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Category Archives: marketing
First Look – 2026 Honda HR-V Sub-Compact SUV
The Honda HR-V, America’s most popular SUV with first-time and Gen-Z buyers, is now arriving at Honda dealerships with a starting manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $26,2002 for the HR-V LX (excluding $1395 destination charge). HR-V is also the best-selling sub-compact SUV with Hispanic buyers. Every HR-V is offered with Real Time All-Wheel Drive (AWD) with Intelligent Control™ starting at $27,700 [Footnote 2].** The 2026 HR-V is available in three trim levels: LX, Sport and EX-L. As with the latest Toyota RAV4, the complexity of the trim levels with various packages and options present a daunting task to prospective buyers. This from Honda once famously known for a radio and television ad campaign, circa 1979-1984 with “The we make it simple,” tagline? (Read AutoInformed.com on: Toyota Debuts 2026 RAV4 Compact SUV) Continue reading
Toyota Debuts 2026 RAV4 Compact SUV
The 2026 RAV4 also joins Toyota’s list of exclusively electrified models. It will be available with Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) or Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) powertrains. RAV4 also launches new technologies for Toyota, including the Arene software development platform, a new version of the Toyota Audio Multimedia system, and updates to the Toyota Safety Sense active safety suite. Toyota might say customer choice is paramount, but it comes with a bewildering array of options and packages to climb over that are the antonym of the once famous Honda tagline “We Make it Simple.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, connected vehicles, electric vehicles, engineering, fuel economy or emissions, global warming, marketing, news analysis, shows and events, software defined vehicles
Tagged Arene software development platform from Woven by Toyota, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, David Christ, Ken Zino, TNGA-K platform, Toyota 2026 model year RAV4 Compact SUV, Toyota Gazoo Racing, X @KenAutoinformed
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Mobil 1 is Le Mans Sponsor of Cadillac Wayne Taylor Racing
Cadillac Racing* said today that the Mobil 1™ brand is its primary sponsor of the No. 101 Cadillac Wayne Taylor Racing V-Series.R** for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Cadillac will contest the 93rd edition of the twice-around-the-clock race on the 8.467-mile course with a four-car factory lineup with drivers who have accumulated 21 Le Mans podiums. The livery has the Mobil 1 logo across the sides and front of the blue and white Hypercar in the top class in endurance racing. Earlier this year, the Mobil 1 team announced an extension of its technical alliance with Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), now making it the Official Motor Oil of Cadillac Racing. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, marketing, news analysis, performance, racing, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Cadillac V-Series.R, Cadillac Wayne Taylor Racing, Earl Bamber, Felipe Dragovich, FIA World Endurance Championship, Filipe Albuquerque, Frederik Vesti, Grand Touring Prototype, GTP class, IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup Championships, Jack Aitken, Jordan Taylor, Ken Zino, lemans, Ricky Taylor, Sebastien Bourdais, wec, X @KenAutoinformed
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Toyota Announces an All-New 2026 TRD Pro Color
“We had a few years of warm natural hues inspired by traditional landscapes like Terra and Mudbath as signature colors. With Wave Maker, we were inspired by unexplored areas of adventure including extreme territory and even beyond earth,” says Benjamin Jimenez, general manager at CALTY’s Ann Arbor Michigan location. “Wave Maker expresses an elemental spirit that evokes images of glacial depths and the thrill of new frontiers.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, design and styling, marketing, news analysis, performance
Tagged 4Runner, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Benjamin Jimenez, Ken Zino, sequoia, tacoma, Toyota TRD Pro colors, Truck marketing, tundra, X @KenAutoinformed
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GMC Hummer EV – 2026 Model Year Adds Carbon Fiber Option
“The refreshed Hummer EV enhances an already amazing vehicle with new software innovations and forward-thinking design,” said Al Oppenheiser, GMC Hummer EV chief engineer. “From the start, we aimed to provide Hummer EV owners over-the-air software updates. All 2026 Hummer EV owners will have access to our latest software going forward, allowing new features to be introduced throughout the vehicle’s lifecycle.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, electric vehicles, electronics, engineering, marketing, mobility company, new vehicle, performance
Tagged Al Oppenheiser, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, GM Energy PowerShift Charger, Ken Zino, King Crab, X @KenAutoinformed
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Indianapolis 500 Practice Starts Today!
Practice for the 109th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge starts today May 13 with a field consisting of eight former winners of what is promoted as “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” and five NTT IndyCar Series champions. There are 34 entries set to contest for the 33 starting spots for this year’s 500. That will be determined at the PPG Presents Armed Forces Qualifying runs May 17-18.
All track activity on the 2.5-mile oval leads into Race Day, Sunday 25 May at the “Brickyard.” Live Race Day coverage begins on FOX, FOX Deportes, the FOX Sports app and the IndyCar Radio Network at 10 a.m. (ET). The green flag is set to drop for 12:45 p.m. That’s when the B.S. stops so to speak, barring a weather delay. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, marketing, performance, racing, shows and events
Tagged 109th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Helio Castroneves, Jacob Abel, Josef Newgarden, Ken Zino, Kyle Larson, Louis Foster, Nolan Siegel Robert Shwartzman, NTT IndyCar Series, Takuma Sato, X @KenAutoinformed
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WEC Spa – Ferrari One-Two. Alpine Third in Hypercar
Ferrari at Spa finished first and second as the #51 passed under the chequered flag just four seconds ahead of the sister #50 Ferrari prototype. This was ironic or exciting as Antonio Giovinazzi crashed at the crest of Eau Rouge on his first lap out of the pits during Thursday’s FP2 session. The World Endurance Cup said a record crowd of ~ 100,000 showed up in the 14th running of the Belgium endurance race. (read AutoInformed.com on Spa-Francorchamps – LeMans Dress Rehearsal this Weekend)* James Calado drove the opening Ferrari stint, which he dubbed as conservative in order to take care of the tires. Giovinazzi drive the second stint without inducing serious damage. Pier Guidi drove remainder of the race. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, marketing, news analysis, people, racing, results, shows and events
Tagged Alpine’s Mick Schumacher, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, BMW’s Robin Frijns, Ferrari at Spa, Iron Dames, James Calado, Ken Zino, Pier Guidi, Porsche Penske Motorsport, X @KenAutoinformed
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NASCAR, TelevisaUnivision Announce Mexican Broadcast Deal
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (“NASCAR”) and TelevisaUnivision,* Mexico’s leading media company, have reached an exclusive broadcast agreement for free-to-air coverage of the sanctioning body’s Mexico City race. Under this new agreement, TelevisaUnivision will serve as the exclusive free-to-air (FTA) broadcaster in Mexico for the highly anticipated 2025 NASCAR Cup Series race in Mexico City, scheduled for Sunday, June 15 at 3 pm ET or 1 pm. local time. The race will be broadcast live on TelevisaUnivision’s ‘Canal 5’ with full Spanish-language commentary. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, marketing, news analysis, racing, shows and events
Tagged 2025 NASCAR Cup Series, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino, Marco Liceaga, NASCAR Mexico City race, Nicholas Skipper, TelevisaUnivision, X @KenAutoinformed
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A Freshened 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross Debuts
TMNA, the North American arm of Toyota (NYSE: TM) said today in Plano, Texas that the 2026 model Toyota Cross compact SUV has been tweaked.
“The 2026 Corolla Cross is continuing to bring entry SUV customers the combination of style and value that’s just right. For model year 2026 it receives two new front fascia designs, with a modern, color-matched look for the Hybrid version and a bold, rugged design for the gas-powered model. The new front-end designs create a distinct look for each powertrain while also evolving the crossover’s compact, sporty shape. The interior also receives an update with a reconfigured console storage design and larger available touchscreen,” Toyota said. Continue reading
Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, design and styling, engineering, manufacturing, marketing, news analysis, shows and events
Tagged 2026 Corolla Cross and Corolla Cross Hybrid, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino, Toyota Huntsville Alabama, Toyota Motor North America, X @KenAutoinformed
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WillScot Holdings to Provide Hospitality Spaces for IndyCar
Penske Entertainment* today announced a partnership with WillScot Holdings Corp., a provider of temporary spaces, that will see the company become an Official Partner of IndyCar** and Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Through the multiyear partnership, WillScot will provide turnkey space solutions, including mobile offices, storage containers, climate-controlled storage, clear-span structures, restrooms, fencing and other hospitality spaces for use at race events throughout NTT IndyCar Series and IMS seasons. Continue reading
Cabin Fever at Corvette?
Chevrolet (NYSE: GM) said today that for the 2026 model year, the entire Corvette* lineup of Stingray, E-Ray, Z06, and ZR1will have an interior cabin with larger and more advanced driver-centric displays and fresh interior colorways, finishes and materials.
“Corvette is the ultimate American sports car, which is why it has remained the luxury sport segment leader for more than 20 years – with the next competitor a distant second in terms of market share,” said Scott Bell, vice president, Chevrolet. “With these updates, the mid-engine Corvette will continue to cement its leadership for years to come.” Continue reading
Nostalgia Marketing – 2026 Corolla Hatchback FX Edition
Toyota (NYSE:TM) said today in Texas that for the 2026 model year, the Corolla Hatchback will have an FX edition, which has been dormant in the model since the 1987 FX16. Based on the SE grade Corolla, it should appear in Toyota Dealerships during fall of 2025. The new Hatchback FX Edition will be available in three color choices: Inferno, Ice Cap, and Blue Crush Metallic. There will be 1600 Corolla Hatchback FX Editions assembled for the U.S. Additional details and pricing for the full Corolla lineup will be shared later this year.
“The Corolla Hatchback FX adds a black vented sport wing for aggressive flair and improved aerodynamics. The 18-inch gloss white-finished alloy wheels with black lug nuts give an unexpected wow factor,” Toyota said. Power of the Corolla Hatchback FX Edition is a 2.0-liter Dynamic-Force direct-injection inline four-cylinder engine with claimed ratings of 169 horsepower at 6600 rpm and 151 lb.-ft. peak torque at 4800 rpm. It has a Toyota-estimated 33 combined MPG rating. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, connected vehicles, marketing, new vehicle, performance, shows and events
Tagged 2026 Corolla Hatchback FX Edition, Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Bluetooth® phone connectivity, Ken Zino, Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, X @KenAutoinformed
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Michigan Central to Get Hotel on Top Floors
Michigan Central said today that it is partnering with the Sydell Group, a joint venture with Hilton, to bring the NoMad hotel brand to Detroit. Construction of NoMad Detroit is expected to start at the end of this year, and plans are to open the hotel in the first half of 2027.
“This new renovation of The Station brings together iconic American companies like Ford and Hilton at a location that’s truly a historic hub for U.S. travel,” said Josh Sirefman, CEO of Michigan Central. “We love the notion of two 100-plus-year-old companies collaborating to create a venue that promises to be a major boost not only for Michigan Central but for the city of Detroit as well.” Continue reading →