-
Recent Posts
- Annals of Marketing – Mercedes-Benz Studio Los Angeles
- GM Posts H1 2026 Earnings of $1.3B. Raises Guidance Again
- IndyCar – Palou Wins at Nashville Superspeedway
- Ford Recalls ~288,000 Explorers for Flying Roof Rail Covers
- First Look – The 2027 Trendsetting Toyota Prius Hybrid
- Volvo Cars Posts Grim Q2 2026 Operating Results
- WEC – Ford Hypercar V8 moves from Dyno to Race Car
- Stellantis Increases EU Registrations during H1 2026
- Gasoline National Average Moves Higher Near $4 Gallon!
- Transportation Costs Rising for Producers. You’ll Pay More Too
- Cut Energy Waste. Save $4.8 Trillion or $31,000 a Household!
- Trump-conomics – Consumer Cost For Transportation up 6.5%
- First look – 2027 Toyota Corolla Hatchback. Unequaled Value?
- Jeep Grand Wagoneer, Grand Wagoneer L Brake Recalls
- Ford Mustang Recalls – Sudden Power Loss, Washer/Wipers
Recent Comments
- Magna International on Magna International Posts Q1 2026 EPS Loss of $0.04
- Council on Foreign Relations on Iran and Strait of Hormuz on AAA – Pump Gasoline Prices Still Soaring
- Autocrat on Stellantis Subordinated Perpetual Hybrid Bonds on Stellantis Posts Full Year 2025 Loss of €22.3B
- Michigan Governor Whitmer on Pew – Confidence in Trump Dips, Fewer Support His Policies
- Porsche Motorsport Daytona Victory on Daytona 24 Hours – Old and New Stars Getting Ready to Run
Archives
Meta
Category Archives: Trump Truth Tests
Trump Tariffs Hit N.A. Automakers $1.389B
“Tariffs hit North American automakers hard in July,” said Patrick L. Anderson, Principal & CEO of Anderson Economic Group. “The automakers made extensive use of temporary allowances that effectively allowed an exemption for the majority of both parts and vehicles through June. That changed in July for assembled vehicles, and we can expect that these costs will become embedded into the prices consumers are paying in the very near future.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, economy, news analysis, Trump Truth Tests
Tagged Anderson Economic Group, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, BMW, Ford, general motors, honda, hyundai, Ken Zino, kia, mercedes-benz, Patrick L. Anderson, Rivian, Stellantis, tesla, toyota, Trump Tariff Chaos, volkswagen, X @KenAutoinformed
Leave a comment
CARB Files Comments on DOE Climate Misinformation
“This DOE document relies on the old tobacco industry strategy of undermining established science, spreading doubt about established reality and carelessly endangering fellow human beings,” said CARB Chair Liane Randolph. “If the endangerment finding is rolled back, it will clearly establish that the federal government is further stamping its approval on a proposal that puts profits before the health of the people the administration claims to represent.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, economy, environment, fuel economy or emissions, global warming, litigation, news, news analysis, public health, shows and events, transportation, Trump Truth Tests
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, carb, federal climate programs, Hurricane Helene, Ken Zino, Liane Randolph, Los Angeles wildfires, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. EPA, X @KenAutoinformed
Leave a comment
Trump Tarriff Chaos – GM EV Sales Set Record
General Motors (NYSE: GM) said today that U.S. electric vehicle sales likely set an all-time monthly record in August, as customers rushed to make purchases ahead of the expiration of Federal EV tax credits.*
“August was our best month ever for EV sales – and we expect that buying surge to pay long-term dividends, given our industry-leading manufacturer loyalty, and EV customers’ overwhelming commitment to the technology. I’m grateful to our team and our dealers for helping us outperform nearly every EV competitor,” said Duncan Aldred, GM Senior Vice President and President, North America. Continue reading
Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, economy, electric vehicles, environment, fools 'n frauds, global warming, mobility company, news, news analysis, public health, sales, Trump Truth Tests
Tagged auto industry commentary, Autocrat, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, bolt ev, Chevrolet Equinox EV, Duncan Aldred GM North America, EVgo, GM Energy, GM U.S. electric vehicle sales, IONNA, Ken Zino, X @KenAutoinformed
Leave a comment
Environmental Pillage Agency attacks California
This proposed disapproval comes after two complaints filed by the U.S. Department of Justice in federal courts against the California Air Resources Board (CARB) about the State’s enforcement of emissions standards through its so-called “Clean Truck Partnership” with heavy-duty truck and engine manufacturers. This politicization of the Justice Department – long attacked previously by President Trump as a misuse of power and directly opposed to the Republican party’s long-standing support of States’ rights, is yet another baffling move by the Trump mis-administration. A better name for the agency given its actions under Trump 2.0 is the Environmental Pillage Agency in AutoInformed’s view. Continue reading
Posted in AutoInformed Editorial, blog, economy, energy, environment, global warming, litigation, news, news analysis, public health, transportation, Trump Truth Tests
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, California Air Resources Board, carb, Dr. Steven Cliff, Governor Gavin Newsom, Ken Zino, Lee Zeldin, Trump 2.0, U.S. Environmental Pillage Agency, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, X @KenAutoinformed
Leave a comment
Used Vehicle Prices Down as Consumer Sentiment Drops
“We started to see stronger sales trends in late July and early August for retail and wholesale markets, and that’s causing some additional volatility in wholesale pricing trends in recent weeks, against a stronger comparison from last year,” said Jeremy Robb, senior director of Economic and Industry Insights at Cox Automotive. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, economy, news analysis, sales, transportation, Trump Truth Tests
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, autotrader, Cox Automotive, Jeremy Robb, kelley blue book, Ken Zino, Manheim, Morning Consult, University of Michigan sentiment index, X @KenAutoinformed
Leave a comment
California Movies Ahead as Fed Agencies Retreat on Clean Air
“Cleaner vehicles will also save Californians billions of dollars in fuel, maintenance and healthcare costs as the state pushes for the cleanest, most affordable ways to travel,” the agencies said. Continue reading
Posted in alternative fuels, customer satisfaction, economy, electric vehicles, environment, fuel economy or emissions, global warming, litigation, news, news analysis, public health, transportation, Trump Truth Tests
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, California Air Resources Board, California Department of Consumer Affairs, California Energy Commission, California State Transportation Agency, carb, Ken Zino, X @KenAutoinformed, Zero-emission vehicles
Leave a comment
Cap-and-Invest Cleans Air in Most Polluted Areas
A new report released today by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) shows that the California law funded by Cap-and-Invest dollars improves air in the state’s most polluted communities. In each of the 19 communities the program supports, CARB and the local air districts established partnerships to develop plans to address local pollution problems where people live, work and play. CARB is now expanding the program’s offerings to 64 communities in coordination with other regulatory partners. In AutotInformed’s view this is democracy in action – in sharp contrast to the politics of grievances by the super-rich.
“The Community Air Protection Program has become a critical tool for improving air quality in areas most impacted by sources of pollution,” said CARB Chair Liane Randolph. “As one of the hallmark efforts funded by Cap-and-Invest revenue, it is recognized as a national model for substantially and cost-effectively reducing harmful emissions in vulnerable communities. The success of the program is a testament to the power of partnerships and a result of our collective commitment to the pursuit of clean air for all Californians.” Continue reading
Posted in AutoInformed Editorial, customer satisfaction, economy, environment, global warming, news, news analysis, public health, results, shows and events, transportation, Trump Truth Tests
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, California Cap-and-Invest Program, California Community Air Protection Program, carb, Ken Zino, Liane Randolph, The California Air Resources Board, X @KenAutoinformed
Leave a comment
California Strikes Back for Clean Air
California state agencies today announced a series of “dialogue sessions to generate public discussion around proposed measures to support increased zero emission vehicle adoption in California.” The agencies are planning to host three in-person sessions during business hours and one evening session online. If upheld, President Trump’s illegal rollback of the state’s regulations would cost Californians an estimated $45 billion in health care costs.
“In response to illegal federal efforts to revoke California’s clean air waivers, Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order on June 12, 2025. The order directed the California Air Resources Board, the California Energy Commission, Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development, California State Transportation Agency, and Department of Consumer Affairs to assess additional actions to spur light-, medium-, and heavy-duty zero emission vehicle (ZEV) adoption in California, and to deliver formal recommendations for additional actions to the governor in August,” the agencies said. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, economy, energy, environment, fuel economy or emissions, litigation, news analysis, people, public health, transportation, Trump Truth Tests
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, California Air Resources Board, California Departme nt of Consumer Affairs, California State Transportation Agency, Governor Gavin Newsom, Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development, Ken Zino, President Trump’s allegedly illegal rollback of the California state regulations, the California Energy Commission, X @KenAutoinformed
Leave a comment
Bungling Fireworks Use Can Cause Tragedies
The Trump administration is amid a political purge of CPSC Board members. It requested earlier this week that the U.S. Supreme Court dismiss three Democratic members appointed by President Biden to seven-year terms on the Consumer Product Safety Commission. They were fired in May by President Trump. However, they were then reinstated by a federal judge.
The Trump mis-administration asked the court for an immediate order to allow the firings to go forward. Lawyers for the commissioners objected of course. More fireworks will be coming here – safe or unsafe for Democracy. Bungling presidencies can cause tragedies too. Continue reading
Posted in AutoInformed Editorial, litigation, news, news analysis, public health, safety, shows and events, Trump Truth Tests
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Biden Administration, cpsc, Ken Zino, Peter Feldman, The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Trump Mis-Administration, U.S. Supreme Court, X @KenAutoinformed
Leave a comment
U.S. May Trade Deficit increases $11.3 Billion
The U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis said today that the goods and services deficit was $71.5 billion in May, up $11.3 billion from $60.3 billion in April, revised. May exports were $279.0 billion, $11.6 billion less than April exports. May imports were $350.5 billion, $0.3 billion less than April imports.
Noteworthy was that the May deficit with China ($13.9 billion) was the lowest since March 2020 ($11.7 billion). However, May exports to China ($6.6 billion) were the lowest since September 2009 ($5.8 billion). This in the middle of the ongoing Trump Tariff chaos. Continue reading
Toyota Motor North America Q2 Sales up 7.2%
“Steady demand for our Toyota and Lexus brands resulted in strong sales throughout the second quarter,” said Mark Templin, executive vice president and chief operating officer, TMNA. “Our lineup of 32 electrified vehicles was a big part of that draw as they represented over 46% of our sales in June.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, economy, electric vehicles, marketing, mobility company, news analysis, results, sales, Trump Truth Tests
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino, Mark Templin, NYSE: TM, Toyota Motor North America sales, X @KenAutoinformed
Leave a comment
Trump Tariff Legacy – U.S. June Auto Sales Soft
Total U.S. new-vehicle sales during June 2025, including retail and non-retail transactions, are projected to reach 1,247,900, a slight 2.5% increase from June 2024 according to a joint forecast from J.D. Power and GlobalData released today.* June 2025 has 24 selling days, two fewer than June 2024. Comparing the same sales volume without adjusting for the number of selling days translates to a decrease of 5.4% from 2024.The seasonally adjusted annualized rate (SAAR) for total new-vehicle sales is expected to be 15.0 million units, up 0.2 million units from June 2024. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, economy, manufacturing, marketing, news analysis, results, sales, Trump Truth Tests
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, David Oakley, GlobalData, j.d power, J.D. Power and GlobalData forecasts, Ken Zino, Thomas King, X @KenAutoinformed
Leave a comment
June Auto Market – Consumer Sentiment is Trump Chaotic
“Cox Automotive leading g indicators are mixed … in mid-June with a decreasing week-over -week trend related to service appointments, which were down 4% against 2024 in the week ending June 14 as geopolitical issues drive down consumer sentiment. We risk seeing momentum further decline in retail vehicle sales with scorching temperatures at the start of summer. Consumers may stay inside and away from dealerships with high prices and high uncertainty about what comes next in Iran and with uncertainty about when gas prices, interest rates and – of course – tariffs will come back down,” said Jonathan Smoke, Chief Economist. Continue reading
Trump Economics – Growth Slowing, Unemployment Rising
John C. Williams, President and Chief Executive Officer Federal Reserve Bank of New York spoke at the Economic Club of New York on 4 September 2025. The views expressed are his own. However, AutoInformed notes that, regrettably, the data when … Continue reading →