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Tag Archives: autoinformed.com
Audi of America Q2 2026 Sales Drop 17%
Audi of America reported today a Q2 sales drop of -17% when compared year-over-year. There was no release with commentary just the sales chart shown here at AutoInformed. This came as the parent company Volkswagen Group (VOW.DE) Executive Board yesterday presented the Supervisory Board with 12 initiatives to make the financially bedridden Group. [Share price is down 66% during the last five years; -25% year-over-year at ~€76 as customers are apparently searching for more affordable wheels or are no longer happy with product Audi product offerings – AutoCrat.] No doubt Audi of America executives were in Wolfsburg fighting for the survival of the brand. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, marketing, news analysis, results, sales
Tagged A6 sedan, Audi of America, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino, Ken Zino commenting as AutoCrat, q3, Q4 e-tron, Q5, Q6 e-Tron, Q8 e-tron, volkswagen group, X @KenAutoinformed
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Milestones – Honda Transmission Plant-Ohio 30th Anniversary
“As we celebrate 30 years of Honda manufacturing excellence in Ohio, we’re not just reflecting on our history; we’re accelerating toward the future,” said Jason Foster, Power Unit Manufacturing Plant lead. “The unyielding continued commitment of TMP-O associates to producing top-quality drivetrains will allow us to continue building on the legacy we celebrate today,”
With a total investment of more than $1 billion, the 1.1-million square-foot Ohio transmission plant employs more than 1200 associates, with the annual capacity to produce more than 1 million transmissions and gear shifts, 500,000 two-motor hybrid systems, along with transfer cases and differentials for four-wheel drive vehicles. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, manufacturing, milestones, mobility company, news analysis, shows and events
Tagged accord, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, civic, cr-v, differentials, Jason Foster, Ken Zino, Ken Zino commenting as AutoCrat, Prelude, Russells Point Ohio, TMP-O, transfer cases, two-motor hybrid systems, X @KenAutoinformed
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War Crimes – Trumpoline Prices Rising!
“Gas prices are going up again, as the future of the ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran remains uncertain. The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline went up 5 cents overnight to $3.84 after steadily dropping since late May. Crude oil prices are currently in the $70 per barrel range but could rise if volatility lingers along the Strait of Hormuz,” AAA said in a release today. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, economy, energy, news, news analysis, opinions, prices, transportation, Trump Truth Tests
Tagged aaa, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, eia, Energy Information Administration, Ken Zino, Ken Zino commenting as AutoCrat, Strait of Hormuz, Trump Wars, Trumpoline err Gasoline Prices, X @KenAutoinformed
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Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index – Affordability Lurks?
“Affordability is the throughline in the first half of 2026. We’ve seen stronger appreciation in older units this year, and the most affordable segments have been among the year’s best performers. The risk we’re watching for the second half is that steep ramp in off-lease supply, EVs especially, which could pressure specific segments even as the headline holds firm. Gas is the swing factor: If pump prices keep falling, some of that EV demand could fade as availability increases,” said Gregory.
“I’d caution against reading too much into the softer year-over-year print: the deceleration from May’s 3.6% to June’s 2.1% is mostly a base effect, as we’re now lapping last June, when values were still climbing on tariff-induced demand. Continue reading
Honda Recalls ~326,000 Odysseys for Bad Rearview Cameras
“The defect was caused by two contributing factors. First, the specification for the rearview camera housing boss hole was inadequate for the mounting screw. Second, due to variations in the positioning of the housing on the assembly jig, the mounting screw is susceptible to being misaligned during assembly. As a result, the stress generated during screw fastening exceeded the material strength of the boss, causing it to crack. Through environmental exposure (thermal expansion/freezing of trapped water), these cracks can expand, allowing water to penetrate the interior of the assembly,” Honda told NHTSA. [This causes the printed circuit board (PCB) to corrode and fail – AutoCrat.] Continue reading
Posted in auto news, connected vehicles, customer satisfaction, electronics, engineering, public health, quality, recalls, safety
Tagged 2018 - 2020 Honda Odyssey Rearview Camera Recall, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino, Ken Zino commenting as AutoCrat, NHTSA Odyssey Recall 26V423 or 26V-423, Odyssey camera recall NHTSA 20V-438, X @KenAutoinformed
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Regulatory Reform! CPSC Starts Mandatory eFiling for Imports
“America faces an unprecedented surge in imported consumer products entering through increasingly complex global supply chains, including millions of direct-to-consumer shipments that often bypass traditional retail distribution. CPSC faces significant enforcement challenges, particularly where products originate from countries that do not comply with U.S. safety laws,” said CPSC Acting Chairman Peter A. Feldman. Continue reading
Posted in manufacturing, milestones, news, news analysis, public health, recalls, safety, software recalls
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, compliance certificates, cpsc, CPSC Acting Chairman Peter A. Feldman, foreign-made products, Ken Zino, Ken Zino commenting as AutoCrat, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, X @KenAutoinformed
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Toyota – $3.6B Expansion at San Antonio Plant
“Toyota’s continued investment in North America is a testament to our confidence in the region’s workforce, innovation and long-term growth potential,” said Ted Ogawa, President and CEO TMNA. “By expanding our San Antonio plant, we are deepening our commitment to American manufacturing, creating meaningful and sustainable jobs, while advancing our mission to deliver high-quality vehicles that meet the changing needs of customers today and into the future.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, manufacturing, milestones, mobility company, news analysis, opinions
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, City of San Antonio, Frank Voss, Ken Zino, Ken Zino commenting as AutoCrat, San Antonio manufacturing site, Tacoma production, Ted Ogawa, Toyota Motor North America, X @KenAutoinformed
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Ford and Lincoln Recalls For Bad Pedestrian Backup Warnings
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is recalling more than 66,000 2024-2027 model-year Lincoln Nautilus Hybrid and 2025-2027 Explorer Hybrid vehicles. A software error may prevent the vehicle from making the pedestrian warning sound at certain speeds.* The Phoenix Audio System supplied by Harmon International has a software error in the Digital Signal Processing Module This is an expansion of NHTSA Recall 25V691. Any vehicles previously repaired under 25V691 must have the new remedy completed. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, electronics, engineering, public health, quality, safety, software recalls
Tagged 25SA2, auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ford Motor pedestrian warning sound recall, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, NHTSA Ford Motor hybrid recall 26V415 or 26V-415, X @KenAutoinformed
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Ford Leads All Manufacturers in NHTSA Recalls
The latest data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) show Ford Motor Company leads the safety defect recall parade. Ford Motor remains subject to a 2024 consent order from NHTSA. NHTSA retained an independent third party to oversee Ford Motor recall issues, required safety expenditures, and the cited Safety Act violations. The dataset includes recall information related to specific NHTSA campaigns. General Motors, Chrysler (FCAUS) Hyundai Motor and Toyota follow. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, engineering, manufacturing, news analysis, public health, recalls, safety
Tagged auto industry commentary, auto manufacturer recall number, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Chrysler (FCAUS), department of transportation, Ford Motor Company, Ford Motor recalls, ford recalls, general motors, Hyundai Motor, Ken Zino, Ken Zino commenting as AutoCrat, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nhtsa, toyota, X @KenAutoinformed
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CARB Adds $70M of Funding for Clean Off-Road Equipment
“Off-road equipment remains a major source of harmful emissions in California and demand for incentives has consistently exceeded what’s been available,” said CARB Chair Lauren Sanchez. “With other funding dedicated to clean cars and trucks, we’re focusing these funds where they can make the biggest difference – helping clean the air in communities where off-road equipment is most heavily used for agricultural, constriction and freight operations.”
“The plan was designed to ensure that funding delivers the greatest benefit, especially in areas most impacted by poor air quality. CARB allocated funding to CORE because it is one of the most cost-effective zero-emission programs and has strong stakeholder support. Demand in the program also continues to exceed available funding with the amount requested in the last funding cycle being nearly three times the amount available. In public workshops, stakeholders have expressed how important continued incentives are in the zero-emission off-road sector,” CARB said. Continue reading
Posted in environment, global warming, news analysis, public health, Trump Truth Tests
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, California Air Resources Board, Clean Off-Road Equipment Voucher Incentive Project, CORE, Ken Zino, Ken Zino commenting as AutoCrat, Lauren Sanchez, X @KenAutoinformed, zero-emission off-road equipment
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Goodyear Blimp Returns to NYC for the Fourth of July
“The blimp’s historic appearance at Sail 4th 250 is the fourth time it’s flown over an Operation Sail event. It was a fixture at the first celebration in 1964, America’s Bicentennial in 1976 and the 100th anniversary of the Statue of Liberty in 1986. Now, it returns to provide aerial coverage in celebration of America’s 250th,” Goodyear said today. Continue reading
Posted in marketing, news, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Goodyear Blimp, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, Julianne Roberts, Ken Zino, Ken Zino commenting as AutoCrat, Operation Sail, X @KenAutoinformed
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BMW iX5 Electric Vehicle Debuts in Spartanburg SC
“When we announced our investment plans for South Carolina in 2022, we made a clear commitment to the future of the BMW Group in the United States,” said Milan Nedeljković, Chairman of the Board of Management, BMW AG.
“Our strategic course remains unchanged. We will continue to pursue the same technology-open strategy that has made BMW successful and will continue to make us successful in the future,” said Nedeljković. [Flexibility to build different powertrains in one plant decreases the possibility of spending million of Dollars or Deutschmarks shareholder capital betting on one model or powertrain. It hedges expensive automotive bets. – AutoCrat.] Continue reading
Posted in auto news, electric vehicles, global warming, manufacturing, milestones, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, battery electric, BMW iX5 Electric Vehicle, diesel, fuel cell EV, internal combustion, Ken Zino, Ken Zino commenting as AutoCrat, Milan Nedeljković, Plant Spartanburg and Plant Woodruff, plug-in hybrid electric, X @KenAutoinformed
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Park Outside! Kia Recalls ~463,000 Telluride Models for Fires
“Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete,” Kia said in the mandatory safety defect filing that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) made public this morning. Continue reading →