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.

Mitsubishi Starts Office-Free Work-From-Home Policy

This appears to be an automaker first, or at least one from a company of some size. With headquarters in Franklin, Tennessee, and corporate operations in California, Georgia, Michigan, New Jersey, Texas, Florida and Virginia, MMNA directly and indirectly employs more than 8,000 people across the United States. Continue reading

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FAA Awards Drone Research Grants to Seven Universities

The universities receiving grants are University of North Dakota, University of Kansas, Drexel University, The Ohio State University, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Mississippi State University and Oregon State University. Continue reading

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Software – Automakers Out of Touch with Drivers and Safety

“Having a giant touchscreen interface is really about saving hardware costs by implementing everything in software,” says Blackie. “Recently, though, there’s been growing disquiet as years of ergonomic study and usability experience are abandoned in the rush to cram everything onto a single screen.” Continue reading

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Electrify America – Kilowatt-Hour EV Pricing in 30 States

“Electric vehicle owners like the transparency of kilowatt-hour pricing – letting them pay for the amount of energy used to charge their EVs,” said Robert Barrosa, senior director, business development & marketing of Electrify America. “We are continuing work to expand kilowatt-hour pricing to even more states.” Continue reading

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Quirky Startups – Everrati, Aria Group Porsche 911 EVs

Everrati’s product range is now available in every major market, it claims. “Surging demand for Everrati products globally is being led by sustainability-conscious millennials and Gen-Z buyers who demand an iconic car from decades such as the 80s and 90s, and demand EV power over ICE,” Everrati said. Everrati buyers are also traditional car collectors with “a passion for the latest in automotive technology… there is one common thread, all Everrati customers are car enthusiasts driven by a desire to enjoy beautiful icons sustainably and responsibly.” Continue reading

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Stellantis to Consolidate Financial Services in China

The latest move comes after the restructuring of financial services in Europe and the United States. It is in keeping with its “asset light business model” developed in part given the extremely high cost of converting to electric and autonomous vehicles in what has become a global race for survival. Stellantis has plans for 75 new EV models by 2030. Continue reading

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FIA Formula E – Nissan Takes Over e.dams Race Team

The team is currently based in Le Mans, France, and will continue to race as planned in Season 8. The change in ownership and new management structure will take place with immediate effect. Tommaso Volpe, general manager Nissan Formula E, will also become managing director at e.dams. Continue reading

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EV Batteries – GM and Glencore Deal on Cobalt

By the end of 2025, GM plans to have capacity to build 1 million electric vehicles in North America – a doubling from earlier estimates. GM has announced actions to create a new and more secure EV supply chain, including projects targeting key EV materials and components. Cobalt processed from Australia will be used in GM’s Ultium battery cathodes, which will power electric vehicles such as the Chevrolet Silverado EV, GMC HUMMER EV and Cadillac LYRIQ. Continue reading

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Revised 2023 Nissan Leaf Debuts at NYIAS

A mildly changed 2023 Nissan Leaf appeared today during media days at the New York International Auto Show prior to its summer on-sale date. The 2023 budding LEAF will be available in two grade levels, LEAF S and LEAF SV … Continue reading

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Court Upholds EPA on Imports from Chinese Vehicle Makers

Moreover the District Court also affirmed the $1,601,150 civil penalty assessed by the Administrative Law Judge. The challenge was brought by Taotao USA, Inc, Taotao Group Co., Ltd., and Jinyun County Xiangyuan Industry Co., Ltd. (plaintiffs). Continue reading

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Mercedes-Benz Digital ESG Touts Cutting CO2 Emissions

The German auto industry is currently under heavy criticism for its lobbying the German government to not impose sanctions on the use of Russian or other fossil fuels, saying it can’t be done. However, the latest UN report – IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) –  says: “The application of diverse policy instruments for mitigation at the national and sub-national levels has grown consistently across a range of sectors By 2020, over 20% of global GHG emissions were covered by carbon taxes or emissions trading systems, although coverage and prices have been insufficient to achieve deep reductions By 2020, there were ‘direct’ climate laws focused primarily on GHG reductions in 56 countries covering 53% of global emissions Policy coverage remains limited for emissions from agriculture and the production of industrial materials and feedstocks.” Continue reading

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Ford Recalls F-150 Pickups for Sudden Shifting into Neutral

Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) is recalling 47,084 model year 2021 F-150 vehicles for shifting into neutral without warning. Affected vehicles are equipped with 3.5L GTDI, 2.7L and 5.0L engines, 10R80 transmissions and not equipped with Auto Start-Stop technology built between … Continue reading

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Three-Peat for Penske at Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach

Team Penske has claimed at least two of the first four spots at the finish in all three races this season. The last time Team Penske won the first three races of the season was 2012, and Chip Ganassi Racing in 2020 was the last IndyCar  team to start a season with three straight wins. Continue reading

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BMW Cutting CO2 Emissions from Aluminum Wheel Casting

There is not a globally agreed methodology, approved audits or accounting principles or common terminology in the increasing use of sustainability by large manufacturers. The German auto industry is currently under heavy criticism for its lobbying the German government to not impose sanctions on the use of Russian or other fossil fuels, saying it can’t be done. There isn’t even an agreed way to spell or say aluminium in English. Continue reading

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Another? Ford GT Heritage Edition – Holman Moody

The original Ford GT40 prototype debuted at the 1964 New York Auto Show. Now Ford is returning to New YAWK for the first public appearance of its new GT Heritage Edition – the 2022 Ford GT Holman Moody Edition. This marks the final 2022 Heritage Edition paying tribute to the GT40 MK II race car that completed the famous 1-2-3 sweep at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1966,  with wins from 1966 to 1969, and in born-again form in 2016. The GT Heritage Edition will debut alongside the 1966 Ford GT40 MK II. Continue reading

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