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Recent Posts
- IndyCar – Freedom 250 Grand Prix at Washington National Mall
- Brr Frozen January U.S. Auto Sales
- GM to Layoff 500 Employees at Oshawa Assembly
- GM Spending $30M at Fairfax to Flex EV and ICE Making
- First Look – Genesis X Skorpio Concept
- Porsche Head of Design – Sühlmann Succeeds Mauer
- GM Posts 2025 Net of $12.7B on $185B Revenue
- EVs Outsell Internal Combustion Vehicles in EU!
- Volvo Car Financial Services Extends BoA Deal
- Tesla, Toyota Top Power 2026 U.S. ALG Residual Value Awards
- Fire Risk – Ford Recalls Escape, Explorer, Focus, MKC Models
- Pessimism on the Economy – A Pox on Both Parties
- Nissan Sells South African Plants to Chery SA
- January 2026 U.S. Auto Sales Forecast Down
- FDIC Conditionally Approves Ford Credit Industrial Bank
Recent Comments
- Porsche Motorsport Daytona Victory on Daytona 24 Hours – Old and New Stars Getting Ready to Run
- UAW Ford Department Director VP Laura Dickerson on Trump's Ford Plant Visit on Whitmer Stands in Stark Contrast to Trump at Detroit Auto Show
- Ken Zino on Ford Fuel Injector Leak Recall Now at ~694,000
- Laverne Oliver on Ford Fuel Injector Leak Recall Now at ~694,000
- Magna on its Share Repurchase Plan in reference to on Magna Posts Solid Q3 2025 Earnings Gain
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Category Archives: economy
GM to Layoff 500 Employees at Oshawa Assembly
General Motors (NYSE:GM) conformed today that Oshawa Assembly will return to two shifts of production beginning 2 February. However approximately 500 employees will be placed on layoff.
“Preparations continue at Oshawa Assembly to build the next generation of gas-powered full-size pickups, supported by a $280 million investment that reinforces Oshawa’s future in GM’s key full-size truck program,” GM said in a release. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, economy, labor issues, manufacturing, news analysis
Tagged auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, gm canada, GM Canadian manufacturing, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, Oshawa Assembly, unifor, X @KenAutoinformed
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EVs Outsell Internal Combustion Vehicles in EU!
EV sales outsold internal combustion vehicles in EU during December 2025, according to data published today by the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association. Notably, Tesla at 150,504 dropped -38% for the year. Chinese maker BYD at 128,827 posted a 228% increase. [aka ACEA at AutoInformed after its original French name].* EV sales for the full year amounted to 17.4% of the European market. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, economy, electric vehicles, environment, fuel economy or emissions, global warming, manufacturing, marketing, milestones, news analysis, public health, results, sales, transportation
Tagged acea, auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Chinese maker BYD, Death of the diesel, European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, tesla, X @KenAutoinformed
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Pessimism on the Economy – A Pox on Both Parties
During January 2025, 70% of voters said that “inflation or costs of goods” were getting worse for people like them. One year later, that figure has remained largely unchanged, with 74% of voters now saying that inflation is getting worse, according to the latest polling this week by Data for Progress (DFP).
“Despite Trump’s campaign promises, voters’ perceptions of the economy have not improved since he took office. But in a warning sign for Democrats, voters are still largely split over which party has solutions to lower the cost of living,” said DFP. Continue reading
Posted in customer satisfaction, economy, news, news analysis, people, Trump Truth Tests
Tagged auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, cost of living, Data for Progress, Democratic Party, grocery prices, housing costs, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, Republican Party, voters’ perceptions of the economy, X @KenAutoinformed
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January 2026 U.S. Auto Sales Forecast Down
“January is historically the lowest volume sales month of the year and is also historically the least indicative of full-year sales performance. Nevertheless, January opens 2026 with a modest performance with retail sales expected to increase by 1317 units compared to a year ago,” said Thomas King, president of OEM solutions at J.D. Power. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, economy, electric vehicles, environment, global warming, manufacturing, marketing, news analysis, results, sales
Tagged auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, David Oakley, GlobalData, j.d power, J.D. Power and GlobalData, January 2026 U.S. Auto Sales, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, Thomas King, Tyson Jominy, X @KenAutoinformed
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Global Warming – Michigan Studying Geologic Hydrogen
“Michigan is a leader in clean-energy solutions,” said Governor Whitmer. “This initiative will uncover more about Michigan’s geologic hydrogen stores, which have the potential to attract long-term investments in our state and create thousands of good paying jobs for Michiganders. Together, we’re building the future of clean energy in Michigan.” [Whether this prompts an Invasion by the Trump Administration remains to be seen – AutoCrat] Continue reading
Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, economy, environment, fuel economy or emissions, milestones, news, news analysis, people, shows and events, transportation, Trump Truth Tests
Tagged auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Clean Fuels Michigan, geologic hydrogen, Gretchen Whitmer, Ishan Sharma, Jane McCurry, Jim Saber, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, Michigan State University, Whitmer-Gilchrist administration, X @KenAutoinformed
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Whitmer Stands in Stark Contrast to Trump at Detroit Auto Show
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer spoke at the Detroit Auto Show today, discussing the impact of tariffs on Michigan’s economy, the importance of innovation and collaboration, and actions the state must take in 2026 to continue attracting business and creating good-paying local jobs amidst what was respectfully termed “national uncertainty.”
Unlike President Trump’s treatment of an autoworker during his Ford Motor River Rouge Plant visit in Dearborn, Michigan this week, where The Man Who Would Be King was caught on video flipping off a Ford worker [with the map of Manhattan – AutoCrat] while using gutter profanity, Whitmer was poised, pleasant, well-informed and inarguably committed to helping workers with a track record that proves it. Whitmer even had an announcement that will be good for all Michiganders, notwithstanding social status, wealth or power. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, AutoInformed Editorial, economy, environment, labor issues, manufacturing, news, news analysis, people, shows and events, Trump Truth Tests
Tagged American manufacturing, auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, automotive research, Community and Worker Economic Transition Office, detroit auto show, geologic hydrogen, incentivizing R&D, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, President Trump’s treatment of an autoworker, USMCA, X @KenAutoinformed
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American Honda Forecasts 2026 Sales as Flat
American Honda (7267.T and NYSE: HMC) today outlined its 2026 U.S. automobile business outlook during its annual media briefing. It also showed a prototype of the Honda Base Station, a towable travel trailer developed by engineers and designers at its U.S. R&D centers. Basically, the Japanese company is going to focus on lower cost models with package and trim changes because of the affordability crisis that is an industry-wide problem.* [The briefing also underscored another industry trend, the decline of traditional auto shows since it occurred during a media preview day of the Detroit Auto Show. -AutoCrat] Continue reading
Posted in auto news, design and styling, economy, engineering, manufacturing, marketing, mobility company, news analysis, sales, shows and events
Tagged 7267.T and NYSE: HMC, american honda, auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Honda Base Station, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, Lance Woelfer, Mike Langel, X @KenAutoinformed
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BMW Group Sales Barely Increase in 2025
The BMW Group said today that vehicle sales grew in 2025 to 2,463,715(+0.5%) with resilient performance particularly in Europe and the US, and with electrified models. Electrified vehicles accounted for 26% of total BMW Group sales worldwide in 2025, with fully-electric vehicles representing ~18%. [The questions for 2026 are whether taxpayer subsidized EVs are salable without money on the hood so to speak in the U.S. How increased low-cost Chinese EVs in Europe affect premium brand sales, and the whim or dementia of the moment of the Trump Administration tax and tariff policies affect Global trade – AutoCrat?] Continue reading
Posted in auto news, economy, manufacturing, marketing, mobility company, news analysis, results, sales
Tagged auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, BMW Group sales q4 and full year 2025, bmw motorrad, Jochen Goller, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, mini, rolls royce, X @KenAutoinformed
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UK New Car Registrations at 2M during 2025
The UK new car market grew for the third year in a row in 2025, passing the two million mark for the first time since the pandemic, with 2,020,520 new car registrations, according to the latest figures published today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).* Internal combustion engines remain the biggest selling powertrain but there remains growing demand for electrified cars with one in four buyers choosing electric vehicles. [There also continues industry lobbying demands to delay and use taxpayer subsidies to support the sales of EVs. -AutoCrat] Continue reading
Posted in auto news, economy, electric vehicles, environment, fuel economy or emissions, manufacturing, marketing, news analysis, results, sales
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, SMMT, The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, X @KenAutoinformed
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Ford Motor 2025 U.S. Sales Posted at 2.2 Million
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) said today that it total deliveries for the year rose 6.0% to 2,204,124 vehicles, with an estimated overall market share of 13.2%. General Motors (NYSE: GM) said yesterday that it led the U.S. auto industry in sales in 2025, posting a 6% increase for the full year at 2,853,299 deliveries. [Ford Motor car sales for 2025 at 45,333 were only a fraction of the total as Ford continues to be predominately a truck company with products that are of limited appeal in major global markets. F-Series accounted for 828,832 of the total – AutoCrat.]
“This past year proved that Ford has the right product and powertrain offering for the lives of our customers,” said Andrew Frick, president, Ford Blue and Model e. “We’re growing share and beating the trend because we offer a great range of products, from accessible entry-level models to high-performance off-roaders. Our growth across record hybrid sales shows that our ‘power of choice’ approach — offering gas, hybrid, and electric — is exactly what consumers are looking for right now.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, design and styling, economy, electric vehicles, marketing, mobility company, news analysis, results, sales, shows and events
Tagged Andrew Frick, auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ford 2025 U.S. Sales, Ford Blue, Ford Model e, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, X @KenAutoinformed
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Happy Clean New Year California Air Resources Board!
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) said today that it continued its critical mission and remained focused on its duties to improve air quality and public health and to tackle climate change.
This is inarguable, despite the Trump Administration’s direct and ongoing assault on public health and active resistance to the compounding worsening effects of Global Warming on the economy and the continued existence of planet earth itself. (Read AutoInformed.com on Clean air, climate change and global warming -AutoCrat. See *below) Continue reading
Posted in alternative fuels, economy, electric vehicles, energy, environment, fuel economy or emissions, global warming, milestones, news, news analysis
Tagged auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, California Air Resources Board, California’s Cap-and-Invest Program, carb, greenhouse gas emissions, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, Landfill Methane Regulation, large methane leaks, Lauren Sanchez, Liane Randolph, Low Carbon Fuel Standard, Mobile Monitoring, U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, X @KenAutoinformed, Zero-emission vehicles
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December U.S. Vehicle Sales Forecast Down. Global Sales Up
U.S. new-vehicle sales for December 2025, including retail and non-retail transactions, are projected to reach 1,454,000, a 7.5% decrease year over year, according to a joint forecast from J.D. Power and GlobalData released today. December 2025 has 26 selling days, one more than December 2024. Comparing the same sales volume without adjusting for the number of selling days shows a decrease of 3.8% from 2024. The seasonally adjusted annualized rate (SAAR) for total U.S. new-vehicle sales is forecast at 15.9 million units, down 1.1 million units from December 2024 as the Trump slump continues.
“December caps a year marked by volatility, as the industry continues to deal with the consequences of import tariffs and changes to electric vehicle legislation. To say it’s been a sales roller coaster of a year would be an understatement,” said Thomas King, president of OEM solutions at J.D. Power. “Fears of future tariff-related price hikes caused sales to jump by 173,000 vehicles between March and April, followed by a sales slowdown in subsequent months. Another sales jump occurred between August and September as 304,200 electric vehicle shoppers made purchases before the September 30th expiration of federal EV tax credits, followed by another sales slowdown whose effects are still being felt in December.”
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Posted in auto news, economy, labor issues, manufacturing, news analysis, results, sales, Trump Truth Tests
Tagged auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, David Oakley, J.D. Power and GlobalData, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, Thomas King, Trump slump, X @KenAutoinformed
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Rising EV Sales Deepen Need for Charging Systems
The global EV charging infrastructure market is set to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 13.6% from 5.8 million units in 2025 to 11.0 million units in 2030, forecasts GlobalData, the respected consultancy. Countries such as the US and China have seen especially fast growth in EV uptake, supported by substantial public investment in charging infrastructure. [This despite the politicization of EVs by the King Trump Administration. Perchance it should be renamed the King Canute Administration. – AutoCrat]
“Global outlook for battery electric vehicles (BEVs) remains strong, supported by increasing consumer uptake, fast-paced technology advances, and supportive government policies. BEV sales are projected to rise significantly, growing the worldwide EV fleet over the coming years in line with existing policy directions and driving higher battery demand. While China continues to lead the market, demand is spreading more broadly, with meaningful growth in both emerging economies and mature markets such as the EU and the UK,” said Rehaan Shiledar, Senior Power Analyst at GlobalData. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, connected vehicles, economy, electric vehicles, global warming, news analysis, public health, sales, transportation, Trump Truth Tests
Tagged auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, battery electric vehicles, E.ON, global EV charging infrastructure market, GlobalData, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, Nuvve, Rehaan Shiledar, V2G, Vattenfall, vehicle to grid, X @KenAutoinformed
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Brr Frozen January U.S. Auto Sales
“Weather-related impacts from cold weather and late-month winter storm activity will likely contribute to some of the mild January result,” said Chris Hopson, manager of North American light vehicle sales forecasting for S&P Global Mobility. “Setting up what could be some volatility for the monthly SAAR metric in the first half of 2026.”
Continued development of battery-electric vehicle sales remains increasingly uncertain. The auto policy implications of the so-called One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA or One Big BAD Bill at AutoInformed.com – AutoCrat) and developing new regulatory standards could further temper long-term BEV demand growth. Continue reading →