Category Archives: opinions

EU New Car Registrations Drop in February 2026

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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Predictions Markets – Wagering on Government Actions?

New Data for Progress polling finds that a majority of voters (59%) agree that wagers on potential government actions, ranging from what politicians will say in speeches to whether the U.S. will carry out a military strike, should not be permitted. Continue reading

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

“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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Toyota Gazoo Racing Debuts New GR 86 Multi-Use Sports Car

Subaru is out front here. Subaru showed its US version of the 2022 BRZ last November. It will be the lightest rear-wheel drive 2+2 sports car in U.S. market when it enters production. The 2+2 seating and folding rear seats have a cargo area with space for carrying a mountain bike, golf clubs, or four race tires and tools for track days. Using aluminum for the roof, front fenders and hood, the 2022 Subaru BRZ has an estimated curb weight of just under 2,900 lbs. Continue reading

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Traffic Jam – Record 48.9m Independence Day Travel

Overall travel volume for the holiday is expected to rise 4.1% over last year, with an additional 1.9 million people planning road trips and other vacations to celebrate America’s birthday. Continue reading

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Variables Abound – Meet the New NAFTA

AutoInformed agrees that the text offers greater certainty about the future of North American automotive production, trade, and investments, the USMCA still must be signed, ratified, and the enabling legislation must be passed in each of the three countries before the agreement can go into effect on the target date of 1 January 2020. It’s by no means a sure bet. Continue reading

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NAFTA Lite – US-Mexico-Canada Agreement Hurts US Workers

Roughly 30% of the 2.33 million vehicles imported to the U.S. from Mexico in 2017 don’t meet the current 62.5% content requirement. Continue reading

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Milestones – Honda Accord 40 Years Later

Baby Boomers made the Honda Accord, and Honda’s pioneering decision to build a plant in Ohio ultimately put the company in the automotive big leagues to the astonishment of Toyota and Nissan executives, who were, eventually, forced to follow. Continue reading

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July 4th Fiasco as Chrysler Group Issues Four Recalls

Late in the day before the U.S. July 4th holiday, the Fiat-controlled Chrysler Group issued statements on four separate safety recalls. This obvious ploy to minimize damaging publicity about the its latest quality gaffs came as the Center for Auto Safety renewed efforts to have NHTSA crash test a proposed fix covering Jeep Liberty and Grand Cherokee SUVs for fuel-system fires. Continue reading

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Chrysler Challenges Nader, Center for Auto Safety, Disputing Need for a Jeep Grand Cherokee Recall for Rear Impact Fires

Ralph Nader and the Center for Auto Safety are calling on Chrysler to recall 1993-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee models because they are, allegedly, defective and subject to fires during rear-end collisions.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened an investigation into the claims, and of course Chrysler is cooperating, as required by U.S. safety regulations. Continue reading

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