EVs Outsell Internal Combustion Vehicles in EU!

Posted on 27 January 2026 by Ken Zino
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EV sales outsold internal combustion vehicles in EU during December 2025 according to data published today by the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association. Notably, Tesla at 150,504 dropped -38% for the year. Chinese maker BYD at 128,827 posted a 228% increase. [aka ACEA at AutoInformed after its original French name].* EV sales for the full year amounted to 17.4% of the European market.

“During 2025, new EU car registrations increased by 1.8% compared to the same period last year. However, overall volumes remain well below pre-pandemic levels. The battery-electric car market share reached 17.4%, in line with projections for the year, yet still a level that leaves room for growth to stay on track with the transition. Hybrid-electric vehicles lead as the most popular power type choice among buyers, with plug-in hybrids consolidating their position in the market,” ACEA said today. Continue reading →

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Volvo Car Financial Services Extends BoA Deal

Posted on 27 January 2026 by Ken Zino
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Volvo Car Financial Services (VCFS) and Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) today announced the extension of their long-standing relationship to provide auto loan and lease origination, financing, and servicing for Volvo Cars customers and Volvo Cars’ 280 U.S. retailers.* The collaboration, which began in 2012, will now continue through 2030.

“Bank of America (BoA) has been a trusted partner for over a decade, assisting Volvo Cars customers in financing and enjoying their vehicles,” said Robert Manna, President of Volvo Car Financial Services. “By extending this relationship through 2030, we are reaffirming our commitment to providing competitive financing options and a high-quality experience for both customers and retailers.” Continue reading →

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Tesla, Toyota Top Power 2026 U.S. ALG Residual Value Awards

Posted on 26 January 2026 by Ken Zino

The J.D. Power 2026 U.S. ALG Residual Value Awardssm released today, highlight the importance of brand management showing Tesla and Toyota with strongest results. Affordability pressures see more customers looking at the total cost of vehicle ownership. The estimated vehicle worth at lease end, aka residual value, is a key indicator of long-term resale value and affordability.

“Strong wholesale retention, solid brand value and a disciplined approach on rental fleet and incentives propelled Toyota to the top spot among mainstream brands,” said Danny Battaglia, managing director of ALG customer success at J.D. Power. “Toyota topped six segments for 2026, including a four-peat for GR Supra and five-peat for Tundra. Meanwhile, Tesla avoided the high incentives of other luxury battery electric vehicle brands in 2025. That helped earn it the top rank among luxury brands with the highest performers in three segments–including the refreshed Model Y, which included introduction of a lower-priced base version and additional content on mid-level trims.” Continue reading →

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Fire Risk – Ford Recalls Escape, Explorer, Focus, MKC Models

Posted on 26 January 2026 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F)* is recalling more than 119,000 model-year 2013-2018 Focus, 2013-2019 Escape, 2024 Ford Explorer and 2015-2016 MKC vehicles equipped with a 2-liter engine. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in. This increases the hazard of an under-hood fire.

“A short circuit in the engine block heater increases the risk of an under-hood fire. The risk is increased when the block heater is plugged into a 110-volt electrical supply without a functional circuit breaker or Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) power outlet. This risk only exists when the block heater is plugged in,” Ford said in the mandatory recall filing made public by The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) today. Continue reading →

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Pessimism on the Economy – A Pox on Both Parties

Posted on 23 January 2026 by Ken Zino
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During January 2025, 70% of voters said that “inflation or costs of goods” were getting worse for people like them. One year later, that figure has remained largely unchanged, with 74% of voters now saying that inflation is getting worse, according to the latest polling this week by Data for Progress (DFP).*

“Despite Trump’s campaign promises, voters’ perceptions of the economy have not improved since he took office. But in a warning sign for Democrats, voters are still largely split over which party has solutions to lower the cost of living,” said DFP. Continue reading →

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Nissan Sells South African Plants to Chery SA

Posted on 23 January 2026 by Ken Zino

Nissan and Chery SA, a subsidiary of Chinese automaker Chery Group** [China’s Number One exporter with more than 100,000 employees and sales in 132 countries or regions. AutoCrat*], said today they have reached agreement on the acquisition of Nissan’s manufacturing assets in Rosslyn, South Africa. Subject to the fulfilment of certain conditions, including regulatory approvals, Chery SA will purchase the land, buildings and associated assets of the Nissan facilities, including of its nearby stamping plant, in mid-2026.

“Nissan has a long and proud history in South Africa and has been working to find the best solution for our people, our customers and our partners. External factors have had a well-known impact on the utilization of the Rosslyn plant and its future viability within Nissan. Through this agreement we’re able to secure employment for the majority of our workforce thereby also preserving opportunities for our supplier network. This move also ensures that the Rosslyn site will continue contributing to the South African automotive sector,” claimed Jordi Vila, Nissan Africa President. Continue reading →

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January 2026 U.S. Auto Sales Forecast Down

Posted on 23 January 2026 by Ken Zino
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Total new-vehicle sales for January 2026, including retail and non-retail transactions, are forecast to reach 1,118,700, a 2.7% decrease year-over-year, according to a joint analysis from J.D. Power* and GlobalData.** January 2026 has 26 selling days, one more than January 2025. Comparing the same sales volume without adjusting for the number of selling days translates to an increase of 1.2% from 2025. The seasonally adjusted annualized rate (SAAR) for Retail new-vehicle sales is expected to be 12.7 million units, down 500,000 from January 2025.

“January is historically the lowest volume sales month of the year and is also historically the least indicative of full-year sales performance. Nevertheless, January opens 2026 with a modest performance with retail sales expected to increase by 1317 units compared to a year ago,” said Thomas King, president of OEM solutions at J.D. Power. Continue reading →

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FDIC Conditionally Approves Ford Credit Industrial Bank

Posted on 22 January 2026 by Ken Zino
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Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) said today that the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the Utah Department of Financial Institutions have given the go ahead for a U.S. industrial bank in Salt Lake City. [This is an ironic twist on Henry Ford’s distrust of banks and financial institution – AutoCrat.]

“I am excited to share that Ford Credit’s global banking footprint is taking a significant step forward. Following conditional approval from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and the Utah Department of Financial Institutions, we are set to launch a U.S. industrial bank in Salt Lake City,” said Cathy O’Callaghan is president and CEO of Ford Credit. Continue reading →

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First Look – 2026 Mercedes-AMG F1 W17 Racer

Posted on 22 January 2026 by Ken Zino
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The Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team today unveiled the first images of its 2026 car, the Mercedes-AMG F1 W17 E PERFORMANCE. Race drivers George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, at the carbon fiber wheel of the W17, completed 67 laps of the Silverstone 2.979 km circuit, combining for almost 200 km of total mileage. The 2026 season inarguably the biggest technical revamp in the sport’s history, with all-new chassis, Power Unit, and fuel regulations. 

“Formula One will undergo significant change in 2026, and we are prepared for that transition. The new regulations demand innovation and absolute focus across every area of performance. Our work on the new car, and the long-term development of the Power Unit and advanced sustainable fuels with PETRONAS, reflects that approach” said Toto Wolff, Team Principal & CEO. Continue reading →

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Volvo EX60 Mid-Size SUV Debuts

Posted on 21 January 2026 by Ken Zino
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Volvo Cars* today revealed the all-electric Volvo EX60 mid-size SUV. This is Chinese owned Volvo Cars’ first entry in the largest electric segment globally.** In theory this allows it to substantially increase its addressable market and electric market share. [Sales numbers ultimately will test this thesis – AutoCrat] The EX60 is now available for order in European markets, with the United States to follow in late spring. Production starts this spring at Volvo Cars’ car factory in Sweden. Customer deliveries of the P6 and P10 variants will start this summer, with the P12 following soon after.***

“The new, all-electric EX60 changes the game in terms of range, charging and price and represents a new beginning for Volvo Cars and our customers,” says Håkan Samuelsson, CEO of Volvo Cars. “With this car, we remove all remaining obstacles for going electric. This fantastic new car is also a testament of what we are capable of at Volvo Cars, with an all-new product architecture introducing new key technologies – mega casting, cell-to-body and core computing.” Continue reading →

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First Look – the 2027 E-Z-GO Liberty

Posted on 21 January 2026 by Ken Zino
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Textron E-Z-GO (NYSE: TXT) today announced the next generation of its g E-Z-GO® Liberty™ vehicle for the 2027 model year. It’s said to be redesigned from the ground up to offer an unparalleled ride in a neighborhood or on the golf course.* Liberty will be available as a street-legal “low-speed vehicle,” or LSV, meeting the federally required FMVSS 500 and voluntary SAE J2358 standards, with a maximum speed of 25 mph and the qualifications to travel on most public roads with posted speed limits of 35 mph or less. E-Z-GO Liberty will be available this summer from E-Z-GO authorized dealers.

“Automotive features abound in the 2027 E-Z-GO Liberty to provide a premium experience for driver and passengers. An available infotainment system features a 10-inch ECOXGEAR touchscreen, 28-inch ECOXGEAR soundbar with LED lighting, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. IntelliScreen™ functionality, integrated into the Liberty’s touchscreen, provides critical vehicle information at a glance, such as speed, state of charge, and onboard vehicle diagnostics. IntelliScreen also allows operators to tune vehicle performance, including governance of the vehicle’s speed and acceleration, and selectable driving modes that allow drivers to customize the vehicle’s performance to their driving style. A charging pad allows for wireless charging of compatible smartphones. Select trim levels include electronic push-to-start functionality,” Textron E-Z-GO said. Continue reading →

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S&P Global Mobility – GM Tops Maker Loyalty Ratings Again

Posted on 20 January 2026 by Ken Zino
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S&P Global Mobility* has announced the winners of its 30th annual Automotive Loyalty Awards. General Motors and Tesla again earning the two highest awards for customer retention. The winners were celebrated during a ceremony at the Detroit Auto Show. General Motors received the ‘Overall Loyalty to Manufacturer’ award for the 11th year in a row. Tesla was the recipient of the ‘Overall Loyalty to Make’ award for the fourth consecutive year. The 2025 awards are based on an analysis of 13.6 million new retail vehicle registrations in the U.S. from October 2024 through September 2025.**

“For 30 years, this analysis has provided a fact-based measure of brand health and this year’s results are particularly telling,” said Joe LaFeir, President of Mobility Business Solutions at S&P Global Mobility. “The data shows the market is not rewarding just one type of strategy. Instead, we see sustained, high-level performance from manufacturers with broad portfolios. In the current market, retaining customers remains a critical performance indicator for the industry.” Continue reading →

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Corvette ZR1X Runs 8.675-Second Quarter Mile

Posted on 19 January 2026 by Ken Zino
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The Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X,* the most advanced and expensive Corvette ever, is the quickest American production car available – and the fastest way to get down a quarter-mile drag strip for under a million dollars. (Starting MSRP $209,700. See footnote 3)

“Testing on the ZR1X culminated in October 2025 with validation at US 131 Motorsports Park – reflective of the real-world environments where Corvette customers exercise their vehicles. On a prepped surface, the ZR1X completed the quarter mile in 8.675 seconds at 159 mph (see footnote 1), on pump gas, using standard-equipment tires and production 50-state street-legal engine calibration, and achieving a 0-60 mph time of 1.68 seconds (1) on the same run. The ZR1X blasted to 60 mph in less than 100 feet, generating a peak of 1.75G of acceleration force,” Chevrolet said. Continue reading →

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Daytona 24 Hours – Old and New Stars Getting Ready to Run

Posted on 19 January 2026 by Ken Zino
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Cadillac Racing completed a three-day test at the “Roar Before the 24” at last weekend’s sessions  prior to the running of the 64th Rolex 24 At Daytona this weekend in a twice-around-the-clock race on the 3.56-mile Daytona International Speedway road course. Cadillac’s cars were first and third fastest in an early session, with a Porsche in between.*

No big deal, though. First, with 20 overall victories by Porsche race cars, four additional wins as an engine manufacturer and one noteworthy  triumph in 1959, Porsche is inarguably the most successful manufacturer running sports car endurance races where the drivers have to know how to turn right as well as left. Added to this are more than 40 class victories at the famous 24-hour classic in Florida.** The Porsche Penske Motorsport factory team aims to continue this success. The Top Ten GTP cars were only separated by ~1 second when practice ended. Continue reading →

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Cadillac Formula 1® – Checo Perez Completes First Track Laps

Posted on 19 January 2026 by Ken Zino
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A Cadillac Formula 1 Team Filming Day happened this past Friday at the Silverstone track in England. The team was at the  track during a pre-season promotional day as it continues preparations for its debut Formula 1® campaign during 2026. The car ran entirely in black at Silverstone, with the final 2026 Cadillac Formula 1® Team livery set to be revealed on Sunday 8 February 2026 , via a globally televised championship broadcast during the Australian Grand Prix. [Let’s hope black isn’t symbolic of the first season of real racing – AutoCrat.]*

“Today was really an amazing day. Everyone should feel incredibly proud to complete our first laps as a team. Each and every person has worked so hard to get to this moment and it was emotional to be part of motorsport history. We can, and should, all enjoy, but it’s absolutely fired me up for more. I just want to get back in and get mileage – this is just the start,” said Checo Perez, the driver. Continue reading →

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