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- Trumped – Used Car Prices Spike after Hitting 12-Month Low
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Category Archives: environment
New Toyota and Lexus Models Debut at Auto Shanghai
Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE: TM) announced at Auto Shanghai 2025 in China today that it will be expanding its battery electric vehicle (BEV) lineup in China.
“China is a highly advanced market that leads the way in electrification, with BEVs accounting for a high proportion of new car sales. Toyota announced the new bZ7 BEV, which follows the bZ4X, bZ3, bZ3X, and bZ5, while Lexus announced the new ES BEV, which follows the UX and RZ BEVs, in order to further accelerate a multi-pathway approach while responding to the needs of local customers,” Toyota said. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, electric vehicles, global warming, mobility company, news analysis, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, Auto Shanghai 2025, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Guangzhou Automobile Group, Guangzhou Toyota Motor Company, Ken Zino, Kohei Chiashi, Lexus ES BEV, Toyota bZ7, X @KenAutoinformed
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Dark Roadways Deadly for Cyclists, Pedestrians
The twice-yearly time change is not a major factor in America’s ongoing road safety problem that some call an emergency. However, the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation yesterday held a hearing on whether to continue switching back and forth between daylight saving time and standard time every year.
“Whatever you decide to do about the clock, I hope you will also consider actions to keep pedestrians and bicyclists safe, especially after sundown,” said David Harkey president of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in written testimony submitted to the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, insurance, news analysis, public health, safety, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, David Harkey, insurance institute for highway safety, Ken Zino, U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce Science and Transportation, X @KenAutoinformed
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Porsche EV Sales Up in Q1 2025
Porsche AG (P911.DE) said today that it substantially increased the share of electrified vehicles it sold in the first quarter of 2025. A total of 71,470 vehicles were delivered to customers worldwide between January and March, 38.5% of which were electrified. This share is comprised of 25.9% all-electric vehicles and 12.6% plug-in hybrids.
“The Macan performed very well in the first quarter and, with the all-electric variant, is making a significant contribution to our increased electrification rate. Overall, we have a very balanced powertrain mix that reflects the different preferences of our customers, globally,” said Matthias Becker, Member of the Executive Board for Sales and Marketing at Porsche AG. Continue reading
Kill The Cuts National Day of Action Against Trump Administration
Researchers and educators who have had their funding cut spoke today at 37 separate demonstrations about the effects this Trump Administration assault on publicly-funded research is having at their institutions and across the country. Senator Ed Markey and Representatives Jayapal and Simon were at the DC rally. President Trump has issued Executive Orders attacking the NIH, NSF, while dismantling the Department of Education.
“Thousands of people across the country came together today for Kill the Cuts, a national Day of Action to raise awareness and fight back against the Trump administration’s devastating attacks on research, health, and higher education. The events (see the full list here) were sponsored by a coalition of education, labor and health advocates, including UAW, SEIU, AFSCME, UE, NEA, AFT, CWA, AAUP, HELU, Labor for Higher Education, the Debt Collective,” the United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW),” said. Continue reading
Posted in economy, environment, news, news analysis, people, public health, shows and events, Trump Truth Tests
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino, Molecular & Cellular Biology at the University of Washington, UAW 2750, UAW 4121, UAW 4811, Weill Cornell Medicine, X @KenAutoinformed
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Michigan Governor Whitmer Offers Sensible Tariff Fixes
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer today delivered her “Build, America, Build” speech in Washington D.C. Simply put, it was a plan to show both parties and federal officials how to build America’s manufacturing might, increase jobs, invest in people and protect our national defense. It was based on Whitmer’s proven approach – work with friends and compete against adversaries.
“Before we dig in to my proposals today, I need to acknowledge what’s going on with tariffs. I’m not going to sugarcoat it… these last few days have been tough for Michigan. 20% of our economy is tied to the auto industry, which depends on a steady flow of goods from our largest and closest trading partners. We’re home to THE busiest international border crossing in North America. More than 10,000 vehicles carrying parts and materials cross the bridge between Detroit and Windsor every weekday. Continue reading
Posted in AutoInformed Editorial, economy, engineering, environment, labor issues, manufacturing, news, news analysis, people, Trump Truth Tests
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, aviation techs, Chinese government, Commercial Aircraft Corporation, D-RAM chips, detroit grand prix, Ken Zino, Operation Warp Speed, President Trump, Republicans and Democrats in Congress, Rosie the Riveters, Selfridge Air National Guard Base, SHIPS for America Act, Vice President Vance, X @KenAutoinformed
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Honda R&D to Test Life-Support Systems in Space
Honda today announced plans to test its high-differential pressure water electrolysis system at the International Space Station (ISS) in collaboration with space and technology companies Sierra Space and Tec-Masters.
“The project is part of Honda’s vision for a regenerative fuel cell system that could provide advanced energy storage capable of supporting human life on the lunar surface,” Honda said. Continue reading
Posted in alternative fuels, electronics, engineering, environment, global warming, milestones, mobility company, news analysis, public health
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, circulative renewable energy system, International Space Station Testing, Ken Zino, Sierra Space, Sierra Space Dream Chaser® spaceplane, Tec-Masters, U.S. Honda Space Development Division, X @KenAutoinformed
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Toyota 2025 Mirai Fuel-Cell Sedan Due in Spring
“Mirai has an EPA-Estimated Driving Range Rating of 402 Miles running on hydrogen from onboard tanks and oxygen from the outside air to generate power for the vehicle,” Toyota said. “In essence, the Mirai is a ‘plug-less’ electric vehicle. A Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) generates its own electricity onboard from hydrogen, with water as the only tailpipe emission. The fuel cell system combines stored hydrogen, along with oxygen from the air, and then a chemical reaction produces electric current and water, which drops out of a vent pipe beneath the car.
“Instead of having to charge a large battery pack like in a battery–electric vehicle, which can take several hours, the Mirai’s driver fills the vehicle’s tanks with hydrogen. With an FCEV, the fuel is non-toxic, compressed hydrogen gas rather than liquid gasoline,” Toyota said. Continue reading
Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, connected vehicles, electric vehicles, fuel economy or emissions, global warming, marketing, news analysis
Tagged 2025 Mirai Fuel-Cell, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, complimentary hydrogen fuel, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Ken Zino, Proactive Driving Assist, Toyota Mirai Fuel Cell Cars, Toyota. NYSE: TM, X @KenAutoinformed
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April Fool’s Day – Trump Tariffs Hurting Economy
The U.S. economy is at a turning point with the erratic actions of what AutoInformed* observes is the Trump mis-administration threatening the economic health of the nation. We are looking at a global trade war leading to a recession or if past Republican economic policies are any indication – a depression. The latest Cox Automotive Industry Forecast** conducted this morning reinforces that view. Brother can you spare a dime?
“We are at an interesting crossroads here in late Q one 2025,” said Jonathan Smoke, Chief Economist at Cox. “at the end of last year my wish for you all was that the economy and the auto market would perform to the upside. Today we will be talking about sides, but downward forecasts and darker downsides. The economy and auto market have been relatively strong over the last 6 months. The problem which we will be getting into is that a substantial change in trade through massive increases in tariffs will be highly disruptive to North American vehicle production and could lead to a full scale global trade war and a much weaker the economy. We’re not there yet but we’re a week away from moves that make the dark side more likely,” Smoke said. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, economy, electric vehicles, environment, financial results, fools 'n frauds, fuel economy or emissions, manufacturing, news analysis, Trump Truth Tests
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Cox Automotive Industry Forecast, Jonathan Smoke, Ken Zino, X @KenAutoinformed
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Electric Vehicle Sales Outpacing Public Chargers
Electric vehicles sold in the US during Q4 of 2024 comprised ~11% of all light duty vehicle sales. This is the highest quarter on record.* This also represents a 0.3% percentage-point market share increase from the 3rd quarter of 2024, according to an analysis released today by the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, a trade and lobbying group for automakers. There were about 433,843 EV sales from 144 different electric vehicle models sold in the 4th quarter alone of last year. Battery electric vehicles make up the majority of those, but plug-in electric as well as hybrid vehicle sales have been growing as well. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, connected vehicles, electric vehicles, global warming, news analysis, public health, sales
Tagged Alliance for Automotive Innovation, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino, public EV charging ports, X @KenAutoinformed
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Genesis Offers Free NACS Adapters
Genesis today announced that current U.S. EV owners who purchased their vehicle on or before 31 January 2025 will begin receiving emails inviting them to redeem their complimentary North American Charging Standard (NACS) adapters starting the week of 7 April. This Genesis authorized adapter gives Combined Charging System (CCS1) port GV60, Electrified GV70 and Electrified G80 owners access to an additional 20,000 NACS DC fast chargers in the U.S. at the Tesla Supercharger Network. Continue reading
Posted in connected vehicles, customer satisfaction, electric vehicles, global warming, marketing, milestones, news analysis, public health
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino, NACS adapters, North American Charging Standard adapters, Tedros Mengiste, Tesla Supercharger network, X @KenAutoinformed
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CARB Using Methane Leak Satellite Data
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) today announced that the state is moving forward with an innovative effort to reduce planet-warming methane emissions using satellite technology. The project is made possible by a $100 million state budget investment to purchase methane plume data collected by satellites. Methane is a climate pollutant that warms the atmosphere at least 25 times more than carbon dioxide.
“Decades of progress to protect public health is on the line with these EPA rollbacks. California isn’t having it. Thanks to our state investment, we’re using satellite technology to detect methane leaks as they happen. With this new data, we’ll be able to move faster to cut harmful methane pollution – protecting Californians and the clean air we’ve fought so hard for,” said Governor Gavin Newsom. Continue reading
Posted in environment, global warming, milestones, news, news analysis, public health, Trump Truth Tests
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, California Energy Commission, climate harming pollutants, co2, Governor Gavin Newsom, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Ken Zino, methane leaks, satellite methane monitoring and reduction programs, X @KenAutoinformed
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Hino Motors Fined $1.6B for Emissions Fraud
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) have announced that U.S. District Court Judge Mark A. Goldsmith for the Eastern District of Michigan has accepted Hino Motors, Ltd.’s guilty plea to a one-count criminal information charging it with having engaged in a multi-year criminal conspiracy to defraud both the United States government and American consumers and illicitly smuggle goods into the country. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, environment, fools 'n frauds, litigation, news analysis, results, transportation
Tagged Adam Gustafson, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, FBI Detroit Field Office, Jeffrey Hall, Julie Beck, Justice Department Environment and Natural Resources Division, Ken Zino, U.S. District Court Judge Mark A. Goldsmith, X @KenAutoinformed
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California Continues Expanding ZEV Programs
The State of California has awarded $500 million to school districts and other educational agencies to buy zero-emission school buses and chargers. Zero-emission school buses are part of the state’s relentless move to a clean-energy future and lead to better health for students and communities. California’s transition to zero-emission transportation is also accelerating with support from the state’s Clean Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP). Funded primarily with proceeds from the Cap-and-Trade Program, HVIP underwent 177% year-over-year growth in 2024. This February, more than 200 HVIP-funded zero-emission trucks and buses were deployed with $31 million in incentives. The incentive program is a collaboration between the California Air Resources Board (CARB)* and the California Energy Commission (CEC), and is administered by CALSTART, a non-profit transportation organization. Continue reading →