Category Archives: environment

Lexus Shows 2027 TZ 3-Row Electric SUV

Posted on 7 May 2026 by Ken Zino

Toyota Motor (NYSE: TM, 7203 T) today in Japan revealed a prototype version of the Lexus TZ 3-Row Electric SUV. The all-wheel-drive, full-size SUV is aimed directly at the popular and profitable SUVs from the brands at General Motors and Ford Motor Company. TZ is capable of driving from Los Angeles to Las Vegas [or Tokyo to Kobe -AutoCrat] on one charge. Acceleration is rated by Lexus at 0-100 kms (62.1 miles) in 5.2 seconds. Grade and pricing information for the all-new Lexus TZ will be available later in 2026.* Continue reading →

Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, connected vehicles, electric vehicles, fuel economy or emissions, global warming, marketing, milestones, mobility company, new vehicle, news analysis, opinions, shows and events | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Death Risk – Honda Motor Recalls Off-Road Motorcycles

Posted on 4 May 2026 by Ken Zino

American Honda is recalling model-year 2025-2026 Honda off-road motorcycles, according to the U.S.* Consumer Product Safety Commission. Motorcycle model numbers CRF250R/RX/RWE or CRF450R/RX/RWE have a risk of serious injury or death due to a crash hazard. The motorcycles were sold at Honda Powersports dealers nationwide from June 2024 through March 2026 for $8900 – $13,200.

The handlebar’s clamp can unexpectedly cause the handlebar to rotate. Consumers should stop using the recalled off-road motorcycles immediately and contact an authorized Honda Powersports dealer to schedule an appointment for a free inspection and if necessary, a replacement of the handlebar’s clamp at the dealer’s location. Continue reading →

Posted in customer satisfaction, manufacturing, news, public health, quality, recalls, safety | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

IIHS – Drivers More Likely To Use Phones While Speeding

Posted on 28 April 2026 by Ken Zino

Drivers are more likely to use their phones while speeding, a tendency that increases crash risk by combining two dangerous behaviors, according to a new study released today by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.* “Until now, safety experts believed … Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, distracted driving, news analysis, people, public health, safety | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

New Porsche Cayenne Coupé Electric Debuts in Beijing

Posted on 24 April 2026 by Ken Zino

Porsche AG’s (P911.DE) new Cayenne Coupé Electric model with three drive variants celebrated its world premiere at Auto China 2026 in Beijing today. They can be ordered immediately. The Chinese market has been challenging for Porsche lately as customers are turning to less expensive and innovative EVs from Chinese makers.

“The gently sloping roofline sweeps elegantly over the car’s broad shoulders and gives the Cayenne Coupé a particularly sporty appearance,” said Thomas Stopka, Head of Exterior Design, Style Porsche. “The adaptive rear spoiler blends harmoniously into the body, while the way the rear window is embedded and flush-mounted with fewer joints ensures a clean, modern look. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, connected vehicles, electric vehicles, environment, marketing, new vehicle, shows and events | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

GM First U.S. Automaker at 100% Renewable Electricity

Posted on 24 April 2026 by Ken Zino

General Motors (NYSE: GM) said this week as part of Earth Day observances that in 2025 GM reached a major milestone. GM has secured enough renewable energy to match 100% of its electricity use across all its U.S. facilities — making GM the first U.S. automaker to reach this goal.

“Managing energy use isn’t just a checkbox for a corporate environmental report these days; it’s a business necessity,” said Cassandra Garber, chief sustainability officer at GM.
Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, energy, environment, fuel economy or emissions, global warming, manufacturing, milestones, news, news analysis, public health | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Hybrids Rule New EU Car Registrations in March and Q1 2026

Posted on 23 April 2026 by Ken Zino

“The market was supported by robust consumer activity bolstered by new and revised tax benefits and incentive schemes across major European countries,” ACEA said in a release. “Hybrid-electric vehicles lead as the most popular power type choice among buyers, while the battery-electric car market share reached 19.4%. Meanwhile, plug-in hybrids continued to strengthen their position, underlining the importance of a technology-neutral pathway to decarbonisation.”

Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, economy, electric vehicles, environment, manufacturing, marketing, news analysis, results, sales | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Honda Fastport eQuad Vehicles Link to Bird and Spin

Posted on 16 April 2026 by Ken Zino

“We created Fastport and our eQuad micro-mobility vehicle to address rising urban congestion, emissions and operating costs where full-size commercial vehicles are less practical,” said Jose Wyszogrod, general manager of Fastport. “With Fastport products now commercially available, we’re proud to partner with Bird and Spin in urban fleet operations to help better serve their customers’ micro-mobility needs on select university campuses.” Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, economy, electric vehicles, environment, global warming, marketing, milestones, mobility company, news, news analysis, public health, shows and events, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Light-Duty Fuel Cell Trucks – Isuzu, Toyota Collaboration!

Posted on 15 April 2026 by Ken Zino

“One of the challenges to the widespread adoption of FCEVs is the high vehicle price point. Isuzu is working to reduce costs by optimizing the vehicle body structure and reviewing manufacturing processes. Toyota is undertaking similar efforts through innovations in fuel cell design and manufacturing processes,” the companies said. Continue reading →

Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, engineering, environment, fuel economy or emissions, global warming, manufacturing, news analysis, public health, shows and events, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

IONNA Partners with Circle K on EV Charging

Posted on 14 April 2026 by Ken Zino

“We are honored that Circle K has recognized IONNA as a leader in the industry and entrusted us to serve their customers with the same care and commitment to excellence that they show now,” said Aaron Wolff, COO of IONNA. “Circle K’s scale, customer focus, and quality of location make them an ideal partner as we rapidly expand high-power charging where drivers already want to stop.” Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, connected vehicles, customer satisfaction, electric vehicles, marketing, milestones, news analysis, public health, shows and events, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

EcoCAR Innovation Challenge Pits General Motors v Stellantis

Posted on 13 April 2026 by Ken Zino

General Motors (NYSE: GM) and Stellantis (NYSE: STLA) have joined the Challenge as sponsors, along with technology partner MathWorks. This combination of government and industry partners focuses on cultivating the next generation of auto-industry innovators. This is the first collaboration between two major automakers in the same series in more than 25 years. Additional EcoCAR Innovation Challenge sponsors announced today include Caterpillar, Siemens Digital Industries Software, dSPACE, Bosch, Altec, Hesse, and Volta Foundation. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, concept, economy, electronics, engineering, environment, manufacturing, mobility company, news analysis, people, public health, shows and events | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Stellantis N.V. Securities Fraud Lawsuit Announced

Posted on 8 April 2026 by Ken Zino

The Rosen Law Firm, which bills itself as a global investor rights law firm, today announced a class action lawsuit on behalf of purchasers of common stock on the New York Stock Exchange of Stellantis N.V. (NYSE: STLA) between 26 February 2025 and 5 February 2026, inclusive (the so-called “Class Period”). A class action lawsuit has already been filed. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, blog, economy, electric vehicles, environment, financial results, litigation, mobility company, news analysis, opinions, results, Trump Truth Tests | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

AB Volvo Board Meeting Approves Extraordinary Dividend

Posted on 8 April 2026 by Ken Zino

AB Volvo held its Annual General Meeting today in Göteborg, Sweden. The Board adopted the income statement and balance sheet, as well as the consolidated income statement and the consolidated balance sheet. In accordance with the Board’s proposal, the Meeting resolved that an ordinary dividend of SEK 8.50 per share and an extraordinary dividend of SEK 4.50 per share should be paid to the shareholders – 10 April 2026 is the record date for the right to receive dividends. Continue reading →

Posted in economy, environment, financial results, news, news analysis, results, shows and events, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Shared Fuel Cell Technology – Daimler Truck, Volvo, Toyota

Posted on 6 April 2026 by Ken Zino

Daimler Truck AG (Daimler Truck), the Volvo Group (Volvo), cellcentric (sic) and Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) have signed a non-binding agreement to cooperate in the fuel cell system joint venture called cellcentric. The timing is propitious given the Artemis II Orion spacecraft uses hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell systems to generate electricity and potable water for the crew during its 10-day mission that is underway. Continue reading →

Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, electric vehicles, engineering, environment, fuel economy or emissions, global warming, milestones, news, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month

Posted on 3 April 2026 by Ken Zino

“No one should ever get hurt or lose their life because of a text or a phone call,” said Lorraine Martin, NSC CEO. “By keeping our eyes on the road and our hands on the wheel, we all have the power and responsibility to make our roads safe for everyone. The National Safety Council calls on every driver to travel distraction free – doing so will save lives.” Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, connected vehicles, distracted driving, electronics, news analysis, people, public health, safety | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

AAA Promoting April as National Car Care Month

Posted on 1 April 2026 by Ken Zino

AAA said today that it is collaborating with industry organizations, including NAPA, the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), and the Auto Care Association to celebrate National Car Care Month this April. It wants to highlight the importance of preventive vehicle maintenance as drivers gear up for spring travel. Continue reading →

Posted in aftermarket, auto news, customer satisfaction, public health, shows and events, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment