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- CARB Adopts Rules Supporting Use of E15 Gasoline
- Gasoline Prices Heading for New September Record!
- ACEA – Hybrids Top August EU Car Registrations
- Volkswagen Debuts In-Vehicle Gaming on Some 2027 Models
- By the Seat of Their Pants – Premium Seats Lag in Quality?
- September 2026 Light Vehicle Production Forecast So-So
- California Keeps Growing as It Cuts Climate Emissions Again
- Chrysler Recalls 97,349 Jeeps for Flying Roof Racks
- November Michigan Ballot Proposals – UAW Con and Pro
- Vehicle Affordability Still Worrying Despite Wage Increases
- TRUMPED! AAA – Pump Prices Continue Rising
- Michigan Governor Whitmer Against Trump Tariffs in WSJ
- Annals of Marketing – New User Interface on GM Pickups
- AAA – Annual New Vehicle Ownership Cost at $12,863 Up ~11%
- Indy 500 Winner Rosenqvist to Be Honored in Värnamo
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- NHTSA on Steering Loss – Ford Recalls F-Series Trucks
- AAA on AAA – August 20 Gasoline Prices Highest Ever!
- Nissan Motor on Nissan Posts ¥77.9B Profit in Q1 of Japanese Fiscal Year
- Jeff Badman on Ford Motor Recalls 850,000 Vehicles for Sudden Stalling
- Magna International on Magna International Posts Q1 2026 EPS Loss of $0.04
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Category Archives: economy
ACEA – Hybrids Top August EU Car Registrations
Hybrid-electric vehicles again ranked as the most popular powertrain choice amongst buyers during August 2026. Battery-electric cars accounted for 21.7% of new EU car registrations. Continue reading
September 2026 Light Vehicle Production Forecast So-So
As the Iran war continues with limited options for the Trump mis-administration, Mobility Global [Formerly GlobalData and a frequent associate with J.D. Power – AutoCrat.] notes that global auto industry is still surviving the fallout from the ongoing and expanding Iran War, with higher oil prices adding inflation pressure, disrupting supply chains. This, of course, increases the risk of extensive negative economic consequences for many countries, and people. Continue reading
TRUMPED! AAA – Pump Prices Continue Rising
Crude oil remains high, averaging $100 per barrel amid continued volatility in the Strait of Hormuz and other areas or President Trump’s losing war against Iran, as well as other policy failures Gas prices are now they were during spring 2026. The trend is clear; the national average is about to reach this year’s record high of $4.56 set on 21 May 21. The all-time high for the national average is $5.01 set on 14 June 2022. Passing it appears certain. – AutoCrat Continue reading
Posted in economy, energy, news analysis, prices, Trump Truth Tests
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Council of Foreign Relations, Ken Zino, Ken Zino commenting as AutoCrat, mid-east wars, national average for a gallon of fuel, Trumpoline, X @KenAutoinformed
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Michigan Governor Whitmer Against Trump Tariffs in WSJ
“A strong economy requires a trade policy that works with our partners, brings supply chains home and makes life affordable,” wrote Governor Whitmer. “That’s why I recently called the president to relay how the ever-changing tariff policy is hurting Michigan businesses and families. We need to be smart and strategic about trade policy, and lower costs so we can bring back American manufacturing.” Continue reading
Oil Prices Rocketing As Trump’s War Fails
“The war seems likely to continue, stockpiles are depleted, and Iranian attacks on energy infrastructure are becoming “more successful.” To boot, the Houthis appear poised to control access to the Red Sea, Harrell said. Oil flows remain depressed as traffic through Hormuz is still far below pre-war levels, and the administration’s attempts to boost supplies elsewhere have failed to make up the shortfall,” said Harrell. Continue reading
Posted in AutoInformed Editorial, customer satisfaction, economy, news, news analysis, prices, transportation, Trump Truth Tests
Tagged AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, Diesel fuel prices, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino writing as AutoCrat, Strait of Hormuz, TrumpFlation, Twitter now X @KenAutoinformed
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AAA – Labor Day Weekend Travelers Face Record Pump Prices
“The national average is $4.14, up 4 cents from last week. Continued volatility in the Strait of Hormuz has pushed crude oil prices in the $90 per barrel range. After a record-setting August, this Labor Day weekend is on track to also set a record at the pump. The national average has never been above $4 per gallon on Labor Day. The current Labor Day record is $3.82, set on September 3, 2012. Even though gasoline demand decreases this time of year, typically bringing down gas prices, this year is different due to the high cost of crude oil.,” AAA said in a release. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, economy, energy, opinions, Trump Truth Tests
Tagged AAA - Labor Day Travelers Facing Record Pump Prices, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com, Strait of Hormuz, Trump misadministration, Twitter now X @KenAutoinformed
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Trump-Conomics = Everybody Loses a U.S.-Canada Trade War
AutoInformed fully agrees with CAR and Abraham Lincoln. This is not a U.S. Government of the people, by the people and for the people. AutoInformed is against tariffs by tyrants or kings. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, AutoInformed Editorial, economy, financial results, manufacturing, news, news analysis, opinions, transportation, Trump Truth Tests
Tagged AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, Automotive news and analysis, center for automotive research, Edgar Faler, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, nafta, Tyler Harp, United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, USMCA, X @KenAutoinformed
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August 2026 U.S. New-Vehicle Sales Forecast Down
Total U.S. new-vehicle sales for August 2026, including retail and non-retail transactions, are forecast to reach 1,347,600, a 4.8% decrease year-over-year, according to a joint forecast from J.D. Power and GlobalData. August new-vehicle retail sales on track for 6.9% decrease year over year, however annual comparisons are skewed by the EV tax credit pull-ahead effect on sales in 2025. August global light-vehicle sales are expected to decline 5.1% from August 2025 to 6.9 million units. This is a selling rate of 91.5 million units, down by 5.3% year-over-year. Continue reading
Posted in economy, manufacturing, news analysis, sales
Tagged August 2026 Global Light-Vehicle Sales Forecast, August 2026 U.S. New-Vehicle Sales Forecast, autoinformed.com, Automotive news and analysis, GlobalData, JD Power and GlobalData, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, X @KenAutoinformed
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John Deere UAW Members Refuse Contract Extension Offer
“While John Deere continues to outsource jobs, 1600 workers are still laid off. Our members rejected Deere’s offer to extend their contract because they know their worth and what they deserve,” said UAW President Shawn Fain. “The company failed to make an offer that addressed the issues weighing on the minds of our members, especially job security. We’ll see Deere at the table in 2027.” Continue reading
Posted in economy, labor issues, manufacturing
Tagged AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, Automotive news and analysis, John May, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, Laura Dickerson, Shawn fain, United Auto Workers at John Deere, X @KenAutoinformed
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AAA – August 20 Gasoline Prices Highest Ever!
The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline is up 3 cents from last week at $4.10, according to the latest data compiled by AAA.* This the highest ever been for August 20.
“This August is shaping up to be the highest on record. So far, the monthly average is $4.06, currently surpassing 2022 when the monthly average for August was $3.97. Even though gasoline demand is down, which is typical for this time of year, crude oil is pushing up the national average. Crude oil prices remain in the $80 per barrel range amid continued instability in the Strait of Hormuz,” AAA said. Continue reading
Posted in customer satisfaction, economy, news analysis, prices, transportation, Trump Truth Tests
Tagged aaa, AutoInformed news, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Energy Information Administration, gasoline pump prices, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, X @KenAutoinformed
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August 2026 Light Vehicle Production Forecast – Fog of War
The fog of war is in the latest global light vehicle production forecast released today by Mobility Global.* “The global auto industry is holding up better than many expected, with small near-term upgrades in several regions, partly offset by meaningful … Continue reading
Posted in auto news, economy, manufacturing, news analysis
Tagged August 2026 Light Vehicle Production Forecast, auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, China production, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, Mike Wall, Mobility Global, X @KenAutoinformed
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Gasoline Prices Heading for New September Record!
Gasoline is up ~5 cents from last week as the Trump mis-administration policies continue to, well, bomb – AutoCrat. Continue reading →