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.

EPA Looking at EVs and the Toxic Substances Control Act

It’s the latest example of a regulatory body realizing that battery-powered vehicles present, well, challenges under existing regulations or the lack thereof. It’s a global trend and problem. Under TSCA, EPA’s New Chemicals Program plays a central role by reviewing all new chemical substances before they enter the marketplace in order to bring innovative chemistries to market in a way that doesn’t harm human health or the environment. Continue reading

Posted in electric vehicles, electronics, environment | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ford Shows 2023 Mustang GT Racer before Bathurst 1000

This GT is a precursor of the next generation of Ford performance race cars, including an anticipated return to LeMans during 2024 in an IMSA GT category. The street and track-capable performance MDH  – Mustang Dark Horse – is Ford’s next racer. Continue reading

Posted in performance, racing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Promise? Final Special Edition 2022 Ford GT LM

Since Ford is investing $50 billion in electric vehicles through 2026, it needs to wring every profitable nickel out of selling what it has now. Enter the 2022 Ford GT LM Edition available with red or blue design trim that include tinted red or blue carbon fiber exterior “treatment and a driver’s seat in the corresponding color.” Twenty will be made. Deliveries begin this fall with production ending later this year. The Ford GT already started at $500,000+. I’d double down on that with $1,000,000 a starting bid. Continue reading

Posted in marketing, performance | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Whither the Global Light Vehicle Market?

“Across much of the world, supply bottlenecks remain the key reason for holding back better sales results. However, as Europe and North America head into the winter months, economic prospects look increasingly dismal in the face of stubbornly high inflation, and underlying demand for new vehicles is inevitably being eroded,” according to respected consultancy LMC Automotive this morning. Continue reading

Posted in news analysis | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

NADA Cautious on 2022 US Light Vehicle Sales Outlook

However, September 2021 was the weakest since May 2020, because of pandemic induced supply chain disruptions and parts shortages, which resulted in  the lowest saleable inventory for more than three decades. Continue reading

Posted in economy, news analysis, sales | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ford Motor US September Sales Drop 9%

However, Ford is notching some low-volume victories, which might bode well, if – big if – it can transition from its internal combustion engine legacy vehicles  – the heart of Ford Motor – while successfully surviving without missing a beat a transplant to an all-electric future. Continue reading

Posted in economy, news analysis, sales | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

American Honda Sales Escape Summer Doldrums

In fact, like the former Detroit Three automakers, Honda is thriving on trucks. Honda light truck sales continue to lead the Honda brand with CR-V topping 22,000 units and HR-V more than 8,000 in sales. The Ridgeline also set a new September record. Continue reading

Posted in news analysis, sales | Leave a comment

Russian Oligarch Oleg Vladimirovich Deripaska Indicted

It’s just another example of how treacherous the waters of global trade are for multinational corporations with implications for automobile businesses that operate under totalitarian  governments. Continue reading

Posted in economy, litigation, mobility company, people | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Toyota Motor North America September US Sales Up 17%

Toyota Motor North America (NYSE:TM) today reported US September 2022 sales of 179,050 vehicles, up 17.1% on a volume and daily selling rate (DSR) basis compared to September 2021. September 2022 sales of electrified vehicles totaled 35,419, representing nearly 20% … Continue reading

Posted in sales | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

GM Q3 US Sales Up 24%

Three of GM’s vehicle brands posted double-digit total sales gains, with Chevrolet up 30%, GMC up 24% and Cadillac up 50%. GM also claimed ~3-point improvement in retail market share year over year (J.D. Power PIN data), as well as “significant sales gains” in the commercial fleet segment. Continue reading

Posted in economy, manufacturing, news analysis, sales | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

China Light Vehicle Sales Highest Ever in August

“PV wholesales and production numbers for August were in line with our expectation for the month. After the reopening of Shanghai, sales rebounded strongly for the second consecutive month in July, continuing to be boosted by pent-up demand and the temporary purchase tax cut on PVs (from 1 June to 31 December 2022). The local governments’ and automakers’ sales promotions also played a role in the brisk demand. In the recently three months, some of the premium brands have been promoted by the purchase tax preferential policy, and the recovery of the market is obvious,” said LMC. Continue reading

Posted in economy, news analysis, sales | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Production Starts in Alabama of the Mercedes EQE SUV

Mercedes with this full-size SUV is mounting a growing defense of its competitiveness in expensive luxury vehicles, which is under attack by Tesla, Lexus, BMW, Porsche, and Maybach, among others, all of whom must address the growing global demand for SUV shapes and the utility provided. By 2030, the subsidiary of Daimler now – belatedly? – wants more than half the cars it sells to have electric drive systems – this includes all-electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids, areas it has been slow to embrace. Pricing ranges from $106,000 to more than $133,000. Continue reading

Posted in electric vehicles, manufacturing, mobility company | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Atlantic Richfield to Finish Anaconda Smelter Cleanup

Decades of copper smelting activity at the town of Anaconda polluted the soils in yards, commercial and industrial areas, pastures and open spaces throughout the 300-square-mile Anaconda Site. This pollution has in turn contributed to the contamination of creeks and other surface waters at the Site, as well as of alluvial and bedrock ground water. The closure of smelting operations in 1980 left large volumes of smelter slag, flue dust and hazardous rock tailings that have had to be secured through a variety of remediation methods. Continue reading

Posted in environment, litigation | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Augmented Reality – TeamViewer and Hyundai Motor

Overall benefits claimed are increased productivity, accuracy, speed and safety of production workers. The two parties will also pursue global joint marketing of smart factory and enterprise AR technology. Continue reading

Posted in labor issues, manufacturing, safety | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Expanding EV Choices Increase Buying Consideration

“Although these shoppers are easing off the pedal a bit, the percentage of shoppers who are “somewhat likely” to purchase an EV in the next 12 months increased 2.5 percentage points in August,” Krear notes. Continue reading

Posted in electric vehicles, environment, news analysis | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment