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.

Mazda “Sustainable Zoom-Zoom 2030.” We’re Not Kidding

Marketing babble alert> “Sustainable Zoom-Zoom 2030”  is built from Mazda’s revised Medium-Term Management Plan and its desire to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, both of which were announced in the past year. Continue reading

Posted in environment, marketing, milestones, mobility company, news analysis | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

EPA Range of 270, 260 miles for Mach-E GT, GT Performance

With torque1 of 634 lb.-ft. and 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds, the Mustang Mach-E GT Performance Edition has an EPA-estimated range of 260 miles while the Mustang Mach-E GT has an EPA-estimated range of 270 miles. Your mileage can and likely will vary. Continue reading

Posted in electric vehicles, fuel economy or emissions, performance | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Volkswagen ID.4 – Most Affordable AWD Electric Vehicle in US?

With two electric motors, 295 horsepower and an estimated 0-60 mph time of 5.7 seconds for the AWD Pro model, the ID.4 AWD offers competitive performance and all-weather traction3. It combines the permanent magnet synchronous electric motor on the rear axle of the standard ID.4 with a new asynchronous electric motor on the front axle. Continue reading

Posted in electric vehicles, electronics, new vehicle | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Toyota Starts Free Autonomous Shuttle in Indianapolis

he route was designed to increase mobility options by providing a connection from the Vermont Station – along IndyGo’s Red Line – to areas west of downtown. The route also circles the IU Health University Hospital and the Riley Hospital for Children campuses. Riders can plan their trips on Google Maps and see live updates of a shuttle’s location.  Continue reading

Posted in autonomous vehicles, mobility company | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Hyundai Motor Group Buys Boston Dynamics from SoftBank

“By acquiring Boston Dynamics and securing a leading presence in the field of robotics, the Group takes another major step toward its strategic transformation into a Smart Mobility Solution Provider. To propel this transformation, the Group has invested substantially in the development of future technologies, including autonomous driving, artificial intelligence (AI), Urban Air Mobility (UAM), smart factories and robots,” said Hyundai Motor Group. Continue reading

Posted in autonomous vehicles, milestones, mobility company | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ram HD Cab Chassis Vehicles with Cummins Diesels Recalled

The Cummins engine calibration software may not warn about low oil volume. This safety defect can result in engine compartment fires caused by oil leaks started by connecting rod failures. Continue reading

Posted in customer satisfaction, recalls | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Woodward Dream Cruise Returns with Ford Sponsorship

Ford Motor Company and Detroit’s main artery share a history. At his Ford Piquette Avenue Plant, Henry Ford developed and produced the first Model T’s a few hundred feet from Woodward Avenue, which made became the first paved road in America. Continue reading

Posted in marketing, milestones, people | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Toyota Research Inst. Claims Advances in Home Use Robotics

As TRI shows in a new video, this system allows robots to make generalizations in a range of scenarios, including in different homes. The somewhat humorous video (comments welcomed here by the non-androids of AutoInformed), released on National Selfie Day, shows these new capabilities on film, as the un-named robot is seen recording itself as it performs these new skills around a house. It is less cranky, humoours and personable than R2-D2, a tough act to follow for anyone competing in the Artoo-Detoo defined field. After all, it was developed by engineers, not Hollywood – Where is George Lucas when you need him? Continue reading

Posted in autonomous vehicles, concept, electric vehicles, mobility company | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Porsche Customcells JV adds Cellforce on Manufacturing Lithium Ion Batteries as the P3 Group Leaves

However, use on a race track does not necessarily require the battery to function in sub-zero temperatures nor remain stable for years over many charging cycles – goals which have yet to be achieved with this new cell technology. Continue reading

Posted in electric vehicles, environment, manufacturing | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ford Buys Electriphi to Provide Ford Pro Commercial Customers with Charging and Energy Management

The Electriphi acquisition comes as Ford prepares for the launch of all-electric versions of two of its high-volume commercial vehicles – the Transit van and F-150 pickup. Ford will start shipping E-Transit to customers later this year; F-150 Lightning Pro will be available in spring 2022. Continue reading

Posted in news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Toyota’s Woven Capital Invests in Ridecell for Mobility Services

“Ridecell is accelerating the digital transformation of a key part of the mobility industry―creating a comprehensive platform that connects fleets and automates workflow at scale,” claimed Michiko Kato, Principal, Woven Capital. Continue reading

Posted in milestones, mobility company, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ford Follows GM: Q2 2021 Earnings to Exceed Its Expectations

This ”follow the leader” move is the result of unfortunate timing and lingering suspicions that the future of the automotive business with automated vehicles, fuel cells and other connected car technologies will consume enormous amounts of capital that will hurt shareholders, which in the case of Ford contains numerous family members. Yesterday GM said it will increase its EV and AV investments from 2020 through 2025 to $35 billion. This is a – gulp – 75% increase from its initial pledge announced prior to the ongoing pandemic.

  Continue reading

Posted in electric vehicles, electronics, mobility company | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Ford Bronco Production Underway at Michigan Assembly Plant

If you want to ride the beast, just bring money, not bitcoins: MSRP for the base two-door Bronco is $29,995, including $1,495 destination and delivery. In 1965, the Michigan Truck Plant — now the Michigan Assembly Plant — began production of an off-road SUV: the original Ford Bronco. Bronco continued through five generations and ended production on June 12, 1996. In that 31-year span, Ford produced more than 1.1 million Broncos. Continue reading

Posted in manufacturing, marketing, new vehicle | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

GM Ups Bet by $35B in Autonomous, Electric Vehicle Games

The seemingly bottomless pit of capital being consumed in the race to survive the connected, green and autonomous vehicle wars has grown deeper with General Motors saying today it will increase its EV and AV investments from 2020 through 2025 to $35 billion. This is a – gulp – 75% increase from its initial pledge announced prior to the ongoing pandemic. Continue reading

Posted in alternative fuels, electric vehicles, electronics, environment, mobility company, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Park It! Wheels Falling Off Ford 2021 Super Duty Pickups

Owner notifications begin this week. Customers will be instructed not to drive their vehicle until it can be verified that the front-wheel hub extender nuts are tightened to specification – by contacting their dealer to have the service completed at their location or towed to a dealership. The Ford reference number for this recall is 21S26. Continue reading

Posted in customer satisfaction, recalls, safety | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment