All BMW Group Parsdorf Operations Now in EMAS

Posted on 24 October 2025 by Ken Zino
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The BMW Group (BMW.DE) said today that operations in Parsdorf (slightly northeast of Munich) are now part of the European environmental register, EMAS. In addition to the BMW Group Cell Manufacturing Competence Center, (CMCC) and test-parts logistics, the pilot plant for high-voltage batteries in Parsdorf has been included in the environmental impact statement and EMAS registration for the first time. EMAS stands for the “Eco-Management and Audit Scheme,” which claims to be the most stringent environmental management system in the world.**

“We are very pleased with the EMAS registration of all our operations in Parsdorf, which underlines that our processes operate at a very high level – both economically and environmentally,” says Hansjörg Schilp, director of the CMCC and pilot plant for high-voltage batteries in Parsdorf. “The entire team has done an outstanding job.” Continue reading →

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Porsche Cayenne Electric – Resourceful Performance

Posted on 24 October 2025 by Ken Zino
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The 2026 model Porsche Cayenne Electric (P911.DE)* debuts in a few weeks with innovative high-voltage technology. It is based on an advancement of the so-called Premium Platform Electric (PPE) developed in-house. Its 800-volt architecture creates the basis for impressive charging power, intelligent energy distribution and high efficiency. With a function-integrated battery, powerful dual cooling, intelligent thermal management and robust charging performance, Porsche claims that it is laying the foundation for a new level of E-Performance. 

“With the Cayenne Electric, we are taking e-performance to a new level,” said Dr Michael Steiner, Deputy Chairman of the Executive Board and Member of the Executive Board, Research and Development. “Our innovative high-voltage system combines maximum efficiency with the driving dynamics typical of Porsche.” Continue reading →

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October U.S. Vehicle Sales Forecast Flat. Global Sales Up

Posted on 23 October 2025 by Ken Zino
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Total new-vehicle sales for October 2025, including retail and non-retail transactions, are projected to reach 1,249,800, a 6.9% decrease year-over-year, according to a joint forecast from J.D. Power* and GlobalData.** October 2025 has 27 selling days, the same as October 2024. The seasonally adjusted annualized rate (SAAR) for total new-vehicle sales is forecast to be 15.1 million units, down 1.1 million units from October 2024.

“October’s results reflect a notable, but expected decline in the new-vehicle sales pace, due almost entirely to sales of electric vehicles. “The expiration of federal EV credits on Sept. 30 caused EV shoppers to pull ahead their purchases, driving a significant increase in EV sales and inflating the overall industry sales pace,” said Thomas King, president of the data and analytics division at J.D. Power. Continue reading →

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Cadillac 2028 Escalade IQ Debuts High-Speed Computing Core

Posted on 22 October 2025 by Ken Zino
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At its so-called GM Forward media event in New York today, General Motors (NYSE: GM) talked about how manufacturing scale, software expertise, and AI are “converging to transform the car from a mode of transportation into an intelligent assistant.” GM is hardly alone in this quest to use advanced computing power to increase the technical ability and expand the market for branded vehicles.

“One of the most significant steps toward that future is autonomy. GM announced plans to bring eyes-off driving to market in 2028, debuting on the Cadillac Escalade IQ electric SUV. GM has already mapped 600,000 miles of hands-free roads in North America, and customers have driven 700 million miles with Super Cruise without a single reported crash attributed to the system. [footnote 1] Additionally, the technology and validation frameworks from Cruise add more than five million fully driver-less miles of experience,” GM said. (Worrying here is GM expensive warranty cost problems discussed during its latest earnings call yesterday – AutoCrat)* Continue reading →

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BMW Group Testing HVO100 Diesel Replacement Fuel

Posted on 22 October 2025 by Ken Zino
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The BMW Group (BMW.DE) said today that it is using its presence at the “Fleet Europe Days” on 22 and 23 October in Luxembourg to show fleet operators ways to decarbonize their fleets. In addition to fully electrified vehicles, the focus will be on fuels based on renewable raw materials.

“Our goal is always to have more environmentally friendly and efficient vehicles on the road. With the diesel replacement fuel HVO100, we have an opportunity to reduce the CO2 footprint of vehicle fleets. Especially in the area of fuels that are not based on fossil fuels, we see a potential that we are ready to realize,” said Dr. Martin Kaufmann, Head of Powertrain Development at the BMW Group. Continue reading →

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GM Ends Production of BrightDrop EVs in Canada

Posted on 21 October 2025 by Ken Zino
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General Motors (NYSE: GM) today confirmed the end of production of the BrightDrop electric delivery van built at CAMI Assembly in Ingersoll, Ontario. BrightDrop production will not be moved to another site. GM said “The commercial electric delivery van market developed much slower than expected with the plant operating below capacity and production suspended since May 2025. A changing regulatory environment and the elimination of tax credits in the United States have made the business even more challenging. The decision is part of broader adjustments the company is making to North America EV capacity.”

This was said while Mary Barra GM CEO was praising Donald Trump on the GM earnings call. “I also want to thank the President and his team for the important tariff updates they made on Friday. The MSRP offset program will help make U.S.-produced vehicles more competitive over the next five years, and GM is very well positioned as we invest to increase our already significant domestic sourcing and manufacturing footprint. Continue reading →

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GM Posts Q3 Net of $1.3 Billion on $48.6B Revenue

Posted on 21 October 2025 by Ken Zino
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General Motors (NYSE: GM) today posted a Q3 2025 net income of $1.3 Billion down $700 million year-over-year on $48.6B in revenue. This included a gross tariff impact of $1.1 billion. GM offset more than 30% of this amount through what it said was go-to-market, footprint, and cost initiatives. It was a strong quarterly performance, but GM still faces major challenges in China, as well as problems dealing with Korea, Mexico and Canada via the upcoming re-negotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement with the Trump Administration’s hostile to our northern neighbor. Nonetheless GM stock closed the day at $66.62, up $8.62 for a +14.86% gain.

“Thanks to the collective efforts of our team, and our compelling vehicle portfolio, GM delivered another very good quarter of earnings and free cash flow. In the U.S., we achieved our highest third-quarter market share since 2017 with strong margins, and our restructured China business was profitable once again. Based on our performance, we are raising our full-year guidance, underscoring our confidence in the company’s trajectory,” said Ceo and Chair Mary Barra. Continue reading →

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World Premiere – New Toyota Land Cruiser FJ

Posted on 21 October 2025 by Ken Zino
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Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE: TM, 7203T) has shown the new Land Cruiser FJ concept, with the production launch in Japan planned for around mid-2026. As to the rest of the world, timing will undoubtedly be affected by the whim’s of the Trump mis-administration tariff and trade wars.

“Launched originally as the Toyota BJ in 1951, the Land Cruiser immediately became the first vehicle to climb to the sixth station of Mount Fuji. Since then, it has fulfilled its mission of delivering safety and security to all types of people in places that only the Land Cruiser can reach. Developed and refined based on global, real-world customer usage, it provides reliability, durability, and off-road performance that allows people to go anywhere and everywhere and return safely. Continue reading →

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First Look – 2026 Mustang Mach-E GT

Posted on 20 October 2025 by Ken Zino
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Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) said today that it is introducing the 2026 Mustang Mach-E® GT California Special. It’s a special edition as an optional package that brings a heritage-inspired design to the Mustang family’s newest member. In the 1960s, California dealers were responsible for a large portion of all Mustang sales and wanted their contributions to the vehicle’s success commemorated through a unique package. In 1968, the original California Special was born. The coupe’s original red and black accents and aero features would define the trim package for years. Just over 4000 of the original California Special Mustang vehicles were built.

“There is something about the idea of the California spirit that has always been associated with the Mustang brand,” Kristen Keenan, color and materials designer for Ford, said. “And now Mustang Mach-E joins as part of the family.” Continue reading →

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How China Is Gutting Western Automakers

Posted on 20 October 2025 by Michael Dunne

This was published last week by Michael Dunne who is the owner of Dunne Insights. I have had a personal and professional relationship – both entirely satisfactory with Mr. Dunne for many decades – AutoCrat. The analysis is courtesy of and copyright Dunne Insights LLC. All rights reserved. If you like the Dunne analysis following you can Subscribe here.

“Make the world more dependent on China. Make China less dependent on the world.” – Xi Jinping (Politburo, Dual Circulation Strategy, May 2020) If China’s goal is total domination of the global auto industry, the master plan might look something like this:

  • Scale Up: Build enough capacity to supply more than half of the world’s annual demand for vehicles.
  • Flood In: Launch a frenzied push of exports into markets worldwide and, with aggressive pricing, take large chunks of market share.

Continue reading →

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Online Marketing – Aston Martin Reveals New Configurator

Posted on 20 October 2025 by Ken Zino
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Aston Martin* with the launch of the most comprehensive update of its online Configurator since it originally debuted four years ago, claims it “is a true gateway to the brand, and the refresh refines and elevates aspects of the user experience to create a truly premium digital presence.” (Marketing Babble alert – AutoCrat>

“Our Configurator is an integral part of the modern Aston Martin customer experience,” said Alex Long, Aston Martin’s Global Marketing Director. “Our digital team has worked closely with Aston Martin’s design studio to shape an experience that is vivid, responsive, and inspirational. It’s essential to us that the quality and richness of Aston Martin’s design, engineering and craftsmanship is faithfully rendered to potential customers.” Continue reading →

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First Look – the 2026 Lexus GX SUV

Posted on 17 October 2025 by Ken Zino
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Lexus, the luxury brand of Toyota, said today in a release from Plano, Texas that the 2026 Lexus GX SUV carries over from the prior model year.* (The 2026 GX is assembled at the Tahara plant in Japan, and as such is subject to the tariff whims of the bumbling Trump administration – AutoCrat).

“Lexus enthusiasts have long praised the GX’s legendary off-road capability and its ability to tackle rough terrain, taking customers comfortably from errands to remote spaces. The GX is offered in six grades: Premium, Premium+, Luxury, Luxury+, Overtrail and Overtrail+,” Lexus said. Continue reading →

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Trump Job Approval Flat. Congress Drops

Posted on 16 October 2025 by Ken Zino

Stagwell (NASDAQ: STGW) today released the results of the September Harvard CAPS / Harris poll, a monthly group effort between the Center for American Political Studies at Harvard (CAPS) and the Harris Poll and HarrisX.

“Voters’ outlook on the country remains largely the same with strong opposition to the government shutdown,” said Mark Penn, Co-Director of the Harvard CAPS / Harris poll and Stagwell Chairman and CEO. “They feel the rhetoric of today’s political leaders has grown too polarizing and is fueling political violence, and they want leadership that works to unite the country.” Continue reading →

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Penske Automotive Group Increases Dividend Yet Again

Posted on 16 October 2025 by Ken Zino

Penske Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE: PAG), a diversified international transportation services company and an automotive and commercial truck retailer, announced yesterday that its Board of Directors has approved a quarterly dividend of $1.38 per share.* This is an increase of 4.5%, or $0.06 per share. It was PAG’s 20th consecutive quarterly increase. The dividend is payable 2 December 2025 to shareholders of record as of 14 November 2025.

“We are pleased to reward shareholders with another increase in the quarterly dividend”, said Penske Automotive Group President Robert H. Kurnick, Jr. “We remain confident in our business and continue to generate strong cash flow, preserve a healthy balance sheet and maintain a disciplined approach to capital allocation.” Continue reading →

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UAW Endorses Graham Platner for U.S. Senate in Maine

Posted on 15 October 2025 by Ken Zino
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The United Auto Workers* said today that it has endorsed Graham Platner who is running in the Democratic primary for the 2026 United States Senate election in Maine. The UAW represents ~2000 workers in Maine, including marine draftsmen at Bath Iron Works, non-profit employees, workers at the Portland Museum of Art, and graduate employees across the University of Maine System.

“Inequality is out of control in our country. Today, the top 1% have more wealth than the bottom 95% of humanity combined. Graham understands this, and at a time when too many politicians take their cues from billionaires and corporate lobbyists, he has chosen to stand with the working class,” said UAW President Shawn Fain. Continue reading →

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