Category Archives: results

Connectivity Snags Haunt Improvements in New-Vehicle Quality

Posted on 25 June 2026 by Ken Zino

“As more technology is introduced into vehicles, keeping the experience simple matters more than ever,” said Frank Hanley, senior director of auto benchmarking at JD Power. “The biggest gains in quality come from features that are easy to use—simple controls, less-intrusive driver assistance and software that works the way customers expect. When technology becomes too complicated, the likelihood of customers experiencing a problem rises considerably.” Continue reading →

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Trumped! – 2026 Vehicles Sales Forecasts All Down

Posted on 24 June 2026 by Ken Zino

“The top theme over the last year or so has really been affordability, and this isn’t only related to the auto industry but really about everything facing consumers. And the issue is ALL about purchasing power or more clearly – the erosion of purchasing power for many Americans over the last several years. We’ve all seen new highs in the stock market that have happened many times this year, and those equity gains and asset appreciation really help high income households. Those consumers are driving a lot of consumption across the economy, but the wealth effect gains are concentrated at the very top of the pyramid. The vast majority of the US population sees little gain from the wealth effect and their number one source of income are the paychecks they take home every week. That’s why inflation matters,” said Jeremy Robb, Chief Economist Cox Automotive. Continue reading →

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Milestones – Nissan Canton Builds 1 Millionth Frontier Truck

Posted on 23 June 2026 by Ken Zino

“This milestone reflects the skill of our Canton team and the strength of the community behind them,” said Victor Taylor, division vice president, U.S. Manufacturing, Supply Chain Management and Production Engineering. “Canton’s precision, pride and consistency are in every truck that rolls off the line.” Continue reading →

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Porsche AG Board Drastically Cuts 2025 Annual Dividend ~50%

Posted on 23 June 2026 by Ken Zino

“This is a responsible approach for the company and its stakeholders,” said CEO Dr Michael Leiters. “We are ensuring financial flexibility during this transformational phase and systematically supporting our strategic realignment. The management’s goal remains to sustainably strengthen the robustness of the business model and create long-term value.” Continue reading →

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Ford Recalls Expand – Six More Covering ~172,000 Vehicles

Posted on 22 June 2026 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is conducting six more recalls according to data released today by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration taken from the mandatory safety defect recall filings with the division of the U.S. Department of Transportation (NHTSA recalls 26V373 or 26V-373 sequentially through to 26V378.) Ford is operating under a NHTSA consent decree. [The Ford NHTSA consent order is a binding agreement issued on 14 November 2024, resolving allegations that the automaker failed to comply with federal recall requirements regarding defective rearview cameras. It includes a $165 million civil penalty, marking the second-largest in the agency’s 54-year history – AutoCrat.]*

The latest safety defects are headlamps, power windows, gear selector indication, transmission failures, and the lane center assist system transmission downshifting unexpectedly into first gear. Approximately 172,000 vehicles are affected. Several of the recalls are the result of improperly repaired previous Ford Motor safety defect recalls. Continue reading →

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IndyCar – Lundgaard Last-to-First Win at Road America!

Posted on 22 June 2026 by Ken Zino

“I knew we had a chance,” Lundgaard said after the early contact  sent him to the back of the field. “I knew how this race panned out last year, and I knew it was all about just sticking in the race. I did that last year. I made a bunch of mistakes last year that spun ourselves around last year, and I just wanted to make up for that. We’ve been on the struggle bus all weekend, so to turn this around, I have to thank the team for that.” Continue reading →

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Ford Bronco, Maverick Recalls for Front Suspension Failures

Posted on 16 June 2026 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company (NYSE Ford) is recalling 2021-2026 model-year Bronco Sport and 2022-2026 model-year Maverick light trucks. The front lower control arm ball joints may have been incorrectly installed or incorrectly repaired at the vehicle assembly plant, allowing the control arm to disconnect from the front wheel knuckle. Owners should not drive the trucks until the recall has been performed.

“An incorrect assembly or repair that results in partial engagement of the ball stud to the knuckle may result in lower control arm ball joint separation from the knuckle which may result in loss of vehicle control while driving, increasing the risk of crash,” Ford said in the mandatory safety defect recall d filling made public by the National Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) yesterday. Continue reading →

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Fires Park Outside! – Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid EVs

Posted on 15 June 2026 by Ken Zino

“Owners are advised not to charge their vehicles, and to park outside and away from structures, until their vehicle is repaired. Dealers will update the high voltage battery pack control module software. In addition, dealers will inspect and replace the battery pack assembly, as necessary. All repairs will be performed free of charge,” Chrysler said in the mandatory safety defect filing made public this morning by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) this morning. Continue reading →

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UAW Local 2093 Members Ratify New American Axle Contract

Posted on 15 June 2026 by Ken Zino

“Not only did they take care of the legacy people that were here and made the tough decisions back in 2008 to keep the place open, they took care of the people working there today,” said UAW Region 1D Director Steve Dawes. “They also took care of all the future generations that will come to work here in Three Rivers, Michigan, at American Axle.”

Over the ten-day strike, UAW Local 2093 members attracted the interest and support of local community and political allies from across the state, including Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, State Senator Sean McCann, Three Rivers Mayor Angel Johnston, U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, candidate for Michigan Attorney General Eli Savit, among others. Continue reading →

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Data Center Tax Abatements Threaten State Budgets and You

Posted on 12 June 2026 by Ken Zino

A new analysis released today from Good Jobs First finds that state and local governments are losing tax revenue to data center subsidies at an unprecedented rate, with costs rising sharply in states that disclose the value of their tax breaks and many others still failing to report the losses at all. Transparency also remains a large issue: 14 states with data center tax exemptions still do not publish comprehensive annual revenue-loss figures, making it difficult for lawmakers and taxpayers to understand the true cost of the incentives.* [In short, taxpayer’s pockets are being picked by wealthy firms and special interests. While local programs such as school or library budgets are potentially hurt. Homeowner property taxes could rise drastically the over the shortfalls. – AutoCrat] Continue reading →

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Affordability – Used Vehicle Prices Hit Three Year High!

Posted on 12 June 2026 by Ken Zino

The Cox Automotive analysis of vAuto Live Market View data released today show used-vehicle inventory increased in May as the retail sales pace braked.* Average listing prices rose for the third consecutive month, reaching $26,918, the highest since mid-2023 and … Continue reading →

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Why Wars Are Costing Motorists So Much

Posted on 12 June 2026 by Ken Zino

From our friends across the pond comes a timely warning today about wars and government fuel economy policies. [AutoInformed is thinking here about the relaxation of fuel economy standards by the Trump mis-administration, as well as its foreign wars and … Continue reading →

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Mixed Results on Trump Auto Tariff, Policy Scorecards

Posted on 11 June 2026 by Ken Zino

Plante Moran shared its North American Production Outlook 2026 – 2033 forecast with the Society of Automotive Analysts this week. It is investigating at the mid-2026 point how electrification continues to influence auto industry direction as the year unfolds. The estimable mega-consulting firm that deals in audit, tax, consulting, and wealth management globally has a significant advisory presence in the auto industry.  It says changes are coming later this decade and into the early 2030s. 

“The North American production volume outlook for growth remains, but we’re seeing some geographic shifts, mostly to the US. And amount of this growth will be encountered in the later years of our projections,” said Dan Lee, principal at the Southfield, MI office. And that’s largely due to the delays in EV adoption that we’ve seen whether that’s planned to be paused or not.” Continue reading →

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Striking UAW Reaches Tentative Agreement at American Axle

Posted on 11 June 2026 by Ken Zino

After walking out on strike at midnight on June 1, UAW Local 2093 members at American Axle/Dauch Corporation have reached a tentative agreement with the company, the UAW said last night. The as yet unratified contract gets the workers’ “topline demand” of $30 per hour by 2030, a more than 36% increase to the top wage rate over four years. The UAW claimed there are other “historic gains in a record contract” at the Tier 1 parts supplier to GM.

“Tonight, after 10 days on strike, I am proud to announce that UAW Local 2093 has reached a tentative agreement at American Axle,” said UAW President Shawn Fain. “And tonight, after 18 years of sacrifice, these workers are finally winning back a big chunk of what was taken from them.” Continue reading →

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Large Honda and Acura Recall Started for Suspension Failures

Posted on 11 June 2026 by Ken Zino

Dealers will inspect the rear sub-frame and install a rear sub-frame reinforcement kit and, as necessary, repair or replace the rear sub frame components, free of charge as required by U.S. law. Owner notification letters are not expected to be mailed until 7 July 2026. Continue reading →

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