CARB – Greenhouse Gas Emissions Down Again!

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The latest publication of California’s greenhouse gas emissions inventory released today shows a 3% drop in statewide emissions. This is the third largest annual percentage decrease since the pandemic under the Trump Administration. The decrease is equivalent to removing more than 2.6 million gasoline-powered cars from California’s roads for one year.*

“Today’s milestone once again confirms that bold climate action can deliver real results,” said California Air Resources Board Chair Lauren Sanchez. “California’s climate pollution is falling even as our economy grows – a powerful testament to the strength of our programs, innovation in clean technology, and the commitment of communities across the state. We’re not just investing in a healthier future; we’re actively building it.” Continue reading

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Nissan Posts ¥27.7 Billion Loss for First Half FY 2025

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Nissan Motor (7201T and NSANY ADR) posted First Half results for the Japanese FY 2025 ending 31 March 2026 this week. I also estimated (guesstimated given global financial chaos? – AutoCrat) a stronger second-half in fiscal 2025. Nissan’s global sales were 1.48 million units and consolidated net revenue totaled ¥5.6 trillion with an operating loss of ¥27.7 billion. The company recorded a net loss of ¥221.9 billion, largely due to lower income from equity-method companies’ impairments and restructuring costs.*

“Our first-half results reflect the challenges we face, yet they confirm that Nissan is firmly on the path to recovery. The second half will bring its own hurdles, but with focus, discipline, and the actions underway, I am confident we will deliver stronger results,” said Ivan Espinosa, Nissan’s president and chief executive. Continue reading

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Annals of Marketing – Ford Signature 2.0 Debuts

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Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) said today that its New Retail Experience – dubbed Ford Signature 2.0 – is designed to deliver an enhanced customer journey.*

“Today, we’re introducing a new, unified global retail experience, developed with Ford dealers around the world, to meet these needs,” said Elena Ford, chief customer experience officer at Ford Motor Company. “This approach offers seamless options, whether you prefer browsing online or a hands-on dealership visit, ensuring each step of your journey with Ford is effortless – from considering a vehicle to every service appointment thereafter. Like always, we’re putting our customers at the heart of everything with this experience. We’ve created the new design standard, Ford Signature 2.0, with our global dealers, building on years of learnings and pairing behavioral science with human-centered design to foster lasting relationships.” Continue reading

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Little Changed – J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Sales Satisfaction Index

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The J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Sales Satisfaction Index (SSI) StudySM released today notes that despite the market shifts, overall customer satisfaction with the vehicle purchase experience increased by 1 point this year to 802 (on a 1000-point scale).*

“Satisfaction among buyers has been gradually improving over the years, including a modest increase in 2025 despite the added uncertainties that tariffs bring.” said Stewart Stropp, vice president of automotive retail at J.D. Power. “However, even in a challenging market, the fundamentals of satisfaction haven’t changed. Dealers who stay transparent during the deal, take time to educate buyers on their vehicle’s features, and maintain that connection after delivery are the ones poised to boost buyer satisfaction, ultimately leading to better customer retention and business growth.”** Continue reading

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BMW Group Posts Q3 €8B in Pre-Tax Earnings

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on BMW Group Posts Q3 €8B in Pre-Tax Earnings

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The BMW Group (BMW.DE) today announced that year-on-year (YoY) it achieved a slight +2.4% increase in deliveries, reaching a total of 1,795,734 vehicles in the YTD September (2024: 1,754,157). In Q3, the automaker delivered 588,140 BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce vehicles to customers (2024: 540,881. YoY +8.7%).*

“In the third quarter, we once again proved that our business model is robust and resilient”, said Oliver Zipse, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG. “We have all the right factors for continued success: a technology-neutral approach, exciting products, a strong global presence and outstanding innovation capabilities throughout the entire value chain. Thanks to our broad model and drive train portfolio, we were able to increase our global sales – with BMW M and our electrified vehicles as the main growth drivers. At the same time, we remain fully on track to meet Europe’s ambitious CO2 targets for 2025 – without relying on flexibility mechanisms or pooling. This demonstrates that our technology-neutral approach is working and delivering strong results.” Continue reading

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Michigan – Tariffs Cause Higher Grocery Prices, More Expensive Housing, Put Jobs at Risk

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In response to Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s executive directive to gauge the impact of federal tariffs on Michigan’s economy, several State of Michigan departments submitted reports pointing to higher prices and costly delays that would ultimately impact Michiganders. Today, the U.S. Supreme Court [AKA the King Trump Corrupted Court – AutoCrat] hears arguments on the legality of the federal government’s chaotic national tariffs, following the thrashing of “socialism for the rich” Republican candidates in elections yesterday.*

“Michigan families and businesses are all facing rising prices and constant uncertainty because of our chaotic national tariff strategy,” said Governor Whitmer. “Our departments have received information from Michiganders across the state showing that tariffs are raising costs, causing supply chain issues, and creating a lot more uncertainty for people and future job-creating projects. While I cannot change the national tariff rate, I will continue advocating for Michigan every chance I get so we can keep lowering costs for families. Let’s fight to grow our economy by pursuing commonsense trade policies to bring jobs home without making crops, construction, or crucial infrastructure projects more expensive.” Continue reading

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Toyota Motor Q2 FY 2026 Net Income Drops 7%

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Toyota Motor Q2 FY 2026 Net Income Drops 7%

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Today, Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE: TM, 7203T) posted FY 2026 Q2 [1 April 2025 through 30 September 2025- AutoCrat] results that showed total consolidated vehicle unit sales increased globally by 227,000,+ 5.0% to 4,783,000. However, net income attributable to Toyota Motor Corporation was 1,773.4 billion yen, a decrease of 133.6 billion yen or -7.0% compared with FY2025 first half. Nonetheless, Toyota increased its fiscal-year profit forecast. Toyota maintains that its products and sales outside the United States would counter the negative effects of  of U.S. President Donald Trump’s import tariffs. The world’s largest automaker forecasts an operating profit of 3.4 trillion yen (~$22.6 billion) for the financial year ending March 26, a jump of +6% from the 3.2 trillion yen it formerly forecast.

“North America is facing a very tough situation due to the impact of tariffs,” said Chief Financial Officer Kenta Kon during the financial results press conference. “While conditions were not easy in other markets such as China, Europe, Asia and Africa, both profitability and sales volume remained solid,” Kon said. Continue reading

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Polestar to Use Google Maps Live Lane Guidance

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Polestar* (Nasdaq: PSNY), the struggling Swedish electric car brand facing de-listing by Nasdaq, said today that it will become the first automotive OEM to integrate Google Maps’ new live lane guidance into the driver display in one of its vehicles. The applies to cars with Google built-in. “It will help drivers stay on course with ease while navigating complex highways and intense rush-hour traffic.”

“Over the past five years, Polestar’s collaboration with Google has delivered many new features for Polestar owners. Live lane guidance continues the path of Polestar’s driver centric UX strategy, reducing driver stress and improving safety by making missed exits and last-minute lane changes much less of a worry,” said Sid Odedra, Head of UI/UX at Polestar. Continue reading

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BMW Motorrad Shows 2027 F 450 GS

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on BMW Motorrad Shows 2027 F 450 GS

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BMW Motorrad USA in conjunction with its global siblings revealed the new 2027 BMW F 450 GS. It’s said to be a completely new construction for the 48 horsepower 400 – 500 cc class.

“With the new BMW F 450 GS, BMW Motorrad presents a genuine BMW GS in the 48 hp A2 class. It embodies the essence of a GS: Get on, twist the throttle, have fun – with full control and maximum confidence. Its low weight, superior performance and perfect balance between agility and stability ensure a particularly intuitive riding experience. Thanks to its precise handling and typical GS expertise, it performs impressively both on and off the road. The F 450 GS is the perfect ‘best buddy’ for every riding situation. It is uncomplicated, robust, and always ready. It sets the benchmark for sporty adventure bikes in its class,” said Markus Flasch, CEO BMW Motorrad. Continue reading

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Stellantis Factory Booster Day Held in Detroit

Stellantis (NYSE: STLA. STLAM.MI)* held today the 10th annual edition of its Factory Booster Day at the Conner Center – aka Conner Avenue Assembly – in Detroit. This year’s event saw 80 invited participants showing more than 100 “solutions” aimed at transforming the future of industrial operations.

“Factory Booster Day is not just an event, it’s a reflection of our manufacturing culture and global collaboration,” said Tim Fallon, Senior Vice President, Global Head of Stellantis Production Way. “By empowering our teams and partnering with startups and suppliers, we co-create smart solutions that drive quality, agility and sustainability across Stellantis. Continue reading

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Goodyear Tire Posts Q3 2025 Loss of $2.2 Billion

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The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company (NASDAQ:GT)* posted Q3 2025 results today that showed a net loss of $2.2 billion ($7.62 per share) compared to a Goodyear net loss of $37 million (13 cents per share) a year ago. Third quarter 2025 adjusted net income was $82 million compared to adjusted net income of $102 million in Q3 of last year. Adjusted earnings per share was $0.28, compared to $0.36 (diluted) in Q3 2024.

“We delivered a meaningful increase in segment operating income relative to the second quarter in an industry environment that continued to be marked by global trade disruption,” said Mark Stewart, chief executive officer and president. “This growth underscores our strong product portfolio and the consistency of our execution under the Goodyear Forward plan, both of which we expect to support further acceleration in our earnings during the fourth quarter.” Continue reading

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Air Bag Deployments – NHTSA Investigating Honda Odysseys

Late last week in spite of the Republican led government shutdown, The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) at DOT opened an engineering analysis into inadvertent air bag deployments on 2018-2022 model year Honda Odyssey minivans manufactured by American Honda Motor Company. More than 440,000 vehicles are involved. Most government workers are doing their jobs without pay. House Republicans aren’t working of course, but receiving full pay and benefits.*

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 18 complaints, and some Early Warning Reporting (EWR) and death & injury reports alleging inadvertent air bag deployment. These inadvertent deployments relate to the side curtain and/or side thorax air bags used in model year 2018-2022 Honda Odyssey models. Continue reading

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UAW Endorses Sherrod Brown for US Senate

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The UAW today officially endorsed Sherrod Brown for US Senate. Approximately 100,000 active and retired UAW members live and vote in Ohio. The UAW Ohio CAP (Community Action Program) Council formally voted to endorse Brown and said it will mobilize hundreds of thousands of working-class Ohioans to elect Brown to the US Senate.

“Sherrod is more than an ally of the UAW; he is an honorary union brother,” said UAW Region 2B Director Dave Green. “Ohioans don’t need another representative who leaves us wondering whose side they’ll be on when it matters. We know exactly where Sherrod Brown stands, because he has been in the fight with the UAW and the working-class time and time again. I am proud of our members for committing to elect working-class fighters like Sherrod.” Continue reading

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Volkswagen ID – Money Back in 100 Days

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Volkswagen ID – Money Back in 100 Days

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In a marketing move that likely will have international implications, Volkswagen* in the U.K. today announced the so-called ID. Promise. This allows its retail electric car customers between 80 and 100 days after collection to ‘drive and decide.’ The time frame in which people can return vehicles is from the point that they take delivery of their new cars. They just need to inform their retailer, who will then arrange a refund minus a 3% fixed usage charge, as well as the cost to repair any damage or modifications to the cars since they were handed over.**

“Official figures show more than 1.3 million UK motorists have already converted to electric, and time and time again our customers tell us they would never go back to petrol or diesel having made the move,” said Rod McLeod, Director of Volkswagen UK. “But there are many more people who want to go electric but feel unsure. This straightforward initiative gives them the perfect opportunity to ‘drive and decide’ with no strings attached.” Continue reading

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Magna Posts Solid Q3 2025 Earnings Gain

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Magna Posts Solid Q3 2025 Earnings Gain

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Magna (TSX: MG. NYSE: MGA) today posted Q3 2025 earnings of U.S. $613 million (EBIT) compared to $594 million in the third quarter of 2024. Subject to the approval by the Toronto Stock Exchange, the Magna Board of Directors approved a new Normal Course Issuer Bid (NCIB) to purchase up to ~25.3 million of Magna Common Shares, representing 10% of the public float. This NCIB is expected to be effective on 7 November 2025 and will terminate no later than 6 November 2026.

“Our strong third quarter performance exceeded our expectations and underscores the resilience of our business amid dynamic operating conditions and evolving macroeconomic trends. These results reflect the strength of our global team and the effectiveness of our strategic execution,” said Swamy Kotagiri, Magna Chief Executive Officer. Continue reading

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