Electrify America Opens Another Hyper-Fast Charging Station

Posted on 17 June 2026 by Ken Zino
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Electrify America today opened a new large-format electric vehicle (EV) charging station in Santa Barbara, Calif., expanding access to fast, EV charging in the city’s downtown. It’s ironic that the new charging station is established on the site of the former Greyhound Bus depot at 36 West Carrillo Street. This station offers 20 Hyper-Fast chargers. Each charger is capable of speeds up to 350 kilowatts (kW), which can add up to 20 miles of driving range per minute for EVs that accept high-power charging. 

“This large-format station showcases the next evolution of charging infrastructure, combining high-power charging with integrated battery energy storage to deliver reliable capacity at scale,” said Rob Barrosa, Electrify America President and CEO. “By incorporating advanced storage technology, we’re able to bring Hyper-Fast charging to locations that have traditionally been difficult to serve, while making it easy for customers to integrate charging into their daily routines in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara.”** Continue reading →

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First Look – The 2027 Chevrolet Silverado Pickup

Posted on 16 June 2026 by Ken Zino
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The Next-Generation 2027 Silverado 1500 will be the most powerful and advanced Silverado, Chevrolet claimed today.* It will have the next-generation 5.7-liter and 6.6-liter V8 engines. It will continue to offer four powertrain options, including two next-generation V8s and an improved 2.7-liter TurboMax that delivers a claimed best-in-class standard torque (footnote 2), with a 10-speed transmission. The lineup also offers the Duramax 3.0-liter Turbo-Diesel.

“Silverado has earned truck customers’ trust over decades of hard work in the real world,” said Scott Bell, vice president of Global Chevrolet. “With the Next-Generation 2027 Silverado 1500, we’re taking that legacy forward by building the most capable, refined and advanced Silverado lineup we’ve ever offered.” (Footnote 1) Continue reading →

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Ford Bronco, Maverick Recalls for Front Suspension Failures

Posted on 16 June 2026 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company (NYSE Ford) is recalling 2021-2026 model-year Bronco Sport and 2022-2026 model-year Maverick light trucks. The front lower control arm ball joints may have been incorrectly installed or incorrectly repaired at the vehicle assembly plant, allowing the control arm to disconnect from the front wheel knuckle. Owners should not drive the trucks until the recall has been performed.*

“An incorrect assembly or repair that results in partial engagement of the ball stud to the knuckle may result in lower control arm ball joint separation from the knuckle which may result in loss of vehicle control while driving, increasing the risk of crash,” Ford said in the mandatory safety defect recall d filling made public by the National Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) yesterday. Continue reading →

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Fires Park Outside! – Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid EVs

Posted on 15 June 2026 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Fires Park Outside! – Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid EVs

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Chrysler (FCA US) is recalling ~17,277 model-year 2020-2022 Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV) minivans. The battery pack may cause a vehicle fire, even when the vehicle is parked with the ignition in the “Off” position.

“Owners are advised not to charge their vehicles, and to park outside and away from structures, until their vehicle is repaired. Dealers will update the high voltage battery pack control module software. In addition, dealers will inspect and replace the battery pack assembly, as necessary. All repairs will be performed free of charge,” Chrysler said in the mandatory safety defect filing made public this morning by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) this morning. Continue reading →

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UAW Local 2093 Members Ratify New American Axle Contract

Posted on 15 June 2026 by Ken Zino

UAW Local 2093 members at American Axle/Dauch Corporation yesterday voted 80% in favor of ratifying a new contract with the parts supplier. The deal secures the workers’ demand of $30 per hour by 2030 – a more than 36% increase to the top wage rate over four years – among other major contract gains at the Tier 1 parts supplier to GM. Workers returned to work at 6:00 A.M. this Monday morning.*

“UAW Local 2093 showed one thing to be truer than ever: strikes work,” said UAW President Shawn Fain. “And American Axle proved something else to be as true as we’ve always known: the industry can afford our demands. From the time we walked off ten days ago to this tentative agreement, the company more than doubled the money on the table. Labor is our power and we can’t sell ourselves short in this economic crisis we’re facing.” Continue reading →

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Data Center Tax Abatements Threaten State Budgets and You

Posted on 12 June 2026 by Ken Zino

A new analysis released today from Good Jobs First finds that state and local governments are losing tax revenue to data center subsidies at an unprecedented rate, with costs rising sharply in states that disclose the value of their tax breaks and many others still failing to report the losses at all. Transparency also remains a large issue: 14 states with data center tax exemptions still do not publish comprehensive annual revenue-loss figures, making it difficult for lawmakers and taxpayers to understand the true cost of the incentives.* [In short, taxpayer’s pockets are being picked by wealthy firms and special interests. While local programs such as school or library budgets are potentially hurt. Homeowner property taxes could rise drastically the over the shortfalls. – AutoCrat]

“Taxpayer costs are rising far faster than policymakers anticipated, while disclosure and accountability continue to lag behind,” said Kasia Tarczynska, Good Jobs First senior research analyst and the report’s author. “States cannot have an honest debate about the costs and benefits of data centers if billions of dollars in lost revenue remain hidden from public view. Continue reading →

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Affordability – Used Vehicle Prices Hit Three Year High!

Posted on 12 June 2026 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Affordability – Used Vehicle Prices Hit Three Year High!

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The Cox Automotive analysis of vAuto Live Market View data released today show used-vehicle inventory increased in May as the retail sales pace braked.* Average listing prices rose for the third consecutive month, reaching $26,918, the highest since mid-2023 and up 6% year-over-year. Combined franchised and independent auto dealers had a total supply of 2.12 million used vehicles on their lots in May. Volume is down 0.6% compared to a year ago but increased 4% from April. New-vehicle sales in May were up more than 7% year over year in May, according to Kelley Blue Book estimates, a noteworthy divergence between the two markets.

“The retail used-vehicle sales pace slowed in May, down 3.9% compared to a year ago and down 2% from April. Total retail volume is estimated at 1.45 million. Growing economic pressures and rising vehicle prices likely weighed on demand. At the same time, improving credit availability, which reached its highest level since April 2022, and the continued value proposition of used vehicles relative to new most likely provided an offset. Ford, Chevrolet, Toyota, Honda, and Nissan were the top-selling brands again in May, accounting for nearly 50% of all used vehicles sold,” said Scott Vanner, manager of Economic and Industry Insights at Cox Automotive.”** Continue reading →

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Why Wars Are Costing Motorists So Much

Posted on 12 June 2026 by Ken Zino
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From our friends across the pond comes a timely warning today about wars and government fuel economy policies. [AutoInformed is thinking here about the relaxation of fuel economy standards by the Trump mis-administration, as well as its foreign wars and trade policies that are hurting U.S. motorists, among other hapless victims – AutoCrat.]*

“Declining fuel efficiency has increased British motorists’ exposure to global conflict, a new analysis from Vehicle Data Global (VDG) has revealed. Fuel economy already worsened over the past decade, with British cars now thirstier than ever before, but the Ukraine war and then the Iran conflict starkly revealed the cost of motorists’ preference for ever bigger cars,” said a report from Vehicle Data Global.** Continue reading →

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Mixed Results on Trump Auto Tariff, Policy Scorecards

Posted on 11 June 2026 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Mixed Results on Trump Auto Tariff, Policy Scorecards

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Plante Moran shared its North American Production Outlook 2026 – 2033 forecast with the Society of Automotive Analysts this week. It is investigating at the mid-2026 point how electrification continues to influence auto industry direction as the year unfolds. The estimable mega-consulting firm that deals in audit, tax, consulting, and wealth management globally has a significant advisory presence in the auto industry.  It says changes are coming later this decade and into the early 2030s. 

“The North American production volume outlook for growth remains, but we’re seeing some geographic shifts, mostly to the US. And amount of this growth will be encountered in the later years of our projections,” said Dan Lee, principal in strategy practice at the Southfield, MI office.” And that’s largely due to the delays in EV adoption that we’ve seen whether that’s planned to be paused or not.” Continue reading →

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Striking UAW Reaches Tentative Agreement at American Axle

Posted on 11 June 2026 by Ken Zino

After walking out on strike at midnight on June 1, UAW Local 2093 members at American Axle/Dauch Corporation have reached a tentative agreement with the company, the UAW said last night. The as yet unratified contract gets the workers’ “topline demand” of $30 per hour by 2030, a more than 36% increase to the top wage rate over four years. The UAW claimed there are other “historic gains in a record contract” at the Tier 1 parts supplier to GM.*

“Tonight, after 10 days on strike, I am proud to announce that UAW Local 2093 has reached a tentative agreement at American Axle,” said UAW President Shawn Fain. “And tonight, after 18 years of sacrifice, these workers are finally winning back a big chunk of what was taken from them.” Continue reading →

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Large Honda and Acura Recall Started for Suspension Failures

Posted on 11 June 2026 by Ken Zino

Honda (American Honda Motor Co. NYSE: HMC) is recalling ~880,514 Honda and Acura vehicles* because the rear sub-frame may corrode at the suspension mounting points, which can result in rear suspension component failure. “Failure of rear suspension components, such as the rear control arm, can cause a loss of vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash or injury,” Honda said in the mandatory safety defect recall filing with the National Highway Traffic Administration, parts of which were made in a recall acknowledgement letter made public today by NHTSA.

Dealers will inspect the rear sub-frame and install a rear sub-frame reinforcement kit and, as necessary, repair or replace the rear sub frame components, free of charge as required by U.S. law. Owner notification letters are not expected to be mailed until 7 July 2026. Continue reading →

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Harley‑Davidson On-Shoring Motorcycle Production

Posted on 10 June 2026 by Ken Zino
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Harley-Davidson, Inc. (NYSE: HOG)* said this week that it is bringing production of the Revolution® Max platform for North America back to the United States as part of the Company’s so-called Back to the Bricks strategy.** [The venerable company has been clobbered by Trump Administration economic policies – AutoCrat.] The move returns machining, powertrain assembly, painting, and final vehicle assembly work back to Harley-Davidson facilities in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, with union jobs. The motorcycles are Pan America, Sportster® S, and Nightster models. The production transition is expected to be completed ahead of the start of Model Year 2028 production in 2027. Harley-Davidson expects to manufacture more than 100,000 motorcycles out of the Company’s York, Pennsylvania facility in 2027.

“This decision, which has been months in the making, reflects our commitment to strengthening Harley-Davidson’s manufacturing base for the long term,” said the new CEO Artie Starrs. Continue reading →

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Vehicle Affordability – Price Increases Small as Incentives Grow

Posted on 10 June 2026 by Ken Zino

New-vehicle prices moderated slightly in May and incentive spending grew, according to data released today by Kelley Blue Book. The average transaction price (ATP) for a new vehicle purchased in May declined from April and rose a mild 1.2% year over year, the smallest annual gain of 2026 and below the long-term average gain of 3.5% for May. Vehicle sales last month were higher year over year and compared to April.*

“Average transaction prices are rising 2 – 4% year-over-year across key vehicle segments, powered by a convergence of product cycles and supply dynamics,” said Erin Keating, Executive Analyst, Cox Automotive, the parent company of KBB.** “Redesigned SUVs from Toyota, Kia, Jeep, and Hyundai are commanding higher prices out of the gate, while Ford’s F-Series production constraints are tightening truck inventory, lifting average transaction prices, with freshened Ram pickup stepping in to capture buyers at the premium end,” said Keating. Continue reading →

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Beware! Catalytic Converters are Pursued by Thieves

Posted on 10 June 2026 by Ken Zino

The latest CARFAX data estimates released today show more than 137,000 catalytic converters were stolen in 2025, with thousands more estimated stolen at the start of this year. Thieves apparently target these emission-control devices to get at the valuable precious metals they contain, including platinum, palladium and rhodium. Replacement costs can reach $3000, particularly for motorists without comprehensive insurance coverage.

“There are a wide range of vehicles impacted, and most of these are pickup trucks and SUVs, which tend to sit higher off the ground, making it easier for thieves to get in and out,” said Patrick Olsen, Editor-in-Chief at CARFAX. “Experts also tell us that while thieves can make anywhere from $25-$300 for a standard catalytic converter, converters from hybrid vehicles can sell for up to $1400 because they have even more of those precious metals inside.” Continue reading →

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Magna CEO Swamy Kotagiri Speaking on Decisions That Will Shape the Next Decade of Automotive Manufacturing

Posted on 9 June 2026 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Magna CEO Swamy Kotagiri Speaking on Decisions That Will Shape the Next Decade of Automotive Manufacturing

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Magna (TSX: MG. NYSE: MGA) CEO Swamy Kotagiri spent some time today addressing the Automotive Press Association in Troy, Michigan. In keeping with my many years of covering Kotagiri, he was intelligent, logical, foresighted, humble and politically astute – politely sidestepping answering a question on the upcoming 2026 USMCA Trade Agreement renewal – befitting his leadership at the mega Canadian Tier One auto parts and components designer, developer and parts supplier. [Magna is the largest automobile parts manufacturer in North America by sales of original equipment parts. It has 350 manufacturing plants globally some with Unifor, UAW and German Metal Workers unions. The remarks have been lightly edited for space and clarity – AutoCrat.]*

“The biggest challenge in today’s automotive industry is not really anticipating change. It’s made in big capital allocation decisions, assumptions in markets that are constantly changing,” Kotagiri said. “Technology is moving, consumer demand is moving, policy is moving, and of course, geopolitics is influencing where and how we operate. Continue reading →

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