Annals of Marketing – Curated by Cadillac

Posted on 12 August 2025 by Ken Zino
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Cadillac (NYSE: GM) today announced Curated by Cadillac, an expensive customization program available on a limited number of 2026 CT5-V Blackwing sedans. Distinct vehicle colors, premium materials and enhanced finishes are said to be offered.*

“Curated by Cadillac embodies our commitment to delivering an elevated level of customization,” said John Roth, vice president, Global Cadillac. “Drawing upon experience from the ultra-luxury, hand-built CELESTIQ, we are now offering a limited number of CT5-V Blackwing customers an opportunity to create a vehicle that is as unique as their own story.”** Continue reading →

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Bold EV Talk from Ford Motor

Posted on 11 August 2025 by Ken Zino
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Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) said today that it is investing approximately $5 billion and creating or securing ~4000 jobs at the Louisville Assembly Plant and BlueOval Battery Park in Michigan to deliver a new pickup and produce advanced prismatic LFP batteries.

“We took a radical approach to a very hard challenge: Create affordable vehicles that delight customers in every way that matters – design, innovation, flexibility, space, driving pleasure, and cost of ownership – and do it with American workers,” claimed Ford President and CEO Jim Farley. Continue reading →

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Palou Takes Fourth IndyCar Drivers’ Championship

Posted on 11 August 2025 by Ken Zino
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Alex Palou’s third-place finish yesterday at the Bitnile.com Grand Prix of Portland resulted in his fourth NTT IndyCar Series drivers’ championship in five years, as well as his third-consecutive title. The Chip Ganassi Racing driver now has eight victories on the season with two races left of the 2025 season. Honda as a result took manufacturers’ championship. This is Honda’s seventh NTT IndyCar Series manufacturers’ title, and 11th in American Open Wheel Racing. (Read AutoInformed.com on: IndyCar – Palou 8 wins for 14 Taking Grand Prix of Monterey and Avoidable Contact – IndyCar Penalizes Kyffin Simpson)

“Today was a great day. P3 in the race and winning the championship, it was amazing. We started on primary tires today and with how the yellows fell and how many laps we had to do to open the gap, and then we came out in traffic, we couldn’t really fight for the win until the end,” said Palou. Continue reading →

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Avoidable Contact – IndyCar Penalizes Kyffin Simpson

Posted on 8 August 2025 by Ken Zino
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IndyCar today announced a six-position starting grid penalty for the No. 8 Chip Ganassi Racing entry for avoidable contact involving driver Kyffin Simpson during the Sunday 27 July 27 race at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca during the Grand Prix of Monterey The penalty comes after a post-race review of the Lap 1, Turn 6 incident with the No. 60 entry of Meyer Shank Racing driven by Felix Rosenqvist. (Read AutoInformed.com on: IndyCar – Palou 8 wins for 14 Taking Grand Prix of Monterey)

“Simpson was in violation of Rule 9.3.3. Avoidable Contact. The primary responsibility for avoiding contact with a Competitor resides with the overtaking Competitor and the secondary responsibility resides with the Competitor(s) being overtaken. A Competitor who fails to demonstrate their responsibility and initiates a maneuver that results in contact with another Competitor may be penalized,” IndyCar said. Continue reading →

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Goodyear Posts H1 2025 Loss of $59 million

Posted on 8 August 2025 by Ken Zino
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The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company (NASDAQ: GT) today posted a Q2 2025 loss of $48 million compared to a net income of $48 million in Q2 of 2024. Goodyear during H1 2025  had net sales of $8.7 billion, with tire unit volumes totaling 76.4 million. Goodyear net income was $369 million ($1.27 per share) compared to Goodyear net income of $10 million (4 cents per share) a year ago. Goodyear’s first six months 2025 saw net sales of$8.7 billion, with tire unit volumes totaling 76.4 million. Goodyear net income was $369 million ($1.27 per share) compared to Goodyear net income of $10 million (4 cents per share) a year ago. Nonetheless, the stock market punished the stock dropping it ~17% from the previous day closing as the impending Trump tariff recession appears to be underway. Tariff costs at Goodyear are now estimated at, gulp, $350,000,000 for 2025.

“The second quarter proved challenging in both our consumer and commercial businesses, driven by industry disruption stemming from shifts in global trade – including a surge of low-cost imports across our key markets,” said Mark Stewart, Goodyear CEO. “We expect conditions to stabilize in the coming quarters, and we see clear opportunity ahead as we capitalize on our strong U.S. manufacturing footprint. We continue to expect to exceed the original goals for Goodyear Forward both in terms of cost savings and proceeds from asset sales. Continue reading →

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Pep Boys to Run Auto Service Centers on U.S. Navy Bases

Posted on 7 August 2025 by Ken Zino

The Pep Boys said today that it has a contract with the Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM). Under the contract, Pep Boys plans to operate 14 of NEXCOM’s automotive service centers located on U.S. Navy bases across the country. This transition, which will be implemented on a rolling basis, will provide service to military personnel and their families. The converted locations* will be rebranded under the Pep Boys name, continuing a legacy that dates back to the company’s founding by Navy veterans Manny, Moe & Jack.**

“We are honored to work with NEXCOM*** to bring Pep Boys’ best-in-class automotive & tire services to Navy personnel and their families,” said Joe Auriemma, CEO of Pep Boys. “Our company was founded by three Navy veterans, and we take immense pride in continuing that tradition by serving the military community with the same dedication and excellence that has defined us for more than 100 years.” Continue reading →

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Hot Cars – Camaro ZL1 Most Stolen Vehicle

Posted on 7 August 2025 by Ken Zino

The Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 is at the top of the list of America’s most-stolen vehicles, while a software upgrade helped reduce theft rates for Hyundai and Kia vehicles, according to new research from the Highway Loss Data Institute. Relative to its numbers on the roads, the Camaro ZL1 had a whole-vehicle theft rate 39 times the average for all vehicles. The frequency of whole-vehicle theft claims for the standard Camaro was 13 times higher than the average. Along with the two Camaro variants, pickup trucks and other expensive or high-horsepower models dominate the list of the top 20 vehicles with the highest claim frequencies for whole-vehicle theft.*

 “Muscle cars have often topped this list, as thieves are attracted to vehicles with high horsepower,” said Matt Moore, chief insurance operations officer at HLDI and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. “That also helps explain why the more expensive, more powerful ZL1 is stolen so much more often than the standard Camaro.” Continue reading →

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GM and Hyundai – Plans for Co-Developed Vehicles

Posted on 7 August 2025 by Ken Zino
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General Motors (NYSE: GM) and Hyundai Motor Company (KRX: 005380 KS) today announced plans for their first five co-developed vehicles. The vehicles announced today are targeted at the largest segments in the Central and South American markets, as well as the commercial segment in North America. GM once had similar agreements with Honda Motor. (read AutoInformed.com on: Strange Clean Energy Bedfellows – GM and Hyundai)

“Hyundai’s strategic collaboration with GM will help us continue to deliver value and choice to our customers across multiple vehicle segments and markets,” said José Muñoz, president and CEO of Hyundai Motor Company. “Our combined scale in North and South America helps us to more efficiently provide our customers more of what they want – beautifully designed, high-quality, safety focused vehicles with technology they appreciate,” Muñoz claimed. Continue reading →

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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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