Talking Turkey – U.S. Gasoline Prices Relatively Stable

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Gasoline prices are relatively steady compared to last week AAA said today.* The national average for a gallon of regular fuel went up by a couple of cents to $3.10.

“Despite the burst of gasoline demand that will occur during Thanksgiving week, overall demand is low this time of year which helps keep pump prices down. The national average has seen few fluctuations in 2025 thanks to low crude oil prices and no major storms affecting Gulf Coast refineries.” [so far – AutoCrat] Continue reading

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Hyundai CRATER Concept Debuts at AutoMobility LA 2025

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Hyundai Motor America today held the global debut of the so-called CRATER Concept “adventure vehicle” during a press conference at AutoMobility LA 2025 in Los Angeles, California. The off-road SUV concept’s exterior was designed in California. Built on a compact monocoque architecture, the CRATER Concept has been designed to go anywhere, it’s claimed.

“CRATER began with a question: ‘What does freedom look like?’ This vehicle stands as our answer,” said SangYup Lee, Executive Vice President and Head of Hyundai and Genesis Global Design. “It is a vision shaped by our unending drive to explore — to inspire our customers to explore deeper and embrace the impact of adventure.” Continue reading

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IONNA Plans $250M Outlay in California EV Charging

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IONNA* said today that is planning an outlay of more than $250 million in infrastructure across California during the next three years.**

“This week’s expansion into California is a snapshot of the national momentum IONNA has built in under a year’s time,” said Seth Cutler, Chief Executive Officer of IONNA. ‘IONNA Speed’ isn’t just about how quickly we grow, but also how we deliver, and the IONNA team consistently operates with a driver-first mentality to elevate the charging experience. Every new Rechargery reflects our commitment to providing the coverage, quality, and reliability our drivers deserve.” Continue reading

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IIHS – Driver-Side Blind Zone Risk for Pedestrians

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Vehicles with large driver-side blind zones [think large pick-ups and SUVs – AutoCrat] are much more likely to strike crossing pedestrians while turning left than those with small blind zones. A  new study released today from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety shows the risks. A large driver-side blind zone raises the risk of a left-turn pedestrian crash 70% compared with a small blind zone, the study found. Thick and slanted A-pillars, bulky side mirrors, and tall, long hoods all obstruct driver views. The field of view offered by the windshield, which alters the location of the blind zones, also affects the driver’s ability to see.*

“These results clearly identify problematic aspects of vehicle design,” IIHS President David Harkey said. “The challenge for automakers will be to find ways to address them that don’t diminish the protection vehicles provide to their occupants in a crash.” Continue reading

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Penske Automotive Group Buys More U.S. Dealerships

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Penske Automotive Group (NYSE: PAG)* said today that it has acquired Longo Toyota and Longo Lexus, located in El Monte, California, Lexus of Stevens Creek, located in San Jose, California, and Longo Toyota of Prosper, located in Prosper, Texas, a suburb of Dallas, Texas.

“The acquisition of these premier dealerships represents a strategic addition to the Penske Automotive Group portfolio. The transaction strengthens our relationship with the Toyota and Lexus brands and expands the Company’s presence in southern California to the Los Angeles area, complements the Company’s existing presence in northern California and expands our operations in Texas to the fast-growing Dallas market. We look forward to continuing the outstanding legacy of these dealerships and are excited to welcome these new team members to Penske Automotive Group,” said Rich Shearing, North American Operations Officer. Continue reading

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Used Ford Vehicles Now for Sale on Amazon Autos

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Ford Motor (NYSE: F)* said earlier this week that customers can now shop for, finance and purchase Ford Blue Advantage certified pre-owned (CPO) Ford vehicles on Amazon Autos (NASDAQ: AMZN). Key, however, is that the business relationship remains with the participating Ford dealer. Amazon enables the transaction. All follow-up, service, and privacy matters are handled by the dealer, not Amazon. Initially only a small number of dealers are participating. [Hyundai started selling new vesicles through Amazon late in 2024. – AutoCrat]

“This new collaboration allows customers to browse a participating local dealer’s inventory directly through Amazon’s website, complete most of the paperwork online, and then schedule a convenient time to pick up the selected vehicle,” said Wendy Lane is senior manager of Ford Blue Advantage vehicles. Continue reading

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The American Story Debuts at National Archives Museum

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The National Archives Museum said today that it will open its new flagship exhibition, The American Story, on Friday 21 November to celebrate America’s semi-quincentennial. [The 250th anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence – AutoCrat] The American Story brings more than two million historic records to life.

“The American Story is boldly presented in this exciting new exhibition that blends 250 years of history with the latest technologies to create a one-of-a-kind museum experience. Millions of records in the National Archives shine light on America’s exceptional people – from the founding to present day – now digitized and waiting to be explored. We encourage visitors from across the United States and around the world to add this new museum to their Washington, DC itineraries and experience The American Story,” said Jim Byron, Senior Advisor to the Archivist of the United States. Continue reading

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Software Safety – Honda Recalls ~256,000 Accord Hybrids

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American Honda said today that it is voluntarily recalling ~256,000 model-year 2023-2025 Honda Accord Hybrid vehicles in the U.S. that may have incorrect software programming.

“Due to improper software programming by a supplier [Astemo Indiana, Inc. – AutoCrat] the Integrated Control Module (ICM) may reset while the vehicle is in operation, which can cause loss of power while driving, increasing the risk of a crash or injury,” Honda said. Continue reading

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Open House at Under Construction Ford World Headquarters

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Yesterday Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) held what it called a grand opening of the  new World Headquarters, aka Henry Ford II World Center, although construction continues on the 2.1-million-square-foot headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan. (read AutoInformed. com on: Ford Motor to Demolish Glass House, Build New WHQ) [Local media said the event was sparsely attended with only a couple of hundred people. AutoInformed was not invited – AutoCrat]

“Like Ford Motor Company, this building is meant to last. We’ve used durable, timeless, and consistent materials, in a layout that can be adapted to accommodate future changes in décor and technology. When completed in 2027, it will accommodate 4000 employees, twice as many as our former World Headquarters, the Glass House. It is also more centrally located, within a 15-minute walk of other Ford buildings where 14,000 Ford employees work,” Jennifer Kolstad is global design and brand director at Ford. Continue reading

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Doug Kalitta is NHRA Top Fuel Champion Again

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Toyota (NYSE: TM, 7203T) said today that Doug Kalitta officially secured his second NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Top Fuel World Championship. For Kalitta this was his second world title in the last three seasons.

“Yeah, this [clinching the championship before race day] is definitely a lot easier than 2023. It always seemed to come down to the last race, last day, but we had a nice string of runs throughout the Countdown. Alan [Johnson, crew chief] and my whole Mac Tools Toyota team have had my car going down the track. It’s been really nice, and just getting good, solid runs. Alan is always throwing down and always has something up his sleeve. So, I’m just really proud of him and my whole team. It’s a huge relief to be able to win the championship before the last round at the last race, and we’re all just super happy.” Continue reading

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Mazda Begins Test of Onboard CO2 Capture System

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Mazda Motor Corporation (MMC 7261.T)  today announced that it has begun demonstration experiments of Mazda Mobile Carbon Capture, Mazda’s unique CO2 capture system in a popular endurance racing series in Japan, with a wide range of car models.*

“Mazda aims to realize mobility where ‘driving more leads to CO₂ reduction’ by 2035. Mazda believes that if its vehicles run on carbon-neutral fuel and capture the CO₂ emitted, it will be possible to reduce the amount of CO₂ in the atmosphere in proportion to the distance traveled,” the Japanese company said. Continue reading

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UAW Visiting Capitol Hill on 2026 USMCA Renewal

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This week, UAW members from the Agricultural Implements sector went to Capitol Hill to talk about “the devastating impact of bad trade deals, and fight layoffs and plant closures across the agricultural implements and construction equipment sector.”

“The American taxpayer and the American worker have invested millions of dollars and decades of blood, sweat, and tears to make these companies what they are today,” said UAW Vice President Laura Dickerson, Director of the Agricultural Implements Department of the UAW. “To take that investment and kill American jobs to pay off Wall Street is a slap in the face to American workers, consumers, and taxpayers. DC needs to step up and stop corporate greed.” Continue reading

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Brexit – Angry Voter Costs Greater Than Said. Trump Parallels Abound

In a paper published in November and brought to AutoInformed’s attention today by The Hutchins Center on Fiscal and Monetary Policy at the estimable Brookings Institute, angry voters in the United Kingdom who overwhelming approved leaving the European Union in the so-called Brexit* referendum resulted in shrinking the UK GDP by 6% to 8% by 2025. The exhaustive research paper was authored by Nicholas Bloom, Philip Bunn, Paul Mizen, Pawel Smietanka and Gregory Thwaites.**

The negative economic effects began after the 2016 referendum. They intensified following the UK’s formal exit in 2020. This paper in AutoInformed’s view is directly relevant to Trump’s Tariff Chaos and is a harbinger of still larger negative effects to come. Continue reading

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Milestones – Audi F1 at Munich Brand Experience Center

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More than three months before its first race in Formula 1, Audi provided a preview of its presence at its Brand Experience Center in Munich.* Just like in future production models, Audi will bring uncompromising clarity to the racetrack and beyond. Carefully crafted statements [promotional messages? – AutoCrat] were made by Audi CEO Gernot Döllner, the Head of Audi F1 Project Mattia Binotto, Team Principal Jonathan Wheatley, and Audi Chief Creative Officer Massimo Frascella.

“Our entry into Formula 1 is part of something bigger. It’s the next step in the company’s renewal, designed to strengthen our competitiveness on the global stage. In Formula 1, every second counts. Success demands performance, precision and teamwork. This mindset will drive a new performance culture across the entire company and a catalyst for change towards a leaner, faster, and more innovative Audi,” said Audi CEO Gernot Döllner. Continue reading

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Trump Tariffs – Toyota to Invest ~$10 Billion In U.S. Ops

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Toyota Motor Corporation has announced an additional investment of up to $10 billion in the United States during the next five years. This will bring the company’s total U.S. investment to ~$60 billion since beginning operations in the U.S. about 70 years ago. [The cost of taxpayer subsidies via federal, state and local incentives was not disclosed. Nor was it clear if this is an announcement of a planned expansion that was in the works before Trump’s tariff chaos began – AutoCrat] Toyota  yesterday held an opening ceremony for Toyota Battery Manufacturing, North Carolina (TBMNC). Now officially starting production, the facility was established in November 2021 as Toyota’s first in-house battery manufacturing company outside Japan. TBMNC is Toyota’s 11th manufacturing facility in the U.S., representing an investment of ~$14 billion and the creation of up to 5100 new jobs.

“Today’s launch of Toyota’s first U.S. battery plant and additional U.S. investment up to $10 billion marks a pivotal moment in our company’s history. Toyota is a pioneer in electrified vehicles, and the company’s significant manufacturing investment in the U.S. and North Carolina further solidifies our commitment to team members, customers, dealers, communities, and suppliers,” said Tetsuo Ogawa, president and chief executive officer, Toyota Motor North America. Continue reading

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