Category Archives: shows and events

Japanese Top Consumer Reports 2026 Automotive Report

Posted on 4 December 2025 by Ken Zino

“We’re releasing new overall score rankings,” said Jake Fisher, CR’s Senior Director of Automotive Testing. “That’s really who makes the best cars along with new car reliability, used car reliability, which is really looking 5 to 10 year old models that are on out in the road, owner satisfaction, our road test scores, repair costs. … We have all the information for each one of the models on our website. That’s all live right now…. We are very excited that this year. We actually have the most amount of vehicles that we’ve had for a very long time. We’ve made some changes to make the survey easier to complete. … We’ve actually gone from 300,000 vehicles in the survey to 380,000 vehicles in the survey. That’s total.” Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, awards, customer satisfaction, design and styling, electric vehicles, manufacturing, news analysis, quality, results, shows and events | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

F1 Driver’s Championship Goes Down to Last Race

Posted on 1 December 2025 by Ken Zino

Max Verstappen won the Qatar Grand Prix, yesterday beating Oscar Piastri to take second place in the Drivers’ standings. Verstappen is now 12 points behind championship leader Lando Norris. A bad pit stop call – staying on track during a safety car deployment – likely hurt both McLaren drivers, with Piastri finishing second. Verstappen’s driving prowess inarguable was one again in play. Also AutoInformed opines was a heartwarming side of Max that rarely comes into view. The disqualification of both McLaren cars after the Las Vegas race made Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen tied in points, and only 24 points behind leader Lando Norris. The last race weekend of the season occurs on December 5-7 – the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, news analysis, people, racing, results, shows and events | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Visit Qatar to Be Principal Partner of Audi F1 Team

Posted on 29 November 2025 by Ken Zino

The Audi F1 Team today announced that Visit Qatar will become a principal partner upon the team’s entry into the FIA Formula 1 World Championship in 2026. Qatar of course is developing as a hub of sport and tourism. It holds the Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix and the FIFA World Cup. The timing was propitious. Not only is it the 2025 Qatar Grand Prix weekend  underway at the Lusail International Circuit in Doha with  both sprint race and a Grand Prix, but the disqualifications of both McLaren cars after the Las Vegas race made Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen tied in points, and only 24 points behind leader Lando Norris. The last race weekend of the season occurs on December 5-7: – the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. All three drivers could be contending there for the Driver’s Championship at the Yas Marina Circuit, United Arab Emirates. [Read AutoInformed.com on: F1 – Qatar Investment Authority Buys Into Sauber – AutoCrat] Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, marketing, milestones, news, news analysis, racing, shows and events | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Nissan to Test Autonomous Mobility Service in Nada Gogo

Posted on 28 November 2025 by Ken Zino

Nissan Motor (7201T and NSANY ADR) today announced that, in collaboration with Kobe City, it will begin a field test of an autonomous mobility service in the Nada Gogo area starting 19 January 2026.

“The Nada Gogo area in Kobe is a renowned tourist destination, celebrated worldwide for its traditional sake brewing and rich history. Through this test, Nissan will leverage its autonomous driving technology to offer a new travel experience for visitors touring sake breweries, enhancing convenience for tourists and exploring opportunities for regional revitalization. The autonomous mobility service seeks to create new experiential value for visitors and contribute to the promotion of tourism in Kobe,” Nissan said. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, autonomous vehicles, car sharing, milestones, mobility company, news analysis, shows and events, software defined vehicles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Thanksgiving 2025 Meets a Thankless Administration

Posted on 27 November 2025 by Ken Zino

In the fall of 1621, the Pilgrims – early immigrants or transplanted settlers of Plymouth Colony – held a three-day feast to celebrate a bountiful harvest. Many regard this event as the nation’s first Thanksgiving, including AutoInformed. Thanksgiving is rooted in the traditions of early 17th century pilgrims. These were celebrations of survival because of bountiful, and more importantly shared harvests. This was the beginning of “We the People,” which in the course of human events resulted in the wealthiest nation on earth.

President George Washington presiding from New York City, a freedom fighter that the British regarded as a terrorist – first designated the celebration of Thanksgiving by our national government a century later in 1789. Previously the Continental Congress of our nascent republic proclaimed several such days at varying times during the war of rebellion against England. Continue reading →

Posted in AutoInformed Editorial, blog, fools 'n frauds, news analysis, people, shows and events, Trump Truth Tests | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

First and Last Look – BMW Z4 Final Edition

Posted on 26 November 2025 by Ken Zino

BMW said today in Woodcliff Lake, NJ that it will debut the Z4 Final Edition – a special Z4 M40i commemorating the end of production of the 2-seat Roadster. The Z4 Final Edition will be characterized by its exclusive BMW Individual paint, unique interior accents, and commemorative badging on the door sill plates. The two-seat sports car with a 3-liter inline six cylinder engine will have a MSRP of $77,500 plus $1175 destination and handling. There’s a long history of BMW sports cars including the BMW 328 Roadster, the BMW 507, and the BMW Z8.

“Fans will instantly recognize the BMW Z4 Final Edition by its exclusive BMW Individual Frozen Black metallic paint – a color that highlights the Z4’s unique design characteristics and dynamic flair. The special paint is subtly contrasted by the standard Shadowline Package, which adds high-gloss black trim to the mirror caps, kidney grill, lower air intake, air breathers, and exhaust finishers. The exterior design package of the Final Edition also incorporates a Moonlight Black soft top and red calipers on the standard M Sport brakes,” BMW said. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, design and styling, engineering, marketing, milestones, mobility company, performance, shows and events | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Milestones – Porsche Factory in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen

Posted on 24 November 2025 by Ken Zino

In 1937, the first sketch for the Porsche factory in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen was drawn up.

“In the 1930s, the Porsche engineering office at Kronenstrasse 24 developed into an innovative actor in the automotive industry. However, the garages at the Porsche villa on Feuerbacher Weg were still being used to develop the first customer-commissioned vehicles. So in 1937, they decided to build a new factory in Zuffenhausen. Ferry Porsche acquired the land from the Wolff entrepreneur family, and architect Richard Pfob was responsible for the design,” said Matthias Kriegel, writing in the Porsche magazine Christophorus 416. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, manufacturing, milestones, mobility company, shows and events | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

September 2025 Unemployed People and Rate Up Under Trump

Posted on 21 November 2025 by Ken Zino

Both the unemployment rate, at 4.4%, and the number of unemployed people, at 7.6 million, changed little in September, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics posted yesterday. These measures are higher than a year earlier under Trump 2.0, when the jobless rate was 4.1%, and the number of unemployed people was 6.9 million. Job losses occurred in transportation and warehousing and in federal government. Continue reading →

Posted in economy, labor issues, news, news analysis, people, results, shows and events, Trump Truth Tests | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Magna Expanding EV Powertrain Production in China

Posted on 21 November 2025 by Ken Zino

Magna (TSX: MG; NYSE: MGA)* said this week that it is increasing its presence in China with a new facility in the Jiujiang Economic Development Zone, Wuhu to support the growing demand of electric drive systems—starting with Chery but ultimately capable of supplying additional automakers in the future.

“This expansion reflects Magna’s commitment to supporting our customers’ electrification strategies and advancing sustainable mobility,” said Diba Ilunga, President Magna Powertrain. “Wuhu offers a strong industrial foundation and an environment conducive to innovation. We are excited to bring our world-class electric drive technologies closer to Chery and other partners in China.” Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, electric vehicles, electronics, engineering, global warming, manufacturing, milestones, mobility company, news analysis, shows and events, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Hyundai CRATER Concept Debuts at AutoMobility LA 2025

Posted on 20 November 2025 by Ken Zino

Hyundai Motor America today held the global debut of the so-called CRATER Concept “adventure vehicle” during a press conference at AutoMobility LA 2025 in Los Angeles, California. The off-road SUV concept’s exterior was designed in California. Built on a compact monocoque architecture, the CRATER Concept has been designed to go anywhere, it’s claimed.

“CRATER began with a question: ‘What does freedom look like?’ This vehicle stands as our answer,” said SangYup Lee, Executive Vice President and Head of Hyundai and Genesis Global Design. “It is a vision shaped by our unending drive to explore — to inspire our customers to explore deeper and embrace the impact of adventure.” Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, concept, design and styling, marketing, mobility company, new vehicle, shows and events | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

IONNA Plans $250M Outlay in California EV Charging

Posted on 20 November 2025 by Ken Zino

IONNA* said today that is planning an outlay of more than $250 million in infrastructure across California during the next three years.**

“This week’s expansion into California is a snapshot of the national momentum IONNA has built in under a year’s time,” said Seth Cutler, Chief Executive Officer of IONNA. ‘IONNA Speed’ isn’t just about how quickly we grow, but also how we deliver, and the IONNA team consistently operates with a driver-first mentality to elevate the charging experience. Every new Rechargery reflects our commitment to providing the coverage, quality, and reliability our drivers deserve.” Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, electric vehicles, environment, global warming, marketing, milestones, public health, shows and events, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Penske Automotive Group Buys More U.S. Dealerships

Posted on 19 November 2025 by Ken Zino

Penske Automotive Group (NYSE: PAG)* said today that it has acquired Longo Toyota and Longo Lexus, located in El Monte, California, Lexus of Stevens Creek, located in San Jose, California, and Longo Toyota of Prosper, located in Prosper, Texas, a suburb of Dallas, Texas.

“The acquisition of these premier dealerships represents a strategic addition to the Penske Automotive Group portfolio. The transaction strengthens our relationship with the Toyota and Lexus brands and expands the Company’s presence in southern California to the Los Angeles area, complements the Company’s existing presence in northern California and expands our operations in Texas to the fast-growing Dallas market. We look forward to continuing the outstanding legacy of these dealerships and are excited to welcome these new team members to Penske Automotive Group,” said Rich Shearing, North American Operations Officer. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, marketing, milestones, mobility company, news, sales, shows and events, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Used Ford Vehicles Now for Sale on Amazon Autos

Posted on 19 November 2025 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor (NYSE: F)* said earlier this week that customers can now shop for, finance and purchase Ford Blue Advantage certified pre-owned (CPO) Ford vehicles on Amazon Autos (NASDAQ: AMZN). Key, however, is that the business relationship remains with the participating Ford dealer. Amazon enables the transaction. All follow-up, service, and privacy matters are handled by the dealer, not Amazon. Initially only a small number of dealers are participating.

“This new collaboration allows customers to browse a participating local dealer’s inventory directly through Amazon’s website, complete most of the paperwork online, and then schedule a convenient time to pick up the selected vehicle,” said Wendy Lane is senior manager of Ford Blue Advantage vehicles. Continue reading →

Posted in aftermarket, auto news, customer satisfaction, marketing, milestones, mobility company, news analysis, sales, shows and events | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The American Story Debuts at National Archives Museum

Posted on 18 November 2025 by Ken Zino

The National Archives Museum said today that it will open its new flagship exhibition, The American Story, on Friday 21 November to celebrate America’s semi-quincentennial. The American Story brings more than two million historic records to life.

“The American Story is boldly presented in this exciting new exhibition that blends 250 years of history with the latest technologies to create a one-of-a-kind museum experience. Millions of records in the National Archives shine light on America’s exceptional people – from the founding to present day – now digitized and waiting to be explored. We encourage visitors from across the United States and around the world to add this new museum to their Washington, DC itineraries and experience The American Story,” said Jim Byron, Senior Advisor to the Archivist of the United States. Continue reading →

Posted in milestones, news, news analysis, shows and events | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Open House at Under Construction Ford World Headquarters

Posted on 17 November 2025 by Ken Zino

Yesterday Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) held what it called a grand opening of the  new World Headquarters, aka Henry Ford II World Center, although construction continues on the 2.1-million-square-foot headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan. [Local media said the event was sparsely attended with only a couple of hundred people. Autoinformed was not invited – AutoCrat]

“Like Ford Motor Company, this building is meant to last. We’ve used durable, timeless, and consistent materials, in a layout that can be adapted to accommodate future changes in décor and technology. When completed in 2027, it will accommodate 4000 employees, twice as many as our former World Headquarters, the Glass House. It is also more centrally located, within a 15-minute walk of other Ford buildings where 14,000 Ford employees work,” Jennifer Kolstad is global design and brand director at Ford. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, design and styling, engineering, mobility company, news analysis, shows and events | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment