Author Archives: Ken Zino

About Ken Zino

Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.

EV Tech-aches 2023 – More Problems than ICE Vehicles

“Innovation through a strong advanced tech strategy is crucial for all vehicle manufacturers, especially those working to build their reputation in the electric vehicle space,” said Kathleen Rizk, senior director of user experience benchmarking and technology at J.D. Power. “The perception in the industry is that most BEVs should offer many advanced technologies to compete with high-tech entrants like Tesla. Success will be dependent on those manufacturers that can execute flawlessly, while ensuring the user experience is the same for those who are tech savvy and those who are not.” Continue reading

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US August 2023 New Vehicle Sales Forecast up 15%

Bidenomics is clearly working in AutoInformed’s point of view. The latest data show a continuing trend that started after President Biden was elected and began a recovery from the economic reverses and job losses from the Trump Administration. Trump was the first president since Herbert Hoover who left office having presided over an the Great Depression economic disaster and with far fewer jobs than existed at the outset. Continue reading

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Half of California Diesel Fuel Is Replaced By Clean Fuels

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) said today that in its shift away from polluting fuel sources,  clean fuels are replacing more than  50% of the diesel used in the state during Q1 of 2023. The awakened Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS), a regulation which requires fuel producers to reduce the carbon intensity of fuel sold in the state, is largely responsible for the shift by encouraging the use and production of cleaner alternatives. Continue reading

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Iowa, Nebraska Sue EPA to Sell E-15 Year Round

“The EPA’s ongoing failure to act following our E15 notification more than two years ago is nothing more than a thinly veiled disguise of their disdain towards clean, renewable, American-produced ethanol. The EPA disfavors anything that doesn’t have the word ‘electric’ in its name,” said Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds. She has a point. Continue reading

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Circus Time – Cruise AV Collision with San Francisco Fire Truck

“First and foremost, our primary concern remains with our passenger and their well-being. We have been in contact to offer support and will remain in touch. In terms of what occurred around the scene of the collision there are many aspects that looked typical from the AV’s perspective and several factors that added complexity to this specific incident,” Greg Dietrerich Cruise General Manager, San Francisco Market said on 18 August. Continue reading

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NHTSA Proposes Rule Expanding Seat Belt Use Warnings

In 2019, NHTSA published an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeking comment on a variety of issues related to potential rear seat belt warning requirements. The feedback from the 45 comments received years ago was incorporated [Finally? Slowly?] into the development of the newly issued NPRM. Continue reading

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EPA Reviewing Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards

Exposure to ground-level ozone can cause respiratory issues, aggravate asthma and other lung diseases, and may lead to missed days of work or school, emergency room visits, and premature deaths. These costly public health impacts can be especially harmful to children and older adults, disproportionately affecting people of color, families with low-incomes, and other vulnerable populations. Continue reading

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JD Power – US EV Retail Share 70% by 3035

The forecast uses J.D. Power proprietary transactional data with key purchase sensitivity, demand models and market projections – and is updated bi-annually in January and July. In its latest update released today. Power forecast US EV Retail Share at 70% by 3035! Time will tell. Continue reading

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NHTSA Investigating Ford For Mach-E Recall Glitches

According to a story by Reuters published today, The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is now investigating Ford to see if the recall was mishandled and did not full address the problem because of continuing owner complaints that the vehicles suddenly stopped. Continue reading

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Mustang GTD – Street Legal 800 Hp Starting at $300,000

“Mustang GTD shatters every preconceived notion of a supercar,” said Jim Farley, Ford president and CEO. “This is a new approach for us. We didn’t engineer a road car for the track, we created a race car for the road. Mustang GTD takes racing technology from our Mustang GT3 race car, wraps it in a carbon fiber Mustang body and unleashes it for the street.”   Continue reading

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Republicans Increasing Support of IRA Climate Perks?

Surprising then to AutoInformed is the latest research from Data for Progress (DPA) that shows strong IRA support across partisan lines. Maybe the beating the Republicans (aka party of no hope) took in the midterms is beginning to have some corrective affect? Likely not at the upper levels of the party, however their Red Wave is waving bye, bye to them here. The people appear to get it. Maybe they (We The People) should dissolve the Republican leadership and elect a new one? Continue reading

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Annals of Marketing – Detroit Auto Show and Shinola

The Detroit Auto Show and Shinola have announced a new partnership, bringing together two well-known Detroit brands. Less than one month away from its introduction as a watch, Shinola’s new Canfield Speedway Lap 06  face will countdown the days, hours, minutes and seconds to the start of the Detroit Auto Show on NAIAS.com. Continue reading

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SUV EVs – Acura ZDX and ZDX Type S Debut

Acura’s first all-electric models – the 2024 Acura ZDX and ZDX Type S have debuted in California during Monterey Car Week. With a Honda estimated 500 horsepower in the Type S model, it is the most powerful Acura SUV thus … Continue reading

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Ford Building Cathode Plant in Québec

EcoProBM established EcoPro CAM Canada LP in February. SK On and Ford will become investors once the deal is closed; the joint venture is subject to closing conditions and regulatory approvals. EcoProBM will oversee the day-to-day operations of the facility. Continue reading

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Public Charging Issues Could Hurt EV Growth

“Though purported to be the wave of the future, satisfaction with DC (direct current) fast chargers has declined even further, dropping 20 points to 654 on a 1000-point scale. More troubling is that satisfaction in both charging station segments has declined in nearly every attribute measured in the study. Since consumer skepticism regarding public charging availability is the primary reason vehicle shoppers reject EVs, this performance could prove to be a further hindrance to EV acceptance,” Power said. Continue reading

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