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.

IIHS Questions the Safety of Electric Vehicles on Others

“Assuming the new generation of heavy EVs is designed to perform well in our crash tests, there is no reason they can’t provide good protection to their occupants. In fact, their extra weight will afford them greater protection in a multivehicle crash. Unfortunately, given the way these vehicles are currently designed, this increased protection comes at the expense of people in other vehicles,” Arbelaez said. Continue reading

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Mercedes-Benz EQE Priced from +$79,000 in the US

For the first time, the fully variable 4MATIC all-wheel drive system with torque shift in the EQE 350 4MATIC SUV is offered at the same starting price as the EQE 350+ SUV. Mercedes-Benz claimed that this , enhances value for customers for the highest volume model. Each trim has EQ-specific innovative technologies and luxurious features, along with an array of additional options for further personalization. All are built in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.* Continue reading

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NHTSA Opens Tesla Probe for Steering Wheels Falling Off

In the filing, ODI said both vehicles received an end of line repair requiring removal and re-installation of the steering wheel. A friction fit maintained the connection between the steering wheel and the column splines during operation until separation. Sudden separation occurred when the force exerted on the steering wheel overcame the resistance of the friction fit while the vehicles were in motion. Both known incidents occurred at low vehicle mileage. Continue reading

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Nissan Recalls Rogues for Sudden Engine Shutoff

Owners are warned not to attach any accessories to their key and only use the key in the unfolded orientation until the remedy for the safety defect is available. In addition, dealers and rental fleets will be instructed on an interim remedy to insert a fastener into the key slot that will prevent the key from folding. When remedy parts are available, dealers will insert a spacer into the key slot of the customer’s key fob that will not allow the key to collapse. Continue reading

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Ford Recalls Ranger Airbag Recall for Unsafe Repair

Although Ford service instructions include diagrams and instructions for proper airbag inflator installation, technicians who mis-installed the inflator told Ford they did not review the instructions prior to installation. Ford did not name the “select dealerships (responsible) and a certain third-party mobile repair team,”  which discovered botched repair(s) in the required filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Continue reading

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Justice Sues to Block JetBlue’s Purchase of Spirit Airlines

“JetBlue’s proposed acquisition of Spirit eliminates a disruptive, low-cost option for millions of Americans. Whether they fly Spirit or not, travelers throughout the United States benefit from an independent Spirit because where Spirit competes, other airlines – including JetBlue – are forced to compete more vigorously by lowering fares, offering greater innovations, and delivering more consumer choice,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Doha Mekki of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. “This transaction occurs against the backdrop of years of airline consolidation in the United States.” Continue reading

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Cadillac CELESTIQ Debuts With Hands-Free Driving Possible in Most Conditions Early in 2024. Caveats Apply

General Motors (NYSE: GM) announced today that Ultra Cruise1, the company’s next-generation advanced driver assistance system2 designed to enable hands-free driving in 95% of all driving scenarios, will have a 360-degree view of the vehicle through a unique sensor suite when it launches on the ~$300,000 Cadillac CELESTIQ 3 in early 2024. There are of course many technical, regulatory and insurance issues the need to be resolved before full deployment is underway. Continue reading

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SEC Charges Mining Company Rio Tinto with Bribery

Ford Motor (NYSE: F) and Stellantis (NYSE: STLA) among other large international corporations have supply contracts or business relationships with the mining conglomerate  involving electric vehicle battery materials. Whether this is a bum in the road or a longer-term impediment to EV advancement is an open and ongoing matter subject to debate in industrial and public policy sectors. Continue reading

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Honda Shows New Prototype Autonomous Work Vehicle

Honda aims to commercialize its AWV. Honda looking for partners to participate in field testing, as well as to improve functions and enhance services, especially in the areas of: Product distribution Product support and aftermarket sales, as well as software and attachment development. The AWV use Honda’s mobility technologies, and common components from its automobiles and other products. Continue reading

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February 2023 Western EU Passenger Vehicle Sales Up 11%

However, LMC hedged by saying that 2022 is a weak base for comparison. “In YoY terms, the market was up 2.8%, though the same period last year was particularly weak” Continue reading

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Honda Using Fuel Cell to Back Up Power at Its Data Center

The power station uses Honda’s hydrogen fuel cell technology know-how and contributes to the company’s global goal to achieve carbon neutrality for all products and corporate activities by 2050.In the coming years, Honda will begin applying a next-generation stationary fuel cell system to Honda manufacturing facilities and data centers globally, thereby reducing the company’s greenhouse gas emissions. Continue reading

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NADA Economist Predicts 14.6 Million Light Vehicle Sales

“Looking ahead, we believe that vehicle production will show continued improvement in March. Wards Intelligence expects that 2023 Q1 North American light-vehicle production will grow by 7.3% compared with the first quarter of 2022. This should be good news for continued inventory growth throughout the year. We believe that with more inventory available, new light-vehicle sales will increase in 2023. Our full-year forecast is 14.6 million units,” said Manzi. Continue reading

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US January Aviation Fuel Use Recovering

The Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) today released US  airlines’ January 2023 fuel cost and consumption numbers. US scheduled service airlines used 1.413 billion gallons of fuel, 4.0% less fuel than in December 2022 (1.471 billion gallons), but only -0.7% less than in pre-pandemic January 2019 as the economy remains resilient. Continue reading

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Ford Motor Establishes Latitude AI for Autonomous Driving

Ford Motor Company said today that it has established Latitude AI, a wholly owned subsidiary, develop “a hands-free, eyes-off-the-road automated driving system.” The move follows in the wake of a $2 billion loss posted for 2022, partially the result of a Q3 2022 decision that saw Ford shift its capital spending from the L4 advanced driver assistance systems being developed by Argo AI to internally developed L2+/L3 technology. Continue reading

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US Light Vehicle Sales Up in February Amid Uncertainty

The February selling rate was estimated to be 15.0 million units/year, aka SAAR, down from 16.0 million units/year in January. However, as LMC observed last month, January’s rate appears to have been distorted by changing seasonality and the unique conditions in the market whereby a lack of supply is still constraining sales in some cases. Continue reading

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