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.

Hyundai Ioniq 5 Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS

The 2022 Ioniq 5 standard front crash prevention system earns superior ratings in the vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian evaluations. The SEL and Limited trims come equipped with good-rated LED projector headlights, while the SE trim comes with LED reflectors that earn an acceptable rating. The award applies to vehicles built after December 2021, when Hyundai made changes to the front seats that could affect the head restraint evaluation. Continue reading

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GM Expands EV First Responder Training in US, Canada

This program is focused on responders but potentially also benefits drivers involved in incidents. This is a continuation of GM-led education efforts that began more than a decade ago with the introduction of the Chevrolet Volt. With plans to have the capacity to build more than 1 million EVs by 2025, GM continues to increase investments in areas that will enable mass adoption and support those who play a role in the deployment of electrified technology. Continue reading

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Marco Fioravanti is New Nissan Americas VP Product Planning

Fioravanti has been with Nissan for more than nine years in a variety of positions, including Product Strategy & Planning in Switzerland and France, as well as Product Marketing at global headquarters in Japan. Continue reading

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Tickets On Sale for 2022 Chattanooga Motorcar Festival

Event tickets allow access to all the Festival events, including the Concours d’Elegance and the awards ceremony on Sunday, the Mecum Auctions on Friday and Saturday at the Convention Center, racing at the Pace Grand Prix at the Bend, and other events in West Village and nearby locations. Continue reading

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Hyundai Motor Ioniq 6 EV Partly Revealed

The interior was developed simultaneously with the exterior. “Efforts were made to maximize and optimize the interior space, stretching it at the front and rear, resulting in a unique streamliner silhouette and spacious interior,” said Hyundai. To AutoInformed, it is strikingly similar to the Mercedes-Benz EQS Continue reading

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Vehicle Quality Flaws at 36-Year Record High

Initial vehicle quality drastically declined setting a record, according to the J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Initial Quality StudySM (IQS)*. The disruptions caused by the pandemic: supply chain issues, record-high vehicle prices and personnel dislocations, contributed to quality woes. Compared with … Continue reading

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Mercedes-Benz and Unions Agree on EV Production Plans

This means that the Works Council and the powerful IG Metall union, which represents the industrial sector in Europe’s largest economy, supports how the factories are being allocated. The production portfolio already includes six all-electric Mercedes-EQ models. These are being bult at six locations on three continents. Continue reading

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Honda Recalls 2006-14 Ridgeline Pickups for Fuel Tank Failures

As of June 9, 2022, Honda has received five customer complaints from the U.S. market between November 2016 through November 2021, and no reports of fires or injuries related to this issue. The driver may hear noises from the fuel tank and/or fuel tank mounting bands impacting the undercarriage area. Continue reading

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Watkins Glen: Rain, Red Flag, Busted Rules Cloud Results

As a result, racing against the clock took on new meaning as the minimum one-hour, 30-minute drive time applied for each driver in every class except DPi. When the stewards sorted it all out, the clock was adjusted to one hour, 17 minutes over what became five-plus hours. This nullified the pit stop strategy for several teams and meant some drivers were short of the 90-minute drive time. Continue reading

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Penske Motorsport Heads List of Porsche 963 WEC and IMSA Contenders During 2023. A New Golden Age of Racing?

This is an intercontinental program as sports car racing enters what could be a new golden age with ever increasing participants and global audiences. For the first time in some 30 years, it will be possible to compete for overall victories in the endurance classics at Le Mans, Sebring and Daytona with cars of identical construction. Continue reading

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Bentley Mulliner to Build 12 New 1929-30 Le Mans Winners

The most successful Bentley racing car of its era, the Speed Six is one of the most important Bentleys in history, not only further demonstrating the marque’s world-beating performance credentials but also proving the concept of what is still known as the Grand Tourer – a fast car that remained comfortable and luxurious, and capable of covering huge distances with ease. Continue reading

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US June Vehicle Sales Forecast is Down on Record Prices

New-vehicle retail sales in Q2 2022 are projected to reach 2,977,300 units, a 23.3% decrease from Q2 2021 when adjusted for selling days. New-vehicle retail sales for the first six months 2022 are projected to reach 5,827,300 units, a 19.1% decrease from the first six months of 2021 when adjusted for selling days. The first half of 2021 was an all-time record for retail sales. Power/LMC make no note of the Federal Reserve Board, which appears to be dedicated to sending and keeping the economy in a recession. Continue reading

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Toyota to Build Suzuki SUV in India for Both Brands

The powertrains offered in India, will be equipped with a mild hybrid developed by Suzuki and a full hybrid developed by Toyota. “By bringing together strengths of both Toyota and Suzuki through the collaboration, the two companies will be able to provide a wide variety of vehicle electrification technologies to customers and contribute to the acceleration of electrification and the realization of a carbon-neutral society in India,” the companies said in a joint release. Continue reading

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Stellantis to be 2nd Largest Shareholder in Vulcan Energy

The equity investment will go towards Vulcan’s planned production expansion drilling in its producing Upper Rhine Valley Brine Field (URVBF). Vulcan is already producing geothermal energy from its URVBF and plans to produce lithium hydroxide with zero fossil fuels and net zero carbon footprint as part of the Zero Carbon Lithium Project. Continue reading

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Infotainment: Mercedes-Benz Group and ZYNC

Through ZYNC, Mercedes-Benz customers will be able to access a range of third-party global and local streaming services. The first application of ZYNC is planned for the end of this year in the EQS and S-Class in Europe, with rollout in further models and markets planned for 2023. Continue reading

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