Light Truck Tread Separation Recall from Michelin Tire

Michelin North America is recalling ~7000 Agilis Cross Climate C-Metric tires, size 185/60R15C. This is a an aftermarket replacement all weather tire. If placed into service, the affected tires may not provide the expected performance and could potentially increase the risk of a crash.

“Chunks of tread rubber may detach from the shoulder blocks. As such, these tires fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 139, New Pneumatic Radial Tires for Light Vehicles,” Michelin told the National Highway Traffic Safet Administration in the mandatory safety defect recall filing. NHTSA made the Michelin tire recall public this morning. Continue reading

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CARB – U.S. Senate Dumping Clean Air Act Waivers Illegal

The California Air Resources Board Chair Liane Randolph today reacted to a vote by the U.S. Senate purporting to disapprove California’s Clean Air Act waivers for Advanced Clean Cars II, Advanced Clean Trucks and Heavy-Duty Engine and Vehicle Omnibus using the Congressional Review Act (CRA).

“California profoundly disagrees with today’s unconstitutional, illegal and foolish vote attempting to undermine critical clean air protections. It’s an assault on states’ rights the federal administration claims to support that puts national air quality standards out of reach and will have devastating effects for the 150 million Americans who breathe unhealthy air every day,” said CARB Chair Liane Randolph. Continue reading

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AAA – Record 45.1 Million to Travel for Memorial Day

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AAA forecasts that in the U.S. 45.1 million people will travel at least 50 miles from home over the Memorial Day holiday period* from Thursday 22 May to Monday 26 May. This year’s domestic travel forecast is an increase of 1.4 million travelers compared to last year and sets a new Memorial Day weekend record. The previous record was set back in 2005 with 44 million people. Despite concerns over rising prices, many Americans say they’re taking advantage of the long holiday weekend to spend time with loved ones, even if the trips are closer to home, according to AAA.

“Memorial Day weekend getaways don’t have to be extravagant and costly,” said Stacey Barber, Vice President of AAA Travel. “While some travelers embark on dream vacations and fly hundreds of miles across the country, many families just pack up the car and drive to the beach or take a road trip to visit friends. Long holiday weekends are ideal for travel because many people have an extra day off work and students are off from school.” Continue reading

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First Look – 2026 Honda HR-V Sub-Compact SUV

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The Honda HR-V,* America’s most popular SUV with first-time and Gen-Z buyers, is now arriving at Honda dealerships with a starting manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $26,2002 for the HR-V LX (excluding $1395 destination charge). HR-V is also the best-selling sub-compact SUV with Hispanic buyers. Every HR-V is offered with Real Time All-Wheel Drive (AWD) with Intelligent Control™ starting at $27,700 [Footnote 2].** The 2026 HR-V is available in three trim levels: LX, Sport and EX-L. As with the latest Toyota RAV4, the complexity of the trim levels with various packages and options present a daunting task to prospective buyers. This from Honda once famously known for a radio and television ad campaign, circa 1979-1984 with “The we make it simple,” tagline? (Read AutoInformed.com on: Toyota Debuts 2026 RAV4 Compact SUV)

“As our gateway SUV, the Honda HR-V continues to bring in a new generation of customers to our brand,” said Jessika Laudermilk, assistant vice president of Honda National Auto Sales. “Now with even sportier styling and more standard tech, the award-winning second-generation HR-V will further expand its incredible success with young and multicultural customers.” Continue reading

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IndyCar – Penske Fires Senior Leadership Team

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Team Penske announced today the departures of IndyCar Team President, Tim Cindric, IndyCar Managing Director, Ron Ruzewski and IndyCar General Manager Kyle Moyer from the organization. The move comes from the turbulence created by an aerodynamic cheating scandal during qualifying for the 119th Indianapolis 500. (Read AutoInformed.com on: IndyCar Moves Team Penske Cars to Bottom of Grid!)

“Nothing is more important than the integrity of our sport and our race teams. We have had organizational failures during the last two years, and we had to make necessary changes. I apologize to our fans, our partners and our organization for letting them down,” said Roger Penske, who owns the IndyCar Series and the Speedway. Continue reading

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Toyota Debuts 2026 RAV4 Compact SUV

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Toyota Motor North America (NYSE: TM and 7203.T) today joined Toyota Motor Corporation in Japan and debuted the 2026 RAV4. For its sixth generation, America’s best-selling compact SUV* will be available in three new designs that include Core, Rugged, and Sport styles. This includes a new-look Woodland grade and the U.S. market’s first-ever RAV4 GR SPORT model.

“At Toyota, customer choice is paramount,” said David Christ, group vice president and general manager, Toyota Division. “With three distinct styles, two highly efficient electrified powertrains, and available Front- or All-Wheel Drive, the all-new RAV4 offers something for everyone and is ready to take on all of life’s adventures.” New 2026 RAV4 models are expected to start arriving at Toyota dealerships across the U.S. later this year, and pricing will be announced closer to on-sale date. Continue reading

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Mobil 1 is Le Mans Sponsor of Cadillac Wayne Taylor Racing

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Cadillac Racing* said today that the Mobil 1™ brand is its primary sponsor of the No. 101 Cadillac Wayne Taylor Racing V-Series.R** for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Cadillac will contest the 93rd edition of the twice-around-the-clock race on the 8.467-mile course with a four-car factory lineup with drivers who have accumulated 21 Le Mans podiums. The livery has the Mobil 1 logo across the sides and front of the blue and white Hypercar in the top class in endurance racing. Earlier this year, the Mobil 1 team announced an extension of its technical alliance with Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), now making it the Official Motor Oil of Cadillac Racing.

“Le Mans is the ultimate proving ground in motorsport, and we’re proud to support Cadillac’s ambitions through our continued technical partnership,” said Tony Esposito, Strategic Global Alliance Manager, on behalf of the Mobil 1 team. “This new livery reflects what our work with Cadillac is all about – performance, passion and pushing boundaries. We’re thrilled to see it come to life on track at Le Mans, where our legacy in motorsport continues.” Continue reading

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Annals of Marketing – GM Loyalty Mastercard

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General Motors (NYSE: GM) said today that it is redesigning its GM Rewards™ loyalty program and announcing the launch of the GM Rewards™ Mastercard® from Barclays US Consumer Bank.* The revamped loyalty program is said to be simpler. Moreover, the new card provides customers more ways to earn and redeem GM Rewards points across GM brands for new vehicles, services, parts and accessories. GM Rewards members can also earn and redeem GM Rewards points towards digital services like most OnStar plans and Super Cruise [see footnote 1], the hands-free driver assistance technology which can be used on about 750,000 miles of compatible roads across the U.S. and Canada.

“GM has led the U.S. automotive industry in loyalty for a decade [2], and now we’re rewarding both our new and existing members with easier access to savings opportunities and new ways to engage with us,” said Ralph Darmo, VP of loyalty programs at GM. “Additionally, we’re creating exciting member-exclusive experiences that only GM can provide – such as trackside access at racing events and off-the-grid EV excursions. Continue reading

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BMW Testing an i7 with Solid State Batteries

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The BMW Group (Bayerische Motoren Werke AG ADR BMWYY) *said today that it is testing large-format, pure Advanced Solid State Battery Cells (ASSB) from Solid Power (Nasdaq: SLDP) in a BMW i7, which is being operated in the Munich area. The potential benefits of solid state battery technology is higher energy density in a compact storage system compared to current technologies. The concept battery integrated in the BMW i7 test vehicle combines proven Gen5 construction principles (prismatic cells in modules) with new, innovative module concepts for integrating ASSB cells from Solid Power.**

“Our BMW i7 ASSB test vehicle on the road is a perfect example of the BMW Group’s technology-open mindset. We are continuously advancing the development of new battery cell technologies and are constantly expanding our know-how with valuable partners such as Solid Power,” claimed Martin Schuster, Vice President Battery Cell and Cell Module at the BMW Group. Continue reading

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IndyCar Moves Team Penske Cars to Bottom of Grid!

Yesterday, IndyCar said that Team Penske entries of Nos. 2 and 12 violated IndyCar Rule 14.7.8.16. After the series confirmed the technical infraction, by rule, the violating cars were placed in the last positions of the qualifying session for which they qualified. (read AutoInformed.com on:Rookie Robert Shwartzman in a Chevy on Indy 500 Pole) Upon further review early this morning, IndyCar will be moving car No. 2 (Josef Newgarden – Chevy. Two-time and defending 500 winner Josef Newgarden. He is trying to become the first driver to win the 500 for three consecutive years.) and the No. 12 (Will Power – Chevy) to the 32nd and 33rd starting positions for this year’s Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge. They will start in order based upon their qualifying times from Saturday. Penske Entertainment owns the speedway. (Revised 500 Starting Grid click here> Fox Sports. See Monday practice results – click >here)

“The integrity of the Indianapolis 500 is paramount, and this violation of the IndyCar rule against modification to this part and using it ‘as supplied’ is clear,” said IndyCar President J. Douglas Boles. “The penalty should be more than simply starting where the cars might have qualified anyway, if given the opportunity. The cars belong in the field as two of the fastest 33. However, starting on the tail of the field is the appropriate penalty in this instance.” Continue reading

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Autonomous Racing League Season 2 Opens at Yas Marina

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Abu Dhabi’s Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC) via Aspire today announced the return of its flagship event, the Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League (A2RL). The 2025 edition will take place on 15 November at Yas Marina Circuit with a $2.25 million prize pool and the launch of a global virtual racing series. The announcement was made during the Make it in the Emirates Forum in Abu Dhabi. (Read AutoInformed.com on: Man vs Autonomous Machine Race Coming to Suzuka)

“The Emirates Autonomous Vehicle (EAV 24), A2RL’s upgraded autonomous racecar, represents a significant leap in performance and engineering. Assembled and autonomized in the UAE, the vehicle reflects the nation’s growing capabilities in AI, robotics, and high-performance mobility. Built on the proven Super Formula SF23 platform, the EAV-24 has been reengineered to incorporate enhanced sensor arrays, upgraded compute systems, and refined control logic, optimized for the demanding conditions of autonomous racing,” said Aspire. Continue reading

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Rookie Robert Shwartzman in a Chevy on Indy 500 Pole

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Robert Shwartzman posted  a four-lap average speed of 232.790 mph in the No. 83 PREMA Racing Chevrolet during the Firestone Fast Six yesterday at the Indianapolis brickyard in Speedway Indiana. PREMA  joined the NTT IndyCar Series this season after years of success in European racing, became the first team to claim the 500 pole in its first attempt since Mayer Motor Racing with driver Tom Sneva took  the pole in 1984. Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Takuma Sato (Honda) and Pato O’Ward (Chevrolet) will join Shwartzman on the front row for the 109th running of the race this Sunday 25 May.*

“I was like, ‘This is a dream; it can’t be true,” Robert Shwartzman said. “I don’t know what even to say. The car felt amazing. I can’t thank PREMA and Chevy. Coming here for my first oval race, I would never even expect it to be in this position. It’s unbelievable.” Continue reading

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UAW Has Tentative Agreement with General Dynamics

The UAW said today that it has reached a tentative agreement with General Dynamics – Electric Boat ahead of the UAW Marine Drafters strike deadline of midnight Sunday 18 May. “This agreement comes after an unprecedented mobilization from the union’s membership: 2200 members, or more than 90% of the bargaining unit, signed up to report for picket duty if a strike became necessary,” the UAW said. The five-year agreement, covering more than 2400 workers in Groton who design nuclear submarines, obtains a 30% wage increase over the life of the agreement and an improved wage progression. In total, MDA-UAW members will see a cumulative $115,000 increase in total compensation during the agreement. (read AutoInformed.com on: UAW Members OK Strike at General Dynamics Electric Boat)

“This contract is going to change the lives of our members,” said Bill Louis, the President of Local 571. “After years of sky-high housing costs and record inflation, our members are finally seeing the recognition they deserve for their hard work.” Continue reading

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Indy 500 Broadcast Local Delay Lifted for Fox

Penske Entertainment said today that the upcoming broadcast of the 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500 will not have the usual broadcast delay for the first ever airing of the race on Fox Sports. Right now it appears that all reserved seating for Race Day will be sold out for the first time since the 100th edition of the race in 2016. Right now, a few tickets remain in the IMS grandstands, with a full reserved seating sellout likely to occur by the checkered flag for Monday’s practice and possibly before the end of PPG Presents Armed Forces Qualifying Weekend, which starts tomorrow. Expanded coverage of the inaugural  Indy 500 on FOX starts on Sunday 25 May at 10 a.m. ET across the country, with the green flag drop at ~12:45 p.m. ET.

“This year, the greatest race on Earth will host one of its biggest and most memorable crowds in many decades,” said Penske Entertainment President and CEO Mark Miles. “This is a terrific showcase for the NTT IndyCar Series and a great milestone to supercharge our relationship with FOX Sports. It is also absolutely a fitting tribute to the continued leadership and investment of Roger Penske.” Continue reading

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Toyota Announces an All-New 2026 TRD Pro Color

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Toyota (NYSE: TM and 7203.T) said today in Texas that the so called Wave Maker color joins TRD Pro colors. Whether this is a response to latest announcement from GMC on the Hummer EV 2026 model year or a coincidence is debatable. What isn’t up for debate though is the competitiveness of the extremely profitable U.S. truck segment.*

“We had a few years of warm natural hues inspired by traditional landscapes like Terra and Mudbath as signature colors. With Wave Maker, we were inspired by unexplored areas of adventure including extreme territory and even beyond earth,” says Benjamin Jimenez, general manager at CALTY’s Ann Arbor Michigan location. “Wave Maker expresses an elemental spirit that evokes images of glacial depths and the thrill of new frontiers.” Continue reading

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