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Tag Archives: auto industry commentary
First Look – Genesis X Skorpio Concept
Genesis this week unveiled the X Skorpio Concept, an off-road vehicle designed to perform within demanding terrain including deserts. This happened in Rub’ al Khali “Empty Quarter” desert in the UAE.* “The X Skorpio concept is an extreme off-road vehicle … Continue reading
Posted in auto news, concept, marketing, milestones, performance, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, desert environments, desert in Rub’ al Khali, extreme off-road performance vehicles, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, Luc Donckerwolke, X @KenAutoinformed
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Porsche Head of Design – Sühlmann Succeeds Mauer
Porsche AG (P911.DE) said today that a generational change will see Tobias Sühlmann (46 left) succeed Michael Mauer (63 right) as Head of Design at Porsche from 1 February 2026. Sühlmann comes from, ahem, the British sports car manufacturer McLaren. … Continue reading
Posted in auto news, design and styling, news analysis, people
Tagged auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Bentley, Bugatti, Dr. Michael Leiters, ferdinand alexander porsche, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, McLaren, Michael Mauer, Pforzheim University of Applied Sciences, Tobias Sühlmann, volkswagen, X @KenAutoinformed
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EVs Outsell Internal Combustion Vehicles in EU!
EV sales outsold internal combustion vehicles in EU during December 2025, according to data published today by the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association. Notably, Tesla at 150,504 dropped -38% for the year. Chinese maker BYD at 128,827 posted a 228% increase. [aka ACEA at AutoInformed after its original French name].* EV sales for the full year amounted to 17.4% of the European market. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, economy, electric vehicles, environment, fuel economy or emissions, global warming, manufacturing, marketing, milestones, news analysis, public health, results, sales, transportation
Tagged acea, auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Chinese maker BYD, Death of the diesel, European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, tesla, X @KenAutoinformed
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Volvo Car Financial Services Extends BoA Deal
Volvo Car Financial Services (VCFS) and Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) today announced the extension of their long-standing relationship to provide auto loan and lease origination, financing, and servicing for Volvo Cars customers and Volvo Cars’ 280 U.S. retailers.* The collaboration, which began in 2012, will now continue through 2030. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, marketing, prices, sales
Tagged auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Bank of America, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, Robert Manna, Roger Boschulte, Vehicle and Home Lending Products at Bank of America, VOLCAR-B.STO, X @KenAutoinformed
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Tesla, Toyota Top Power 2026 U.S. ALG Residual Value Awards
“Strong wholesale retention, solid brand value and a disciplined approach on rental fleet and incentives propelled Toyota to the top spot among mainstream brands,” said Danny Battaglia, managing director of ALG customer success at J.D. Power. “Toyota topped six segments for 2026, including a four-peat for GR Supra and five-peat for Tundra. Meanwhile, Tesla avoided the high incentives of other luxury battery electric vehicle brands in 2025. That helped earn it the top rank among luxury brands with the highest performers in three segments–including the refreshed Model Y, which included introduction of a lower-priced base version and additional content on mid-level trims.” Continue reading
Posted in aftermarket, auto news, marketing, news analysis, prices, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Danny Battaglia, J.D. Power 2026 U.S. ALG Residual Value Awardssm, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, X @KenAutoinformed
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Fire Risk – Ford Recalls Escape, Explorer, Focus, MKC Models
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F)* is recalling more than 119,000 model-year 2013-2018 Focus, 2013-2019 Escape, 2024 Ford Explorer and 2015-2016 MKC vehicles equipped with a 2-liter engine. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it … Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, manufacturing, news analysis, public health, quality, recalls, safety
Tagged auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, EBH fires, Engine Block Heater fires, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, NHTSA Recall 26V012 or 26V-012, NHTSA Recall26V011 or 26V-011, X @KenAutoinformed
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Pessimism on the Economy – A Pox on Both Parties
During January 2025, 70% of voters said that “inflation or costs of goods” were getting worse for people like them. One year later, that figure has remained largely unchanged, with 74% of voters now saying that inflation is getting worse, according to the latest polling this week by Data for Progress (DFP).
“Despite Trump’s campaign promises, voters’ perceptions of the economy have not improved since he took office. But in a warning sign for Democrats, voters are still largely split over which party has solutions to lower the cost of living,” said DFP. Continue reading
Posted in customer satisfaction, economy, news, news analysis, people, Trump Truth Tests
Tagged auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, cost of living, Data for Progress, Democratic Party, grocery prices, housing costs, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, Republican Party, voters’ perceptions of the economy, X @KenAutoinformed
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Nissan Sells South African Plants to Chery SA
Nissan and Chery SA, a subsidiary of Chinese automaker Chery Group** [China’s Number One exporter with more than 100,000 employees and sales in 132 countries or regions. AutoCrat*], said today they have reached agreement on the acquisition of Nissan’s manufacturing assets in Rosslyn, South Africa. Subject to the fulfilment of certain conditions, including regulatory approvals, Chery SA will purchase the land, buildings and associated assets of the Nissan facilities, including of its nearby stamping plant, in mid-2026.
“Nissan has a long and proud history in South Africa and has been working to find the best solution for our people, our customers and our partners. External factors have had a well-known impact on the utilization of the Rosslyn plant and its future viability within Nissan. Through this agreement we’re able to secure employment for the majority of our workforce thereby also preserving opportunities for our supplier network. This move also ensures that the Rosslyn site will continue contributing to the South African automotive sector,” claimed Jordi Vila, Nissan Africa President. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, financial results, manufacturing, milestones, news analysis, results, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Bidvest, Chery Group, Jordi Vila, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, Nissan and Chery SA, X @KenAutoinformed
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January 2026 U.S. Auto Sales Forecast Down
“January is historically the lowest volume sales month of the year and is also historically the least indicative of full-year sales performance. Nevertheless, January opens 2026 with a modest performance with retail sales expected to increase by 1317 units compared to a year ago,” said Thomas King, president of OEM solutions at J.D. Power. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, economy, electric vehicles, environment, global warming, manufacturing, marketing, news analysis, results, sales
Tagged auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, David Oakley, GlobalData, j.d power, J.D. Power and GlobalData, January 2026 U.S. Auto Sales, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, Thomas King, Tyson Jominy, X @KenAutoinformed
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FDIC Conditionally Approves Ford Credit Industrial Bank
“I am excited to share that Ford Credit’s global banking footprint is taking a significant step forward. Following conditional approval from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and the Utah Department of Financial Institutions, we are set to launch a U.S. industrial bank in Salt Lake City,” said Cathy O’Callaghan is president and CEO of Ford Credit. Continue reading
Posted in news analysis
Tagged auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Cathy O’Callaghan, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Frank Stepan, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, Salt Lake City, Utah Department of Financial Institutions, X @KenAutoinformed
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First Look – 2026 Mercedes-AMG F1 W17 Racer
The Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team today unveiled the first images of its 2026 car, the Mercedes-AMG F1 W17 E PERFORMANCE. Race drivers George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, at the carbon fiber wheel of the W17, completed 67 laps of the Silverstone 2.979 km circuit, combining for almost 200 km of total mileage. The 2026 season inarguably the biggest technical revamp in the sport’s history, with all-new chassis, Power Unit, and fuel regulations.
“Formula One will undergo significant change in 2026, and we are prepared for that transition. The new regulations demand innovation and absolute focus across every area of performance. Our work on the new car, and the long-term development of the Power Unit and advanced sustainable fuels with PETRONAS, reflects that approach” said Toto Wolff, Team Principal & CEO. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, design and styling, electronics, engineering, marketing, milestones, news analysis, people, performance, racing, shows and events
Tagged Andrew Shovlin, auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Doriane Pin, George Russell, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes-AMG F1 W17 Racer, Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team, PETRONAS, Toto Wolff, X @KenAutoinformed
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Volvo EX60 Mid-Size SUV Debuts
Volvo Cars* today revealed the all-electric Volvo EX60 mid-size SUV. This is Chinese owned Volvo Cars’ first entry in the largest electric segment globally.** In theory this allows it to substantially increase its addressable market and electric market share. [Sales … Continue reading
Posted in alternative fuels, connected vehicles, electric vehicles, engineering, environment, marketing, mobility company, new vehicle, news analysis, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Geely Holding, Håkan Samuelsson, HuginCore, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, NVIDIA and Qualcomm Technologies, Volvo SPA3 platform, X @KenAutoinformed
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First Look – the 2027 E-Z-GO Liberty
Textron E-Z-GO (NYSE: TXT) today announced the next generation of its g E-Z-GO® Liberty™ vehicle for the 2027 model year. It’s said to be redesigned from the ground up to offer an unparalleled ride in a neighborhood or on the golf course.* Liberty will be available as a street-legal “low-speed vehicle,” or LSV, meeting the federally required FMVSS 500 and voluntary SAE J2358 standards, with a maximum speed of 25 mph and the qualifications to travel on most public roads with posted speed limits of 35 mph or less. E-Z-GO Liberty will be available this summer from E-Z-GO authorized dealers. Continue reading
Posted in electric vehicles, marketing, new vehicle, transportation
Tagged android auto, apple carplay, auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, E-Z-GO ELiTE series vehicles, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, Samsung SDI lithium battery technology, Textron E-Z-GO, X @KenAutoinformed
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GM Spending $30M at Fairfax to Flex EV and ICE Making
“For us, this work is more than building vehicles – it’s building a legacy. General Motors has been a place where families grow their careers across generations, including my own,” Fairfax Plant Director Michael Youngs said. “The investment in people isn’t just about preparing for the production of new vehicles; it’s about giving our people the opportunity to build a future their families can be proud of.” Continue reading →