Tag Archives: autoinformed.com

IndyCar – Penske Fires Senior Leadership Team

Posted on 21 May 2025 by Ken Zino

Team Penske announced today the departures of IndyCar Team President, Tim Cindric, IndyCar Managing Director, Ron Ruzewski and IndyCar General Manager Kyle Moyer from the organization. The move comes from the turbulence created by an aerodynamic cheating scandal during qualifying for the 119th Indianapolis 500.

“Nothing is more important than the integrity of our sport and our race teams. We have had organizational failures during the last two years, and we had to make necessary changes. I apologize to our fans, our partners and our organization for letting them down,” said Roger Penske, who owns the IndyCar Series and the Speedway. Continue reading →

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Toyota Debuts 2026 RAV4 Compact SUV

Posted on 21 May 2025 by Ken Zino

The 2026 RAV4 also joins Toyota’s list of exclusively electrified models. It will be available with Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) or Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) powertrains. RAV4 also launches new technologies for Toyota, including the Arene software development platform, a new version of the Toyota Audio Multimedia system, and updates to the Toyota Safety Sense active safety suite. Toyota might say customer choice is paramount, but it comes with a bewildering array of options and packages to climb over that are the antonym of the once famous Honda tagline “We Make it Simple.” Continue reading →

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Mobil 1 is Le Mans Sponsor of Cadillac Wayne Taylor Racing

Posted on 20 May 2025 by Ken Zino

Cadillac Racing* said today that the Mobil 1™ brand is its primary sponsor of the No. 101 Cadillac Wayne Taylor Racing V-Series.R** for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Cadillac will contest the 93rd edition of the twice-around-the-clock race on the 8.467-mile course with a four-car factory lineup with drivers who have accumulated 21 Le Mans podiums. The livery has the Mobil 1 logo across the sides and front of the blue and white Hypercar in the top class in endurance racing. Earlier this year, the Mobil 1 team announced an extension of its technical alliance with Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), now making it the Official Motor Oil of Cadillac Racing. Continue reading →

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Annals of Marketing – GM Loyalty Mastercard

Posted on 20 May 2025 by Ken Zino

General Motors (NYSE: GM) said today that it is redesigning its GM Rewards™ loyalty program and announcing the launch of the GM Rewards™ Mastercard® from Barclays US Consumer Bank. The revamped loyalty program is said to be simpler. Moreover, the new card provides customers more ways to earn and redeem GM Rewards points across GM brands for new vehicles, services, parts and accessories. GM Rewards members can also earn and redeem GM Rewards points towards digital services like most OnStar plans and Super Cruise [see footnote 1], the hands-free driver assistance technology which can be used on about 750,000 miles of compatible roads across the U.S. and Canada.

“GM has led the U.S. automotive industry in loyalty for a decade [2], and now we’re rewarding both our new and existing members with easier access to savings opportunities and new ways to engage with us,” said Ralph Darmo, VP of loyalty programs at GM. “Additionally, we’re creating exciting member-exclusive experiences that only GM can provide – such as trackside access at racing events and off-the-grid EV excursions. Cardmembers can use the new GM Rewards Mastercard to earn GM Rewards points from everyday purchases like food, shopping and travel. And you can redeem GM Rewards points towards your next vehicle, for accessories or features to upgrade your vehicle, and for services.” Continue reading →

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BMW Testing an i7 with Solid State Batteries

Posted on 20 May 2025 by Ken Zino

“Our BMW i7 ASSB test vehicle on the road is a perfect example of the BMW Group’s technology-open mindset. We are continuously advancing the development of new battery cell technologies and are constantly expanding our know-how with valuable partners such as Solid Power,” claimed Martin Schuster, Vice President Battery Cell and Cell Module at the BMW Group. Continue reading →

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IndyCar Moves Team Penske Cars to Bottom of Grid!

Posted on 19 May 2025 by Ken Zino

“The integrity of the Indianapolis 500 is paramount, and this violation of the IndyCar rule against modification to this part and using it ‘as supplied’ is clear,” said IndyCar President J. Douglas Boles. “The penalty should be more than simply starting where the cars might have qualified anyway, if given the opportunity. The cars belong in the field as two of the fastest 33. However, starting on the tail of the field is the appropriate penalty in this instance.” Continue reading →

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Autonomous Racing League Season 2 Opens at Yas Marina

Posted on 19 May 2025 by Ken Zino

Abu Dhabi’s Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC) via Aspire today announced the return of its flagship event, the Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League (A2RL). The 2025 edition will take place on 15 November at Yas Marina Circuit with a $2.25 million prize pool and the launch of a global virtual racing series. The announcement was made during the Make it in the Emirates Forum in Abu Dhabi.

“The Emirates Autonomous Vehicle (EAV 24), A2RL’s upgraded autonomous racecar, represents a significant leap in performance and engineering. Assembled and autonomized in the UAE, the vehicle reflects the nation’s growing capabilities in AI, robotics, and high-performance mobility. Built on the proven Super Formula SF23 platform, the EAV-24 has been reengineered to incorporate enhanced sensor arrays, upgraded compute systems, and refined control logic, optimized for the demanding conditions of autonomous racing,” said Aspire. Continue reading →

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Rookie Robert Shwartzman in a Chevy on Indy 500 Pole

Posted on 19 May 2025 by Ken Zino

Robert Shwartzman posted  a four-lap average speed of 232.790 mph in the No. 83 PREMA Racing Chevrolet during the Firestone Fast Six yesterday at the Indianapolis brickyard in Speedway Indiana. PREMA  joined the NTT IndyCar Series this season after years of success in European racing, became the first team to claim the 500 pole in its first attempt since Mayer Motor Racing with driver Tom Sneva took  the pole in 1984. Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Takuma Sato (Honda) and Pato O’Ward (Chevrolet) will join Shwartzman on the front row for the 109th running of the race this Sunday 25 May.* Continue reading →

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UAW Has Tentative Agreement with General Dynamics

Posted on 19 May 2025 by Ken Zino

The UAW said today that it has reached a tentative agreement with General Dynamics – Electric Boat ahead of the UAW Marine Drafters strike deadline of midnight Sunday 18 May. “This agreement comes after an unprecedented mobilization from the union’s membership: 2200 members, or more than 90% of the bargaining unit, signed up to report for picket duty if a strike became necessary,” the UAW said. The five-year agreement, covering more than 2400 workers in Groton who design nuclear submarines, obtains a 30% wage increase over the life of the agreement and an improved wage progression. In total, MDA-UAW members will see a cumulative $115,000 increase in total compensation during the agreement. Continue reading →

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Indy 500 Broadcast Local Delay Lifted for Fox

Posted on 16 May 2025 by Ken Zino

Penske Entertainment said today that the upcoming broadcast of the 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500 will not have the usual broadcast delay for the first ever airing of the race on Fox Sports. Right now it appears that all reserved seating for Race Day will be sold out for the first time since the 100th edition of the race in 2016. Right now, a few tickets remain in the IMS grandstands, with a full reserved seating sellout likely to occur by the checkered flag for Monday’s practice and possibly before the end of PPG Presents Armed Forces Qualifying Weekend, which starts tomorrow. Expanded coverage of the inaugural  Indy 500 on FOX starts on Sunday 25 May at 10 a.m. ET across the country, with the green flag drop  at ~12:45 p.m. ET.

“This year, the greatest race on Earth will host one of its biggest and most memorable crowds in many decades,” said Penske Entertainment President and CEO Mark Miles. “This is a terrific showcase for the NTT IndyCar Series and a great milestone to supercharge our relationship with FOX Sports. It is also absolutely a fitting tribute to the continued leadership and investment of Roger Penske.” Continue reading →

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Toyota Announces an All-New 2026 TRD Pro Color

Posted on 16 May 2025 by Ken Zino

“We had a few years of warm natural hues inspired by traditional landscapes like Terra and Mudbath as signature colors. With Wave Maker, we were inspired by unexplored areas of adventure including extreme territory and even beyond earth,” says Benjamin Jimenez, general manager at CALTY’s Ann Arbor Michigan location. “Wave Maker expresses an elemental spirit that evokes images of glacial depths and the thrill of new frontiers.” Continue reading →

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GMC Hummer EV – 2026 Model Year Adds Carbon Fiber Option

Posted on 16 May 2025 by Ken Zino

“The refreshed Hummer EV enhances an already amazing vehicle with new software innovations and forward-thinking design,” said Al Oppenheiser, GMC Hummer EV chief engineer. “From the start, we aimed to provide Hummer EV owners over-the-air software updates. All 2026 Hummer EV owners will have access to our latest software going forward, allowing new features to be introduced throughout the vehicle’s lifecycle.” Continue reading →

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Toyota Shows All Electric bZ Woodland Mid-size SUV

Posted on 15 May 2025 by Ken Zino

Toyota (NYSE: TM and 7203.T) today showed a new addition to its expansive Battery-Electric Vehicle (BEV) lineup with the first-ever 2026 model year bZ Woodland. The mid-size SUV has standard all-wheel drive with X-MODE®. The combined system net output is a claimed 375 horsepower with a manufacturer-estimated all electric driving range rating of up-to 260 miles. It also brings additional midsize SUV utility, with 8.3-inches of ground clearance, 3,500-pound towing capacity, and available All Terrain tires. The bZ Woodland is the third BEV recently announced by Toyota.* It joins the refreshed bZ small SUV and the all-new C-HR compact crossover, bringing the total number of electrified models in the Toyota lineup to 21 vehicles in a choice of BEV, Hybrid, Plug-in Hybrid, and Fuel Cell (CA and Hawaii only) powertrains. (Ranges and charging times will vary depending on weather and other factors.) Continue reading →

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Demand for Electric Vehicles in U.S. Stable

Posted on 15 May 2025 by Ken Zino

Consumer demand for electric vehicles (EVs) has remained stable, according to the J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Electric Vehicle Consideration (EVC) Study,SM released today.* The study shows that 24% of vehicle shoppers say they are “very likely” to consider purchasing an EV and 35% say they are “somewhat likely,” both of which remain unchanged from a year ago. Continue reading →

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Dr. Norbert Reithofer, Supervisory Board Chair of BMW Retires

Posted on 14 May 2025 by Ken Zino

The BMW Group* (Bayerische Motoren Werke AG ADR BMWYY) said today that Dr. Norbert Reithofer, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of BMW AG since 2015, and closely associated with the company for nearly four decades, is stepping down from his position, effective immediately.

“After 38 years, it is time for me to say goodbye to the BMW Group. It has been an honor to be a part of this exceptional company. I would like to thank all our associates, shareholders and stakeholders for your trust and support,” said Reithofer. “Together, we have overcome tremendous challenges and celebrated unparalleled successes. I firmly believe that the BMW Group will continue to follow its own unique BMW path.” Continue reading →

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