Category Archives: news analysis

American Honda Partnered Accessories Launches with Thule

Posted on 11 May 2026 by Ken Zino

American Honda Motor Company (NYSE: HMC) today announced Honda Partnered Accessories, an adjunct to Honda Genuine Accessories available at 1000 independent U.S. Honda dealerships.*

“Honda Partnered Accessories, a new accessory line designed to enhance the vehicle purchase and ownership experience through Honda dealers by integrating popular products from trusted third‑party brands directly into the vehicle purchase process. This initiative adds a scalable accessory ecosystem alongside Honda Genuine Accessories, created to grow and adapt as customer needs and vehicle trends evolve,” American Honda said in a release. Continue reading →

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AAA – Record 45 Million Plan Memorial Day Weekend Trips

Posted on 11 May 2026 by Ken Zino

“Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer, and for most Americans, it’s a three-day weekend,” said Stacey Barber, Vice President of AAA Travel. “Travel demand remains strong, and despite higher fuel prices, many people are prioritizing leisure travel during holiday breaks.” Continue reading →

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Toyota Motor FY2026 Net Income at $24.61B Drops 19%

Posted on 8 May 2026 by Ken Zino

Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE: TM, 7203T) today posted a FY2026 [1 April 2025 – 31 March 2026] Net Income of $24.61B or a drop of -19% compared to FY 2025. “I view our 17 years under then-President Toyoda and then-President … Continue reading →

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Stellantis and Leapmotor to Expand Leapmotor International

Posted on 8 May 2026 by Ken Zino

Stellantis (NYSE: STLA / Euronext Milan: STLAM) and Leapmotor (Zhejiang Leapmotor Technologies Ltd 9863.HK) today announced their intention to expand their strategic partnership [Leapmotor International – LMPI – is a 51% Stellantis / 49% Leapmotor joint venture with exclusive rights for the sale and manufacturing of Leapmotor products outside Greater China – AutoCrat.] with an emphasis on European products and assembly plants and engineering technologies.

“This plan to expand our successful partnership with Leapmotor – a trusted peer and one of the fastest-growing, most respected new energy vehicle producers globally – is a true win-win for both of us. It is expected to support production and advance localization in Europe of world-class manufacturing of electric vehicles at affordable prices to meet customers’ real-world needs. Today’s announcement reflects our intent to deepen our partnership and take one more step towards even greater collaborations in the future,” said Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa. Continue reading →

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Bosch Supplied Cloud-Based Driving Safety Alerts is Growing

Posted on 7 May 2026 by Ken Zino

A cloud-based service that uses continuously updated data from numerous sources to quickly warn drivers of potential hazards on their route, such as sudden fog or black ice is now being used in millions of different cars and commercial vehicles … Continue reading →

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Trumped Thumped – N.A. Automaker 2025 Tariff Costs $12.5B!

Posted on 7 May 2026 by Ken Zino

“$12 billion is a hefty bill, and that’s only for cars and parts from two countries,” said Anh Do, senior analyst at Anderson Economic Group. “The total tariff burden borne by the American auto industry and its customers last year is much higher when you include tariffs on steel and aluminum, as well as imports from Europe and Asia.” Continue reading →

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Lexus Shows 2027 TZ 3-Row Electric SUV

Posted on 7 May 2026 by Ken Zino

Toyota Motor (NYSE: TM, 7203 T) today in Japan revealed a prototype version of the Lexus TZ 3-Row Electric SUV. The all-wheel-drive, full-size SUV is aimed directly at the popular and profitable SUVs from the brands at General Motors and Ford Motor Company. TZ is capable of driving from Los Angeles to Las Vegas [or Tokyo to Kobe -AutoCrat] on one charge. Acceleration is rated by Lexus at 0-100 kms (62.1 miles) in 5.2 seconds. Grade and pricing information for the all-new Lexus TZ will be available later in 2026.* Continue reading →

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Goodyear Q1 Loss of $249 Million. Per Share Loss at $0.39

Posted on 6 May 2026 by Ken Zino

“The first quarter reflected a challenging environment, marked by weak consumer industry demand in both OE and replacement across the majority of our key geographies,” said CEO Mark Stewart. “Despite a weak environment, our first quarter results were in line with our expectations and reflect our commitment to drive value for our brands in the marketplace, where we offer world-class differentiated products and services.” Continue reading →

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BMW Group Q1 2026 Sales Soft. Earnings at €2.348 Million Drop

Posted on 6 May 2026 by Ken Zino

“Once again, our earnings for the first quarter demonstrate the value of strategic consistency, operational strength and a high degree of flexibility. We are well positioned to deliver continued success, despite challenging conditions,” claimed Oliver Zipse, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG.

[The questions for 2026 are whether EVs are salable without money on the hood so to speak in the U.S. How increased low-cost Chinese EVs in Europe affect premium brand sales, and the whim or dementia of the moment of the Trump Administration tax and tariff policies and their negative effects on Global trade. Trump said last Friday that he would boost tariffs on EU cars and trucks to 25% this week from 15% – AutoCrat?] Continue reading →

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Push to Pass Rules Changed For IndyCar Racing

Posted on 5 May 2026 by Ken Zino

IndyCar announced today an update for “Push to Pass” use for the NTT IndyCar Series and Indy NXT by Firestone. Beginning with this week’s events on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course and for all subsequent road and street circuit races, Push to Pass – a driver-controlled system that provides roughly 60 extra horsepower via increased turbocharger boost – will be available and allowed for use at all times once the car passes the alternate start-finish line following the start and once the green flag has been displayed. Push to Pass timing parameters, including time and maximum time per push, remain unchanged. Continue reading →

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BTS – April 2026 Fuel Prices Soaring for U.S. End Users!

Posted on 5 May 2026 by Ken Zino

Today, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) released monthly motor fuels prices for April 2026. The news was grim for U.S motorists, confirming the trend under the Trump mis-administration.

“In April 2026, the average price for regular motor gasoline was $4.10 per gallon; up 12.8% from March 2026 and up 29.4% from April 2025, BTS said. “The average price for diesel no. 2 was $5.50 in April 2026, up 11.8% from March 2026, and up 54.2% from April 2025,” BTS said. Continue reading →

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May Day – UAW Strike Votes at American Axle, Woodward MPC

Posted on 1 May 2026 by Ken Zino

UAW Local 2093 members at American Axle, aka Dauch Corporation, today announced plans to hold a strike authorization vote starting 11 May. Results will be counted on 12 May, with the chance for workers to walk out of the Three … Continue reading →

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Magna International Posts Q1 2026 EPS Loss of $0.04

Posted on 1 May 2026 by Ken Zino

This is a good result in AutoInformed’s view given that Magna is managing its production volumes impacted by a large and complicated range of factors. Recently, Trump’s military conflicts and tariffs. Then there are global supply chain issues, including interference to supply of and/or increased costs of steel, aluminum, resin, energy supplies and so forth. Critical parts include semiconductor and memory (DRAM) chips which are causing OEM, supplier or sub-supplier disruptions. Then there are commodity prices, labor disruptions, cost of skilled labor and political regulatory actions among other challenges – AutoCrat. Continue reading →

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Stellantis Posts Q1 2026 Net Profit of €0.4 Billion

Posted on 30 April 2026 by Ken Zino

Stellantis N.V. (NYSE: STLA / Euronext Milan: STLAM / Euronext Paris: STLAP) today reported Q1 2026 financial results that show a slight year-over-year improvement.* Net revenues increased 6% year-over-year to €38.1 billion, with improved performance in North America, as well as gains in Enlarged Europe and Middle East & Africa. Net profit increased to €0.4 billion from volume growth and stronger operating performance. As with all global automakers, Stellantis is struggling with trade and tariff wars, as well as the consequences of mid-eastern region military actions. Continue reading →

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AAA – Weekly Average Pump Gas Prices Up 27 Cents!

Posted on 30 April 2026 by Ken Zino

Gas prices are going back up again, according to the latest data from AAA. The national average is $1.12 higher than it was at this time last year. Oil prices are above $100/barrel.

“After ticking down for nearly two weeks, gas prices are going back up again with the national average seeing a 27-cent hike in one week. The national average is $1.12 higher than it was this time last year, as oil prices surge above $100/barrel with no indication of when the Strait of Hormuz will reopen. Gas prices are the highest they’ve been in four years since late July 2022,” AAA said in a release. Continue reading →

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