-
Recent Posts
- Sudden EV Power Loss – Toyota BZ, Lexus RZ, Subaru Solterra Recalled
- Milestones – 15 Million Honda Accords Sold in U.S.
- UAW to “Practice Pickett” Tomorrow at Woodward MPC
- June 2026 U.S. Auto Sales Forecast Up 3.6%
- BMW Expands Factory Use of Humanoid Robots
- “Disasters” – UAW on NAFTA, U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreements
- Connectivity Snags Haunt Improvements in New-Vehicle Quality
- Trumped! – 2026 Vehicles Sales Forecasts All Down
- Annals of Marketing – Chevrolet Heartbeat of America Revived
- Milestones – Nissan Canton Builds 1 Millionth Frontier Truck
- Porsche AG Board Drastically Cuts 2025 Annual Dividend ~50%
- Ford Recalls Expand – Six More Covering ~172,000 Vehicles
- AAA – Independence Weekend Travel Forecast Flat
- IndyCar – Lundgaard Last-to-First Win at Road America!
- Carry Over Pricing Planned on the 2027 Subara Solterra
Recent Comments
- Magna International on Magna International Posts Q1 2026 EPS Loss of $0.04
- Council on Foreign Relations on Iran and Strait of Hormuz on AAA – Pump Gasoline Prices Still Soaring
- Autocrat on Stellantis Subordinated Perpetual Hybrid Bonds on Stellantis Posts Full Year 2025 Loss of €22.3B
- Michigan Governor Whitmer on Pew – Confidence in Trump Dips, Fewer Support His Policies
- Porsche Motorsport Daytona Victory on Daytona 24 Hours – Old and New Stars Getting Ready to Run
Archives
Meta
Author Archives: Ken Zino
Death Risk – Honda Motor Recalls Off-Road Motorcycles
American Honda is recalling model-year 2025-2026 Honda off-road motorcycles, according to the U.S.* Consumer Product Safety Commission. Motorcycle model numbers CRF250R/RX/RWE or CRF450R/RX/RWE have a risk of serious injury or death due to a crash hazard. The motorcycles were sold at Honda Powersports dealers nationwide from June 2024 through March 2026 for $8900 – $13,200.
The handlebar’s clamp can unexpectedly cause the handlebar to rotate. Consumers should stop using the recalled off-road motorcycles immediately and contact an authorized Honda Powersports dealer to schedule an appointment for a free inspection and if necessary, a replacement of the handlebar’s clamp at the dealer’s location. Continue reading
Posted in customer satisfaction, manufacturing, news, public health, quality, recalls, safety
Tagged American Honda Motorcycle Recalls, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, CRF250R/RX/RWE recall, CRF450R/RX/RWE recall, Ken Zino, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, X @KenAutoinformed
Leave a comment
May Day – UAW Strike Votes at American Axle, Woodward MPC
UAW Local 2093 members at American Axle, aka Dauch Corporation, today announced plans to hold a strike authorization vote starting 11 May. Results will be counted on 12 May, with the chance for workers to walk out of the Three … Continue reading
Posted in auto news, economy, labor issues, manufacturing, opinions, people, shows and events, Trump Truth Tests
Tagged American Axle aka Dauch Corporation, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Jose Tapia, Ken Zino, May Day labor actions, UAW Local 2093, UAW President Shawn Fain, UAW Region 1D Director Steve Dawes, UAW Region 4 Director Brandon Campbell, X @KenAutoinformed
Leave a comment
Magna International Posts Q1 2026 EPS Loss of $0.04
This is a good result in AutoInformed’s view given that Magna is managing its production volumes impacted by a large and complicated range of factors. Recently, Trump’s military conflicts and tariffs. Then there are global supply chain issues, including interference to supply of and/or increased costs of steel, aluminum, resin, energy supplies and so forth. Critical parts include semiconductor and memory (DRAM) chips which are causing OEM, supplier or sub-supplier disruptions. Then there are commodity prices, labor disruptions, cost of skilled labor and political regulatory actions among other challenges – AutoCrat. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, economy, engineering, financial results, manufacturing, mobility company, news analysis, opinions, results, sales, shows and events, transportation
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino, Magna International Inc, Magna Q1 2026 Earnings, Swamy Kotagiri, X @KenAutoinformed
1 Comment
Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X To Pace 110th Indianapolis 500
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 … Continue reading
Posted in auto news, marketing, performance, racing, shows and events
Tagged 110th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge, 2026 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Curt Cignetti, Indiana University, J. Douglas Boles, Ken Zino, Tony Roma, X @KenAutoinformed, ZR1X pace car
Leave a comment
Stellantis Posts Q1 2026 Net Profit of €0.4 Billion
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 with trade and tariff wars, as well as the consequences of mid-eastern region military actions. Continue reading
AAA – Weekly Average Pump Gas Prices Up 27 Cents!
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
Posted in auto news, blog, economy, news, news analysis, prices, Trump Truth Tests
Tagged aaa, AAA TripTik Travel planner, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, eia, Energy Information Administration, Iranian War, Ken Zino, pump prices of fuel, Strait of Hormuz, X @KenAutoinformed
Leave a comment
Penske Automotive Group Posts Q1 2026 Net of $234.5M
“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
Posted in auto news, financial results, marketing, mobility company, news analysis, transportation
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino, NYSE: PAG, penske automotive group, Penske Transportation Solutions, roger penske, X @KenAutoinformed
Leave a comment
Volvo Cars Q1 2026 Earnings per Share Rise
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. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, economy, electric vehicles, financial results, manufacturing, marketing, news analysis, results
Tagged auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, EX60, Håkan Samuelsson, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, Volvo Cars Q1 2026 Results, X @KenAutoinformed
Leave a comment
GM Canada to Build Next-Generation Truck V8 Engines
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) Continue reading
Posted in auto news, economy, labor issues, manufacturing, milestones, mobility company, news analysis, transportation, Trump Truth Tests
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Flint Engine Operations, GM Canada Manufacturing, Jack Uppal, Ken Zino, St. Catharines Propulsion Plant, Tonawanda Propulsion Plant, USMCA, X @KenAutoinformed
Leave a comment
IIHS – Drivers More Likely To Use Phones While Speeding
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 … Continue reading
Posted in auto news, distracted driving, news analysis, people, public health, safety
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Cambridge Mobile Telematics, David Harkey, Driver phone use while speeding, Ian Reagan, iihs, insurance institute for highway safety, Ken Zino, safe-driving apps, Sam Monfort, X @KenAutoinformed
Leave a comment
NHRA Charlotte – Cobra Jet 2200 fastest EV in 1320 Feet
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. Continue reading
Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, electric vehicles, marketing, news analysis, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Brittany Force, Cobra Jet 2200, Ford Racing, Gaige Herrera, Greg Anderson, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, NHRA Charlette 2026, NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, Nick Kuhajda, Robert Hight, X @KenAutoinformed
Leave a comment
Nissan Revises Full Fiscal-Year Profit Up to Loss of ¥550B
“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
Posted in auto news, economy, financial results, manufacturing, marketing, news analysis, results
Tagged auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, Nissan Motor Company Fiscal Year 2025 financial guidance, X @KenAutoinformed
Leave a comment

Racing Return! McLaren MCL-HY 2027 WEC Hypercar Shown
“Years and months in the making and here we are, revealing the MCL-HY to the world. McLaren Racing now has three race cars ready to contest the biggest motorsport series in the world; Formula 1, IndyCar and WEC. This means McLaren, its partners and fans can challenge for the Triple Crown of Monaco GP, INDY500 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans together – a unique cross-series story that sets us apart,” said Zak Brown, Chief Executive Officer, McLaren Racing. Continue reading →