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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Stellantis to Invest $13 Billion in U.S. Plants

Posted on 15 October 2025 by Ken Zino
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Stellantis (NYSE: STLA) late yesterday announced plans to invest $13 billion during the next four years to increase its sales in the critical United States market and to expand its domestic manufacturing footprint. Part of this are required updates to aging vehicles to stay competitive and defend market share and adhere to the UAW contract. Some was previously planned and announced for other vehicles – notably EVs but is now being redirected to internal combustion engine products because of the relaxation of environmental rules and the elimination of EV buying incentives, and CAFE fines or fees on vehicles that inordinately pollute the air causing dire human health problems by the Environmental Pillage Agency, aka EPA, under the Trump – “Global warming is a Chinese hoax” administration or reign. (Read AutoInformed.com on: Environmental Pillage Agency attacks California)*

“This investment in the U.S. – the single largest in the Company’s history – will drive our growth, strengthen our manufacturing footprint and bring more American jobs to the states we call home,” said Antonio Filosa, Stellantis CEO and North America COO. “As we begin our next 100 years, we are putting the customer at the center of our strategy, expanding our vehicle offerings and giving them the freedom to choose the products they want and love.” (Investments detailed in this release are subject to the successful negotiation and final approval of development packages with appropriate state and local governments. In short, taxpayer subsidies. – AutoCrat) Continue reading →

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Possible Fires – Hyundai Recalls 2024-2025 Santa Fe SUVs

Posted on 15 October 2025 by Ken Zino
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Hyundai Motor America is recalling ~135,386 model year 2024-2025 Santa Fe SUVs. The B+ terminal cover on the starter motor may be improperly installed, which can cause contact with the cooling fan assembly, potentially causing an electrical short, which can increase the risk of an electrical fire. Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama made the vehicles code-named MX5A.

The National Highway Traffic Safety administration discovered the potential safety problems when conducted a New Car Assessment Program (“NCAP”) front barrier crash test on a 2024 model year Sante Fe during November of 2024. Continue reading →

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Milestones – Good Jobs First Violation Tracker at Ten Years

Posted on 14 October 2025 by Ken Zino

Good Jobs First’s Violation Tracker, inarguably the most comprehensive collection of data on corporate misconduct in the United States, turns 10 this month. It celebrates this milestone at a time AutoInformed opines of growing public awareness of the damages of consolidated corporate power. During the past decade, Violation Tracker’s coverage has grown from 13 federal agencies to more than 450 federal, state, and local regulators and prosecutors, as well as class action lawsuits in a dozen categories. VT now contains 700,000 cases dating back to 2000, representing total penalties of more than $1 trillion. The database, produced by the non-profit research center Good Jobs First, covers everything from bribery and price-fixing to wage theft and government contracting fraud. It is free to search at violationtracker.org.

“Our aim has been to make Violation Tracker the definitive resource on corporate wrongdoing of all kinds,” said Philip Mattera, who created the database and leads its growth and maintenance. “We hope it serves a valuable role both for those researching corporate abuses and those working to end them.” Continue reading →

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Annals of Marketing – Lincoln with Forest Meditation

Posted on 14 October 2025 by Ken Zino
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Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) in a social media post today said that some 2025 Lincoln models will come with a new theme to Lincoln Rejuvenate called Forest Meditation. Lincoln Rejuvenate is standard in the all-new 2025 Navigator and optional on select trims of the 2025 Nautilus. It’s claimed to deliver a multi-sensory experience designed to reduce stress and promote relaxation within the vehicle. See a video here.

“At Lincoln, we’re driven by the belief that your vehicle can be more than just transportation; it can be a true sanctuary, a ‘third space’ between home and work. That’s why we’re so excited to introduce a new theme to Lincoln Rejuvenate — Forest Meditation. Developed in collaboration with our partners at Calm, this immersive, multi-sensory experience is designed to bring the serene power of nature directly to your vehicle. Our goal with Forest Meditation was to craft an escape that truly transports you. Imagine calming forest visuals, surrounded by immersive natural sounds, and breathing in the subtle, earthy digital scent of the Mystic Forest,” the From The Road post said. Continue reading →

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Safety – League of American Bicyclists and IIHS

Posted on 13 October 2025 by Ken Zino
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The safety wish list of the League of American Bicyclists** includes many priorities that fit into an IIHS program, the nonprofit’s policy director said in a recent video recorded at the IIHS Vehicle Research Center. Those goals align with the Institute’s 30×30 initiative, which outlines a vision for reducing road deaths 30% by 2030 with the help of policymakers, transportation engineers, vehicle manufacturers and other stakeholders.*

“Ken McLeod, the league’s policy director, spoke with Joe Young, IIHS director of media relations, as the two cycled around the research center’s campus. The safety priorities McLeod outlined in the interview included increasing the number of separated and protected bike lanes in America’s cities and towns, slowing travel speeds on roads used by bicyclists with lower speed limits and better infrastructure design, addressing driver distraction and promoting crash avoidance systems capable of preventing crashes with bicycles,” IIHS said. Continue reading →

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IMSA Petit Le Mans – Cadillac, Corvette, Porsche Win in Finale

Posted on 13 October 2025 by Ken Zino
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IMSA says that 241 race transporters as well as the cars and trucks that carried in thousands of week-long campers and daily ticket holders to the Road Atlanta infield where the 10-hour Petite LeMans was scheduled to run was at capacity by early Thursday afternoon. Local landowners then rented their properties to IMSA to create additional parking areas outside the 2.54-mile circuit for the season ending series finale.

“We had a complete sellout,” said IMSA President John Doonan. “We had to stop selling tickets because we couldn’t fit any more people in. From the attendance to the racing, it was truly an epic weekend.” Continue reading →

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HondaJet Flies on Sustainable Aviation Fuel!

Posted on 13 October 2025 by Ken Zino
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Honda Aircraft Company today announced it has become the first twin-turbine very light business jet manufacturer to fly the HondaJet on a successful test flight running a 100% blend of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF). HondaJet aircraft currently in service have been operated by customers on approved SAF blends of up to 50%. GE Honda Aero successfully completed tests of the HF120 engine on the ground utilizing 100% SAF fuel blends in 2022 and 2023, providing an early demonstration of the feasibility of the HondaJet’s recent test flight.*

“We are immensely proud of our Honda Aircraft Company engineering team carrying forward our commitment to the future of aviation by demonstrating that the HondaJet is capable of operating on a 100% SAF blend,” said Amod Kelkar, Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer at Honda Aircraft Company. “This achievement is a step toward aligning our business activities with the global Honda goal of decarbonizing our business activities by 2050.”** Continue reading →

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Stellantis Post Q3 2025 Shipments of 1.3M

Posted on 10 October 2025 by Ken Zino
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Stellantis N.V. (NYSE: STLA. STLAM.MI) today released its Q3 consolidated shipment estimates. “Shipments” is the volume of vehicles delivered to dealers, distributors, or directly from the Company to retail and fleet customers, which results in revenue recognition. Consolidated shipments for the three months ending September 30, 2025, were an estimated 1.3 million units, a 13% increase y-o-y. Most of the increase was driven by North America, also supported by year-over-year shipment growth in Enlarged Europe and Middle East & Africa. Business environment and competitive challenges remain in China and South America.*

“Consolidated shipment volumes for Q3 2025 here are unaudited and may be adjusted,” Stellantis said in a minimalist press release. Continue reading →

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Genesis Opens California Design Studio

Posted on 10 October 2025 by Ken Zino
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Genesis today announced the opening of Genesis Design California in El Segundo. This small new design studio house 45 team members and will focus on the North American market. It’s a milestone for the growth of the brand, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, while caught in the crossfire of Trump’s trade wars.

“Genesis Design California embeds our team directly in the U.S. market, ensuring we design vehicles that truly resonate with North American customers,” said José Muñoz, president & CEO of Genesis. “The investment in this facility and the jobs it is creating are emblematic of our long-term commitment to North America. In just 10 short years, Genesis has created an innovative design identity tied directly to its Korean cultural heritage. This studio will play a central role in shaping generations of new products that deepen the emotional connection between our brand and the customers we serve.” Continue reading →

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Milestones – Mercedes Joins Renewable Carbon Initiative

Posted on 10 October 2025 by Ken Zino

Mercedes-Benz (MBGn.DE) is apparently the first automotive company to join the “Renewable Carbon Initiative” (RCI). Founded by the nova-Institute, the initiative brings together industry leaders from the chemical, energy and automotive sectors. Together, they share a common goal: to completely replace fossil-carbon sources with renewable alternatives derived from biomass, CO2 utilization, and recycling. Mercedes termed it a “Strategic partnership with industry leaders” including BASF, Covestro, Michelin and Continental.*

“Joining the ‘Renewable Carbon Initiative’ is an important step in driving the transition to renewable carbon sources and working with strong partners to develop innovative, fossil-free solutions,” said Dr. Ulf Zillig, Vice President Group Research, Sustainability and RD Functions, Mercedes-Benz AG. Continue reading →

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Porsche Sales Tank in China. So-So Elsewhere

Posted on 9 October 2025 by Ken Zino
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Porsche (P911.DE) said today that a total of 212,509 cars were delivered to customers worldwide between January and September, of which 35.2% were electrified (+12.8 percentage points). Porsche (P911.DE) said today that a total of 212,509 cars were delivered to customers worldwide between January and September, of which 35.2% were electrified (+12.8 percentage points). However, in China the world’s largest market, Porsche has lost its once gleaming image and lucrative sales results. In China, 32,195 cars were delivered to customers (-26%.) The primary Porsche excuses for this decline “remain the challenging market conditions, particularly in the luxury segment, and the intense competition in the Chinese market.” The gleam is also fading elsewhere for Porsche. Will losses follow?

“Porsche continues to maintain robust delivery figures this year. The level is in line with our expectations, especially considering the ongoing geopolitical and economic conditions,“ claimed Matthias Becker, Member of the Executive Board for Sales and Marketing at Porsche AG. “In the coming months, our customers can look forward to many exceptional product offerings. We recently unveiled the new 911 Turbo S at the IAA, the range-topping version of our iconic sports car. This strengthens our brand core. Demand for the new flagship is very strong, and the car has received a lot of praise from the media and prospective customers.” Continue reading →

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Chevrolet Bolt Returns as 2027 Model at ~$30,000

Posted on 9 October 2025 by Ken Zino
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General Motors confirmed today that it is bringing back the Chevrolet Bolt.* Its predecessor one of the industry’s most popular electric vehicles. With a starting launch model MSRP [footnote 1 below] of $29,990 (including $1395 DFC) for a 2027 Bolt LT, Chevy has an affordable American EV at a time when vehicle prices are escalating and affordability is a growing auto industry problem. Later in the model year, a less expensive LT trim will be available with a starting MSRP [1] of $28,995 (including $1395 DFC).

“The Chevrolet Bolt was the industry’s first affordable mass-market, long-range EV and it commanded one of GM’s most loyal customer bases thanks to its price, versatility and practicality,” said Scott Bell, vice president, Global Chevrolet. “After production ended, we heard our customer’s feedback and their love for this product. So the Bolt is coming back, by popular demand and better than ever, for a limited time. Continue reading →

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