Tag Archives: autoinformed.com

Used Ford Vehicles Now for Sale on Amazon Autos

Posted on 19 November 2025 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor (NYSE: F)* said earlier this week that customers can now shop for, finance and purchase Ford Blue Advantage certified pre-owned (CPO) Ford vehicles on Amazon Autos (NASDAQ: AMZN). Key, however, is that the business relationship remains with the participating Ford dealer. Amazon enables the transaction. All follow-up, service, and privacy matters are handled by the dealer, not Amazon. Initially only a small number of dealers are participating.

“This new collaboration allows customers to browse a participating local dealer’s inventory directly through Amazon’s website, complete most of the paperwork online, and then schedule a convenient time to pick up the selected vehicle,” said Wendy Lane is senior manager of Ford Blue Advantage vehicles. Continue reading →

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The American Story Debuts at National Archives Museum

Posted on 18 November 2025 by Ken Zino

The National Archives Museum said today that it will open its new flagship exhibition, The American Story, on Friday 21 November to celebrate America’s semi-quincentennial. The American Story brings more than two million historic records to life.

“The American Story is boldly presented in this exciting new exhibition that blends 250 years of history with the latest technologies to create a one-of-a-kind museum experience. Millions of records in the National Archives shine light on America’s exceptional people – from the founding to present day – now digitized and waiting to be explored. We encourage visitors from across the United States and around the world to add this new museum to their Washington, DC itineraries and experience The American Story,” said Jim Byron, Senior Advisor to the Archivist of the United States. Continue reading →

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Software Safety – Honda Recalls ~256,000 Accord Hybrids

Posted on 18 November 2025 by Ken Zino

American Honda said today that it is voluntarily recalling ~256,000 model-year 2023-2025 Honda Accord Hybrid vehicles in the U.S. that may have incorrect software programming.

“Due to improper software programming by a supplier [Astemo Indiana, Inc. – AutoCrat] the Integrated Control Module (ICM) may reset while the vehicle is in operation, which can cause loss of power while driving, increasing the risk of a crash or injury,” Honda said. Continue reading →

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Open House at Under Construction Ford World Headquarters

Posted on 17 November 2025 by Ken Zino

Yesterday Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) held what it called a grand opening of the  new World Headquarters, aka Henry Ford II World Center, although construction continues on the 2.1-million-square-foot headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan. [Local media said the event was sparsely attended with only a couple of hundred people. Autoinformed was not invited – AutoCrat]

“Like Ford Motor Company, this building is meant to last. We’ve used durable, timeless, and consistent materials, in a layout that can be adapted to accommodate future changes in décor and technology. When completed in 2027, it will accommodate 4000 employees, twice as many as our former World Headquarters, the Glass House. It is also more centrally located, within a 15-minute walk of other Ford buildings where 14,000 Ford employees work,” Jennifer Kolstad is global design and brand director at Ford. Continue reading →

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Doug Kalitta is NHRA Top Fuel Champion Again

Posted on 17 November 2025 by Ken Zino

Toyota (NYSE: TM, 7203T) said today that Doug Kalitta officially secured his second NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Top Fuel World Championship. For Kalitta this was his second world title in the last three seasons.

“Yeah, this [clinching the championship before race day] is definitely a lot easier than 2023. It always seemed to come down to the last race, last day, but we had a nice string of runs throughout the Countdown. Alan [Johnson, crew chief] and my whole Mac Tools Toyota team have had my car going down the track. It’s been really nice, and just getting good, solid runs. Alan is always throwing down and always has something up his sleeve. So, I’m just really proud of him and my whole team. It’s a huge relief to be able to win the championship before the last round at the last race, and we’re all just super happy.” Continue reading →

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Mazda Begins Test of Onboard CO2 Capture System

Posted on 17 November 2025 by Ken Zino

Mazda Motor Corporation (MMC 7261.T)  today announced that it has begun demonstration experiments of Mazda Mobile Carbon Capture, Mazda’s unique CO2 capture system in a popular endurance racing series in Japan, with a wide range of car models.

“Mazda aims to realize mobility where ‘driving more leads to CO₂ reduction’ by 2035. Mazda believes that if its vehicles run on carbon-neutral fuel and capture the CO₂ emitted, it will be possible to reduce the amount of CO₂ in the atmosphere in proportion to the distance traveled,” the Japanese company said. Continue reading →

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UAW Visiting Capitol Hill on 2026 USMCA Renewal

Posted on 14 November 2025 by Ken Zino

This week, UAW members from the Agricultural Implements sector went to Capitol Hill to talk about “the devastating impact of bad trade deals, and fight layoffs and plant closures across the agricultural implements and construction equipment sector.” “The American taxpayer … Continue reading →

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Brexit – Angry Voter Costs Greater Than Said. Trump Parallels Abound

Posted on 13 November 2025 by Ken Zino

In a paper published in November and brought to AutoInformed’s attention today by The Hutchins Center on Fiscal and Monetary Policy at the estimable Brookings Institute, angry voters in the United Kingdom who overwhelming approved leaving the European Union in the so-called Brexit* referendum resulted in shrinking the UK GDP by 6% to 8% by 2025. The exhaustive research paper was authored by Nicholas Bloom, Philip Bunn, Paul Mizen, Pawel Smietanka and Gregory Thwaites.**

The negative economic effects began after the 2016 referendum. They intensified following the UK’s formal exit in 2020. This paper in AutoInformed’s view is directly relevant to Trump’s Tariff Chaos and is a harbinger of still larger negative effects to come. Continue reading →

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Milestones – Audi F1 at Munich Brand Experience Center

Posted on 13 November 2025 by Ken Zino

More than three months before its first race in Formula 1, Audi provided a preview of its presence at its Brand Experience Center in Munich. Just like in future production models, Audi will bring uncompromising clarity to the racetrack and beyond. Carefully crafted statements were made by Audi CEO Gernot Döllner, the Head of Audi F1 Project Mattia Binotto, Team Principal Jonathan Wheatley, and Audi Chief Creative Officer Massimo Frascella.

“Our entry into Formula 1 is part of something bigger. It’s the next step in the company’s renewal, designed to strengthen our competitiveness on the global stage. In Formula 1, every second counts. Success demands performance, precision and teamwork. This mindset will drive a new performance culture across the entire company and a catalyst for change towards a leaner, faster, and more innovative Audi,” said Audi CEO Gernot Döllner. Continue reading →

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Trump Tariffs – Toyota to Invest ~$10 Billion In U.S. Ops

Posted on 13 November 2025 by Ken Zino

Toyota Motor Corporation has announced an additional investment of up to $10 billion in the United States during the next five years. This will bring the company’s total U.S. investment to ~$60 billion since beginning operations in the U.S. about … Continue reading →

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Volkswagen Joins the Tesla Supercharger Network Party

Posted on 12 November 2025 by Ken Zino

Volkswagen of America today announced that its ID.4 and ID. Buzz owners will be able to access the Tesla Supercharger network of 25,000 NACS Partner DC fast chargers, beginning November 18th. To enable the ID.4 and ID. Buzz vehicles to use the network, customers must purchase a Volkswagen-approved NACS adapter that will allow compatible Volkswagen electric vehicles to charge using the North American Charging System (NACS) fast charger plug. [Volkswagen is late to the Supercharger party – AutoCrat]

“This is great news for our EV owners,” said Petar Danilovic, Senior Vice President, Product Marketing and Strategy, Volkswagen of America. “They will now be able to access the more than 25,000 DC fast chargers on the Tesla Supercharger network across the United States, in addition to the more than 5,000 fast chargers on Electrify America’s grid. This makes life much more convenient, whether you are taking a road trip or you rely on public charging should home charging not be an option.” Continue reading →

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Detroit Auto Show Racing Day Returns in 2026

Posted on 12 November 2025 by Ken Zino

The Detroit Auto Show today said that Racing Day will take place on Tuesday, 20 January 2026. Claimed [but not named – AutoCrat] participants are “some of the top stars of motorsports world-class race cars, and interactive experiences throughout the course of the day.” For more details, visit detroitautoshow.com.

“Racing Day presented by the Detroit Grand Prix will rev up the Detroit Auto Show at Huntington Place in Downtown Detroit on January 20, with motorsports taking center stage as part of the growing collaboration between two of Detroit’s most iconic events,” the Auto Show claimed. Continue reading →

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Annals of Marketing – Porsche Credit Card

Posted on 11 November 2025 by Ken Zino

In Stuttgart today Porsche said that the new Porsche Card offers more than just the simple payment function, it is the key to the Porsche world.*

“‘Feel Porsche in every moment’ – With this motto, the new Porsche Card promises the Porsche spirit in credit card format. The comprehensive service package is specially tailored to Porsche customers and focuses on experiences, comfort and convenience. At the heart of the card are services from the areas of Porsche Family, Exclusive Lifestyle, Mobility and Peace of Mind. Popular benefits such as free Avis Priority airport parking or the comprehensive insurance package have been retained and expanded to include many other services,” Porsche said. Continue reading →

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Tariff Chaos – Honda All-Terrain Factory to Build More Parts

Posted on 11 November 2025 by Ken Zino

Today Honda announced a $9.658 million investment to modernize its North Carolina Manufacturing (NCM) plant to let build more parts. The new investment is likely to exceed $9.6 million and create 18 new non-union jobs.*

“By equipping Honda North Carolina Manufacturing with important new capabilities to build key parts for our products right here at the facility, we can continue growing our ATV business in North Carolina,” said Lynne Hedrick, site lead at NCM. “We are grateful for the continued support from Alamance County and look forward to the benefits this investment will provide to our associates and the region.”** Continue reading →

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Takata Recall Haunts BMW X5 SUVs

Posted on 10 November 2025 by Ken Zino

BMW of North America (BMW) is recalling more than 5000 model year 2000-2001 X5 SUVs that may be equipped with a sport steering wheel containing a Takata PSDI-4 air bag inflator (TK Global LLC). The inflator may explode during deployment due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

“Certain vehicles may contain a sport steering wheel equipped with a Takata driver’s front air bag module that contains a PSDI-4 inflator that could have been installed as a replacement / spare part. The originally equipped did not contain an inflator with ammonium nitrate,” BMW said in the mandatory safety defect recall filing made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration this morning (NHTSA). Continue reading →

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