Tag Archives: autoinformed.com

AAA – 2025 Gas Prices Holding Stable for Summer Travel

AAA said today that gas prices are relatively stable during a peak travel season. 

“With summer road trips in full swing, drivers are getting a break at the pump, as gas prices match July 2021 numbers. The national average for a gallon of gas dipped as low as $3.14 this past week before going up a few cents to $3.17,” AAA said. Continue reading

Posted in auto news, news, news analysis, prices, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Annals of Marketing – New Electric Mercedes-Benz GLC

Mercedes Benz said today that at its Technology Center in Sindelfingen, Germany, CEO Ola Källenius is testing the new Mercedes-Benz GLC with EQ technology.* In the latest YouTube video by Mercedes‑Benz, Källenius teases the model series. He previewed its design, capabilities, and handling. In previous videos, Ola Källenius drove the electric CLA and electric G-Class in the landscapes of Austria and Sweden, offering a sneak peek ahead of each vehicles’ world premiere. The new electric GLC, will be unveiled at Munich’s IAA motor show on 7 September 2025. Once upon a forgotten time this would have happened at the Frankfurt Motor show. Continue reading

Posted in auto news, electric vehicles, electronics, engineering, marketing, mobility company, new vehicle | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Climate Change – Pope Leo XIV Care of Creation Mass

The Vatican said today that Pope Leo XIV celebrated the first “Mass for the Care of Creation,” with a new formulary of the Roman Missal, produced by the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development and the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. The Pope celebrated this private Mass during his holiday with the staff of the “Borgo Laudato Sì” (“Laudato Sì Village”), an educational center located in the Papal residence in Castel Gandolfo.

“With this new formulary, the Church is offering liturgical, spiritual and communal support for the care we all need to exercise of nature, our common home. Such service is indeed a great act of faith, hope and charity,” said Cardinal Michael Czerny, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. “This Mass dedicated to taking care of creation, calls us to be faithful stewards of what God has entrusted to us – not only in daily choices and public policies, but also in our prayer, our worship, and our way of living in the world.” Continue reading

Posted in environment, global warming, news, news analysis, people, public health, shows and events | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

BMW Motorrad Days – 40,000 Visitors in the Alps

BMW Motorrad in Munich today said that 40,000 visitors attended Motorrad Days 2025 in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. It is the world’s largest BMW Motorrad gathering, which is held in the Bavarian Alpine Mountains.

“For the 20th anniversary in Garmisch-Partenkirchen at the Hausbergbahn – overall the 23rd BMW Motorrad Days – the international BMW Motorrad community celebrated with product innovations, exhibitors, shows, test ride opportunities, and not least with rustic Bavarian lifestyle and great party atmosphere,” Motorrad said. Continue reading

Posted in marketing, news, news analysis, people, racing, shows and events | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

California Strikes Back for Clean Air

California state agencies today announced a series of “dialogue sessions to generate public discussion around proposed measures to support increased zero emission vehicle adoption in California.” The agencies are planning to host three in-person sessions during business hours and one evening session online. If upheld, President Trump’s illegal rollback of the state’s regulations would cost Californians an estimated $45 billion in health care costs.

“In response to illegal federal efforts to revoke California’s clean air waivers, Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order on June 12, 2025. The order directed the California Air Resources Board, the California Energy Commission, Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development, California State Transportation Agency, and Department of Consumer Affairs to assess additional actions to spur light-, medium-, and heavy-duty zero emission vehicle (ZEV) adoption in California, and to deliver formal recommendations for additional actions to the governor in August,” the agencies said. Continue reading

Posted in auto news, economy, energy, environment, fuel economy or emissions, litigation, news analysis, people, public health, transportation, Trump Truth Tests | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Porsche Macan Sales ~60% Electric

Porsche (P911.DE) said today in Stuttgart that it increased its share of electrified vehicles sold during the first half of 2025 to ~36.%  for a 14.5 percentage points increase year-over-year.* These consist of 23.5% fully electric vehicles and 12.6 % plug-in hybrids. The strongest growth among the sports car manufacturer’s six model lines was recorded by the Macan with a 15 % increase.

“The fully electric Macan is making a significant contribution to our proportion of electrified cars,” said Matthias Becker, Board Member for Sales and Marketing at Porsche AG. “Overall, we have succeeded in keeping sales volumes stable and balanced across the sales regions despite ongoing geopolitical challenges. Our customers continue to place great value on individualized vehicles, and we will continue to expand our offerings in this area.” Continue reading

Posted in auto news, connected vehicles, electric vehicles, marketing, news analysis, results, sales | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

IndyCar – Cunning Scott Dixon wins at Mid-Ohio

Veteran IndyCar driver Scott Dixon was  the third different winner in the 2025 NTT IndyCar Series season, in the number 9 Chip Ganassi Racing Honda to the win in the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio Presented by the All-New 2026 Passport yesterday. Dixon scored his record seventh win at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. He made completed all 90 laps on just two pit stops using his considerable “lift and coast” racing skills. His other Mid-Ohio victories were in 2019, 2014, 2012, 2011, 2009 and 2007. Continue reading

Posted in auto news, news analysis, people, racing, results, shows and events | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Happy Fourth of July 2025! Let’s Return to our Founding Ideals

On this day, the Fourth of July 1776, the Continental Congress after considerable debate released our Declaration of Independence. AutoInformed notes that this is or should be our still continuing guide to what were then awakened American ideals. Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Roger Sherman and Robert R. Livingston – the so-called Committee of Five – did much of the enlightenment conceptual work. Jefferson, the most eloquent writer in the Congress, created one of our essential documents with the input of what were 56 men of the opinion that all of us equals could and would work at Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.

Then in the course of human events these ideals led to our following War of Independence. It turns out that these ideas were powerful. So powerful that they were bigger than the despots, Redcoats, Hessians and other mercenaries deployed against us. We overcame this oppression and the Divine Right of Kings against impossible odds with the help of the French. Who also later  added the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor. Continue reading

Posted in AutoInformed Editorial, concept, milestones, news, shows and events | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Nürburgring – BMW M2 CS Beats Audi RS-3 Record

BMW said today that the new BMW M2 CS setsa new benchmark on the legendary Nordschleife racetrack of the Nürburgring on 11 April 2025. Driven by BMW M development engineer Jörg Weidinger, it completed the 12.9-mile Nürburgring-Nordschleife circuit in 7:25.5, beating the previous best time for compact cars by eight seconds. In March Audi set a new record lap in the compact vehicle class on the Nordschleife at 7:33.123 minutes. Depending on the ongoing Trump tariff wars, Audi might still retain the lower price entry point for a top Nordschleife runner., depending on who you value – in currency units – the ~8 seconds in elapsed times. Continue reading

Posted in auto news, electronics, engineering, marketing, milestones, mobility company, new vehicle, news analysis, performance, results, shows and events | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Bungling Fireworks Use Can Cause Tragedies

The Trump administration is amid a political purge of CPSC Board members. It requested earlier this week that the U.S. Supreme Court dismiss three Democratic members appointed by President Biden to seven-year terms on the Consumer Product Safety Commission. They were fired in May by President Trump. However, they were then reinstated by a federal judge.

The Trump mis-administration asked the court for an immediate order to allow the firings to go forward. Lawyers for the commissioners objected of course. More fireworks will be coming here – safe or unsafe for Democracy. Bungling presidencies can cause tragedies too. Continue reading

Posted in AutoInformed Editorial, litigation, news, news analysis, public health, safety, shows and events, Trump Truth Tests | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

U.S. May Trade Deficit increases $11.3 Billion

The U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis said today that the goods and services deficit was $71.5 billion in May, up $11.3 billion from $60.3 billion in April, revised. May exports were $279.0 billion, $11.6 billion less than April exports. May imports were $350.5 billion, $0.3 billion less than April imports.

Noteworthy was that the May deficit with China ($13.9 billion) was the lowest since March 2020 ($11.7 billion). However, May exports to China ($6.6 billion) were the lowest since September 2009 ($5.8 billion). This in the middle of the ongoing Trump Tariff chaos. Continue reading

Posted in auto news, economy, financial results, news, news analysis, Trump Truth Tests | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Penske Automotive Adds Ferrari Dealership in Modena!

Penske Automotive Group (NYSE: PAG)* said today that it has completed the acquisition of the Ferrari dealership in Modena, Italy. Located in Emilia Romagna, the heart of the so-called Italian Motor Valley that is home to Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, Pagani, Ducati and Dallara, this Ferrari dealership expands the PAG’s existing luxury presence in Italy to 29 automotive retail locations. PAG now represents nine Ferrari locations worldwide, including Maranello Classic Parts, the only official Ferrari classic parts distributor in the world. The forecast estimated annualized revenue of the Modena location is $40 million. Continue reading

Posted in auto news, marketing, milestones, mobility company, news analysis, shows and events | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Annals of Marketing – Mercedes-Benz VLE Test Drive

Mercedes-Benz said today that two prototypes of its new Van Electric Architecture (VLE) drove from Stuttgart through the Alps to Rome with only two 15-minute charging stops under “real‑life “driving conditions. Starting in 2026, Mercedes-Benz will launch its newly developed modular and scalable Van Architecture. This new platform is attempting to successfully straddle luxury-focused Grand Limousines and commercial vans where Mercedes has a longstanding market presence. Continue reading

Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, design and styling, electric vehicles, marketing, milestones, mobility company, new vehicle, news analysis, shows and events, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

American Honda Posts Q2 2025 Sales Increase of 8.4%

American Honda said today that it posted sales increases in June, Q2 and thereby leading to relatively strong First Half Sales Increase of 8.4%.

“The Honda and Acura brands continue to buck industry trends with sales increases in June and the second quarter as our strong sales momentum continues through the first half of the year,” said Lance Woelfer, vice president of Auto Sales at American Honda Motor Co. Inc. “Driven by the success of all-new products like the Honda Passport and Acura ADX, and record sales of electrified models we continue to meet customer needs and manage changing market conditions.” Continue reading

Posted in auto news, economy, marketing, news analysis, results, sales | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Toyota Motor North America Q2 Sales up 7.2%

“Steady demand for our Toyota and Lexus brands resulted in strong sales throughout the second quarter,” said Mark Templin, executive vice president and chief operating officer, TMNA. “Our lineup of 32 electrified vehicles was a big part of that draw as they represented over 46% of our sales in June.” Continue reading

Posted in auto news, economy, electric vehicles, marketing, mobility company, news analysis, results, sales, Trump Truth Tests | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment