Category Archives: Trump Truth Tests

Brexit – Angry Voter Costs Greater Than Said. Trump Parallels Abound

Posted on 13 November 2025 by Ken Zino

In a paper published in November and brought to AutoInformed’s attention today by The Hutchins Center on Fiscal and Monetary Policy at the estimable Brookings Institute, angry voters in the United Kingdom who overwhelming approved leaving the European Union in the so-called Brexit* referendum resulted in shrinking the UK GDP by 6% to 8% by 2025. The exhaustive research paper was authored by Nicholas Bloom, Philip Bunn, Paul Mizen, Pawel Smietanka and Gregory Thwaites.**

The negative economic effects began after the 2016 referendum. They intensified following the UK’s formal exit in 2020. This paper in AutoInformed’s view is directly relevant to Trump’s Tariff Chaos and is a harbinger of still larger negative effects to come. Continue reading →

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CARB – Greenhouse Gas Emissions Down Again!

Posted on 7 November 2025 by Ken Zino

The latest publication of California’s greenhouse gas emissions inventory released today shows a 3% drop in statewide emissions. This is the third largest annual percentage decrease since the pandemic under the Trump Administration. The decrease is equivalent to removing more than 2.6 million gasoline-powered cars from California’s roads for one year.

“Today’s milestone once again confirms that bold climate action can deliver real results,” said California Air Resources Board Chair Lauren Sanchez. “California’s climate pollution is falling even as our economy grows – a powerful testament to the strength of our programs, innovation in clean technology, and the commitment of communities across the state. We’re not just investing in a healthier future; we’re actively building it.” Continue reading →

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Michigan – Tariffs Cause Higher Grocery Prices, More Expensive Housing, Put Jobs at Risk

Posted on 5 November 2025 by Ken Zino

In response to Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s executive directive to gauge the impact of federal tariffs on Michigan’s economy, several State of Michigan departments submitted reports pointing to higher prices and costly delays that would ultimately impact Michiganders. Today, the U.S. … Continue reading →

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Air Bag Deployments – NHTSA Investigating Honda Odysseys

Posted on 3 November 2025 by Ken Zino

Late last week in spite of the Republican led government shutdown, The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) at DOT opened an engineering analysis into inadvertent air bag deployments on 2018-2022 model year Honda Odyssey minivans manufactured by American Honda Motor Company. More than 440,000 vehicles are involved. Most government workers are doing their jobs without pay. House Republicans aren’t working of course, but receiving full pay and benefits.*

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 18 complaints, and some Early Warning Reporting (EWR) and death & injury reports alleging inadvertent air bag deployment. These inadvertent deployments relate to the side curtain and/or side thorax air bags used in model year 2018-2022 Honda Odyssey models. Continue reading →

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UAW Endorses Sherrod Brown for US Senate

Posted on 3 November 2025 by Ken Zino

The UAW today officially endorsed Sherrod Brown for US Senate. Approximately 100,000 active and retired UAW members live and vote in Ohio. The UAW Ohio CAP (Community Action Program) Council formally voted to endorse Brown and said it will mobilize hundreds of thousands of working-class Ohioans to elect Brown to the US Senate.

“Sherrod is more than an ally of the UAW; he is an honorary union brother,” said UAW Region 2B Director Dave Green. “Ohioans don’t need another representative who leaves us wondering whose side they’ll be on when it matters. We know exactly where Sherrod Brown stands, because he has been in the fight with the UAW and the working-class time and time again. I am proud of our members for committing to elect working-class fighters like Sherrod.” Continue reading →

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Magna Posts Solid Q3 2025 Earnings Gain

Posted on 31 October 2025 by Ken Zino

Magna (TSX: MG. NYSE: MGA) today posted U.S. $613 million EBIT Q3 2025 compared to $594 million in the third quarter of 2024. Subject to the approval by the Toronto Stock Exchange, the Magna Board of Directors approved a new Normal Course Issuer Bid (“NCIB”) to purchase up to approximately 25.3 million of Magna Common Shares, representing 10% of the public float of Common Shares. This NCIB is expected to be effective on 7 November 2025 and will terminate no later than 6 November 2026.

“Our strong third quarter performance exceeded our expectations and underscores the resilience of our business amid dynamic operating conditions and evolving macroeconomic trends. These results reflect the strength of our global team and the effectiveness of our strategic execution,” said Swamy Kotagiri, Magna Chief Executive Officer. Continue reading →

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GM Ends Production of BrightDrop EVs in Canada

Posted on 21 October 2025 by Ken Zino

General Motors (NYSE: GM) today confirmed the end of production of the BrightDrop electric delivery van built at CAMI Assembly in Ingersoll, Ontario. BrightDrop production will not be moved to another site. GM said “The commercial electric delivery van market … Continue reading →

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How China Is Gutting Western Automakers

Posted on 20 October 2025 by Michael Dunne

“Make the world more dependent on China. Make China less dependent on the world.” – Xi Jinping (Politburo, Dual Circulation Strategy, May 2020) If China’s goal is total domination of the global auto industry, the master plan might look something like this:

Scale Up: Build enough capacity to supply more than half of the world’s annual demand for vehicles.
Flood In: Launch a frenzied push of exports into markets worldwide and, with aggressive pricing, take large chunks of market share. Continue reading →

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Trump Job Approval Flat. Congress Drops

Posted on 16 October 2025 by Ken Zino

Stagwell (NASDAQ: STGW) today released the results of the September Harvard CAPS / Harris poll, a monthly group effort between the Center for American Political Studies at Harvard (CAPS) and the Harris Poll and HarrisX.

“Voters’ outlook on the country remains largely the same with strong opposition to the government shutdown,” said Mark Penn, Co-Director of the Harvard CAPS / Harris poll and Stagwell Chairman and CEO. “They feel the rhetoric of today’s political leaders has grown too polarizing and is fueling political violence, and they want leadership that works to unite the country.” Continue reading →

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UAW Endorses Graham Platner for U.S. Senate in Maine

Posted on 15 October 2025 by Ken Zino

“Inequality is out of control in our country. Today, the top 1% have more wealth than the bottom 95% of humanity combined. Graham understands this, and at a time when too many politicians take their cues from billionaires and corporate lobbyists, he has chosen to stand with the working class,” said UAW President Shawn Fain.

“As a U.S. military veteran, oyster farmer, and proud lifelong Mainer, Graham Platner is a true fighter for the working class. His campaign is grounded in rebuilding the American dream for working people who can no longer afford a good life. His service and his background give him the leadership needed to fight for policies that put the needs of workers first and demand bold solutions to our economic and political crises,” the UAW said in a news release. Continue reading →

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Negative Consequences – Trump Tariffs on Input Goods

Posted on 9 October 2025 by Ken Zino

“While income taxes have been the cornerstone of U.S. federal tax policy since the early 20th century, the Trump administration is shifting tax burdens away from income taxes and toward import taxes. Kimberly A. Clausing of the University of California, Los Angeles, and Maurice Obstfeld of the Peterson Institute estimate that a U.S. effective tariff rate of 20% would generate roughly $300 billion in revenue per year, which amounts to less than one-sixth of the revenue raised annually by personal income taxes. Tariffs also generate considerable deadweight losses—expanding import-competing sectors and shrinking export and non-traded goods sectors—that will amount to approximately $113 billion per year, or more than one-third of the revenue raised by the tariffs. Continue reading →

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Lawsuit Filed Against Trump-Vance National Data Banks

Posted on 3 October 2025 by Ken Zino

“This country was founded on the principle that government has no business arbitrarily intruding in our private affairs,” said John Davisson, Director of Litigation for the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC). “Yet this administration is trampling on our privacy at the grandest scale, illegally hoarding our sensitive personal information and threatening our most cherished rights. The law is clear: no national data bank. Together we’ll put a stop to this in court.” Continue reading →

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Climate Change – CARB Adopts Five-Year Research Plan

Posted on 26 September 2025 by Ken Zino

“While the federal government recklessly dismantles decades of proven science and undermines public trust, California is doubling down on facts, data and accountability,” said CARB Chair Liane Randolph. “This plan isn’t just a roadmap for cleaner air and smart climate action; it’s a declaration that science still matters. We’re building policies that are resilient, adaptive and rooted in evidence.” Continue reading →

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CARB – Zero-Emission Vehicle Transition Ahead of Schedule

Posted on 23 September 2025 by Ken Zino

Zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicle sales continued to rise in California during 2024, with manufacturers reporting 30,026 zero-emission trucks, buses, and vans sold — representing nearly 23% of all new Class 2b–8 vehicle sales. The data is according to information reported by manufacturers to the California Air Resources Board (CARB), which released it today. That figure is more than double the minimum statewide requirement for the 2024 model year and marks the highest total of sales ever reported. Since 2021, more than 57,000 ZEVs have been sold in California’s medium- and heavy-duty market, and statewide ZEV truck sales have now increased for the fourth consecutive year.*

“This continued growth in zero-emission truck sales shows that manufacturers are stepping up to meet California’s clean air goals and that the transition to cleaner fleets is accelerating,” said CARB Chair Liane Randolph. “With strong sales, a growing credit surplus, and rapid innovation, the industry is proving that zero-emission technology is ready for wider deployment.” Continue reading →

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CARB Submits “Scathing Critique” of EPA

Posted on 22 September 2025 by Ken Zino

“Let’s just say the quiet part out loud: EPA’s proposal is a stunningly sloppy and amateurish effort to sow doubt where there is no doubt,” said CARB Chair Liane Randolph. “And EPA cannot simply repeal its own standards based on a political whim. The agency owes the American people straight, honest answers why it is proposing to carelessly risk their health, lives and property.” Continue reading →

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