Category Archives: shows and events

Honda Racing Starts Merchandise and Memorabilia Sales

Posted on 13 August 2025 by Ken Zino

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.”

Continue reading →

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

Mercedes-Benz Chauffeur-Driven Vision V in California

Posted on 12 August 2025 by Ken Zino

“Traditionally crafted materials blended with hyper-modern, tech-savvy design elements that are just as stylish as they are unexpected, providing an unprecedented immersive digital experience.,” Mercedes-Benz said. “Pebble Beach Automotive Week is the ideal setting for the world’s finest automobiles, where enthusiasts and collectors gather to celebrate automotive excellence and innovation making it perfectly suited for the Vision V to showcase its immersive user experience.” No word on powertrain offerings thus far.  Continue reading →

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

Annals Of Marketing – Genesis Collection of Lifestyle Goods

Posted on 12 August 2025 by Ken Zino

Genesis today announced the launch of the Genesis Collection, a selection of lifestyle goods “with a nod to the brand’s ‘son-nim’ or honored guest, philosophy.”

“The Genesis Collection is an extension of our brand’s commitment to delivering exceptional experiences and products that go beyond automotive,” said Kiri Kiely-Rodriguez, director, customer experience and training at Genesis Motor America. “From the materials to the designs, the Genesis Collection embodies our Korean heritage and allows customers to engage with the brand in a new and exciting way.” Continue reading →

Posted in aftermarket, auto news, marketing, shows and events | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Annals of Marketing – Curated by Cadillac

Posted on 12 August 2025 by Ken Zino

“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 , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Palou Takes Fourth IndyCar Drivers’ Championship

Posted on 11 August 2025 by Ken Zino

Alex Palou’s third-place finish yesterday at the Bitnile.com Grand Prix of Portland resulted in his fourth NTT IndyCar Series drivers’ championship in five years, as well as his third-consecutive title. The Chip Ganassi Racing driver now has eight victories on the season with two races left of the 2025 season. Honda as a result took manufacturers’ championship. This is Honda’s seventh NTT IndyCar Series manufacturers’ title, and 11th in American Open Wheel Racing. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, awards, performance, racing, results, shows and events | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Avoidable Contact – IndyCar Penalizes Kyffin Simpson

Posted on 8 August 2025 by Ken Zino

IndyCar today announced a six-position starting grid penalty for the No. 8 Chip Ganassi Racing entry for avoidable contact involving driver Kyffin Simpson during the Sunday 27 July 27 race at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca during the Grand Prix of Monterey The penalty comes after a post-race review of the Lap 1, Turn 6 incident with the No. 60 entry of Meyer Shank Racing driven by Felix Rosenqvist. Continue reading →

Posted in people, performance, racing, results, safety, shows and events | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Hot Cars – Camaro ZL1 Most Stolen Vehicle

Posted on 7 August 2025 by Ken Zino

The Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 is at the top of the list of America’s most-stolen vehicles, while a software upgrade helped reduce theft rates for Hyundai and Kia vehicles, according to new research from the Highway Loss Data Institute. Relative to its numbers on the roads, the Camaro ZL1 had a whole-vehicle theft rate 39 times the average for all vehicles. The frequency of whole-vehicle theft claims for the standard Camaro was 13 times higher than the average. Along with the two Camaro variants, pickup trucks and other expensive or high-horsepower models dominate the list of the top 20 vehicles with the highest claim frequencies for whole-vehicle theft.
 “Muscle cars have often topped this list, as thieves are attracted to vehicles with high horsepower,” said Matt Moore, chief insurance operations officer at HLDI and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. “That also helps explain why the more expensive, more powerful ZL1 is stolen so much more often than the standard Camaro.”
Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, electronics, insurance, news analysis, shows and events | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Center for Automotive Research – Elizabeth Krear is President

Posted on 7 August 2025 by Ken Zino

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 , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Milestones – 600,000th Mercedes-Benz G-Class

Posted on 6 August 2025 by Ken Zino

The 600,000th unit of the legendary Mercedes‑Benz G‑Class rolled off the production line in Graz, Austria – a G580 with EQ Technology in Obsidian Black Metallic- Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) said this week. Accompanied by the S- and E‑Class, the G-Class is one of the longest-produced model series in the history of Mercedes‑Benz passenger cars. Continue reading →

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

Hypercar, Hyper Price – 2026 Corvette ZR1X

Posted on 6 August 2025 by Ken Zino

Chevrolet (NYSE: GM) said today that the 2026 Corvette ZR1X, inarguably the most advanced Corvette ever, will be available with an exclusive, limited production Quail Silver Limited Edition model. It will debut at this year’s “The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering,” in Carmel, California on August 15. There will also be the debut of GM Design’s concept car for the future C9 Corvette. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, design and styling, electric vehicles, marketing, performance, prices, shows and events | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Corvette Claims Production Car Records at Nürburgring

Posted on 4 August 2025 by Ken Zino

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 , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ford Says Trump Tariffs Will Slash Earnings by $2B

Posted on 31 July 2025 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) reported late yesterday its Q2 and H1 2025 financial performance. The now common internally created factors of Ford’s warranty costs,* losses on electric vehicles and the external Trump’s tariff chaos negative effects were in play. Tariffs slashed $800 million from Ford profits during Q2, the Dearborn-based company said. Its latest estimate of $2 billion in tariff costs for the year includes the impact of cost-cutting and other measures Ford is taking in response to President Trump’s trade policies. Ford Motor booked a $1.3 billion loss from repairs of vehicles under warranty, cancellation of plans to build an electric sport utility vehicle and other one-time costs. The Q2 net loss was $36 million. Ford common stock per share has been trading in the $8.44 – $11.97 range during the last year, hovering ~$11 a share recently. Its three-year return of ~5% compares to the S&P 500 at 54%. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, economy, electric vehicles, financial results, manufacturing, mobility company, results, sales, shows and events | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Audi F1 – Revolut Becomes Title Partner

Posted on 30 July 2025 by Ken Zino

“Audi is entering Formula 1 with a clear ambition: to use the platform as a technologically relevant and economically sustainable investment in the future of the Audi brand. We firmly believe in the success of our project, which we are approaching with a realistic attitude and a mindset of continuous improvement. In Revolut, we have found a partner that shares our ambitions and attitude. Formula 1 is a global stage that offers us the opportunity to reach new target groups together and generate enthusiasm for our products,” said Gernot Döllner, CEO of AUDI AG and Chairman of the Board of Sauber Motorsport AG. Continue reading →

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

Stellantis Posts H1 2025 Loss of €2.3 Billion

Posted on 29 July 2025 by Ken Zino

Stellantis N.V. (NYSE: STLA)* today announced results for the H1 2025, reporting Net revenues of €74.3 billion, down 13% compared to H1 2024. The breathtaking net loss was -€2.3) billion, including €3.3 billion of net charges excluded from Adjusted operating income, down compared to H1 2024 Net Profit of €5.6 billion. It updated its tariff cost assumptions to an estimated 2025 net tariff of~€1.5 billion (~$1.7B), of which only €0.3 billion was incurred in H1 2025. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, economy, financial results, manufacturing, marketing, mobility company, news analysis, results, sales, shows and events | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

IndyCar – Palou 8 wins for 14 Taking Grand Prix of Monterey

Posted on 28 July 2025 by Ken Zino

Alex Palou driving the #10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda continued his IndyCar dominance yesterday at Laguna Seca by taking his eighth victory in fourteen races at the Java House Grand Prix of Monterey. Palou set the fastest lap time of the race at 70.7851seconds and 113.821 mph. Christian Lundgaard driving the number 7 Arrow Mclaren with Chevy power finished second. McClaren was also having a banner day in Formula One. McLaren Formula One drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, finished first and Second at the Belgian Grand Prix. Pato O’Ward in the other Arrow McLaren finished fourth after starting second. O’Ward is the reserve driver for the McLaren Formula One team.  

“Amazing day. Number one! Almost one-two for Honda, but two podium finishes is still great,” said Palou. “We had amazing speed all weekend and got our 8th win of the season. I couldn’t have asked for more from this year. I’m ready and hungry for more, of course, but I couldn’t be more proud (sic) of everything this #10 team has achieved.” Continue reading →

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