-
Recent Posts
- Ford Recalls ~288,000 Explorers for Flying Roof Rail Covers
- First Look – The 2027 Trendsetting Toyota Prius Hybrid
- Volvo Cars Posts Grim Q2 2026 Operating Results
- WEC – Ford Hypercar V8 moves from Dyno to Race Car
- Stellantis Increases EU Registrations during H1 2026
- Gasoline National Average Moves Higher Near $4 Gallon!
- Transportation Costs Rising for Producers. You’ll Pay More Too
- Cut Energy Waste. Save $4.8 Trillion or $31,000 a Household!
- Trump-conomics – Consumer Cost For Transportation up 6.5%
- First look – 2027 Toyota Corolla Hatchback. Unequaled Value?
- Jeep Grand Wagoneer, Grand Wagoneer L Brake Recalls
- Ford Mustang Recalls – Sudden Power Loss, Washer/Wipers
- Park Outside! Kia Recalls ~463,000 Telluride Models for Fires
- Audi of America Q2 2026 Sales Drop 17%
- Loss Making Survival Diet – VW Group Efficiency Quest
Recent Comments
- 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
- Porsche Motorsport Daytona Victory on Daytona 24 Hours – Old and New Stars Getting Ready to Run
Archives
Meta
Category Archives: milestones
Annals of Marketing – BMW LEGO M3 E30
“The BMW M3 E30 is now available as a LEGO® Speed Champions set. The exclusive kit featuring a special-edition livery design is a unique heritage item for fans of all ages,” BMW said.
“The distinctive livery pays tribute to the car’s legendary heritage and draws inspiration from the BMW M Motorsport division. Besides the visually captivating forms and colors of the livery, it is unique in that it is applied not only to the scaled-down replica LEGO® Speed Champions BMW M3 E30 version, but also to the actual BMW M3 E30,” BMW said. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, electric vehicles, marketing, milestones, new vehicle, performance, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, BMW M3, BMW M3 E30 show car, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, LEGO® Speed Champions BMW M3 E30, X @KenAutoinformed
Leave a comment
Stellantis FaSTLAne 2030 Financial Reform Revealed
“We have great people, the muscle of global scale, unmatched brands that connect and inspire, the deep local roots of our regions and dealer partners to meet our customers’ distinctive needs, and a relentless focus on innovation and excellence in execution. With these strengths, we are uniquely positioned to offer delight, functionality, and affordability. Adding to these the accelerating and amplifying benefits of our ‘win-win’ partnerships, we have everything we need to deliver our FaSTLAne 2030 ambitions,” claimed Filosa. [This is the corporate equivalent of betting on the come line in the Casino at Monte Carlo – AutoCrat.] Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, engineering, financial results, labor issues, manufacturing, marketing, milestones, mobility company, news analysis, opinions, results, shows and events
Tagged alfa romeo, Anthony Filosa, auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, chrysler, citroën, Dodge, Dongfeng Group, Fiat, jeep, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, opel, Peugeot, ram, Stellantis FaSTLAne 2030, STLA One platform, X @KenAutoinformed
Leave a comment
Chinese Dongfeng Voyah Vehicles Coming to EU Via Stellantis
Stellantis (NYSE: STLA) and the Dongfeng Group today announced their intention to form a European joint venture for shared sales, distribution, manufacturing, purchasing, and engineering activities. The joint venture would take responsibility for the sales and distribution of Dongfeng’s Voyah-branded vehicles in designated markets in Europe. This would circumvent EU tariff’s on Chinese-made vehicles. [Stellantis and Dongfeng Group recently announced the production of all-new Peugeot and Jeep models in China for the domestic market and export – AutoCrat]*
“The plans we are announcing today take our recently strengthened cooperation with Dongfeng to an all-new dimension of an international partnership to the benefit of customers around the world,” said Antonio Filosa, Stellantis CEO. “With this new chapter in our collaboration, we will give our customers an even greater choice of competitive products and pricing, leveraging the best of Stellantis’ global footprint alongside Dongfeng’s access to China’s advanced new energy vehicles ecosystem.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, electric vehicles, electronics, engineering, global warming, labor issues, manufacturing, marketing, milestones, mobility company, news, news analysis, opinions, software defined vehicles
Tagged Antonio Filosa, auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, battery electric vehicles, bevs, Dongfeng Peugeot Citroën Automobile Co., Dongfeng Voyah Vehicles, extended-range EVs, fcvs, fuel cell vehicles, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, PHEVs, Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles, Qing YANG, Rennes plant in France, Stellantis and Dongfeng, Voyah Free, Wuhan plant, X @KenAutoinformed
Leave a comment
HondaJet APMG S Upgrade Expands to Mexico
Honda Aircraft Company said today that the so-called APMG S program (footnote 1) is now available to owners in both the U.S. and Mexico of HondaJet Classic and APMG aircraft. This improves performance and adds the capabilities of recent technical innovations.
“We are excited to provide our customers in Mexico the opportunity to upgrade their aircraft with the advanced technology and performance of more recent iterations of the award-winning HondaJet,” said Amod Kelkar, Senior Vice President, Chief Commercial Officer at Honda Aircraft Company. “We are pursuing additional international certifications and hope to expand availability of the APMG S upgrade package to more HondaJet customers around the world soon.” Continue reading
Posted in aviation, electronics, marketing, milestones, mobility company, news, news analysis, performance
Tagged Amod Kelkar, auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, avionics software, Honda aircraft company, hondajet, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, legacy HondaJet fleet, X @KenAutoinformed
Leave a comment
BMW Annual General Meeting – Chair Oliver Zipse Retires
At the 106th Annual BMW (XETRA: BMWG.DE) General Meeting today, Chair Oliver Zipse retired after 35 years with the German maker of premium automobiles and motorcycles.* Effective tomorrow, Milan Nedeljković assumes the Chair position on the Board of Management of BMW AG. Raymond Wittmann will succeed Nedeljković as Board Member for Production.
“For more than 35 years, the BMW Group has been my professional home. I am leaving with a deep sense of gratitude: for the trust that was placed in me, for the professional challenges that have taken me to various areas in the company; and above all, for an exceptional team that is shaping the mobility of the future with passion and a pioneering spirit. It has been a great honor for me to lead the BMW Group as Chairman of the Board of Management for seven years,” said Zipse. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, milestones, mobility company, motorcycles, news analysis, people, transportation
Tagged auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, bmw group, BMW iX3, BMW M, bmw motorrad, EU CO2, european commission, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, mini, Net Zero, Oliver Zipse, Raymond Wittmann Milan Nedeljković, rolls royce, Stefan Quandt, Susanne Klatten, tariff debate, X @KenAutoinformed, XETRA: BMWG.DE
Leave a comment
Michigan Science Center Workers Vote to Join UAW
“The victory at MI-SCI proves that when workers stand together, workers win,” said UAW Region 1 Director LaShawn English. “The employees at MI-SCI organized because they wanted their voices heard, their work respected, and a real seat at the table. Their courage and unity made this moment possible. Every worker deserves dignity, respect, and the opportunity to help shape their workplace. UAW Region 1 proudly stands with the workers at MI-SCI as they begin this new chapter. They believed in each other, stayed united, and they won.”
“The Michigan Science Center (Mi-Sci) has been informed that eligible hourly employees have voted in favor of union representation through the United Auto Workers (UAW). We respect the outcome of this process and our employees’ right to make this decision. As we move into the next phase, our focus remains on working together, as one team, in support of our mission to ‘put YOU at the center of science.’ We are committed to continuing to deliver immersive, engaging, and impactful STEM experiences for the communities we serve in Detroit and across Michigan,” MI-SCI told AutoInformed. Continue reading
Posted in customer satisfaction, labor issues, milestones, news, news analysis, people
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Dr. Christian Greer, Ken Zino, LaShawn English, MI-SCI, Michigan Science Center, Myriam Springuel, Smithsonian Affiliate, UAW Region 1, X @KenAutoinformed
Leave a comment
Stellantis and Leapmotor to Expand Leapmotor International
Stellantis (NYSE: STLA / Euronext Milan: STLAM) and Leapmotor (Zhejiang Leapmotor Technologies Ltd 9863.HK) today announced their intention to expand their strategic partnership [Leapmotor International – LMPI – is a 51% Stellantis / 49% Leapmotor joint venture with exclusive rights for the sale and manufacturing of Leapmotor products outside Greater China – AutoCrat.] with an emphasis on European products and assembly plants and engineering technologies.
“This plan to expand our successful partnership with Leapmotor – a trusted peer and one of the fastest-growing, most respected new energy vehicle producers globally – is a true win-win for both of us. It is expected to support production and advance localization in Europe of world-class manufacturing of electric vehicles at affordable prices to meet customers’ real-world needs. Today’s announcement reflects our intent to deepen our partnership and take one more step towards even greater collaborations in the future,” said Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, design and styling, economy, electric vehicles, labor issues, manufacturing, milestones, mobility company, news, news analysis, shows and events, software defined vehicles
Tagged Antonio Filosa, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Chinese Trade Wars, Ken Zino, Leapmotor C-SUV B10, Leapmotor International, Opel C-SUV, Villaverde Madrid plant, X @KenAutoinformed, Zaragoza plant, Zhu Jiangming
Leave a comment
Lexus Shows 2027 TZ 3-Row Electric SUV
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 7203 T, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Forged Bamboo, Ken Zino, Lexus SUVs, Lexus TNGA platform, Lexus TZ 3-Row Electric SUV, NYSE: TM, Takeshi Miyaura, X @KenAutoinformed
Leave a comment
Racing Return! McLaren MCL-HY 2027 WEC Hypercar Shown
“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
Posted in auto news, energy, marketing, milestones, new vehicle, performance, racing
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, endurance racing, FIA Hypercar, indianapolis 500, Ken Zino, lemans, MCL-HY GTR, McLaren, McLaren Automotive, McLaren MCL-HY, McLaren Racing, Nick Collins, wec, World Endurance Championship, X @KenAutoinformed, Zak Brown
Leave a comment
GM Canada to Build Next-Generation Truck V8 Engines
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
Posted in auto news, economy, labor issues, manufacturing, milestones, mobility company, news analysis, transportation, Trump Truth Tests
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Flint Engine Operations, GM Canada Manufacturing, Jack Uppal, Ken Zino, St. Catharines Propulsion Plant, Tonawanda Propulsion Plant, USMCA, X @KenAutoinformed
Leave a comment
GM First U.S. Automaker at 100% Renewable Electricity
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 auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Cassandra Garber, Clean Energy Business Effects, Earth Day observances, GM Sustainable Initiatives, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, X @KenAutoinformed
Leave a comment
Acura to Enter IndyCar. “Pause” IMSA GTP
Well, the paddock rumors were accurate – or should AutoInformed say Acura-it? Marcus Armstrong’s Honda-powered IndyCar will carry Acura branding in the 2026 Indianapolis 500, the Acura’s first appearance on the Indy 500 grid. Moreover, Acura will “pause” the IMSA GTP program following 2026 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season. This move to the NTT IndyCar Series keeps the Acura name in motorsports of course. It also, perhaps, adds a complication to the viability of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, if other brands do likewise. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, engineering, marketing, milestones, mobility company, news analysis, people, performance, racing, shows and events
Tagged 2026 NTT IndyCar Series, auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, David Salters, Felix Rosenqvist, Honda Racing Corporation USA, HRC Japan, Hundy Liu, IMSA GTP, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, Meyer Shank Racing, Meyer Shank Racing Honda-powered Indy cars, Nick Yelloly, Renger van der Zande, X @KenAutoinformed
Leave a comment

Annals of Marketing – NISMO Coming to Australia
“NISMO represents one of the most authentic expressions of Nissan’s passion for performance, innovation and customer excitement,” said Ivan Espinosa, President and CEO, Nissan Motor Company. “As we advance our long-term vision of mobility intelligence for everyday life, we will continue to deliver new experiences to our customers. The expansion of the NISMO brand in markets such as Australia is an important step in bringing exciting experiences to customers who value performance and authenticity,” Espinosa claimed. Continue reading →