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.

Embracing the Inevitable? – Buick all EVs by 2030

The Buick Wildcat EV concept, a large  a 2+2 coupe with challenging sight-lines for the driver, demonstrates the new global brand design language that – it’s claimed – will be apparent in production vehicles going forward. The pointy nose could present a problem – when parking or when parking the badge. Continue reading

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Breathing? Toyota Connected Cabin Awareness Uses 4D Radar

It has the capability to sense micro movements, defined as a heartbeat, motion and respiration of occupants across three full seating rows, the cargo area and footwells. It also classifies all occupants according to size, posture and position – supporting advanced safety applications. Continue reading

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Honda Beats Chevrolet at the Brickyard. Record Purse Claimed

The Indianapolis 500 purse record was shattered after a chaotic and red-flagged 106th Indianapolis 500 with race-winner Marcus Ericsson taking home $3.1 million from a total purse of $16,000,200. Continue reading

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Mercedes-Benz and Daimler Van Software Recall on 164 Models

In all cases, an error in the communication module’s SIM card software can cause a mobile network connection failure, disabling the emergency call (eCall) system. Continue reading

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Hyundai Expands Seat Belt Shrapnel Recall

This safety defect recall expands and replaces NHTSA recall numbers 21V-796, 22V-069, 22V-218, and 22V-123 for Accent, Elantra, and Elantra HEV vehicles. All Accent, Elantra, and Elantra HEV vehicles already repaired under the previous recalls will need to have the new repair remedy completed. Continue reading

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Stellantis, Toyota Expand with New Large Commercial Van

Stellantis and TME’s collaboration started in 2012 with the Toyota’s mid-size LCV produced at Stellantis’ Hordain plant in France, followed in 2019 by a compact-size LCV segment, produced at Stellantis’ plant in Vigo, Spain. The large-size LCV announcement allows Toyota to complete a full LCV line-up in Europe. It also – as many such emerging agreements do – offsets the ruinous development and production costs of the ongoing electrification of offerings demanded by governments and customers. Continue reading

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The Brickyard – Honda vs Chevy at Indy 500 Sunday

Perhaps even more so after today’s “Carb  Day,” which used to be a practice session to allow teams to adjust, ahem, carburetors. Chip Ganassi Racing continued its May dominance as Tony Kanaan was the fastest overall and led three of the team’s drivers in the top four of the 2.5-mile lap chart Friday. The 2013 Indy 500 winner Kanaan’s top lap in the 90-minute session – shortened and started two hours late due to morning rain –  was 227.114 mph in the No. 1 The American Legion Chip Ganassi Racing Honda. Continue reading

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Supply Chain Disruptions – Government Solutions Working?

Retired General Lyons will take over the role from John D. Porcari. General Lyons will work with the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), the White House National Economic Council (NEC), ports, rail, trucking and other private companies across our US supply chains to continue to address bottlenecks, speed up the movement of goods, and help lower costs for people. Continue reading

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Adopt a Charger, Rivian Installing EV Chargers in MI Parks

Republicans continue to oppose and block the badly needed Build Back Better national program. Many governors are embracing the future in ways they can help clean energy.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan today joined state and local officials and representatives from Adopt a Charger and startup electric vehicle wanna-be Rivian* at the first of ~15 EV charging sites to be installed at state parks and a fish hatchery in Michigan during the next few years. Two Rivian Waypoints (sic) chargers were unveiled at the 142-acre state park in Ottawa County. Continue reading

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BREXIT Curse – UK Car Production Falls -11.3% in April

UK car production fell -11.3% in April year-on-year with 60,554 units rolling off factory lines, according to the latest figures released today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). The ongoing global shortage of semi-conductors, the impact of … Continue reading

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Pure EV Sales at All-Time Record in US

Pure EV Sales at All-Time Record in US, whose transaction prices are close to a $70,000 making them a new category – Luxury Clean – in AutoInformed’s view. Republicans, with a history of backing from Big Oil, continue to block the Biden Administration’s Build Back Better bill that addresses drastic climate change and prepares the way for a cleaner future. Continue reading

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Ford Joins 50 First Mover Coalition Companies

Ford is committing that at least 10% of its primary aluminum* purchases will have near-zero carbon emissions by 2030, a small step in the right direction of addressing planet-killing and people killing global warming. Continue reading

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Semiconductor Crisis – Toyota Again Suspending Production

“We at Toyota would like to again apologize for the repeated adjustments to our production plans due to the parts shortage resulting from the spread of COVID-19, and for causing considerable inconvenience to our customers, suppliers, and other parties concerned,” Toyota said. Continue reading

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Stellantis and Samsung SDI JV to Build EV Batteries in Kokomo

The joint venture company will invest more than $2.5 billion (€2.3 billion) and create 1400 new jobs in Kokomo and the surrounding areas. The investment could gradually increase up to $3.1 billion (€2.9 billion). The new facility will supply battery modules for a range of vehicles produced at Stellantis’ North American assembly plants. Continue reading

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Toyota 4Runner 40th Anniversary Special Edition Debuts

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner 40th Anniversary Special Edition is based on the SR5 Premium grade and will be available in three colors: White, Midnight Black Metallic and Barcelona Red Metallic. It has bronze-colored 17-inch alloy wheels, a body-color-matching heritage grille and a bronze-colored 40th Anniversary exterior tailgate badge. In short, all the “usual” special edition tweaks. Continue reading

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