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- UAW to “Practice Pickett” Tomorrow at Woodward MPC
- June 2026 U.S. Auto Sales Forecast Up 3.6%
- BMW Expands Factory Use of Humanoid Robots
- “Disasters” – UAW on NAFTA, U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreements
- Connectivity Snags Haunt Improvements in New-Vehicle Quality
- Trumped! – 2026 Vehicles Sales Forecasts All Down
- Annals of Marketing – Chevrolet Heartbeat of America Revived
- Milestones – Nissan Canton Builds 1 Millionth Frontier Truck
- Porsche AG Board Drastically Cuts 2025 Annual Dividend ~50%
- Ford Recalls Expand – Six More Covering ~172,000 Vehicles
- AAA – Independence Weekend Travel Forecast Flat
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Tag Archives: auto industry commentary
First Look – The 2027 Chevrolet Silverado Pickup
“Silverado has earned truck customers’ trust over decades of hard work in the real world,” said Scott Bell, vice president of Global Chevrolet. “With the Next-Generation 2027 Silverado 1500, we’re taking that legacy forward by building the most capable, refined and advanced Silverado lineup we’ve ever offered.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, design and styling, engineering, marketing, mobility company, new vehicle, opinions
Tagged 2027 Chevrolet Silverado, 2027 Silverado 1500 High Country, 2027 Silverado 1500 Work Truck, 2027 Silverado 1500 ZR2, American Expedition Vehicles, auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Flint Engine Operations, Ken Zino commenting as AutoCrat, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Mark Dickens, Phil Zak, Scott Bell, Silverado 1500, Tonawanda Propulsion, X @KenAutoinformed, ZR2 Bison Edition
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Ford Bronco, Maverick Recalls for Front Suspension Failures
Ford Motor Company (NYSE Ford) is recalling 2021-2026 model-year Bronco Sport and 2022-2026 model-year Maverick light trucks. The front lower control arm ball joints may have been incorrectly installed or incorrectly repaired at the vehicle assembly plant, allowing the control arm to disconnect from the front wheel knuckle. Owners should not drive the trucks until the recall has been performed.
“An incorrect assembly or repair that results in partial engagement of the ball stud to the knuckle may result in lower control arm ball joint separation from the knuckle which may result in loss of vehicle control while driving, increasing the risk of crash,” Ford said in the mandatory safety defect recall d filling made public by the National Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) yesterday. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, manufacturing, quality, recalls, safety
Tagged .Ford Bronco and Maverick suspension recall 26S36, auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ford Hermosillo Stamping and Assembly Plant, Ken Zino commenting as AutoCrat, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, NHTSA Bronco Maverick recall suspension recall 26V340 or 26V-340, X @KenAutoinformed
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UAW Local 2093 Members Ratify New American Axle Contract
“Not only did they take care of the legacy people that were here and made the tough decisions back in 2008 to keep the place open, they took care of the people working there today,” said UAW Region 1D Director Steve Dawes. “They also took care of all the future generations that will come to work here in Three Rivers, Michigan, at American Axle.”
Over the ten-day strike, UAW Local 2093 members attracted the interest and support of local community and political allies from across the state, including Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, State Senator Sean McCann, Three Rivers Mayor Angel Johnston, U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, candidate for Michigan Attorney General Eli Savit, among others. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, labor issues, litigation, manufacturing, news analysis, people, shows and events
Tagged Abdul El-Sayed, auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Ken Zino commenting as AutoCrat, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist, State Senator Sean McCann, UAW Local 2093, UAW President Shawn Fain, X @KenAutoinformed
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Affordability – Used Vehicle Prices Hit Three Year High!
The Cox Automotive analysis of vAuto Live Market View data released today show used-vehicle inventory increased in May as the retail sales pace braked.* Average listing prices rose for the third consecutive month, reaching $26,918, the highest since mid-2023 and … Continue reading
Posted in aftermarket, auto news, customer satisfaction, economy, news analysis, prices, transportation, Trump Truth Tests
Tagged auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Cox Automotive, kelley blue book, Ken Zino commenting as AutoCrat, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Scott Vanner, vAuto Live Market View data, X @KenAutoinformed
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Why Wars Are Costing Motorists So Much
From our friends across the pond comes a timely warning today about wars and government fuel economy policies. [AutoInformed is thinking here about the relaxation of fuel economy standards by the Trump mis-administration, as well as its foreign wars and … Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, fuel economy or emissions, news analysis, opinions, people, prices, transportation, Trump Truth Tests
Tagged auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ben Hermer, Iran conflict, Ken Zino commenting as AutoCrat, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, motorists' exposure to global conflict, Ukraine war, Vehicle Data Global, X @KenAutoinformed
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Mixed Results on Trump Auto Tariff, Policy Scorecards
Plante Moran shared its North American Production Outlook 2026 – 2033 forecast with the Society of Automotive Analysts this week. It is investigating at the mid-2026 point how electrification continues to influence auto industry direction as the year unfolds. The estimable mega-consulting firm that deals in audit, tax, consulting, and wealth management globally has a significant advisory presence in the auto industry. It says changes are coming later this decade and into the early 2030s.
“The North American production volume outlook for growth remains, but we’re seeing some geographic shifts, mostly to the US. And amount of this growth will be encountered in the later years of our projections,” said Dan Lee, principal at the Southfield, MI office. And that’s largely due to the delays in EV adoption that we’ve seen whether that’s planned to be paused or not.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, economy, financial results, labor issues, manufacturing, news analysis, opinions, shows and events, transportation, Trump Truth Tests
Tagged auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Dan Lee, Ken Zino commenting as AutoCrat, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Plante Moran, Society of Automotive Analysts, USMCA tariff volume, X @KenAutoinformed
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Striking UAW Reaches Tentative Agreement at American Axle
After walking out on strike at midnight on June 1, UAW Local 2093 members at American Axle/Dauch Corporation have reached a tentative agreement with the company, the UAW said last night. The as yet unratified contract gets the workers’ “topline demand” of $30 per hour by 2030, a more than 36% increase to the top wage rate over four years. The UAW claimed there are other “historic gains in a record contract” at the Tier 1 parts supplier to GM.
“Tonight, after 10 days on strike, I am proud to announce that UAW Local 2093 has reached a tentative agreement at American Axle,” said UAW President Shawn Fain. “And tonight, after 18 years of sacrifice, these workers are finally winning back a big chunk of what was taken from them.” Continue reading
Posted in blog, customer satisfaction, economy, labor issues, litigation, manufacturing, opinions, people, shows and events
Tagged Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America, auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Josh Jager, Ken Zino commenting as AutoCrat, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Steve Dawes, uaw, UAW Local 2093 members at American Axle, UAW President Shawn Fain, X @KenAutoinformed
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Large Honda and Acura Recall Started for Suspension Failures
Dealers will inspect the rear sub-frame and install a rear sub-frame reinforcement kit and, as necessary, repair or replace the rear sub frame components, free of charge as required by U.S. law. Owner notification letters are not expected to be mailed until 7 July 2026. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, news analysis, quality, recalls, safety
Tagged American Honda Motor Co., auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Honda Acura rear suspension recall NHTSA 26V367 or 26V-367, Honda recalls AOU and AOT, Ken Zino commenting as AutoCrat, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, X @KenAutoinformed
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Harley‑Davidson On-Shoring Motorcycle Production
Harley-Davidson, Inc. (NYSE: HOG) said this week that it is bringing production of the Revolution® Max platform for North America back to the United States as part of the Company’s so-called Back to the Bricks strategy. [The venerable company has been clobbered by Trump Administration economic policies – AutoCrat.]. The move returns machining, powertrain assembly, painting, and final vehicle assembly work back to Harley-Davidson facilities in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, with union jobs. The motorcycles are Pan America, Sportster® S, and Nightster models. The production transition is expected to be completed ahead of the start of Model Year 2028 production in 2027. Harley-Davidson expects to manufacture more than 100,000 motorcycles out of the Company’s York, Pennsylvania facility in 2027. Continue reading
Posted in customer satisfaction, economy, financial results, labor issues, manufacturing, marketing, motorcycles, news analysis, opinions, sales, shows and events, Trump Truth Tests
Tagged America and Sportster® S and Nightster motorcycles, Artie Starrs, auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Bill Davidson, Harley-Davidson Motor Company, Ken Zino commenting as AutoCrat, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, X @KenAutoinformed
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Vehicle Affordability – Price Increases Small as Incentives Grow
“Average transaction prices are rising 2 – 4% year-over-year across key vehicle segments, powered by a convergence of product cycles and supply dynamics,” said Erin Keating, Executive Analyst, Cox Automotive, the parent company of KBB. “Redesigned SUVs from Toyota, Kia, Jeep, and Hyundai are commanding higher prices out of the gate, while Ford’s F-Series production constraints are tightening truck inventory, lifting average transaction prices, with freshened Ram pickup stepping in to capture buyers at the premium end,” said Keating. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, economy, manufacturing, marketing, opinions, prices, transportation
Tagged auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, average vehicle transaction prices, Cox Automotive, Erin Keating, Incentive spending, kelley blue book, Ken Zino commenting as AutoCrat, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, X @KenAutoinformed
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Beware! Catalytic Converters are Pursued by Thieves
“There are a wide range of vehicles impacted, and most of these are pickup trucks and SUVs, which tend to sit higher off the ground, making it easier for thieves to get in and out,” said Patrick Olsen, Editor-in-Chief at CARFAX. “Experts also tell us that while thieves can make anywhere from $25-$300 for a standard catalytic converter, converters from hybrid vehicles can sell for up to $1400 because they have even more of those precious metals inside.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, fools 'n frauds, insurance, news analysis, opinions, safety, transportation
Tagged auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Catalytic Converter thefts, Ken Zino commenting as AutoCrat, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Patrick Olsen, pickup truck and SUV catalytic converter thefts growing., X @KenAutoinformed
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June 2026 Light Vehicle Production Forecast So-So
S&P Global Mobility’s May forecast released today noted that Geopolitical risk around the Middle East and the Strait of Hormuz keeps oil risks elevated, with “higher for longer” pricing still a base case and possible shipping/logistics hiccups. The biggest shift is a more constrained outlook for China light-vehicle demand, translating into lower sales and production. Continue reading →