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.

BMW Manufacturing is Largest US Auto Exporter Again

Forget Trump’s wrong assertion that trade is a zero-sum game and failed trade war, BMW Manufacturing led the US in automotive exports by value for the eighth consecutive year, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce. During 2021, BMW Plant Spartanburg exported 257,876 BMWs with a total export value of more than $10.1 billion. Continue reading

Posted in auto news, economy, manufacturing, mobility company, news analysis, Trump Truth Tests | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Whither Diesel? – Viable Fuel or Blah, Blah, Blah…

At first this seems more blah, blah, blah around doing something about Global Warming and extreme, deadly weather caused by burning fossil fuels. However, both had reasoned observations backed by data for what turned out to be a rarity in our poisoned political climate of resentments and wanton constitutional destruction that is burning far hotter – way beyond any inferno caused by CO2. Continue reading

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Connected Cars – State Farm and Ford to Offer UBI Coverage

Eligible 2020 Model Year and newer connected Ford and Lincoln vehicles, with the consent of the owner, can share information directly with State Farm to enable Drive Safe & Save. The more customers improve their driving behaviors, the greater the insurance discount they may obtain, the companies claim. Continue reading

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NHTSA – Consumer Alert for Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid Fires

The potentially affected van production began on August 12, 2016, when production of Chrysler Pacifica PHEVs began, and ended on August 7, 2018, when 2018 MY production ended. The suspect population was determined using vehicle manufacturing records. Similar vehicles not included in this recall are not PHEVs or were built after the suspect vehicle production period. Continue reading

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A lot of Truckin’ Money – Tundra Ad Campaign Launches

The Tundra campaign was developed using Toyota’s Total Toyota (T2) marketing model, which it claims considers “trans-cultural mainstream audiences across America.” Toyota campaigns are integrated with one strategic brief, creative idea and media plan. This claims Toyota makes for “ a cohesive marketing approach inclusive of multicultural marketing and the total market model.”  Continue reading

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GM is Doubling its Climate Equity Fund

In early 2021, GM announced that it plans to become carbon neutral in its global products and operations by 2040 and is working toward a transition to 100% zero tailpipe emissions for new light-duty vehicles by 2035. The company plans to introduce more than 30 electric vehicle models globally by 2025.  Continue reading

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US Scheduled Airline Passengers Up Under Biden

During 2019, the last full calendar year before the onset of COVID-19 and the botched Trump Administration non- or anti-response, domestic flights accounted for 88% of all passengers, and international flights accounted for 12%. During 2021, domestic flights accounted for 91% of all passengers, and international flights accounted for 9%. Continue reading

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Mercedes-Benz Group Posts Some Strong 2021 Results

However, the Mercedes-Benz Cars & Vans segment has exceeded the guidance range of 10-12% and now expects an adjusted Return on Sales of 12.7% in the full year. Despite the ongoing semiconductor shortages, during Q4 Mercedes-Benz Cars & Vans showed an adjusted Return on Sales of 15.0%, driven by high net pricing, good product mix and favorable used car performance. The strong profitability of the car business also translated into a solid industrial free cash flow exceeding the company guidance.

  Continue reading

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BMW Takes Majority Share in Chinese JV Brilliance Automotive

BMW Group now holds 75% of the shares in BBA, while its Chinese partner, Brilliance China Automotive Holdings Ltd., indirectly holds the remaining 25%. Last year, a total of 846,237 BMW Group vehicles were delivered to customers in the Chinese market (+8.9% compared to 2020). In 2021, BBA produced more than 700,000 BMW vehicles, with around 23,000 employees. Continue reading

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Korean Brands Top 2022 J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study

“Some automakers are performing much better than others at preventing problems from occurring. These problems include the vehicle’s mechanicals, exterior and interior – but also infotainment systems, driver assistance systems and all the other electronic systems in today’s vehicles,” said David Amodeo, director of global automotive at J.D. Power. Continue reading

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Building Forward Better – President Biden, DOT, DOE Announce $5B National EV Charging Network

 “A century ago, America ushered in the modern automotive era; now America must lead the electric vehicle revolution,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “The President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will help us win the EV race by working with states, labor, and the private sector to deploy a historic nationwide charging network that will make EV charging accessible for more Americans.” Continue reading

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Aston Martin’s Next Formula One car – AMR22 – Revealed

 “Formula One is enjoying tremendous popularity, particularly in our key focus markets like the USA and China, helping to amplify the Aston Martin brand, engage a new generation of customers and define our unique position in the crosshairs of ultra-luxury and high-performance,” said Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll, father of Lance and Executive Chairman of Aston Martin Lagonda of which he owns ~15%. Continue reading

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Sports Car Market Touring Series Returns in June, July

“To have them return with additional support for the next three years is quite encouraging, and we’ll do our best to create a fun experience for them,” said Martin. Representatives from RM Sotheby’s will be participating in both tours and contributing to the “Conversations with Collectors” in the evenings – a highlight of each SCM Tour, where tour members speak openly and candidly about car collecting with experts. Continue reading

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Penske Automotive Posts Record Q4, Full-Year 2021 Results

“During the fourth quarter, our diversified business and strong execution by our team produced record revenue, earnings before taxes, net income, and earnings per share, driven by strong retail automotive and commercial truck vehicle margins, a 26% increase in same-store retail automotive gross profit, and continued strong earnings from Penske Transportation Solutions which increased 62%,” CEO Roger Penske said. Continue reading

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Cadillac Project GTP Race Car Debuts This Summer

Last year, Cadillac said that it would compete in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and Automobile Club de l’Ouest or ACO Grand Touring Prototype category in 2023 with a fourth-generation Cadillac V-Series prototype. Notably, this will mark the brand’s return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans after 21 years. Continue reading

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