EU New Car Registrations Drop in February 2026

Posted on 24 March 2026 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on EU New Car Registrations Drop in February 2026

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In February 2026 year-to-date (YTD), new EU car registrations fell by 1.2% compared to the same period last year, according to data published today by the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association. [aka ACEA at AutoInformed after its original French name] The data of course are before the ongoing Trump mis-administration Iran war.*

“The battery-electric car market share reached 18.8% YTD, highlighting the continued potential for further growth. Hybrid-electric vehicles lead as the most popular power type choice among buyers, with plug-in hybrids consolidating their position in the market, underlining the importance of a technology-neutral pathway to de-carbonisation. Battery-electric cars accounted for 18.8% of the EU market share in January-February 2026, an increase from 15.2% one year earlier. Hybrid-electric car registrations captured 38.7% of the market, remaining the preferred choice among consumers in the EU. Meanwhile, the combined market share of petrol and diesel cars fell to 30.6%, down from 38.7% over the same period in 2025,” ACEA said in a release.** Continue reading →

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IIHS – 63 Vehicles Earn 2026 Top Safety Pick Awards

Posted on 24 March 2026 by Ken Zino
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The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety* today said that with new more stringent imperatives 63 vehicles qualify for the IIHS awards thus far. That is up from 48 at the same time last year. Of the winners, 45 earn a Top Safety Pick+ and 18 earn a Top Safety Pick. The Institute updated its moderate overlap front test in 2022 to emphasize back seat safety. Last year, vehicles needed a good rating in this test to earn TOP SAFETY PICK+ but only an acceptable rating to earn TOP SAFETY PICK. For 2026, a good rating is required for either award.

“This year, we’re asking automakers to make excellent protection for back seat passengers the norm,” IIHS President David Harkey said. “For Top Safety Pick+, we’re requiring crash avoidance systems that are better at preventing pedestrian crashes as well as higher speed crashes with other vehicles.”** Continue reading →

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Sebring 2026 – Porsche Takes 20th Complete Victory

Posted on 23 March 2026 by Ken Zino
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Two Porsche Penske Motorsport Porsche 963s took a one-two finish, repeating last year’s result at the 12 Hours of Sebring.* The Stuttgart sports car manufacturer has now secured its 20th outright victory at the endurance classic. No. 6 and 7 Porsche 963 cars combined to lead 273 of 343 laps. However, they were on different strategies.**

“We had the right packages with the Porsche 963 in the top GTP class and the 911 GT3 R in the leading GT category. We were fast, the drivers kept their cool, and the teams worked flawlessly. We couldn’t have asked for more. Congratulations to our customer teams, the works squad, and all our partners. We’re delighted with this successful start to the season and these major achievements as we celebrate 75 years of Porsche Motorsport,” said Thomas Laudenbach, Vice President Porsche Motorsport. Continue reading →

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Mustang GTD Applications Open April 17

Posted on 23 March 2026 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Mustang GTD Applications Open April 17

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Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) said today that the next chance to apply to order the 2027 model year Mustang GTD will start on 17 April 2026. GTD was the first car from an American automaker to lap the Nürburgring in under seven minutes.*

“If you don’t try, you’ll never know. That’s not just a motivational saying. It’s true of Mustang GTD ownership, too,” said Joe Bellino, Mustang GTD brand manager. This is part of the celebrations of the 62nd birthday of the Ford Mustang. Continue reading →

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Toyota – $1 Billion Investment in Kentucky and Indiana

Posted on 23 March 2026 by Ken Zino

Toyota Motor North America (NYSE: TM, 7203 T) today announced a 1 billion USD investment in its Kentucky and Indiana plants.

“The investment is part of Toyota’s ‘best-company-in-town, approach – investing and producing locally, contributing to the local community and offering diverse options tailored to local needs through a multi-pathway strategy. In the U.S., Toyota employs approximately 50,000 people and has been involved in the development and manufacturing of over 35 million vehicles across 11 manufacturing plants,” TMNA said. Continue reading →

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Chevy Teases 2027 Corvette Grand Sport at Sebring

Posted on 22 March 2026 by Ken Zino
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Roger Penske, a longtime collaborator with General Motors and Chevrolet among other makers, celebrates his 60th year as a team owner and served as Grand Marshall for the 74th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring IMSA race this weekend. The Sebring race, held at a venue that was historic in the development of the original Corvette Grand Sport, not surprisingly, was used to tease the upcoming 2027 Corvette Grand Sport. The C8 Grand Sport will be revealed on March 26.

“It is an incredible opportunity to be reunited with the Corvette Grand Sport C2 here at the Twelve Hours of Sebring – an event and a track that has always carried special meaning for me and for our race teams over the years,” Penske said. “Congratulations to Chevrolet on launching the new era of the Grand Sport program. It is truly special to see the C2 and the other generations of the Corvette Grand Sport, including the new C8, here at Sebring.” Continue reading →

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Predictions Markets – Wagering on Government Actions?

Posted on 20 March 2026 by Ken Zino
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Somehow it is fitting that the latest predictions market controversy around gambling is occurring under the Trump Administration. Donald J’s failed Atlantic city casino is part of the prelude. New Data for Progress (DfP) polling “finds that a majority of voters (59%) agree that wagers on potential government actions, ranging from what politicians will say in speeches to whether the U.S. will carry out a military strike, should not be permitted.”

“But recently, the platforms have received extra scrutiny for hosting markets that allow users to wager on government events like military strikes. Before the U.S. took military action in Venezuela and Iran, some anonymous users made hundreds of thousands of dollars placing large bets hours before the events occurred… has anyone checked Eric or Don Jr.’s bank accounts lately?” said DFP. Continue reading →

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EPA – Use Abandoned Scrap Tires as Fuel

Posted on 20 March 2026 by Ken Zino

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)* today issued a preliminary proposal to help clean up millions of abandoned tires throughout the U.S. In addition, the proposal would allow the use of abandoned scrap tires as fuel. Here, there might be undisclosed pollution and public health issues.

“Abandoned tire piles across the U.S. pose a threat to the health and safety of Americans, but this waste stream can be and should be responsibly and carefully addressed to make America both healthy and energy dominant again. Our latest proposal provides a common-sense approach to better clean up scrap tires and realize their full potential as fuel,” claimed Office of Land and Emergency Management Acting Assistant Administrator Thomas Croci. Continue reading →

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California Ballot Scheme Limiting Robocar Liability Criticized

Posted on 19 March 2026 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on California Ballot Scheme Limiting Robocar Liability Criticized

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Uber (NYSE: UBER) announced today a partnership to put 50,000 Rivian Robotaxis on the road (NASDAQ: RIVN), including in San Francisco, the site of the Cruise AV crash with a pedestrian and Fire Truck. This comes as powerful corporate and legal interests are embattled in a fight over an upcoming California ballot initiative in November limiting victims’ medical recovery in all accident cases. Opponents claim it will prevent the seriously injured from finding contingency fee attorneys, making it difficult to sue robocar operators, manufacturers, or any reckless driver or automaker.*

“This is a naked power grab by Uber to remove liability for its robotaxis and accelerate their rollout without accountability when their robotaxis harm or kill pedestrians and other drivers,” said Jamie Court, president of Consumer Watchdog, a non-profit that issued a report, “License To Kill: How Uber’s Rush To Close Courthouse Doors And Roll Out Robocars Threatens Public Safety.” Continue reading →

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U.S. Fuel Prices Climbing. Up 28 Cents in a Week!

Posted on 19 March 2026 by Ken Zino
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Fuel prices at the pump continued to climb by 28 cents since last week, according to a report released by AAA today.* With the Spring equinox ushering in warmer weather and more time on the road, gas prices are trending upward alongside seasonal demand. The Trump Administration Iranian war is clearly in play.**

“Last week’s announcement by the White House to release 172 million barrels of oil from the U.S. strategic reserves over four months has no immediate relief on the oil market as the price of a barrel of crude continues to climb,” AAA said. “According to new data from the Energy Information Administration, gasoline demand decreased last week from 9.24 million barrels a day to 8.72 million. Total domestic gasoline supply decreased from 249.5 million barrels to 244.0 million. Gasoline production also decreased last week, averaging 9.4 million barrels per day.”  Continue reading →

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First Look – Genesis GV60 Magma Performance EV

Posted on 18 March 2026 by Ken Zino

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In Seoul yesterday Genesis provided the first look at what will be its quickest model of the luxury brand from Hyundai Motor Group. Acceleration times from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour in 3.4 seconds and from 0 to 200 kilometers per hour in 10.9 seconds, with a top speed of 264 kilometers are claimed. The current top of the line GV50 SUV is priced in the low $70,000 range. No word on when the revised model appears.*

“In a very short period of time, our engineers achieved something truly remarkable,” stated Manfred Harrer, President and Head of Hyundai Motor Group’s R&D Division. “They created a car that is not only fast, but truly Genesis; a car that inspires confidence and provides a true emotional connection.” Continue reading →

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Revised Auto Forecasts Assume Slight Iranian War Effects?

Posted on 18 March 2026 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Revised Auto Forecasts Assume Slight Iranian War Effects?

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S&P Global Mobility is adjusting forecasts in response to US/Israeli military actions in the Iranian war, which is amplifying geopolitical risks and impacting vehicle demand and production, especially in affected regions in what it thinks is a short-term conflict.*

“The base scenario assumes a short-term conflict, with the most significant effects in Iran and neighboring Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, while other markets experience milder impacts mainly through higher oil prices,” said Mike Wall the Executive Director, Automotive Analysis, S&P Global Mobility in a release yesterday. [Oddly in AutoInformed’s view, North America’s production outlook is “only marginally reduced for 2026, with a slight increase in 2027…” the respected consultancy said – Autocrat.] Continue reading →

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Sudden Power Loss – Ford Motor Recall Parade Persists

Posted on 16 March 2026 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is recalling ~48,000 model year 2025 Ranger, Mustang, Maverick,  and Lincoln Nautilus vehicles. The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve may fail, resulting in an unexpected loss of drive power. Affected vehicles are equipped with suspect Korean-made EGR valves installed in the 2.0-liter Gas, and 2.0-liter Hybrid Engines.

“Customers may initially experience weak acceleration, engine vibration, a no start condition, or a check engine light,” Ford said in the mandatory safety defect filing made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration this morning. Ford is operating under a consent order from NHTSA because of its previous handing of recalls.* Continue reading →

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GM Expands Owners’ Manual Recalls

Posted on 16 March 2026 by Ken Zino

General Motors (NYSE: GM) has determined that 2025- 2027 model year vehicles were not equipped with electronic owner’s manuals. The radio may not have been set to the correct status to download the electronic owner’s manual during production. Owners will also not be able to log in to their myBrand app from their vehicle. As such, these millions of these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, “Occupant Protection.” Virtually all GM brands are affected by the safety hazard. [see list below.]

“Dealers will reset the vehicle radio, which will facilitate automatic download of the electronic owner’s manual, free of charge as required by U.S. safety regulations. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed 13 April 2026, GM said in the required safety defect filing made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration  (NHTSA) this morning. Continue reading →

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Andretti Global Rules Inaugural Java House Grand Prix

Posted on 16 March 2026 by Ken Zino
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Andretti Global put three drivers into the top four at the finish of the 70-lap street-circuit race around AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys, and Globe Life Field, home of the Texas Rangers. Kyle Kirkwood took the NTT IndyCar Series championship lead and earned his first victory of the season despite a slow – verging on malpractice – final pit stop by his Andretti Global crew, driving his No. 27 JM Bullion/Gold.com Honda to victory under caution beating the No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda of four-time series champion Palou.

“What an absolutely phenomenal day for our #27 JM Bullion Andretti Global Honda. And hats off to Honda really for a 1-2-3-4 today,” Kirkwood said. “Man, did we have some pace. This JM Bullion Honda, Andretti, all these guys right here, they gave me the tools today. It’s because of this race car we won today, because of teamwork….“One-three-four (finish) for Andretti; we’re just so stacked here. I’m so stoked.” Continue reading →

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