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.

Lotus Emira to Make US Debut with F1 Racer Jenson Button

The Lotus Emira will be joined with the Lotus Evija hypercar and the Radford 62-2 at The Quail: A Motorsport Gathering on Friday the 13th of August. Continue reading

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First Look – 2022 Ford GT Heritage Edition. The Last?

The latest Ford GT Heritage Edition is a marketing take on the original, combining Wimbledon White paint and a triple racing stripe with expensive touches including exposed carbon fiber behind blue-painted carbon fiber wheels and Lightspeed Blue Alcantara suede seats. Continue reading

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July Global Sales Days Dogged by Delta, Semiconductors

“The semiconductor shortage held back the post-lockdown recovery of vehicle sales in Europe, while its impact on inventories in the US meant average transaction prices soared. Meanwhile, rising Delta variant cases threaten to worsen the outlook in parts of Asia.” Continue reading

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C’est Bien – Corvette Racing off to Le Mans 24 Hour

This year’s Le Mans is the first time in France for the mid-engine Chevrolet Corvette C8.R, and this year’s race marks Corvette Racing’s return after missing the 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It ended a run of 20 consecutive years at Le Mans that started in 2000. In that time, Corvette claimed eight victories with three different generations of Corvette… all with the engine in the front. Continue reading

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911 Safety Technology – OnStar Expands with RapidDeploy

“This latest milestone in our collaboration with RapidDeploy demonstrates OnStar’s commitment to keeping members and first responders safe during emergencies and supporting new innovations to advance Next Generation 911 initiatives,” said Catherine Bishop, senior manager, OnStar Emergency Services. Continue reading

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Hyundai-Aptiv Startup Motional Expands on West Coast

This move comes as Motional accelerates towards mass commercialization, which includes a landmark agreement with Lyft to launch a multimarket fully driverless service starting in 2023. Motional claims to be one of the world’s key AV players. “We’ve had a presence in Los Angeles for more than five years and are now increasing our investment in California with a new operations facility and road testing in the Los Angeles area, a new San Francisco Bay Area office, and extensive hiring that will more than double the size of our California team,” Motional said in a release. Continue reading

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FAA – Global COVID-19 Testing Required for ALL Entering US

Reaffirming a CDC recommendation, the FAA has just issued Notice Number – NOTC1986 – that stipulates global COVID-19 testing is required for all air passengers entering the country. If you plan to travel internationally, you will need to get tested … Continue reading

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Subaru of America Recalls for Sudden Stalling 165K Vehicles

Dealers will replace the low-pressure fuel pump, free of charge as required by US safety regulations. Owner notification letters are not expected to be mailed until September 13, 2021. Subaru and Toyota owners may call customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru’s number for this recall is WRG-21. Continue reading

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Mercedes-Benz USA Recalls Rear Seatbelts on 2021-22 Models

The rear seatbelt automatic locking retractors may “deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly.” These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, “Occupant Crash Protection.” Continue reading

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Kia America Dabbles with On-Demand, At-Home Car Shopping

Kia America has announced “Kia@Home” which delivers scheduled test drives of two of vehicles direct to consumers at a convenient location of their choosing in several major cities. It is the latest example of an automaker exploring the boundaries of the traditional franchised dealer network. Continue reading

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US Vehicle Sales Drop in July for Third Month Running

Toyota, General Motors and Hyundai were the three bestselling OEMs, while Ford had the weakest performance compared to last July. Ford remains mired in simi-conductor shortages and long-standing troubled relationships with suppliers. Hyundai re-introduced the Compact Pickup segment in July, with the first units of the Santa Cruz delivered. This segment of course was once dominated by GM and Ford before Toyota and Nissan moved in. Continue reading

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US Trade Deficit in Goods and Services Increases to $75.7B

The US international trade deficit in goods and services increased to $75.7 billion in June from $71.0 billion in May (revised) because imports increased more than exports. This was the highest on record. However, the June exports of goods ($145.9 billion) were also the highest on record. Continue reading

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President Biden Targets 50% Electric Vehicle Sales in 2030

The weak points in the plan is allowing for hybrids, and worse plug-in hybrids, which have laughable range running as an EV. However this is a politically needed SOP for most automakers that have been slow to embrace pure EVS. This is industrial policy on a grand scale that proponents argue is needed to survive in the global economy. Less than 4% new vehicles sold in the U.S. during June were electric or plug-in hybrids. This puts the Republicans in a tough spot. Helping Big Business – in effect tax cuts for the rich – is their highly selective policy. But creating middle class jobs while acknowledging Global Warming and setting policy that benefits all of “we the people” is counter to their failed attempts at governing for the selective few. Continue reading

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Nissan Motor Posts ¥75.7B Operating Profit for Q1 FY

During the first three months of the fiscal year, Nissan unit sales increased sharply as the industry rebounded from the pandemic disruption of 2020. Both total industry volumes and global Nissan retail sales increased by more than 60% with keeping pace with the industry volumes. Nissan’s digitally influenced sales have further increased in quarter one. Continue reading

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GM Posts Record Q2 Earnings of $4.1B Amid Delta Doubts

With GM’s evolving view on Automobility it is placing itself squarely in the middle of a global battle royal among other automotive giants such as Toyota, Stellantis and Volkswagen Group, by developing a full EV portfolio that doesn’t depend on “partial solutions” like hybrids and “electrified” ICE vehicles. Continue reading

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