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.

GM Canada Sales Up 42% in Q4, 5% During 2022

For EVs, Canadian shipments for the Cadillac LYRIQ have already begun, with the first customer deliveries expected in January. Also launching in 2023 are the Chevrolet Equinox EV, Chevrolet Blazer EV, Chevrolet Silverado EV, GMC Sierra EV, and GMC HUMMER SUV EV. Continue reading

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Toyota Motor North America 2022 Sales Drop Notably

“As the industry closes out 2022, we’re expecting the year to end around 13.9 million SAAR. And for 2023, we’re predicting a SAAR to grow to approximately 15 million. And while we still have many of 2022 challenges carrying into 2023, we’re moving in the right direction, and doing whatever we can to get vehicles to our customers as quickly as possible. So, we’re cautiously optimistic about our future. Now let me turn it over to Andrew to talk about our two brands,” said Jack Hollis, executive vice president of Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) and president of Toyota Motor Sales. Continue reading

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Stellantis to Make Archer Electric Airplanes

Stellantis now will work on Archer’s recently announced manufacturing facility in Covington, Georgia. The companies plan to begin manufacturing the Midnight aircraft in 2024. Midnight is claimed to be safe, sustainable, quiet and, with an expected payload of more than 1000 pounds. It can carry four passengers plus a pilot. With a range of 100 miles, Midnight is meant for back-to-back short distance trips of around 20 miles, with a charging time of approximately 10 minutes in-between. All this of course is dependent on The Federal Aviation Administration issuing a type certificate and approving other air worthiness requirements including training and operating limitations. Continue reading

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General Motors Posts US Sales Leadership for 2022

General Motors (NYSE: GM) said today that GM and its dealers delivered 2.8 million vehicles in the U.S. in 2022 (+3%), leading the industry in total sales. GM also claimed that it extended its leadership in key market segments including full-size pickups and full-size SUVs.

Industry sales results will be forthcoming during the next couple of days, which will allow for a more nuanced analysis. Continue reading

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FHWA Large Bridge Project Grants Underway

This program is part of the Administration’s largest dedicated investment in highway bridges since the construction of the Interstate highway system. Almost $40 billion projected to be spent over five years that will help repair or rebuild ten of the most economically significant bridges in the country. Thousands of other bridges across the country are covered by the program as well. Continue reading

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GE Engineer Sentenced for Economic Espionage Conspiracy

“This is a case of textbook economic espionage. Zheng exploited his position of trust, betrayed his employer and conspired with the government of China to steal innovative American technology,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “The Justice Department will hold accountable those who threaten our national security by conniving to steal valuable trade secrets on behalf of a foreign power.”  Continue reading

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Ford Claims F-Series Retains Title of Best-Selling Truck in 2022

However, since Ford’s Edsel and Mercury brands are long gone and Lincoln is not in this segment, there is room to debate that General Motors with it Chevrolet, GMC and Hummer pickup lines might sell a greater number of pickups when final sales numbers are in. This also means that Ford Maverick, Ranger, F-150, Super Duty, all the way up to F-750 should also be included in the competitive tally. Continue reading

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US Construction Spending For November 2022 Flat

Construction, aside from being an indicator of the overall health of the US economy, is particularly important to automakers with a substantial stake in the highly profitable pickup truck segments at the Detroit Three – General Motors with Chevrolet and GMC; FCA with Ram; and Ford Motor with F-series. While the Biden administration recovery is continuing, The Federal Reserve interest hikes appear likely to send the US economy into an unneeded and unwanted recession. Continue reading

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Mercedes-Benz USA Recalls Sunroofs for Flying Off

This latest recall of a previous recall goes back to December 2017, when Mercedes Benz in Germany launched initial investigations based on what it said were isolated field reports from outside the US claiming that the sliding roof panel detached from vehicles. No damage or injuries were reported as a result of these unsafe incidents.

However, the sliding roof assemblies of the affected vehicles were requested and returned by individual markets, including the US. The returned parts were analyzed by the supplier and an external laboratory. Continue reading

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Significant 2022 Automotive Stories and Trends

With that in mind, here’s our latest takes on the 2022 annum of automobility, from autonomous and electric vehicles needed to foil planet-killing global warming, to driving caused deaths, to trade, tariffs, allies and, alas, the still ongoing threats from American fascism and racism that are opposing our collective growth. We undertake this with an awareness that AutoInformed conducts its education in public with our deficiencies apparent. We begin our annual taking stock with comments on significant automotive stories of 2022 as we look to endure another year of plagues – covid variants, political insurrections, social unrest and others to come. Continue reading

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US Recovering from Covid. Greenhouse Gasses a Problem

This is an important report for policy makers and the rest of us because Transportation accounted for 8.4% of the US gross domestic product in 2021, up from 7.7% in 2020, but down from 9.1% percent in 2019. During 2021, the wholesale and retail trade sector continued to require more transportation services than any other sector to produce one dollar of gross output. Continue reading

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Drowning Risk – Body Glove Tandem Inflatable Paddle Boards

Surf 9 is recalling  Body Glove Tandem and ULI Inflatable Paddle Boards because of a drowning risk. The paddle boards were sold exclusively at Costco (Costco item# 2622049), The US Consumer Product Safety Commission said today in a release. Continue reading

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Japanese Global Sales Weak in November. China is a Disaster

The global sales results of major Japanese automakers just released for November of 2022 show weakness and an uncertain outlook for 2023. The world’s largest car market, China, as well Putin’s war against Ukraine are major culprits. This in our view significantly clouds the outlook for 2023. However, Toyota Motor is showing resilience to the sales flu thus far as winter sets in.  Continue reading

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Wayne Taylor Racing, Andretti Autosport Ink 2023 IMSA Deal

Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti Autosport’s No. 10 Konica Minolta Acura ARX-06 and its No. 93 Harrison Contracting Company Acura NSX Evo22 will make their official debut at the 2023 Roar Before the Rolex 24 and will be on the grid for the Rolex 24 at Daytona. The newly formed team will also compete in the Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America series. For 2023, Andretti will continue to operate in IMSA’s LMP3 category with Jarett Andretti. Continue reading

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Political Climate Change – Man Sentenced in Foiled Michigan Governor Kidnapping Conspiracy

A jury in an earlier trial was unable to reach a verdict. In my view, things have changed significantly in many people’s minds about the Big Lie and the associated, often violent, assaults against institutions and people as the January 6 Committee during the past year presented its devastating case of what went on and who was part of it. Call it a national warming toward protecting our Democracy after the melting of the last Republican ice age.  National security is also a critical issue in Trump’s case, of course, with his unexplained stolen documents. Continue reading

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