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- Hybrids Rule New EU Car Registrations in March and Q1 2026
- VinFast Auto Posts March Sales of ~28,000 EVs
- Acura to Enter IndyCar. “Pause” IMSA GTP
- Canada and U.S to Co-Host Global Vehicle Safety Conference
- April 2026 Light Vehicle Production Forecast Drops Globally!
- First Look – Mercedes-Benz 2027 C‑Class EV
- IMSA and IndyCar – Acura Wins 2026 Long Beach Grand Prix!
- IMSA Street Fight – 2026 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach
- Mustang GTD Runs Record Nordschleife Lap at 6m 40.835s
- Honda Fastport eQuad Vehicles Link to Bird and Spin
- Bosch Group Plans Sales, EBIT Growth after a So-So 2025
- Stellantis Q1 2026 Shipments Up 12% at 1.4 Million
- Light-Duty Fuel Cell Trucks – Isuzu, Toyota Collaboration!
- Airbag Malware – Honda Recalls ~440,000 Odyssey Vans
- Trumped – Used Car Prices Spike after Hitting 12-Month Low
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- Council on Foreign Relations on Iran and Strait of Hormuz on AAA – Pump Gasoline Prices Still Soaring
- Autocrat on Stellantis Subordinated Perpetual Hybrid Bonds on Stellantis Posts Full Year 2025 Loss of €22.3B
- Michigan Governor Whitmer on Pew – Confidence in Trump Dips, Fewer Support His Policies
- Porsche Motorsport Daytona Victory on Daytona 24 Hours – Old and New Stars Getting Ready to Run
- UAW Ford Department Director VP Laura Dickerson on Trump's Ford Plant Visit on Whitmer Stands in Stark Contrast to Trump at Detroit Auto Show
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Category Archives: shows and events
Kia EV4 Sedan Debuts in New York
Kia America has unwrapped the all-new 2026 EV4 sedan at the New York International Auto Show. The compact EV4 is Kia’s first global EV sedan. It’s based on a 400V Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), which underpins multiple EV models from Kia. How a sedan performs in an EV market dominated by CUVs and SUVs remains to be seen. The U.S. launch of Kia EV4 expected early 2026. Trim Levels, options and pricing among other variables are subject to the unpredictable whims of Trump tariff decrees of course.
“The EV4 makes all-electric ownership accessible for those customers who are seeking a more practical and affordable option on the EV landscape while still desiring an advanced, technology-driven in-car experience,” said Steven Center, COO & EVP, Kia America. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, design and styling, electric vehicles, electronics, engineering, marketing, new vehicle, news analysis, shows and events, software defined vehicles
Tagged ADAS systems, Advanced Driver Assistance Technology, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, E-GMP, Ken Zino, Kia Connect, Kia EV4 Sedan, New York International Auto Show, Steven Center, X @KenAutoinformed
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Kia 2026 K4 Hatchback Debuts in New York
The 2026 model year Kia K4 Hatchback debuted today at the New York Auto Show as a brand extension so-to-speak of the K4 sedan. The Hatchback body style provides class-leading rear headroom and rear legroom[footnote 1], and 22.2 cu.-ft. of space behind rear passengers. The K4 Hatchback is expected to arrive in late 2025, with pricing, trim details, and EPA-rated fuel economy to be announced closer to its on-sale date. the K4 Hatchback is available in an exclusive “Sparkling Yellow” exterior color. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, design and styling, marketing, new vehicle, shows and events
Tagged 2026 model year Kia K4 Hatchback, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, K4 Hatchback GT-Line, Ken Zino, new york auto show, Steven Center, X @KenAutoinformed
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FIA WEC – Aston Martin Valkyrie Makes EU Debt at Imola
Aston Martin said today that this weekend its Valkyrie hypercar makes its European race debut at the second round of the 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), the 6 Hours of Imola to be contested on 20 April 2025.
“The first ‘Le Mans Hypercar’ (LMH) to be produced by Aston Martin, Valkyrie is the only car in the WEC’s premier category derived from a road-legal hypercar. Its global debut, masterminded by the works Aston Martin THOR team in at the Qatar 1812km of Qatar in February, began an historic season for the British machine. Valkyrie is the only LMH to compete in both the FIA WEC and in North America’s IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and scored a top-10 finish on its US debut at the 12 Hours of Sebring – renowned as North America’s toughest endurance race – in March,” Aston Martin claimed. (It was an all Ferrari at Qatar in February with the Italians Placing One, Two and Three after the 1812km race. Moreover Imola is Ferrari’s home circuit. – AutoCrat) Continue reading
Posted in auto news, news analysis, performance, racing, shows and events
Tagged Aston Martin DBR1, Aston Martin THOR Team, Aston Martin Valkyrie, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, carroll Shelby, Harry Tincknell, Ian James, Ken Zino, Marco Sørensen, Roy Salvadori, Tom Gamble, X @KenAutoinformed
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UAW Members OK Strike at General Dynamics Electric Boat
UAW President Shawn Fain and Local 571 President Bill Louis yesterday with more than a thousand union members announced a “major escalation” in the ongoing labor dispute at General Dynamics Electric Boat. The marine drafters, a highly skilled workforce responsible for designing the U.S. Navy’s nuclear submarine fleet, have voted to authorize a strike against their employer. The decision underlines growing frustration with the defense contractor, which has reported massive profits even as the workers behind a foundation of the nation’s nuclear deterrence fight for a contract that delivers on their priorities: fair pay, retirement security for all, and dignity on the job. Continue reading
Posted in customer satisfaction, economy, electric vehicles, labor issues, manufacturing, news, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, General Dynamics Electric Boat, JoAnna McClenathan, Ken Zino, Local 571 President Bill Louis, UAW President Shawn Fain, X @KenAutoinformed
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Dark Roadways Deadly for Cyclists, Pedestrians
The twice-yearly time change is not a major factor in America’s ongoing road safety problem that some call an emergency. However, the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation yesterday held a hearing on whether to continue switching back and forth between daylight saving time and standard time every year.
“Whatever you decide to do about the clock, I hope you will also consider actions to keep pedestrians and bicyclists safe, especially after sundown,” said David Harkey president of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in written testimony submitted to the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, insurance, news analysis, public health, safety, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, David Harkey, insurance institute for highway safety, Ken Zino, U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce Science and Transportation, X @KenAutoinformed
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Concepts of What Could be a C9 Corvette Concept?
The algorithmic-driven world of electronic media is taking over traditional automotive marketing communications. In the latest example, General Motors (NYSE:GM) used the opening of a new UK advanced design studio to show a concept of what a future concept of the next generation C9 Corvette might look like. The publicity ploy involves multiple studios that will see additional Corvette concepts revealed throughout 2025. Concepts of what could ultimately be a concept of what could be a production hypercar. In short, concepts, almost ad infinitum.
“Our advanced design team’s mandate extends well beyond creating production vehicles,” said Michael Simcoe, senior VP of global design. “While they collaborate within our global design network on production and concept vehicle programs, these teams are primarily tasked with imagining what mobility could look like five, 10, and even 20 years into the future and driving innovation for GM.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, design and styling, new vehicle, news analysis, performance, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, C9 Corvette, Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray, GM global design studios, Julian Thomson, Ken Zino, Michael Simcoe, X @KenAutoinformed
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Pew Research on Trump Versus the Media
A Federal Judge has ordered the Trump Administration to reestablish access of The Associated Press to government facilities after The AP refused to use Gulf of Mexico decree from Trump. This prompted the independent Pew Research Center to release its polling data on opinions of, well, the threadbare Trump versus the media attacks.
“Americans are more likely to say the Trump administration has been too critical of the media (46%) than to say the administration has not been critical enough (22%), while 29% say the administration has been mostly fair. Democrats are much more likely than Republicans to say the Trump administration has been too critical of the news media (70% vs. 23%),” Pew noted. Continue reading
Posted in customer satisfaction, fools 'n frauds, news, news analysis, people, shows and events, Trump Truth Tests
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino, pew research center, The Associated Press, Trump versus the media, X @KenAutoinformed
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Trump Tariff Chaos – Latest CAR Analysis is Grim
The Center for Automotive Research (CAR) released today a new analysis of the impact of potential tariffs on imported auto parts and light vehicles. It tackles what impact will a uniform 25% tariff on all trading partners have on the automotive industry overall?
“The analysis emphasizes the complexity of the modern automotive supply chain, noting that ‘the modern automotive supply chain is both global and complex, convoluting the seemingly simple question of the cost of 25% tariffs on the industry,’ and that ‘automakers and their suppliers are often multinational companies with facilities spread out across the world,’ making it difficult to discern how much of a vehicle is domestically produced,” said Dr. K. Venkatesh Prasad, Senior Vice President of Research and Chief Innovation Officer at CAR Continue reading
Posted in auto news, economy, financial results, manufacturing, news analysis, shows and events, transportation, Trump Truth Tests
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, center for automotive research, Dr. K. Venkatesh Prasad, Ken Zino, X @KenAutoinformed
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Kill The Cuts National Day of Action Against Trump Administration
Researchers and educators who have had their funding cut spoke today at 37 separate demonstrations about the effects this Trump Administration assault on publicly-funded research is having at their institutions and across the country. Senator Ed Markey and Representatives Jayapal and Simon were at the DC rally. President Trump has issued Executive Orders attacking the NIH, NSF, while dismantling the Department of Education.
“Thousands of people across the country came together today for Kill the Cuts, a national Day of Action to raise awareness and fight back against the Trump administration’s devastating attacks on research, health, and higher education. The events (see the full list here) were sponsored by a coalition of education, labor and health advocates, including UAW, SEIU, AFSCME, UE, NEA, AFT, CWA, AAUP, HELU, Labor for Higher Education, the Debt Collective,” the United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW),” said. Continue reading
Posted in economy, environment, news, news analysis, people, public health, shows and events, Trump Truth Tests
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino, Molecular & Cellular Biology at the University of Washington, UAW 2750, UAW 4121, UAW 4811, Weill Cornell Medicine, X @KenAutoinformed
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Mercedes-AMG Hybrid Wagon Coming to the U.S.
Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) said today that its first performance hybrid wagon from Mercedes-AMG will be offered in U.S. later in the 2025 calendar year. There will be 12 exterior paint colors, including four MANUFAKTUR hues, along with the optional AMG Night Package, AMG Night Package Plus and AMG Exterior Carbon Fiber Package. Standard are 20-inch AMG 5-Twin Spoke wheels with 20-inch AMG 10-Twin Spoke and 21-inch AMG Forged Cross-Spoke wheels in several finishes are optionally available. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, electric vehicles, marketing, mobility company, new vehicle, news analysis, performance, shows and events
Tagged AMG E 53 HYBRID wagon, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino, MANUFAKTUR customization, Mercedes-AMG, Mercedes-Benz USA, X @KenAutoinformed
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Annals of Marketing – Cadillac Dining Experience
Cadillac said today that its limited-time dining experience “Cadillac of Reservations” is expanding to three more U.S. cities this spring and summer. More consumers will have the chance to enjoy a dining experience in the all-electric Cadillac Escalade IQ* at some of the buzziest restaurants including La Dolce Vita in Beverly Hills (April), COTE Korean Steakhouse in Miami (early summer) and State Bird Provisions in San Francisco (late summer). Continue reading
Posted in auto news, marketing, milestones, mobility company, people, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Cadillac Dining Experience, Call Mom, COTE in Miami and State Bird Provisions in San Francisco, Ken Zino, La Dolce Vita, Marc Rose and Med Abrous, Stuart Brioza and Nicole Krasinski, X @KenAutoinformed
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Annals of Marketing – Stellantis, Formitalia, Warner Bros.
Stellantis Design Studio in collaboration with Formitalia and Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products (WBDGCP0 today introduced The Joker Collection. * This is an all-new furniture line said to be inspired by the eponymous DC Super-Villain. Ihe furniture debuts at Salone del Mobile 2025, Fiera Milano Rho, 8-13 April in Hall 13 – Stand D26/D28.
“We loved the idea of creating this villain’s lair, a welcoming space that fosters a false sense of security in its guests,” said Hugo Nightingale – Global Creative Director at Stellantis Design Studio. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, design and styling, marketing, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Discovery Global Consumer Products, Formitalia, Hugo Nightingale, Ken Zino, Klaus Busse, Stellantis, Warner Bros, X @KenAutoinformed
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VW Shows 2026 Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo
Volkswagen of America has unveiled the all-new 2026 Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo at the New York Auto Show, which will be the nameplate’s top trim beginning in the 2026 Model Year starting this fall. The Tiguan Turbo incorporates the “refined” aspects of the 2025 Tiguan adding 67 more horsepower to give the compact SUV more oomph. The 2.0-liter EA888 turbo four-cylinder engine is rated at 268 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, an increase of 67 hp and 51 lb.-ft. compared to the base engine
“The improved performance compared with the base engine comes from a number of changes. The engine has a larger turbocharger that enables higher boost pressure, combined with a lower 10.5 to one compression ratio. Internally, the engine benefits from stronger pistons and connecting rods, as well as a nitrided crankshaft. The engine also has oil cooling for the pistons, as well as variable valve lift on both the intake and exhaust side. It still uses Miller-cycle technology to help improve fuel economy compared to a conventional four-cycle engine, and runs on regular gasoline,” VWoA said. Continue reading →