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General Motors (NYSE: GM) said this week as part of Earth Day observances that in 2025 GM reached a major milestone. GM has secured enough renewable energy to match 100% of its electricity use across all its U.S. facilities — making GM the first U.S. automaker to reach this goal.*
“Managing energy use isn’t just a checkbox for a corporate environmental report these days; it’s a business necessity,” said Cassandra Garber, chief sustainability officer at GM. Continue reading
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McLaren Racing today revealed the name of the FIA Hypercar that will return to endurance racing. The McLaren MCL-HY will compete for overall honors in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and the 24 Hours of Le Mans starting next year.* A variant dubbed MCL-HY GTR will enable clients to own aversion of the McLaren Racing FIA Hypercar. This supercar was part of what was formerly known as Project: Endurance. Pricing is not available yet.
“The MCL‑HY GTR proudly continues a lineage that began with the McLaren F1 GTR’s outright Le Mans victory in 1995 and then continued with the McLaren P1 GTR™ and McLaren Senna GTR track cars. This badge stands for moments that define McLaren. With the MCL‑HY GTR, we are writing the next chapter for our most focused, authentic, and uncompromising track cars,” said Henrik Wilhelmsmeyer, Chief Commercial Officer, McLaren Automotive. Continue reading
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During March 2026 year-to-date (YTD), new EU car registrations fell by 1.2% compared to the same period last year, according to data published today by the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association. [aka ACEA at AutoInformed after its original French name- AutoCrat]* However, new car registrations were +4% in Q1 2026 with battery-electric powertrains taking a 19.4% market share.**
“The market was supported by robust consumer activity bolstered by new and revised tax benefits and incentive schemes across major European countries,” ACEA said in a release. Continue reading
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VinFast Auto (NASDAQ: VFS) in Hanoi today posted preliminary domestic Vietnam deliveries of 27,609 electric vehicles during March 2026, an increase of 127% year-over-year. For Q1 of 2026, the Company delivered a preliminary total of 53,684 EVs to customers in Vietnam.* [By global automaker standards this is roughly one final assembly plant on an annual basis – AutoCrat.]
“This achievement underscores VinFast’s leadership in the domestic automotive market,” the company claimed in a release. “Notably, 6795 Limo Green vehicles were delivered in March, making it VinFast’s best-selling model for the month. The VF 3 ranked second, with 4729 vehicles delivered,” Vinfast said.** Continue reading
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Well, the paddock rumors were accurate – or should AutoInformed say Acura-it? Marcus Armstrong’s Honda-powered IndyCar will carry Acura branding in the 2026 Indianapolis 500, the Acura’s first appearance on the Indy 500 grid. Moreover, Acura will “pause” the IMSA GTP program following 2026 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season. This move to the NTT IndyCar Series keeps the Acura name in motorsports of course. It also, perhaps, adds a complication to the viability of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, if other brands do likewise.*
“We’re excited for the Acura brand expansion into the NTT IndyCar Series and we can’t wait to see our Acura livery take on the Indy 500”, said Hundy Liu, manager, Acura Brand Marketing. “We saw a great response to the livery on Felix Rosenqvist’s MSR car last week at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, and I know it will be even more exciting to see the Acura brand on Marcus Armstrong’s car at Indianapolis.” Continue reading
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Transport Canada in Ottawa today said that Canada and the United States will convene the global road safety community together in Toronto this May to strengthen international collaboration aimed at reducing fatalities and serious injuries on roads. Under the theme “Advancing Innovation: Technologies for Safer Vehicles,” ESV 2026 will focus on developing and deploying safety technologies using evidence-based approaches that can be adopted globally. There are ~1.2 million lives lost each year to road crashes worldwide.
“Canada is proud to welcome the global road safety community to Toronto for Enhanced Safety of Vehicles 2026. By bringing together researchers, regulators, and industry leaders, we are fostering innovation and cooperation that will shape the next generation of vehicle safety and strengthen our collective efforts to make roads safer around the world,” said the Honorable Steven MacKinnon, Minister of Transport and Leader of the government in the House of Commons.
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The latest light vehicle production forecast out this week by S&P Global Mobility is grim showing declines in every region as original March forecasts that assumed a short Trump Iranian war thought it was a temporary blip. As we said at the time “Well, yes but there is no indication that this will be a short term event or that it’s economic consequences were considered by the whimsical U.S. president who would be king. Moreover the former Detroit Three are heavily dependent on sales of gas-gulping light trucks as fuel prices are climbing with no end in sight. Additionally, the Administration is going it alone in this war, as former allies, who were not informed or consulted, refuse to be drawn into the tragic and increasingly bloody conflict – AutoCrat.”* This brings us to:
“The global auto industry’s near-term outlook is heavily influenced by the ongoing conflict in Iran, with the Strait of Hormuz now expected to remain closed through April, leading to higher oil prices and increased volatility. These conditions are raising manufacturing and logistics costs, putting pressure on vehicle demand and production,” said Mike Wall, Executive Director, Automotive Analysis, S&P Global Mobility yesterday. Continue reading
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The all-new 2027 Mercedes-Benz C 400 4MATIC Electric arrives at U.S. dealerships in the first half of 2027 as MBUSA (MBG.DE, MBGAF OTC U.S.) is posting sales declines and all global automakers are wrestling with the negative trade and war policies of the Trump mis-administration. [Makers are also facing a marked shift in consumer presences to hybrid vehicles – AutoCrat].*
“The all-new electric C‑Class is redefining the mid-size segment for electric vehicles. Customers will get exactly what they expect from this new version of the beloved model: the perfect blend of performance, comfort, dynamics, and intelligence. On top of that, it is the most powerful and sportiest C‑Class we’ve ever built, offering pure driving pleasure and outstanding real-world range, all while being the perfect sanctuary for our customer,” claimed Ola Källenius, Chairman of the Board of Management, Mercedes‑Benz Group AG. Continue reading
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Acura and Honda Racing Corporation USA (HRC US) took their first victory on the streets of Long Beach of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.* The overall result came as rumors emerged from the racing world that Acura is considering leaving competition. Ironically, the win was the first one since Acura became the title sponsor of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach in 2019.
On the 1.968-mile, 11 turn Long Beach street circuit, it was a great double-header weekend for Honda Racing. Alex Palou completed a sweep of the weekend for Honda in the 2026 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, as Honda and Acura powered vehicles scored pole position and the victory Sunday in both the NTT IndyCar Series (Palou) and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.** The first game went to Renger van der Zande on Saturday who drove the No. 93 Acura Meyer Shank Racing w/Curb Agajanian Acura ARX-06 to the Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) first-place trophy in the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach. They controlled the 100-minute sprint race from green to checkered flags.*** Continue reading
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The Long Beach street course will showcase Acura versus Aston-Martin versus Cadillac versus Corvette versus Ferrari and Porsche among other famous brands for the 100-minute race that is considered Honda Racing’s U.S. home event. It’s exciting racing on the 1.968-mile Long Beach street circuit. That’s because teams and drivers start “cold” and have to work through significant track condition changes over three sessions Friday while four other classes add rubber to the surface. IndyCar is here too, further adding to the puzzle. The IMSA field of 28 cars is split between the Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) and Grand Touring Daytona (GTD) classes.
Penske Racing President Jonathan Diuguid said the team’s Long Beach approach is, well, flexible. “At Daytona and Sebring[ much longer endurance races – AutoCrat] we said, ‘I don’t care if you’re last place after the first corner, we don’t really want you to be aggressive on the start,” Diuguid said. “It’s probably the opposite (at Long Beach). I think in ’24, Nick (Tandy) went from eighth to second on the start. Those are the kind of aggressive moves you’re gonna see in the first couple laps. I think you’re going to see the drivers be a lot more aggressive in traffic, and that’s definitely a clear mentality change. “Really, it’s just, it’s aggressiveness from the drop of the green flag until the checkered flag, which is probably slightly different from the approach that’s been taken in Sebring and Daytona.” Continue reading
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A Ford Mustang GTD (NYSE: F) professionally driven broke its own record with a new 6:40.835 lap time at the Nürburgring Nordschleife. Previously a 2025 Ford Mustang GTD completed of the 12.9-mile at the 73-turn “Green Hell” in 6:57.685 at the Nürburgring on 10 December 2024.This is the sixth fastest time in the Nürburgring Pre-Production / Prototype Class record book.
“Driven once again by Ford Racing and Multimatic factory driver Dirk Müller, the Mustang GTD Competition secured the sixth fastest time on the Nürburgring Pre-Production / Prototype Class leader-board,” said Joe Bellino Mustang GTD brand manager today. “Ford Racing engineer Steve Thompson also piloted the GTD Competition to a time of 6:49.337 around the Nürburgring – faster than Müller’s original record. Thompson has modest driving experience at the ‘Green Hell,’ having cumulatively driven the Nürburgring fewer than 40 laps,” Bellino said. Continue reading
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Fastport, the Honda micro-mobility project (7267.T and NYSE: HMC), today announced a new customer connection with privately-held Third Lane Mobility, the parent company of Bird and Spin shared micro-mobility devices, as commercial availability of the Honda Fastport eQuad and Fleet‑as‑a‑Service (FaaS) platform gets underway. The all-electric eQuad is a single-rider micro-mobility vehicle and a zero-emission alternative to traditional delivery vans and trucks.*
“We created Fastport and our eQuad micro-mobility vehicle to address rising urban congestion, emissions and operating costs where full-size commercial vehicles are less practical,” said Jose Wyszogrod, general manager of Fastport. “With Fastport products now commercially available, we’re proud to partner with Bird and Spin in urban fleet operations to help better serve their customers’ micro-mobility needs on select university campuses.” Continue reading
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The Bosch Group said today that it plans to exploit the growth prospects in its global markets during the 2026 business year. The global supplier of technology and services is planning sales growth of 2-5% and an EBIT margin from operations of 4-6% for 2026. All told 2025 was a disappointing year for the German mega-supplier. All of the challenges that hurt 2025 results remain in place for 2026.*
“As a global technology leader, we are committed to shaping the trends of automation, digitalization, electrification, and artificial intelligence, as this also paves the way for profitable growth in our business. An important prerequisite for this are the cost-cutting effects of the structural measures we have already initiated and innovations in all business areas,” said Stefan Hartung, chairman of the board of management of Robert Bosch GmbH during a presentation of the company’s annual results. Continue reading
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Stellantis (NYSE: STLA / Euronext Milan: STLAM / Euronext Paris: STLAP) said today that consolidated shipments for the three months ending March 31, 2026, were an estimated 1.4 million units, up 12% year-over-year.*
“This increase was primarily driven by Enlarged Europe and North America, and further supported by year‑over‑year shipments growth in Middle East & Africa and South America,” Stellantis said.** Continue reading
New Porsche Cayenne Coupé Electric Debuts in Beijing
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Porsche AG’s (P911.DE) new Cayenne Coupé Electric model with three drive variants celebrated its world premiere at Auto China 2026 in Beijing today. They can be ordered immediately. The Chinese market has been challenging for Porsche lately as customers are turning to less expensive and innovative EVs from Chinese makers.*
“The gently sloping roofline sweeps elegantly over the car’s broad shoulders and gives the Cayenne Coupé a particularly sporty appearance,” said Thomas Stopka, Head of Exterior Design, Style Porsche. “The adaptive rear spoiler blends harmoniously into the body, while the way the rear window is embedded and flush-mounted with fewer joints ensures a clean, modern look. Continue reading →