Center for Automotive Research – Elizabeth Krear is President

Posted on 7 August 2025 by Ken Zino
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The Center for Automotive Research (CAR) today announced the appointment of Elizabeth Krear as its new President and Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Krear assumes the role following interim leadership by David Leckey.

“I am excited and honored to lead CAR during such a transformative moment for our industry,” said Krear. “CAR’s work is essential in helping stakeholders navigate electrification, automation, sustainability, and policy shifts. I look forward to working with our partners to ensure CAR remains a trusted voice and strategic catalyst for the future of automotive,” said Krear. She brings a career-long focus on automotive innovation, electrification, and strategic planning. She is a home-grown Michigan engineer, executive and industry analyst. Continue reading →

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Milestones – 600,000th Mercedes-Benz G-Class

Posted on 6 August 2025 by Ken Zino
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The 600,000th unit of the legendary Mercedes‑Benz G‑Class (aka Geländewagen) rolled off the production line in Graz, Austria. It was a G580 with EQ Technology in Obsidian Black Metallic, Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) said this week. Accompanied by the S- and E‑Class, the G-Class is one of the longest-produced model series in the history of Mercedes‑Benz passenger cars.

“The off-road icon, often praised for its remarkable off-road prowess, has been writing its own success story since 1979. The G‑Class achieved cult status within its growing fan base with its unique combination of unmistakable design and exceptional off-road capability,” MBUSA said in a release that was likely available in global versions in various markets. In the U.S. the G-Class was originally a grey market car from Europa International. Mercedes-Benz ultimately bought the distribution rights and put the G-Class in its official US model offerings. Continue reading →

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Hypercar, Hyper Price – 2026 Corvette ZR1X

Posted on 6 August 2025 by Ken Zino
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Chevrolet (NYSE: GM) said today that the 2026 Corvette ZR1X, inarguably the most advanced Corvette ever, will be available with an exclusive, limited production Quail Silver Limited Edition model. It will debut at this year’s “The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering,” in Carmel, California on August 15.* There will also be the debut of GM Design’s concept car for the future C9 Corvette.

“Corvettes are the pride and joy of their owners, this has been true since we first began selling the nameplate more than 70 years ago. They honor its craftsmanship and design as much as its engineering excellence,” said Scott Bell, VP of Global Chevrolet. “The ZR1X Quail Silver Limited Edition presents a highly exclusive option for Corvette customers looking for a collectible item.” Continue reading →

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New Ford Recalls – Aviator, Bronco, Expedition, F150, Ranger

Posted on 5 August 2025 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is recalling ~392,000 vehicles from its Ford and Lincoln brands for a variety of safety defects according to the latest documents made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) this week. During the first half of 2025 Ford Motor booked a $1.3 billion loss from repairs of vehicles under warranty, cancellation of plans to build an electric sport utility vehicle and other one-time costs. Ford is operating under a consent order from NHTSA because of its handing of recalls.*

The largest of the latest safety defect recalls involves the Electronic Brake Booster (EBB) module that controls the bakes on some of the most profitable and popular Ford Motor models in the United States. Here ~312,000 model year 2025 Lincoln Navigator SUVs, Ford F-150 pickups, Expedition SUVs, Bronco SUVs, and Ranger pickups can lose power-brake assist when driving. Continue reading →

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BMW iX3 Production, Supply and Use Sustainability

Posted on 4 August 2025 by Ken Zino
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The BMW Group said today that the new iX3 uses a “holistic approach to product sustainability” across the entire life cycle. “The approach uses the concepts of secondary first (the prioritized use of secondary materials), strategic material selection and disassembly optimization. As a result, secondary materials account for one third of all material used in the new BMW iX3 50 xDrive,” BMW said in a release. (Read AutoInformed.com on:BMW Group – My Trips Apps Now Show Driver’s Carbon Footprint)*

“During product development, extensive measures were implemented throughout the supply chain, production and use phases, explicitly focused on conserving resources and reducing the model’s environmental footprint. As such, the iX3 Neue Klasse marks an important milestone toward achieving the company’s 2030 and 2050 CO2 emission targets,” BMW said.** Continue reading →

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Corvette Claims Production Car Records at Nürburgring

Posted on 4 August 2025 by Ken Zino
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A Chevrolet Corvette Z06, ZR1 and ZR1X recently ran the 12.9-mile Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit where it’s said, for the first time in the track’s history, an automaker brought three different cars with three non-race-car drivers to record three lap times in a single visit. Three of the Chevrolet engineers who helped develop these cars drove the so-called Green Hell. While amateurs of a sort, all have extensive experience and advanced driving credentials.

“No auto manufacturer has done a Nürburgring lap attempt like this before,” said GM President Mark Reuss. “From development through production, and now at the Nürburgring Nordschleife, the Green Hell, we have clearly shown there is no limit to what our GM engineers and vehicles can accomplish. These are the best Corvettes in history, period.” Continue reading →

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Bosch Finishes Largest Acquisition in Its History

Posted on 1 August 2025 by Ken Zino
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The Bosch Group said today that it has completed the largest acquisition in its history. The purchase of the residential and light commercial heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) business from Johnson Controls, and the acquisition of the Johnson Controls-Hitachi Air Conditioning joint venture. They were completed as scheduled on 31 July. The contracts were signed roughly one year ago. The purchase price of 8 billion U.S. dollars (~€7.4 billion) is subject to customary adjustments.

“The entire HVAC industry is in a state of upheaval, and the market and technologies are changing. Bosch is systematically taking advantage of its opportunities and is now moving up to the Champions League in the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning solutions business,” said Stefan Hartung, chairman of the Bosch board of management. Continue reading →

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Magna Posts Q2 2025 EBIT of $583 Million

Posted on 1 August 2025 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Magna Posts Q2 2025 EBIT of $583 Million

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Magna International (TSX: MG; NYSE: MGA) today reported relatively robust Q2 and H1 financial results in the midst of Trump’s ongoing tariff chaos and his hostility toward our Canadian friends, neighbors and business partners.*

“Our strong operating results for the second quarter of 2025 exceeded our expectations and reflect continued execution on our performance initiatives, including operational excellence, restructuring, commercial recoveries, and reduced capital and engineering spending,” said Swamy Kotagiri, Magna Chief Executive Officer. Continue reading →

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Ford Says Trump Tariffs Will Slash Earnings by $2B

Posted on 31 July 2025 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Ford Says Trump Tariffs Will Reduce Earnings by $2B

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Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) reported late yesterday its Q2 and H1 2025 financial performance. The now common internally created factors of Ford’s warranty costs,* losses on electric vehicles and the external Trump’s tariff chaos negative effects were in play. Tariffs slashed $800 million from Ford profits during Q2, the Dearborn-based company said. Its latest estimate of $2 billion in tariff costs for the year includes the impact of cost-cutting and other measures Ford is taking in response to President Trump’s trade policies. Ford Motor booked a $1.3 billion loss from repairs of vehicles under warranty, cancellation of plans to build an electric sport utility vehicle and other one-time costs. The Q2 net loss was $36 million. Ford common stock per share has been trading in the $8.44 – $11.97 range during the last year, hovering ~$11 a share recently. Its three-year return of ~5% compares to the S&P 500 at 54%.

“Our second-quarter performance shows the power of the Ford+ plan and continued execution on cost and quality,” claimed Jim Farley, Ford president and CEO. “Ford Pro is a unique competitive advantage driving both top and bottom-line growth while creating new high-margin revenue streams from software and physical services. Ford Blue ( the old internal combustion engine-based businesses) delivered profitable market share gains, and we continue to improve the efficiency of our Ford Model e (EV) business. We have scheduled an event on August 11 in Kentucky where we will share more about our plans to design and build breakthrough electric vehicles in America.” Continue reading →

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Penske Automotive Group Posts Record $1.3B Q2 Gross Profit

Posted on 31 July 2025 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on PAG Posts Record $1.3 Billion Q2 Gross Profit

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Penske Automotive Group (NYSE: PAG) has announced quarterly results for the Q2 of 2025. For the quarter, revenue remained flat at $7.7 billion compared to the same period in 2024. For the quarter, revenue remained flat at $7.7 billion compared to Q2 in 2024. Net income attributable to common stockholders increased 4% to $250.0 million compared to $241.2 million in the prior year period, and related earnings per share increased 5% to $3.78 compared to $3.61 for the same period in 2024. However, PAG posted a record gross profit, which increased by 3% to $1.3 billion.

“I am pleased with the performance of our diversified international transportation services business in the second quarter. The second quarter represented the third consecutive quarter of year-over-year earnings growth driven by an overall gross margin increase of 50 basis points, an increase of 50 basis points in retail automotive service and parts gross margin, and a 30-basis point improvement in selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of gross profit,” said Chair Roger Penske. Continue reading →

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Audi F1 – Revolut Becomes Title Partner

Posted on 30 July 2025 by Ken Zino
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Audi said today that its upcoming Formula One team will have Revolut as the title partner. Revolut Business will also be integrated into the team’s financial operations. Revolut will provide so-called checkout solutions for fans on team merchandise.*

“Audi is entering Formula 1 with a clear ambition: to use the platform as a technologically relevant and economically sustainable investment in the future of the Audi brand. We firmly believe in the success of our project, which we are approaching with a realistic attitude and a mindset of continuous improvement. In Revolut, we have found a partner that shares our ambitions and attitude. Formula 1 is a global stage that offers us the opportunity to reach new target groups together and generate enthusiasm for our products,” said Gernot Döllner, CEO of AUDI AG and Chairman of the Board of Sauber Motorsport AG.** Continue reading →

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Nissan Motor Posts Loss of ¥29.1B for Q1 FY 2025

Posted on 30 July 2025 by Ken Zino
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Nissan Motor Company* (7201T and NSANY ADR)** today announced financial results of a ¥29.1 Billion loss for the three months of the Japanese fiscal year ending 30 2025. Both its outlook and future survival remain murky.***

“These results serve as a reminder of the urgency behind our Re: Nissan recovery plan. Over the past quarter, we’ve taken decisive first steps – cutting costs, redefining our product and market strategy, and strengthening key partnerships. We must now go further and faster to achieve profitability. Everyone at Nissan is united in delivering a recovery that will ensure a sustainable and profitable future,” claimed Nissan President and CEO Ivan Espinosa. Continue reading →

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Stellantis Posts H1 2025 Loss of €2.3 Billion

Posted on 29 July 2025 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Stellantis Posts H1 2025 Loss of €2.3 Billion

Not out of the mud yet…

Stellantis N.V. (NYSE: STLA)* today announced results for the H1 2025, reporting Net revenues of €74.3 billion, down 13% compared to H1 2024. The breathtaking net loss was -€2.3) billion, including €3.3 billion of net charges excluded from Adjusted operating income, down compared to H1 2024 Net Profit of €5.6 billion. It updated its tariff cost assumptions to an estimated 2025 net tariff of~€1.5 billion (~$1.7B), of which only €0.3 billion was incurred in H1 2025.

“My first weeks as CEO have reconfirmed my strong conviction that we will fix what’s wrong in Stellantis by capitalizing on everything that’s right in Stellantis – starting from the strength, energy and ideas of our people, combined with the great new products we are now bringing to market,” claimed Antonio Filosa, CEO. Continue reading →

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Ferrari Recalls Purosangue SUVs for Brake Failures

Posted on 28 July 2025 by Ken Zino
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Ferrari North America is recalling model year 2023-2025 Purosangue SUVs because a fuse box short circuit can reduce the braking capability.

“The possible short circuit which may derive from the potential contact between the fuse box’s power supply and the passenger-side footrest could lead to the activation of the brake warning light, the display of the pop-up message informing the driver to slowly bring the vehicle to a dealer, and the decrease of braking capability. If the driver does not heed the warning, the decreased braking capability could lead to a crash,” Ferrari told the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in the mandatory safety defect recall filing made public by NHTSA this morning. Continue reading →

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IndyCar – Palou 8 wins for 14 Taking Grand Prix of Monterey

Posted on 28 July 2025 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on IndyCar - Palou 8 wins for 14 Taking Grand Prix of Monterey

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Alex Palou driving the #10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda continued his IndyCar dominance yesterday at Laguna Seca by taking his eighth victory in fourteen races at the Java House Grand Prix of Monterey. Palou set the fastest lap time of the race at 70.7851 seconds and 113.821 mph. Christian Lundgaard driving the number 7 Arrow McLaren with Chevy power finished second. McLaren was also having a banner day in Formula One. McLaren Formula One drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, finished first and Second at the Belgian Grand Prix, with Piastri leading the Driver’s Championship. Pato O’Ward in the other Arrow McLaren finished fourth at Laguna after starting second. O’Ward is the reserve driver for the McLaren Formula One team.  

“Amazing day. Number one! Almost one-two for Honda, but two podium finishes is still great,” said Palou. “We had amazing speed all weekend and got our 8th win of the season. I couldn’t have asked for more from this year. I’m ready and hungry for more, of course, but I couldn’t be more proud (sic) of everything this #10 team has achieved.” Continue reading →

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