Tag Archives: autoinformed.com

Online Marketing – Aston Martin Reveals New Configurator

Posted on 20 October 2025 by Ken Zino

Aston Martin with the launch of the most comprehensive update of its online Configurator since it originally debuted four years ago, claims it “is a true gateway to the brand, and the refresh refines and elevates aspects of the user experience to create a truly premium digital presence.” (Marketing Babble alert – AutoCrat>

“Our Configurator is an integral part of the modern Aston Martin customer experience,” said Alex Long, Aston Martin’s Global Marketing Director. “Our digital team has worked closely with Aston Martin’s design studio to shape an experience that is vivid, responsive, and inspirational. It’s essential to us that the quality and richness of Aston Martin’s design, engineering and craftsmanship is faithfully rendered to potential customers.” Continue reading →

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First Look – the 2026 Lexus GX SUV

Posted on 17 October 2025 by Ken Zino

Lexus, the luxury brand of Toyota, said today in a release from Plano, Texas that the 2026 Lexus GX SUV carries over from the prior model year. (The 2026 GX is assembled at the Tahara plant in Japan, and as such is subject to the tariff whims of the bumbling Trump administration – AutoCrat).

“Lexus enthusiasts have long praised the GX’s legendary off-road capability and its ability to tackle rough terrain, taking customers comfortably from errands to remote spaces. The GX is offered in six grades: Premium, Premium+, Luxury, Luxury+, Overtrail and Overtrail+,” Lexus said. Continue reading →

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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

“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.”

Penske Automotive Group’s Third Quarter 2025 Earnings Call is upcoming on 29 October 2025 at 2 pm ET. AutoCrat opines that this is a signal that the earnings will be strong. However, all the usual SEC forward looking statement caveats apply. Continue reading →

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UAW Endorses Graham Platner for U.S. Senate in Maine

Posted on 15 October 2025 by Ken Zino

“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.

“As a U.S. military veteran, oyster farmer, and proud lifelong Mainer, Graham Platner is a true fighter for the working class. His campaign is grounded in rebuilding the American dream for working people who can no longer afford a good life. His service and his background give him the leadership needed to fight for policies that put the needs of workers first and demand bold solutions to our economic and political crises,” the UAW said in a news release. Continue reading →

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

Posted on 15 October 2025 by Ken Zino

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. 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. Continue reading →

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Possible Fires – Hyundai Recalls 2024-2025 Santa Fe SUVs

Posted on 15 October 2025 by Ken Zino

Hyundai Motor America is recalling ~135,386 model year 2024-2025 Santa Fe SUVs. The B+ positive terminal cover on the starter motor assembly 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.

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

“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

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. Continue reading →

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Safety – League of American Bicyclists and IIHS

Posted on 13 October 2025 by Ken Zino

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 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. Continue reading →

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

Posted on 13 October 2025 by Ken Zino

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

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

Stellantis N.V. (NYSE: STLA) 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.* Continue reading →

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Genesis Opens California Design Studio

Posted on 10 October 2025 by Ken Zino

“At Genesis, design is brand and brand is design,” said Luc Donckerwolke, Chief Creative Officer of Genesis. “Genesis Design California is the embodiment of this. It embraces our distinct Korean identity creating a space that inspires creativity. I cannot wait to see that inspiration come to life in the team’s work.” Continue reading →

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Milestones – Mercedes Joins Renewable Carbon Initiative

Posted on 10 October 2025 by Ken Zino

“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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