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- Nissan to Build Chinese Chery Vehicles in UK?
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- BTS – May 2026 Fuel Prices Are Sky-High Up 32-50%
- FuelFest – 2027 Toyota GR86 Sports Car Debuts
- Wheels Off? GM Front Wheel Bolt Recall on 24-in Wheels
- Airbag Failures – American Honda Recalls ~99,000 Vehicles
- UAW Members at American Axle’s Three Rivers Plant on Strike
- California Air Resources Board Tweaks Cap-and-Invest
- Trump-conomics – May 2026 U.S. Auto Sales Forecast Flat
- Milestones – Volkswagen Chattanooga at 15 Years
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- 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
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Category Archives: auto news
Magna International Posts Q1 2026 EPS Loss of $0.04
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
Posted in auto news, economy, engineering, financial results, manufacturing, mobility company, news analysis, opinions, results, sales, shows and events, transportation
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino, Magna International Inc, Magna Q1 2026 Earnings, Swamy Kotagiri, X @KenAutoinformed
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Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X To Pace 110th Indianapolis 500
A 2026 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X will lead the field to the green flag for the 110th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge on Sunday 24 May 24 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.* “Having America’s sports car, the Corvette, pacing the field feels … Continue reading
Posted in auto news, marketing, performance, racing, shows and events
Tagged 110th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge, 2026 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Curt Cignetti, Indiana University, J. Douglas Boles, Ken Zino, Tony Roma, X @KenAutoinformed, ZR1X pace car
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Stellantis Posts Q1 2026 Net Profit of €0.4 Billion
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
AAA – Weekly Average Pump Gas Prices Up 27 Cents!
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
Posted in auto news, blog, economy, news, news analysis, prices, Trump Truth Tests
Tagged aaa, AAA TripTik Travel planner, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, eia, Energy Information Administration, Iranian War, Ken Zino, pump prices of fuel, Strait of Hormuz, X @KenAutoinformed
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Penske Automotive Group Posts Q1 2026 Net of $234.5M
“In the first quarter of 2026, our business delivered over 126,000 retail automotive and commercial truck units, generated $7.9 billion in revenue and $323.7 million in earnings before taxes. During the quarter, we continued to demonstrate a flexible approach to capital allocation by completing the acquisition of two Lexus dealerships in the Orlando metropolitan area of Central Florida, increasing the dividend paid to stockholders by 1.4% and repurchasing 170,393 shares of common stock,” said Chair Roger Penske. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, financial results, marketing, mobility company, news analysis, transportation
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino, NYSE: PAG, penske automotive group, Penske Transportation Solutions, roger penske, X @KenAutoinformed
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Volvo Cars Q1 2026 Earnings per Share Rise
As with all global automakers, Volvo is operating under a challenging external political environment, such as the President Trump’s Iranian war, tariffs, heavy competition, geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, economy, electric vehicles, financial results, manufacturing, marketing, news analysis, results
Tagged auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, EX60, Håkan Samuelsson, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, Volvo Cars Q1 2026 Results, X @KenAutoinformed
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GM Canada to Build Next-Generation Truck V8 Engines
General Motors Canada (NYSE: GM) said today that it is investing C$691 million in its St. Catharines Propulsion Plant to support production of the sixth generation of General Motors’ V8 engine, which will power GM full-size trucks and SUVs. Yesterday, GM reported strong sales and earnings for Q1 2026 bolstered in part by sales of such vehicles. Complicating GM’s global strategy is the Trump mis-administration’s repudiation of the successful North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and its subsequent revision proposed, promoted and signed by President Trump known in the U.S. as USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement) Continue reading
Posted in auto news, economy, labor issues, manufacturing, milestones, mobility company, news analysis, transportation, Trump Truth Tests
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Flint Engine Operations, GM Canada Manufacturing, Jack Uppal, Ken Zino, St. Catharines Propulsion Plant, Tonawanda Propulsion Plant, USMCA, X @KenAutoinformed
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IIHS – Drivers More Likely To Use Phones While Speeding
Drivers are more likely to use their phones while speeding, a tendency that increases crash risk by combining two dangerous behaviors, according to a new study released today by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.* “Until now, safety experts believed … Continue reading
Posted in auto news, distracted driving, news analysis, people, public health, safety
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Cambridge Mobile Telematics, David Harkey, Driver phone use while speeding, Ian Reagan, iihs, insurance institute for highway safety, Ken Zino, safe-driving apps, Sam Monfort, X @KenAutoinformed
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NHRA Charlotte – Cobra Jet 2200 fastest EV in 1320 Feet
At the NHRA Charlotte competition this weekend, a Mustang Cobra Jet 2200 ran an ET of 6.76s with a top speed of 222 mph in the quarter mile, the fastest EV time. [Slower than Pro Stock – AutoCrat]. Reigning Top Fuel world champion Doug Kalitta shattered the track speed record in the final round en route to the win on Sunday at zMAX Dragway, beating a talent laden final quad of Shawn Langdon, Tony Stewart, and Leah Pruett at the 16th annual NHRA 4-Wide Nationals. Ron Capps (Funny Car), Matt Hartford (Pro Stock) and Gaige Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also won the fourth of 20 races during the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season. Continue reading
Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, electric vehicles, marketing, news analysis, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Brittany Force, Cobra Jet 2200, Ford Racing, Gaige Herrera, Greg Anderson, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, NHRA Charlette 2026, NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, Nick Kuhajda, Robert Hight, X @KenAutoinformed
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Nissan Revises Full Fiscal-Year Profit Up to Loss of ¥550B
“The revision uplifts operating profit for fiscal year 2025 from the previously forecasted negative 60 billion yen to positive 50 billion yen. The improvement mainly reflects a one-time positive impact from changes to U.S. emissions regulations, along with ongoing cost reductions and favorable foreign exchange effects,” Nissan said. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, economy, financial results, manufacturing, marketing, news analysis, results
Tagged auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, Nissan Motor Company Fiscal Year 2025 financial guidance, X @KenAutoinformed
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Ford Motor Recalls for Brakes, Wheel Loss, Rollaways, Fires
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is recalling ~150,000 vehicles for a variety of safety defects involving brake failures wheels coming off, fires and rollaways. The largest recall involves model year 2024-2026 Ranger pickup trucks. The sun visor or headliner wiring from a supplier (Versigent) can cause a fire inside the cab.
“A short in the power takeout for the right or left sun visor assembly may create heat or spark, resulting in fire in the A-pillar area. When a damaged wire creates a short to ground, heat or spark at this short may also cause smoke, burn, melt or fire. A driver may experience flickering or inoperative sun visor mirror lights and overhead console lights prior to a smoking, melting or fire event,” Ford said in the mandatory safety defect recall filing made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) this morning. Continue reading
Posted in customer satisfaction, manufacturing, news analysis, quality, recalls, safety, software recalls
Tagged auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ford Bronco Recall 26S26, Ford Motor recalls, Ford Recall 26S27 RV brake and wheel loss, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nhtsa, NHTSA 26V236, NHTSA 26V236 or 26V-236, NHTSA 26V238, NHTSA 26V238 or 26V-238, NHTSA recalls 26V235, NHTSA recalls 26V235 or 26V-235, X @KenAutoinformed
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New Porsche Cayenne Coupé Electric Debuts in Beijing
Porsche AG’s (P911.DE) new Cayenne Coupé Electric model with three drive variants celebrated its world premiere at Auto China 2026 in Beijing today. They can be ordered immediately. The Chinese market has been challenging for Porsche lately as customers are turning to less expensive and innovative EVs from Chinese makers.
“The gently sloping roofline sweeps elegantly over the car’s broad shoulders and gives the Cayenne Coupé a particularly sporty appearance,” said Thomas Stopka, Head of Exterior Design, Style Porsche. “The adaptive rear spoiler blends harmoniously into the body, while the way the rear window is embedded and flush-mounted with fewer joints ensures a clean, modern look. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, connected vehicles, electric vehicles, environment, marketing, new vehicle, shows and events
Tagged Auto China 2026 in Beijing, auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Cayenne Coupé Electric, Chinese Market, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, Porsche Driver Experience, Thomas Stopka, X @KenAutoinformed
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May Day – UAW Strike Votes at American Axle, Woodward MPC
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 →