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Category Archives: transportation
CARB Amends Clean Truck Regs With Trucking Industry!
“California’s commitment to cleaner trucks has created an ecosystem of programs and incentives that will continue to drive progress despite the federal administration’s unlawful actions challenging our state’s efforts to reduce emissions and deploy to clean transportation technologies,” said CARB Chair Liane Randolph. “The amendments approved today provide manufacturers with flexibility, and we look forward to continued collaboration with manufacturers in efforts to reduce emissions, protect public health and ensure global competitiveness as the rest of the world shifts to zero-emission technologies.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, economy, engineering, environment, global warming, milestones, news analysis, public health, shows and events, transportation
Tagged Advanced Clean Truck regulations, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, California Air Resources Board, carb, Governor Gavin Newsom, Ken Zino, Liane Randolph, X @KenAutoinformed
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Penske Automotive Group Increases Dividend Again
“We are pleased to provide shareholders with another increase in the quarterly dividend, reflecting the continued strength of our balance sheet and strong cash flow,” said Penske Automotive Group President Robert H. Kurnick, Jr Continue reading
Posted in auto news, financial results, milestones, news analysis, shows and events, transportation
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino, pag, penske automotive group, Penske Entertainment, Penske Transportation Solutions, Robert H. Kurnick Jr, roger penske, X @KenAutoinformed
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BMW i Ventures Invests in Estes Energy Solutions
“What makes Estes different isn’t just the unique technology, it’s the people.” said Baris Guzel, Partner at BMW i Ventures. “This is a team that’s been in the trenches, building rugged, high-density battery systems with real-world safety and scale in mind. It’s that rare blend of deep engineering chops, operator mindset, and execution urgency. We couldn’t be more excited to partner with them.” Continue reading
Stellantis Drops Hydrogen Fuel Cell Plan
Stellantis (NYSE: STLA) said today that it will discontinue its hydrogen fuel cell technology development program between Forvia, Michelin and Stellantis. As a result, mass-production of its new range of hydrogen-powered Pro One vehicles scheduled to start this summer in Hordain, France (medium-sized vans) and Gliwice, Poland (large vans) is cancelled. Net profit at Stellantis plunged 70% for 2024.
“In a context where the Company is mobilizing to respond to demanding CO2 regulations in Europe, Stellantis has decided to discontinue its hydrogen fuel cell technology development program,” said Jean-Philippe Imparato, Chief Operating Officer for Enlarged Europe. Continue reading
Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, fuel economy or emissions, global warming, manufacturing, news analysis, public health, transportation
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Forvia Michelin Stellantis, Gliwice, Hordain, hydrogen, Jean-Philippe Imparato, Ken Zino, X @KenAutoinformed
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Autonomous Cars – Cognitive Intelligence v Machine Learning
MOTOR Ai* announced today a $20 million “seed funding round to bring ‘cognitive intelligence’ autonomous driving technology into full deployment, starting with German public roads.” The new capital will support hiring, commercial rollouts, and expansion of its technology. AutoInformed notes that the recent Nazi propaganda spouted by Grok, the X social media chatbot, is just the latest example of the problems with large language models, aka L.L.M.s. Gathering large amounts of data doesn’t mean that systems using LLMs can think and reason safely without unintended dire consequences, such as X’s CEO Linda Yaccarino being fired by Elon Musk or Tesla’s Autopilot or leaving the company for her own reasons? [Ironically there isn’t enough verifiable data on this -AutoCrat] Continue reading
Posted in auto news, autonomous vehicles, connected vehicles, electronics, mobility company, news analysis, software defined vehicles, transportation
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Cyber Resilience Act provisions, eCAPITAL, elon musk, ISO 26262, Ken Zino, Large Language Models, Linda Yaccarino, MOTOR Ai, Roy Uhlmann, Segenia Capital, X @KenAutoinformed
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AAA – 2025 Gas Prices Holding Stable for Summer Travel
AAA said today that gas prices are relatively stable during a peak travel season.
“With summer road trips in full swing, drivers are getting a break at the pump, as gas prices match July 2021 numbers. The national average for a gallon of gas dipped as low as $3.14 this past week before going up a few cents to $3.17,” AAA said. Continue reading
California Strikes Back for Clean Air
California state agencies today announced a series of “dialogue sessions to generate public discussion around proposed measures to support increased zero emission vehicle adoption in California.” The agencies are planning to host three in-person sessions during business hours and one evening session online. If upheld, President Trump’s illegal rollback of the state’s regulations would cost Californians an estimated $45 billion in health care costs.
“In response to illegal federal efforts to revoke California’s clean air waivers, Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order on June 12, 2025. The order directed the California Air Resources Board, the California Energy Commission, Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development, California State Transportation Agency, and Department of Consumer Affairs to assess additional actions to spur light-, medium-, and heavy-duty zero emission vehicle (ZEV) adoption in California, and to deliver formal recommendations for additional actions to the governor in August,” the agencies said. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, economy, energy, environment, fuel economy or emissions, litigation, news analysis, people, public health, transportation, Trump Truth Tests
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, California Air Resources Board, California Departme nt of Consumer Affairs, California State Transportation Agency, Governor Gavin Newsom, Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development, Ken Zino, President Trump’s allegedly illegal rollback of the California state regulations, the California Energy Commission, X @KenAutoinformed
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Annals of Marketing – Mercedes-Benz VLE Test Drive
Mercedes-Benz said today that two prototypes of its new Van Electric Architecture (VLE) drove from Stuttgart through the Alps to Rome with only two 15-minute charging stops under “real‑life “driving conditions. Starting in 2026, Mercedes-Benz will launch its newly developed modular and scalable Van Architecture. This new platform is attempting to successfully straddle luxury-focused Grand Limousines and commercial vans where Mercedes has a longstanding market presence. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, design and styling, electric vehicles, marketing, milestones, mobility company, new vehicle, news analysis, shows and events, transportation
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Dr. Andreas Zygan, Ken Zino, Mercedes-Benz VLE. MB Van Electric Architecture, X @KenAutoinformed
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As Pedestrian, Cyclist Deaths Grow so do Vehicle Blind Spots
“The across-the-board decrease in visibility for this small group of models is concerning. We need to investigate whether this is a broader trend that may have contributed to the recent spike in pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities,” IIHS President David Harkey said. “This study also illustrates that the new method developed by IIHS gives researchers a straightforward, repeatable way to assess driver visibility,” he added. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, design and styling, news analysis, public health, safety, transportation
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Becky Mueller, IIHS President David Harkey, insurance institute for highway safety, Ken Zino, U.S. Department of Transportation’s Volpe Center, Volpe Center study, X @KenAutoinformed
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IIHS President – NHTSA Must Act Decisively on Fatal Crashes
Faster, more decisive action is required from America’s vehicle safety regulator is needed “to reverse a drastic escalation in fatal crashes on the nation’s roadways,” David Harkey, president of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, said at a Congressional hearing today.
“The United States is in the middle of a road safety emergency, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is failing to meet the moment,” Harkey said in written testimony submitted to the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce’s Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade, which convened the hearing on the state of NHTSA and motor vehicle safety. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, autonomous vehicles, distracted driving, insurance, news analysis, public health, safety, shows and events, transportation
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, David Harkey, insurance institute for highway safety, Ken Zino, maximum speed limit, safety features on semitrailers, Subcommittee on Commerce Manufacturing and Trade, vehicle automation, X @KenAutoinformed
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SMMT Lauds Launch of UK Industrial Strategy
The UK automotive industry today has vowed to build on the foundations laid by government’s Industrial Strategy published yesterday with a 10-point plan to drive the UK back into the top 15 of global vehicle manufacturing locations by 2030 and deliver a £50 billion economic boost over the next decade. {See footnote 1] This is from the home of the Brexit disaster of British political thinking.
Mike Hawes, Chief Executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) speaking at the industry’s annual Summit in London today said “Government’s long-term Industrial Strategy, including the Drive35 £2.5 billion auto capital and R&D fund, recognizes automotive as a pillar of advanced manufacturing, integral to the world leading innovation that creates the high value jobs, wealth and economic growth that are vital to our country’s future. Now we must make the most of that position and put in place the right conditions for growth.” Continue reading
Posted in aftermarket, auto news, design and styling, economy, electric vehicles, engineering, environment, financial results, global warming, manufacturing, news analysis, transportation
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, automotive industry in the UK, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino, Mike Hawes, SMMT, Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, X @KenAutoinformed
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Polaris Fire Recalls – Ranger XP and Pro XD Kinetic ROVs
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) said today that a recall is active for fires covering Polaris Model Year 2023-2024 Ranger XP Kinetic and Model Year 2025 Pro XD Kinetic Recreational Off-road Vehicles (ROVs). In addition, this recall covers accessory charger service parts/kits with part numbers 2417296, 2417297, 2889704 and 2889486. Water can leak through a cracked filter into the ROV’s high-voltage charging harness components and cause a short circuit, creating a fire hazard. Continue reading
Posted in customer satisfaction, manufacturing, quality, recalls, transportation
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino, Polaris Model Year 2023-2024 Ranger XP Kinetic and Model Year 2025 Pro XD Kinetic Recreational Offroad Vehicles recalls, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, X @KenAutoinformed
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Bike Lane Delivery – Honda Shows Fastport eQuad Prototype
Honda (7267.T and NYSE: HMC) today announced the establishment of Fastport, a new business dedicated to transforming the last-mile delivery industry with what it calls “innovative micromobility solutions.” Fastport uses the Honda Mobile Power Pack (MPP) swappable batteries and is a software-defined vehicle (SDV) project. The Fastport eQuad in theory will help address urban congestion and rising consumer demand for faster, more frequent deliveries.
“The Fastport team has worked tirelessly to create the Fastport eQuad, a zero-emission alternative to delivery vans that solves the challenge of last mile urban logistics by meeting the needs of urban residents expecting on-demand deliveries of packages, groceries and other items,” said Jose Wyszogrod, general manager and founding member of Fastport. “Drawing from the deep knowledge of Honda design and engineering talent in the U.S., the Fastport eQuad is a testament to the commitment of Honda to advancing a more sustainable future through innovative mobility solutions.” Continue reading
Posted in economy, electric vehicles, environment, milestones, mobility company, news, news analysis, shows and events, software defined vehicles, transportation
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, grocery deliveries, Honda Fastport eQuad Goods Delivery Prototype, Jose Wyszogrod, Ken Zino, parcel and small package deliveries, urban logistics, X @KenAutoinformed
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Cap-and-Invest Cleans Air in Most Polluted Areas
A new report released today by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) shows that the California law funded by Cap-and-Invest dollars improves air in the state’s most polluted communities. In each of the 19 communities the program supports, CARB and the local air districts established partnerships to develop plans to address local pollution problems where people live, work and play. CARB is now expanding the program’s offerings to 64 communities in coordination with other regulatory partners. In AutotInformed’s view this is democracy in action – in sharp contrast to the politics of grievances by the super-rich.
“The Community Air Protection Program has become a critical tool for improving air quality in areas most impacted by sources of pollution,” said CARB Chair Liane Randolph. “As one of the hallmark efforts funded by Cap-and-Invest revenue, it is recognized as a national model for substantially and cost-effectively reducing harmful emissions in vulnerable communities. The success of the program is a testament to the power of partnerships and a result of our collective commitment to the pursuit of clean air for all Californians.” Continue reading →