Category Archives: economy

AAA – National Gasoline Prices Hit Four Year High!

Posted on 2 April 2026 by Ken Zino

Today’s average of $4.08 is ten cents higher than last week and $1.08 higher than a month ago. Crude oil prices have been surging, surpassing $100/barrel, as the conflict in the Middle East continues and the Strait of Hormuz remains closed. In 2022, gas prices remained elevated from March through August, peaking in June when the national average reached a record of $5/gallon for one week,” AAA said. Continue reading →

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NYAS – Honda To Show Fastport eQuad EV Delivery Van

Posted on 30 March 2026 by Ken Zino

Honda Motor Company (7267.T and NYSE: HMC) said today that it will show the all-electric Fastport eQuad EV Hybrid at a press event on 1 April 1 at the  Test Track where the New York Auto Show is held  [Level 1 Javits’s Center -AutoCrat.]* Fastport Chief of Operations Jamie Davies will share updates and lead a walk-around and demonstration of the vehicle.

“Fastport uses the Honda Mobile Power Pack (MPP) swappable batteries and is a software-defined vehicle (SDV) project. The Fastport eQuad in theory will help address urban congestion and rising consumer demand for faster, more frequent deliveries,” AutoInformed previously noted. Continue reading →

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AAA – Regular Gasoline Prices Up $1 in a Month

Posted on 26 March 2026 by Ken Zino

The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline is up 10 cents from last week and one dollar since last month, according to the latest data released today by AAA.

“Crude oil prices remain high as the Iran conflict nears the 4-week mark. The national average could reach $4/gallon in the coming days for the first time since August 2022. Gasoline demand is also on the rise as spring break season continues, another factor in rising pump prices,” AA said. Continue reading →

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U.S. New Vehicle Sales Forecast Flat in March

Posted on 25 March 2026 by Ken Zino

“After a year marked by policy-driven sales volatility, the new-vehicle market has settled into a slower rhythm in early 2026,” said Jeremy Robb, chief economist at Cox Automotive. “The pull-ahead demand created by last spring’s tariff announcements and, later, the loss of EV tax credits is (sic) now all firmly in the rear-view mirror. While the stimulus of a good tax-return season is a positive, the new-vehicle market today is being shaped by higher vehicle prices, ongoing inflationary pressures, and still-elevated interest rates.” Continue reading →

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EU New Car Registrations Drop in February 2026

Posted on 24 March 2026 by Ken Zino

In February 2026 year-to-date (YTD), new EU car registrations fell by 1.2% compared to the same period last year, according to data published today by the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association. [aka ACEA at AutoInformed after its original French name] The data of course are before the ongoing Trump mis-administration Iran war.* Continue reading →

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Toyota – $1 Billion Investment in Kentucky and Indiana

Posted on 23 March 2026 by Ken Zino

“The investment is part of Toyota’s ‘best-company-in-town, approach – investing and producing locally, contributing to the local community and offering diverse options tailored to local needs through a multi-pathway strategy. In the U.S., Toyota employs approximately 50,000 people and has been involved in the development and manufacturing of over 35 million vehicles across 11 manufacturing plants,” TMNA said. Continue reading →

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U.S. Fuel Prices Climbing. Up 28 Cents in a Week!

Posted on 19 March 2026 by Ken Zino

Fuel prices at the pump continued to climb by 28 cents since last week, according to a report released by AAA today.* With the Spring equinox ushering in warmer weather and more time on the road, gas prices are trending upward alongside seasonal demand. The Trump Administration Iranian war is clearly in play.

“Last week’s announcement by the White House to release 172 million barrels of oil from the U.S. strategic reserves over four months has no immediate relief on the oil market as the price of a barrel of crude continues to climb,” AAA said. “According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gasoline demand decreased last week from 9.24 million barrels a day to 8.72 million. Total domestic gasoline supply decreased from 249.5 million barrels to 244.0 million. Gasoline production also decreased last week, averaging 9.4 million barrels per day. Continue reading →

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Revised Auto Forecasts Assume Slight Iranian War Effects?

Posted on 18 March 2026 by Ken Zino

“The base scenario assumes a short-term conflict, with the most significant effects in Iran and neighboring Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, while other markets experience milder impacts mainly through higher oil prices,” said Mike Wall the Executive Director, Automotive Analysis, S&P Global Mobility in a release yesterday. [Oddly in AutoInformed’s view, North America’s production outlook is “only marginally reduced for 2026, with a slight increase in 2027…” the respected consultancy said – Autocrat.] Continue reading →

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American Axle – UAW Demands Released Before Contract End

Posted on 13 March 2026 by Ken Zino

“As a Tier 1 parts supplier to General Motors, American Axle has generated $2.9 billion in profits since 2022. Over that time, the company’s CEO has been paid $47.9 million, with the top five executives receiving nearly $100 million in compensation. Meanwhile, UAW members working at the Three Rivers plant struggle to afford basic needs, with some even forced to sleep in their cars, the UAW said. Continue reading →

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Legal Tariffs – Detroit Diesel to Add Third Shift, Recall Laid Off Workers

Posted on 12 March 2026 by Ken Zino

“Strategic, targeted tariffs are an important tool in the toolbox to undo the damage of our free trade disaster and bring back good union jobs to the U.S.,” said UAW President Shawn Fain. “Companies like Detroit Diesel, and their parent company Daimler Truck North America, need to step up to reinvest in the workers who make the product and stop laying off American workers while making billions in profit. We applaud this first step in the right direction.” Continue reading →

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Porsche AG Reorganization 2.0 or The New Strategy 2035

Posted on 11 March 2026 by Ken Zino

Porsche AG (P911.DE) said today at the company’s annual press conference in Stuttgart that it is shifting into the next gear in the realignment of the company and its product portfolio, which began in 2025 after disastrous financial results.*

“Since I took office, our management team has systematically analyzed the situation and begun a series of initial targeted measures. These include the consistent application of our Value over Volume principle, especially in the difficult market environment of China; and the quality-oriented ramp-up of production of the all-electric Cayenne,” said the new CEO, Dr Michael Leiters. Continue reading →

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Trump Slump Forecast – February 26 New Vehicle Sales Drop

Posted on 25 February 2026 by Ken Zino

“The new-vehicle sales pace shifted to a lower gear in Q4 of last year, and that weakness is expected to continue through this month as well,” said Charlie Chesbrough, senior economist at Cox Automotive. Continue reading →

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Trump Tariff Flops – December Goods Trade Deficit Up $15.7B

Posted on 20 February 2026 by Ken Zino

“The U.S. trade deficit for goods hit a record in 2025 despite Trump’s claim his signature tariffs would reduce it, new data shows. Trump declared the country’s goods trade deficit a national emergency last year and pledged to shrink it as part of efforts to revive U.S. manufacturing. Yesterday’s numbers add to previous data suggesting U.S. companies have generally not brought production back home—all while Trump’s tariff policy is being challenged in a Supreme Court case,” The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) said. [The U.S. Supreme Court today in a 6-3 ruling said tariffs that Trump imposed under an emergency powers law were unconstitutional. This also covers so-called “reciprocal” tariffs that he levied. – AutoCrat] Continue reading →

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Tennessee Triumph – VW Workers Ratify UAW Contract!

Posted on 20 February 2026 by Ken Zino

Volkswagen workers have voted by a 96% margin to ratify their first union contract. The UAW contract – the first at major Southern auto plant comes with 20 % wage increases, healthcare cost reductions, job security guarantees, an enforceable grievance procedure, among other things, that make the UAW a formidable rival for wealthy global corporations. The final tally was announced last night.

“Volkswagen workers have moved yet another mountain,” said UAW President Shawn Fain. “From having the courage to stand up and form their union, to having the backbone to authorize a strike and hold out for a contract that honors their worth, VW workers are leading the way for the entire labor movement and non-union autoworkers everywhere. Welcome to the UAW family.” Continue reading →

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February 2026 U.S. Vehicle Sales Forecast is Down Again

Posted on 19 February 2026 by Ken Zino

“The February sales pace shows a modest improvement over January, but will be down from a year ago, with retail sales projected to decline 4.6%. As in January, performance is being shaped by depressed electric vehicle (EV) retail demand. EVs are expected to account for just 6.6% of retail sales, down 1.8 percentage points from a year ago, while elevated transaction prices continue to weigh on volumes through ongoing affordability pressure,” said Thomas King, president of OEM solutions at JD Power. Continue reading →

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