-
Recent Posts
- Honda Recalls 2025 CR-V Fuel Cell EVs
- Ford Motor Eliminates Model E in Profit Seeking About Face
- Wadda You Say? Personalized Sound at Nissan, Infiniti
- Bye Sauber – Hi Audi Revolut F1 Team
- Pre-Owned Vehicle Marketing – Stellantis, Cox Automotive
- Chinese Junk Watch Death Risk – Luyuan Youth ATVs
- ICE Vehicle Mobile Apps – Wide Satisfaction Differences
- Sports Betting Tax Revenues Soaring
- IndyCar Cheating – New Independent Officiating for 2026 Series
- Ford Expands Mustang Cup USA Series in 2026
- GM Canada Leadership Change – Jack Uppal new President
- Toyota Enhances Arizona Proving Ground
- Happy Nightmare! Holiday Travel to Set New Record
- First Look – $34,995 Subaru Uncharted EV
- Stellantis and Bolt Partner on Driverless Mobility
Recent Comments
- Magna on its Share Repurchase Plan in reference to on Magna Posts Solid Q3 2025 Earnings Gain
- Daniel Ricciardo Global Ford Racing Ambassador on Ford Performance Rebranded as Ford Racing
- Gen 3 2026 Nissan Leaf Less than $30,000? | AutoInformed on Milestones – Nissan Begins Assembly of 2013 LEAF EV in Tennessee
- ACSI – Customer Satisfaction with Autos Dropping | AutoInformed on New DOGE Scorecard Announced to Track Trump
- Cadillac Off-Roader – Elevated Velocity | AutoInformed on Annals of Marketing – Cadillac Opulent Velocity Concept EV
Archives
Meta
Category Archives: milestones
Nissan and SK On Reveal EV Battery Deal
Nissan (7201T and NSANY ADR) and SK On said today that SK On will supply ~100GWh of U.S.-made batteries from 2028 to 2033. This is Korean SK On first partnership with a Japanese automaker.
“This agreement with SK On is a significant milestone for Nissan’s electrification journey and supports further investment in U.S. manufacturing,” said Christian Meunier, chairman, Nissan Americas. “Through this smart partnership with SK On, we can leverage their growing U.S. production capacity to deliver innovative, high-quality electric vehicles that meet the needs of our customers.” Continue reading
Posted in alternative fuels, electric vehicles, energy, environment, global warming, manufacturing, milestones, news analysis, public health, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Canton Assembly Plant, christian meunier, Ken Zino, nissan americas, Seok-hee Lee, sk on, X @KenAutoinformed
Leave a comment
CFC Reduction Induces Ozone Layer Fixing
A new MIT-led study confirms that the Antarctic ozone layer is healing as a direct result of global efforts to reduce ozone-depleting substances such as chlorofluorocarbons or CFCs. This is significant because scientists have observed signs of ozone recovery in the past. However, the new study is the first to show, with high statistical confidence, that this recovery is due primarily to the reduction of ozone-depleting substances, instead of other influences such as natural weather variability or increased greenhouse gas emissions to the stratosphere.
“There’s been a lot of qualitative evidence showing that the Antarctic ozone hole is getting better. This is really the first study that has quantified confidence in the recovery of the ozone hole,” says study author Susan Solomon, the Lee and Geraldine Martin Professor of Environmental Studies and Chemistry. “The conclusion is, with 95% confidence, it is recovering. Which is awesome. And it shows we can actually solve environmental problems.” Continue reading
Posted in environment, global warming, milestones, news analysis, public health, results, shows and events, Trump Truth Tests
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, El Niño, Kane Stone, Ken Zino, Klaus Hasselmann, La Niña, massachusetts institute of technology, mit, nasa, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Nobel Prize in Physics, Peidong Wang, Susan Solomon, the Montreal Protocol, the National Science Foundation, the polar vortex, X @KenAutoinformed
Leave a comment
Annals of Marketing – Mercedes-Benz and FYI
“By integrating FYI RAiDiO into our vehicles, we are redefining the in-car entertainment experience. This collaboration with will.i.am and his innovative AI platform allows us to offer our customers a truly personalized and interactive journey, transforming how they connect with music, news and cultural content. This is a significant step towards the future of in-car entertainment, where technology and creativity converge to enhance the driving experience,” claimed Markus Schäfer, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes‑Benz Group AG, Chief Technology Officer, Development & Procurement. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, electronics, marketing, milestones, news analysis, shows and events
Tagged AI or artificial intelligence, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, FYI RAiDiO App, interactive radio stations, Ken Zino, Markus Schäfer, will.i.am, X @KenAutoinformed
Leave a comment
Toyota Motor Starts Crown Estate Sales in Japan
Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE: TM and 7203.T) said today that it is starting sales of its all-new Crown Estate model in Japan. The Crown launched in 1955 with a history that has grown alongside the development of the post-war Japanese economy and Toyota. The new Crown has also advanced the “making ever-better cars” ideal through TNGA [Toyota New Global Architecture platform] and the in-house company system. In 2022, Toyota unveiled four models with different personalities, rather than just one sedan, to the world as the Crown series. The latest Crown would seem to be a natural addition to the U.S. model lineup, AutoInformed speculates. The powertrain now includes hybrid (HEV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) models. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, design and styling, electric vehicles, marketing, milestones, mobility company, new vehicle, news analysis, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Crown Estate Sales in Japan, HEV and PHEV Toyota models, Ken Zino, Toyota Crown Estate model, X @KenAutoinformed
Leave a comment
Mercedes-Benz USA Offers Customization of Sprinter Vans
Mercedes-Benz USA said today that its new VanSolution is starting for the customization of Sprinter and eSprinter Cargo Vans. VanSolution premieres with foundational shelving upfits, starting at $3152, directly installed by Ranger Design at the Mercedes-Benz USA Vehicle Processing Center in Ladson, South Carolina.
“This new approach underscores Mercedes-Benz’s dedication to enhancing the customer experience and driving excellence in the commercial vehicle sector. By leveraging our extensive dealer network and industry-leading expertise, we are reshaping the way vocational upfits are delivered, ensuring that our customers receive integrated solutions that streamline both the ordering and invoicing process,” said Iain Forsyth, Director, Product Management and Marketing, Vans. Continue reading
Posted in aftermarket, auto news, customer satisfaction, design and styling, marketing, milestones, mobility company, news analysis
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Iain Forsyth, Ken Zino, Mercedes-Benz USA Vehicle Processing Center Ladson SC, Ranger Design, Sprinter and eSprinter Cargo Vans, X @KenAutoinformed
Leave a comment
Toyota and Evgo Open First Charging Stations
Evgo, one of the largest providers of public fast charging stations for electric vehicles (NASDAQ: EVGO), and Toyota Motor North America (NYSE:TM) today announced the opening of the first DC fast charging (DCFC) stations in Baldwin Park and Sacramento, California. They are part of Toyota’s so-called “Empact” vision.* The new co-branded stations, owned and operated by EVgo, each serve up to eight vehicles simultaneously and have 350kW fast chargers. Continue reading
Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, electric vehicles, global warming, marketing, milestones, mobility company, news analysis, public health
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, DC fast charging, EVgo, James George, Ken Zino, Nasdaq EVGO, Scott Levitan, Toyota Motor North America, X @KenAutoinformed
Leave a comment
Cadillac Formula 1 Team to Run in 2026
“We’re thrilled the Cadillac Formula 1 Team is official, as the team has been accelerating its work,” said GM President Mark Reuss. “We’re incredibly grateful for the support from the FIA and Formula One Management leadership for us and for our collaboration with TWG. The excitement only grows as we get closer to showcasing GM’s engineering expertise on the prestigious global stage of F1.”
The integration between TWG Motorsports (it also owns Spire Motorsports, Andretti Global and Wayne Taylor Racing – AutoCrat.) and GM creates a badly needed American team for is claimed to be a global series. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, electronics, engineering, marketing, milestones, news analysis, performance, racing
Tagged 2026 F1 regulations, Andretti Global, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Cadillac Formula 1 Team, Dan Towriss, fia, Ken Zino, TWG Motorsports, X @KenAutoinformed
Leave a comment
Interlagos Lap Record – Taycan Turbo GT
A Taycan Turbo GT* set a time of 1:42.1 minutes on the 4.3-kilometer Interlagos circuit on 5 February 2025, Porsche said today. The lap time trimmed almost eight seconds off the record set by the Taycan Turbo S in 2022 (1:49.8 minutes). It was also just under a second inside an earlier production-car lap record set by the 911 Turbo S (1:43.087 minutes).
“Coming to Interlagos and getting behind the wheel of the Taycan Turbo GT right after winning the 24 Hours of Daytona was an incredible experience. I expected the strong acceleration and brutal torque but, ultimately, it was the overall performance that really impressed me,” said Porsche works driver Felipe Nasr who was at the wheel. Continue reading
Posted in electric vehicles, engineering, milestones, news analysis, performance, racing, shows and events
Tagged ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, auto industry commentary, Autodrome José Carlos Pace, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Felipe Nasr, Interlagos circuit, Ken Zino, Peter Vogel, Porsche Penske Motorsport, Porsche Taycan Turbo GT, Weissach package, X @KenAutoinformed
Leave a comment
Genesis Magma Racing in 2026 FIA WEC
Genesis is into motorsports, with plans to compete in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) in 2026 and the IMSA SportsCar Championship (IMSA) in 2027 with an Oreca-based car called GMR-001 Hypercar. “At Genesis Magma Racing, hyperspeed isn’t just a concept – it’s a reality,” said Team Principal Cyril Abiteboul in a recent interview with the Genesis newsroom.
“Building the team together and putting the different building blocks together is a challenge because nothing existed at first. It’s not just a car that we need to build. It’s a racing team. An organization. A new identity,” said Abiteboul. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, marketing, milestones, performance, racing
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Cyril Abiteboul, FIA World Endurance Championship, Genesis Magma Racing, GMR-001 Hypercar, Ken Zino, Oreca, world rally championship, X @KenAutoinformed
Leave a comment
McLaren Automotive Using Aerospace-Grade Carbon Fiber
McLaren Automotive said today it has developed a world-first application of an aerospace industry composites manufacturing method scaled appropriately for volume supercar manufacturing. Deployed at the McLaren Composites Technology Center (MCTC) in Sheffield, UK, the new Automated Rapid Tape (ART) production method produces McLaren ART carbon fiber structures that can be optimized to be lighter, stiffer and stronger via advanced structural optimization. They are also produced with less waste material generation. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, design and styling, manufacturing, milestones, news analysis, performance
Tagged Aerospace-Grade Carbon Fiber, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, Automated Rapid Tape production method, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino, McLaren Automotive, McLaren Composites Technology Center, X @KenAutoinformed
Leave a comment
Honda Alabama Starts Production of the 2026 Passport
Associates at the Honda Alabama Auto Plant (AAP) today celebrated the start of production of the all-new 2026 Honda Passport and Passport TrailSport, American Honda Motor Company said today.* The fourth-generation Passport lineup includes the Passport TrailSport, promoted as “the ultimate Honda adventure SUV with authentic off-road capability and versatility, together with exceptional on-road performance.” It has a 3.5-liter DOHC V-6 built at the engine plant in Lincoln . Moreover it has Passport’s first 10-speed automatic transmission., the 2026 Passport offers a number of new rugged features to improve off-road driving.
“Honda associates in Alabama worked with ingenuity and determination to bring to market the most rugged Honda SUV ever for our customers, the all-new 2026 Honda Passport,” said Lamar Whitaker, plant leader of the Alabama Auto Plant. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, manufacturing, milestones, new vehicle, news analysis, shows and events
Tagged 2026 Honda Passport and Passport TrailSport, American Honda Motor Company, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Honda Alabama Auto Plant, Ken Zino, Lamar Whitaker, Odyssey, Passport, Pilot, ridgeline, X @KenAutoinformed
Leave a comment
First Glance – 800-Volt Volvo ES90
Volvo (VOLCAR B:STO) said today that its new, fully electric car – the impending Volvo ES90 sedan – has new 800-volt technology in its latest electric model offering. The ES90 will be revealed globally on 5 March 2025.
“Our 800V technology marks another significant technological upgrade for our customers as we move towards full electrification,” said Anders Bell, chief engineering and technology officer. “It makes our electric cars even more efficient, helps you charge your electric Volvo faster and go further on a single charge.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, electric vehicles, electronics, engineering, fuel economy or emissions, global warming, milestones, new vehicle, news analysis, software defined vehicles
Tagged Anders Bell, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, CLTC driving cycle, Ken Zino, Volvo ES90, WLTP testing cycle, X @KenAutoinformed
Leave a comment
BMW Manufacturing Top U.S. Exporter Again
BMW Manufacturing said today that it was the leading automotive exporter by value in the United States in calendar year 2024, according to data released this month by the U.S. Department of Commerce. Plant Spartanburg exported~225,000 BMW Sports Activity Vehicles and Coupes last year with an export value of more than $10 billion. Since 2014, the South Carolina plant has exported more than 2.7 million BMWs – about 63% of total production – with an export value of more than $104 billion. Continue reading
Porsche AG Changes Its Executive Board
Porsche AG – with an eye aimed at the capital markets – said today that it is making a long-planned change to its Executive Board. Effective tomorrow 26 February 2025, Jochen Breckner (47) will take over responsibility for Finance and IT, with Matthias Becker (54) becoming responsible for Sales and Marketing. They succeed Lutz Meschke (58) and Detlev von Platen (61), who are leaving the company by mutual agreement. Breckner previously headed Porsche’s General Secretariat and Corporate Development. Becker was most recently Head of the Overseas and Emerging Markets region at Porsche AG and has successfully developed it into one of Porsche’s strong sales pillars. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, milestones, mobility company, news analysis, people
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Detlev von Platen, Dr Wolfgang Porsche, Jochen Breckner, Ken Zino, Lutz Meschke, Matthias Becker, X @KenAutoinformed
Leave a comment
Global Warming – Rising Weather and Climate Impacts!
There are clear signs that human-induced climate change reached new heights in 2024, with some of the consequences being irreversible over hundreds if not thousands of years, according to a new report from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), which also underlined the massive economic and social upheavals from extreme weather.
“Our planet is issuing more distress signals – but this report shows that limiting long-term global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius is still possible. Leaders must step up to make it happen — seizing the benefits of cheap, clean renewables for their people and economies with new National climate plans due this year, ” said United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres. Continue reading →