Click for more.
Toyota’s (NYSE: TM) North American subsidiary announced today an additional investment of $88 million in Toyota Motor Manufacturing West Virginia to assemble the next generation of hybrid transaxles.
“Production is set to begin in late 2026, with plans to incorporate the drivetrain component into future Toyota and Lexus models, TNA said. Continue reading
Click for more.
Bentley Motors* today showed three brand new models for the Continental GT, Continental GT Convertible and Flying Spur nameplates at Auto Shanghai 2025. Each car now includes a model identified by its nameplate, an Azure variant, prioritizing comfort, and a Speed model with its focus on performance.**
“Positioned alongside the acclaimed Speed variants, with the introduction of Azure, Bentley customers can now choose the model that most closely reflects their aesthetic values and driving priorities. Our China customers and the luxury market here continues to inspire and push us to explore new boundaries, so we are excited and motivated by the future opportunities in this market with these new options,” said Dr. Frank-Steffen Walliser, Chairman and CEO of Bentley Motors. Continue reading
Click to enlarge.
Audi, part of Volkswagen Group of America, is recalling ~4000 2022-2023 model year RS E-TRON GT and E-TRON GT vehicles. The passenger occupant detection system (PODS) may experience a fault in the wiring and deactivate the front passenger air bag when the seat is occupied.
“A manufacturing error may cause the passenger occupant detection system to… switch off the passenger airbag even though the seat may be occupied. As designed, a warning light in the instrument panel comes on together with an acoustic warning sound and an error message is displayed… The airbag indicator light shows Passenger Airbag OFF,” Audi said in the mandatory recall filing made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Continue reading
Click to enlarge.
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is recalling ~124,000 model year 2017-2018 F-150, Expedition, and Lincoln Navigator SUVs. The brake master cylinder may allow brake fluid to leak from the front wheel circuit into the brake booster. Customer complaints to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration prompted this latest Ford expansion of a previous safety defect recall.
“In some of the affected vehicles, a seal in the rear of the brake master cylinder may become compromised, allowing brake fluid to leak into the brake booster. If the brake fluid reservoir is depleted below a predetermined level, the driver will be alerted that brake system service is required by a combination of an audible chime, a full screen message center alert, and illumination of the red brake warning indicator,” Ford said in the mandatory safety defect recall notification made public this morning by NHTSA. Continue reading
Click to enlarge.
The Porsche 911 GT3 is the fastest production car with a manual transmission on the Nürburgring Nordschleife, according to Porsche. Further development of all performance-relevant components, the manual 911 GT3 with a Weissach package was 3.633 seconds faster at 6:56.294 minutes than the predecessor (992.1) with a seven-speed.
“More and more 911 GT3 customers are opting for the six-speed manual transmission. And more and more often we are asked by these customers how fast a 911 GT3 with manual transmission would be on the Nordschleife,” said Andreas Preuninger, Director GT Model Line. “We have now answered this question and – although we know that the variant with PDK seven-speed is significantly faster – we drove our official lap time with a manual six-speed gearbox. Even without the automated, super-fast and precise gearshifts of the PDK, and with a conventional instead of electronically controlled limited-slip differential, the new 911 GT3 shaved ~3.6 seconds off the time of its predecessor with PDK.” Continue reading
Click to enlarge.
Almost 300,000 new electric vehicles (EVs) were sold during Q1 of 2025 in the U.S., according to the latest report from Kelley Blue Book* (excludes super exotics). This is an increase of 11.4% year over year. Despite mad King Trump’s many hindrances electric-vehicle sales continue to grow in the U.S. market. Roughly 7.5% of total new-vehicle sales in the first quarter were electric vehicles, an increase from 7% a year-over-year.
“The latest numbers show that growth in the EV market is anything but uniform. New models from Acura, Audi, Chevrolet, Honda and Porsche, to name some, are helping with higher sales.** At the same time, established products declined noticeably, as automakers shift market strategy. Goodbye, Chevy Bolt. Hello, Chevy Equinox EV,” said Cox Automotive. Continue reading
Click to enlarge.
Swamy Kotagiri the Chief Executive Officer of MAGNA* spoke to the Automotive Press Association this week in Michigan about the complexities of the global automobile industry. He spoke as global volumes are relatively flat and volumes in North America and Europe are down. Now programs are being canceled after the investments are made. Volumes are being reduced after the capacity is installed.
“There is increased spending over a smaller number of units. This is sub-optimal for returns. And what does our industry look for? Scale and we need stability to be efficient through the value chain, given how the industry works to be efficient,” said Kotagiri, whose next big event is the Shanghai Motor Show at the end of the month to be held in the midst of the ongoing Trump versus the world trade wars. Last year MAGNA did ~$5.5 billion in sales in China, growing 15%. Continue reading
Click to enlarge.
Volkswagen of America* has unveiled the all-new 2026 Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo at the New York Auto Show, which will be the nameplate’s top trim beginning in the 2026 Model Year starting this fall. The Tiguan Turbo incorporates the “refined” aspects of the 2025 Tiguan adding 67 more horsepower to give the compact SUV more oomph. The 2.0-liter EA888 turbo four-cylinder engine is rated at 268 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, an increase of 67 hp and 51 lb.-ft. compared to the base engine.
“The improved performance compared with the base engine comes from a number of changes. The engine has a larger turbocharger that enables higher boost pressure, combined with a lower 10.5 to one compression ratio. Internally, the engine benefits from stronger pistons and connecting rods, as well as a nitrided crankshaft. The engine also has oil cooling for the pistons, as well as variable valve lift on both the intake and exhaust side. It still uses Miller-cycle technology to help improve fuel economy compared to a conventional four-cycle engine, and runs on regular gasoline,” VWoA said. Continue reading
Click to enlarge.
Kia America has unwrapped the all-new 2026 EV4 sedan at the New York International Auto Show. The compact EV4 is Kia’s first global EV sedan. It’s based on a 400V Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), which underpins multiple EV models from Kia. How a sedan performs in an EV market dominated by CUVs and SUVs remains to be seen. The U.S. launch of Kia EV4 expected early 2026. Trim Levels, options and pricing among other variables are subject to the unpredictable whims of Trump tariff decrees of course.
“The EV4 makes all-electric ownership accessible for those customers who are seeking a more practical and affordable option on the EV landscape while still desiring an advanced, technology-driven in-car experience,” said Steven Center, COO & EVP, Kia America. Continue reading
Click to enlarge.
Subaru of America (Subaru Corp. NASDAQ: FUJHF) today revealed its newest model in the lineup and its second-ever all-electric SUV, the all-new 2026 Subaru Trailseeker, at the 2025 New York International Auto Show. The newest addition to the Subaru lineup introduces a new propulsion system. It has an up to estimated 150-kW charging speed and a standard NACS-compatible charge port. The 2026 Subaru Trailseeker will go on sale at retailers nationwide in 2026.
Subaru also showed a tweaked version of 2026 Subaru Solterra EV that appeared as a 2023 model (Read AutoInformed on: Subaru 2023 Solterra Electric SUV Starts at $46,220). The Solterra all-electric 5-seat SUV comes standard with Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and an assortment of EyeSight® driver-assistance technologies. It adds an all-new, 14-inch Subaru Multimedia system with wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ compatibility. Continue reading
Click for more.
The 2026 model year Kia K4 Hatchback debuted today at the New York Auto Show as a brand extension so-to-speak of the K4 sedan. The Hatchback body style provides class-leading rear headroom and rear legroom [footnote 1], and 22.2 cu.-ft. of space behind rear passengers. The K4 Hatchback is expected to arrive in late 2025, with pricing, trim details, and EPA-rated fuel economy to be announced closer to its on-sale date. the K4 Hatchback is available in an exclusive “Sparkling Yellow” exterior color.
“After the overwhelmingly positive response to last year’s hatchback teaser in New York, we knew we had struck a chord with car enthusiasts and consumers alike,” said Steven Center, COO & EVP, Kia America. “Built on the success of the K4 sedan, this hatchback isn’t just about style – it’s about attitude. With available turbo power, a sport-tuned suspension, a more compact footprint, and exceptional versatility, the K4 Hatchback is designed for those who crave excitement at every turn.” Continue reading
Click for more.
Aston Martin said today that this weekend its Valkyrie hypercar makes its European race debut at the second round of the 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), the 6 Hours of Imola to be contested on 20 April 2025.*
“The first ‘Le Mans Hypercar’ (LMH) to be produced by Aston Martin, Valkyrie is the only car in the WEC’s premier category derived from a road-legal hypercar. Its global debut, masterminded by the works Aston Martin THOR team in at the Qatar 1812km of Qatar in February, began an historic season for the British machine. Valkyrie is the only LMH to compete in both the FIA WEC and in North America’s IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and scored a top-10 finish on its US debut at the 12 Hours of Sebring – renowned as North America’s toughest endurance race – in March,” Aston Martin claimed. (It was an all Ferrari at Qatar in February with the Italians Placing One, Two and Three after the 1812km race. Moreover Imola is Ferrari’s home circuit. – AutoCrat) Continue reading
UAW President Shawn Fain and Local 571 President Bill Louis yesterday with more than a thousand union members announced a “major escalation” in the ongoing labor dispute at General Dynamics Electric Boat. The marine drafters, a highly skilled workforce responsible for designing the U.S. Navy’s nuclear submarine fleet, have voted to authorize a strike against their employer. The decision underlines growing frustration with the defense contractor, which has reported massive profits even as the workers behind a foundation of the nation’s nuclear deterrence fight for a contract that delivers on their priorities: fair pay, retirement security for all, and dignity on the job.
“These workers aren’t just drafting blueprints, they’re designing the backbone of our national defense. This isn’t just any job ,it’s mission-critical work, funded by the American taxpayer. And yet, while General Dynamics pockets billions in government contracts, the very people doing this essential work are being left behind. That’s not just unfair, it’s outrageous. The company has a choice. They can get back to the table and get serious about our demands. Or they can keep messing around. The choice is theirs. And the clock is ticking,” said UAW President Shawn Fain. Continue reading
Porsche Cars North America is recalling ~10,000 2022-2023 model year Taycan hybrid EVs. An occupant classification system error may deactivate the front-passenger air bag.
“The occupant classification system for automatic airbag activation/deactivation in the front passenger seat can trigger a fail-safe mode due to a manufacturing error, which deactivates the airbag in the front passenger seat,” Porsche said in the mandatory recall filing made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration this morning. Continue reading
Tesla Tanking as Musk Leaves DOGE
Click to enlarge.
Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA)* said late yesterday that 2025 profits during Q1 plunged from $1.39 billion to $409 million. This was a drastic drop from analyst guess-timates as the Elon Musk’s DOGE chainsaw kicked back on the company and slashed revenue from $21.3 billion to $19.3 billion. Amidst the carnage of lower customer deliveries, lower margins and lower profits, Elon Musk also claimed that he was leaving DOGE behind as his major work there was finished. Musk will only be spending a day or so on the unpopular Trump decree weekly. However, the Tesla brand is unquestionably damaged. See “Most say Musk has too much influence amid concerns over reductions in the federal government.”
“It is difficult to measure the impacts of shifting global trade policy on the automotive and energy supply chains, our cost structure and demand for durable goods and related services. While we are making prudent investments that will set up both our vehicle and energy businesses for growth, the rate of growth this year will depend on a variety of factors, including the rate of acceleration of our autonomy efforts, production ramp at our factories and the broader macroeconomic environment. We will revisit our 2025 guidance in our Q2 update,” Tesla said. Continue reading →