Tag Archives: Automotive news and analysis

Toyota Motor Q2 FY 2026 Net Income Drops 7%

Posted on 5 November 2025 by Ken Zino

Today, Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE: TM, 7203T) posted FY 2026 Q2 [1 April 2025 through 30 September 2025- AutoCrat] results that showed total consolidated vehicle unit sales increased globally by 227,000,+ 5.0% to 4,783,000. However, net income attributable to Toyota Motor Corporation was 1,773.4 billion yen, a decrease of 133.6 billion yen or -7.0% compared with FY2025 first half. Nonetheless, Toyota increased its fiscal-year profit forecast. Toyota maintains that its products and sales outside the United States would counter the negative effects of  of U.S. President Donald Trump’s import tariffs. The world’s largest automaker forecasts an operating profit of 3.4 trillion yen (~$22.6 billion) for the financial year ending March 26, a jump of +6% from the 3.2 trillion yen it formerly forecast. Continue reading →

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Polestar to Use Google Maps Live Lane Guidance

Posted on 4 November 2025 by Ken Zino

Polestar* (Nasdaq: PSNY), the struggling Swedish electric car brand facing de-listing by Nasdaq, said today that it will become the first automotive OEM to integrate Google Maps’ new live lane guidance into the driver display in one of its vehicles. The applies to cars with Google built-in. “It will help drivers stay on course with ease while navigating complex highways and intense rush-hour traffic.”

“Over the past five years, Polestar’s collaboration with Google has delivered many new features for Polestar owners. Live lane guidance continues the path of Polestar’s driver centric UX strategy, reducing driver stress and improving safety by making missed exits and last-minute lane changes much less of a worry,” said Sid Odedra, Head of UI/UX at Polestar. Continue reading →

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BMW Motorrad Shows 2027 F 450 GS

Posted on 4 November 2025 by Ken Zino

BMW Motorrad USA in conjunction with its global siblings revealed the new 2027 BMW F 450 GS. It’s said to be a completely redesigned, new construction for the 48 horsepower 400 – 500 cc class.

“With the new BMW F 450 GS, BMW Motorrad presents a genuine BMW GS in the 48 hp A2 class. It embodies the essence of a GS: Get on, twist the throttle, have fun – with full control and maximum confidence. Its low weight, superior performance and perfect balance between agility and stability ensure a particularly intuitive riding experience. Thanks to its precise handling and typical GS expertise, it performs impressively both on and off the road. The F 450 GS is the perfect ‘best buddy’ for every riding situation. It is uncomplicated, robust, and always ready. It sets the benchmark for sporty adventure bikes in its class.” Markus Flasch, CEO BMW Motorrad. Continue reading →

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Stellantis Factory Booster Day Held in Detroit

Posted on 4 November 2025 by Ken Zino

Stellantis (NYSE: STLA. STLAM.MI)* held today the 10th annual edition of its Factory Booster Day at the Conner Center – aka Conner Avenue Assembly – in Detroit. This year’s event saw 80 invited participants showing more than 100 “solutions” aimed at transforming the future of industrial operations.

“Factory Booster Day is not just an event, it’s a reflection of our manufacturing culture and global collaboration,” said Tim Fallon, Senior Vice President, Global Head of Stellantis Production Way. “By empowering our teams and partnering with startups and suppliers, we co-create smart solutions that drive quality, agility and sustainability across Stellantis.

“Together, we are building the future of manufacturing. Through an Open Challenge process, plant leaders invited suppliers and startups to pitch ideas for improving manufacturing processes, making Factory Booster Day a global showcase for practical, forward-thinking solutions delivered through both physical and virtual demonstrations,” said Fallon. Continue reading →

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Goodyear Tire Posts Q3 2025 Loss of $2.2 Billion

Posted on 3 November 2025 by Ken Zino

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company (NASDAQ:GT)* posted Q3 2025 results today that showed a net loss of $2.2 billion ($7.62 per share) compared to a Goodyear net loss of $37 million (13 cents per share) a year ago. Third quarter 2025 adjusted net income was $82 million compared to adjusted net income of $102 million in Q3 of last year. Adjusted earnings per share was $0.28, compared to $0.36 (diluted) in Q3 2024.

“We delivered a meaningful increase in segment operating income relative to the second quarter in an industry environment that continued to be marked by global trade disruption,” said Mark Stewart, chief executive officer and president. “This growth underscores our strong product portfolio and the consistency of our execution under the Goodyear Forward plan, both of which we expect to support further acceleration in our earnings during the fourth quarter.” Continue reading →

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Air Bag Deployments – NHTSA Investigating Honda Odysseys

Posted on 3 November 2025 by Ken Zino

Late last week in spite of the Republican led government shutdown, The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) at DOT opened an engineering analysis into inadvertent air bag deployments on 2018-2022 model year Honda Odyssey minivans manufactured by American Honda Motor Company. More than 440,000 vehicles are involved. Most government workers are doing their jobs without pay. House Republicans aren’t working of course, but receiving full pay and benefits.*

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 18 complaints, and some Early Warning Reporting (EWR) and death & injury reports alleging inadvertent air bag deployment. These inadvertent deployments relate to the side curtain and/or side thorax air bags used in model year 2018-2022 Honda Odyssey models. Continue reading →

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UAW Endorses Sherrod Brown for US Senate

Posted on 3 November 2025 by Ken Zino

The UAW today officially endorsed Sherrod Brown for US Senate. Approximately 100,000 active and retired UAW members live and vote in Ohio. The UAW Ohio CAP (Community Action Program) Council formally voted to endorse Brown and said it will mobilize hundreds of thousands of working-class Ohioans to elect Brown to the US Senate.

“Sherrod is more than an ally of the UAW; he is an honorary union brother,” said UAW Region 2B Director Dave Green. “Ohioans don’t need another representative who leaves us wondering whose side they’ll be on when it matters. We know exactly where Sherrod Brown stands, because he has been in the fight with the UAW and the working-class time and time again. I am proud of our members for committing to elect working-class fighters like Sherrod.” Continue reading →

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Volkswagen ID – Money Back in 100 Days

Posted on 3 November 2025 by Ken Zino

In a marketing move that likely will have international implications, Volkswagen* in the U.K. today announced the so-called ID. Promise. This allows its retail electric car customers between 80 and 100 days after collection to ‘drive and decide.’ The time frame in which people can return vehicles is from the point that they take delivery of their new cars. They just need to inform their retailer, who will then arrange a refund minus a 3% fixed usage charge, as well as the cost to repair any damage or modifications to the cars since they were handed over.**

“Official figures show more than 1.3 million UK motorists have already converted to electric, and time and time again our customers tell us they would never go back to petrol or diesel having made the move,” said Rod McLeod, Director of Volkswagen UK. “But there are many more people who want to go electric but feel unsure. This straightforward initiative gives them the perfect opportunity to ‘drive and decide’ with no strings attached.” Continue reading →

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Magna Posts Solid Q3 2025 Earnings Gain

Posted on 31 October 2025 by Ken Zino

Magna (TSX: MG. NYSE: MGA) today posted U.S. $613 million EBIT Q3 2025 compared to $594 million in the third quarter of 2024. Subject to the approval by the Toronto Stock Exchange, the Magna Board of Directors approved a new Normal Course Issuer Bid (“NCIB”) to purchase up to approximately 25.3 million of Magna Common Shares, representing 10% of the public float of Common Shares. This NCIB is expected to be effective on 7 November 2025 and will terminate no later than 6 November 2026.

“Our strong third quarter performance exceeded our expectations and underscores the resilience of our business amid dynamic operating conditions and evolving macroeconomic trends. These results reflect the strength of our global team and the effectiveness of our strategic execution,” said Swamy Kotagiri, Magna Chief Executive Officer. Continue reading →

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Goodyear Eagle F1 All Season Tire Debuts

Posted on 31 October 2025 by Ken Zino

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company (NASDAQ: GT)* has started sales of the Goodyear Eagle F1 All Season. The Goodyear Eagle F1 All Season is now available through Goodyear’s retail network and authorized dealers in the United States and Canada.

“Eagle F1 All Season is a premium ultra-high-performance tire engineered to deliver exceptional handling, grip and comfort in dry, wet and light snow conditions,” Goodyear said. Continue reading →

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Penske Automotive Group Posts Q3 Net Income Increase

Posted on 31 October 2025 by Ken Zino

Penske Automotive Group* (NYSE: PAG) has posted Q3 2025 operating results. During Q3 revenue increased 1.4% to $7.7 billion compared to $7.6 billion in Q3 2024. Net income attributable to common stockholders decreased 6% to $213.0 million compared to $226.1 million YoY. Related earnings-per-share decreased 5% to $3.23 compared to $3.39 YoY 2024.

“Overall, I am pleased with our performance during the third quarter. We grew same-store retail automotive new units delivered by 4%, reduced new vehicle inventory days supply by 6 days from the end of June and increased retail automotive service and parts revenue to a quarterly record of $818.3 million, including same-store service and parts revenue growth of 5%,” said Chair Roger Penske. Continue reading →

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Hyundai Motor Company Q3 2025 Net Profit Dives

Posted on 30 October 2025 by Ken Zino

Hyundai Motor Company (KRX: 005380 KS) today posted its business results for the Q3 of 2025. The company’s revenue during the July-September period rose 8.8% year on year to KRW 46.72 trillion, marking its highest-ever third-quarter revenue. Strong sales in the U.S. and Europe, as well as favorable foreign exchange rates contributed to the company’s revenue growth. However, Q3 operating profit stood at KRW 2.54 trillion, down 29.2% YoY, with an operating profit margin of 5.4%. Higher incentives as well as the impact of tariffs beginning to take full effect, hurt the operating profit. Net profit, including non-controlling interests, decreased 20.5% to KRW 2.55 trillion. Nonetheless Hyundai announced a Q3 quarterly dividend of KRW 2500 per – a 25%increase YoY.* Continue reading →

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Distracted Driving – Cell Phone Manipulation Persists

Posted on 30 October 2025 by Ken Zino

An Arizona law making it illegal to hold a cellphone while driving cut handheld conversations, but other problems remain, according to a study published today by Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). In Arizona, the number of warnings issued by state police fell by about a quarter and the number of citations fell by a third between 2021 and 2024.*

“These results are a bit of a reality check. ‘No holding’ laws are a positive step, but it will take more than better-worded legislation alone to combat cellphone distraction,” said IIHS President David Harkey. Continue reading →

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Mexican Grand Prix Demo Drive – Tsunoda in Honda RA272

Posted on 24 October 2025 by Ken Zino

“It is an honor to drive the RA272 at the special place where Honda achieved its first F1® victory. Driving on the track where the RA272 pioneered Japanese motorsports history 60 years ago is a particularly special and deeply moving experience. With Honda’s history of challenges in my heart, I want to give fans a drive that conveys dreams and passion,” said Yuki Tsunoda. Continue reading →

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All BMW Group Parsdorf Operations Now in EMAS

Posted on 24 October 2025 by Ken Zino

The BMW Group (BMW.DE) said today that operations in Parsdorf (slightly northeast of Munich) are now part of the European environmental register, EMAS. In addition to the BMW Group Cell Manufacturing Competence Center, (CMCC) and test-parts logistics, the pilot plant for high-voltage batteries in Parsdorf has been included in the environmental impact statement and EMAS registration for the first time. EMAS stands for the “Eco-Management and Audit Scheme,” which claims to be the most stringent environmental management system in the world.

“We are very pleased with the EMAS registration of all our operations in Parsdorf, which underlines that our processes operate at a very high level – both economically and environmentally,” says Hansjörg Schilp, director of the CMCC and pilot plant for high-voltage batteries in Parsdorf. “The entire team has done an outstanding job.”
Continue reading →

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