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.

Ford Motor Posts Good Earnings But Weak Net Income

However, Ford’s net income was $667 million, a margin of 1.7%, which included a mark-to-market loss of, gulp, $2.4 billion on Ford’s stake in Rivian. Ford is also in the process of slashing costs under its latest restructuring plan, but refused to comment on pending job cuts, which are being reported as around 8000, only to confirm that there are too many people employed at Ford. Continue reading

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US July Sales Forecast Down. Prices, Profits Still Records

Total new-vehicle sales for July 2022, including retail and non-retail transactions, are projected to reach 1,159,700 units, a 5.7% decrease from July 2021. Comparing the sales volume without adjusting for the number of selling days translates to a decrease of 9.2% from 2021. The seasonally adjusted annualized rate (SAAR) for total new-vehicle sales is expected to be 13.7 million units, down 0.9 million units from 2021. Continue reading

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Penske Automotive Group: Record Q2 Earnings of $500 Million

Penske Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE: PAG) today said it set all-time record quarterly earnings during Q2 of 2022 as earnings before taxes increased 8% to $500 million. Income From Continuing Operations increased 10% to $374 million. Earnings per share increased … Continue reading

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NHTSA: Investigation on Sudden Bronco Engine Failures

It the latest example of ongoing Ford Motor quality problems and safety defects. Ford said during the Bronco introduction: “The all-new Bronco® two- and four-door traditional midsize SUVs represent the flagship models for the Built Wild™ Bronco brand and are ready to deliver thrilling off-road experiences with their heritage-inspired style, rugged engineering and smart off-road technology.” Continue reading

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GM Q2 Earnings at $2.3B Off -$1.1B YoY

This was a significant drop of $1.1 billion in a year-over year comparison as net pricing increases, strong demand and more upscale vehicle sales were more than offset by disrupted production, increased costs and lost sales (90,000 built but not complete?) from lean inventories especially in June. In a word – semiconductors. Continue reading

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GM and LG Chem Have Deal on Battery Materials

The supply agreement – the latest in the EV battery ‘gold rush’ – will help GM meet its growing EV production needs. CAM is a key battery material consisting of components such as processed nickel, lithium and other materials representing about 40% of the cost of a battery cell. Continue reading

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GM: Virtual EV Specialists Available for Free Consult

The online program offers a space (screen?) for real conversations about EVs. EV Live will also help prepare GM dealers, employees, fleet and commercial customers, utilities and third-party collaborators for the all-electric future that virtually all automakers and some policy people think is coming. Continue reading

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Blinded: More Software Recalls from Mercedes-Benz, Toyota

There’s irony in the ongoing automotive hardware safety problems that are caused by a software infection. In the latest two examples of expensive, normally robust machines by Mercedes-Benz and Toyota have vision systems that are subject to the safety-defect recalls that were publicly revealed today by The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Continue reading

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Aston Martin: 100th anniversary of First Grand Prix in France

Ahead of Sunday’s Grand Prix, four-time F1® world champion Sebastian Vettel drove TT1 – warmly nicknamed ‘Green Pea’ – around Circuit Paul Ricard, 100 years after the celebrated car took to the road circuit of Strasbourg for a 60-lap, 800 km race as one of two Aston Martin entries. Continue reading

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At Last? Cadillac Reveals CELESTIQ Concept EV

Whether this is electrifying or compelling enough to send customers back to the fallen brand, time will tell. It is being billed as Cadillac’s electric future that is “inspired by the brand’s 120-year heritage. Continue reading

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J.D. Power: Gasoline Powered Vehicle Satisfaction Drops

However, high gas prices have led to a noticeable decrease in fuel economy/range satisfaction among owners of gas-powered vehicles, according to the J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study released today. The gap between economy/range is only 7 points on a 1,000-point scale. Continue reading

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OnStar Adds Motorcycles and Integrates Amazon Alexa

Motorcycle riders can now have 24/7 access to Emergency Advisors (1) and tailored Roadside Assistance (2). This service is available to all OnStar Guardian Members in the US and Canada. Continue reading

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EV Battery Gold Rush: Ford Has New Battery Capacity Plan

Center for Automotive Research data show that Ford is only one maker in the crowd as automakers invest billions in north American EV and battery manufacturing facilities. For almost two decades, the CAR Automotive Communities Partnership (ACP) has tracked announced automotive manufacturing investments In North America. The ACP Book of Deals investment database shows the sector’s commitment to the transformation. According to data collected for the Book of Deals, in 2021, automakers announced $36 billion of investments to build facilities dedicated to manufacturing EVs and batteries. In the first five months of 2022, automakers announced $24 billion in EV-related investments, almost double the investments announced by the same time last year. Continue reading

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Hot, Fast Company: Penske Automotive Increases Dividend 6%

Penske Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE: PAG) – an international transportation services company, a significant force among premier auto and commercial truck retailers, and a successful racing organization – today announced that its Board of Directors has increased the  dividend by $0.03 per share. Continue reading

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IMSA NASCAR Street fight: Bye Road America, Hi Chicago

That weekend, of course, normally sees IMSA running sports cars at Road America in Wisconsin. NASCAR also runs at Road America too, usually in June. Whether this is, well, cheesy or not depends on your point of view. For the moment IMSA – owned by NASCAR – is officially silent on the matter. Continue reading

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