Category Archives: transportation

Fuel Prices Dropping as Summer Travel Begins?

Posted on 5 June 2025 by Ken Zino

With the summer driving season proceeding there are counter historical-trend results in fuel prices. Gasoline prices normally peak this time of the year, however drivers are getting a break, or is that brake? Moreover, does the ongoing global economic chaos caused by the Trump Administration tariff decrees signal something much darker – recessions and perhaps impending global depressions? Continue reading →

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Michigan Central to Get Hotel on Top Floors

Posted on 2 June 2025 by Ken Zino

Michigan Central said today that it is partnering with the Sydell Group, a joint venture with Hilton, to bring the NoMad hotel brand to Detroit. Construction of NoMad Detroit is expected to start at the end of this year, and plans are to open the hotel in the first half of 2027.

“This new renovation of The Station brings together iconic American companies like Ford and Hilton at a location that’s truly a historic hub for U.S. travel,” said Josh Sirefman, CEO of Michigan Central. “We love the notion of two 100-plus-year-old companies collaborating to create a venue that promises to be a major boost not only for Michigan Central but for the city of Detroit as well.” Continue reading →

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CARB – U.S. Senate Dumping Clean Air Act Waivers Illegal

Posted on 22 May 2025 by Ken Zino

The California Air Resources Board Chair Liane Randolph today reacted to a vote by the U.S. Senate purporting to disapprove California’s Clean Air Act waivers for Advanced Clean Cars II, Advanced Clean Trucks and Heavy-Duty Engine and Vehicle Omnibus using the Congressional Review Act (CRA).

“California profoundly disagrees with today’s unconstitutional, illegal and foolish vote attempting to undermine critical clean air protections. It’s an assault on states’ rights the federal administration claims to support that puts national air quality standards out of reach and will have devastating effects for the 150 million Americans who breathe unhealthy air every day,” said CARB Chair Liane Randolph. Continue reading →

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AAA – Record 45.1 Million to Travel for Memorial Day

Posted on 22 May 2025 by Ken Zino

AAA forecasts that in the U.S. 45.1 million people will travel at least 50 miles from home over the Memorial Day holiday period* from Thursday 22 May to Monday 26 May. This year’s domestic travel forecast is an increase of 1.4 million travelers compared to last year and sets a new Memorial Day weekend record. The previous record was set back in 2005 with 44 million people. Despite concerns over rising prices, many Americans say they’re taking advantage of the long holiday weekend to spend time with loved ones, even if the trips are closer to home, according to AAA.

“Memorial Day weekend getaways don’t have to be extravagant and costly,” said Stacey Barber, Vice President of AAA Travel. “While some travelers embark on dream vacations and fly hundreds of miles across the country, many families just pack up the car and drive to the beach or take a road trip to visit friends. Long holiday weekends are ideal for travel because many people have an extra day off work and students are off from school.” Continue reading →

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FuelCell Energy and Toyota Get DOE’s Better Project Award

Posted on 1 May 2025 by Ken Zino

FuelCell Energy and Toyota Motor North America (NYSE: TM) today announced that the first-of-its-kind “Tri-gen” facility at the Port of Long Beach has received the U.S. Department of Energy’s 2025 Better Project Award.* Commissioned by Toyota and owned and operated by FuelCell Energy, Tri-gen produces three products for port vehicle processing operations at Toyota Logistics Services: renewable electricity, renewable hydrogen and usable water.

The Better Project Award is said to recognize accomplishments at individual facilities for innovative and industry-leading accomplishments in implementing energy, water, and waste reduction efficiency measures. Continue reading →

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GM 2025 Guidance – Trump Tariff Exposure $4-5 Billion!

Posted on 1 May 2025 by Ken Zino

General Motors (NYSE: GM) this morning issued its 2025 full year earnings guidance after a delay earlier this week caused by the ongoing chaos of the Trump tariff pandemic. While the goals and rhetoric  of the current mis-administration continue to fluctuate wildly behind a non-transparent word barrage of lies, false facts, and ignorant assertions, General Motors remains focused and amazingly consistent in stating its goals and steps taken to achieve them given the growing Trump disease infested swamp in Washington.

“We are updating our full-year EBIT-adjusted guidance to a range of $10 billion – $12.5 billion, including a current tariff exposure of $4 billion – $5 billion,” said GM Chair and CEO Mary Barra. “We look forward to maintaining our strong dialogue with the Administration on trade and other policies as they continue to evolve. As you know, there are ongoing discussions with key trade partners that may also have an impact. We will continue to be nimble and disciplined and update you as we know more.” Continue reading →

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Penske Automotive Group – Q1 2025 +13% Net Income

Posted on 30 April 2025 by Ken Zino

Penske Automotive Group (NYSE: PAG) today posted Q1 2025 financial results that showed record first quarter revenue with an increase of 2% to $7.6 Billion. Adjusted earnings before taxes increased 5% to $310 Million. Adjusted earnings per share increased 6% to $3.39.

“Our diversified international transportation services business generated record first quarter revenue, the seventh consecutive quarter of stable gross margin, and a 70-basis point improvement of adjusted selling, general, and administrative expenses as a percentage of gross profit. New and used vehicle gross profit per unit retailed remained consistent and strong with new vehicle gross declining only $87 per unit while used vehicle gross increased $352 per unit when compared to the fourth quarter of 2024,” said Chair Roger Penske. Continue reading →

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McKinsey on EVs – China Most Advanced Region by Far

Posted on 28 April 2025 by Ken Zino

Electric vehicles (EVs) are increasing market share, cars are becoming more connected, and autonomous vehicles are gradually starting to appear on more streets worldwide. However, the transition to new technologies has not been without challenges and kinks, especially with consumer sentiment in the EV sector, according to the Annual Mobility Survey by the respected McKinsey & Company consultancy. Respondents came from China, Europe, and the United States. The 2025 survey released today is ongoing. It will eventually include respondents from nine countries [an unknown number of which Trump wants to takeover – AutoCrat].

“After rising rapidly for years, EV sales growth has slowed in many regions. Meanwhile, new competitors, especially those from China, are entering the EV market and attracting attention by offering innovative and technologically-sophisticated vehicles that are often more affordable than offerings from incumbents,” according to the detailed, multi-sourced McKinsey analysis.* Continue reading →

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California Continues Expanding ZEV Programs

Posted on 24 April 2025 by Ken Zino

The State of California has awarded $500 million to school districts and other educational agencies to buy zero-emission school buses and chargers. Zero-emission school buses are part of the state’s relentless move to a clean-energy future and lead to better health for students and communities. California’s transition to zero-emission transportation is also accelerating with support from the state’s Clean Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP). Funded primarily with proceeds from the Cap-and-Trade Program, HVIP underwent 177% year-over-year growth in 2024. This February, more than 200 HVIP-funded zero-emission trucks and buses were deployed with $31 million in incentives. The incentive program is a collaboration between the California Air Resources Board (CARB)* and the California Energy Commission (CEC), and is administered by CALSTART, a non-profit transportation organization. Continue reading →

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CARB – More E-Bike Vouchers Coming

Posted on 10 April 2025 by Ken Zino

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) said today it will open its second application window for income-eligible Californians to receive up to $2000 toward the purchase of a new electric bike (e-bike) through the California E-Bike Incentive Project on April 29 at 5 p.m. Applications will be taken through an online portal. The December 2024 launch of the voucher program was completed in less than an hour due to high demand. At one point the online queue had nearly 100,000 people waiting, and it closed once 1500 applications were reserved.

“The unprecedented interest in the vouchers shows there is a big need and strong interest in electric bikes in California,” said Dr. Steven Cliff, CARB executive officer. “The growth of this technology is an important part of our efforts to make zero-emission transportation options available to all Californians.” Continue reading →

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Trump Tariff Chaos – Latest CAR Analysis is Grim

Posted on 10 April 2025 by Ken Zino

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 →

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Hino Motors Fined $1.6B for Emissions Fraud

Posted on 21 March 2025 by Ken Zino

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) have announced that U.S. District Court Judge Mark A. Goldsmith for the Eastern District of Michigan has accepted Hino Motors, Ltd.’s guilty plea to a one-count criminal information charging it with having engaged in a multi-year criminal conspiracy to defraud both the United States government and American consumers and illicitly smuggle goods into the country. Continue reading →

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ZEV Truck Adoption Stalled by Costs

Posted on 18 March 2025 by Ken Zino

Cutting the total cost of ownership could boost the transition to zero-emission truck fleets. A new study released by the respected McKinsey & Company counsultancy observes that the total cost of ownership (TCO) for ZEVs remains significantly higher than that of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. The TCO gap ranges between 30% and 50% compared to ICE vehicles running on dirtier diesel fuel. Continue reading →

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Trump Tariffs – His Next Economic Catastrophe

Posted on 4 March 2025 by Ken Zino

Shoot from the lip President Trump, aka Calamity Donald, today imposed tariffs of 25% across North America disrupting the North American auto market that has thrived on 30 years of free trade. Any new tariffs in place for any significant length of time will be disruptive. The tariffs at 25% are significantly higher than the profits made by the automakers and their suppliers. It is widely – if not universally – held by economists that this is an economic disaster. Continue reading →

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FAA to Increase Air Traffic Controller Trainee Hiring

Posted on 27 February 2025 by Ken Zino

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy today announced a new plan to increase the hiring of air traffic controllers. This announcement followed a tour of the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Academy at the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center after a series of disastrous and fatal incidents under the unfriendly skies of Trump 2.0.

“Today’s visit reaffirmed how being an air traffic controller is one of the best, most rewarding jobs in America, and that the next generation at the Academy is the best in the world. I witnessed firsthand the dedication, skill, and rigor that our future air traffic controllers bring to their training and the urgent need to do all that we can to recruit more people to join in our shared mission of safety in our skies,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. Continue reading →

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