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.

‘Press Release’ EVs – Volta Trucks Raises €230M

Volta is claiming a “Europe-first principles within its Road-to-Zero Emissions strategy, with Volta Trucks set to launch four full-electric commercial vehicles and increase its projected sales volumes to more than 27,000 by 2025.” Given the competition from existing truck makers, this is ambitious – and only a promise until production begins. Following an order of electric trucks from DB Schenker in late 2021, pre-orders for the Volta Zero now exceed 5,000 vehicles, with a value of more than €1.2 billion, Volta claims. Continue reading

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Majorities of Americans Say Union Membership Decline is Bad

 “In the survey, 58% of U.S. adults say the large reduction over the past several decades in the percentage of workers who are represented by unions has been somewhat or very bad for the country, while 61% say this has been bad for working people,” said Ted Van Green* of Pew Research. Continue reading

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Power Plants Continue to Befoul Our Air During 2021

Emissions in 2021 were higher than 2020, EPA said because of  a rebound in coal-fired generation as natural gas prices and energy demand increased. Worse emissions increased at rates much higher than the demand for electricity. Continue reading

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Global Light Vehicle Sales Improved in January 2022

Nonetheless, LMC noted that supply chain issues remain the “key headwind for demand, though last month also saw the rapid spread of Omicron deal a blow to some potential market activity. Reports of an improving supply environment in some markets, including China, means the worst of the crisis is likely over, it remains the key headwind to sales during 2022, overshadowing concerns over inflation and a more subdued economic outlook.” Continue reading

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Honda Motor to Make Sweeping Organizational Changes in April to Survive and Sustain Itself as a Mobility Company

Translation: The changes are needed to survive the electrification business, new business, and combined solution business, which will require bolstering the development of software, as well as the strengthening the development of core electrification technologies. Continue reading

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Redwood, Ford, Volvo Recycling EV Batteries from California

The first major surge of end-of-life electric vehicles is a few years away, but Redwood is already working the system. Annually, 6 GWh of lithium-ion batteries –  equivalent to 60,000 EVs, are handled by Redwood in Nevada. It claims that is most of the recycled lithium-ion batteries in North America today. Continue reading

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Brabham Branding launches Formula 1 Simulators for Gamers

Base Performance was founded by veteran sportscar racer Darren Turner in 2010 and has become one of the UK’s leading driver development simulator companies. Before that, Turner shared back-to-back Le Mans 24 Hours victories with David Brabham, Jack’s youngest son, as part of Aston Martin Racing’s factory GT1 program in 2007 and 2008. Continue reading

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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

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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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