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.

Le Mans 2023 – NASCAR Next Gen Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Garage 56 Entry Unveiled at Daytona

“From the beginning of this project, it was important to us that the car we bring to Le Mans is a true NASCAR stock car,” said Jim France, NASCAR Chairman and CEO. “While there have been some adjustments to allow the car to compete in a 24-hour endurance race, fans in Le Mans will be treated to the full NASCAR experience.” Continue reading

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Another Tesla Self-Driving Recall

The recall is a result of long standing investigations at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration about the controversial auto pilot system. Tesla, what seems to us arrogantly, did not agree with the NHTSA analysis but went ahead with the recall anyway. It is the latest pr disaster from the firm that no doubt will have social media, uh, all atwitter. Continue reading

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January Western European Diesel Car Market Flat

Western European diesel car sales were flat, according to the latest data just released by LMC Automotive.* Even though the data are incomplete with the Greek market lacking, LMC notes that 147,000 diesel cars were sold in the month, the … Continue reading

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IIHS – Crash Avoidance Technology Works But Tough to Fix

Repeated trips to a repair shop are not uncommon with other routine mechanical repairs, either, and most owners reported that their insurance or warranty covered the complete cost, minus any deductible. However, in the long run, post warranty, insurance companies might be responsible for their insureds. Hence the report is an attempt to mitigate the problem.   Continue reading

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Do No Harm – Center for Auto Safety Drafts AV Bill of Rights

Simply put the draft – covering a wide and formidable list of potential issues – says AVs should “Do no harm!” The draft is an ambitious attempt to learn from the more than a century of automobility and apply the knowledge at the outset of what is expected to be widespread AV use sometime in the, oh, next decade or three. Continue reading

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Annals of Marketing – Cadillac’s 1933 Goddess Mascot Returns

“Automotive design has always been rooted in the importance of an artistic vision to create an emotional response,” said Bryan Nesbitt, executive director of Cadillac Design. “That’s what this series celebrates, as the iconic Cadillac Goddess was originally conceived nearly a century ago as an artful representation of the brand’s spirit and has been reintroduced on the all-new CELESTIQ ultra-luxury EV. Cadillac’s rich history and promising future continue to inspire.” Continue reading

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Repair Act Introduced Again

US Representative Neal Dunn (R-FL) introduced H.R. 906, the “Right to Equitable and Professional Auto Industry Repair (REPAIR) Act,” as the result of the efforts of SEMA, MEMA Aftermarket, the Auto Care Association and the CAR Coalition, The Specialty Equipment Market Association said today. The REPAIR Act seeks to protect consumers’ rights to decide where and with what parts they can use to repair and maintain their vehicles. Representatives Brendan Boyle (D-PA-02), Warren Davidson (R-OH-08) and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA-03) are the current co-sponsors of the bill, which in various guises goes back more than a decade.* Continue reading

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Toyota Patents in Top Five of Intellectual Property Owners Assn

The ranking represents the highest ever achieved in the list’s 40-year history. Toyota said that this further reinforces its position as a leader in technology and innovation among the world’s best-known brands. Of the 3056 patents the company was awarded in 2022, nearly half are for future mobility, including 26% around electrification targeting vehicles, batteries and materials, and 14% focused on automation and safety. Continue reading

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January Global Light Vehicle Sales Flat at 83 Million

January’s Global Light Vehicle (LV) selling rate stood at 83 million units annually, consistent with the previous month, according to the latest data just published by LMC Automotive.* Global supply constraints remain a key issue with some “distortions from tax changes,” in the respected consultancy’s view. Monthly registrations were down 8% year-on-year (YoY), at 6 million units for the month. Continue reading

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TMC Honorary Chairman Shoichiro Toyoda Passes at 97

“With great sadness Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) announced the passing of TMC Honorary Chairman Shoichiro Toyoda this morning in Nagoya. Shoichiro Toyoda died at 4:48 pm on 14 February 2023 of heart failure. He is survived by Akio Toyoda his eldest son. TMC plans to hold a farewell gathering for Honorary Chairman Toyoda at a later date. Continue reading

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Michigan Chemistry – Ford to Spend $3.5B on LFP Battery Plant

Lithium iron phosphate batteries use fewer high-demand, high-cost materials such as critical minerals nickel and cobalt. Ford said they will power a variety of Ford’s next-generation of EV passenger vehicles and pickups, starting this year with Mustang Mach-E. A US LFP battery plant is now central to the so-called Ford+ plan because in theory it helps Ford more EV production quickly thereby making EVs more affordable for customers. Ford’s goal is an 8% EBIT margin for Model e by 2026. It is being pushed hard here by General Motors* and other global automakers as they compete in the capital markets. Continue reading

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New Toyota Motor President Koji Sato on Evolution

“The hallmark of our management as a team, like a soccer team, will be flexibility in changing formation. Underlying this are the concepts of having the right person in the right place and emphasizing roles over titles,” Sato said. Continue reading

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Tech-Aches – J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study

“It is typical in the automotive industry to roll out concepts and features by putting them in premium vehicles first,” said Frank Hanley, senior director of auto benchmarking at J.D. Power. “A bellwether for mass market brands looking to adopt and implement these technology features into their portfolio is in two of the industry’s preeminent studies, the J.D. Power Initial Quality StudySM (IQS) and the Vehicle Dependability Study. Connecting insights from the two studies better informs automakers by substantiating trends and showcasing how some automakers are preventing problems from occurring early on and throughout the ownership experience.” Continue reading

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Subaru Recalls the Solterra EV Recall for Wheels Falling Off

For all potentially affected vehicles, Subaru retailers will inspect the hub bolts and, if necessary, re-torque to the specification at no cost to the customer as required by federal regulations. Customers will be instructed not to drive their vehicle and to contact their retailer to have the vehicle towed for inspection. Towing will be offered at no cost to the customer. Continue reading

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Subaru Crosstrek Gen 3 Debuts at Chicago Auto Show

The Base and Premium models come with a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder direct-injection engine rated at 152 horsepower and 145 lb.-ft. of torque. The Sport and Limited have a 2.5-liter engine delivering a 182 horsepower and 178 lb.-ft. of torque. Standard on all trim levels is a Lineartronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission). Premium, Sport and Limited trims have a so-called manual mode with steering wheel paddle shifters that allow the driver to control the transmission via eight pre-set ratios. Continue reading

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