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Category Archives: new vehicle
First Look – Mercedes-Benz 2027 C‑Class EV
The all-new 2027 Mercedes-Benz C 400 4MATIC Electric arrives at U.S. dealerships in the first half of 2027 as MBUSA (MBG.DE, MBGAF OTC U.S.) is posting sales declines and all global automakers are wrestling with the negative trade and war policies of the Trump mis-administration. [Makers are also facing a marked shift in consumer presences to hybrid vehicles – AutoCrat].
“The all-new electric C‑Class is redefining the mid-size segment for electric vehicles. Customers will get exactly what they expect from this new version of the beloved model: the perfect blend of performance, comfort, dynamics, and intelligence. On top of that, it is the most powerful and sportiest C‑Class we’ve ever built, offering pure driving pleasure and outstanding real-world range, all while being the perfect sanctuary for our customer,” claimed Ola Källenius, Chairman of the Board of Management, Mercedes‑Benz Group AG. Continue reading
Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, connected vehicles, design and styling, electric vehicles, electronics, engineering, marketing, mobility company, new vehicle, news analysis, software defined vehicles
Tagged auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, C 400 4MATIC Electric, Google Maps, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, MBUX Hyperscreen, MBUX Virtual Assistant, Mercedes-Benz app, Ola Källenius, X @KenAutoinformed
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First Look – 2027 Model Year Toyota Land Cruiser
Toyota (NYSE: TM, 7203T) said today that the 2027 model-year Land Cruiser revealed last fall will have a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) starting at $57,880. [excludes $1450 Dealer Processing and Handling Fee, which can vary – AutoCrat] when it finally arrives at dealerships this spring. Land Cruiser is offered in two grades the retro-look Land Cruiser 1958 and Land Cruiser.
“Both Land Cruisers are equipped exclusively by the turbocharged i-FORCE MAX hybrid powertrain and a full-time four-wheel drive system. This performance hybrid powertrain is rated by Toyota at 326 net combined horsepower and 465 lb.-ft. of torque,” Toyota said. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, marketing, new vehicle, shows and events, software defined vehicles
Tagged auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, i-FORCE MAX, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, land cruiser, Land Cruiser 1958, Toyota TNGA-F global truck platform, X @KenAutoinformed
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Annals of Marketing – Manual Trans Return to Nissan Z
“We try to do something every year for the sports cars to keep them relevant and top-of-mind. We love working on these cars for our customers, and it’s a joy for us to continuously improve these things. We’ve been listening to our customers and talking to them. I think we’ve made a substantial improvement. The big thing everyone kept talking about is the desire for a manual transmission option for Z NISMO. It’s now here. Initially we didn’t launch with it because it’s a track-focused car,” said Paul Hawson, director of Advanced Product Planning & Strategy at Nissan North America. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, engineering, marketing, milestones, new vehicle, performance
Tagged 2027 model year Z and Z NISMO, auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Chris Karl, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, Nissan gt-r, Paul Hawson, X @KenAutoinformed
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Corvette Grand Sport to Share LS6 6.7L V8 with Sting Ray
“Grand Sport has always been the Corvette for drivers who want the spirit of a race car in a package they can enjoy every day,” said Scott Bell, vice president of Global Chevrolet. “With the new Grand Sport and Grand Sport X, we’ve taken that formula into the mid-engine era, pairing a heritage-rich design with the most advanced Corvette technologies we’ve ever offered. The Grand Sport model has historically acted as a high-volume player in the Corvette lineup. We expect the Stingray and Grand Sport lineup combined to account for the vast majority of Corvette sales.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, engineering, marketing, milestones, new vehicle, performance
Tagged auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Chevrolet small-block V8 engine, Corvette Grand Sport, Flint Engine Operations, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, LS6 6.7L V8, Mike Kociba, Scott Bell, small block V8 engines, X @KenAutoinformed
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Mustang GTD Applications Open April 17
“If you don’t try, you’ll never know. That’s not just a motivational saying. It’s true of Mustang GTD ownership, too,” said Joe Bellino, Mustang GTD brand manager. This is part of the celebrations of the 62nd birthday of the Ford Mustang. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, marketing, milestones, new vehicle, performance, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Joe Bellino, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, Mustang GTD, X @KenAutoinformed
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Toyota bZ Woodland Mid-Size SUV EV Priced at $45,300
“The 2026 bZ Woodland brings a different twist to the existing bZ’s style. It adds rugged black over-fenders to the Toyota hammerhead front end, has nearly 6-inches of additional length, and just under one inch of additional height in the rear. The extra length gives it a bit more space than its bZ sibling, with 74.3 cubic feet of storage with second row seats folded flat, versus the bZ model’s 67.1 cubic feet,” Toyota Motor said. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, connected vehicles, electric vehicles, environment, fuel economy or emissions, global warming, marketing, milestones, mobility company, new vehicle, news analysis
Tagged Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™, auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, Toyota bZ Woodland, Toyota e-TNGA platform, X @KenAutoinformed
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Penske Automotive Group Posts $1.3 billion in 2025 Earnings
Penske Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE: PAG)* today announced 2025 Q4 and full-year 2025 results. For Q4 revenue was $7.8 billion compared to $8.1 billion for the same period in 2024. Net income attributable to common stockholders was $186.1 million compared … Continue reading
Posted in auto news, economy, financial results, marketing, mobility company, new vehicle, news, news analysis, people, results, sales, transportation
Tagged auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, penske automotive group, Penske Transportation Solutions, roger penske, X @KenAutoinformed
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Volvo EX60 Mid-Size SUV Debuts
Volvo Cars* today revealed the all-electric Volvo EX60 mid-size SUV. This is Chinese owned Volvo Cars’ first entry in the largest electric segment globally.** In theory this allows it to substantially increase its addressable market and electric market share. [Sales … Continue reading
Posted in alternative fuels, connected vehicles, electric vehicles, engineering, environment, marketing, mobility company, new vehicle, news analysis, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Geely Holding, Håkan Samuelsson, HuginCore, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, NVIDIA and Qualcomm Technologies, Volvo SPA3 platform, X @KenAutoinformed
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First Look – the 2027 E-Z-GO Liberty
Textron E-Z-GO (NYSE: TXT) today announced the next generation of its g E-Z-GO® Liberty™ vehicle for the 2027 model year. It’s said to be redesigned from the ground up to offer an unparalleled ride in a neighborhood or on the golf course.* Liberty will be available as a street-legal “low-speed vehicle,” or LSV, meeting the federally required FMVSS 500 and voluntary SAE J2358 standards, with a maximum speed of 25 mph and the qualifications to travel on most public roads with posted speed limits of 35 mph or less. E-Z-GO Liberty will be available this summer from E-Z-GO authorized dealers. Continue reading
Posted in electric vehicles, marketing, new vehicle, transportation
Tagged android auto, apple carplay, auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, E-Z-GO ELiTE series vehicles, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, Samsung SDI lithium battery technology, Textron E-Z-GO, X @KenAutoinformed
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Cadillac Formula 1® – Checo Perez Completes First Track Laps
A Cadillac Formula 1 Team Filming Day happened this past Friday at the Silverstone track in England. The team was at the track during a pre-season promotional day as it continues preparations for its debut Formula 1® campaign during 2026. The car ran entirely in black at Silverstone, with the final 2026 Cadillac Formula 1® Team livery set to be revealed on Sunday 8 February 2026 , via a globally televised championship broadcast during the Australian Grand Prix. [Let’s hope black isn’t symbolic of the first season of real racing – AutoCrat.] Continue reading
Posted in auto news, engineering, marketing, milestones, new vehicle, people, performance, racing, shows and events
Tagged Australian Grand Prix, auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Cadillac Formula 1®Team, Checo Perez, Dan Towriss, Graeme Lowdon, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, Silverstone, X @KenAutoinformed
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Ford Motor Eliminates Model E in Profit Seeking About Face
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
Posted in auto news, economy, electric vehicles, engineering, environment, financial results, global warming, labor issues, manufacturing, marketing, milestones, mobility company, new vehicle, news analysis, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, F-150 Lightning, Ford battery energy storage systems, Ford Blue, Ford Pro, Ford Universal EV Platform, Ford+ plan, Jim Farley, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, Lightning EREV, Louisville Assembly Plant, Model e, Rouge Electric Vehicle Center, X @KenAutoinformed
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Bye Sauber – Hi Audi Revolut F1 Team
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
Posted in auto news, design and styling, marketing, milestones, mobility company, new vehicle, news analysis, performance, racing, shows and events
Tagged Audi R26 Concept, Audi Revolut F1 Team, auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Formula One 2026 World Championship, Gernot Döllner, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, Sauber Motorsport AG, X @KenAutoinformed
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New Porsche Cayenne Coupé Electric Debuts in Beijing
Porsche AG’s (P911.DE) new Cayenne Coupé Electric model with three drive variants celebrated its world premiere at Auto China 2026 in Beijing today. They can be ordered immediately. The Chinese market has been challenging for Porsche lately as customers are turning to less expensive and innovative EVs from Chinese makers.
“The gently sloping roofline sweeps elegantly over the car’s broad shoulders and gives the Cayenne Coupé a particularly sporty appearance,” said Thomas Stopka, Head of Exterior Design, Style Porsche. “The adaptive rear spoiler blends harmoniously into the body, while the way the rear window is embedded and flush-mounted with fewer joints ensures a clean, modern look. Continue reading →