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.

Ford Motor Recalls 160,000 F-150 Pickups for Bad Wipers

The front windshield wiper motor made by Trico in Mexico may become inoperative, causing the wipers to fail. An inoperative wiper motor has the potential for reduced visibility or loss of visibility, increasing the risk of a crash. In the require NHTSA filing Ford said, “The primary causal factors that led to inoperative or poorly performing wipers were poor quality motor brush plate spot welding, insufficient motor magnet adhesive being applied, and insufficient motor nut assembly torque. Continue reading

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Sebring 12 Hours – Bumps, Twists, Turns in Oldest US Race

Cadillac had plenty of electricity: Twice in the final 75 minutes of the race, driver Earl Bamber lost the lead – getting it back both times. Bamber survived two incidents and a penalty in the final minutes Saturday and worked his way back into the lead, eventually prevailing to win the 70th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Presented by Advance Auto Parts. Bamber’s win  in the No. 02 Chip Ganassi Racing Cadillac DPi-V.R co-driven with Alex Lynn and Neel Jani was a brilliant demonstration of an old sport car racing adage – no matter what happens, just keep racing. “It was a team effort, not an individual one,” Bamber said afterwards. “I was just the one lucky enough to do the last hour. I could’ve probably made it a hell of a lot easier for everyone else, but hey, I made it. It was a good show, I think.” Continue reading

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Autonomous – GM Ups Stake in Cruise and Buys out Softbank

Cruise has made self-driving cars a reality and is arguably the leader on the pathway to commercial autonomous ridesharing and delivery, creating significant value for both GM shareholders and Cruise’s minority shareholders. Since Cruise was founded in 2013, it has run more than 2 million autonomous miles in California. It has 300+ all-electric AVs on roads in San Francisco and Phoenix. Funding is more than $9 billion with ~1900 employees, with a market valuation of, gulp, +$30 billion. Continue reading

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Toyota to Upgrade Long Beach Manufacturing

Ford Motor Company successfully lobbied the Johnson Administration to expand the tax to Japanese automakers. The simple workaround at what was then Atlas Fabricators in 1972 was to produce Toyota truck beds for pickup trucks imported into the U.S. from Japan, a strategy also used by other importers.  Two years later, Toyota bought the operation and renamed it TABC, which become its first manufacturing investment in the U.S. It’s ironic that Ford, one of the Detroit Three companies that lobbied  for protection against imported light trucks, later did minor stateside work on the Turkish-built Transit Connect to escape paying the chicken tax. Continue reading

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Maserati – First Italian Luxury Brand to Produce EVs?

Now, Maserati is about to become the first luxury brand to launch a 100% electric sports car under the Maserati Folgore name (translation Lightning or Flash Of Lighting). The new GranTurismo will be the first car in Maserati history to adopt 100% electric “solutions.” Made at the Mirafiori production site, it will debut in the market in 2023. The new GranTurismo, it’s claimed, will offer “cutting-edge technical solutions derived from Formula E – superb performance, comfort and elegance.” Continue reading

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Porsche 2030 – More Than 80% All-Electric New Vehicles

“We continue to hope for a cessation of hostilities and a return to diplomacy. The safety and integrity of the people are paramount. To help people in need in Ukraine, Porsche AG has donated a total of €1 million. Experts are continuously determining the degree of impact on Porsche’s business activities in a task force. The supply chains for Porsche plants have been affected, which means that on-schedule production is no longer possible in some cases.” Continue reading

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History of Japanese Car Making at Toyota Automobile Museum

The exhibition traces the first seven decades of the Japanese auto industry, from its beginnings in the early 20th century to the 1970s, when it established itself as the nation’s key industry. Continue reading

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Hendrick Motorsports to Run Camaro ZL1 at Le Mans!

Hendrick Motorsports is the all-time leader in NASCAR Cup Series championships, points-paying victories and laps led. The team is coming off its second consecutive title and has won two of the four races in 2022. Seven-time champion crew chief Chad Knaus will serve as its Garage 56 program manager. Further details, including technical elements of the car and the team’s driver lineup, will be announced at a later date. Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports did confirm one thing though, “It’s going to be expensive.” Continue reading

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Putin’s War Clouds BMW Group Media Day

Unaddressed in formal statements were two key concerns for the German auto industry – Germany’s over-dependence on Russian natural gas, and it’s dealings with totalitarian communist states including China where BMW and other German makers, suppliers and brands have extensive holdings – Audi, Daimler, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, among others. Continue reading

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US Airline Passengers Up in Jan 2022. Still Down from 2020

This of course was long before Putin’s war against democracy in Ukraine and economic sanctions were imposed, with more likely. Following are BTS data points. Continue reading

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Global Light Vehicle Sales Rate Drops in February

Even with the disruption to the world’s largest auto market due to the Chinese New Year, sales for the rest of the globe were weaker compared with the month before. Year-on-year (YoY) sales were 1% down on a poor base performance last February. Continue reading

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McLaren Automotive Tries the Metaverse with InfiniteWorld

Most recently, McClaren unveiled its all-new high-performance hybrid supercar, the Artura. The Artura is the first McLaren to use McLaren Carbon Lightweight Architecture (MCLA). MCLA is designed, developed and manufactured at the McLaren Composites Technology Centre in the Sheffield region of England “using world-first processes and will spearhead the brand’s electrified future.” Continue reading

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Hyundai, Kia Recall 2022 Seat Belts for Shrapnel Explosions

Hyundai Motor America and Kia Motors America are recalling seat belts because during a crash the front passenger-side seat-belt pretensioner may explode upon deployment sending metal fragments into the interior. The actual incident that remains under investigation occurred in February … Continue reading

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EPA – More Funding for DERA Tribal and Insular Area Grants

The DERA program is prioritizing projects that help achieve the goals of President Biden’s Justice40 initiative, which aims to ensure that federal agencies deliver at least 40% of benefits from certain investments to underserved communities. Older diesel engines emit much more air pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and particulate matter than newer diesel engines. EPA correctly notes that these pollutants are linked to a range of serious health problems including asthma, lung and heart disease, other respiratory ailments, and premature death. Continue reading

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FI Braking Points – New Regs, New Limits. More Passing?

The latest FIA regulations and limits see wheel diameters increase from 13 inches to 18 inches. This of course requires larger, heavier brake discs. For 2022, the diameter of Brembo front axle carbon discs increases from 278 mm up to as much as 328 mm, while the maximum thickness remains unchanged at 32 mm. Those on the rear axle increase from 266 mm to 280 mm, with the thickness increasing from 28 mm to 32 mm. Continue reading

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