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.

Tesla – Solid Q2 with Higher Production and Lower Prices but…

During Q2 2023 Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) made  ~480,000 vehicles and delivered more than 466,000, the highest to date. As a result, Q2-2023 looked solid with Tesla setting its production and deliveries among its top five quarters. The result was revenue approaching $25B in a single quarter. Net revenue was $2.7 billion. However, analysts remain skeptical about what many of them say is a greatly overvalued stock that pays no dividends.  During the past year a share of TSLA stock has ranged from ~$102 to $315. It’s currently trading ~$260. (AutoInformed: Ford Cuts F-150 Lightning Prices by $6000 to $10,000) Continue reading

Posted in electric vehicles, financial results, manufacturing, marketing | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Consumer Rights Nil in New Autonomous Vehicle Bills?

The Center for Auto Safety says one of the proposals, the SELF DRIVE Act, “neglects to include any consumer protections that prevent the use of binding arbitration clauses in contracts involving autonomous vehicles.” As is common in Washington the legislation is misleadingly named. However, there is a need to explore the issue as there are arguments on many aspects of technology and systems that can save lives and reduce traffic congestion even though AutoInformed remains skeptical about the ability of politicians to do so with a regard for We the People  as opposed to We the Congress who are paid large sums by corporate interests. Continue reading

Posted in AutoInformed Editorial, autonomous cars, autonomous vehicles, connected vehicles, customer satisfaction, litigation, mobility company, news analysis, public health, safety | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Milestones – 40M Engines Built at Nissan Yokohama Plant

The Nissan Yokohama Plant has built 40 million engines in the same year Nissan celebrates its 90th anniversary. Yokohama opened in 1935, two years after Nissan’s founding. It built its 10 millionth engine in 1976, its 20 millionth in 1986 and its 30 millionth in 1997. With the launch of the all-electric LEAF in 2010, the plant has also been producing electric motors, including those for e-POWER vehicles such as the Nissan Note. During the Japanese fiscal year 2022, motors accounted for approximately 40% of Yokohama Plant’s production. Continue reading

Posted in manufacturing, milestones | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Stellantis, Saft Show Battery Integrating Inverter and Charger

Integrating the inverter and charger functions creates a battery that is more efficient, which enhances the battery electric vehicle (BEV) range and is more reliable and less costly. It also increases space in the vehicle. Continue reading

Posted in connected vehicles, electric vehicles, electronics, engineering | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Repair Shop Owner Sentenced to Prison for False Tax Return

In 2011, Ferrari used business funds to pay for personal items, including gambling on horse races. Ferrari concealed this diversion of business income by not disclosing it to his return preparer, thus causing the preparation and filing of a false corporate tax return. Furthermore, Ferrari did not pay employment taxes in the amount of $291,600 based on an unreported cash payroll, according to court documents. Continue reading

Posted in aftermarket, litigation, people | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Penske Automotive Group Ups Dividend Again

“We are pleased to provide an increase in the cash dividend to our shareholders,” said Penske Automotive Group President, Robert Kurnick, Jr. “Continued strong cash flow, a healthy balance sheet, and the strength of our operations enables us to increase the dividend and reward our shareholders.”  Continue reading

Posted in financial results, transportation | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

EU – EVs Outsell Diesel Cars for First Time

Perhaps more significant though is that battery electric vehicles took a 15.1% market share, outselling tax-favored diesel vehicles. Hybrid-electric cars remained the second-most popular choice among new car buyers, representing 24.3% of the market. Gasoline fueled cars retained the largest share, accounting for 36.3%. Continue reading

Posted in electric vehicles, global warming, sales | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

VW Patents High-Speed Wireless EV Charging System

“We are accelerating innovation within electric vehicles and contributing to more sustainable transportation in America by focusing our efforts on some of the most transformative automotive research being done in the country,” said Pablo Di Si, President and CEO at Volkswagen Group of America Inc. “Our technology teams in Tennessee are a great example. There, we are tapping American ingenuity fostered by the unique blend of world-class academic research and Volkswagen’s leading industry capabilities.” Continue reading

Posted in connected vehicles, electric vehicles, energy, engineering | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

GM Names Norm de Greve Chief Marketing Officer

De Greve, 54, joins GM from CVS Health, where he has served as chief marketing officer since 2015.De Greve’s appointment is effective 31 July 312023. He will report to GM President Mark Reuss. Continue reading

Posted in people | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Alfa Romeo and Dodge Top Maker Website Satisfaction Study

“Website satisfaction can be volatile and automotive websites are not immune to changing preferences,” said Jon Sundberg, director of digital solutions at J.D. Power. “However, manufacturers have shown to be very agile when it comes to website design and ensuring their sites meet modern standards, more so than many other industries, as exemplified through the study data.” Continue reading

Posted in customer satisfaction | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ford Cuts F-150 Lightning Prices by $6000 to $10,000

Ford Motor said today that it is lowering the MSRP of F-150 Lightning® electric vehicle for all customers by $6000 to $10,000. The largest cuts are on the least expensive models. The Rouge Electric Vehicle Center in Michigan is currently closed completing changes that will triple the plant’s annual capacity to a targeted 150,000 F-150 Lightning trucks beginning this fall. Tesla, of course, surprised the industry with its recent price cuts. The increasing supply of semi-conductors is also adding to downward pricing pressure. Continue reading

Posted in electric vehicles, marketing | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Chevrolet Traverse Adds Off-Road Z71 Model for 2024

The new Chevrolet Traverse in the fiercely competitive mid-size SUV segment is joining the off-road parade in both the US and Canada during the 2024 model year, Chevrolet said this morning. Chevy also said it has more SUV-like proportions, key safety features with families in mind, and more horsepower. It also has the new-age equivalent of a bold, new grille. Continue reading

Posted in marketing, new vehicle | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ford, Chrysler and BMW Top 2023 Recall List

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released today the latest safety defect recall list by manufacturer for the 2023 year-to-date. Ford Motor Company with 31 recalls of more than 4,100,000 vehicles – 15% of all recalls – clearly led the list. Chrysler (aka FCA) with 27 recalls of more than 1.7 million vehicles (13%) was second. BMW was third with 19 recalls of 157,000 vehicles (9%). Forest River and Navistar rounded out the terrible top five. Continue reading

Posted in recalls, safety | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Global Light Vehicle Sales at 7.9M Up Again in June

“For a second consecutive month, US light vehicles sales registered 1.4 million units (+20% YoY) as OEMs saw improved vehicle production levels following the easing of supply chain issues. China had the strongest month of the year so far, with a selling rate of 33 million units/year. All major West European countries reported positive YoY growth as their markets continue to recover from the market headwinds in 2022,” according to the Global Light Vehicle Sales Forecasting Team. Continue reading

Posted in sales | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Lotus Eletre SUV EV at Goodwood

Lotus has held its first ever UK test drives for its hyper-SUV – the Lotus Eletre – at the Goodwood Motor Circuit last Sunday as part of a new electric vehicle promotional event staged in conjunction with the Festival of Speed or is that now a festival of marketing? The Lotus Eletre claims to be the first of a new breed of pure electric performance SUVs. It is positioned as a “lifestyle vehicle.” The first customer deliveries of the hyper-SUV are expected in the coming months. Continue reading

Posted in electric vehicles, marketing, new vehicle, shows and events | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment