Category Archives: milestones

Climate Change – CARB Adopts Five-Year Research Plan

Posted on 26 September 2025 by Ken Zino

“While the federal government recklessly dismantles decades of proven science and undermines public trust, California is doubling down on facts, data and accountability,” said CARB Chair Liane Randolph. “This plan isn’t just a roadmap for cleaner air and smart climate action; it’s a declaration that science still matters. We’re building policies that are resilient, adaptive and rooted in evidence.” Continue reading →

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Lexus Adds F-Sport Trim to the 2026 LX 

Posted on 26 September 2025 by Ken Zino

Lexus said today that the LX for the 2026 model year will offer an F SPORT Appearance Package, available exclusively on the LX 700h F SPORT Handling model. The package has color-keyed lower front and rear bumper accents, black outside mirror covers, black rear spoiler winglets, and color-keyed running board accents. The 2026 LX is offered in five grades: Premium, F SPORT Handling, Luxury, Ultra Luxury, and Overtrail. For the first time a Hybrid Powertrain is available. Pricing ranges from $107,950 to $142,450. Continue reading →

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Annals of Marketing – Carrera GT 25 Anniversary and ZEPETO

Posted on 26 September 2025 by Ken Zino

Porsche and Arthur Kar have teamed to launch an exclusive capsule collection celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Carrera GT. ZEPETO, a global avatar platform with a claimed +400 million registered users, is partnering with Porsche as it marks the 25th anniversary of the Carrera GT. Attached to the collection launch, Porsche presents a Paris showcase and exhibition near the Champs-Élysées. ZEPETO is extending the celebration to millions of users around the world. Four exclusive items from the 25Y Porsche Carrera GT Anniversary Collection, including a jacket, T-shirt, cap, and Porsche x PUMA trainers will be available in the Porsche shop on ZEPETO.

“Running from September 26 to October 25, ZEPETO users will be invited to step into three immersive booths, each offering a narrative thread drawn from the Carrera GT’s heritage. This includes racing the Carrera GT on the Porsche Leipzig track, posing in its former production line, and revisiting its debut in Paris. By creating photo and video content within these environments, participants become part of the story themselves, re-imagining Porsche’s legacy spirit through their avatars and aesthetic preferences,” ZEPETO claimed. Continue reading →

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Annals of Marketing – Subaru Connection Hub

Posted on 25 September 2025 by Ken Zino

Subaru of America today unveiled the Subaru Connection Hub, the automaker’s first full redesign of its national retailer network since 2007. Customers will begin to see the Subaru Connection Hub at participating retailers in 2026.

“Following decades of growth and evolution at Subaru, the new Connection Hub reflects where our brand stands today and where we are headed, while reinforcing our long-standing commitment to our customers and communities through the Subaru Love Promise. This is more than a design update – it transforms our retailers’ facilities into welcoming hubs for customers and communities to connect, collaborate, and celebrate what they love about our brand,” said Tim Stallings, Vice President, Retailer Development, Subaru of America. Continue reading →

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Caterham Competitor – New Zenos E10 RZ

Posted on 24 September 2025 by Ken Zino

Zenos Cars today revealed in engineering prototype form the new Zenos E10 RZ. Zenos Cars is a partnership between former Caterham Cars CEO Ansar Ali and COO Mark Edwards. They both also worked together at Lotus. Ali and Edwards have more than 30 years of experience in the niche sports car sector. The Zenos name is a combination of ‘Zen’ to represent purity, and ‘os,’ roughly Latin for ‘vertebra.’

“The start of a new generation of cars for Zenos, the marque will once again focus on innovation and ingenuity as it seeks to do more with less, in the tradition of the Great British sports cars manufacturers that inspired the company’s founding,” Zenos said. Continue reading →

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CARB – Zero-Emission Vehicle Transition Ahead of Schedule

Posted on 23 September 2025 by Ken Zino

Zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicle sales continued to rise in California during 2024, with manufacturers reporting 30,026 zero-emission trucks, buses, and vans sold — representing nearly 23% of all new Class 2b–8 vehicle sales. The data is according to information reported by manufacturers to the California Air Resources Board (CARB), which released it today. That figure is more than double the minimum statewide requirement for the 2024 model year and marks the highest total of sales ever reported. Since 2021, more than 57,000 ZEVs have been sold in California’s medium- and heavy-duty market, and statewide ZEV truck sales have now increased for the fourth consecutive year.*

“This continued growth in zero-emission truck sales shows that manufacturers are stepping up to meet California’s clean air goals and that the transition to cleaner fleets is accelerating,” said CARB Chair Liane Randolph. “With strong sales, a growing credit surplus, and rapid innovation, the industry is proving that zero-emission technology is ready for wider deployment.” Continue reading →

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Milestones – 1908 Billy Durant Founds GM

Posted on 19 September 2025 by AutoCrat

William “Billy” Crapo Durant founded General Motors this week on 16 September 1908 with Buick as the cornerstone. Durant soon brought Oldsmobile, Cadillac, Oakland (Pontiac predecessor) and two dozen other companies under a GM holding company. However, Durant lost control of the company to bankers in 1910 after his money supply was cut off. To get new financing, Durant, while remaining a GM vice president, relinquished control of the company to a new board comprised of bankers, but in those days GM was running without taxpayer subsidies or bailouts.

“The business philosophy was simple and as history shows enormously successful. One company – General Motors – would own and sell multiple brands making for greater growth and profits. It proved true,” said AutoCrat. Continue reading →

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EV Breakthrough? Peugeot with Embedded Inverter, Charger

Posted on 19 September 2025 by Ken Zino

Stellantis N.V. (NYSE: STLA) said today that in partnership with Saft (a TotalEnergies subsidiary) it has started prototype testing of a Peugeot E-3008 EV that eliminates the need for separate charger and inverter components. This could be a substantial breakthrough for both mobile and stationary energy applications.

“This project reflects our belief that simplification is innovation. By rethinking and simplifying the electric powertrain architecture, we are making it lighter, more efficient, and more cost-effective. These are the kinds of innovations that help us deliver better, more affordable EVs to our customers,” said Ned Curic, Chief Engineering and Technology Officer at Stellantis. Continue reading →

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American Honda Advances the Circular Economy

Posted on 18 September 2025 by Ken Zino

American Honda (NYSE: HMC) said today that operations of its new Resource Circularity Center have begun. Located near the Marysville and East Liberty Auto Plants in Ohio, the Honda Resource Circularity Center is consistent with Honda’s  global goal to reduce its environmental impact by creating a circular economy business model that maximizes material value and extends the lifecycle of indirect goods.

“Going beyond traditional manufacturing recycling programs that focus on direct materials such as scrap metal and plastics used to produce products, the Honda Resource Circularity Center focuses on recycling and repurposing indirect goods – tools, equipment and other items used in operations, including those that support vehicle production. These include everything from tools like torque wrenches and industrial robots to office chairs and vehicle service replacement parts such as aluminum wheels. Honda aims to recover value from such decommissioned items, helping divert waste from landfills and lower reliance on virgin raw materials,” Honda said. Continue reading →

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Extreme H to Hold First Hydrogen Powered World Cup Race

Posted on 17 September 2025 by Ken Zino

The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the global governing body for motor sport has signed a multi-year agreement with Extreme H to deliver the world’s first hydrogen-powered World Cup event.

“The World Cup will test the boundaries of what can be achieved in motor sport and the wider automotive and energy industries, opening up opportunities for further investment into hydrogen infrastructure by showing what is possible, and driving progress towards a low-carbon future,” said Extreme H, which is an extension of Extreme E racing that uses electric vehicles. Continue reading →

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Constitution Day 2025 Thoughts

Posted on 17 September 2025 by Ken Zino

The point here is that to govern without facts is madness. Leaving aside the historical revisions that show that King George III, the monarch who lost the colonies to what became the United States, was, well,  mad as a hatter in his later years. Donald J. Trump – the man who wishes to be our King now  – should not be our president based on his deteriorating mental condition. He doesn’t even know what is going on in his own administration.Is Trump going to fire the entire CBO? [See the following] It’s time for “We the People” to fire Trump and his Curia Regis, the advisors – cabinet members, agency heads and the like – who are against the facts or falsify them. Continue reading →

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CARB Chair Liane Randolph to Retire

Posted on 16 September 2025 by Ken Zino

Late yesterday, California governor Gavin Newsom announced that California Air Resources Board (CARB) Chair Liane Randolph will be retiring from state service effective 30 September 2025. Newsome named Senior Advisor to the Governor for Climate Lauren Sanchez to serve as the next CARB Chair. Chair Sanchez starts 1 October 2025 and assumes Chair Randolph’s current term which ends in December 2026. The appointment is subject to state Senate confirmation. It is inarguably the most powerful position in the Clean Air movement now that the US EPA has abandoned its role on protecting the environment and dealing with planet threatening Global Warming. Continue reading →

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Ford Motor to Demolish Glass House, Build New WHQ

Posted on 15 September 2025 by Ken Zino

In a letter sent to Ford employees this morning Bill Ford, executive chair, and Jim Farley, president and CEO, said Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) will demolish its World Headquarters, aka Glass House, and replace it on the newly named Henry Ford II World Center, formerly the Product Development Center or Campus. It is scheduled to open this November. It will be dedicated as Ford World Headquarters. Ford did not name the architect.

“This is more than just a new building; it’s a catalyst for innovation and a physical symbol of our Ford+ transformation. To win in this new era, we must work more closely together than ever before,” Bill Ford and Jim Farley said. “This is more than just a new building; it’s a catalyst for innovation and a physical symbol of our Ford+ transformation. To win in this new era, we must work more closely together than ever before.” Continue reading →

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Mercedes-AMG Hybrid Wagon Priced – Bring Money

Posted on 12 September 2025 by Ken Zino

Mercedes-Benz USA said today that 2026 Mercedes-AMG E 53 Hybrid* arrives at U.S. dealerships in early fall 2025, starting from $93,3502. That excludes a $1150 destination and delivery charge as well as options. AutoInformed speculates that Trump Tariff chaos had something to do with the price. Green would be an appropriate color under the circumstances. No U.S. photos or the rear interior area of the wagon were provided. Continue reading →

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New Porsche 911 Turbo S Most Powerful 911 Ever

Posted on 12 September 2025 by Ken Zino

Porsche (P911.DE) showed the new 911 Turbo S series at the IAA Mobility motor show in Munich. The twin-turbo powertrain with so-called T-Hybrid technology makes the new 911 Turbo S the most powerful production 911 thus far. The sports car, available as a coupé and cabriolet, claims more intelligent aerodynamics, an optimized chassis and more exclusive equipment. Prices, inevitably high, are thus far are unknown. They will be influenced negatively by the ongoing Trump Tariff economic chaos.

“The 911 Turbo S is the most complete and versatile form of driving a Porsche 911. Whether in daily use, on long autobahn journeys or on the racetrack – we have made the new 911 Turbo S even more comfortable, more individual and significantly faster than its predecessor,” said Frank Moser, Vice President of the 911 and 718 model line. Continue reading →

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