Category Archives: transportation

Gasoline Prices Heading for New September Record!

Posted on 24 September 2026 by Ken Zino

Gasoline is up ~5 cents from last week as the Trump mis-administration policies continue to, well, bomb – AutoCrat. Continue reading →

Posted in customer satisfaction, economy, energy, opinions, prices, transportation, Trump Truth Tests | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

September 2026 Light Vehicle Production Forecast So-So

Posted on 22 September 2026 by Ken Zino

As the Iran war continues with limited options for the Trump mis-administration, Mobility Global [Formerly GlobalData and a frequent associate with J.D. Power – AutoCrat.] notes that global auto industry is still surviving the fallout from the ongoing and expanding Iran War, with higher oil prices adding inflation pressure, disrupting supply chains. This, of course, increases the risk of extensive negative economic consequences for many countries, and people. Continue reading →

Posted in economy, manufacturing, news analysis, transportation, Trump Truth Tests | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

California Keeps Growing as It Cuts Climate Emissions Again

Posted on 21 September 2026 by Ken Zino

The science behind climate change is unassailable. California has tracked the impacts of climate change on the state for more than two decades finding rapidly accelerating effects. With the increasing severity and frequency of drought, wildfire, extreme heat, and other impacts, I personally observed during decades or working and traveling there and elsewhere nationally or internationally that  climate change is real and precipitously worsening. – AutoCrat. Continue reading →

Posted in AutoInformed Editorial, economy, environment, fuel economy or emissions, global warming, news, news analysis, public health, results, transportation, Trump Truth Tests | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Vehicle Affordability Still Worrying Despite Wage Increases

Posted on 17 September 2026 by Ken Zino

“While wage growth is good news for consumers impacted by inflation and high gas prices, vehicle affordability continues to be a strong concern,” said AEG senior consultant Cristina Benton, Ph.D. “Consumers are increasingly gravitating toward more affordable vehicle models, pressured by average new vehicle transaction prices holding at or near $50,000 since late 2022. This trend is exacerbated by household budgets that remain squeezed by rising costs for housing, health care, insurance, groceries, and gas.” Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, economy, opinions, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Annals of Marketing – New User Interface on GM Pickups

Posted on 16 September 2026 by Ken Zino

“Infotainment is a top priority for drivers,* but complex menus shouldn’t get in the way. Built directly around real customer feedback, GM’s new interface unifies software, hardware, and design to deliver fast access, clear information, and effortless control on every drive,” GM said. Continue reading →

Posted in connected vehicles, customer satisfaction, electronics, marketing, opinions, software defined vehicles, software defined vehicles, transportation | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

AAA – Annual New Vehicle Ownership Cost at $12,863 Up ~11%

Posted on 15 September 2026 by Ken Zino

AAA said the average annual full cost of vehicle ownership in 2026 is $12,863, up ~11% compared to 2025. Continue reading →

Posted in economy, news analysis, opinions, prices, transportation, Trump Truth Tests | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Oil Prices Rocketing As Trump’s War Fails

Posted on 14 September 2026 by Ken Zino

“The war seems likely to continue, stockpiles are depleted, and Iranian attacks on energy infrastructure are becoming “more successful.” To boot, the Houthis appear poised to control access to the Red Sea, Harrell said. Oil flows remain depressed as traffic through Hormuz is still far below pre-war levels, and the administration’s attempts to boost supplies elsewhere have failed to make up the shortfall,” said Harrell. Continue reading →

Posted in AutoInformed Editorial, customer satisfaction, economy, news, news analysis, prices, transportation, Trump Truth Tests | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Triumph Motorcycles Recalls TF450 Models

Posted on 12 September 2026 by Ken Zino

Triumph Motorcycles is recalling 2025 and 2026 Triumph TF450 Closed Course Competition Motorcycles because of the  risk of serious injury or death from a crash hazard. The engine rocker arm on the recalled motorcycles can seize or stick and the exhaust valves can remain open or break. Continue reading →

Posted in customer satisfaction, motorcycles, quality, recalls, safety | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Stellantis SUSTAINera Expands Remanufactured Parts Line

Posted on 3 September 2026 by Ken Zino

“Within the SUSTAINera 4R strategy (Reman, Repair, Reuse, Recycle), Remanufacturing plays a central role, as it helps customers and repairers meet growing needs for affordable and sustainable aftermarket solutions with no compromise on quality. All the parts are restored to OEM specifications, with the same performance and warranty as genuine  parts – while reducing environmental impact by saving up to 80% raw materials and enabling up to 40% of non-emitted CO2 compared to new parts, supporting a more resource-efficient approach to mobility,” Stellantis said in a release. Continue reading →

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

Trump-Conomics = Everybody Loses a U.S.-Canada Trade War

Posted on 28 August 2026 by Ken Zino

AutoInformed fully agrees with CAR and Abraham Lincoln. This is not a U.S. Government of the people, by the people and for the people. AutoInformed is against tariffs by tyrants or kings. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, AutoInformed Editorial, economy, financial results, manufacturing, news, news analysis, opinions, transportation, Trump Truth Tests | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

AAA – August 20 Gasoline Prices Highest Ever!

Posted on 20 August 2026 by Ken Zino

The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline is up 3 cents from last week at $4.10, according to the latest data compiled by AAA.* This the highest ever been for August 20.

“This August is shaping up to be the highest on record. So far, the monthly average is $4.06, currently surpassing 2022 when the monthly average for August was $3.97. Even though gasoline demand is down, which is typical for this time of year, crude oil is pushing up the national average. Crude oil prices remain in the $80 per barrel range amid continued instability in the Strait of Hormuz,” AAA said. Continue reading →

Posted in customer satisfaction, economy, news analysis, prices, transportation, Trump Truth Tests | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

AAA Foundation – Speeding and Counter Measures Growing

Posted on 19 August 2026 by Ken Zino

“Findings from this research show that some drivers in the United States view speeding as a normal part of driving,” said Dr. David Yang, President and Executive Director of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.” When people take cues from surrounding traffic instead of following posted speed limits, it creates a culture that makes crashes more difficult to prevent and roads less safe for everyone.” Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, news analysis, opinions, people, public health, safety, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Penske Automotive Group Take Private Proposal Advisors Set

Posted on 11 August 2026 by Ken Zino

The Board established the Special Committee to review and consider the unsolicited, preliminary and non-binding proposal received by the Board on July 22, 2026 from Penske Corporation and Mitsui & Co., Ltd. to acquire the remaining shares of the Company’s common stock that they and their affiliates do not currently own for cash consideration of $210 per share (the “Proposal”).

“There can be no assurance as to whether an agreement relating to the Proposal or any proposed transaction will be reached or as to the terms thereof if an agreement is reached. The Company does not intend to comment further or disclose any developments regarding the Proposal unless and until it deems further disclosure is appropriate or required. The Company’s shareholders do not need to take any action at this time,” PAG said. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, financial results, milestones, mobility company, news analysis, opinions, results, shows and events, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

UAW Clout in Michigan Apparent in Primary Wins

Posted on 5 August 2026 by Ken Zino

The UAW said today that after months of organizing on shop floors and in communities across Michigan, UAW members helped deliver “a rebuke to billionaire-funded politics on Tuesday, powering victories for working-class champions across the state.” UAW-endorsed Abdul El-Sayed defeated what it “termed an obscene flood of outside spending” to win the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate. His a grassroots campaign was promoted in large part by UAW members. UAW-endorsed Jocelyn Benson won the Democratic nomination for governor, while Donovan McKinney won Michigan’s 13th Congressional District after earning the union’s support. Continue reading →

Posted in AutoInformed Editorial, economy, environment, labor issues, manufacturing, news, news analysis, opinions, people, public health, results, shows and events, transportation, Trump Truth Tests | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

SMMT – Battery Electric Cars Sales Set Record in England!

Posted on 5 August 2026 by Ken Zino

Well, with Europe and England melting, burning and experiencing droughts as the pernicious results of Climate Change, something is clearly going have to be done – now! This means more non-fossil fueled vehicles. Enter the next round of, well, heated debates. The age old problem here is WHO PAYS. AutoInformed votes for shared costs, and is wary of subsidies to industries that are literally destroying life on planet earth. There is some room for nuance, although Britain’s revolving door of Prime Ministers, and the near suicide by Brexit policies to withdraw from a collective union in AutoInformed’s view makes the future grim for inhabitants of Old Blighty. This is a global war that needs to be won by all. Continue reading →

Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, AutoInformed Editorial, electric vehicles, environment, fuel economy or emissions, global warming, marketing, news analysis, opinions, results, sales, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment