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Category Archives: marketing
Chevrolet 2025 Corvette ZR1 Starts at $185,995
Chevrolet has finally announced pricing for the 2025 Corvette ZR1, the fastest, quickest and most powerful Corvette yet. With a top speed of 233 mph on the track, 0-60 in 2.3 seconds [footnote 1] and 1064 horsepower, the Corvette ZR1 is unmatched by any current production car priced under $1 million. The 3LZ coupe is available for a starting MSRP of $185,995 (excludes tax, title, license, dealer fees, optional equipment. Dealer sets final price) or $195,995 for the 3LZ convertible. Production of the 2025 Corvette ZR1 will begin at Bowling Green Assembly sometime during Q2.
“ZR1 is an example of design and engineering excellence, one where we push the boundaries of what’s possible in terms of performance,” said Scott Bell, vice president of global Chevrolet. “It was important for us to stay true to Corvette’s promise of a vehicle whose world-class capabilities completely outmatch its price.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, car sharing, engineering, marketing, milestones, news analysis, performance, shows and events
Tagged 2025 Corvette ZR1, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, detroit auto show, Ken Zino, Scott Bell, X @KenAutoinformed
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Volkswagen Sales Flat in 2024
Volkswagen brand delivered ~4.8 million vehicles to customers worldwide last year – 1.4 % fewer than in the previous year. However, it was the market leader in Germany with a market share of 19.1% , according to the German Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA). Continue reading
First Look – Elaphe Sonic.1 Performance EV Motor
Elaphe debuted a high-performance front-wheel in-wheel motor (IWM), dubbed Sonic.1, at CES 2025. Sonic 1 it’s – claimed – is a drop-in performance upgrade for ICE and BEV vehicles where it was previously not possible to fit additional drives.
“The integration of the Sonic.1 in-wheel motor (IWM) directly into the wheel not only optimizes space and weight, but also contributes to a more controllable wheel. 20-times greater wheel control enables increased vehicle performance in acceleration, stability and braking. Furthermore, Sonic.1 design enables easy integration into existing and new supercar models. It enables significant design improvement opportunities, from aerodynamics, to component placement and styling,” Elaphe said. Continue reading
Posted in concept, design and styling, electric vehicles, electronics, engineering, marketing, news analysis, performance, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, CES 2025, Elaphe Sonic.1 in-wheel motor, Italdesign Quintessenza, Ken Zino, X @KenAutoinformed
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Goodyear to Sell Dunlop Brand to Sumitomo Rubber Industries
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company (NASDAQ: GT) has announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to sell the Dunlop brand, together with certain associated intellectual property, to Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd. (TYO: 5110). The deal includes trademarks and intangible assets necessary for operations of the brand business in Europe, North America and Oceania for consumer, commercial and other specialty tires. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals, other customary closing conditions and consultations and is expected to close by mid-2025.
“This is another important milestone as we continue to execute against our Goodyear Forward transformation plan. We are optimizing our portfolio and reducing leverage to drive sustainable and substantial shareholder value creation,” said Mark Stewart, Goodyear Chief Executive Officer and President. “Not only does the transaction deliver significant value for our shareholders, it better positions Goodyear to enhance our focus on the growth of our core brands.” Continue reading
Posted in aftermarket, auto news, car sharing, manufacturing, marketing, milestones, motorcycles, news analysis, shows and events, transportation
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Christina Zamarro, Dunlop tire brand, Dunlop trademarks, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, Ken Zino, Mark Stewart, Sumitomo Rubber Industries, X @KenAutoinformed
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EV Market Stays as Customer Satisfaction Leader
The 2024 Car Buyer Journey (CBJ) Study by Cox Automotive* published today shows record highs in new-car buyer satisfaction, driven by advancements in digital tools helping seamlessly integrate online and in-dealership activities. This seamless integration – an omnichannel buying experience in industry jargon – saves time, reduces repetition and ultimately improves satisfaction with the overall car-buying journey. The 2024 CBJ also highlights the growing satisfaction among electric vehicle (EV) buyers, who are once again leading the way in satisfaction during the car-buying process. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, car sharing, customer satisfaction, electric vehicles, marketing, news analysis, shows and events
Tagged 2024 Car Buyer Journey (Study by Cox Automotive, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Isabelle Helms, Ken Zino, X @KenAutoinformed
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BMW 2024 U.S. Sales Up Slightly
“This is a fantastic result, which is a direct reflection of the BMW brand’s strength and superior product line-up. U.S. customers really love our ‘Ultimate Driving Machines’ – regardless of drivetrain – which fueled sales growth of both ICE and BEV vehicles,” said Sebastian Mackensen, President & CEO, BMW of North America. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, car sharing, electric vehicles, marketing, news analysis, results, sales
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, BMW passenger cars and light trucks, Ken Zino, MINI passenger cars, Sebastian Mackensen, X @KenAutoinformed
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GM 2024 U.S. Sales 2.7 Million
GM claimed it had a strong 2024 today in a social media post saying, GM expanded overall U.S. sales by 4%, to 2.7 million vehicles, its highest total since 2019. GM estimates its 2024 U.S. market share at 16.5%.
“We finished the year with inventory of about 54 days, meeting our target. All of our brands -Chevrolet, GMC, Buick and Cadillac – posted strong sales gains. For the fourth quarter, sales were up 21% from the year-earlier period,” said Rory Harvey, GM executive VP and president of global markets. “How did we do it? By investing to have the best portfolio in the industry. We have something for everyone, no matter what they like to drive.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, car sharing, electric vehicles, marketing, news analysis, results, sales
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Cadillac Escalade and LYRIQ, Chevrolet Equinox EV, gmc canyon, GMC Denali, gmc sierra, Ken Zino, Rory Harvey, X @KenAutoinformed
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Milestones 2025 – the Goodyear Blimp 100th Anniversary
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company (NASDAQ: GT) will celebrate the 100th anniversary in 2025 of the Goodyear Blimp with flights over more cities to appearances at new events, and chances for fans to fly. There will also be “limited-edition … Continue reading
Posted in aftermarket, aviation, marketing, milestones, news, shows and events, transportation
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Goodyear Blimp, Goodyear Blimp 100th Anniversary, Goodyear Blimp Pilgrim, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, Ken Zino, Mark Stewart, X @KenAutoinformed
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Significant 2024 Automotive Stories and Trends
Once again at the beginning of 2025 AutoInformed notes – matter-of-factly – that its vision is 20-20 on the consequences of long past occurrences. However, in the here and now our perception is cloudy. We do not have the advantages of historians re-assessing events years later with help from other news outlets, blogs, letters, memoirs, magazines and whatever new forms of expressed thought emerge. Thus far the most valued revisions and nuanced interpretations appear in books and essays after more documents and perspectives surface from the players or perpetrators engaged in them. These are not yet available, and under Trump 2.0 they would likely be banned anyway. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, AutoInformed Editorial, car sharing, connected vehicles, economy, environment, fools 'n frauds, global warming, labor issues, manufacturing, marketing, news, news analysis, sales, transportation
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Biden Administration, George Santayana, industrial policy, Ken Zino, Trump 2.0, X @KenAutoinformed
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Hyundai Claims EV Altitude Change Record
Hyundai Motor Company said today that an IONIQ 5 recorded a record-breaking total elevation change of 5802 meters over a +4900 km run across India. The publicity route began in Umling La in Ladakh, through steep Himalaya mountain passes, to the finish in the coastal region of Kuttanad, Kerala. (Read AutoInformed.com on: Hyundai Revises Ioniq EV for 2022 with New Platform) Continue reading
Annals of Marketing – Honda Prelude Returns as Hybrid
Honda has announced that an all-new hybrid-electric Prelude* sports coupe will be re-introduced to the U.S. market late next year, presumably as a 2026 model. The first Prelude appeared in November 1978. This new one will debut Honda S+ Shift, claimed to be anew drive mode that “further advances Linear Shift Control to deliver maximum levels of driver engagement.” Continue reading
Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, awards, car sharing, global warming, marketing, mobility company, news analysis
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Honda Electrification Strategy, Honda S+ Shift, Jessika Laudermilk, Ken Zino, X @KenAutoinformed
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Nissan and Honda Sign Integration MOU!
Nissan Motor Co. (7201T. NSANY ADR) and Honda Motor Co. (NYS: HMC) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to start discussions and considerations toward a business integration between the two companies through the establishment of a joint holding company. In effect this will be the merger of the two companies with Honda as the stronger member so to speak given Nissan’s perilous operating results. It also raises questions about the continuance of Honda’s business ventures with General Motors.* What it does potentially do is create the world’s third largest automaker with potential annual sales of ~8-9 million, behind Toyota and struggling Volkswagen.
AutoInformed opines that as with all such complex multi-national corporate mergers, the details at the outset and more importantly in the final agreements and their implementation are key to its success. Given the twists and turns of the road and diverse corporate cultures of the participants – where there are no balance sheet entries – this is an endurance race that makes the 24 hours of Le Mans look like a 30-second TV spot. It also likely makes the venture subject to US SEC regulations, including form 4F and forward looking statements. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, car sharing, connected vehicles, economy, electric vehicles, engineering, manufacturing, marketing, milestones, mobility company, news analysis, people, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, carlos ghosn, General Motors and Honda, Honda Motor Co and Nissan Motor Co integration MOU, Ken Zino, Makoto Uchida, Nissan Mitsubishi, Toshihiro Mibe, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Form F-4, X @KenAutoinformed
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BMW Group Posts So-So Sales Results in 2024
With a total of 2,450,804 vehicles delivered to customers in 2024, the BMW Group said today that it achieved its new annual sales target that was adjusted downward during the second half of 2024. Electrified vehicles represented 24.2% of total BMW Group sales in 2024, with 593,215 units delivered to customers. Fully-electric vehicles accounted for 17.4% of total sales.
“The BMW brand delivered 2,200,177 vehicles to customers in the full year 2024 (-2.3%). With its attractive product portfolio across all technologies, the brand maintained its position as the global leader in its segment. In the Europe region, the BMW brand expanded its market share, registering double-digit sales growth in Italy, France and the UK. The BMW brand also posted sales growth in the U.S. In Germany, despite a declining market for fully-electric vehicles, BMW saw growth in new BEV registrations,” BMW said in a garbled release. Continue reading →