Park Outside – 2025 Volvo EX30 Battery Fires

Posted on 12 January 2026 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Park Outside - 2025 Volvo EX30 Battery Fires

Click for more.

Volvo Car USA is recalling a small number of 2025 EX30 SUVs because the Chinese-made high-voltage battery may experience a short circuit, overheat and cause a fire. Battery overheating message will display in Driver Information Module (DIM).*

“The recall population is determined by the first and last vehicles that were produced with a high voltage battery from the Shandong Geely Sunwoda Power Battery Company in China. The start of production with these cell variants began on 6 September 2024, and ended on 25 October 2025. Vehicles produced after 25 October 2025, do not have the high voltage battery cell deviation. This recall affects certain model year 2025 EX30 vehicles,” Volvo said in the mandatory safety defect filing made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration this morning. Continue reading →

Tweet
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, electric vehicles, manufacturing, quality, recalls, safety | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Rolls-Royce – 2025 Trends, Innovations, and Achievements

Posted on 12 January 2026 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Rolls-Royce – 2025 Trends, Innovations, and Achievements

Click for more.

Bespoke [aka customization – AutoCrat] at Rolls-Royce in 2025 marked a defining year not only in terms of artistic output but in the evolution of craft, material expression, and the commissioning experience itself, the BMW subsidiary established in 1998 claims.*

“In 2025, Rolls-Royce Bespoke reached new creative and technical heights, extending far beyond traditional boundaries. This was a year defined by thematic richness, global collaboration and artistic evolution. The astonishing creative execution of these themes is enabled through the extraordinary talents found at the Home of Rolls-Royce, our Bespoke Collective and the expanding reach of our Private Office spaces around the world Continue reading →

Tweet
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, design and styling, manufacturing, marketing, milestones, mobility company, news analysis, people, quality, sales, shows and events | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Porsche Laments the Death of Hans Herrmann

Posted on 12 January 2026 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Porsche Laments the Death of Hans Herrmann

Click for more.

Porsche AG is mourning the loss of Hans Herrmann. The former racing driver passed away on 9 January 2026, at the age of 97. During his motorsport career, he achieved more than 80 overall and class victories, the vast majority of them for Porsche. Herrmann not only competed in all major endurance races and European hill climb championship events, but also conducted countless test drives at the Weissach Development Center. Above all, Hermann was instrumental in making Porsche a serious competitor in endurance racing.

“The passing of Hans Herrmann has deeply affected us all,” says Thomas Laudenbach, Head of Porsche Motorsport. “He was one of Porsche AG’s most successful factory racing drivers. With the victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1970 in the Porsche 917, Richard Attwood and he made history.” Continue reading →

Tweet
Posted in auto news, milestones, people, performance, racing, shows and events | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

BMW Group Sales Barely Increase in 2025

Posted on 9 January 2026 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on BMW Group Sales Barely Increase in 2025

Click to enlarge.

The BMW Group said today that vehicle sales grew in 2025 to 2,463,715 (+0.5%) with resilient performance particularly in Europe and the US, and with electrified models. Electrified vehicles accounted for 26% of total BMW Group sales worldwide in 2025, with fully-electric vehicles representing ~18%. [The questions for 2026 are whether taxpayer subsidized EVs are salable without money on the hood so to speak in the U.S. How increased low-cost Chinese EVs in Europe affect premium brand sales, and the whim or dementia of the moment of the Trump Administration tax and tariff policies affect Global trade – AutoCrat?]

“In 2025, in a challenging environment, the BMW Group sold more vehicles than in the previous year. Our electrified vehicles were in particularly high demand. Europe reported especially strong growth, with battery-electric vehicles accounting for about a quarter of total sales, and BEVs and PHEVs combined reaching a share of over 40% across the region. We remain fully on track to meet our EU CO₂ fleet target for 2025,” said Jochen Goller, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Customer, Brands, Sales. Continue reading →

Tweet
Posted in auto news, economy, manufacturing, marketing, mobility company, news analysis, results, sales | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Mercedes AMG 2026 Experience Goes Off-Road

Posted on 8 January 2026 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Mercedes AMG 2026 Experience Goes Off-Road

Click for more.

Mercedes‑AMG today announced the continuation and expansion of its 2026 AMG Experience season with the inclusion for the first time of off-road driving.

“Back by popular demand, AMG Experience’s ‘On Road’ program returns in 2026. This exclusive six-day excursion features a premier lineup of AMG vehicles and unforgettable driving experiences through some of the West’s most breathtaking landscapes. This AMG Experience journey begins and ends in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, with scenic routes winding through Grand Teton National Park and onward toward the geothermal wonders, towering peaks and sweeping valleys that define the Yellowstone region. Along the way, participants will take in pristine lakes, vast grasslands and the raw beauty of the American West – all while enjoying the unparalleled comfort and performance of Mercedes-AMG,” Mercedes said. Continue reading →

Tweet
Posted in auto news, marketing, milestones, mobility company, news analysis, performance, shows and events | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Manufacturer Websites Lack Product Details?

Posted on 8 January 2026 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Manufacturer Websites Lack Product Details?

Click for more.

Auto manufacturer websites are important for shoppers at all stages of the decision-making process during new-vehicle shopping, according to the J.D. Power 2026 U.S. Manufacturer Website Evaluation Study℠ – Winter, released today.* Among those who already know which vehicle they want, 83% still visit the manufacturer’s website to conform their research. Of shoppers who are undecided on a vehicle, 94% visit a manufacturer’s website and Power says have higher engagement as they spend more time browsing and viewing detailed content.

“One in three new-vehicle shoppers begin their journey without a specific brand in mind, yet nearly all of them still visit an OEM website,” said Cory Maxwell, digital experience consultant at J.D. Power. “While those shoppers are highly engaged, we continue to see that about 20% of OEM sites prioritize branding over the detailed vehicle information shoppers are actively seeking. At that stage, the brand has already done its job by getting shoppers to the site, so what matters most is helping them evaluate the vehicle.” Continue reading →

Tweet
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, marketing, news analysis, shows and events | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Chinese RoboVan Maker Neolix Debuts Next Gen Products

Posted on 7 January 2026 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Chinese RoboVan Maker Neolix Debuts Next Gen Products

Click for more.

Neolix, a maker of autonomous logistics products (RoboVan), today announced the debut of its next-generation AI-powered autonomous logistics products at CES 2026. Its full  RoboVan lineup is said to enable large-scale, end-to-end urban logistics. Neolix thinks that autonomous is the cornerstone of the future urban infrastructure.

“Autonomous logistics has reached a critical tipping point, transitioning from experimental pilots to true commercial scale,” said YU Enyuan, Founder and CEO of Neolix. “2025 was a milestone year where we achieved mass deployment, refined our mapless technology, and expanded our global footprint. At CES 2026, we are presenting the global market with our fully integrated autonomous solution in action, showcasing a new generation of urban infrastructure that is always-on, highly efficient, and ready for global growth.” Continue reading →

Tweet
Posted in auto news, autonomous vehicles, connected vehicles, engineering, manufacturing, marketing, milestones, mobility company, news, news analysis, shows and events, software defined vehicles, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Cox Fleet Commences for Trucking and other Industries

Posted on 7 January 2026 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Cox Fleet Commences for Trucking and other Industries

Click for more.

Cox Automotive* today announced the launch of Cox Fleet, its new fleet brand, marking a significant milestone in the company’s long-term commitment to the trucking and fleet industry. Cox Fleet supports fleets of all sizes across the country with what is said to be a comprehensive service model intended to minimize downtime and maximize reliability. The organization said it offers national scale with local accountability. Cox Fleet delivers support through scheduled maintenance, emergency roadside assistance, managed care, parts, trailer and truck body sales. This is the continuation of Cox Automotive’s 2025 announcement to unite Fleet Services and FleetNet America into one unified organization.**

“Cox Fleet is a clear signal of our long-term commitment to the fleets that keep our economy moving,” said Patrick Brennan, SVP of Cox Fleet. “By bringing our people, technology, and service capabilities together under one brand, Cox Fleet is designed to help clients improve uptime and better manage total cost of ownership.” Continue reading →

Tweet
Posted in auto news, milestones, news analysis, shows and events, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

UK New Car Registrations at 2M during 2025

Posted on 6 January 2026 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on UK New Car Registrations at 2M during 2025

Click for more.

The UK new car market grew for the third year in a row in 2025, passing the two million mark for the first time since the pandemic, with 2,020,520 new car registrations, according to the latest figures published today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).* Internal combustion engines remain the biggest selling powertrain but there remains growing demand for electrified cars with one in four buyers choosing electric vehicles. [There also continues industry lobbying demands to delay and use taxpayer subsidies to support the sales of EVs. -AutoCrat]**

“The new car market finally reaching two million registrations for the first time this decade is a reasonably solid result amid tough economic and geopolitical headwinds. Rising EV uptake is an undoubted positive, but the pace is still too slow and the cost to industry too high. Government has stepped in with the Electric Car Grant, but a new EV tax, additional charges for EV drivers in London and costly public charging send mixed signals. Given developments abroad, government should bring forward its review and act urgently to deliver a vibrant market, a sustainable industry and an investment proposition that keeps the UK at the forefront of global competition,” said Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive. Continue reading →

Tweet
Posted in auto news, economy, electric vehicles, environment, fuel economy or emissions, manufacturing, marketing, news analysis, results, sales | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ford Motor 2025 U.S. Sales Posted at 2.2 Million

Posted on 6 January 2026 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Ford Motor 2025 U.S. Sales Posted at 2.2 Million

Click for more.

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) said today that it total deliveries for the year rose 6.0% to 2,204,124 vehicles, with an estimated overall market share of 13.2%. General Motors (NYSE: GM) said yesterday that it led the U.S. auto industry in sales in 2025, posting a 6% increase for the full year at 2,853,299 deliveries. Stellantis has not reported 2025 U.S. results yet. [Ford Motor car sales for 2025 at 45,333 were only a fraction of the total as Ford continues to be predominately a truck company with products that are of limited appeal in major global markets. F-Series accounted for 828,832 of the total – AutoCrat.]*

“This past year proved that Ford has the right product and powertrain offering for the lives of our customers,” said Andrew Frick, president, Ford Blue and Model e. “We’re growing share and beating the trend because we offer a great range of products, from accessible entry-level models to high-performance off-roaders. Our growth across record hybrid sales shows that our ‘power of choice’ approach — offering gas, hybrid, and electric — is exactly what consumers are looking for right now.” Continue reading →

Tweet
Posted in auto news, design and styling, economy, electric vehicles, marketing, mobility company, news analysis, results, sales, shows and events | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

GM at Top of U.S. Auto Sales in 2025

Posted on 5 January 2026 by Ken Zino

General Motors (NYSE: GM) said today that it led the U.S. auto industry in sales in 2025, posting a 6% increase for the full year at 2,853,299 deliveries with growth across multiple areas of GM’s portfolio.

“Demand for our brands and products is strong at every price point, and we are well‑positioned to build on this momentum in the year ahead,” said Duncan Aldred, GM senior VP and president of North America. Continue reading →

Tweet
Posted in news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Audi Recalls Seat Belts for Child Seat Retention Failures

Posted on 5 January 2026 by Ken Zino

Audi (Volkswagen Group of America) is recalling more than 27,700 model year 2025 SQ6 E-Tron, SQ6 Sportback E-Tron, Q6 Sportback E-Tron, A6, A5, A6 Sportback E-Tron, Q6 E-Tron, S5, and S6 Sportback E-Tron vehicles. The automatic locking retractor [made by Joyson Safety Systems in Poland – AutoCrat] may fail to engage when a child seat is installed using the seat belt. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 208, “Occupant Crash Protection” and 209, “Seat Belt Assemblies.”

“Dealers will inspect and replace the right and left rear seat belt assembly as necessary, free of charge. [As required by U.S. safety regulations- AutoCrat]. “If the seat belt webbing can be pulled out more than the allowable length after locking, the seat belt assembly must be replaced,” Audi said in the mandatory safety defect recall filing made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) today. Continue reading →

Tweet
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, manufacturing, quality, recalls, safety | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Porsche Recalls More Than 173,000 Vehicles for Rear Visibility

Posted on 5 January 2026 by Ken Zino

Porsche Cars North America (P911.DE) is recalling ~173,538 model year 2019-2025 Cayenne, Cayenne E-Hybrid, 2020-2025 model year 911 and Taycan, 2024-2025 Panamera, 2025 Panamera E-Hybrid vehicles. The rear-view camera image may not display when the vehicle is placed in reverse. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, “Rear Visibility.”

“In certain rare instances, a software issue may prevent the rear-view camera image from displaying as required by S5.5. of FMVSS No. 111 – Rear visibility,” Porsche said in the mandatory safety defect recall filing made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) this morning. Continue reading →

Tweet
Posted in auto news, connected vehicles, customer satisfaction, electronics, manufacturing, quality, recalls, safety, software recalls | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ford Recalls Previous Expedition Roll-Away Recall Repair

Posted on 5 January 2026 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is recalling ~890 model year 2019 Expedition vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 20V263. The “Transmission Not In Park” warning message and associated chime duration are shorter than intended. 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 previous handing of recalls. This recall is the result of a complicated and meticulous effort by Ford Motor.

“According to Ford’s records, certain 2019 Expedition vehicles did not have the remedy for Safety Recall 20S21 / 20V-263 installed correctly, but were recorded as having the repair successfully completed. Because the correct software update remedy may not be installed on the vehicle, the underlying condition specified in Safety Recall Ford 20S21 / NHTSA 20V-263 may still exist… the Transmission Not in Park warning message and associated chime are only active for 3 seconds when the transmission is not in Park and the ignition state is OFF with driver door closed. Instead, the chime should be active for 10 seconds and message should display for 30 minutes when the driver’s door is closed,” Ford said in the mandatory safety defect recall filing (49 CFR § 573) made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) this morning. Continue reading →

Tweet
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, electronics, quality, recalls, safety, software defined vehicles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

BMW Group Adds Alpina Brand

Posted on 5 January 2026 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on BMW Group Adds Alpina Brand

Click for more.

The BMW Group acquired the Alpina trademark rights on 1 January 2026. The Bavarian-based specialty tuner of performance versions of BMW models, now is BMW ALPINA as an exclusive standalone brand under the BMW Group. Alpena will continue produce performance cars at BMW Group assembly plants. [One wonders if this isn’t the pre-cursor to a BMW Formula One team ala Audi buying Sauber? – Autocrat. Read AutoInformed.com on Milestones – Audi F1 at Munich Brand Experience Center]

“The initial focus will be on brand activation. Key elements of the BMW Alpina brand are its unique balance of maximum performance and superior ride comfort, combined with hallmark driving characteristics. This is complemented by an exclusive portfolio of bespoke options and custom materials along with unmistakable details,” BMW said. Continue reading →

Tweet
Posted in auto news, engineering, manufacturing, marketing, mobility company, news analysis, performance, racing, shows and events | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment