Category Archives: people

Oppama Plant Closing – Nissan Starts Talking with Stakeholders

Posted on 18 July 2025 by Ken Zino

Nissan Motor Company (7201T and NSANY ADR) said today that it has begun “engagement” with key stakeholders after the July 15 announcement that Nissan will cease vehicle production at the Oppama plant at the end of  the Japanese fiscal year 2027. Nissan plans to transfer vehicle production from the Oppama Plant to Nissan Motor Kyushu. Continue reading →

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IndyCar Iowa Speedway – Palou’s Seventh Honda Win

Posted on 14 July 2025 by Ken Zino

Alex Palou has been a strong driver in NTT IndyCar Series 2025. However lady luck [an old, outdated CART term] played a role in his victory at Iowa Speedway yesterday. Palou was running in third place late in the Farm to Finish 275 powered by Sukup when time came for the final round of pit stops. Josef Newgarden and David Malukas brought their Chevrolet-powered cars in for fuel ahead of Palou. However, Palou’s Honda, in perhaps an over-cut move, stayed out. However, a caution flag waved because of Colton Herta’s wall contact on the backstretch. Advantage Palou, – he was able to stop under yellow while the other front runners did under green. The race resumed with 11 laps remaining, and the driver of the No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda kept the lead and held on for his seventh race win of the season. Continue reading →

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Climate Change – Pope Leo XIV Care of Creation Mass

Posted on 9 July 2025 by Ken Zino

The Vatican said today that Pope Leo XIV celebrated the first “Mass for the Care of Creation,” with a new formulary of the Roman Missal, produced by the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development and the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. The Pope celebrated this private Mass during his holiday with the staff of the “Borgo Laudato Sì” (“Laudato Sì Village”), an educational center located in the Papal residence in Castel Gandolfo.

“With this new formulary, the Church is offering liturgical, spiritual and communal support for the care we all need to exercise of nature, our common home. Such service is indeed a great act of faith, hope and charity,” said Cardinal Michael Czerny, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. “This Mass dedicated to taking care of creation, calls us to be faithful stewards of what God has entrusted to us – not only in daily choices and public policies, but also in our prayer, our worship, and our way of living in the world.” Continue reading →

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BMW Motorrad Days – 40,000 Visitors in the Alps

Posted on 9 July 2025 by Ken Zino

BMW Motorrad in Munich today said that 40,000 visitors attended Motorrad Days 2025 in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. It is the world’s largest BMW Motorrad gathering, which is held in the Bavarian Alpine Mountains.

“For the 20th anniversary in Garmisch-Partenkirchen at the Hausbergbahn – overall the 23rd BMW Motorrad Days – the international BMW Motorrad community celebrated with product innovations, exhibitors, shows, test ride opportunities, and not least with rustic Bavarian lifestyle and great party atmosphere,” Motorrad said. Continue reading →

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California Strikes Back for Clean Air

Posted on 9 July 2025 by Ken Zino

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 →

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IndyCar – Cunning Scott Dixon wins at Mid-Ohio

Posted on 7 July 2025 by Ken Zino

Veteran IndyCar driver Scott Dixon was  the third different winner in the 2025 NTT IndyCar Series season, in the number 9 Chip Ganassi Racing Honda to the win in the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio Presented by the All-New 2026 Passport yesterday. Dixon scored his record seventh win at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. He made completed all 90 laps on just two pit stops using his considerable “lift and coast” racing skills. His other Mid-Ohio victories were in 2019, 2014, 2012, 2011, 2009 and 2007. Continue reading →

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UAW Praises NYC Mayoral Runner Zohran Mamdani

Posted on 25 June 2025 by Ken Zino

In December 2024, UAW Region 9A became the first union to endorse Zohran as the Democratic primary candidate for New York City mayor. At the time, the UAW noted that his campaign squarely confronted New York’s cost-of-living crisis. His platform was to build affordable housing, freeze rents, make buses fast and free, and provide universal childcare. This confirmed the UAW’s demands to make life affordable for working-class New Yorkers, most of whom are renters and commuters. On 30 May 2025, UAW Region 9A reaffirmed its support, urging NYC UAW households to rank Mamdani first. It was to AutoInformed’s knowledge, the only major union to do so.* Continue reading →

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Ford Motor – New Offers for Military and Veterans

Posted on 20 June 2025 by Ken Zino

“As we get closer to July 4, it really makes you reflect on what this holiday is all about — independence, freedom, and the sacrifices made to secure it. At Ford and Lincoln, we’ve always felt it’s important to show our gratitude and appreciation for the folks who’ve served our country. It’s a core part of who we are as a company,” said Rob Kaffl Ford director, U.S. sales and dealer relations. Continue reading →

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July 4th Week – a Record 72.2 Million to Travel Domestically!

Posted on 20 June 2025 by Ken Zino

AAA said today that it forecasts some 72.2 million people will travel at least 50 miles or more from home over the Independence Day holiday period from Saturday 28 June to Sunday 6 July 2025 . This domestic travel forecast is an increase of 1.7 million travelers compared to last year and 7 million more than in 2019. AAA’s Independence Day forecast includes two weekends instead of one to cover more of the surging flow of holiday travelers. Continue reading →

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Annals of Marketing – Porsche Italia and Ferragamo

Posted on 19 June 2025 by Ken Zino

Porsche (P911.DE) said today that Porsche Italia is observing its 40th anniversary with two special-edition models based on the Porsche 911 Carrera 4 GTS and the Porsche Taycan 4S. Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur workers have decoratively enhanced the exterior and the interior of the two sports cars.

“Our dream was to create something truly unique that embodies the spirit that has guided us for the past 40 years: Porsche style combined with Italian culture and aesthetics. That’s why we chose Ferragamo as a partner for this project, a brand with which we share values such as excellence of craftsmanship, timeless elegance and a tireless attention to detail,” said Pietro Innocenti, CEO of Porsche Italia. Salvatore Ferragamo became famous in Hollywood by custom-making shoes for movie stars. In 1927, the ‘shoemaker of dreams’, as he was known, returned to his homeland and settled near Florence. Continue reading →

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Honda Joins American Red Cross Disaster Giving List

Posted on 18 June 2025 by Ken Zino

“We are proud to build on our longstanding commitment to American Red Cross disaster recovery efforts,” said Jennifer Thomas, senior vice president of Corporate Affairs, American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “Through the Annual Disaster Giving Program, we will strengthen the ability of the Red Cross to provide immediate support when it is needed in communities across America, where Honda associates, customers, dealers and suppliers live and work.” Continue reading →

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Bring Your Own Bronco Optional at Off-Roadeo

Posted on 16 June 2025 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor (NYSE:F) said today that it is now offering Bronco owners who have attended the complimentary Bronco Off-Rodeo – an immersive driving school available to new Bronco, Bronco Sport, and Bronco Raptor owners the chance to bring their own Bronco to an advanced dirt driving program so to speak.

“Ninety percent of Bronco Off-Roadeo participants say they want to return and learn even more,” said Kelsey Gerken, Bronco consumer strategy manager at Ford. “Bring Your Own Bronco gives them that chance, expanding the Off-Roadeo experience to two unique, four-hour courses that further grow a Bronco owner’s skillset.” Continue reading →

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CARB Blasts Trump’s Attack on California Clean Air Act

Posted on 12 June 2025 by Ken Zino

Today the California Air Resources Board Chair Liane Randolph responded to President Trump signing” illegal actions” attacking California’s Clean Air Act waivers for Advanced Clean Cars II, Advanced Clean Trucks, and Heavy-Duty Engine and Vehicle Omnibus. The California Attorney General is challenging the actions in Federal court.

“Despite the President’s signature, this remains an unconstitutional, illegal, and foolish attempt to undermine California’s clean air protections. We welcome Governor Newsom’s and California Attorney General Bonta’s prompt legal action and look forward to judicial review. In the meantime, CARB will use every tool at its disposal to continue our critical work to clean the air and address the climate crisis. The health and well-being of all Californians depends on it– especially those who live in underserved communities with unhealthy air. We look forward to engaging with the state legislature, stakeholders, and the public as we follow the Governor’s executive order to further advance the state’s clean vehicle transition,” said Liane Randolph. Continue reading →

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Detroit Joins Rising List of IndyCar Cheating Events

Posted on 3 June 2025 by Ken Zino

IndyCar said late yesterday that a post-race technical inspection penalty occurred for entry No. 14 of A.J. Foyt Enterprise (Santino Ferrucci with an ahem, Chevrolet engine) following Sunday’s Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear after it was found to be under the required driver ballast weight following the 100 lap run through a concrete barrier race downtown. Also during inspection, IndyCar found the weight of car No. 14, itself, was 10 pounds over the minimum weight for road and street circuits of 1785 pounds and competed over the minimum weight requirement on-track. These are the latest examples of an IndyCar technical inspection process that violates the rules of integrity and fairness in AutoInformed’s view. Continue reading →

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Trump Tariff Chaos Continues Despite Court Ruling

Posted on 30 May 2025 by Ken Zino

The U.S. Court of International Trade ruling Wednesday against Trump Administration tariffs is just a bump in the road. Although it was widely and loudly hailed as a defeat for President Trump and his whimsical, constantly changing tariff executive orders it is actually just a continuation of the economically damaging Administration policies, irrelevant to the misleading Wall Street TACO moniker – Trump Always Chickens Outs.

By late Thursday, the Administration had swiftly obtained an emergency stay. Tariffs on steel aluminum, automobiles and  auto parts and remain in place.

“The CIT’s ruling affects the tariffs that Trump imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), which gives the president some power to regulate commerce after declaring a national emergency. It does not affect other, more specific tariffs he has imposed on commodities such as steel,” said Inu Manak, a fellow for trade policy at the Council on Foreign Relations. Continue reading →

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