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.

US Wholesalers at $9671 Billion Post 20% Increase in 2021

The latest data along with plummeting fuel prices and decreasing inflation are evidence that the Biden Administration economic program is producing promised results in spite of ongoing Republican opposition. In fact, some maintain that the Democrats are now the party of business after the disastrous Trump years. Continue reading

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Mercedes-Benz Outlines EV Drive Systems Production Sites

The new Mercedes-Benz powertrain production network was achieved following what were likely dicey discussions with German employee representatives. Mercedes says this resulted in agreements to further increase flexibility and efficiency at the various locations, paving the way for securing the future of the plants. In line with the implementation of the Mercedes-Benz Business Plan, the company is investing a mid-single-digit billion-euro amount in its European powertrain production locations. Thus far worker protest or strikes are apparently non-existent. Continue reading

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Ram Recalls 1.3 Million Pickups for Sudden Tailgate Openings

Chrysler (FCA US, part of the Stellantis mega-merger) is recalling  more than 1.3 million  2019-2022 model year Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500 pickup trucks. The tailgate may not latch properly due to misaligned tailgate strikers, which could result in the tailgate opening while driving. Misaligned tailgate strikers may cause a failure to properly latch the tailgate. An improperly latched tailgate may result in an unintended tailgate opening while driving or stationary.

Customers, however, will not be notified until January 2023. Stellantis advises owners to secure cargo in the beds. Vehicles equipped with Ram’s multi-function tailgate and Ram 1500 Classic pickups are unaffected. Also excluded are vehicles equipped with sensors that alert drivers to insecure tailgates. Continue reading

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EPA Automotive Trends – 2021 Fuel Economy at Record High. Emissions at Record Low.

Without question advancements in technology and government regulations are prodding industry to reach these carbon reduction achievements. In model year 2021, hybrid vehicles reached a new high of 9% of all production. These vehicles can use a larger battery to recapture braking energy and provide power when necessary, allowing for a smaller, more efficiently operated engine. Continue reading

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November Global Light Vehicle Selling Rate Lessens

In crude registration terms, November rose 3.2% YoY (year-on-year) to 7 million units. The year-to-date (YTD) figure now stands at under 1% below the corresponding period in 2021, though this is a weak base for comparison., LMC noted. China’s market decelerated sharply in November. In YoY terms, sales fell by 7% in November, ending five straight months of strong rebound. North America and Europe are still struggling YTD as supply-side factors continue to hamper sales. Continue reading

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US Airlines Add Jobs for 18th Consecutive Month of Growth

Scheduled US passenger airlines added 3398 full-time equivalents* in October for 18th consecutive month of job growth, the USDOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics said today as the Biden Administration economic recovery continued. Continue reading

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Biden Admin Making American Manufacturing Great Again

It is the latest fulfillment of the Biden Administration’s pledge to protecting American jobs, as well as the Constitution, in stark contrast to the last mis-administration. In Michigan, the Department of Energy also launched next steps in the Battery Workforce Initiative (BWI), a program geared toward supporting workforce training for good clean energy manufacturing jobs and the development of strategies to bring supply chains back home from overseas. Continue reading

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Subaru 2023 WRX – $31,000 – $45,000

The 2023 WRX arrives in retailers this Spring and  is offered in four trim levels: Base, Premium, Limited and GT. At the heart of the matter, the WRX lineup has a 2.4-liter turbocharged Subaru Boxer® engine, rated at 271 horsepower at 5600 rpm and 258 lb.-ft. of torque from 2000-5200 rpm. Active Torque Vectoring is also standard across the line. Continue reading

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US Bound – New Bio S.F. Edge – Maker Of Motoring History

A biography covering the life of Selwyn Francis Edge, commonly known simply as “SF,” a significant pioneer of motoring in Great Britain, was released in London this morning for sale in the American market.

In 1902, Selwyn Francis Edge drove a Napier to victory in the Gordon Bennett Cup, a race on public roads between Paris in France and Innsbruck in Austria. This it’s said was the start of serious British participation in motor racing. Continue reading

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Chief Marketing Officer Suzy Deering Abruptly Flees Ford Blue

Let the media speculation begin. However, as we have noted Ford Blue – the old internal combustion engine business that is being phased out, is not the future of Ford Motor. Neither now is it the future of Ms. Deering. Continue reading

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November Breaks Covid Fever in Western Europe Sales

The Western Europe passenger vehicle selling rate rose from 10.3 million units/year in October to 12.2 million units/year in November – the second strongest performance of the year behind August, according to data just released by the LMC Automotive consultancy*. … Continue reading

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GM BrightDrop Expands to Canada with Ingersoll EV Plant

With taxpayer-financed support from both Canadian governments, GM has retooled the CAMI Assembly plant become the new global manufacturing home of BrightDrop’s fully electric delivery vans starting with the BrightDrop Zevo 600 electric delivery van. CAMI expects to produce 50,000 Zevo vans annually by 2025. Scaled production is expected to begin with Zevo 600 models in January 2023 and Zevo 400 models in late 2023. In the US, BrightDrop completed delivery of the first Zevo 600s to FedEx last year. Continue reading

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Stellantis Autonomy Disability Program for People with Motor Disabilities Now Expanding to all European Brands

Created in Italy by the Fiat brand, the Autonomy program will be extended to all brands in the European markets where the Group maintains a presence. Autonomy has been active in Italy since 1995, with 15 Mobility Centers – specialist facilities where people with disabilities can find the medical and technical advice they need to apply for a special driving license. Partnerships with the main converters in the industry are key to the program. Continue reading

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November US Light Vehicle Sales Up. Uncertainty Remains

General Motors led the market, with a 17.6% share, 2.4 pp ahead of Toyota Group. Stellantis saw the largest YoY decline of the major automakers, down by 13.2% YoY. Honda Group continued to struggle with a -6.1% YoY drop. Continue reading

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Biden Administration Prevents Nationwide Rail Shutdown

Once again the  President appears to have out-foxed unwitting Republican obstructionists. In response to a question about paid sick leave, he said, “As soon as I can convince our Republicans to see the light.” Thereby once again using success to highlight opposition policy failures.

Biden also took the opportunity to reiterate the economic progress the Administration continues to make after the unending disasters and corruption of the previous Republican Administration. Republicans were thumped in the mid-term elections of course. Continue reading

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