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 Sued to Set New Limits on Soot, Sulfur, Nitrogen Pollution

Plaintiffs appear to have a compelling case. According to the pleadings, EPA’s latest update and review of the welfare-based standards for sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxides was in June 2012; new standards were due in June 2017. The EPA last updated the particulate matter welfare-based standards in March 2013, so new updates to those standards were due in March 2018. Continue reading

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GM Asks Suppliers to Pledge on Taking Global Climate Actions

Companies comprising 53%  of its annual purchase value of GM’s tier 1 materials have already signed the pledge. The Environmental, Social and Governance Partnership Pledge is significant because it calls for social and governance commitments, including human rights protections and fair operating practices. The supplier pledge expands on GM’s goal to bring “Everybody In” for the all-electric future with a commitment to establishing a collaborative supply chain that endeavors to minimize environmental impact and enhance long-term sustainability. GM will continue to provide support as it identifies opportunities for significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and energy use, provide educational webinars and resources, and develop tools to help remove barriers in the transition to renewable energy.
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NLRB Sues Starbucks for Unfair Labor Practices

The lawsuit seeks immediate reinstatement of the three. Section 10(j) of the National Labor Relations Act authorizes the National Labor Relations Board to seek injunctions against employers and unions in federal district courts to stop unfair labor practices where, due to the passage of time, the normal Board processes are likely to be inadequate to effectively remedy the alleged violations. Continue reading

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President Biden Signs Executive Order to Boost Wildfire Resilience, Combat Global Deforestation

It is indisputable that wildfires and extreme weather events are growing in frequency and ferocity, engulfing communities in the West and across the country. In spite of the obstructionism to change by those funded by the fossil fuel industry, this is demonstrably costing lives, destroying homes, and creating a ruinous economic climate. Biden reaffirmed his calls on Congress to address the climate crisis. Continue reading

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Happy Earth Day to CO2 Producers

This  prompted several organizers, helped by Wisconsin Senator  Gaylord Nelson who was appalled by an 800-sqaure-mile oil slick floating in the Santa Barbara Channel to start a renewed environmental movement. This led to events synchronized globally by EarthDay.org (previously Earth DayNetwork) including it’s said at least 1,000,000,000 people in more than 193 countries. Continue reading

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Aston Martin Announces Its Sustainability Strategy

While some of the language and actions around climate change from automakers remain vague, perhaps inevitably so, Aston now joins virtually all automakers who have a roadmap to electrification. Aston Martin will sell its first hybrid electric car, in 2024. Its first Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) is due in 2025. It will have a fully electrified Sport/GT and SUV portfolio by 2030. The question facing all of us even remotely connected to automobility: is this too little too late? Continue reading

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First Look – Ferrari 296 GTS V6 Hybrid

It’s roughly a ~$400,000 version of an open wheel formula racer with a spider wrapping with a 2.9 second zero-to-100km/h elapsed time. Continue reading

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EU Registrations: Q1 -12.3%, March -20.5%

The ongoing supply chain interruptions, further exacerbated by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, negatively affected car production. As a result, most countries in the region recorded double-digit drops in sales, including the four key markets: Spain (-30.2%), Italy (-29.7%), France (-19.5%) and Germany (-17.5%). This compares to Passenger car registrations: -6.4% first two months of 2022; -6.7% in February, which means the trend line is increasingly negative. Continue reading

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Endangered Species – Subaru BRZ Sports Car $29,615+

For 2023, the BRZ is offered in two trim levels, Premium and Limited. BRZ will be the lightest rear-wheel drive 2+2 sports car in U.S. market, by our calculation at 2815 pounds curb weight for the Premium manual; for 2881 pounds for  the automatic Limited. Continue reading

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IonQ, Hyundai Motor to Explore Quantum Computing for AVs

IonQ and Hyundai will look to for more efficient machine learning on quantum computers, as they can process enormous amounts of data faster and more accurately than classical systems. “Using a breakthrough in encoding images into quantum states, IonQ is already well underway in classifying 43 types of road signs using IonQ’s quantum processors,” the company claimed. The next phase will see the two companies apply IonQ’s machine learning data to Hyundai’s test environment and simulate various real-world scenarios. Continue reading

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Toyota to Spend $383M in US for Gasoline Engines?

The new investment supports the production of four-cylinder engines, including options for hybrid electric vehicles, at its Alabama, Kentucky, Missouri and Tennessee plants – all red states that are part of the ongoing Republican denial of climate change and its deadly human and planetary effects caused by the use of fossil fuels. Toyota’s U.S. plants produce roughly half of the vehicles it sells in the US. Continue reading

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Tesla Recalls Half of 2021-22 Model Xs for Bad Airbags

As such, these vehicles with a major safety defect fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 226, “Ejection Mitigation.” All of the more than 7000 unsafe vehicles involved remain covered under the new vehicle warranty. Continue reading

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First All-Female Minor Hockey Team Are Season Champions

The team will donate the $100,000 grand prize provided by Chevrolet Canada to Inclusion Lloydminster. The donation will be used to create better accessibility in their new local rinks allowing more community members of varying abilities to play, volunteer and access the ice. Continue reading

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Western Europe – BEVs Gaining Share. Diesel Threatened.

“Further decline is inevitable though and may be accelerated by steep price increases at the diesel pump. Gasoline prices have risen a little less, which heightens the attractiveness of that fuel type over diesel while BEV looks increasingly alluring from a fuel price standpoint as liquid road fuels continue at near-record price levels across the region,” noted LMC. Continue reading

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Founder’s Birthday Party – Alpine Fans to Meet in Dieppe

Participants and visitors will be taken on a journey through the major milestones of the brand’s history. This will include an exhibition of Jean Rédélé’s famous vehicles, belongings, and personal memorabilia, as well as an Alpine parade through the streets of Dieppe. Continue reading

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