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Recent Posts
- CARB Adopts Rules Supporting Use of E15 Gasoline
- Gasoline Prices Heading for New September Record!
- ACEA – Hybrids Top August EU Car Registrations
- Volkswagen Debuts In-Vehicle Gaming on Some 2027 Models
- By the Seat of Their Pants – Premium Seats Lag in Quality?
- September 2026 Light Vehicle Production Forecast So-So
- California Keeps Growing as It Cuts Climate Emissions Again
- Chrysler Recalls 97,349 Jeeps for Flying Roof Racks
- November Michigan Ballot Proposals – UAW Con and Pro
- Vehicle Affordability Still Worrying Despite Wage Increases
- TRUMPED! AAA – Pump Prices Continue Rising
- Michigan Governor Whitmer Against Trump Tariffs in WSJ
- Annals of Marketing – New User Interface on GM Pickups
- AAA – Annual New Vehicle Ownership Cost at $12,863 Up ~11%
- Indy 500 Winner Rosenqvist to Be Honored in Värnamo
Recent Comments
- NHTSA on Steering Loss – Ford Recalls F-Series Trucks
- AAA on AAA – August 20 Gasoline Prices Highest Ever!
- Nissan Motor on Nissan Posts ¥77.9B Profit in Q1 of Japanese Fiscal Year
- Jeff Badman on Ford Motor Recalls 850,000 Vehicles for Sudden Stalling
- Magna International on Magna International Posts Q1 2026 EPS Loss of $0.04
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Tag Archives: Ken Zino
Gasoline Prices Heading for New September Record!
Gasoline is up ~5 cents from last week as the Trump mis-administration policies continue to, well, bomb – AutoCrat. Continue reading
Posted in customer satisfaction, economy, energy, opinions, prices, transportation, Trump Truth Tests
Tagged aaa, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Gasoline Prices Heading for New September Record, Ken Zino, Ken Zino commenting as AutoCrat, Twitter now X @KenAutoinformed
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ACEA – Hybrids Top August EU Car Registrations
Hybrid-electric vehicles again ranked as the most popular powertrain choice amongst buyers during August 2026. Battery-electric cars accounted for 21.7% of new EU car registrations. Continue reading
Volkswagen Debuts In-Vehicle Gaming on Some 2027 Models
Volkswagen said today that it is introducing N-Dream’s AirConsole in-car gaming platform on some 2027 vehicles. This is the first mass market automotive brand in the US to offer gaming Continue reading
Posted in connected vehicles, electronics, milestones, mobility company, opinions, people, shows and events, software defined vehicles
Tagged Anthony Cliquot, autoinformed.com, Ken Zino, Ken Zino commenting as AutoCrat, KPIT Technologies, PAC-MAN™, Twitter now X @KenAutoinformed, Volkswagen Debuts N-Dream In-Vehicle Gaming
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By the Seat of Their Pants – Premium Seats Lag in Quality?
Along with findings from the JD Power 2026 U.S. APEAL Study, which show premium brands no longer hold a clear advantage across key ownership attributes, this year’s results reveal that mass market brands now outperform premiums in seat satisfaction Continue reading
September 2026 Light Vehicle Production Forecast So-So
As the Iran war continues with limited options for the Trump mis-administration, Mobility Global [Formerly GlobalData and a frequent associate with J.D. Power – AutoCrat.] notes that global auto industry is still surviving the fallout from the ongoing and expanding Iran War, with higher oil prices adding inflation pressure, disrupting supply chains. This, of course, increases the risk of extensive negative economic consequences for many countries, and people. Continue reading
November Michigan Ballot Proposals – UAW Con and Pro
“Nothing has shaped the current corrupt state of our government like the rise of corporate money and influence,” said UAW President Shawn Fain on the Union’s endorsement of Proposal 2. “Billionaires and corporations are pouring billions of dollars into our elections in America this year alone. They do it to rig the system in their favor, and working-class families pay the price.” Continue reading
Posted in labor issues, news, opinions
Tagged 2026 Michigan ballot proposals, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Ken Zino, Ken Zino commenting as AutoCrat, League of Women Voters Michigan, The rise of corporate money and influence corrupting government, UAW President Shawn Fain, X @KenAutoinformed
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TRUMPED! AAA – Pump Prices Continue Rising
Crude oil remains high, averaging $100 per barrel amid continued volatility in the Strait of Hormuz and other areas or President Trump’s losing war against Iran, as well as other policy failures Gas prices are now they were during spring 2026. The trend is clear; the national average is about to reach this year’s record high of $4.56 set on 21 May 21. The all-time high for the national average is $5.01 set on 14 June 2022. Passing it appears certain. – AutoCrat Continue reading
Posted in economy, energy, news analysis, prices, Trump Truth Tests
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Council of Foreign Relations, Ken Zino, Ken Zino commenting as AutoCrat, mid-east wars, national average for a gallon of fuel, Trumpoline, X @KenAutoinformed
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July 2026 Light Vehicle Production Forecast Slightly Higher
“Against that backdrop, our near-term forecast moves mostly higher, except in Greater China, where soft consumer sentiment is still dragging sales and pulling production down,” said Mike Wall, Executive Director, Automotive Analysis, Mobility Global. “The important nuance: Chinese OEMs are leaning harder on exports to keep plants running, and that is reshaping pricing and competitive intensity across multiple regions.**
“At the same time, inflation is keeping buyers price-sensitive. Demand is resilient in many markets, but it can turn quickly if fuel prices rise, credit tightens, or confidence slips, especially in higher-priced segments where mix and margins move first,” said Wall. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, economy, manufacturing, news analysis, opinions, results, Trump Truth Tests
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Chinese vehicle production, inflation and car buyers, Ken Zino, Ken Zino commenting as AutoCrat, Middle East Wars, Mike Wall, Mobility Global, S&P Global Mobility, short-term vehicle production forecast, Strait of Hormuz, Trump tariffs wars and foreign policy, X @KenAutoinformed
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Annals of Marketing – Aston Martin’s Vanquish 25
“Anyone familiar with this iconic British brand knows the provenance of the name ‘Vanquish’ in our modern history,” said Vittorio Gabba, Head of Q at Aston Martin. “25 years on from the unveiling of the very first Vanquish it is only right that we mark this nameplate’s contribution to our heritage. Vanquish 25 builds on the extraordinary achievements of the modern, third-generation Vanquish with a carefully curated package of exterior and interior features that subtly celebrate this important milestone in our history.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, design and styling, manufacturing, marketing, new vehicle, performance, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino, Ken Zino commenting as AutoCrat, Monterey Car Week, Q by Aston Martin, Vanquish 25, Vittorio Gabba, X @KenAutoinformed
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Annals of Marketing – Mercedes-Benz Studio Los Angeles
“As one of the world’s most valuable brands, Mercedes-Benz has always stood for combining engineering excellence with emotional experiences that bring our ‘Welcome home’ promise to life. That is why we are introducing Mercedes-Benz Studios, bringing our brand into the heart of the world’s most iconic cities. Los Angeles is an important part of this global network, creating new ways for people to experience Mercedes-Benz in everyday life and making our brand feel even more accessible, personal, and welcoming,” claimed Mathias Geisen, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG. Sales & Customer Experience. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, design and styling, marketing, milestones, shows and events
Tagged Adam Chamberlain, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino, Ken Zino commenting as AutoCrat, MANUFAKTUR Made to Measure Hub, Mathias Geisen, Mercedes-AMG GT, Mercedes-AMG SL, Mercedes-Maybach GLS, Sindelfingen, Studio Los Angeles, X @KenAutoinformed
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CARB Adopts Rules Supporting Use of E15 Gasoline
California Air Resources Board (CARB) adopts amendments to gasoline regulations to support the availability and use of E15 fuel Continue reading →