Category Archives: news analysis

Annals of Marketing – Ford Transit at Nürburgring?

Posted on 18 August 2025 by Ken Zino

Ford Performance (NYSE: F) said today that a Ford Transit SuperVan 4.2 – a custom 2000-horsepower electric SuperVan driven by Romain Dumas [not your typical white van man driver – AutoCrat] posted a time of 6:48.393, which makes it the … Continue reading →

Posted in news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

More C9 Corvette Concepts Seen in California

Posted on 15 August 2025 by Ken Zino

Chevrolet (NYSE: GM) today gave car enthusiasts and racing fans another, yet another glimpse of the high-performance future. Two Corvette concept cars, the Corvette CX and CX.R Vision Gran Turismo, debuted at The Quail, a Motorsports Gathering in California. If these promotional events proceed at the pace of previous events and press releases, they could outnumber the sales of the production C9 Corvette when it appears. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, concept, design and styling, electric vehicles, global warming, marketing, mobility company, new vehicle, news analysis, shows and events | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Nissan Armada Starts at $58,840

Posted on 15 August 2025 by Ken Zino

“Following the all-new debut of the 2025 model year, Nissan continues to deliver an Armada for every adventure – offering supreme comfort, premium technology, a bold new design and uncompromising capability. With three rows of seating, a maximum towing capacity of up to 8,500 pounds [3], and the added confidence of standard Nissan Safety Shield® 3604, the Armada is ready for whatever the road – or trail – may bring,” Nissan said. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, design and styling, engineering, marketing, milestones, mobility company, news analysis, prices, shows and events | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Production of Ford GT Mk IV Track Day Cars Ending

Posted on 15 August 2025 by Ken Zino

Ford Performance (NYSE: F) said today that it is about release the third and final wave of production of the Ford GT Mk IV. After nearly a decade of hand assembling every Ford GT of this generation in the same facility, this run will mark the end of this line for the road and race cars.

“With the majority of the 67 total units produced already in the hands of customers, Ford Performance is now taking orders on the remaining cars. Created in conjunction with our GT racing partner Multimatic Motorsports, the Mk IV boasts technology that exceeds that of most GT race cars and on-track capabilities unimaginable for the street. The Ford GT Mk IV finds itself perfectly placed as a collector car that will be too thrilling to be kept in the garage,” said Mark Rushbrook global director of Ford Performance. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, electronics, engineering, marketing, milestones, news analysis, people, performance, racing, shows and events | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Acura RSX Prototype EV Debuts

Posted on 15 August 2025 by Ken Zino

Acura yesterday at Monterey Car Week staged the world-debut of the Acura RSX Prototype, promoting the brand’s next-generation all-electric performance SUV.

“The dramatic styling of our Acura RSX Prototype demonstrates that it’s not just a new EV, but a compelling all-new Acura model,” said Lance Woelfer, vice president of Auto Sales at American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “RSX will deliver on nearly four decades of Acura Precision Crafted Performance brand DNA with appealing design and cutting-edge technology.” Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, connected vehicles, electric vehicles, electronics, engineering, global warming, marketing, mobility company, new vehicle, news analysis, shows and events, software defined vehicles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Cadillac Off-Roader – Elevated Velocity

Posted on 14 August 2025 by Ken Zino

Cadillac today revealed the so-called Elevated Velocity concept. It is said to be a continuation of the Cadillac V-Series performance formula. [It’s not available for sale yet – Autocrat] This off-roader built on an elevated platform appears to be a serious concept that is winding its way through the sand, rocks, and mud of the GM bureaucracy to become a production vehicle. Yes, an off-road Cadillac?! Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, concept, design and styling, electric vehicles, milestones, mobility company, news analysis, performance, shows and events | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Honda Racing Starts Merchandise and Memorabilia Sales

Posted on 13 August 2025 by Ken Zino

Honda Racing Corporation (HRC), the global racing branch of Honda, will launch a new merchandise and memorabilia business this week during California’s Monterey Car Week. To commemorate the new memorabilia business, HRC will auction the Honda V10 engine used by Ayrton Senna in his McLaren Honda MP4/5B during the final two rounds of the 1990 Formula 1 season. The historic engine will be auctioned by Bonhams during The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering at Quail Lodge on 15 August.
“Throughout our history, Honda has won at the highest levels of motorsports all over the world, and the new HRC merchandise and memorabilia business is all about sharing our incredible racing heritage with our race fans in exciting new ways,” said Jon Ikeda, senior vice president, Honda Racing Corporation US. “HRC will build an even stronger connection with Honda and Acura enthusiasts by offering exclusive opportunities to own a piece of racing history, including limited-edition collectibles and rare artifacts from our storied legacy in motorsport.”

Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, engineering, marketing, milestones, news analysis, performance, racing, shows and events | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

EV Infrastructure Better J.D. Power Says

Posted on 13 August 2025 by Ken Zino

In the face of Trump chaos and continued uncertainty surrounding National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) funding, the electric vehicle (EV) public charging industry is showing strong signs of resilience and progress, according to the J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Electric Vehicle Experience (EVX) Public Charging StudySM released today. Non-charging visits at public EV chargers [when the driver visited a charger but was unable to charge their vehicle] are at their lowest level in four years. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, connected vehicles, customer satisfaction, electric vehicles, news analysis, results | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Mercedes-Benz Chauffeur-Driven Vision V in California

Posted on 12 August 2025 by Ken Zino

“Traditionally crafted materials blended with hyper-modern, tech-savvy design elements that are just as stylish as they are unexpected, providing an unprecedented immersive digital experience.,” Mercedes-Benz said. “Pebble Beach Automotive Week is the ideal setting for the world’s finest automobiles, where enthusiasts and collectors gather to celebrate automotive excellence and innovation making it perfectly suited for the Vision V to showcase its immersive user experience.” No word on powertrain offerings thus far.  Continue reading →

Posted in design and styling, marketing, mobility company, new vehicle, news analysis, shows and events | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Bold EV Talk from Ford Motor

Posted on 11 August 2025 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) said today that it is investing approximately $5 billion and creating or securing ~4000 jobs at the Louisville Assembly Plant and BlueOval Battery Park in Michigan to deliver a new pickup and produce advanced prismatic LFP batteries.

“We took a radical approach to a very hard challenge: Create affordable vehicles that delight customers in every way that matters – design, innovation, flexibility, space, driving pleasure, and cost of ownership – and do it with American workers,” claimed Ford President and CEO Jim Farley. Continue reading →

Posted in news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Goodyear Posts H1 2025 Loss of $59 million

Posted on 8 August 2025 by Ken Zino

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company (NASDAQ: GT) today posted a Q2 2025 loss of $48 million compared to a net income of $48 million in Q2 of 2024. Goodyear during H1 2025  had net sales of $8.7 billion, with tire unit volumes totaling 76.4 million. Goodyear net income was $369 million ($1.27 per share) compared to Goodyear net income of $10 million (4 cents per share) a year ago. Goodyear’s first six months 2025 saw net sales of$8.7 billion, with tire unit volumes totaling 76.4 million. Goodyear net income was $369 million ($1.27 per share) compared to Goodyear net income of $10 million (4 cents per share) a year ago. Nonetheless, the stock market punished the stock dropping it ~17% from the previous day closing as the impending Trump tariff recession appears to be underway. Tariff costs at Goodyear are now estimated at, gulp, $350,000,000 for 2025.
“The second quarter proved challenging in both our consumer and commercial businesses, driven by industry disruption stemming from shifts in global trade – including a surge of low-cost imports across our key markets,” said Mark Stewart, Goodyear CEO. “We expect conditions to stabilize in the coming quarters, and we see clear opportunity ahead as we capitalize on our strong U.S. manufacturing footprint. We continue to expect to exceed the original goals for Goodyear Forward both in terms of cost savings and proceeds from asset sales.” Continue reading →

Posted in aftermarket, auto news, economy, financial results, news analysis, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Pep Boys to Run Auto Service Centers on U.S. Navy Bases

Posted on 7 August 2025 by Ken Zino

The Pep Boys said today that it has a contract with the Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM). Under the contract, Pep Boys plans to operate 14 of NEXCOM’s automotive service centers located on U.S. Navy bases across the country. This transition, which will be implemented on a rolling basis, will provide service to military personnel and their families. The converted locations* will be rebranded under the Pep Boys name, continuing a legacy that dates back to the company’s founding by Navy veterans Manny, Moe & Jack.

“We are honored to work with NEXCOM*** to bring Pep Boys’ best-in-class automotive & tire services to Navy personnel and their families,” said Joe Auriemma, CEO of Pep Boys. “Our company was founded by three Navy veterans, and we take immense pride in continuing that tradition by serving the military community with the same dedication and excellence that has defined us for more than 100 years.” Continue reading →

Posted in aftermarket, auto news, milestones, news analysis, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Hot Cars – Camaro ZL1 Most Stolen Vehicle

Posted on 7 August 2025 by Ken Zino

The Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 is at the top of the list of America’s most-stolen vehicles, while a software upgrade helped reduce theft rates for Hyundai and Kia vehicles, according to new research from the Highway Loss Data Institute. Relative to its numbers on the roads, the Camaro ZL1 had a whole-vehicle theft rate 39 times the average for all vehicles. The frequency of whole-vehicle theft claims for the standard Camaro was 13 times higher than the average. Along with the two Camaro variants, pickup trucks and other expensive or high-horsepower models dominate the list of the top 20 vehicles with the highest claim frequencies for whole-vehicle theft.
 “Muscle cars have often topped this list, as thieves are attracted to vehicles with high horsepower,” said Matt Moore, chief insurance operations officer at HLDI and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. “That also helps explain why the more expensive, more powerful ZL1 is stolen so much more often than the standard Camaro.”
Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, electronics, insurance, news analysis, shows and events | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

GM and Hyundai – Plans for Co-Developed Vehicles

Posted on 7 August 2025 by Ken Zino

General Motors (NYSE: GM) and Hyundai Motor Company (KRX: 005380 KS) today announced plans for their first five co-developed vehicles. The vehicles announced today are targeted at the largest segments in the Central and South American markets, as well as … Continue reading →

Posted in news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Center for Automotive Research – Elizabeth Krear is President

Posted on 7 August 2025 by Ken Zino

The Center for Automotive Research (CAR) today announced the appointment of Elizabeth Krear as its new President and Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Krear assumes the role following interim leadership by David Leckey.

“I am excited and honored to lead CAR during such a transformative moment for our industry,” said Krear. “CAR’s work is essential in helping stakeholders navigate electrification, automation, sustainability, and policy shifts. I look forward to working with our partners to ensure CAR remains a trusted voice and strategic catalyst for the future of automotive,” said Krear. She brings a career-long focus on automotive innovation, electrification, and strategic planning. She is a home-grown Michigan engineer, executive and industry analyst. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, connected vehicles, milestones, news, news analysis, shows and events, software defined vehicles, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment