IndyCar Iowa Speedway – Palou’s Seventh Honda Win

Posted on 14 July 2025 by Ken Zino
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Alex Palou has been a strong driver in NTT IndyCar Series 2025. However lady luck [an old, outdated CART term] played a role in his victory at Iowa Speedway yesterday. Palou was running in third place late in the Farm to Finish 275 powered by Sukup when time came for the final round of pit stops. Josef Newgarden and David Malukas brought their Chevrolet-powered cars in for fuel ahead of Palou. However, Palou’s Honda, in perhaps an over-cut move, stayed out. However, a caution flag waved because of Colton Herta’s wall contact on the backstretch. Advantage Palou, – he was able to stop under yellow while the other front runners did under green. The race resumed with 11 laps remaining, and the driver of the No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda kept the lead and held on for his seventh race win of the season.

“Speechless, honestly speechless,” Palou said in victory lane. “It’s been an unbelievable day, an unbelievable weekend. More than anything, what an incredible year for us.* Continue reading →

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JLR NA Land Rover Evoque Passenger Airbag Recall

Posted on 14 July 2025 by Ken Zino

Jaguar Land Rover North America (JLR NA) is recalling ~21,000 model-year 2021-2025 model Range Rover Evoque vehicles. The Hungarian-made passenger air bag may tear during deployment.

“The basis of the recall population is all Land Rover Range Rover Evoque vehicles from 2021 Model Year up until the introduction of a modified airbag specification in production during 2025 Model Year. A concern has been identified on 2021 – 2024 and certain 2025 Model Year Range Rover Evoque vehicles where, during a passenger airbag deployment, the airbag may tear as a result of improper folding of the airbag during the airbag assembly process [at the Halewood UK plant- AutoCrat],” JLR NA told the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in the mandatory recall filing made public by NHTSA this morning. Continue reading →

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Another Ford Mach E Electrical System Recall

Posted on 14 July 2025 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: Ford) is recalling 239 2022 model year Mustang Mach E vehicles equipped with an extended range battery.* The high voltage battery main contactors may overheat. This recall is an expansion of a previous NHTSA recall number 23V687 or 23V-687 because of a calculation error. Ford is operating under a consent order from NHTSA because of its handing of recalls. 

“The recalled Bussed Electrical Center parts NK48-10C666-AA, NK48-10C666-BA, or LK98- 10C666-AB were introduced into production on 05/27/2020 and were taken out of production on 05/27/2022. Vehicles produced 5/27/2020 through 5/24/2022 are included in the original recall population (23V687). Affected vehicles are equipped with the extended range battery, but without the GT powertrain. These vehicles are not produced in VIN order,” Ford told the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in the mandatory safety defect recall filing that NHTSA made public today. Continue reading →

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Chinese Trade Wars – Volvo Q2 2025 Impairment Charge

Posted on 14 July 2025 by Ken Zino
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Chinese owned Volvo Cars (VOLCAR B:STO)* today announced a SEK 11.4 billion (~$1.2B) non-cash impairment charge in Q2 of 2025. Volvo is adjusting the financial assumptions for the EX90 and ES90 platform, because of previous launch delays and import tariffs in several markets. Among other woes, Volvo can’t sell the ES90 profitable in the U.S. Volvo Cars will publish its second quarter 2025 financial results on Thursday, 17 July 2025 at 07:00 CEST.**

“Given market developments such as import tariffs in the US, development and launch delays for the EX90 and strategic investment prioritizations, we have reassessed volume assumptions for these two cars. This has resulted in a lower than planned lifecycle profitability,” said Fredrik Hansson, CFO at Volvo Cars. Continue reading →

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Autonomous Cars – Cognitive Intelligence v Machine Learning

Posted on 14 July 2025 by Ken Zino

MOTOR Ai* announced today a $20 million “seed funding round to bring ‘cognitive intelligence’ autonomous driving  technology into full deployment, starting with German public roads.” The new capital will support hiring, commercial rollouts, and expansion of its technology. AutoInformed notes  that the recent Nazi propaganda spouted by Grok, the X social media chatbot, is just the latest example of the problems with large language models, aka L.L.M.s. Gathering large amounts of data doesn’t mean that systems using LLMs can think and reason safely without unintended dire consequences, such as X’s CEO Linda Yaccarino being fired by Elon Musk or Tesla’s Autopilot or leaving the company for her own reasons? [Ironically there isn’t enough verifiable data on this -AutoCrat]

“This type of AI enables the highest safety standard in autonomous driving – as is already legally standardized in Europe” said MOTOR Ai CEO and co-founder Roy Uhlmann. “As other providers pursue autonomy through brute-force data collection, end-to-end solutions and black-box prediction models,” MOTOR Ai said “it has taken a different approach: one that is deeply explainable and certifiable on the world’s highest safety levels. Its full-stack system already meets the most stringent European and international safety and compliance requirements, including UNECE approval standards, ISO 26262 (ASIL-D), Regulation (EU) 2022/1426, Autonomous Vehicles Approval and Operation Ordinance (AFGBV), GDPR, the EU AI Act, and upcoming Cyber Resilience Act provisions.” Continue reading →

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Milltek Performance Exhausts Debut for BMW, Porsche

Posted on 11 July 2025 by Ken Zino
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Milltek* is debuting high-performance exhausts for BMW and Porsche Hybrids at the Goodwood Festival of Speed now underway. Both exhausts for the BMW and Porsche fit after the standard particulate filter. Therefore, there is no change to their official emissions certification numbers. (Read AutoInformed.com on: Urban Automotive Custom Rolls-Royce Ghost at SEMA)

“The new hybrid exhaust systems engineered for the BMW M5 G90 4.4-litre V8 plug-in hybrid and Porsche 992.2 Carerra 3.6-litre hybrid join a growing catalogue of Milltek exhaust systems for modern classics as well as current Porsche and BMW models,” Milltek said. Continue reading →

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Ford Motor Recalls 850,000 Vehicles for Sudden Stalling

Posted on 11 July 2025 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F)* is recalling model year 2021-2023 Bronco, Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 SD, F-550 SD, 2021-2022 Lincoln Navigator, Mustang, F-150, and 2022 Expedition vehicles. The Mexican made low-pressure fuel pump from Phinia Inc. may fail, which can result in an engine stall while driving. The driver may experience poor engine performance – misfiring or rough running – a check engine light or a reduction in engine power. Fuel pump failure is more likely to occur in low fuel or warm weather with hot fuel in the fuel tank. The recall was prompted in part by data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

“Fuel pump failure can result in an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash,” Ford told NHTSA in the mandatory safety defect recall filing made public by NHTSA earlier this week. “Loss of fuel pressure and flow from the low-pressure fuel pump can be due to internal contamination of the jet pump, specifically in low fuel conditions, and reduced fuel pump internal clearances that result in an increase of internal friction and sensitivity to vapor lock,” Ford said. Continue reading →

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AAA – 2025 Gas Prices Holding Stable for Summer Travel

Posted on 10 July 2025 by Ken Zino
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AAA* said today that gas prices are relatively stable during a peak travel season. 

“With summer road trips in full swing, drivers are getting a break at the pump, as gas prices match July 2021 numbers. The national average for a gallon of gas dipped as low as $3.14 this past week before going up a few cents to $3.17,” AAA said. Continue reading →

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Annals of Marketing – New Electric Mercedes-Benz GLC

Posted on 10 July 2025 by Ken Zino
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Mercedes Benz said today that at its Technology Center in Sindelfingen, Germany, CEO Ola Källenius is testing the new Mercedes-Benz GLC with EQ technology.* In the latest YouTube video by Mercedes‑Benz, Källenius teases the model series. He previewed its design, capabilities, and handling. In previous videos, Ola Källenius drove the electric CLA and electric G-Class in the landscapes of Austria and Sweden, offering a sneak peek ahead of each vehicles’ world premiere. The new electric GLC, will be unveiled at Munich’s IAA motor show on 7 September 2025. Once upon a forgotten time this would have happened at the Frankfurt Motor show.

“The biggest product launch program in our company’s history continues with the all-new GLC. We’re not just introducing a new model – we’re electrifying our top seller. It will feature a bold new design language, cutting-edge technology, our MB.OS operating system and performance that sparks excitement. The all-new GLC is comfort, dynamics, efficiency and intelligence in perfect harmony and it’s ready to be revealed at this year’s IAA,” claimed Källenius, who is also Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG.** Continue reading →

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Climate Change – Pope Leo XIV Care of Creation Mass

Posted on 9 July 2025 by Ken Zino
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The Vatican said today that Pope Leo XIV celebrated the first “Mass for the Care of Creation,” with a new formulary of the Roman Missal, produced by the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development and the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. The Pope celebrated this private Mass during his holiday with the staff of the “Borgo Laudato Sì” (Laudato Sì Village), an educational center located in the Papal residence in Castel Gandolfo.

“With this new formulary, the Church is offering liturgical, spiritual and communal support for the care we all need to exercise of nature, our common home. Such service is indeed a great act of faith, hope and charity,” said Cardinal Michael Czerny, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. “This Mass dedicated to taking care of creation, calls us to be faithful stewards of what God has entrusted to us – not only in daily choices and public policies, but also in our prayer, our worship, and our way of living in the world.” Continue reading →

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BMW Motorrad Days – 40,000 Visitors in the Alps

Posted on 9 July 2025 by Ken Zino
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BMW Motorrad in Munich today said that 40,000 visitors attended Motorrad Days 2025 in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. It is the world’s largest BMW Motorrad gathering, which is held in the Bavarian Alpine Mountains. (read AutoInformed.com on: BMW Motorrad in 100th Year Posts Highest Sales Ever)

“For the 20th anniversary in Garmisch-Partenkirchen at the Hausbergbahn – overall the 23rd BMW Motorrad Days – the international BMW Motorrad community celebrated with product innovations, exhibitors, shows, test ride opportunities, and not least with rustic Bavarian lifestyle and great party atmosphere,” Motorrad said. Continue reading →

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California Strikes Back for Clean Air

Posted on 9 July 2025 by Ken Zino

California state agencies today announced a series of “dialogue sessions to generate public discussion around proposed measures to support increased zero emission vehicle adoption in California.” The agencies are planning to host three in-person sessions during business hours and one evening session online. If upheld, President Trump’s rollback of the state’s regulations would cost Californians an estimated $45 billion in health care costs.*

“In response to illegal federal efforts to revoke California’s clean air waivers, Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order on June 12, 2025. The order directed the California Air Resources Board, the California Energy Commission, Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development, California State Transportation Agency, and Department of Consumer Affairs to assess additional actions to spur light-, medium-, and heavy-duty zero emission vehicle (ZEV) adoption in California, and to deliver formal recommendations for additional actions to the governor in August,” the agencies said. Continue reading →

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Porsche Macan Sales ~60% Electric

Posted on 8 July 2025 by Ken Zino
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Porsche (P911.DE) said today in Stuttgart that it increased its share of electrified vehicles sold during the first half of 2025 to ~36%  for a 14.5 percentage points increase year-over-year.* These consist of 23.5% fully electric vehicles and 12.6 % plug-in hybrids. The strongest growth among the sports car manufacturer’s six model lines was posted by the Macan with a 15% increase.

“The fully electric Macan is making a significant contribution to our proportion of electrified cars,” said Matthias Becker, Board Member for Sales and Marketing at Porsche AG. “Overall, we have succeeded in keeping sales volumes stable and balanced across the sales regions despite ongoing geopolitical challenges. Our customers continue to place great value on individualized vehicles, and we will continue to expand our offerings in this area.” Continue reading →

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IndyCar – Cunning Scott Dixon wins at Mid-Ohio

Posted on 7 July 2025 by Ken Zino
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Veteran IndyCar driver Scott Dixon was  the third different winner in the 2025 NTT IndyCar Series season, in the number 9 Chip Ganassi Racing Honda to the win in the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio Presented by the All-New 2026 Passport yesterday. Dixon scored his record seventh win at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. He made completed all 90 laps on just two pit stops using his considerable “lift and coast” racing skills. His other Mid-Ohio victories were in 2019, 2014, 2012, 2011, 2009 and 2007. 

“It was definitely a tough race,” Dixon said. “We had fantastic cars. But just so much fun to try and pull off what we did and do it with what we had was fantastic. They were supposed to (remove downforce) from the front wing on the last stop. I just had to look at the corner, and the car was going to turn. I was just hoping the rear tires were going to hold on,” said Dixon. Continue reading →

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Happy Fourth of July 2025! Let’s Return to our Founding Ideals

Posted on 4 July 2025 by Ken Zino
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On this day, the Fourth of July 1776, the Continental Congress after considerable debate released our Declaration of Independence. AutoInformed notes that this is or should be our still continuing guide to what were then awakened American ideals. Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Roger Sherman and Robert R. Livingston – the so-called Committee of Five – did much of the enlightenment conceptual work. Jefferson, the most eloquent writer in the Congress, created one of our essential documents with the input of what were 56 men of the opinion that all of us equals could and would work at Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.

Then in the course of human events these ideals led to our following War of Independence. It turns out that these ideas were powerful. So powerful that they were bigger than the despots, Redcoats, Hessians and other mercenaries deployed against us. We overcame this oppression and the Divine Right of Kings against impossible odds with the help of the French. Who also later  added the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor. Continue reading →

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