Monthly Archives: April 2025

Mercedes-Benz USA Posts Q1 Sales Drop

Posted on 8 April 2025 by Ken Zino

Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) reported Q1 2025 group* sales of 67,400 Passenger Cars. Mercedes-Benz Vans reported Q1 2025 group sales of 7700 units, bringing MBUSA to a total of 75,100 vehicles for the first quarter of the year. Amidst the generally tepid sales results is a sharp 52% decline in van sales.

“I am proud to see our teams and valued dealer partners continue to work together with an unwavering focus on the core of our business – our valued customers. We closed Q1 in a very strong position for wholesale group sales and celebrated our best-ever March in MBUSA’s history for retail sales,” said Dimitris Psillakis, President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA. Continue reading →

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BMW North America Recalls 2025 xDrive Models

Posted on 7 April 2025 by Ken Zino

BMW of North America is recalling more than 4000 model year 2025 330i, 330i xDrive, 530i, 530i xDrive, 4 Series Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive), 4 Series Convertible (430i, 430i xDrive), 4 Series Gran Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive) and X3 30 xDrive vehicles. The electrical connection between the Chinese-made starter-generator and battery may come loose. The supplier is Shanghai Valeo Auto-Elec System Company.

“This safety recall involves the power connector component of the starter- generator which may not have been produced by the supplier according to specifications. During the supplier production process, a gap could form at the connector location. If a gap exists, this could cause a loose connection between the connector and the positive battery cable (or wiring harness). As a result, resistive heating could start to occur,” BMW said in the required safety defect recall filing made public this morning by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Continue reading →

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More Ford Motor Recalls – Fires, Power Loss, Seat Belts

Posted on 7 April 2025 by Ken Zino

Numerous Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) recalls covering a wide variety of serious Ford and Lincoln brand safety defects were publicly released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration this morning. Continue reading →

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Indy 500 Veteran Shigeaki Hattori Dead at 61

Posted on 7 April 2025 by Ken Zino

Shigeaki Hattori, one of eight Japanese-born drivers to compete in the Indianapolis 500, died April 5 in a car accident in Huntersville, North Carolina. He was 61.

“The native of Okayama in southern Japan, Hattori competed at Indianapolis Motor Speedway three times, earning a pair of starts. After serving as the first alternate to the 33-car field in 2001, he finished 20th in 2002 for Bradley Motorsports, completing 197 laps. The next year, he finished 30th driving for AJ Foyt Racing as the car’s fuel system failed. Those two races in the “500” were among Hattori’s 34 career INDYCAR SERIES starts in a four-year span that ended in 2003. His best series finish came at Texas Motor Speedway when he finished sixth in 2002,” the Indianapolis Motor Speedway said this morning. Continue reading →

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Trumped? Hyundai Says It Will Maintain Current MSRPs

Posted on 4 April 2025 by Ken Zino

Hyundai Motor America today launched a Customer Assurance program “in response to dynamic market conditions and the potential impact of tariffs on the automotive industry.” This proposal may help customers who purchase or lease any new Hyundai vehicle between today and 2 June 2025. They might not see any increase in the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) during the protection period. Genesis is also part of the proposal. However, dealers are able to set actual price of a vehicle under various State franchise laws and regulations. [See footnote 1] This appears to be a negotiating strategy with the lame-duck U.S. president, aka April Fool, who has just presented Wall Street with its worst week since the last Trump Administration. Continue reading →

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Honda R&D to Test Life-Support Systems in Space

Posted on 4 April 2025 by Ken Zino

Honda today announced plans to test its high-differential pressure water electrolysis system at the International Space Station (ISS) in collaboration with space and technology companies Sierra Space and Tec-Masters.

“The project is part of Honda’s vision for a regenerative fuel cell system that could provide advanced energy storage capable of supporting human life on the lunar surface,” Honda said. Continue reading →

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SubieEvents Returns in 2025 at Wicked Big Meet

Posted on 3 April 2025 by Ken Zino

Subaru of America today said the annual SubieEvents series will once again kick off the 2025 season with Wicked Big Meet on 8 June2024 at the Stafford Motor Speedway in Stafford Springs, Connecticut. As the title sponsor of the series, Subaru is bringing together competitions, interactive experiences, tech seminars, giveaways, exclusive vendors, and activities for the whole family. This year, the events will welcome thousands of Subaru vehicles and enthusiasts, and take place in six cities nationwide, including a new location for SubieFest Florida at Orlando Speed World.

“The SubieEvents series has grown into an expansive celebration that has something for every member of the Subaru family. From ride-alongs to racing simulators to autograph sessions to vehicle unveilings, we know that this year’s events are on track to be some of the most exciting ever,” said Alan Bethke, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Subaru of America. Continue reading →

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Annals of Marketing – Rolls-Royce Phantom Cherry Blossom

Posted on 2 April 2025 by Ken Zino

Cherry blossoms are celebrated in the centuries-old Japanese tradition of “Hanami” or ‘”flower viewing.” During Hanami, families and friends gather beneath the delicate pink blooms of cherry trees for picnics and celebrations, enjoying the transient beauty of the season, Rolls Royce noted today. A client in Japan wished to capture their cherished Hanami memories, spanning childhood and parenthood. Thus is the backstory of the latest custom or bespoke Phantom Cherry Blossom. This is a one-of-one Phantom commission said to be inspired by the fleeting beauty of the Sakura blooms and a Japanese client’s formative memories of this natural spectacle. Continue reading →

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Honda 0 SUV Appears at Red Bull Showrun x

Posted on 2 April 2025 by Ken Zino

A prototype of the Honda 0 SUV made its global public debut today driven by Formula 1 driver Max Verstappen at the Red Bull Showrun x Powered by Honda event in Tokyo, Japan.* First seen at the 2025 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), the all-electric SUV, part of the Honda 0 Series, is expected to begin production at the Honda EV Hub in Ohio in 2026. The Honda and Red Bull Racing partnership is set to conclude at the end of 2025 season. Continue reading →

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Toyota Top Automaker Again in U.S. Patent Rankings

Posted on 2 April 2025 by Ken Zino

For the 11th consecutive year, Toyota (NYSE: TM) has obtained more patents from the United States Patent and Trademark Office than any other automotive company, according to the annual report by the Intellectual Property Owners Association. Toyota also remains in the top 10 among all patent recipients with 2428 U.S. patents in 2024. Continue reading →

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Ford Motor Q1 U.S. Retail Sales Up 5%

Posted on 1 April 2025 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) said U.S. retail sales rose 5% in the first quarter of 2025.  However, overall, total Ford sales for the quarter decreased 1% year over year. Ford claimed this was “mainly due to daily rental fleet sales timing and lost volume from the discontinuation of the Ford Edge and Transit Connect.” In March, F-Series sales rose 38% with a first quarter increase of 24% on sales of 190,389 trucks. F-Series continued as America’s best-selling truck lineup based on preliminary data. General Motors left Ford in in the dust. Continue reading →

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GM Q1 2025 U.S. Sales Lead Auto Industry

Posted on 1 April 2025 by Ken Zino

General Motors (NYSE: GM) said today that its U.S. sales increased 17% in Q1 OF 2025, with double-digit increases at all four of the company’s brands. For the quarter, GM claimed it led the U.S. automotive industry in total sales at 693,363. It also claimed leadership in retail and fleet sales.

“GM’s sales growth outpaced every other major automaker, and the driving force is our portfolio,” said Rory Harvey, GM executive VP and president of global markets. “We’re the industry leader in trucks and affordable small SUVs, Cadillac is growing significantly in luxury, and we have the broadest portfolio of EVs in the industry.” Continue reading →

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Annals of Marketing – Subaru and Arbor Day Foundation

Posted on 1 April 2025 by Ken Zino

Subaru of America (Subaru Corp. NASDAQ: FUJHF) today announced the launch of its nationwide tree distribution program in partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation® (ADF). It’s claimed to be the largest such corporate effort in the non-profit’s history. As part of the Subaru Loves the Earth® initiative, Subaru retailers will give away established and regionally appropriate trees (up to four feet tall, in one-gallon containers) in communities across the country. Continue reading →

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