-
Recent Posts
- Penske Automotive Group Posts Q2 2026 Earnings Decline
- Ford Motor Posts Q2 2026 Net Loss of $1.3B
- Magna to Supply Chery with 800V 2-Speed eDrive
- Bosch Fuel-Cell System Begins Testing in Madrid
- Stellantis Sells Free2move to a Private Equity Firm
- CAR on King Trump’s Tariff and Trade Policies
- Non-Binding ‘cellcentric’ Fuel Cell Agreement Moves Ahead
- Ford Motor Recalls ~566,000 Broncos for Wiring Harness Fires
- Autokiniton Workers in Milan, Michigan Vote to Join the UAW
- Financing Costs Ease a Tad But Payments Set July Record
- EPA Certifies Higher Estimated Range for 2027 Volvo EX60
- J.D. Power 2026 APEAL Scores Rise Again
- ACEA – New EU Car Registrations Up 5.7% YTD
- AAA – Gasoline Prices Keep Rising!
- Penske Automotive Group Increases Dividend Again!
Recent Comments
- 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
- Council on Foreign Relations on Iran and Strait of Hormuz on AAA – Pump Gasoline Prices Still Soaring
- Autocrat on Stellantis Subordinated Perpetual Hybrid Bonds on Stellantis Posts Full Year 2025 Loss of €22.3B
- Michigan Governor Whitmer on Pew – Confidence in Trump Dips, Fewer Support His Policies
Archives
Meta
Category Archives: news
Connectivity Snags Haunt Improvements in New-Vehicle Quality
“As more technology is introduced into vehicles, keeping the experience simple matters more than ever,” said Frank Hanley, senior director of auto benchmarking at JD Power. “The biggest gains in quality come from features that are easy to use—simple controls, less-intrusive driver assistance and software that works the way customers expect. When technology becomes too complicated, the likelihood of customers experiencing a problem rises considerably.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, awards, connected vehicles, customer satisfaction, distracted driving, electronics, news analysis, quality, safety, shows and events, software defined vehicles
Tagged Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, body panel fit and finish, driving assistance alerts, electric vehicle range, Frank Hanley, J.D. Power 2026 IQS, JD Power 2026 IQS, Ken Zino, Ken Zino commenting as AutoCrat, road noise, X @KenAutoinformed
Leave a comment
Trumped! – 2026 Vehicles Sales Forecasts All Down
“The top theme over the last year or so has really been affordability, and this isn’t only related to the auto industry but really about everything facing consumers. And the issue is ALL about purchasing power or more clearly – the erosion of purchasing power for many Americans over the last several years. We’ve all seen new highs in the stock market that have happened many times this year, and those equity gains and asset appreciation really help high income households. Those consumers are driving a lot of consumption across the economy, but the wealth effect gains are concentrated at the very top of the pyramid. The vast majority of the US population sees little gain from the wealth effect and their number one source of income are the paychecks they take home every week. That’s why inflation matters,” said Jeremy Robb, Chief Economist Cox Automotive. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, economy, manufacturing, marketing, news analysis, opinions, people, sales, transportation, Trump Truth Tests
Tagged auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Charlie Chesbrough, Cox Automotive, ford motor, Jeep Grand Wagoneer, Jeremy Robb, Ken Zino commenting as AutoCrat, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ram Truck, tesla, Toyota 4Runner and hybrid Camrys, X @KenAutoinformed
Leave a comment
Annals of Marketing – Chevrolet Heartbeat of America Revived
Scenes for the commercial were filmed in Texas and in Maine, and include the Chevrolet Bolt, Trax, Equinox, Equinox EV, Traverse, Colorado, Silverado and Silverado HD.
The “Heartbeat of America” revival is part of the brand’s America 250 initiative – a year-long campaign that “honors the people, places and values that continue to shape the nation. With more than 115 years in the U.S., and nearly 3000 dealers across the country, Chevrolet is woven into the fabric of America.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, marketing, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, colorado, corvette, Dinah Shore, Heartbeat of America, Ken Zino commenting as AutoCrat, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Silverado ev, Silverado HD, Silverado LD, Steve Majoros, The Red Clay Strays, X @KenAutoinformed
Leave a comment
Milestones – Nissan Canton Builds 1 Millionth Frontier Truck
“This milestone reflects the skill of our Canton team and the strength of the community behind them,” said Victor Taylor, division vice president, U.S. Manufacturing, Supply Chain Management and Production Engineering. “Canton’s precision, pride and consistency are in every truck that rolls off the line.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, manufacturing, milestones, mobility company, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Canton Vehicle Assembly Plant, christian meunier, Frontier pickup, Ken Zino commenting as AutoCrat, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Victor Taylor, X @KenAutoinformed
Leave a comment
Ford Recalls Expand – Six More Covering ~172,000 Vehicles
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is conducting six more recalls according to data released today by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration taken from the mandatory safety defect recall filings with the division of the U.S. Department of Transportation (NHTSA recalls 26V373 or 26V-373 sequentially through to 26V378.) Ford is operating under a NHTSA consent decree. [The Ford NHTSA consent order is a binding agreement issued on 14 November 2024, resolving allegations that the automaker failed to comply with federal recall requirements regarding defective rearview cameras. It includes a $165 million civil penalty, marking the second-largest in the agency’s 54-year history – AutoCrat.]*
The latest safety defects are headlamps, power windows, gear selector indication, transmission failures, and the lane center assist system transmission downshifting unexpectedly into first gear. Approximately 172,000 vehicles are affected. Several of the recalls are the result of improperly repaired previous Ford Motor safety defect recalls. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, engineering, manufacturing, news analysis, public health, quality, recalls, safety, software recalls
Tagged 26C29, 26S42, 26S43, 26S44, 26S45, 26V374, 26V375, 26V376, 26V377, 26V378, auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ford Motor recall 26C28, Ken Zino commenting as AutoCrat, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, NHTSA recall26V373, NHTSA recalls, X @KenAutoinformed
Leave a comment
IndyCar – Lundgaard Last-to-First Win at Road America!
“I knew we had a chance,” Lundgaard said after the early contact sent him to the back of the field. “I knew how this race panned out last year, and I knew it was all about just sticking in the race. I did that last year. I made a bunch of mistakes last year that spun ourselves around last year, and I just wanted to make up for that. We’ve been on the struggle bus all weekend, so to turn this around, I have to thank the team for that.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, news analysis, racing, results
Tagged auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Chip Ganassi Racing Honda, Christian Lundgaard, David Malukas, Ken Zino commenting as AutoCrat, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, X @KenAutoinformed, XPEL Grand Prix at Road America Presented by AMR Alex Palou
Leave a comment
First Look – 2027 Porsche Taycan EV. Values Crisis?
Porsche (P911.DE) said yesterday that it is enhancing the driving experience of all Taycan models. Some of the changes arise from what AutoInformed thinks is an identity crisis caused by long-held Porsche technology and marketing values facing new-age electronics and … Continue reading
Posted in auto news, electric vehicles, electronics, engineering, new vehicle, news analysis, opinions, shows and events, software defined vehicles, software defined vehicles
Tagged 2027 Porsche Taycan EV, AI-supported Voice Pilot, auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino commenting as AutoCrat, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Kevin Giek, Lars Kern, Manthey Kits, Porsche Digital Interaction, Porsche Electric Sport Sound, the Nürburgring Nordschleife, Weissach package, X @KenAutoinformed
Leave a comment
June 2026 Light Vehicle Production Forecast So-So
S&P Global Mobility’s May forecast released today noted that Geopolitical risk around the Middle East and the Strait of Hormuz keeps oil risks elevated, with “higher for longer” pricing still a base case and possible shipping/logistics hiccups. The biggest shift is a more constrained outlook for China light-vehicle demand, translating into lower sales and production. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, economy, manufacturing, news analysis, shows and events, transportation, Trump Truth Tests
Tagged auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino commenting as AutoCrat, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Lexus ZC, Mike Wall, S&P Global Mobility, S&P Global Mobility’s June 2026 light vehicle production forecast, Strait of Hormuz, X @KenAutoinformed
Leave a comment
First Look – The 2027 Chevrolet Silverado Pickup
“Silverado has earned truck customers’ trust over decades of hard work in the real world,” said Scott Bell, vice president of Global Chevrolet. “With the Next-Generation 2027 Silverado 1500, we’re taking that legacy forward by building the most capable, refined and advanced Silverado lineup we’ve ever offered.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, design and styling, engineering, marketing, mobility company, new vehicle, opinions
Tagged 2027 Chevrolet Silverado, 2027 Silverado 1500 High Country, 2027 Silverado 1500 Work Truck, 2027 Silverado 1500 ZR2, American Expedition Vehicles, auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Flint Engine Operations, Ken Zino commenting as AutoCrat, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Mark Dickens, Phil Zak, Scott Bell, Silverado 1500, Tonawanda Propulsion, X @KenAutoinformed, ZR2 Bison Edition
Leave a comment
Ford Bronco, Maverick Recalls for Front Suspension Failures
Ford Motor Company (NYSE Ford) is recalling 2021-2026 model-year Bronco Sport and 2022-2026 model-year Maverick light trucks. The front lower control arm ball joints may have been incorrectly installed or incorrectly repaired at the vehicle assembly plant, allowing the control arm to disconnect from the front wheel knuckle. Owners should not drive the trucks until the recall has been performed.
“An incorrect assembly or repair that results in partial engagement of the ball stud to the knuckle may result in lower control arm ball joint separation from the knuckle which may result in loss of vehicle control while driving, increasing the risk of crash,” Ford said in the mandatory safety defect recall d filling made public by the National Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) yesterday. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, manufacturing, quality, recalls, safety
Tagged .Ford Bronco and Maverick suspension recall 26S36, auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ford Hermosillo Stamping and Assembly Plant, Ken Zino commenting as AutoCrat, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, NHTSA Bronco Maverick recall suspension recall 26V340 or 26V-340, X @KenAutoinformed
Leave a comment
“Disasters” – UAW on NAFTA, U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreements
“There is no way back to the American Dream without undoing the damage of NAFTA and its successor, the USMCA,” said UAW President Shawn Fain. “There is no future for the U.S. working class that doesn’t address the free trade disaster. Progressives and working-class allies need to understand that trade is at the heart of the rise of global authoritarianism, wealth inequality, and the political weakness of the working class.”
“The moral vision of a society where working-class people reclaim their dignity relies on reining in the rising billionaire dictatorship,” Fain said. “NAFTA and similar trade agreements are the social contract as written by multinational corporations. It’s time we rip it up and start over and take back the American Dream.” Continue reading →