Tag Archives: Automotive news and analysis

Stellantis Opens All-Makes Bodyshop Repair Label

Posted on 8 September 2026 by Ken Zino

“When customers need body or collision repairs, they want a solution that is reliable and fairly priced. With the Eurorepar Car Service All-makes Bodyshop label, we are bringing together trusted local service, qualified expertise and a broad choice of parts to help customers get their vehicles safely back on the road. It is a natural extension of the Eurorepar Car Service promise: professional care for every car, whatever the make or age,” said Cyril Billard, Stellantis Strategy, Independent Aftermarket and Channels Vice-President and Eurorepar Car Service President. Continue reading →

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Ford Recalls 150,000 Mustangs for Sudden Drive Power Loss

Posted on 7 September 2026 by Ken Zino

“In affected vehicles, the engine compartment wiring harness ground eyelet terminals may experience fatigue fracture. Depending on which ground eyelet fractures, this condition may result in a loss of motive power, loss of right and/or left headlamps, loss of windshield washer fluid pump function, loss of air conditioning, and/or an inoperable engine cooling fan,” Ford said in the mandatory safety defect recall filing made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) this morning. Continue reading →

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AAA – Labor Day Weekend Travelers Face Record Pump Prices

Posted on 3 September 2026 by Ken Zino

“The national average is $4.14, up 4 cents from last week. Continued volatility in the Strait of Hormuz has pushed crude oil prices in the $90 per barrel range. After a record-setting August, this Labor Day weekend is on track to also set a record at the pump. The national average has never been above $4 per gallon on Labor Day. The current Labor Day record is $3.82, set on September 3, 2012. Even though gasoline demand decreases this time of year, typically bringing down gas prices, this year is different due to the high cost of crude oil.,” AAA said in a release. Continue reading →

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Stellantis SUSTAINera Expands Remanufactured Parts Line

Posted on 3 September 2026 by Ken Zino

“Within the SUSTAINera 4R strategy (Reman, Repair, Reuse, Recycle), Remanufacturing plays a central role, as it helps customers and repairers meet growing needs for affordable and sustainable aftermarket solutions with no compromise on quality. All the parts are restored to OEM specifications, with the same performance and warranty as genuine  parts – while reducing environmental impact by saving up to 80% raw materials and enabling up to 40% of non-emitted CO2 compared to new parts, supporting a more resource-efficient approach to mobility,” Stellantis said in a release. Continue reading →

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Milestones – 2 million Visitors at the Mazda Museum

Posted on 2 September 2026 by Ken Zino

Mazda Motor Corporation (MMC 7261.T)* announced yesterday that the cumulative number of visitors to the Mazda Museum, the company’s corporate museum located on its headquarters grounds in Fuchu-cho, Aki-gun, Hiroshima Prefecture, has reached 2 million since its opening in May … Continue reading →

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First Look – Lexus NX Compact Crossover Hybrid SUV

Posted on 1 September 2026 by Ken Zino

Lexus (NYSE: TM, 7203T) offered a world debut of an updated NX on September 1. The compact crossover hybrid model is scheduled to be introduced across global markets from the end of 2026. Presumably as a 2027 model. [However as with all global automakers, Lexus is subject to the tariff whims, resentments and revenge actions of the Trump Mis-Administration. The Lexus NX is made in Cambridge Ontario in Canada – AutoCrat.]* As of the end of July 2026, cumulative sales have reached approximately 1.9 Million units across more than 90 countries and regions, establishing the NX as a core model in the global Lexus SUV lineup. Continue reading →

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Annals of Marketing – Amazon Style Taking Over Car Buying?

Posted on 1 September 2026 by Ken Zino

Plunging market share for traditional giants such as Ford, Vauxhall and even top selling Volkswagen reflects an Amazon-style approach to choosing cars by British motorists, according to an analysis just released by Vehicle Data Global (VDG).*

“The decline for some of Britain’s household car brands was not driven by motorists falling out of love with those badges. Instead, it reflects broader changes in the way people buy products in general, beginning online with feature comparisons before visiting stores or dealer showrooms,” said Ben Hermer, Operations Director of VDG. Consumers now choose cars in a similar way to buying products on Amazon. Continue reading →

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Honda and Alex Palou Win 2026 NTT IndyCar Series Titles

Posted on 31 August 2026 by Ken Zino

“Incredible,” Palou said. “I owe everything to this team. So proud of this team. It is great to have another championship and ready for the next one.” Palou, 29, also became the youngest driver in series history to win five titles. A.J. Foyt was 32 when he earned his fifth championship in 1967. Only Foyt, with seven, and Scott Dixon, with six, have won more IndyCar Series titles than Palou. Continue reading →

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Trump-Conomics = Everybody Loses a U.S.-Canada Trade War

Posted on 28 August 2026 by Ken Zino

AutoInformed fully agrees with CAR and Abraham Lincoln. This is not a U.S. Government of the people, by the people and for the people. AutoInformed is against tariffs by tyrants or kings. Continue reading →

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SAP Races – Porsche sells MHP to Tata Consultancy Services

Posted on 28 August 2026 by Ken Zino

“Porsche is taking another important step in its strategy to focus resolutely on its core business with the transfer of MHP to Tata Consultancy Services,” said Dr Michael Leiters, Chairman of the Executive Board of Porsche AG. “At the same time, we are gaining a strategic partner in TCS. By combining Porsche’s automotive expertise with TCS’s digital technology and AI capabilities, we will further strengthen our innovative power, increase efficiency and boost our competitiveness in an increasingly data- and software-driven world of mobility.” Continue reading →

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BMW to Make New Active Safety Assistance Systems Standard

Posted on 27 August 2026 by Ken Zino

“The broad rollout of our new active safety functions as standard is based on our ‘Smart, Symbiotic, Safe’ philosophy. We bring drivers and assistance systems together into a cooperative system that works in harmony. At BMW, active safety functions operate as quiet, intelligent companions in the background, discreet yet highly effective when it matters most in critical situations,” says Dr. Mihiar Ayoubi, Senior Vice President Driving Experience Development at the BMW Group. Continue reading →

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Police Reports Undercount Cellphone Use Before Crashes

Posted on 27 August 2026 by Ken Zino

“It’s widely accepted that police reports often fail to capture the role of cellphones in crashes. Many smartphone functions are hard for a witness to see, and drivers are reluctant to admit being distracted,” IIHS President David Harkey said. “Telematics are allowing us to understand the true magnitude of the problem.” Continue reading →

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Milestones – Two Million BMW Group BEVs Sold

Posted on 27 August 2026 by Ken Zino

“Selling two million BEVs underlines how BMW and MINI models are winning over customers worldwide. In Europe, the positive development has continued since the market launch of the BMW iX3*, and we will soon be reaching the milestone of 100,000 new orders. This shows the tremendous importance of the Neue Klasse for the ongoing ramp-up of electromobility at the BMW Group,” said Jochen Goller, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Customer, Brands, Sales. Continue reading →

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Annals of Marketing – Volvo Cars Connected Safety Alerts

Posted on 26 August 2026 by Ken Zino

Volvo Cars (VOLCAR B: STO. ADR OTC VLVCY) said today that it is introducing new Connected Safety features to alert drivers of hazards ahead, so they have more time to adapt and drive more safely. As part of the same software … Continue reading →

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August 2026 U.S. New-Vehicle Sales Forecast Down

Posted on 25 August 2026 by Ken Zino

Total U.S. new-vehicle sales for August 2026, including retail and non-retail transactions, are forecast to reach 1,347,600, a 4.8% decrease year-over-year, according to a joint forecast from J.D. Power and GlobalData. August new-vehicle retail sales on track for 6.9% decrease year over year, however annual comparisons are skewed by the EV tax credit pull-ahead effect on sales in 2025. August global light-vehicle sales are expected to decline 5.1% from August 2025 to 6.9 million units. This is a selling rate of 91.5 million units, down by 5.3% year-over-year. Continue reading →

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