Category Archives: news

Push to Pass Rules Changed For IndyCar Racing

Posted on 5 May 2026 by Ken Zino

IndyCar announced today an update for “Push to Pass” use for the NTT IndyCar Series and Indy NXT by Firestone. Beginning with this week’s events on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course and for all subsequent road and street circuit races, Push to Pass – a driver-controlled system that provides roughly 60 extra horsepower via increased turbocharger boost – will be available and allowed for use at all times once the car passes the alternate start-finish line following the start and once the green flag has been displayed. Push to Pass timing parameters, including time and maximum time per push, remain unchanged. Continue reading →

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BTS – April 2026 Fuel Prices Soaring for U.S. End Users!

Posted on 5 May 2026 by Ken Zino

Today, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) released monthly motor fuels prices for April 2026. The news was grim for U.S motorists, confirming the trend under the Trump mis-administration.

“In April 2026, the average price for regular motor gasoline was $4.10 per gallon; up 12.8% from March 2026 and up 29.4% from April 2025, BTS said. “The average price for diesel no. 2 was $5.50 in April 2026, up 11.8% from March 2026, and up 54.2% from April 2025,” BTS said. Continue reading →

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Racing Return! McLaren MCL-HY 2027 WEC Hypercar Shown

Posted on 4 May 2026 by Ken Zino

“Years and months in the making and here we are, revealing the MCL-HY to the world. McLaren Racing now has three race cars ready to contest the biggest motorsport series in the world; Formula 1, IndyCar and WEC. This means McLaren, its partners and fans can challenge for the Triple Crown of Monaco GP, INDY500 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans together – a unique cross-series story that sets us apart,” said Zak Brown, Chief Executive Officer, McLaren Racing. Continue reading →

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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 →

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May Day – UAW Strike Votes at American Axle, Woodward MPC

Posted on 1 May 2026 by Ken Zino

UAW Local 2093 members at American Axle, aka Dauch Corporation, today announced plans to hold a strike authorization vote starting 11 May. Results will be counted on 12 May, with the chance for workers to walk out of the Three … Continue reading →

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Magna International Posts Q1 2026 EPS Loss of $0.04

Posted on 1 May 2026 by Ken Zino

This is a good result in AutoInformed’s view given that Magna is managing its production volumes impacted by a large and complicated range of factors. Recently, Trump’s military conflicts and tariffs. Then there are global supply chain issues, including interference to supply of and/or increased costs of steel, aluminum, resin, energy supplies and so forth. Critical parts include semiconductor and memory (DRAM) chips which are causing OEM, supplier or sub-supplier disruptions. Then there are commodity prices, labor disruptions, cost of skilled labor and political regulatory actions among other challenges – AutoCrat. Continue reading →

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Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X To Pace 110th Indianapolis 500

Posted on 30 April 2026 by Ken Zino

A 2026 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X will lead the field to the green flag for the 110th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge on Sunday 24 May 24 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.* “Having America’s sports car, the Corvette, pacing the field feels … Continue reading →

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Stellantis Posts Q1 2026 Net Profit of €0.4 Billion

Posted on 30 April 2026 by Ken Zino

Stellantis N.V. (NYSE: STLA / Euronext Milan: STLAM / Euronext Paris: STLAP) today reported Q1 2026 financial results that show a slight year-over-year improvement.* Net revenues increased 6% year-over-year to €38.1 billion, with improved performance in North America, as well as gains in Enlarged Europe and Middle East & Africa. Net profit increased to €0.4 billion from volume growth and stronger operating performance. As with all global automakers, Stellantis is struggling with trade and tariff wars, as well as the consequences of mid-eastern region military actions. Continue reading →

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AAA – Weekly Average Pump Gas Prices Up 27 Cents!

Posted on 30 April 2026 by Ken Zino

Gas prices are going back up again, according to the latest data from AAA. The national average is $1.12 higher than it was at this time last year. Oil prices are above $100/barrel.

“After ticking down for nearly two weeks, gas prices are going back up again with the national average seeing a 27-cent hike in one week. The national average is $1.12 higher than it was this time last year, as oil prices surge above $100/barrel with no indication of when the Strait of Hormuz will reopen. Gas prices are the highest they’ve been in four years since late July 2022,” AAA said in a release. Continue reading →

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Ford Motor Posts Q1 2026 Operating Net of $2.5B

Posted on 29 April 2026 by Ken Zino

“The path to higher margins is clear, and the first-quarter demonstrates those building blocks in action,” said Sherry House, the estimable Ford CFO. “The strength in the quarter reflects strong execution in our profit pillars, and we remain on track to deliver our full-year cost reductions. When combined with accretive recurring revenue from software and physical services and decisive actions to improve our EV performance, we are driving a fundamentally more profitable business, allocating capital with extreme discipline, protecting our balance sheet, and positioning Ford to deliver consistently higher returns.” Continue reading →

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Penske Automotive Group Posts Q1 2026 Net of $234.5M

Posted on 29 April 2026 by Ken Zino

“In the first quarter of 2026, our business delivered over 126,000 retail automotive and commercial truck units, generated $7.9 billion in revenue and $323.7 million in earnings before taxes. During the quarter, we continued to demonstrate a flexible approach to capital allocation by completing the acquisition of two Lexus dealerships in the Orlando metropolitan area of Central Florida, increasing the dividend paid to stockholders by 1.4% and repurchasing 170,393 shares of common stock,” said Chair Roger Penske. Continue reading →

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Volvo Cars Q1 2026 Earnings per Share Rise

Posted on 29 April 2026 by Ken Zino

As with all global automakers, Volvo is  operating under a challenging external political environment, such as the President Trump’s Iranian war, tariffs, heavy competition, geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty. Continue reading →

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GM Canada to Build Next-Generation Truck V8 Engines

Posted on 29 April 2026 by Ken Zino

General Motors Canada (NYSE: GM) said today that it is investing C$691 million in its St. Catharines Propulsion Plant to support production of the sixth generation of General Motors’ V8 engine, which will power GM full-size trucks and SUVs. Yesterday, GM reported strong sales and earnings for Q1 2026 bolstered in part by sales of such vehicles. Complicating GM’s global strategy is the Trump mis-administration’s repudiation of the successful North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and its subsequent revision proposed, promoted and signed by President Trump known in the U.S. as USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement) Continue reading →

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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 →

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GM Posts $2.6B Q1Net on $46.3B Revenue. Ups Guidance

Posted on 28 April 2026 by Ken Zino

“We have solid momentum in our core operations. We maintained overall sales leadership in the U.S. and Canada. We led the U.S. industry in full-size pickup sales and share, with 42% of the market, and we were #1 in Fleet, including Commercial deliveries. In addition, we were Number Two in EVs with growing market share, and Number One in Canada,” said CEO and Chair Mary Barra. Continue reading →

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