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Category Archives: people
Wheels Off? GM Front Wheel Bolt Recall on 24-in Wheels
If a bolt breaks or completely loosens during vehicle operation, additional load could be placed on the three remaining bolts and lead to partial loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, news analysis, people, quality, recalls, safety
Tagged auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, GM wheel bolt recall N262554630, Ken Zino commenting as AutoCrat, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, NHTSA GM wheel bolt recall 26V304 or 26V-304, X @KenAutoinformed
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UAW Members at American Axle’s Three Rivers Plant on Strike
“After the company now known as Dauch Corporation failed to offer a fair deal after weeks of negotiations, nearly 1000 UAW Local 2093 members walked out on strike in Three Rivers, MI starting Monday 1 June at 12:01 am. Mass picket lines started at 6:00 am,” the UAW said. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, labor issues, manufacturing, news analysis, opinions, people, shows and events, transportation
Tagged American Axle Three Rivers plant, auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino commenting as AutoCrat, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, The International Union United Automobile Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America, uaw, UAW Local 2093, UAW parts and components suppliers, X @KenAutoinformed
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Toyota Eliminates Production Engineering Development Center
Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE: TM, 7203T) said today that it is eliminating its Production Engineering Development Center. It’s part of the organizational changes TMC is taking to recover from its weak 2026 Japanese fiscal-year results as well as changes announced at the 122nd Ordinary General Shareholders’ Meeting in April 2026.
“Manufacturing engineering functions across the Production Group, Production Engineering Development Center, Powertrain Company, and other relevant organizations will be consolidated under the newly established Production Engineering Group,” TMC said in a release.
“By bringing together the capabilities and expertise cultivated in each area and further integrating engineering, production, and manufacturing engineering, Toyota will strengthen its manufacturing capabilities for the future,” TMC claimed. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, engineering, manufacturing, milestones, mobility company, news analysis, people
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, Motoki Watanabe, Takefumi Shiga, Toyota Motor Production Engineering Group, X @KenAutoinformed, Yuko Kamata
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Indianapolis 500 in 2026 – Closet Finish in 110 Years!
The final lap of wheel-to-wheel racing to take the checkered flag at the Indianapolis 500 culminated in the closest finish in the 110-year history at the Brickyard. However, it was only one of the “500” or more heart-throbbing moments that inarguably supports the claim that the 500 is the “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.” Felix Rosenqvist drove the high line against the concrete wall exiting Turn 4 on Lap 200 in the No. 60 SiriusXM Honda of Meyer Shank Racing w/Curb Agajanian and powered past the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet of David Malukas to triumph by .0233 of a second. The previous closest finish in “500” history came in 1992, when Al Unser Jr. held off a charging Scott Goodyear by .043 of a second. Continue reading
Posted in milestones, news analysis, opinions, people, performance, racing, results, shows and events
Tagged 110th Indianapolis 500, Alex Palou, auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, David Malukas, Felix Rosenqvist, IndyCar cheating, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, Penske Entertainment, roger penske, Scott Dixon, X @KenAutoinformed
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UAW Files Unfair Labor Practice Against American Axle
“Calling the police on your own dedicated workforce for holding union flyers isn’t just a violation of federal labor law – it’s a desperate attempt to bully workers into submission,” said UAW Region 1D Director Steve Dawes. “But that’s not going to work with UAW Local 2093 members. These workers are going to stay strong for a record contract.” [See Police Body Cam footage at a link below – AutoCrat.] Continue reading
Posted in auto news, economy, labor issues, manufacturing, news, opinions, people, shows and events
Tagged Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America, American Axle, auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Josh Jagger, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, Section 7 Violation of National Labor Relations Act, Steve Dawes National Labor Relations Act, uaw, UAW Local 2093, UAW Region 1D, X @KenAutoinformed
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BMW Group to Convert Preferred Shares to Common
At the Annual General Meeting of BMW AG (XETRA: BMWG.DE) late yesterday, and a subsequently held separate meeting of preferred shareholders [Susanne Klatten and Stefan Quandt – AutoCrat], the conversion of preferred shares into ordinary shares was approved.
“For the weighting of BMW AG in major stock indices such as the DAX or the EURO STOXX 50, it is already the ordinary shares that are decisive as the share class with the highest free‑float market capitalization. As a result of the conversion, their proportion in free float will increase significantly by around 19%,” said Chief Financial Officer Walter Mertl on Wednesday in Munich. “This step therefore strengthens the weighting of BMW AG in relevant indices. The simplified capital structure represents a clear added value for investors and may have a positive impact on the share price performance of the BMW share.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, financial results, mobility company, news analysis, people, shows and events, transportation
Tagged auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, bmw group, Ken Zino commenting as AutoCrat, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Stefan Quandt, Susanne Klatten, Walter Mertl, X @KenAutoinformed
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BMW Annual General Meeting – Chair Oliver Zipse Retires
At the 106th Annual BMW (XETRA: BMWG.DE) General Meeting today, Chair Oliver Zipse retired after 35 years with the German maker of premium automobiles and motorcycles.* Effective tomorrow, Milan Nedeljković assumes the Chair position on the Board of Management of BMW AG. Raymond Wittmann will succeed Nedeljković as Board Member for Production.
“For more than 35 years, the BMW Group has been my professional home. I am leaving with a deep sense of gratitude: for the trust that was placed in me, for the professional challenges that have taken me to various areas in the company; and above all, for an exceptional team that is shaping the mobility of the future with passion and a pioneering spirit. It has been a great honor for me to lead the BMW Group as Chairman of the Board of Management for seven years,” said Zipse. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, milestones, mobility company, motorcycles, news analysis, people, transportation
Tagged auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, bmw group, BMW iX3, BMW M, bmw motorrad, EU CO2, european commission, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, mini, Net Zero, Oliver Zipse, Raymond Wittmann Milan Nedeljković, rolls royce, Stefan Quandt, Susanne Klatten, tariff debate, X @KenAutoinformed, XETRA: BMWG.DE
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Trumped – Consumer Price Index Largest Increase in 3 Years!
The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.6% on a seasonally adjusted basis in April, after rising 0.9% in March, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported today. During the last 12 months, the all items index increased 3.8% before seasonal adjustment. The index for all items less food and energy rose 2.8% over the past 12 months. The shelter index increased 3.3% over the last year. Other indexes with notable increases over the last year include medical care (+2.5%), airline fares (+20.7%), household furnishings and operations (+3.9%), and recreation (+2.3%). [This was the largest increase in three years – AutoCrat.]
“The index for energy rose 3.8% in April, accounting for over 40% of the monthly all items increase. The shelter index also increased in April, rising 0.6%. The index for food increased 0.5% over the month as the index for food at home rose 0.7% and the index for food away from home increased 0.2 %,” BLS said. Continue reading
Posted in economy, news, news analysis, opinions, people, prices, results, Trump Truth Tests
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, bls, Consumer Price Index, Ken Zino, Trump Administration economic policies and results, Trump Administration Trade Tariff and War policies, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, X @KenAutoinformed
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Michigan Science Center Workers Vote to Join UAW
“The victory at MI-SCI proves that when workers stand together, workers win,” said UAW Region 1 Director LaShawn English. “The employees at MI-SCI organized because they wanted their voices heard, their work respected, and a real seat at the table. Their courage and unity made this moment possible. Every worker deserves dignity, respect, and the opportunity to help shape their workplace. UAW Region 1 proudly stands with the workers at MI-SCI as they begin this new chapter. They believed in each other, stayed united, and they won.”
“The Michigan Science Center (Mi-Sci) has been informed that eligible hourly employees have voted in favor of union representation through the United Auto Workers (UAW). We respect the outcome of this process and our employees’ right to make this decision. As we move into the next phase, our focus remains on working together, as one team, in support of our mission to ‘put YOU at the center of science.’ We are committed to continuing to deliver immersive, engaging, and impactful STEM experiences for the communities we serve in Detroit and across Michigan,” MI-SCI told AutoInformed. Continue reading
Posted in customer satisfaction, labor issues, milestones, news, news analysis, people
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Dr. Christian Greer, Ken Zino, LaShawn English, MI-SCI, Michigan Science Center, Myriam Springuel, Smithsonian Affiliate, UAW Region 1, X @KenAutoinformed
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UAW American Axle Workers Authorize Three Rivers Strike
“The membership of UAW Local 2093 and Region 1D have sent a crystal clear message to American Axle: we need a fair contract now, or we’re ready to take the next step,” said UAW Region 1D Director Steve Dawes. “We’ve waited long enough for this company to do the right thing, and we’re ready to do what it takes to win a fair deal at American Axle.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, labor issues, manufacturing, news analysis, people
Tagged Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America, American Axle Three Rivers plant, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Dauch Corporation, Jay Korf, Ken Zino, Steve Dawes, uaw, UAW Local 2093, UAW Region 1D, United Automobile, X @KenAutoinformed
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American Honda Partnered Accessories Launches with Thule
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
Posted in aftermarket, auto news, customer satisfaction, marketing, mobility company, news analysis, people, shows and events
Tagged American Honda Motor Co., auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, carriers for transporting cycling water and winter sports equipment, Honda Partnered Accessories, Ken Zino, roof boxes, roof racks, rooftop tents, Thule global sports and outdoor company, 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
Posted in auto news, economy, labor issues, manufacturing, opinions, people, shows and events, Trump Truth Tests
Tagged American Axle aka Dauch Corporation, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Jose Tapia, Ken Zino, May Day labor actions, UAW Local 2093, UAW President Shawn Fain, UAW Region 1D Director Steve Dawes, UAW Region 4 Director Brandon Campbell, 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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Ralph Nader Arises Again in Uber Legal Accountability Bout
Consumer advocate Ralph Nader has released an open letter to Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi condemning the company’s efforts to limit legal accountability for crashes involving rideshare drivers and autonomous vehicles. It objects to Uber’s push for federal legislation sponsored by Representative Vince Fong (Republican – Bakersfield, CA) that would limit the company’s legal exposure for crashes involving drivers using its platform. Continue reading →