Volvo Cars Posts Grim Q2 2026 Operating Results

Posted on 17 July 2026 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Volvo Cars Posts Grim Q2 2026 Operating Results

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Volvo Cars (VOLCAR B: STO. ADR OTC VLVCY) today released its financial results for the second quarter of 2026.* The news was grim as revenue, free cash flow and retail sales showed drops of -17%. -5.2% and – 6% respectively compared to Q2 2025. However, the Q2 EBIT margin was a razor thin +1.1%, which buys the Chinese-owned company more time to revitalize itself. [10.6% EBIT Q2 2025 AutoCrat.]

“In this very challenging external environment, we made progress on our strategic actions,” claimed Håkan Samuelsson, president and CEO. “This gives us the momentum and confidence that the second half of the year will improve compared to the first six months.”** Continue reading →

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WEC – Ford Hypercar V8 moves from Dyno to Race Car

Posted on 16 July 2026 by Ken Zino
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Ford Racing’s (NYSE: F) WEC Hypercar program moved from dynamometer cells in Dearborn to race cars in France last week. Competing in the Hypercar class, the Ford-powered, Ford-built and Ford-raced prototype will make its Le Mans debut in the event’s 95th running in June 2027.*

“The engine’s development phase is already showing great promise on the dynos in Dearborn, where we’ve been pushing the limits of its performance and durability – and learning a lot at the same time. That dyno work, combined with parallel progress on the chassis side with ORECA, has now converged into a complete package ready for its next phase,” said Dan Sayers, WEC Hypercar Program Manager at Ford Racing.** Continue reading →

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Stellantis Increases EU Registrations during H1 2026

Posted on 16 July 2026 by Ken Zino
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Stellantis (NYSE: STLA. STLAM.MI) said today it increased registrations in the European market during the H1 2026 [footnotes 1 and 3] by 3.8% at 1.370 million vehicles compared with 2025. Stellantis with Chinese maker Leapmotor is the only OEM among the top eight automakers to increase its market share in the first half of the year. Stellantis, of course, is a financially challenged global automaker, having recently claimed that claimed that sharper management of its brand portfolio combined with investments in global platforms, powertrains and technology and partnerships will return operations to profitability. Stellantis posted a 2025 full year loss of  €22.3 Billion.*

“During the first six months of 2026, we confirmed the positive momentum that Stellantis began to demonstrate toward the end of last year. In line with the objectives set out in our FaSTLAne 2030 strategic plan,* we consolidated our leadership in the A and B segments across the EU30 market, where our registrations have increased by 67,000 units year-on-year, rising to 93,000 units when Leapmotor sales are included,” claimed Emanuele Cappellano, COO of Enlarged Europe. Continue reading →

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Gasoline National Average Moves Higher Near $4 Gallon!

Posted on 16 July 2026 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Gasoline National Average Moves Higher Near $4 Gallon

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The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline went up 10 cents since last week to $3.94, according to the latest data from AAA.*

“Instability along the Strait of Hormuz is contributing to the increase at the pump and pushing crude oil prices toward $80 per barrel. Most states are still averaging less than $4 per gallon. Earlier this year, the national average remained in the $4 range all of April and May and most of June. Last time the national average was $4 or above was on June 17 when it was $4.02,” AA said.** Continue reading →

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Transportation Costs Rising for Producers. You’ll Pay More Too

Posted on 15 July 2026 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Transportation Costs Rising for Producers. You’ll Pay More Too

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The Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) today released the change in the costs faced by producers purchasing transportation services and industries producing them, from June 2025 to June 2026. Transportation equipment PPI indicate the changes in transportation equipment prices faced by transportation providers. Any increase raises providers costs, which ultimately are passed on to everyday Americans. The PPI shows that prices increased for freight transportation and equipment by 2.3% in June 2026 compared to June 2025.

“From June 2025 to June 2026, the transportation services PPI changed by mode, as compared to all transportation and non-transportation services.” BTS said. “Transportation contributed 16.0% to the overall increase in costs faced by producers for transportation and non-transportation services,” BTS said. Continue reading →

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Cut Energy Waste. Save $4.8 Trillion or $31,000 a Household!

Posted on 15 July 2026 by Ken Zino
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Improving energy efficiency in buildings, transportation, and industry in the United States could save about $4.8 trillion in energy and related costs in the next decades, according to The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE). The new report released today says that totals to ~$31,000 a household. Households that are currently struggling with energy prices under Trump mis-administration wars and other expensive anti-clean energy policies.*

“High utility bills and gasoline costs are straining family budgets. Improving energy efficiency can save consumers thousands of dollars while easing strain on the electric grid and slashing pollution,” said Lowell Ungar, senior fellow at ACEEE and lead author of the report. “The opportunity to cut energy waste is enormous, from our homes to our factories and our cars and trucks. The costly option would be inaction. We need to unlock ways that consumers, businesses, and communities can benefit from the savings.” Continue reading →

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Trump-conomics – Consumer Cost For Transportation up 6.5%

Posted on 14 July 2026 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Trump-conomics – Consumer Cost For Transportation up 6.5%

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The Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) released today the change in the costs faced by consumers for transportation goods and services. From June 2025 to June 2026, as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI). [The annual change in CPI is a measure of inflation – AutoCrat.]*

“The CPI for all transportation goods and services rose 6.5% from June 2025 to June 2026. Transportation contributed 31.1% to the 3.5% increase in the price of all goods and services per the CPI. Gasoline (all types) contributed the most to inflation, rising 26.7% year-over-year and contributing 24.4% to the annual change in the price of all goods and services,” BTS said. Continue reading →

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First look – 2027 Toyota Corolla Hatchback. Unequaled Value?

Posted on 14 July 2026 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on First look - 2027 Toyota Corolla Hatchback. Unequaled Value?

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Toyota (NYSE: TM) revealed details of the 2027 Toyota Corolla Hatchback – a compact car with high quality, durability pert driving traits and unique value in AutoInformed’s experience, which covers decades of reviews and even ownership of one. It will be in dealerships this Summer. Both are built at the Tsutsumi Plant in Aichi, Japan. Info on the 2027 Corolla Sedan will come later.

Available in SE and XSE grades, the 2027 Corolla Hatchback starts at $24,780 (SE) and $27,875 (XSE) MSRP that excludes a Dealer Processing and Handling fee of $1295. Reinforcing the value proposition is Toyota’s 36-month/36,000 mile basic new-vehicle warranty applies to all components other than normal wear and maintenance items. Additional 60-month warranties cover the powertrain for 60,000 miles and corrosion with no mileage limitation. The Corolla Hatchback also comes standard with ToyotaCare, a maintenance plan that covers normal factory-scheduled service for one year or 10,000 miles, whichever comes first, and 24-hour roadside assistance for two years, unlimited mileage. Continue reading →

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Jeep Grand Wagoneer, Grand Wagoneer L Brake Recalls

Posted on 14 July 2026 by Ken Zino
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Chrysler* (FCA US) is recalling ~120,000 2026 model year Jeep Grand Wagoneer and Jeep Grand Wagoneer L SUVs. The brake system control module software may cause a loss of electronic stability control and a loss of electronic brake assist. These SUVs go not comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 126, “Electronic Stability Control Systems” and 135, “Light Vehicle Brake Systems.” The supplier is ZF group.

“The Brake System Control Module (BSCM)  may have been built with software which may disable Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and electronic brake assist. A loss of ESC function and/or electronic brake assist can cause a vehicle crash without prior warning,” Chrysler said on the mandatory safety defect recall notice, that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) made public this week. Continue reading →

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Ford Mustang Recalls – Sudden Power Loss, Washer/Wipers

Posted on 13 July 2026 by Ken Zino
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Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is recalling ~43,000 2021-2023 model-year Mustang Mach E vehicles for powertrain [primary drive unit or PDU- AutoCrat] failures. It is also recalling 2024-2026 Mustang and 2025-2026 Mustang GTD models for defective wiper and washer systems. All told ~111,000 Mustangs are affected. The most serious safety defect is a the differential pinion shaft failure (NHTSA recall 26V417 or 26V-417, Ford 26S50) that results from the Mexican supplied Borg Warner PDU for the 2021-2023 Mustang Mach E. The rear-wheel drive vehicles a rear differential pinion shaft may fracture without warning. (Read AutoInformed.com on Ford Leads All Manufacturers in NHTSA Recalls and Ford Recalls Expand – Six More Covering ~172,000 Vehicles)

“In the event of a differential pinion shaft failure, the customer may experience a loss of motive power and/or unintended vehicle movement with Park requested if the parking brake is not applied. A loss of motive power or unintended vehicle movement increases the risk of a crash,” 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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Park Outside! Kia Recalls ~463,000 Telluride Models for Fires

Posted on 13 July 2026 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Park Outside! Kia Recalls ~463,000 Telluride Models for Fires

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Kia America (Kia) is recalling ~463,000 2020-2024 Telluride vehicles.* The front power-seat motor may overheat due to a stuck power-seat slide knob or an improper repair of NHTSA recall 24V407. This safety defect can cause a fire while a Telluride is parked or when driving.

“Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete,” Kia said in the mandatory safety defect filing that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) made public this morning. Continue reading →

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Audi of America Q2 2026 Sales Drop 17%

Posted on 10 July 2026 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Audi of America Q2 2026 Sales Drop 17%

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Audi of America reported today a Q2 sales drop of -17% when compared year-over-year. There was no release with commentary just the sales chart shown here at AutoInformed. This came as the parent company Volkswagen Group (VOW.DE) Executive Board yesterday presented the Supervisory Board with 12 initiatives to make the financially bedridden Group profitable. [Share price is down 66% during the last five years; -25% year-over-year at ~€76 as customers are apparently searching for more affordable wheels or are no longer happy with product Audi product offerings – AutoCrat.] No doubt Audi of America executives were in Wolfsburg fighting for the survival of the brand.*

Big losers at Audi of America during Q2 2026 were the Q4 e-tron, Q6 e-Tron, and Q8 e-tron electric models which were walloped by the Trump Administration’s cancellation of electric vehicle incentives compounded by the Trump import tariffs, which also hurt other global automakers. Continue reading →

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Loss Making Survival Diet – VW Group Efficiency Quest

Posted on 10 July 2026 by Ken Zino
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The Executive Board of the Volkswagen Group (VOW.DE)* yesterday presented the Supervisory Board with 12 initiatives to make the financially bedridden Group profitable and competitive by 2030. [Share price is down 66% during the last five years; -25% year-over-year at ~€76. The Wolf in the room from a company with a history starting in Wolfsburg is how many German IG Metall jobs will be devoured. Furthermore, stakeholders have a legitimate question about why these steps weren’t taken long ago – AutoCrat?] 

“Our goal is clear: by 2030, we will make the Volkswagen Group the most attractive automotive company in the world – with iconic brands, inspiring products, leading technologies, robust financial results, reliable capital market performance and a team spirit in action,” claimed Oliver Blume, CEO of the Group. “With our future plan, we are moving into the next phase of transformation by our own means. We are making the Volkswagen Group faster, more resilient and more competitive: through less complexity, focused technologies, an even stronger alignment of products, development and production with regional markets, the reduction of over-capacities, a streamlined equity portfolio and significantly leaner structures. In this way, we are creating the conditions for sustained success – even in an increasingly demanding environment.” Continue reading →

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Milestones – Honda Transmission Plant-Ohio 30th Anniversary

Posted on 9 July 2026 by Ken Zino
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Honda (7267.T and NYSE: HMC) said today that its associates today celebrated their 30th anniversary as Honda Transmission Plant-Ohio (TMP-O) in Russells Point, Ohio. Transmission production began in 1996 and associates have assembled  more than 26 million transmissions.

“As we celebrate 30 years of Honda manufacturing excellence in Ohio, we’re not just reflecting on our history; we’re accelerating toward the future,” said Jason Foster, Power Unit Manufacturing Plant lead. “The unyielding continued commitment of TMP-O associates to producing top-quality drivetrains will allow us to continue building on the legacy we celebrate today,” Continue reading →

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Auto Lending – BMW i Ventures Takes Piece of KredosAi

Posted on 9 July 2026 by Ken Zino
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BMW i Ventures* said today that it is the lead investment in KredosAi, a Seattle-based AI company helping businesses recover revenue.**The $7 million Series A round, led by BMW i Ventures with participation from maiden investors Motley Fool Ventures and Walter Venture Group, alongside existing investors Okapi Ventures, StartFast Ventures, SaaS Ventures, and Stout Street Ventures, was oversubscribed with solid demand from both new and existing backers as the Artificial Intelligence boom continues to this point.

“We were drawn to KredosAi because of the strength of the team, the company’s differentiated approach to combining behavioral economics with AI, and the clear data network effects behind the product,” said Baris Guzel, Partner at BMW i Ventures. “In an environment where enterprises are under more pressure to improve retention, we saw a compelling opportunity for a solution that can create meaningful value at scale.” Continue reading →

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