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.

Porsche Record Deliveries – Up 13% Jan – Sept 2021

Porsche Cayenne remains the most popular model, with 62,451 delivered, followed by the Macan with 61,944 units, a 12 % increase. The fully electric Taycan posted 28,640 cars being delivered to customers. Now in its second full year on the market, it is – gasp – equal to  911 sports car, 27,972 of which were delivered in the first three quarters – an increase 10%. The 718 Boxster and 718 Cayman were purchased by 15,916 customers, a rise of 1% compared to the same period last year. Deliveries of the Panamera also remained at 20,275,  an increase of 1% y-o-y. Continue reading

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France – HYVIA JV Unveils First Hydrogen Prototype

Next prototypes to come include a Master Chassis Cab H2-TECH,a large van with more cargo space (19m3) and a range of about 250km; Master Citybus H2-TECH, an urban minibus that can carry up to 15 passengers for businesses, municipalities, and local public services, with a range of about 300km. Continue reading

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Stellantis on SAE Level 3 Public Road Autonomous Driving

At SAE Level 3, the driver does not need to monitor the driving circumstances constantly but must take back control when the system requests. L3Pilot, the flagship research and innovation project in Europe, is arguably one of the most important for the future of automated driving since it is focused on testing and evaluating the technology as a safe and efficient means of transportation in real traffic conditions. It also assessed technical aspects, driving behavior, user acceptance and impact on traffic and safety. Continue reading

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China: Nippon Steel Sues Toyota over Steel Sheet Patent

The conflict arises from Baoshan Iron & Steel, based in Shanghai, China, and a subsidiary of state-owned China Baowu Steel Group. It is listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange. Toyota uses Baoshan steel sheet. It comes at a time when the Biden Administration is wrestling with US trade policy with China. The former administration started a trade war that cost US jobs, damaged the agricultural sector, and was a disaster for the US auto industry in China, the world’s largest vehicle market. It is also involved in a dispute about whether proposed lavish EV buyer tax credits should apply to imported and non-union made electric vehicles. Continue reading

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Honda Aircraft Shows First Light Jet Able to Cross US Nonstop

The HondaJet 2600 also has the tallest cabin height. It has class-leading pressurization with a cabin altitude of 6,363 feet at its max operating altitude. HondaJet 2600 will offer 3 types of modular and customizable cabin configurations. Continue reading

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LG Electronics to Reimburse GM for $1.9B Bolt EV Recall Costs

As a result of the agreement, GM will recognize an estimated recovery in its third-quarter earnings that will offset $1.9 billion of $2.0 billion in charges associated with the recalls. Continue reading

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Operator Error – Ford Recalls 2021 Bronco for Bad Airbags

Further review of the supplier’s test data found test anomalies were completely associated with bags folded by one of the six associates assigned to the airbag fold operation. It was eventually determined that this distinct associate began introducing an extra fold operation when reassigned to this fold operation in late June. Continue reading

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Stellantis EV Trifecta – $229 Million to Three Kokomo Plants

In the U.S., Stellantis’ LEV mix for passenger cars and light-duty trucks is expected to be more than 40% by 2030. The Company is targeting for the total cost of ownership – not buying price – of EVs to be equivalent to internal combustion engine vehicles by 2026. Continue reading

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Endurance Racing – Alpine Signatech in LMDh from 2024

Alpine says it wants to add new entries to its list of achievements. From 2024 onwards, Alpine will enter the LMDh, one of the two regulations of the Hypercar category. Alpine will field two cars designed around an Oreca chassis and, bien sûr, an Alpine engine developed at Viry-Châtillon. The power unit will derive with all the expertise acquired in Formula 1 by Renault. Continue reading

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Dealer Demise? The Hyundai Amazon Digital Retail Experience

How long the dealers remain part of the process is an interesting question. Continue reading

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September West EU Car Sales in Severe Supply Slump

“The latest monthly results are clear evidence of the major sourcing issues that are haunting global vehicle production currently, with dealerships unable to meet consumer demand. Adding to market headwinds, those vehicles that are available are generally higher priced, as OEMs look to target the production of higher margin products,” said LMC. Continue reading

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GM’s Dual Platform Strategy – Doubling Revenues by 2030?

However, the success of the prediction will depend on GM smoothly transitioning from internal combustion engines, traditional blacksmithing manufacturing, while keeping dealers and training them for what is the most significant transformation the auto industry has ever seen. This is how science fiction becomes science fact with GM selling more than one million EVs by 2025; 30 million connected vehicles in North America on the road by 2030. Along the way the United States and ultimately the world will turn into an environmental culture that uses technology to make things cleaner and safer. Continue reading

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GM to Invest in New Battery Building to Lower EV Costs

The latest GM announcement comes just one day after it said it reached a deal with Wolfspeed (to develop and provide silicon carbide power devices for GM’s future electric vehicle programs. Wolfspeed’s silicon carbide devices will allow GM to “install more efficient EV propulsion systems that will extend the range” of its growing EV portfolio. The silicon carbide involved will be used in the integrated power electronics contained within GM’s Ultium Drive units in its next-generation EVs. Continue reading

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September US Auto Sales at 2021 Low Point

Automakers sold just under 1 million during September, down by -25% YoY. The annualized rate fell to 12 million units, the same level registered in May 2020 and 1 million units under the August Seasonally Adjusted Annualized Rate, aka SAAR. During Q3 light vehicle sales totaled 3.36 million units, down by -14% YoY and the lowest Q3 since 2011 as volumes plunged -22% from the pre-pandemic level in Q3 2019. Continue reading

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GM Recalls 15,000 SUVs for Sudden Stalling

Dealers will replace the fuel pump power control module, free of charge as required by US law. Analysis of field data and returned warranty-replaced parts indicates that the condition was caused by a supplier manufacturing issue by Vitesco Technologies in Seguin Texas. Continue reading

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