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Category Archives: marketing
Bring Your Own Bronco Optional at Off-Roadeo
Ford Motor (NYSE:F) said today that it is now offering Bronco owners who have attended the complimentary Bronco Off-Rodeo – an immersive driving school available to new Bronco, Bronco Sport, and Bronco Raptor owners the chance to bring their own Bronco to an advanced dirt driving program so to speak.
“Ninety percent of Bronco Off-Roadeo participants say they want to return and learn even more,” said Kelsey Gerken, Bronco consumer strategy manager at Ford. “Bring Your Own Bronco gives them that chance, expanding the Off-Roadeo experience to two unique, four-hour courses that further grow a Bronco owner’s skillset.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, marketing, mobility company, people, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Bronco consumer strategy, electronic locking differentials, Ken Zino, recovery techniques, Rock Crawl Camera, Trail Control, X @KenAutoinformed
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Ford Updates Nascent WEC Hypercar Program
Today Ford Motor (NYSE: F) during opening events prior to the 2025 24 Hours of Le Mans announced its chassis partner, ORECA, and its program lead, Dan Sayers. The Ford WEC Hypercar program will debut at the season-opening round of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) in less than two years.
“Bringing Ford back to the top class at Le Mans has always been a dream for many of us including our Executive Chair Bill Ford,” said Ford Motor Company President and CEO, Jim Farley. “To be able to partner with ORECA is a proud moment for Ford. We are coming back to Le Mans to win, and we aren’t making that a secret. On Sunday, it will be exactly 56 years since we last took the top step of the overall podium here. That is long enough. In 2027, we are coming with the same level of expectation, and we are entrusting ORECA to help us take on Ferrari and the other top-class teams as we did back in the 1960s.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, engineering, marketing, news analysis, performance, racing, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Dan Sayers, Jim Farley, Ken Zino, Oreca, WEC Hypercar Mark Rushbrook, X @KenAutoinformed
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Milestones – Toyota Indiana Builds 1-Millionth Hybrid
Toyota Motor (NYSE: TM and 7203.T) celebrated today the manufacturing of the 1-millionth hybrid vehicle at the Princeton Indiana plant. The Sienna van has been assembled at Toyota Indiana since 2003, with the all-hybrid model being the latest iteration built by the plant’s 7650 team members.
“It’s a significant achievement to reach this milestone and something our team members should be proud of,” said Jason Puckett, president of Toyota Indiana. “The all-hybrid Sienna demonstrates our commitment to electrification and remains a top-selling vehicle in Toyota’s lineup.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, electric vehicles, global warming, manufacturing, marketing, milestones, mobility company, news, public health, sales
Tagged (NYSE: TM and 7203.T), auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Jason Puckett, Ken Zino, Toyota Indiana, X @KenAutoinformed
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Ford and Lincoln Add Zoom App Meet on the Move
Ford Motor (NYSE: F) said today that it is launching the Zoom app Meet on the Move. It is built and customized specifically for vehicles in the U.S. equipped with the all-new Ford and Lincoln Digital Experience.* With the new digital cabin, customers can bring along things they use in their so-called digital life, including their favorite apps to be entertained or to stay productive on the go – all without a smartphone – Ford said in a release. This is unique because it offers an immersive experience built directly into the vehicle, which is different from using smartphone projection. Whether this is a distinction without a real difference remains to be seen. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, connected vehicles, customer satisfaction, distracted driving, electronics, marketing, news analysis, safety, software defined vehicles
Tagged 2024/2025 Lincoln Nautilus, 2025 Ford Expedition, 2025 Ford Explorer, 2025 Lincoln Aviator, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino, X @KenAutoinformed, Zoom App Meet on the Move
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Annals of Marketing – Hilfiger Joins Cadillac Formula 1®
“Two icons. One vision. A bold new era of American motorsport,” said Tommy Hilfiger. “We’re proud to continue our Formula 1® story alongside TWG Motorsports and Cadillac. We share a vision to honor the heritage of F1® while pushing it forward – celebrating where we come from, and re-imagining where we can go. As the sport’s presence around the globe continues to soar, there’s never been a better time to dream big, and show the world what an American team can bring to the grid.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, design and styling, marketing, milestones, news analysis, performance, racing, shows and events
Tagged Andretti Global, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Cadillac Formula 1 Team, Damson Idris, Dan Towriss, Graeme Lowdon, Ken Zino, Lea Rytz Goldman, Spire Motorsports, Tommy Hilfiger, TWG Motorsports and Cadillac, Watkins Glen, Wayne Taylor Racing, 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
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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First Look – the 2026 Corvette ZR1X Hypercar
Chevrolet (NYSE: GM) said this morning that it is introducing an all-wheel drive Corvette with the ZR1 designation.* The 2026 Corvette ZR1X is GM rated at 1250 horsepower [footnote 1] and has electrified all-wheel drive. This makes the ZR1X the most advanced Corvette ever. With ZR1 and ZR1X, Chevrolet now has the most powerful American performance car duet of any auto manufacturer.
“From day one, we designed the mid-engine Corvette architecture with ZR1X in mind,” said General Motors senior VP Ken Morris. “This is the most revolutionary platform in Corvette history, supporting the widest range of American sports cars [3] and delivering world-class performance at every level.” Continue reading →