Category Archives: marketing

Manufacturer Websites Lack Product Details?

Posted on 8 January 2026 by Ken Zino

“One in three new-vehicle shoppers begin their journey without a specific brand in mind, yet nearly all of them still visit an OEM website,” said Cory Maxwell, digital experience consultant at J.D. Power. “While those shoppers are highly engaged, we continue to see that about 20% of OEM sites prioritize branding over the detailed vehicle information shoppers are actively seeking. At that stage, the brand has already done its job by getting shoppers to the site, so what matters most is helping them evaluate the vehicle.” Continue reading →

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Chinese RoboVan Maker Neolix Debuts Next Gen Products

Posted on 7 January 2026 by Ken Zino

Neolix, a maker of autonomous logistics products (RoboVan), today announced the debut of its next-generation AI-powered autonomous logistics products at CES 2026. Its full  RoboVan lineup is said to enable large-scale, end-to-end urban logistics. Neolix thinks that autonomous is the cornerstone of the future urban infrastructure.

“Autonomous logistics has reached a critical tipping point, transitioning from experimental pilots to true commercial scale,” said YU Enyuan, Founder and CEO of Neolix. “2025 was a milestone year where we achieved mass deployment, refined our mapless technology, and expanded our global footprint. At CES 2026, we are presenting the global market with our fully integrated autonomous solution in action, showcasing a new generation of urban infrastructure that is always-on, highly efficient, and ready for global growth.” Continue reading →

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UK New Car Registrations at 2M during 2025

Posted on 6 January 2026 by Ken Zino

The UK new car market grew for the third year in a row in 2025, passing the two million mark for the first time since the pandemic, with 2,020,520 new car registrations, according to the latest figures published today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).* Internal combustion engines remain the biggest selling powertrain but there remains growing demand for electrified cars with one in four buyers choosing electric vehicles. [There also continues industry lobbying demands to delay and use taxpayer subsidies to support the sales of EVs. -AutoCrat] Continue reading →

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Ford Motor 2025 U.S. Sales Posted at 2.2 Million

Posted on 6 January 2026 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) said today that it total deliveries for the year rose 6.0% to 2,204,124 vehicles, with an estimated overall market share of 13.2%. General Motors (NYSE: GM) said yesterday that it led the U.S. auto industry in sales in 2025, posting a 6% increase for the full year at 2,853,299 deliveries. [Ford Motor car sales for 2025 at 45,333 were only a fraction of the total as Ford continues to be predominately a truck company with products that are of limited appeal in major global markets. F-Series accounted for 828,832 of the total – AutoCrat.]

“This past year proved that Ford has the right product and powertrain offering for the lives of our customers,” said Andrew Frick, president, Ford Blue and Model e. “We’re growing share and beating the trend because we offer a great range of products, from accessible entry-level models to high-performance off-roaders. Our growth across record hybrid sales shows that our ‘power of choice’ approach — offering gas, hybrid, and electric — is exactly what consumers are looking for right now.” Continue reading →

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BMW Group Adds Alpina Brand

Posted on 5 January 2026 by Ken Zino

The BMW Group acquired the Alpina trademark rights on 1 January 2026. The Bavarian-based specialty tuner of performance versions of BMW models, now is BMW ALPINA as an exclusive standalone brand under the BMW Group. Alpena will continue produce performance cars at BMW Group assembly plants. [One wonders if this isn’t the pre-cursor to a BMW Formula One team ala Audi buying Sauber? – Autocrat. Read AutoInformed.com on Milestones – Audi F1 at Munich Brand Experience Center] Continue reading →

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Milestones – 50 Years of the VW Golf GTI

Posted on 2 January 2026 by Ken Zino

The Volkswagen Golf GTI (VWAGY) turns 50 this year. More than 2.5 million units have been produced to date, according to Volkswagen, In The anniversary s will be celebrated with a variety of national and international events,  and of course an exclusive anniversary model Golf GTI EDITION 50 [footnote 1 below. There will also be world premiere of the first all-electric GTI. But it will be smaller than compact- size versions of a sporty car – AutoCrat]. Continue reading →

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Chicago Auto Show Shrinks

Posted on 30 December 2025 by Ken Zino

The Chicago Automobile Trade Association (CATA), producer of the Chicago Auto Show, said today that it is cutting media days in half. A media preview will now take place on Friday 6 February from 8 am to 2 pm. The 2 pm conclusion of media activities will allow for a “seamless transition as the show floor is dressed up that evening for the First Look for Charity black-tie gala.” As recently as the second week of November this year, two days were allocated for media day. However, in keeping with a general trend, auto shows are increasingly not viewed as cost effective ways to move vehicles from dealer showroom floors to customers’ driveways Continue reading →

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Annals of Marketing – Kia and Times Square New Year Partyers

Posted on 29 December 2025 by Ken Zino

“The Telluride signaled Kia’s arrival in the top tier of the world’s automotive manufacturers as the rarest of flagship vehicles to serve as a symbol of innovation and challenge while also being as attainable as it is attractive,” said Russell Wager, vice president, marketing, Kia America. “We are pleased to celebrate our Kia Georgia Team Members at the turn of the New Year as both the Telluride and the change in calendar are transformative points in the Kia journey. The dedication of Team Members at our plant in West Point, Georgia, is what made the Telluride the success that it is today and has helped demand grow each and every year.” Continue reading →

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ACEA – EU November Car Sales Flat. Tesla Wilts

Posted on 23 December 2025 by Ken Zino

During November 2025 year-to-date (YTD), new EU car registrations increased by a mere1.4% compared to the same period last year, according to data published today by the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association. [aka ACEA at AutoInformed after its original French name]. Tesla during November dropped -34.2% at 12,130 units continuing its flat spin downward. YTD at 129,024 Tesla is off -38.8%.

“Despite the recent positive momentum, overall volumes remain well below pre-pandemic levels,” ACEA said in a release. “The battery-electric car market share reached 16.9% YTD, in line with projections for the year, yet a level that still leaves room for growth to stay on track with the transition.”

“Hybrid-electric vehicles lead as the most popular power type choice among buyers, with plug-in hybrids continuing to gain momentum,” ACEA , the lobbying group of 16 major European automakers, maintained. Continue reading →

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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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Electrify America EV Charging Adds WS Development

Posted on 18 December 2025 by Ken Zino

Electrify America* has announced plans to support WS Development with its white-label electric vehicle (EV) charging ‘solution’ in the launch of 15 Hyper-Fast electric vehicle (EV) stations across the United States. installation will begin in Massachusetts this winter followed by 15 properties across the U.S.

[In alignment with the demographics of EV owners, the properties are for the affluent. – 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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Bye Sauber – Hi Audi Revolut F1 Team

Posted on 15 December 2025 by Ken Zino

The Audi Revolut F1 Team today unveiled its official name, logo, and announced that its global launch will take place in Berlin on 20 January 2026. This is the latest phase for the Audi Revolut F1 Team toward joining the Formula One World Championship in 2026. The team name and logo combine Audi F1 and global fintech Revolut, following the confirmation of the title partnership in July 2025.*

“Unveiling the Audi Revolut F1 Team name and logo marks another major milestone on our journey into the pinnacle of motorsport. Both give our ambition a clear identity, reflecting a strong vision and innovative spirit. We now look ahead to Berlin in January, where we will officially present this exciting new chapter for the Audi brand to the world,” said Gernot Döllner, CEO of Audi AG and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sauber Motorsport AG. Continue reading →

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Pre-Owned Vehicle Marketing – Stellantis, Cox Automotive

Posted on 12 December 2025 by Ken Zino

Stellantis (NYSE: STLA. STLAM.MI) and Cox Automotive Europe today announced the signing of a long-term collaboration agreement that is intended at creating a remarketing ecosystem dedicated exclusively to Stellantis-owned Pre-Owned Vehicles, to be accessible to all professional operators in the … Continue reading →

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