Mercedes AMG 2026 Experience Goes Off-Road

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Mercedes AMG 2026 Experience Goes Off-Road

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Mercedes‑AMG today announced the continuation and expansion of its 2026 AMG Experience season with the inclusion for the first time of off-road driving.

“Back by popular demand, AMG Experience’s ‘On Road’ program returns in 2026. This exclusive six-day excursion features a premier lineup of AMG vehicles and unforgettable driving experiences through some of the West’s most breathtaking landscapes. This AMG Experience journey begins and ends in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, with scenic routes winding through Grand Teton National Park and onward toward the geothermal wonders, towering peaks and sweeping valleys that define the Yellowstone region. Along the way, participants will take in pristine lakes, vast grasslands and the raw beauty of the American West – all while enjoying the unparalleled comfort and performance of Mercedes-AMG,” Mercedes said. Continue reading

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Manufacturer Websites Lack Product Details?

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Manufacturer Websites Lack Product Details?

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Auto manufacturer websites are important for shoppers at all stages of the decision-making process during new-vehicle shopping, according to the J.D. Power 2026 U.S. Manufacturer Website Evaluation Study℠ – Winter, released today.* Among those who already know which vehicle they want, 83% still visit the manufacturer’s website to conform their research. Of shoppers who are undecided on a vehicle, 94% visit a manufacturer’s website and Power says have higher engagement as they spend more time browsing and viewing detailed content.

“One in three new-vehicle shoppers begin their journey without a specific brand in mind, yet nearly all of them still visit an OEM website,” said Cory Maxwell, digital experience consultant at J.D. Power. “While those shoppers are highly engaged, we continue to see that about 20% of OEM sites prioritize branding over the detailed vehicle information shoppers are actively seeking. At that stage, the brand has already done its job by getting shoppers to the site, so what matters most is helping them evaluate the vehicle.” Continue reading

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Chinese RoboVan Maker Neolix Debuts Next Gen Products

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Chinese RoboVan Maker Neolix Debuts Next Gen Products

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Neolix, a maker of autonomous logistics products (RoboVan), today announced the debut of its next-generation AI-powered autonomous logistics products at CES 2026. Its full  RoboVan lineup is said to enable large-scale, end-to-end urban logistics. Neolix thinks that autonomous is the cornerstone of the future urban infrastructure.

“Autonomous logistics has reached a critical tipping point, transitioning from experimental pilots to true commercial scale,” said YU Enyuan, Founder and CEO of Neolix. “2025 was a milestone year where we achieved mass deployment, refined our mapless technology, and expanded our global footprint. At CES 2026, we are presenting the global market with our fully integrated autonomous solution in action, showcasing a new generation of urban infrastructure that is always-on, highly efficient, and ready for global growth.” Continue reading

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Cox Fleet Commences for Trucking and other Industries

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Cox Fleet Commences for Trucking and other Industries

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Cox Automotive* today announced the launch of Cox Fleet, its new fleet brand, marking a significant milestone in the company’s long-term commitment to the trucking and fleet industry. Cox Fleet supports fleets of all sizes across the country with what is said to be a comprehensive service model intended to minimize downtime and maximize reliability. The organization said it offers national scale with local accountability. Cox Fleet delivers support through scheduled maintenance, emergency roadside assistance, managed care, parts, trailer and truck body sales. This is the continuation of Cox Automotive’s 2025 announcement to unite Fleet Services and FleetNet America into one unified organization.**

“Cox Fleet is a clear signal of our long-term commitment to the fleets that keep our economy moving,” said Patrick Brennan, SVP of Cox Fleet. “By bringing our people, technology, and service capabilities together under one brand, Cox Fleet is designed to help clients improve uptime and better manage total cost of ownership.” Continue reading

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UK New Car Registrations at 2M during 2025

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on UK New Car Registrations at 2M during 2025

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The UK new car market grew for the third year in a row in 2025, passing the two million mark for the first time since the pandemic, with 2,020,520 new car registrations, according to the latest figures published today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).* Internal combustion engines remain the biggest selling powertrain but there remains growing demand for electrified cars with one in four buyers choosing electric vehicles. [There also continues industry lobbying demands to delay and use taxpayer subsidies to support the sales of EVs. -AutoCrat]**

“The new car market finally reaching two million registrations for the first time this decade is a reasonably solid result amid tough economic and geopolitical headwinds. Rising EV uptake is an undoubted positive, but the pace is still too slow and the cost to industry too high. Government has stepped in with the Electric Car Grant, but a new EV tax, additional charges for EV drivers in London and costly public charging send mixed signals. Given developments abroad, government should bring forward its review and act urgently to deliver a vibrant market, a sustainable industry and an investment proposition that keeps the UK at the forefront of global competition,” said Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive. Continue reading

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Ford Motor 2025 U.S. Sales Posted at 2.2 Million

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Ford Motor 2025 U.S. Sales Posted at 2.2 Million

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Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) said today that it total deliveries for the year rose 6.0% to 2,204,124 vehicles, with an estimated overall market share of 13.2%. General Motors (NYSE: GM) said yesterday that it led the U.S. auto industry in sales in 2025, posting a 6% increase for the full year at 2,853,299 deliveries. Stellantis has not reported 2025 U.S. results yet. [Ford Motor car sales for 2025 at 45,333 were only a fraction of the total as Ford continues to be predominately a truck company with products that are of limited appeal in major global markets. F-Series accounted for 828,832 of the total – AutoCrat.]*

“This past year proved that Ford has the right product and powertrain offering for the lives of our customers,” said Andrew Frick, president, Ford Blue and Model e. “We’re growing share and beating the trend because we offer a great range of products, from accessible entry-level models to high-performance off-roaders. Our growth across record hybrid sales shows that our ‘power of choice’ approach — offering gas, hybrid, and electric — is exactly what consumers are looking for right now.” Continue reading

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GM at Top of U.S. Auto Sales in 2025

General Motors (NYSE: GM) said today that it led the U.S. auto industry in sales in 2025, posting a 6% increase for the full year at 2,853,299 deliveries with growth across multiple areas of GM’s portfolio.

“Demand for our brands and products is strong at every price point, and we are well‑positioned to build on this momentum in the year ahead,” said Duncan Aldred, GM senior VP and president of North America. Continue reading

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Audi Recalls Seat Belts for Child Seat Retention Failures

Audi (Volkswagen Group of America) is recalling more than 27,700 model year 2025 SQ6 E-Tron, SQ6 Sportback E-Tron, Q6 Sportback E-Tron, A6, A5, A6 Sportback E-Tron, Q6 E-Tron, S5, and S6 Sportback E-Tron vehicles. The automatic locking retractor [made by Joyson Safety Systems in Poland – AutoCrat] may fail to engage when a child seat is installed using the seat belt. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 208, “Occupant Crash Protection” and 209, “Seat Belt Assemblies.”

“Dealers will inspect and replace the right and left rear seat belt assembly as necessary, free of charge. [As required by U.S. safety regulations- AutoCrat]. “If the seat belt webbing can be pulled out more than the allowable length after locking, the seat belt assembly must be replaced,” Audi said in the mandatory safety defect recall filing made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) today. Continue reading

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Porsche Recalls More Than 173,000 Vehicles for Rear Visibility

Porsche Cars North America (P911.DE) is recalling ~173,538 model year 2019-2025 Cayenne, Cayenne E-Hybrid, 2020-2025 model year 911 and Taycan, 2024-2025 Panamera, 2025 Panamera E-Hybrid vehicles. The rear-view camera image may not display when the vehicle is placed in reverse. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, “Rear Visibility.”

“In certain rare instances, a software issue may prevent the rear-view camera image from displaying as required by S5.5. of FMVSS No. 111 – Rear visibility,” Porsche said in the mandatory safety defect recall filing made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) this morning. Continue reading

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Ford Recalls Previous Expedition Roll-Away Recall Repair

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is recalling ~890 model year 2019 Expedition vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 20V263. The “Transmission Not In Park” warning message and associated chime duration are shorter than intended. During the first half of 2025 Ford Motor booked a $1.3 billion loss from repairs of vehicles under warranty, cancellation of plans to build an electric sport utility vehicle and other one-time costs. Ford is operating under a consent order from NHTSA because of its previous handing of recalls. This recall is the result of a complicated and meticulous effort by Ford Motor.

“According to Ford’s records, certain 2019 Expedition vehicles did not have the remedy for Safety Recall 20S21 / 20V-263 installed correctly, but were recorded as having the repair successfully completed. Because the correct software update remedy may not be installed on the vehicle, the underlying condition specified in Safety Recall Ford 20S21 / NHTSA 20V-263 may still exist… the Transmission Not in Park warning message and associated chime are only active for 3 seconds when the transmission is not in Park and the ignition state is OFF with driver door closed. Instead, the chime should be active for 10 seconds and message should display for 30 minutes when the driver’s door is closed,” Ford said in the mandatory safety defect recall filing (49 CFR § 573) made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) this morning. Continue reading

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BMW Group Adds Alpina Brand

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on BMW Group Adds Alpina Brand

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The BMW Group acquired the Alpina trademark rights on 1 January 2026. The Bavarian-based specialty tuner of performance versions of BMW models, now is BMW ALPINA as an exclusive standalone brand under the BMW Group. Alpena will continue produce performance cars at BMW Group assembly plants. [One wonders if this isn’t the pre-cursor to a BMW Formula One team ala Audi buying Sauber? – Autocrat. Read AutoInformed.com on Milestones – Audi F1 at Munich Brand Experience Center]

The initial focus will be on brand activation. Key elements of the BMW Alpina brand are its unique balance of maximum performance and superior ride comfort, combined with hallmark driving characteristics. This is complemented by an exclusive portfolio of bespoke options and custom materials along with unmistakable details,” BMW said. Continue reading

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Milestones – 50 Years of the VW Golf GTI

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Milestones – 50 Years of the VW Golf GTI

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The Volkswagen Golf GTI (VWAGY) turns 50 this year. More than 2.5 million units have been produced to date, according to Volkswagen.*The anniversary will be celebrated with a variety of national and international events,  and of course an exclusive anniversary model Golf GTI EDITION 50 [footnote 1 below. There will also be world premiere of the first all-electric GTI. But it will be smaller than compact- size versions of a sporty car – AutoCrat.]**

“A success story since 1976. When the Golf GTI was launched in 1976, no one could have guessed that the 81 kW (110 PS) Volkswagen, with its red grille surround, black wheel arch extensions and golf ball gear knob, would soon become the world’s most successful compact sports car. Only 5,000 units were planned, but in the first year alone dealers sold 10 times as many vehicles. In total, 461,690 first-generation Golf GTI cars were built,” Volkswagen said. Continue reading

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EPA Administrator and Trump Booster Zeldin Praises Himself

The EPA Office of the Administrator sent this “bulletin” out at 10:00 AM EST this morning.

“It has been a historic year at EPA, and we look forward to even more victories in the year ahead,” said Trump crony Lee Michael Zeldin, administration of the EPA since 29 January 2025 at the beginning of the Second Trump administration. Following are Zeldon’s assertions edited for space. [As with EPA fuel mileage ratings, and Zeldin’s dismissal of Global Warming and Climate Change your observed results and therefore opinions on these boasts may vary significantly- AutoCrat. Read about the Biden Administration’s EPA Publishes New Kids and Climate Health Zone]* Continue reading

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Happy Clean New Year California Air Resources Board!

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) said today that it continued its critical mission and remained focused on its duties to improve air quality and public health and to tackle climate change.

This is inarguable, despite the Trump Administration’s direct and ongoing assault on public health and active resistance to the compounding worsening effects of Global Warming on the economy and the continued existence of planet earth itself. (Read AutoInformed.com on Clean air, climate change and global warming -AutoCrat. See *below) Continue reading

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Chicago Auto Show Shrinks

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Chicago Auto Show Shrinks

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The Chicago Automobile Trade Association (CATA), producer of the Chicago Auto Show, said today that it is cutting media days in half. A media preview will now take place on Friday 6 February from 8 am to 2 pm. The 2 pm conclusion of media activities will allow for a “seamless transition as the show floor is dressed up that evening for the First Look for Charity black-tie gala.” As recently as the second week of November this year, two days were allocated for media day. However, in keeping with a general trend, auto shows are increasingly not viewed as cost effective ways to move vehicles from dealer showroom floors to customers’ driveways.* There’s also changes on the used vehicle side as Carvana keeps profitably growing and expanding with its stock price doubling in 2025.

“Consolidating the official Media Preview into one day allows manufacturers and media to maximize impact, streamline schedules and better align with current coverage needs. Throughout the Media Preview, the show floor will be fully accessible and activated, featuring indoor test tracks, content creation opportunities, programming and the chance to explore the new Chi-Town Alley exhibit,” CATA said. “The Chicago Auto Show remains committed to delivering a high-impact media experience while adapting to the changing dynamics of the automotive and media industries.” Continue reading

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