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Category Archives: milestones
Production of Ford GT Mk IV Track Day Cars Ending
Ford Performance (NYSE: F) said today that it is about release the third and final wave of production of the Ford GT Mk IV. After nearly a decade of hand assembling every Ford GT of this generation in the same facility, this run will mark the end of this line for the road and race cars.
“With the majority of the 67 total units produced already in the hands of customers, Ford Performance is now taking orders on the remaining cars. Created in conjunction with our GT racing partner Multimatic Motorsports, the Mk IV boasts technology that exceeds that of most GT race cars and on-track capabilities unimaginable for the street. The Ford GT Mk IV finds itself perfectly placed as a collector car that will be too thrilling to be kept in the garage,” said Mark Rushbrook global director of Ford Performance. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, electronics, engineering, marketing, milestones, news analysis, people, performance, racing, shows and events
Tagged at Ford and Multimatic, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, GT Mk IV, Ken Zino, Mark Rushbrook, Multimatic On Track, Roush-Yates Engines, Scott Maxwell, X @KenAutoinformed
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Cadillac Off-Roader – Elevated Velocity
Cadillac today revealed the so-called Elevated Velocity concept. It is said to be a continuation of the Cadillac V-Series performance formula. [It’s not available for sale yet – Autocrat] This off-roader built on an elevated platform appears to be a serious concept that is winding its way through the sand, rocks, and mud of the GM bureaucracy to become a production vehicle. Yes, an off-road Cadillac?! Continue reading
Posted in auto news, concept, design and styling, electric vehicles, milestones, mobility company, news analysis, performance, shows and events
Tagged Alexandra Dymowska, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Bryan Nesbitt, Cadillac Elevated Velocity concept, Cadillac V-Series vehicles, Ken Zino, The Quail A Motorsports Gathering ®, X @KenAutoinformed
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Honda Racing Starts Merchandise and Memorabilia Sales
Honda Racing Corporation (HRC), the global racing branch of Honda, will launch a new merchandise and memorabilia business this week during California’s Monterey Car Week. To commemorate the new memorabilia business, HRC will auction the Honda V10 engine used by Ayrton Senna in his McLaren Honda MP4/5B during the final two rounds of the 1990 Formula 1 season. The historic engine will be auctioned by Bonhams during The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering at Quail Lodge on 15 August.
“Throughout our history, Honda has won at the highest levels of motorsports all over the world, and the new HRC merchandise and memorabilia business is all about sharing our incredible racing heritage with our race fans in exciting new ways,” said Jon Ikeda, senior vice president, Honda Racing Corporation US. “HRC will build an even stronger connection with Honda and Acura enthusiasts by offering exclusive opportunities to own a piece of racing history, including limited-edition collectibles and rare artifacts from our storied legacy in motorsport.”
Posted in auto news, engineering, marketing, milestones, news analysis, performance, racing, shows and events
Tagged Australian Grand Prix, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Gerhard Berger, Honda RA100E V10 Engine, Honda racing, Japanese Grand Prix, Jon Ikeda, Ken Zino, McLaren Honda, X @KenAutoinformed
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Annals of Marketing – Curated by Cadillac
“Curated by Cadillac embodies our commitment to delivering an elevated level of customization,” said John Roth, vice president, Global Cadillac. “Drawing upon experience from the ultra-luxury, hand-built CELESTIQ, we are now offering a limited number of CT5-V Blackwing customers an opportunity to create a vehicle that is as unique as their own story.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, design and styling, marketing, milestones, shows and events
Tagged 2026 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing sedans, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Curated by Cadillac, John Roth, Ken Zino, X @KenAutoinformed
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Pep Boys to Run Auto Service Centers on U.S. Navy Bases
The Pep Boys said today that it has a contract with the Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM). Under the contract, Pep Boys plans to operate 14 of NEXCOM’s automotive service centers located on U.S. Navy bases across the country. This transition, which will be implemented on a rolling basis, will provide service to military personnel and their families. The converted locations* will be rebranded under the Pep Boys name, continuing a legacy that dates back to the company’s founding by Navy veterans Manny, Moe & Jack.
“We are honored to work with NEXCOM*** to bring Pep Boys’ best-in-class automotive & tire services to Navy personnel and their families,” said Joe Auriemma, CEO of Pep Boys. “Our company was founded by three Navy veterans, and we take immense pride in continuing that tradition by serving the military community with the same dedication and excellence that has defined us for more than 100 years.” Continue reading
Center for Automotive Research – Elizabeth Krear is President
The Center for Automotive Research (CAR) today announced the appointment of Elizabeth Krear as its new President and Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Krear assumes the role following interim leadership by David Leckey.
“I am excited and honored to lead CAR during such a transformative moment for our industry,” said Krear. “CAR’s work is essential in helping stakeholders navigate electrification, automation, sustainability, and policy shifts. I look forward to working with our partners to ensure CAR remains a trusted voice and strategic catalyst for the future of automotive,” said Krear. She brings a career-long focus on automotive innovation, electrification, and strategic planning. She is a home-grown Michigan engineer, executive and industry analyst. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, connected vehicles, milestones, news, news analysis, shows and events, software defined vehicles, transportation
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Dr. Andrew Brown Jr, Electric Vehicle Practice at J.D. Power, Elizabeth Krear, Ken Zino, Michigan State University Executive MBA Program, Wayne State University, X @KenAutoinformed
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BMW iX3 Production, Supply and Use Sustainability
“During product development, extensive measures were implemented throughout the supply chain, production and use phases, explicitly focused on conserving resources and reducing the model’s environmental footprint. As such, the iX3 Neue Klasse marks an important milestone toward achieving the company’s 2030 and 2050 CO2 emission targets,” BMW said. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, electric vehicles, engineering, environment, fuel economy or emissions, global warming, manufacturing, milestones, mobility company, new vehicle, news analysis
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, BMW Group Sustainability Targets, BMW iX3, Ken Zino, Net Zero, Paris Climate Agreement., X @KenAutoinformed
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Corvette Claims Production Car Records at Nürburgring
A Chevrolet Corvette Z06, ZR1 and ZR1X recently ran the 12.9-mile Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit where it’s said, for the first time in the track’s history, an automaker brought three different cars with three non-race-car drivers to record three lap times in a single visit. Three of the Chevrolet engineers who helped develop these cars drove the so-called Green Hell. While amateurs of a sort, all have extensive experience and advanced driving credentials.
“No auto manufacturer has done a Nürburgring lap attempt like this before,” said GM President Mark Reuss. “From development through production, and now at the Nürburgring Nordschleife, the Green Hell, we have clearly shown there is no limit to what our GM engineers and vehicles can accomplish. These are the best Corvettes in history, period.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, engineering, marketing, milestones, people, performance, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Corvette Z06 ZR1 and ZR1X, Ken Morris, Ken Zino, mark reuss, Nürburgring-Nordschleife circuit, Tony Roma, X @KenAutoinformed
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Bosch Finishes Largest Acquisition in Its History
The Bosch Group said today that it completed the largest acquisition in its history. The purchase of the residential and light commercial heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) business from Johnson Controls, and the acquisition of the Johnson Controls-Hitachi Air Conditioning joint venture. They were completed as scheduled on 31 July. The contracts were signed roughly one year ago. The purchase price of 8 billion U.S. dollars (~€7.4 billion) is subject to customary adjustments.
“The entire HVAC industry is in a state of upheaval, and the market and technologies are changing. Bosch is systematically taking advantage of its opportunities and is now moving up to the Champions League in the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning solutions business,” said Stefan Hartung, chairman of the Bosch board of management. Continue reading
Posted in environment, global warming, manufacturing, marketing, milestones, news, news analysis
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Bosch Home Comfort division, Christian Fischer, HVAC industry, johnson controls, Johnson Controls-Hitachi Air Conditioning joint venture, Ken Zino, Stefan Hartung, The Bosch Group, X @KenAutoinformed
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Automaker Provided Insurance – Honda Joins Growing List
American Honda Motor Company has announced the establishment of Honda Insurance Solutions, a licensed insurance agency that will provide the auto insurance needs of Acura and Honda customers. Competitive pricing and coverage options are claimed for autos, motorcycles, RVs, homes. The new Honda agency is working with omnichannel insurance brokerage VIU by HUB to offer quoting and advice. This is the beginning of a broader insurance strategy with plans to integrate insurance into digital vehicle sales. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, insurance, marketing, milestones, news, news analysis
Tagged American Honda Insurance Solutions, auto industry commentary, auto insurance from automakers, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Honda or Acura Genuine parts coverage, insurance brokerage VIU by HUB, Ken Zino, Petar Vucurevic, X @KenAutoinformed
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CARB Amends Clean Truck Regs With Trucking Industry!
“California’s commitment to cleaner trucks has created an ecosystem of programs and incentives that will continue to drive progress despite the federal administration’s unlawful actions challenging our state’s efforts to reduce emissions and deploy to clean transportation technologies,” said CARB Chair Liane Randolph. “The amendments approved today provide manufacturers with flexibility, and we look forward to continued collaboration with manufacturers in efforts to reduce emissions, protect public health and ensure global competitiveness as the rest of the world shifts to zero-emission technologies.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, economy, engineering, environment, global warming, milestones, news analysis, public health, shows and events, transportation
Tagged Advanced Clean Truck regulations, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, California Air Resources Board, carb, Governor Gavin Newsom, Ken Zino, Liane Randolph, X @KenAutoinformed
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July Record – $49.8B Spent New Vehicles in U.S.
Total U.S. new-vehicle sales for July 2025, including retail and non-retail transactions, are forecast to reach 1,380,500, a 3.2% increase from July 2024 according to a joint forecast from J.D. Power and GlobalData. Comparing the same sales volume without adjusting for the number of selling days translates to an increase of 7.4% from 2024. Nonetheless, consumer spending set record for month with $49.8 billion spent on new vehicles if the forecast holds, which is likely given the track record of the source.
“July retail sales are projected to finish 4.1% higher than a year ago but interpreting that gain requires care due to events both last year and this year that disrupted normal monthly sales patterns,” said Thomas King, president of the data and analytics division at J.D. Power. Continue reading
Penske Automotive Group Increases Dividend Again
“We are pleased to provide shareholders with another increase in the quarterly dividend, reflecting the continued strength of our balance sheet and strong cash flow,” said Penske Automotive Group President Robert H. Kurnick, Jr Continue reading
Posted in auto news, financial results, milestones, news analysis, shows and events, transportation
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino, pag, penske automotive group, Penske Entertainment, Penske Transportation Solutions, Robert H. Kurnick Jr, roger penske, X @KenAutoinformed
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Nissan Armada Starts at $58,840
“Following the all-new debut of the 2025 model year, Nissan continues to deliver an Armada for every adventure – offering supreme comfort, premium technology, a bold new design and uncompromising capability. With three rows of seating, a maximum towing capacity of up to 8,500 pounds [3], and the added confidence of standard Nissan Safety Shield® 3604, the Armada is ready for whatever the road – or trail – may bring,” Nissan said. Continue reading →