reading →

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Ford Motor Recalls for Brakes, Wheel Loss, Rollaways, Fires

Posted on 27 April 2026 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is recalling ~150,000 vehicles for a variety of safety defects involving brake failures wheels coming off, fires and rollaways. The largest recall involves  model year 2024-2026 Ranger pickup trucks. The sun visor or headliner wiring from a supplier (Versigent) can cause a fire inside the cab. Ford is operating under a consent order from NHTSA because of its previous handing of recalls.

“A short in the power takeout for the right or left sun visor assembly may create heat or spark, resulting in fire in the A-pillar area. When a damaged wire creates a short to ground, heat or spark at this short may also cause smoke, burn, melt or fire. A driver may experience flickering or inoperative sun visor mirror lights and overhead console lights prior to a smoking, melting or fire event,” Ford said in the mandatory safety defect recall filing made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) this morning. Continue reading →

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New Porsche Cayenne Coupé Electric Debuts in Beijing

Posted on 24 April 2026 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on New Porsche Cayenne Coupe Electric Debuts in Beijing

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Porsche AG’s (P911.DE) new Cayenne Coupé Electric model with three drive variants celebrated its world premiere at Auto China 2026 in Beijing today. They can be ordered immediately. The Chinese market has been challenging for Porsche lately as customers are turning to less expensive and innovative EVs from Chinese makers.*

“The gently sloping roofline sweeps elegantly over the car’s broad shoulders and gives the Cayenne Coupé a particularly sporty appearance,” said Thomas Stopka, Head of Exterior Design, Style Porsche. “The adaptive rear spoiler blends harmoniously into the body, while the way the rear window is embedded and flush-mounted with fewer joints ensures a clean, modern look. Continue reading →

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GM First U.S. Automaker at 100% Renewable Electricity

Posted on 24 April 2026 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on GM First U.S. Automaker at 100% Renewable Electricity

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General Motors (NYSE: GM) said this week as part of Earth Day observances that in 2025 GM reached a major milestone. GM has secured enough renewable energy to match 100% of its electricity use across all its U.S. facilities — making GM the first U.S. automaker to reach this goal.*

“Managing energy use isn’t just a checkbox for a corporate environmental report these days; it’s a business necessity,” said Cassandra Garber, chief sustainability officer at GM. Continue reading →

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McLaren to Run in 2027 World Endurance Championship

Posted on 24 April 2026 by Ken Zino

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McLaren Racing today revealed the name of the FIA Hypercar that will return to endurance racing. The McLaren MCL-HY will compete for overall honors in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and the 24 Hours of Le Mans starting next year.* A variant dubbed MCL-HY GTR will enable clients to own  aversion of the McLaren Racing FIA Hypercar. This supercar was part of what was formerly known as Project: Endurance. Pricing is not available yet.

“The MCL‑HY GTR proudly continues a lineage that began with the McLaren F1 GTR’s outright Le Mans victory in 1995 and then continued with the McLaren P1 GTR™ and McLaren Senna GTR track cars. This badge stands for moments that define McLaren. With the MCL‑HY GTR, we are writing the next chapter for our most focused, authentic, and uncompromising track cars,” said Henrik Wilhelmsmeyer, Chief Commercial Officer, McLaren Automotive. Continue reading →

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