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Christian Rasmussen driving the No. 21 ECR Splenda Stevia Chevrolet for Ed Carpenter Racing during a late caution period drove past series champion Alex Palou with 16 laps to go to win the Snap-on Milwaukee Mile 250 on yesterday, his first career NTT IndyCar Series victory.
“Today was amazing,” Rasmussen said. “We were so good on new tires, even compared to other cars on new tires. Wow – that’s a good day, a good Sunday.” Continue reading
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The J.D. Power* 2025 U.S. Tech Experience Index (TXI) StudySM just released says that Artificial Intelligence can improve the customer’s experience. However, Artificial Intelligence use presents its own difficulties.
“Smart technologies appear to not only anticipate the driver’s needs but also reduce the cognitive workload and some of the difficulties that drivers face with digital systems,” said Kathleen Rizk, senior director of user experience benchmarking and technology at J.D. Power. “Ultimately, what matters most to vehicle owners – and therefore to automakers and suppliers – is how useful the technology is and whether it enhances their driving experience. While smart technologies are not without issues, they represent a meaningful step forward. Continued development will be essential to address current challenges and maximize their effectiveness.” Continue reading
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Porsche AG said today that Roger Penske took the wheel of the Porsche 963 RSP,* a one-off creation bearing his initials, for the first time. The car was later showcased during Monterey Car Week in California before joining his private collection. Penske completed the first shakedown and familiarization laps in the car that bears his initials on the South Track of the Porsche Experience Center in Atlanta. This let the team inspect the race car after its runs on both the road and track in Europe.
“That was a fantastic experience – an unforgettable moment to finally get behind the wheel,” said Roger Penske, Chairman of the Penske Corporation. “Our partnership with Porsche has led to an incredible history together built over six decades. This is a special moment among many in that partnership. It’s been a privilege to be a part of the team and program that led to its creation.”** Continue reading
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Total new-vehicle sales for August 2025, including retail and non-retail transactions, are projected to reach 1,483,000, an 8.2% increase year over year, according to a joint forecast issued today by J.D. Power* and GlobalData.** August 2025 has 27 selling days, one fewer than August 2024. Comparing the same sales volume without adjusting for the number of selling days is an increase of 4.4% from 2024.
“August new-vehicle sales are expected to climb 8.2% from a year ago, including a 7.8% increase in retail volume. A strong result, although the results should be viewed in the context of several unusual factors that are distorting typical monthly sales trends” said Thomas King, president of the data and analytics division at J.D. Power. Continue reading
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Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) and Mazda Motor Corporation (Mazda) said today that they have started field tests of Toyota’s Sweep Energy Storage System at Mazda’s Hiroshima Plant in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. The system rapidly switches each battery’s power flow on and off, even when new batteries are connected to degraded or different capacity batteries.
“For the tests, the power system at Mazda’s headquarters campus, the only power generation system operated by an automaker in Japan, and Toyota’s system that uses batteries from electrified vehicles will be connected through their respective energy management systems. This will enable the verification of stable, high-quality, and efficient charging and discharging. In the future, the storage system will be used to regulate power supply and demand from renewable energy, which fluctuates depending on weather and time of day, contributing to carbon neutrality,” the companies said. Continue reading
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The 2026 model year Nissan (7201T and NSANY ADR) Leaf* at dealerships this fall has a projected Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Prices (MSRP) for the S+ grade starting at $29,9902. This is the lowest starting MSRP for any new EV currently on sale in the U.S. [see footnote 3]. This of course depends on the whims and chaos of the Trump Administration’s ongoing trade policies. That is why the pricing and details on the entry-grade LEAF S will be announced at a later date. [It might not appear in the 2026 lineup – AutoCrat]
“The Leaf really kicked off the mainstream EV market when it launched 15 years ago, and Nissan’s still committed to making electric driving accessible to all,” said Vinay Shahani, senior vice president of U.S. Marketing and Sales at Nissan. “We’ve stuck to our mission of engineering EVs that are affordable but packed with value. That’s how we’ve kept the Leaf’s price steady over three generations, all while giving owners more style, more technology, more features and a vastly improved driving range over the original 2011 model.” Continue reading
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Volvo Car Financial Services U.S, said today that it is launching Volvo Car Insurance Services. This the company’s first-ever independent insurance agency in the United States.*
“By launching Volvo Car Insurance Services, we are extending Volvo Cars’ commitment to safety and simplicity well beyond the vehicle,” said Tony Nicolosi, President & CEO, Volvo Car Financial Services. “This expanded offering combines a seamless digital experience with flexible, personalized coverage options, supported by licensed insurance agents who provide expert, transparent guidance, creating a new standard for what customers should expect from automotive insurance.” Continue reading
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MINI* said today that it is expanding its so-called Proactive Care service to more markets, including the U.S. eventually. The service lets the vehicle act as a digital concierge, recognizing existing and predictable service needs and proactively reaching out to the customer with proposed solutions.
“With the introduction of Proactive Care at MINI, we are now implementing our service promise ‘RELAX. WE CARE.’ in the premium segment of small and compact cars. Our offering acts as a digital concierge, proactively analyzing all service needs and providing timely support to our customers. This ensures that our customers are always well-informed and that potential needs are identified early,” says Ralf Hattler, Senior Vice President Customer Support and Aftersales.** Continue reading
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Nissan Motor Company (7201T and NSANY ADR) today announced it has entered a partnership with U.S.-based LiCAP Technologies [Sacramento CA] for the development of production process technology for the cathode electrode of all-solid-state batteries (ASSB).*
“Developing a dry electrode production process for cathode electrode is highly beneficial for the smooth production and commercialization of ASSBs. Compared to conventional solvent-process electrodes, dry-process electrodes eliminate the need for drying and solvent recovery, significantly reducing manufacturing costs and environmental impact. However, when considering future mass production, achieving high production efficiency remains a major challenge for dry-process electrodes,” Nissan said. Continue reading
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Wholesale used-vehicle prices on a mix-, mileage- and seasonally-adjusted basis, decreased from July in the first 15 days of August. The mid-month Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index fell to 206.5, showing a rise of only 1.2% from the full month of August 2024. The seasonal adjustment was responsible for the decline in the index in the month, as it was higher than normally seen. The non-adjusted price change in the first half of August rose 0.6% compared to July, and the un-adjusted price is higher by 1.3% year over year,” according to the latest data released today by Cox Automotive.* (Read AutoInformed.com on: ACSI – Customer Satisfaction with Autos Dropping)
“We started to see stronger sales trends in late July and early August for retail and wholesale markets, and that’s causing some additional volatility in wholesale pricing trends in recent weeks, against a stronger comparison from last year,” said Jeremy Robb, senior director of Economic and Industry Insights at Cox Automotive. Continue reading
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California state agencies today published a report in response to Governor Gavin Newsom’s executive order on zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) deployment. The report, developed with input from the public, charts a path to expand clean and ZEV adoption across all vehicle types, protect public health, and maintain the state’s momentum in the face of federal rollbacks. The report builds on California’s inarguable longstanding leadership in clean transportation. California has already surpassed its initial goal of deploying 2 million ZEVs and leads the nation in ZEV manufacturing jobs and infrastructure.*
“Cleaner vehicles will also save Californians billions of dollars in fuel, maintenance and healthcare costs as the state pushes for the cleanest, most affordable ways to travel,” the agencies said. Continue reading
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The U.S. automobile market is selling the highest number of vehicles sold in five years. However, given the ongoing Trump Tariff chaos, prices will be rising and lower-priced models are now an endangered species. Thus, affordability has reemerged as a crucial issue. There are risks with drivers operating under various scenarios that mean longer periods of larger payments or hanging onto older vehicles well past their warranties. According to the latest American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI®) Automobile Study 2025,* overall driver satisfaction slipped 1% to a score of 79 (on a 100-point scale). The luxury segment dropped 1% to 80, while the mass-market segment is unchanged at 79. Smaller brands (both mass market and luxury) that comprise the “all others” measure slide 9% to 74.**
“Automakers are navigating a market where innovation and practicality collide,” said Forrest Morgeson, Associate Professor of Marketing at Michigan State University and Director of Research Emeritus at the ACSI. “Customers expect advanced technology and efficiency, but they’re also scrutinizing every dollar spent. The brands that thrive will be those that can deliver meaningful improvements without losing sight of what matters most to drivers right now.” Continue reading
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is recalling a variety of vehicles for safety defects according to the mandatory recall documents released today by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Ford is operating under a NHTSA consent decree because of its previous problems with defective vehicles and if or how safety recalls were conducted. The largest recall (~103,174) covers 2023-2025 model year F-150 vehicles equipped with the Trailer Tow Max Duty package and a 9.75-inch heavy duty axle with a 3/4 float axle design. This is a recall of a previously ineffective recall as customer complaints continued to be received by NHTSA.
“Stripped rear axle hub splines can result in vehicle roll away when the vehicle is in park without the parking brake applied or cause a loss of motive power in 4X2 operation. Both of these conditions can increase the risk of a crash,” Ford said in the NHTSA filing. “As the rear axle hub bolt becomes loose, customers may report a clicking noise. If the bolt breaks, customers may report a rattle noise (the bolt head will be contained within the wheel center cap),” Ford said. Continue reading
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Ford Performance (NYSE: F) said today that a Ford Transit SuperVan 4.2 – a custom 2000-horsepower electric SuperVan driven by Romain Dumas [not your typical white van man driver – AutoCrat] posted a time of 6:48.393, which makes it the 9th fastest vehicle ever to complete a timed lap of the Nürburgring.*
“Taking a Ford Transit to the limit around the ‘Ring has always been the dream for a few of us at Ford Performance, but it wasn’t until now that we had the right Transit, the right driver and the right conditions to see what might be possible,” said Michael Norton, F1 and Demonstrators program manager at Ford. Continue reading
Environmental Pillage Agency attacks California
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said today that it is trying to disapprove of California’s Heavy-Duty (HD) Inspection and Maintenance (I/M) Requirements as it applies to out-of-state and out-of-country vehicles (Read AutoInformed.com on: CARB Blasts Trump’s Attack on California Clean Air Act and CARB Amends Clean Truck Regs With Trucking Industry!)*
“California was not, and has never been, duly elected by the American people to run our great country,” claimed EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. “The state’s power grab knows no bounds. EPA will not allow California to violate federal law, and we will not sit idly by while, in the name of climate change, they raise the cost of living on all Americans who rely on truck drivers and the products they deliver across the country.” Continue reading →