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.

June 2023 US Light Vehicle Sales Up Significantly

The first half of 2023 has US LV sales estimated to have increased by 13.1% YoY, to 7.68 million units as the Biden Administration recovery continues. Continue reading

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Toyota Teases New Land Cruiser

Toyota Motor Sales USA from Plano, Texas released two teaser images of what it claimed was the “all-new Toyota rugged SUV.” We are not sure how to say with tongue firmly planted in cheek in Japanese (頬にしっかりと舌を植えて ? – we are trying to keep a straight face here – expecting the usual long, slow marketing rollout), but this is obviously the new Land Cruiser, unless the Republican Texas pox has removed from Toyota’s memory the legendary Land Cruiser nameplate. Continue reading

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Stellantis Shows New Global EV Platform – STLA Medium

The platform can be used on a variety of vehicles and propulsion configurations in the center of the mass-market, the C- and D-segments, which accounted for 35 million sales in 2022 of the 78.5 million vehicles sold globally that year. Stellantis brands right now offer 26 vehicle nameplates in those segments on a variety of platforms. Up to two million vehicles per year can be built on the STLA Medium platform in several plants. Continue reading

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Fourth of July 2023 – Reject Despots and Their Institutions

Today we remember 1776 when 13 colonies embarked on a notable experiment in self-governance as an independent, autonomous nation because the course of human events made it necessary to separate ourselves from our unjust rulers. That foundation led to an immense and thus far enduring enterprise in self-governance. The colonies had but 2.5 million people at that time of English and other ancestry. Small numbers in today’s world, but they were people with far bigger aspirations, following far, far larger ideas. Continue reading

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Toyota Konpon Research Institute Debuts

The Genesis Research Institute since its beginning in 1996 has used disciplines such as natural science and the humanities to “further the development of energy and environmental technologies.” It was established on 11 June 1996 the birthday of the late Kiichiro Toyoda with joint funding from 12 Toyota Group companies, including Toyota Motor Corporation.

Today Toyota said that the Genesis Research Institute is renamed Toyota Konpon Research Institute. “Twenty-seven years on, society finds itself in an era of great transformation, with the rise of AI and advances in various other fields of science and technology. Continue reading

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Ford Recalls 2019-2020 Fusion PHEVs for Fires

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling 2019-2020 Fusion Plug In Hybrid (PHEV) vehicles because the battery energy control module (BECM) may become damaged resulting in sudden loss of power or fires This is according to the National Highway Traffic Safety … Continue reading

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Alex Palou and Honda Outstanding at Mid-Ohio Indy 200

The result marks Palou’s third IndyCar win in a row in 2023 and fourth in the last five races. It also extends his championship lead to 110 points over teammate and now-second place driver in the standings, Scott Dixon who finished second. Will Power, driver of the #12 Chevrolet IndyCar V6 Verizon Team Penske – a fierce rival of Chip Ganassi the owner of  Palou’s and Power’s race cars took third place. It wasn’t all roses for Chip Ganassi – previously second place in the championship in the fourth Ganassi Racing car, Marcus Ericsson was involved in a lap one incident, ending his race. Continue reading

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Automotive Designer Peter Horbury Passes

Peter was charismatic and among the most influential UK automotive designers. He joined Lotus in 2021, the culmination of a career which had lasted nearly half a century, and which saw him design some of the world’s most significant and pioneering cars. Prior to joining Lotus, Peter was Executive Vice-President of Design for the Geely Group, overseeing the design for a huge portfolio of vehicles for its many brands. He had previously held senior global positions at Ford, Volvo and Chrysler. Continue reading

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General Motors Buys Israeli Battery Software Startup

The move  comes at a time of considerable turmoil and violence in Israel.  There is also the pending UAW contract negotiations where non-union EV partnerships and joint ventures are large, contentious issues. Continue reading

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US 2023 National Export Strategy – Jobs Through Exports

The 2023 NES was released during the Biden-Harris Administration’s inaugural meeting of the President’s Export Council (PEC), a body that serves as the major national advisory committee on international trade. The PEC is comprised of more than two dozen leaders from the private sector, labor, and academia who provide recommendations to the President on policies and programs that affect US trade performance. It is a decidedly awakened approach in stark contrast to the job losing export killing trade war polices of the previous Administration that voters dumped four years ago. Continue reading

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Toyota Motor North America EV Executive Shuffle

Toyota now directly employs more than 48,000 people in North America who design, engineer, and assemble what totals ~45 million cars and trucks at 13 non-unionized manufacturing plants. The Research & Development, Manufacturing and Product Support changes are effective 3 July 2023. Continue reading

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Electrify America to add Tesla’s NACS EV Charging Connector

Electrify America said today it will add the North American Charging Standard (NACS) connector to Electrify America and Electrify Canada’s fast charging networks to broaden charging s for electric vehicle (EV) drivers. NACS was previously known as the Tesla connector introduced more than a decade ago with its unique pin or plug design that can use both a/c and d/c charging. Electrify America will continue to provide the Combined Charging System (CCS-1) connector throughout its network as it transitions to also support automakers adding NACS charging ports. Continue reading

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Cox Automotive Study – EV Consideration at Record High

“Education for both consumers and dealers remains a critical factor in driving widespread confidence and adoption of electric vehicles,” said Kayla Reynolds, Manager of Research & Market Intelligence, Cox Automotive Mobility. “For dealers specifically, preparation is paramount, and our findings emphasize the urgency of equipping dealers with EV sales and servicing capabilities to meet the needs and demands of EV buyers.” Continue reading

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IIHS – Small Crew Cab Pickups Flunk Crash Tests

Most small pickups fall short when it comes to protecting passengers seated in the rear, according to the latest crash test ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety released today. None of the five small crew cab pickups IIHS evaluated has a good rating. The Nissan Frontier is rated acceptable. The Ford Ranger earns a marginal rating, and the Chevrolet Colorado, Jeep Gladiator and Toyota Tacoma are all rated poor. The ratings only apply to the crew cab versions. Continue reading

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BMW Motorrad Links Rent A Ride and Fuel For Life

BMW Motorrad said in Munich this morning that it is combining its Rent A Ride motorcycle program with Fuel For Life. Simply put this offers one-stop shopping for motorcycling enthusiasts looking for experiences globally. Rent A Ride is not just … Continue reading

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