Category Archives: manufacturing

November 2025 UK Vehicle Production Plunges

Posted on 19 December 2025 by Ken Zino

UK vehicle production* fell by -14.3% in November with 65,932 units leaving factory lines, according to data published today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).** The decline was the result of a slight reduction in car output, down -1.7% to 63,126 units, and a much steeper -78.0% drop in commercial vehicle (CV) output, with just 2806 units produced – 9943 fewer than in the same month last year. [Recently, Ford Motor announced a series of changes to its business in Europe, including new leadership to drive the strategic direction, and a European product offensive that will bring a new generation of multi-energy vehicles to customers in Europe. Ford also announced a strategic partnership with Renault to collaborate in the development of electric vehicles in both the commercial and passenger segments. – Autocrat] Continue reading →

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US New-Vehicle Sales Q4 Forecast Down in 2025. Year Up a Tad

Posted on 19 December 2025 by Ken Zino

“Despite challenges, 2025 has been a good year for new-vehicle sales,” said Charlie Chesbrough, senior economist at Cox Automotive. “The fourth quarter is showing the expected slowdown, as headwinds from tariffs, inflation and reduced EV incentives weigh on the market after nine surprisingly strong months. Still, consumer demand has kept the new-vehicle market healthy throughout 2025.” Continue reading →

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Toyota to Export U.S. Made Vehicles to Japan

Posted on 19 December 2025 by Ken Zino

Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE: TM, 7203T)* said today that it intends to begin introducing three models produced in the United States to the Japanese market starting in 2026. Targeted the Camry sedan, Highlander SUV and Tundra pickup truck. ** As part of planning, Toyota will also make use of a new system being considered by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism following bilateral negotiations.

“The Camry sedan combines sophisticated design with comfort, while boasting outstanding fuel efficiency. This global Toyota model has remained a top seller in the United States for many years. The Highlander is a three-row SUV popular with families, featuring a spacious interior and excellent off-road ability that can handle anything from city driving to the great outdoors. Toyota has decided to reintroduce these two models, which were previously sold in the Japanese market until 2023 and 2007, respectively.” Toyota said. [It’s not clear if any significant volume will result. In fact, it’s unlikely for the large SUV and pickup – AutoCrat.] Continue reading →

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Honda Recalls 2025 CR-V Fuel Cell EVs

Posted on 17 December 2025 by Ken Zino

American Honda Motor Co. (NYSE: HMC) is recalling 388 Honda 2025 model-year CR-V Fuel Cell EV vehicles.* Coolant inside the fuel cell stack may leak into the fuel cell stack case, causing an internal short circuit. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 305, “Electric-powered vehicles: Electrolyte Spillage and Electrical Shock Protection.” [Unlike most automakers, Honda made the filing public via press release before the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) made it public, usually on Monday mornings. – AutoCrat.] Continue reading →

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Ford Motor Eliminates Model E in Profit Seeking About Face

Posted on 16 December 2025 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F)* effectively abandoned its Electric Vehicle strategy this week in an attempt to stop the hemorrhaging of billions of dollars in shareholder money. Ford announced a series of actions to improve its so-called Ford+ plan, reassigning capital to meet what it described as customer demand and drive profitable growth. Ford will write off $19.5 Billion as it attempts to do this.

“This is a customer-driven shift to create a stronger, more resilient and more profitable Ford,” said (claimed?) Ford president and CEO Jim Farley. “The operating reality has changed, and we are redeploying capital into higher-return growth opportunities: Ford Pro, our market-leading trucks and vans, hybrids and high-margin opportunities like our new battery energy storage business.” Continue reading →

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Chinese Junk Watch Death Risk – Luyuan Youth ATVs

Posted on 12 December 2025 by Ken Zino

The United States Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) said today that Luyuan is recalling Youth ATVs due to risk of serious injury or death from crash hazard. The X-Pro Eagle 40cc Youth ATVs and FRP Sahara 40cc Youth ATVs violate … Continue reading →

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Genesis Recall for Sudden Unintended Braking

Posted on 8 December 2025 by Ken Zino

“The subject vehicles are equipped with Highway Drive Assist (“HDA”), an advanced driving assistance system that allows semi-autonomous driving on limited-access highways with continuous, direct supervision by the driver. The vehicles may falsely detect another vehicle entering its lane of travel and apply the brakes without warning when HDA is enabled at speeds below approximately 12 mph or when HDA is enabled along with the Lane Change Assist (“LCA”) feature, activated by the driver moving the turn signal lever to the desired direction to change lanes,” HMA said  in the required safety defect recall filing made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) today. Continue reading →

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Road Hazard – Ford Escape Liftgate Hinge Cover Recall

Posted on 8 December 2025 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) is recalling ~108,762 model year 2020-2022 Escape and 2025 Escape* compact SUVs with a Panoramic sunroof because the rear liftgate hinge covers can fall off. Ford back in the summer of 2012 had dismissed the problem as minor involving few vehicles. Ford is operating under a consent order from NHTSA because of its previous handing of recalls.

“A hinge cover that detaches while driving can create a distraction and/or road hazard for other road users, increasing the risk of a crash,” Ford said in the mandatory safety defect recall filing mad public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) this morning. Continue reading →

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Lotus Esprit Refresh offered by Encor

Posted on 5 December 2025 by Ken Zino

“Production of the Encor Series 1 is limited to 50 individually commissioned cars worldwide. Prices begin at £430,000, excluding taxes, options and the required donor Esprit V8. Commissioning takes place either at Encor’s Chelmsford, UK HQ or via private consultation for international clients. Deliveries will begin in Q2 2026 and continue through 2027,” Encor claimed. Continue reading →

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Japanese Top Consumer Reports 2026 Automotive Report

Posted on 4 December 2025 by Ken Zino

“We’re releasing new overall score rankings,” said Jake Fisher, CR’s Senior Director of Automotive Testing. “That’s really who makes the best cars along with new car reliability, used car reliability, which is really looking 5 to 10 year old models that are on out in the road, owner satisfaction, our road test scores, repair costs. … We have all the information for each one of the models on our website. That’s all live right now…. We are very excited that this year. We actually have the most amount of vehicles that we’ve had for a very long time. We’ve made some changes to make the survey easier to complete. … We’ve actually gone from 300,000 vehicles in the survey to 380,000 vehicles in the survey. That’s total.” Continue reading →

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Subaru of America November Sales Drop 10%

Posted on 2 December 2025 by Ken Zino

Subaru of America (Subaru Corp. NASDAQ: FUJHF) today reported 52,081 vehicle sales for November 2025 – a ~10% drop, and year-to-date sales of 586,154, a 3.3% decrease.* In November, Crosstrek remained the top seller for the seventh consecutive month with 16,142 vehicles sold (-4.8%). Forester sales were tolerable with 13,871 vehicles sold (-6.6%), and Outback sold 13,089 vehicles (-6.5%).

“Subaru retailers keep driving exceptional experiences with programs like Subaru Love-Encore™, earning top marks for sales satisfaction. Paired with a standout vehicle lineup and the Share the Love® Event supporting charitable impact nationwide, Subaru is set to finish the year strong,” claimed Troy Poston, Senior Vice President of Sales, Subaru of America. Continue reading →

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American Honda Posts November Sales of 102,824

Posted on 2 December 2025 by Ken Zino

American Honda (NYSE: HMC) said today that sales totaled 102,824 units in November. Year-to-date sales were up a meager 1.8%. An industry-wide semiconductor supply shortage was a factor.

“Both the Honda and Acura brands continue to benefit from strong sales of all-new vehicles with balanced sales across light trucks and passenger cars along with a new annual sales record from electrified models,” American Honda claimed. Continue reading →

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BMW Group Increases Its CO2 Reduction Goals

Posted on 2 December 2025 by Ken Zino

The BMW Group said today that it has defined a new 2035 milestone for cutting CO2e emissions on the road to net zero. The company aims to reduce its CO2e emissions by at least 60 million metric tons compared to 2019 levels, an additional reduction of approximately 20 million tons of CO2e beyond the existing 2030 target.

“The BMW Group has intentionally set itself the additional 2035 milestone to consistently advance its de-carbonization strategy. Global customer demand for electric vehicles alone will not be sufficient to achieve the CO2e targets set for 2030 and 2035. The comprehensive approach to reducing CO2e emissions therefore spans the entire vehicle life cycle, irrespective of the drive variant,” BMW said. Continue reading →

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Hyundai Santa Fe Recall for Bad Rear-View Cameras

Posted on 1 December 2025 by Ken Zino

Hyundai Motor America is recalling more than 143,000 model-year 2024-2025 Santa Fe and Santa Fe Hybrid vehicles. The rear-view camera may not have been installed properly, which can damage the wiring harness and cause the rear-view camera image not to display.

“The camera’s main wire harness was improperly assembled by the supplier, causing increased tension and wear in the cable’s shield line, and resulting in poor terminal contact when connected to the camera,” HMA said in the mandatory recall notification made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration this morning. [Seoyon E-Hwa Alabama is the supplier – AutoCrat] Continue reading →

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October UK Car and Commercial Vehicle Production Drops

Posted on 28 November 2025 by Ken Zino

Car production in the UK fell in October, down -23.8%, according to the latest figures published today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Only 59,010 vehicles shipped, 18,474 fewer than in the same month last year. [read AutoInformed.com about Britain’s largest auto employer here: Jaguar Land Rover Cyber-Attack Effects Ongoing – AutoCrat]

“The news comes two days after the Budget in which the Chancellor announced a number of welcome competitiveness-boosting measures, including a further £1.5 billion in automotive transformation funding, and the deferral of regulation to end critical employee car ownership schemes into the next parliament – a move the industry had warned could lead to annual losses of £1 billion and put up to 5000 jobs at stake. It also comes after government published a consultation on its proposed British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme (BICS) which should bring down sky-high energy costs for manufacturers,” SMMT said. Continue reading →

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