Penske Truck Rental – New Indy 500 VIP Contest

Posted on 7 April 2026 by Ken Zino
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Penske Truck Rental today announced the launch of its new “Rev Up Your Rental” contest, an exclusive promotion that gives fans the chance to experience the excitement of IndyCar racing* firsthand while attending the 110th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge – The Greatest Spectacle in Racing – on Sunday 24 May 2026. Through the Penske Truck Rental website, participants may enter for an opportunity to win a VIP trip to the legendary Indianapolis 500. There is no purchase needed. **

“Penske Truck Rental has always been about moving lives and businesses forward—and for true racing fans, the Indianapolis 500 is the ultimate fan destination,” said Kevin Malloy, senior vice president of rental at Penske. “This new contest celebrates the stories that move us all, and we’re honored to help two passionate fan’s dreams come true of attending this legendary race and enjoying a VIP experience.” Continue reading →

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CARFAX Report Now Predicts a Vehicle’s Future

Posted on 7 April 2026 by Ken Zino
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For the first time, consumers can compare the future Reliability of specific cars they might consider buying, CARFAX said today.*

“This marks an important milestone for CARFAX and for the people who rely on our data every day,” said Paul Nadjarian, Chief Product Officer at CARFAX. “With over 151,000 data sources and more than 35 billion records, we’re introducing a powerful new insight into a vehicle’s lifecycle. Much like a crystal ball, our future Reliability will help shoppers understand the road ahead, including what repairs to anticipate and what they may cost, and soon, insights into how long that car will last – empowering consumers to buy with confidence and help them plan ahead.” Continue reading →

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First Look – 2027 Model Year Toyota Land Cruiser

Posted on 7 April 2026 by Ken Zino
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Toyota (NYSE: TM, 7203T) said today that the 2027 model-year Land Cruiser revealed last fall will have a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) starting at $57,880. [excludes $1450 Dealer Processing and Handling Fee, which can vary – AutoCrat] when it finally arrives at dealerships this spring. Land Cruiser is offered in two grades the retro-look Land Cruiser 1958 and Land Cruiser.*

“Both Land Cruisers are equipped exclusively by the turbocharged i-FORCE MAX hybrid powertrain and a full-time four-wheel drive system. This performance hybrid powertrain is rated by Toyota at 326 net combined horsepower and 465 lb.-ft. of torque,” Toyota said. Continue reading →

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Volkswagen Recalls 2025 Jetta and Taos Vehicles for IP failures

Posted on 6 April 2026 by Ken Zino

Volkswagen Group of America is recalling more than 75,000 model-year 2025 Jetta and Taos vehicles.* The instrument panel may fail to display warning lights or gauges. A software error may cause the Mexican.-made instrument cluster to fail to display required information at vehicle startup, including vehicle speed, engine speed (RPM), gear/mode indicators, and warning telltales. In this condition, the instrument cluster does not comply with FMVSS No. 101, Controls and Displays.

“When the ignition is switched on, the instrument cluster may read incorrect or corrupt Non-Volatile Memory (NVM) data required for proper system initialization. If invalid data is detected, the software discards the data and applies default configuration values. However, the instrument cluster and the immobilizer system are not designed to operate using these default values, which can result in the instrument cluster failing to function as intended. Software revisions introduced over time significantly increased NVM access and data traffic within the instrument cluster, thereby increasing the likelihood of NVM-related errors,” Volkswagen said in the required safety defect recall filing made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) this morning. Continue reading →

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Mercedes-Benz USA 2026 Model-Year Air Bag Recall

Posted on 6 April 2026 by Ken Zino

Mercedes-Benz USA (MBG.DE, MBGAF OTC U.S.) is recalling more than 900 2026 model-year GLE 350 4MATIC, GLE 450 4MATIC, GLE 350, GLE 580 4MATIC, GLS 580 4MATIC, GLE 450 E 4MATIC, AMG GLE53 4MATIC, AMG GLS63 4MATIC, AMG GLE63 S 4MATIC, GLS 450 4MATIC, and GLS 600 4MATIC vehicles.*

“The passenger air bag fabric may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can cause the air bag not to deploy as intended.,” Mercedes said in the required safety defect filing made public this morning by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).** Continue reading →

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Lucid Gravity SUV 2025-26 Model-Year Recall for Seat Belts

Posted on 6 April 2026 by Ken Zino
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Lucid USA, Inc. (NASDAQ: LCID) is recalling 4476 model-year 2025-2026 Gravity SUVs. The lap belt anchor brackets on the second row seats may have insufficient welds, which can cause bracket failure. As such, these electric vehicles  fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 207, Seating Systems, and 210 Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages. Seat bracket failure can increase the risk of injury during a crash. *

“During testing for an unrelated issue, Lucid observed that the 2nd row lap belt anchor bracket did not hold under load for the FMVSS-required time or did not reach the required load. Lucid determined that the outboard lap belt anchor bracket weld was shorter than specified and not in the correct location due to an alteration in the manufacturing process made by the seat manufacturer, Camaco, without notice to or approval by Lucid,” Lucid said in the mandatory safety defect filing made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) this morning. Continue reading →

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Park Outside! Nissan Leaf Battery Fire Recall

Posted on 6 April 2026 by Ken Zino

Nissan North America, Inc. (7201T and NSANY ADR) is recalling 51 2026 model-year LEAF vehicles. The high voltage battery may have internal damage that can cause a short circuit within the lithium ion battery module.*

“Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures and should not charge their vehicles until the remedy is completed. Dealers will replace the battery modules or the battery, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed 17April 2026,” Nissan said in the mandatory Safety Defect filing made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) this morning. Continue reading →

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Lexus 2022-24 Model-Year Front Passenger Airbag Recall

Posted on 6 April 2026 by Ken Zino

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (NYSE: TM, 7203 T) is recalling more than 15,000 2022-2024 model-year Lexus LX vehicles. The front passenger seat may have insufficient clearance between the seat frame and the stopper that can cause the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor to incorrectly detect the occupant. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, “Occupant Crash Protection.”*

The front passenger seat in the subject vehicles is secured to a seat frame, which is equipped with a stopper and has an Occupant Classification System (OCS) that provides input to the Supplemental Restraint System to determine the deployment strategy of the front passenger airbag system, depending on the occupant load. Due to a manufacturing error during a specific production period at a certain supplier’s plant [Toyota Boshoku Corporation – AutoCrat], some vehicles may have an insufficient clearance between the seat frame and the stopper when taking into account normal production variation. If there is insufficient clearance, interference can occur between the seat frame and the stopper if the seat height is adjusted to certain positions, depending on the occupant load applied,” Toyota said in the required safety defect recall filing (49 CFR § 573) made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) this morning. Continue reading →

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Shared Fuel Cell Technology – Daimler Truck, Volvo, Toyota

Posted on 6 April 2026 by Ken Zino
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Daimler Truck AG (Daimler Truck), the Volvo Group (Volvo), cellcentric (sic) and Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) have signed a non-binding agreement to cooperate in the fuel cell system joint venture called cellcentric. The timing is propitious given the Artemis II Orion spacecraft uses hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell systems to generate electricity and potable water for the crew during its 10-day mission that is underway.*

“The three companies intend to collaborate based on an equal shareholding with Toyota as the third joint venture partner to cellcentric.** The combination of the parties’ complementary experience and know-how will support and advance their joint objective to develop, produce and commercialize fuel cell systems for heavy-duty vehicles and other heavy-duty applications with comparable requirements,” the companies said in a joint release. Continue reading →

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Lucid Debuts 2027 Gravity Model EV Lineup

Posted on 3 April 2026 by Ken Zino
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Lucid Group (NASDAQ: LCID) this week announced updates and enhancements to the Lucid Gravity model lineup for the 2027 model year along with the Lucid Air sedan. Both models are “soon to be joined by the mid-size Lucid Cosmos and Earth models.”*

“Lucid continues to set the benchmark for what an electric SUV can be – efficient, versatile, and deeply luxurious,” said Erwin Raphael, SVP Revenue at Lucid. “With the 2027 updates, we’ve expanded standard features, simplified choices, and introduced a new Prestige Package that showcases the very best of Lucid design and technology. These enhancements reflect our continued focus on delivering compelling products as Gravity gains momentum in the market.” Continue reading →

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April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month

Posted on 3 April 2026 by Ken Zino
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During 2024, more than 3000 people died in distraction-affected crashes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). This averages ~nine lives lost each day, every day.*

“No one should ever get hurt or lose their life because of a text or a phone call,” said Lorraine Martin, NSC CEO. “By keeping our eyes on the road and our hands on the wheel, we all have the power and responsibility to make our roads safe for everyone. The National Safety Council calls on every driver to travel distraction free – doing so will save lives.”** Continue reading →

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Ford GT Mk IV Runs Nordschleife at 6m15.977s

Posted on 2 April 2026 by Ken Zino
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The Ford GT Mk IV (NYSE: F) has set the record as the fastest American OEM around the Nürburgring Nordschleife, Ford Racing said today. It is at the moment the third fastest overall car to ever lap the Nordschleife. The 6:15.977 ET also means that the GT Mk IV, as a track-only vehicle classified in the prototype category, is the fastest car currently available for purchase to lap the Nürburgring Nordschleife. Just bring money –  stacks of it – starting price is ~$1.7 million. There are only 67 examples of the car scheduled for production, ending Gen Three of the Ford GT. A twin-turbo Ford EcoBoost® engine with more than 800 horsepower, coupled with Adaptive Spool Valve (ASV) race suspension from Multimatic, a longer wheelbase, racing gearbox., and a “long tail” carbon-fiber body were the ingredients of the run. The chef – so to speak – at the wheel was Frédéric Vervisch, a factory driver for Ford Racing.

“Driving the Ford GT Mk IV at the Nürburgring is an experience unlike any other,” said Frédéric Vervisch after the run. “The car is an absolute weapon, a true extension of your will. Every input is met with an immediate, precise response. Through the Kesselchen, over the Flugplatz, it just inspires confidence, allowing you to push harder and harder.” Continue reading →

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AAA – National Gasoline Prices Hit Four Year High!

Posted on 2 April 2026 by Ken Zino
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The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline exceeded $4/gallon this week for the first time since August 2022, according to the latest data published today by AAA.*

Today’s average of $4.08 is ten cents higher than last week and $1.08 higher than a month ago. Crude oil prices have been surging, surpassing $100/barrel, as the conflict in the Middle East continues and the Strait of Hormuz remains closed. In 2022, gas prices remained elevated from March through August, peaking in June when the national average reached a record of $5/gallon for one week,” AAA said.** Continue reading →

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Ground Effects Workers – Yet Another UAW Supply Chain Win

Posted on 2 April 2026 by Ken Zino

Auto supply chain workers have voted to unionize at Ground Effects, the UAW said late yesterday in a  second UAW union organizing victory in two days. Workers at Ground Effects have been organizing since last year. “They began their campaign to form a union due to low pay, overwork, forced overtime, management abuse, and favoritism.,” the UAW said in a release. Workers at Ground Effects won a majority in a National Labor Relations Board election to form a union with the UAW. Ground Effects produces spray-on truck bedliners, in addition to other aftermarket parts.*

“Ground Effects workers just showed what courage and determination can do,” said UAW Region 1D Director Steve Dawes. “These workers stood together and stood strong against the underhanded anti-union tactics coming from the boss and their hired guns. Now, Ground Effects workers will have the right to sit with management as equals and negotiate a contract that gives them the dignity and respect they deserve.”*** Continue reading →

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AAA Promoting April as National Car Care Month

Posted on 1 April 2026 by Ken Zino
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AAA said today that it is collaborating with industry organizations, including NAPA, the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), and the Auto Care Association to celebrate National Car Care Month this April. It wants to highlight the importance of preventive vehicle maintenance as drivers gear up for spring travel.*

“Car Care Month is a reminder that simple, proactive maintenance can drastically reduce the chance of a breakdown,” said Bryan Sander, AAA Vice President of AAA Automotive. “As we celebrate 50 years of AAA’s Approved Auto Repair (AAR) program, AAA is proud to work alongside trusted repair partners committed to keeping drivers safe on the road.”** Continue reading →

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