Category Archives: shows and events

BMW Group – My Trips Apps Now Show Driver’s Carbon Footprint

Posted on 21 July 2025 by Ken Zino

The BMW Group said today that it is now offering customers an analysis of their driving personal carbon footprint stats in the My BMW App and MINI App for the first time. This in AutoInformed’s view is a breakthrough that will ease the ride on the sometimes-bumpy road to electrification.

“Our usage research shows: The information in My Trips is one of the most popular features in the app,” said Dirk Wiedmann, Senior Vice President Sales Steering and Strategy, Digitalization. “We are now expanding this successful function with carbon footprint calculation, giving our customers simple and straightforward access to sustainability-related information via a popular and widely used channel.” Continue reading →

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Streets of Toronto – O’Ward Wins with a Chevy Engine!

Posted on 21 July 2025 by Ken Zino

Arrow McLaren driver Pato O’Ward yesterday broke the Honda winning curse at the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto by winning his second race in eight days as Alex Palou finished 12th. Series leader Alex Palou of Chip Ganassi Racing qualified second in the No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda. He held a 129-point lead over the field before the race with five races remaining as he attempts for his third consecutive season championship and fourth in five years. Palou finished fourth in in the Toronto race last year, which was extended by five laps this year.

“Oh, man, I can’t say I saw this (win) coming,” O’Ward said. “But I was feeling so good on the (primary) tires all weekend really. We were just struggling to get the alternates to work in qualifying. Sadly, that’s the one you need to transfer. But I knew we had a great car under me to race with, and (the crew) nailed it on the strategy.” Continue reading →

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First GMC Acadia Denali Ultimate Debuts in Late 2025

Posted on 17 July 2025 by Ken Zino

GMC (NYSE: GM) said today that the 2026 Acadia mid-size SUV will be the  latest vehicle in GMC’s lineup to receive the so-called ultra-premium Denali Ultimate trim.

“Denali Ultimate represents the pinnacle of premium expression for the GMC brand, delivering an innovative mixture of stunning craftsmanship and real-world capability,” said Jaclyn McQuaid, global vice president, Buick and GMC. “Expanding Denali Ultimate’s innovative technologies and exclusive design elements to the Acadia nameplate allows us to further differentiate our mid-size offering in a highly competitive segment.” Continue reading →

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Volvo Cars Posts Q2 2025 -10B SEK Loss

Posted on 17 July 2025 by Ken Zino

Volvo Cars (VOLCAR-B.STO) said today that it posted a Q2 group operating profit (EBIT) of SEK -10.0 billion. The gigantic loss followed a warning this week that it would take an impairment charge( read AutoInformed.com on: Chinese Trade Wars – Volvo Q2 2025 Impairment Charge). The Chinese owned company also said that it would build its best-selling car in the U.S. in South Carolina starting in late 2026 (Volvo Cars to Build XC60 SUV in Ridgeville). The loss, down from a profit of 8B SEK year-over year, appears to have surprised analysts who thought the loss would be much higher.

“The market continued to be challenging in Q2 as well,” said Håkan Samuelsson, President and CEO of Volvo Cars. “Demand remains under pressure from the macroeconomic environment, tariff-related uncertainties and tougher competition. However, our turnaround actions are starting to show results. In a Q2 market with headwinds we made a clear improvement of free cash flow versus Q1 and our EBIT margin excluding items affecting comparability was slightly higher.”

Continue reading →

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Nissan to Close Oppama Plant!

Posted on 15 July 2025 by Ken Zino

Nissan Motor Company (7201T and NSANY ADR) said today that, as part of its global production restructuring under its recovery plan dubbed Re: Nissan, it plans to transfer and integrate vehicle production at the Oppama Plant, located in the Oppama district, to Nissan Motor Kyushu in Fukuoka Prefecture. The company will cease vehicle production at the Oppama plant at the end of fiscal year 2027. Following this, both current and future models scheduled for production at Oppama will be manufactured at Nissan Motor Kyushu. Nissan posted a net loss of ¥670.9 billion (~$4.5 billion) during the Japanese Fiscal Year 2024.

Today, Nissan made a tough but necessary decision. It wasn’t easy—for me or for the company—but I believe it’s a vital step toward overcoming our current challenges and building a sustainable future. The Oppama Plant is a proud part of our history, and its legacy will endure. I want to sincerely thank our employees, the local community, and our partners who have supported this plant with dedication and heart. We will continue to operate in the Oppama area with strong support for the local community, as we carry forward the spirit of Oppama plant and work to restore Nissan’s true value,” said Nissan CEO Ivan Espinosa. Continue reading →

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China – BMW Group Links with Momenta for ADAS

Posted on 15 July 2025 by Ken Zino

“This collaboration of partners sharing the same mindset, will enable us to offer our customers in China a unique automated driving experience. We are combining 20+ years of pioneering safety with locally trained driving knowledge and state of the art Chinese AI technology,“ said Dr. Mihiar Ayoubi, Senior Vice President, Driving Experience, BMW Group. Continue reading →

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Spring Hill to Make Advanced LFP Batteries

Posted on 15 July 2025 by Ken Zino

“At GM, we’re innovating battery technology to deliver the best mix of range, performance, and affordability to our EV customers,” said Kurt Kelty, VP of batteries, propulsion, and sustainability at GM. “This upgrade at Spring Hill will enable us to scale production of lower-cost LFP cell technologies in the U.S., complementing our high-nickel and future lithium manganese rich solutions and further diversifying our growing EV portfolio.” Continue reading →

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IndyCar Iowa Speedway – Palou’s Seventh Honda Win

Posted on 14 July 2025 by Ken Zino

Alex Palou has been a strong driver in NTT IndyCar Series 2025. However lady luck [an old, outdated CART term] played a role in his victory at Iowa Speedway yesterday. Palou was running in third place late in the Farm to Finish 275 powered by Sukup when time came for the final round of pit stops. Josef Newgarden and David Malukas brought their Chevrolet-powered cars in for fuel ahead of Palou. However, Palou’s Honda, in perhaps an over-cut move, stayed out. However, a caution flag waved because of Colton Herta’s wall contact on the backstretch. Advantage Palou, – he was able to stop under yellow while the other front runners did under green. The race resumed with 11 laps remaining, and the driver of the No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda kept the lead and held on for his seventh race win of the season. Continue reading →

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Milltek Performance Exhausts Debut for BMW, Porsche

Posted on 11 July 2025 by Ken Zino

Milltek* is debuting high-performance exhausts for BMW and Porsche Hybrids at the Goodwood Festival of Speed now underway. Both exhausts for the BMW and Porsche fit after the standard particulate filter. Therefore there is no change to their official emissions certification numbers. Continue reading →

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Climate Change – Pope Leo XIV Care of Creation Mass

Posted on 9 July 2025 by Ken Zino

The Vatican said today that Pope Leo XIV celebrated the first “Mass for the Care of Creation,” with a new formulary of the Roman Missal, produced by the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development and the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. The Pope celebrated this private Mass during his holiday with the staff of the “Borgo Laudato Sì” (“Laudato Sì Village”), an educational center located in the Papal residence in Castel Gandolfo.

“With this new formulary, the Church is offering liturgical, spiritual and communal support for the care we all need to exercise of nature, our common home. Such service is indeed a great act of faith, hope and charity,” said Cardinal Michael Czerny, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. “This Mass dedicated to taking care of creation, calls us to be faithful stewards of what God has entrusted to us – not only in daily choices and public policies, but also in our prayer, our worship, and our way of living in the world.” Continue reading →

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BMW Motorrad Days – 40,000 Visitors in the Alps

Posted on 9 July 2025 by Ken Zino

BMW Motorrad in Munich today said that 40,000 visitors attended Motorrad Days 2025 in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. It is the world’s largest BMW Motorrad gathering, which is held in the Bavarian Alpine Mountains.

“For the 20th anniversary in Garmisch-Partenkirchen at the Hausbergbahn – overall the 23rd BMW Motorrad Days – the international BMW Motorrad community celebrated with product innovations, exhibitors, shows, test ride opportunities, and not least with rustic Bavarian lifestyle and great party atmosphere,” Motorrad said. Continue reading →

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IndyCar – Cunning Scott Dixon wins at Mid-Ohio

Posted on 7 July 2025 by Ken Zino

Veteran IndyCar driver Scott Dixon was  the third different winner in the 2025 NTT IndyCar Series season, in the number 9 Chip Ganassi Racing Honda to the win in the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio Presented by the All-New 2026 Passport yesterday. Dixon scored his record seventh win at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. He made completed all 90 laps on just two pit stops using his considerable “lift and coast” racing skills. His other Mid-Ohio victories were in 2019, 2014, 2012, 2011, 2009 and 2007. Continue reading →

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Happy Fourth of July 2025! Let’s Return to our Founding Ideals

Posted on 4 July 2025 by Ken Zino

On this day, the Fourth of July 1776, the Continental Congress after considerable debate released our Declaration of Independence. AutoInformed notes that this is or should be our still continuing guide to what were then awakened American ideals. Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Roger Sherman and Robert R. Livingston – the so-called Committee of Five – did much of the enlightenment conceptual work. Jefferson, the most eloquent writer in the Congress, created one of our essential documents with the input of what were 56 men of the opinion that all of us equals could and would work at Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.

Then in the course of human events these ideals led to our following War of Independence. It turns out that these ideas were powerful. So powerful that they were bigger than the despots, Redcoats, Hessians and other mercenaries deployed against us. We overcame this oppression and the Divine Right of Kings against impossible odds with the help of the French. Who also later  added the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor. Continue reading →

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Nürburgring – BMW M2 CS Beats Audi RS-3 Record

Posted on 3 July 2025 by Ken Zino

BMW said today that the new BMW M2 CS setsa new benchmark on the legendary Nordschleife racetrack of the Nürburgring on 11 April 2025. Driven by BMW M development engineer Jörg Weidinger, it completed the 12.9-mile Nürburgring-Nordschleife circuit in 7:25.5, beating the previous best time for compact cars by eight seconds. In March Audi set a new record lap in the compact vehicle class on the Nordschleife at 7:33.123 minutes. Depending on the ongoing Trump tariff wars, Audi might still retain the lower price entry point for a top Nordschleife runner., depending on who you value – in currency units – the ~8 seconds in elapsed times. Continue reading →

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Bungling Fireworks Use Can Cause Tragedies

Posted on 3 July 2025 by Ken Zino

The Trump administration is amid a political purge of CPSC Board members. It requested earlier this week that the U.S. Supreme Court dismiss three Democratic members appointed by President Biden to seven-year terms on the Consumer Product Safety Commission. They were fired in May by President Trump. However, they were then reinstated by a federal judge.

The Trump mis-administration asked the court for an immediate order to allow the firings to go forward. Lawyers for the commissioners objected of course. More fireworks will be coming here – safe or unsafe for Democracy. Bungling presidencies can cause tragedies too. Continue reading →

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