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.

University of Michigan, Ford – EV Greenhouse Gas Reductions Greater than Others. Pickups Best Over Their Life Cycle?

“This is an important study to inform and encourage climate action. Our research clearly shows substantial greenhouse gas emission reductions that can be achieved from transitioning to electrified powertrains across all vehicle classes,” said study senior author Greg Keoleian, a professor at the U-M School for Environment and Sustainability and director of the U-M Center for Sustainable Systems. Continue reading

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US Vehicle Sales Weakest Since 2011 – Drop 12% in February

The annualized selling rate, aka SAAR, of 14.0 million units declined in both the monthly and annual comparisons. However, the February SAAR was still 1 million higher than the average rate during the second half of 2021. With the same number of selling days as in January, February’s daily average grew by ~2,000 units/day, to 43,600 units/day – it has floated above the 40,000-unit threshold since November 2021 after President Biden was elected and a recovery from the economic reverses and job losses from the Trump Administration began. Continue reading

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EPA – Toxic Chemical Releases Drop 10% between 2019-2020

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today released its 2020 Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) National Analysis, which shows that environmental releases of TRI chemicals by facilities covered by the program declined by 10% between 2019 and 2020. The 2020 TRI National … Continue reading

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Honda Expands Work with Renesas Electronics for ADAS

Now Honda has selected R-Car and RH850 for use in the Honda SENSING 360 omnidirectional safety and driver assistance system, which builds on the knowledge and expertise gained through research and development work on the earlier technology. The first automobile model equipped with Honda SENSING 360 is scheduled for release in China in 2022, with adoption in a broader range of models to follow. Continue reading

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BMW to Add New Press Shop in South Carolina Plant

A new press shop requires manufacturing jobs with advanced-level training. These include tool and die technicians, electrical and mechanical maintenance for automated machinery, and specialized line operators. More than 45 Plant Spartanburg associates are currently training at BMW Group press shops in Leipzig, Germany, and Swindon, England. These associates also train with partners from the Schuler Group, which manufactures automated servo press lines for all BMW Group plants. While Schuler will manufacture the automated press line, all tooling for Plant Spartanburg’s press shop will come from BMW tool shops in Eisenach, Munich, and Dingolfing.  Continue reading

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State of Our Union and the Auto Industry

The auto industry’s economic impact reaches all 50 states, sustaining 10 million American jobs and more than $650 billion in paychecks. The Biden Administration – in the face of Republican opposition and treasonous praise for Putin’s war against Ukraine – has proposed a forward-looking plan that will help the auto industry continue to provide economic growth via a cleaner, safer and smarter automotive future. We need to control our destiny here. This is clear. We need to rid ourselves of alleged leaders who mock our alliances, favor rich despots and are long on talk, but weak on foreign policy and even weaker on our defense. Continue reading

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Ford Motor Structure Threatens Viability. Vast Reorg Coming

Ford Motor Structure Threatens Viability. Vast Reorg Coming Continue reading

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Dare Forward 2030 – Stellantis Survival Plan Unveiled

As part of the leadership mantle Stellantis wants to wear, it wants 100% of sales in Europe and 50% of sales in the United States to be battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) by the end of this decade. “We plan to have more than 75 BEVs and reach global annual BEV sales of 5 million vehicles by 2030,” said Carlos Tavares during a web broadcast for media. Continue reading

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Ford “Suspends” Russian Van Manufacturing and Sales

Today Ford Motor said its Russian operations of commercial van manufacturing and Russian sales through a minority interest in the Sollers-Ford joint venture are suspended effective immediately. Continue reading

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Finally – First Jeep EV Teased by Stellantis

This new fully electric Jeep vehicle is scheduled to be launched early next year. It’s claimed this will broaden the brand’s reach by taking the next step to the achievement of Jeep brand’s vision of Zero Emission Freedom. Continue reading

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Ukraine – EU Truck Sectors at Immediate Risk. Others to Unfold

Putin’s war against Ukraine continues to present uncertain, but no doubt negative impacts on the global auto industry. The Medium and Heavy Truck segments throughout the European region are now clearly under extreme risk. Other collateral risks – such as the shutdown of Toyota in Japan this morning because of a cyber-attack – will only become apparent after they happen in AutoInformed’s view. Continue reading

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NYET! Russian Grand Prix in Sochi Cancelled

Moreover, the American team Haas abandoned the sponsorship of Russian company Uralkali during preseason testing now going on in Barcelona. Nikita Mazepin of Haas is the only Russian driver in F1 for the impending 2022 season. The sponsorship is a Russian company Uralkali, where his father Dmitry is a large shareholder. Continue reading

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Ukraine – Commerce Puts Restrictions on Exports to Russia

The export control measures are the most comprehensive application of Commerce’s export authorities on U.S. items, including technology, as well as on foreign items produced using U.S. equipment, software, and blueprints, targeting a single nation. These were implemented with the cooperation of the United States, the European Union (EU), Japan, Australia, United Kingdom, Canada, and New Zealand. More nations are expected to align their export control policies and requirements with todays actions. “If necessary, based upon any subsequent destabilizing actions by Russia, the U.S. government will follow up in the days to come with additional stringent economic measures,” Commerce said. Continue reading

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Ukraine – Dialogue And Diplomacy Are Only Way Forward

“The current tensions primarily affect ordinary people, disrupting their lives on a daily basis and increasing uncertainty for their future. It is also destabilizing the entire region, adding to the economic and social hardship. IndustriALL Global Union and IndustriALL European Trade Union urge the relevant policy makers from Ukraine, the Russian Federation, the USA, the EU and international organizations to redouble their efforts to focus the process towards one of dialogue and political solutions to ensure a stable peaceful outcome for Ukraine, and to guarantee security for Europe and Ukraine’s neighboring countries. Continue reading

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Stellantis Claims Record First Year with €13.4B Net Profit

“Today’s record results prove that Stellantis is well positioned to deliver strong performance, even in the most uncertain market environments,” said Carlos Tavares, CEO. Continue reading

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