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.

CARB Fines PPG for Products Exceeding Air Quality Rules

“CARB is committed to enforcing consumer product rules to improve the air we all breathe and to help California meet federal ozone standards that protect public health,” CARB head of enforcement Todd Sax said. “Manufacturers such as PPG carry the greatest responsibility of supplying Californians with consumer products that comply with emissions standards. Their attention to the legal requirements related to the manufacture, importation and distribution of products significantly impacts California’s air quality.” Continue reading

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Stellantis Posts Q1 2022 Net Increase of 12% at €41.5B

The positive performance followed an ordinary dividend of €1.04 per share  that approved at annual meeting and paid to shareholders in April 2022. Continue reading

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US April Sales Up 6.5%. SAAR Down -21.9% YoY

“However, April 2022’s SAAR was down by 21.9% compared to the stellar sales pace seen in April of 2021 which was driven by strong consumer demand and enough inventory available to meet that demand. April 2021 was one of the last sales months before inventory began to decline significantly and limit the sales pace. We don’t expect that April’s month-end inventory level will change much from March’s level of 1.23 million units as the industry is still unable to produce enough vehicles to meet current demand, let alone restock dealer lots,” said Patrick Manzi, NADA’s Chief Economist. Continue reading

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GMC Brand Extension – 2023 Yukon Denali Ultimate

The 2023 Yukon Denali Ultimate trim “elevates” the GMC sub-brand it’s claimed. “Distinguished with exterior and interior details, next-level materials, innovative available (optional, bring money- Autocrat) technologies and impressive capability, the new 2023 Yukon Denali Ultimate is the most premium Yukon ever offered.” AutoInformed guesstimates the elevated price will be just under ~$100,000. Continue reading

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Tesla Recalls 48,184 Model 3s and 1, Yes 1, Model X

In yet another safety recall, Tesla is buying back one 2022 Model X vehicle. A body structure reinforcement bracket was not installed at the second-row seat. As such, this vehicle fails to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 207, “Seating Systems” and 210, “Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages.” Tesla will replace the vehicle, free of charge. An owner notification letter is expected to be mailed June 6, 2022. Continue reading

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Auto Loan, Lease Total at Record $1.3 Trillion during 2021

“Auto finance growth in 2021 was largely driven by strong – and expensive – used cars, which bolstered originations,” said Marcie Belles, author of the report… “many financiers recorded lower ratios of new cars in their portfolios. Still, origination volume has been nearly restored to pre-COVID levels, and it continues to climb.” Continue reading

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Mazda North America April Sales Down -3.3%

With 27 selling days in April, compared to 26 the year prior, the company posted a decrease of 6.9% on a Daily Selling Rate (DSR) basis. Certified Pre-owned sales totaled 5,274 vehicles in April, a decrease of 23% compared to April 2021. Continue reading

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Electrify America: 2021 EV Charging up 54 Times cf 2020

Electrify America has 800 EV charging stations and about 3,500 individual chargers open or with construction completed. The largest, open ultra-fast DC charging network features up to 150 kilowatts (kW) and 350 kW chargers, some of the fastest speeds available today. Electrify America expects to have more than 1,800 total charging stations with over 10,000 chargers in the United States and Canada by 2026. Expansions plans are helped by the potential to use the chargers as advertising displays. Continue reading

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Computer Bugs – Ford Launches New Certified Glass Network

Ford has apparently discovered the latest bugs in computerized vehicles. They are not the ones that smear your windshield. Continue reading

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NLRB – National Labor Relations Act Protects Immigrants

Today, National Labor Relations Board General Counsel Jennifer Abruzzo released a new protocol to advance immigrant worker protections to freely exercise rights under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) and safely participate in NLRB investigations. Continue reading

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Ford Recalls Explorer, Super-Duty F-Series for Safety Defects

Ford Motor is recalling 2020-2021 Explorer Police FHEV, Explorer Police 3.3L, and 2020-2022 Explorer 2.3L RWD, 3.0L PHEV, 3.3 L FHEV, and 3.0L ST gasoline vehicles because the rear-axle horizontal mounting bolt may fracture and cause the driveshaft to disconnect.

In another recall, Ford is recalling 2020 Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 vehicles equipped with 6.7L diesel engines. A washer within the vehicle’s transmission can disintegrate, causing metallic debris to become lodged in the ‘Park’ mechanism. Debris lodged within the ‘Park’ mechanism may prevent the vehicle from achieving or holding ‘Park,’ increasing the risk of a vehicle roll-away and a crash.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov. Continue reading

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IMSA Racing – Laguna Seca Today

Jordan Taylor and Corvette Racing will start sixth on the GTD PRO grid Sunday for the Hyundai Monterey Sports Car Championship as the No. 3 Mobil 1/SiriusXM Chevrolet Corvette C8.R goes for its second victory of the season in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. Next stop for Corvette? LeMans! Continue reading

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IndyCar – Chevy Front Row at Grand Prix Of Alabama

The 90-lap race starts at 1:15 p.m. (ET) Sunday, with live coverage from NBC and the INDYCAR Radio Network. Team Penske drivers have won the first three races of the season, with Scott McLaughlin capturing the season opener at St. Petersburg and Josef Newgarden winning at Texas and Long Beach. Continue reading

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Congress Investigating Face Verification Vendor ID.me

The Oversight and Reform Committee is looking for records detailing all of ID.me’s federal, state, and local contracts, the number of people who submitted face scans to ID.me, the number of facial recognition errors, and information on the company’s use of many facial recognition technologies. Continue reading

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Awakenings – Toyota to Nurture Butterflies, Bees, Bats

“Toyota believes in supporting pollinator populations because they are so critical to our food system,” said Becky Martin, manager of environmental sustainability at Toyota. “We are working with NEEF and P2 to enhance 26,000 acres of habitat, which is the same size as our land footprint in North America, with experts in pollinator conservation.” Continue reading

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