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Category Archives: Trump Truth Tests
House Republicans Flunk Math on Energy Incentives
On 22 May the U.S. House of Representatives passed its budget reconciliation bill. The bill. among other economic disasters for U.S. inhabitants and businesses includes proposals to alter existing federal energy tax credits – from fast elimination of several credits to new phase-down schedules, and adding new requirements, including provisions related to foreign entities of concern. Are any of our representatives paying attention to Chinese state-owned and directed capitalism? Take a look at the Chinese lead in new energy vehicles, the adoption of solar energy, the making of 21st century industrial goods and above all the funding of a University research in advanced transportation products, manufacturing technologies and medical drugs. AutoInformed notes the Trump’s big, beautiful bill, obsession with job destroying and inflation creating tariffs, among other things adds up to negative numbers for our economy. Republicans flunk math. Continue reading
CARB – U.S. Senate Dumping Clean Air Act Waivers Illegal
The California Air Resources Board Chair Liane Randolph today reacted to a vote by the U.S. Senate purporting to disapprove California’s Clean Air Act waivers for Advanced Clean Cars II, Advanced Clean Trucks and Heavy-Duty Engine and Vehicle Omnibus using the Congressional Review Act (CRA).
“California profoundly disagrees with today’s unconstitutional, illegal and foolish vote attempting to undermine critical clean air protections. It’s an assault on states’ rights the federal administration claims to support that puts national air quality standards out of reach and will have devastating effects for the 150 million Americans who breathe unhealthy air every day,” said CARB Chair Liane Randolph. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, economy, environment, fools 'n frauds, fuel economy or emissions, global warming, litigation, news analysis, people, public health, transportation, Trump Truth Tests
Tagged Advanced Clean Cars II, Advanced Clean Trucks, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, carb, CARB Chair Liane Randolph, Congressional Review Act, Heavy-Duty Engine and Vehicle Omnibus, Ken Zino, X @KenAutoinformed
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McKinsey on EVs – China Most Advanced Region by Far
Electric vehicles (EVs) are increasing market share, cars are becoming more connected, and autonomous vehicles are gradually starting to appear on more streets worldwide. However, the transition to new technologies has not been without challenges and kinks, especially with consumer sentiment in the EV sector, according to the Annual Mobility Survey by the respected McKinsey & Company consultancy. Respondents came from China, Europe, and the United States. The 2025 survey released today is ongoing. It will eventually include respondents from nine countries [an unknown number of which Trump wants to takeover – AutoCrat].
“After rising rapidly for years, EV sales growth has slowed in many regions. Meanwhile, new competitors, especially those from China, are entering the EV market and attracting attention by offering innovative and technologically-sophisticated vehicles that are often more affordable than offerings from incumbents,” according to the detailed, multi-sourced McKinsey analysis.* Continue reading
Posted in auto news, economy, electric vehicles, environment, global warming, mobility company, news analysis, shows and events, transportation, Trump Truth Tests
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino, McKinsey & Company, McKinsey’s Automotive & Assembly Practice, Patrick Hertzke, Patrick Schaufuss, Philipp Kampshoff, the California Air Resource Board, the McKinsey Center for Future Mobility, Timo Möller, Trump Administration, X @KenAutoinformed
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Tesla Tanking as Musk Leaves DOGE
Tesla said late yesterday that 2025 profits during Q1 plunged from $1.39 billion to $409 million. This was a drastic drop from analyst guess-timates as the Elon Musk’s DOGE chainsaw kicked back on the company and slashed revenue from $21.3 billion to $19.3 billion. Amidst the carnage of lower customer deliveries, lower margins and lower profits, Elon Musk also claimed that he was leaving DOGE behind as his major work there was finished.
“So at Tesla, we’ve gone through many, many of crisis over the years and actually been through many near death experiences. Like, we probably were on the ragged edge of death at least on maybe a dozen times,” Musk claimed. “This is not one of those times.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, electric vehicles, financial results, news analysis, quality, results, sales, Trump Truth Tests
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, DOGE, elon musk, Ken Zino, Tesla Q1 2025 Financial Results, X @KenAutoinformed
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Trump Tariff Pandemic is Crisis for the U.S. Auto Industry
Swamy Kotagiri the Chief Executive Officer of MAGNA spoke to the Automotive Press Association this week in Michigan about the complexities of the global automobile industry. He spoke as global volumes are relatively flat and volumes in North America and Europe are down. Now programs are being canceled after the investments are made. Volumes are being reduced after the capacity is installed.
“There is increased spending over a smaller number of units. This is sub-optimal for returns. And what does our industry look for? Scale and we need stability to be efficient through the value chain, given how the industry works to be efficient,” said Kotagiri, whose next big event is the Shanghai Motor Show at the end of the month to be held in the midst of the ongoing Trump versus the world trade wars. Last year MAGNA did ~$5.5 billion in sales in China, growing 15%. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, economy, engineering, manufacturing, mobility company, news analysis, shows and events, Trump Truth Tests
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino, magna, Magna International, Swamy Kotagiri, X @KenAutoinformed
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Pew Research on Trump Versus the Media
A Federal Judge has ordered the Trump Administration to reestablish access of The Associated Press to government facilities after The AP refused to use Gulf of Mexico decree from Trump. This prompted the independent Pew Research Center to release its polling data on opinions of, well, the threadbare Trump versus the media attacks.
“Americans are more likely to say the Trump administration has been too critical of the media (46%) than to say the administration has not been critical enough (22%), while 29% say the administration has been mostly fair. Democrats are much more likely than Republicans to say the Trump administration has been too critical of the news media (70% vs. 23%),” Pew noted. Continue reading
Posted in customer satisfaction, fools 'n frauds, news, news analysis, people, shows and events, Trump Truth Tests
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino, pew research center, The Associated Press, Trump versus the media, X @KenAutoinformed
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Trump Tariff Chaos – Latest CAR Analysis is Grim
The Center for Automotive Research (CAR) released today a new analysis of the impact of potential tariffs on imported auto parts and light vehicles. It tackles what impact will a uniform 25% tariff on all trading partners have on the automotive industry overall?
“The analysis emphasizes the complexity of the modern automotive supply chain, noting that ‘the modern automotive supply chain is both global and complex, convoluting the seemingly simple question of the cost of 25% tariffs on the industry,’ and that ‘automakers and their suppliers are often multinational companies with facilities spread out across the world,’ making it difficult to discern how much of a vehicle is domestically produced,” said Dr. K. Venkatesh Prasad, Senior Vice President of Research and Chief Innovation Officer at CAR Continue reading
Posted in auto news, economy, financial results, manufacturing, news analysis, shows and events, transportation, Trump Truth Tests
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, center for automotive research, Dr. K. Venkatesh Prasad, Ken Zino, X @KenAutoinformed
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Kill The Cuts National Day of Action Against Trump Administration
Researchers and educators who have had their funding cut spoke today at 37 separate demonstrations about the effects this Trump Administration assault on publicly-funded research is having at their institutions and across the country. Senator Ed Markey and Representatives Jayapal and Simon were at the DC rally. President Trump has issued Executive Orders attacking the NIH, NSF, while dismantling the Department of Education.
“Thousands of people across the country came together today for Kill the Cuts, a national Day of Action to raise awareness and fight back against the Trump administration’s devastating attacks on research, health, and higher education. The events (see the full list here) were sponsored by a coalition of education, labor and health advocates, including UAW, SEIU, AFSCME, UE, NEA, AFT, CWA, AAUP, HELU, Labor for Higher Education, the Debt Collective,” the United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW),” said. Continue reading
Posted in economy, environment, news, news analysis, people, public health, shows and events, Trump Truth Tests
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino, Molecular & Cellular Biology at the University of Washington, UAW 2750, UAW 4121, UAW 4811, Weill Cornell Medicine, X @KenAutoinformed
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Michigan Governor Whitmer Offers Sensible Tariff Fixes
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer today delivered her “Build, America, Build” speech in Washington D.C. Simply put, it was a plan to show both parties and federal officials how to build America’s manufacturing might, increase jobs, invest in people and protect our national defense. It was based on Whitmer’s proven approach – work with friends and compete against adversaries.
“Before we dig in to my proposals today, I need to acknowledge what’s going on with tariffs. I’m not going to sugarcoat it… these last few days have been tough for Michigan. 20% of our economy is tied to the auto industry, which depends on a steady flow of goods from our largest and closest trading partners. We’re home to THE busiest international border crossing in North America. More than 10,000 vehicles carrying parts and materials cross the bridge between Detroit and Windsor every weekday. Continue reading
Posted in AutoInformed Editorial, economy, engineering, environment, labor issues, manufacturing, news, news analysis, people, Trump Truth Tests
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, aviation techs, Chinese government, Commercial Aircraft Corporation, D-RAM chips, detroit grand prix, Ken Zino, Operation Warp Speed, President Trump, Republicans and Democrats in Congress, Rosie the Riveters, Selfridge Air National Guard Base, SHIPS for America Act, Vice President Vance, X @KenAutoinformed
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Trumped? Hyundai Says It Will Maintain Current MSRPs
Hyundai Motor America today launched a Customer Assurance program “in response to dynamic market conditions and the potential impact of tariffs on the automotive industry.” This proposal may help customers who purchase or lease any new Hyundai vehicle between today and 2 June 2025. They might not see any increase in the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) during the protection period. Genesis is also part of the proposal. However, dealers are able to set actual price of a vehicle under various State franchise laws and regulations. [See footnote 1] This appears to be a negotiating strategy with the lame-duck U.S. president, aka April Fool, who has just presented Wall Street with its worst week since the last Trump Administration. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, economy, marketing, news analysis, prices, shows and events, Trump Truth Tests
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Genesis Hyundai and Kia brands, Hyundai Motor Group, José Muñoz, Ken Zino, Randy Parker, X @KenAutoinformed
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Two-Faced UAW Endorsement of Trump’s Tariff Wars
Late yesterday the UAW issued a complicated and nuanced endorsement of king Donald Trump’s imposition of tariffs on the auto industry. The 25% tariff covers cars and car parts or components imported into the United States. They are planned to take effect on 3 April, Trump decreed yesterday. Simply put roughly half of all vehicles sold in the United States are imported. Furthermore, ~60% of the parts used to assemble vehicles in the country are imported. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, economy, labor issues, manufacturing, news analysis, Trump Truth Tests
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino, Mexican autoworkers, nafta, Shawn fain, Tarriff wars, trade agreements and economic policies, uaw, US-Mexico-Canada Agreement, USMCA, X @KenAutoinformed
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April Fool’s Day – Trump Tariffs Hurting Economy
The U.S. economy is at a turning point with the erratic actions of what AutoInformed* observes is the Trump mis-administration threatening the economic health of the nation. We are looking at a global trade war leading to a recession or if past Republican economic policies are any indication – a depression. The latest Cox Automotive Industry Forecast** conducted this morning reinforces that view. Brother can you spare a dime?
“We are at an interesting crossroads here in late Q one 2025,” said Jonathan Smoke, Chief Economist at Cox. “at the end of last year my wish for you all was that the economy and the auto market would perform to the upside. Today we will be talking about sides, but downward forecasts and darker downsides. The economy and auto market have been relatively strong over the last 6 months. The problem which we will be getting into is that a substantial change in trade through massive increases in tariffs will be highly disruptive to North American vehicle production and could lead to a full scale global trade war and a much weaker the economy. We’re not there yet but we’re a week away from moves that make the dark side more likely,” Smoke said. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, economy, electric vehicles, environment, financial results, fools 'n frauds, fuel economy or emissions, manufacturing, news analysis, Trump Truth Tests
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Cox Automotive Industry Forecast, Jonathan Smoke, Ken Zino, X @KenAutoinformed
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Tesla Cybertrucks Recalled For Bad Adhesives
Tesla is recalling more than 46,000 2024 and 2025 model-year Cybertrucks, according to documents made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The ironically named “cant rail,” a stainless-steel exterior trim panel, can de-laminate and detach from the vehicle creating a road hazard for other vehicles. (Cant railings are not Elon Musk’s and other DOGE defenses flying about although they create truth hazards that could harm the U.S. model year 1788 vehicle known as the Constitution – AutoCrat) Continue reading
Posted in auto news, AutoInformed Editorial, customer satisfaction, engineering, manufacturing, news analysis, quality, recalls, safety, Trump Truth Tests
Tagged 1788 vehicle known as the Constitution, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino, NHTSA Recall 25V-170 or 25V170, Tesla cant rail recall, Tesla Recalls, X @KenAutoinformed
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Trump Tariff Chaos – May Auto Sales Crash
Per Cox Automotive’s vAuto Live Market View, strong vehicle sales in March and April led to tighter inventory levels. New-vehicle inventory at the start of May totaled 2.49 million units on U.S. dealer lots, down 7.4% from the start of April and lower by 10.5% from a year ago. Days’ supply was 66 at the beginning of May, down six days from the previous measure at the start of April.
“Available inventory on dealer lots has declined significantly over recent weeks,” said Chesbrough. “Finding the right vehicle will be more challenging for shoppers. Additionally, prices will be high as existing inventory becomes less available and more valuable due to tariffs on incoming replacement supply. As more tariffed products replace existing inventory over the summer, prices are expected to be pushed higher, leading to slower sales in the coming months.”
The Q2 Cox Automotive Dealer Sentiment Index out last week said that dealers are increasingly wary of future market conditions. While many acknowledged the short-term lift in sales from tariff-driven urgency, the broader sentiment reflected anxiety about a cooling market and the long-term impact of trade policies. As expected, newly implemented tariffs by the Trump administration were a dominant theme in dealer responses, reinforcing the forecast of a cooling market in the months ahead. Continue reading →