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.

First Look –  2022 Infiniti QX55

The ’22 Infiniti QX55 is now reaching North American showrooms. For US consumers, the Nissan sub-brand had a new digital reservation program that allowed shoppers to buy their car. QX55 has –  it’s claimed – “generous” standard equipment, including wireless Apple CarPlay compatibility, 20-inch wheels, and Intelligent All-Wheel Drive for $46,500 MSRP to start. Continue reading

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Mustang – World’s Best-Selling Sports Car, Sports Coupe Titles

The United States remains the strongest global market for Mustang, representing ~75% of total sales. Texas (8,600 vehicles), California (6,200 vehicles) and Florida (5,864 vehicles) remain the top markets. Supporting “bit roles” in Mustang retaining its title were increased sales in various European markets. Continue reading

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Radioactive Pollution Dilution – the US Backs Japan Dumping Fukushima Nuclear Disaster Waste Water?

This, laughable promise in the eyes of many critics – including China, South Korea and US client state Taiwan – who decried Japan’s announcement today that it would conduct allegedly controlled releases of potentially cancer-causing ionized water into the ocean that are expected to last for three decades. The whole ongoing life-threatening Fukushima Nuclear Disaster was caused, of course, by Tokyo Electric Power Company’s utter inability to monitor, and safely operate the now infamous plant. This is not exactly a credible witness for the defense in our view. Continue reading

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NLRB Announces Union Loss in Amazon Election

In a clear setback for unions, and what critics say are inhuman working conditions, challenges are not sufficient in number to affect the results of the election. Continue reading

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Honda, Acura Recall 628,000 Vehicles for Fuel Pump Failures

Affected vehicles – now all 628,000 – may be equipped with a fuel pump module manufactured with low density impellers from the supplier Denso. If the surface of a lower density impeller is exposed to production solvent drying for longer periods of time, higher levels of surface cracking may occur. Continue reading

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US March Vehicle Sales Rebound. Beating the COVID Reaper?

March 2021 sales were likely increased by delayed sales caused by harsh February winter weather. Then there’s the increase from stimulus checks following the passage of the Biden administration’s COVID-19 relief bill, which no Republican voted for. Continue reading

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GMC Adds Hummer SUV EV. Direct Selling Without Dealers?

Perhaps even bigger news is that the Hummer will be sold by GM online, with dealers playing only a supporting role at the introduction. Customers who reserve a vehicle can choose the dealer where they would like the vehicle to be delivered. That dealer will then complete the sale/transaction. It’s clearly part of the strong US retail trend – accelerating from Covid – that consumers are becoming more comfortable and more apt to us computers and phones to buy goods and services. Ultimately, we think traditional dealers will play a diminishing role. Continue reading

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Toyota Gazoo Racing Debuts New GR 86 Multi-Use Sports Car

Subaru is out front here. Subaru showed its US version of the 2022 BRZ last November. It will be the lightest rear-wheel drive 2+2 sports car in U.S. market when it enters production. The 2+2 seating and folding rear seats have a cargo area with space for carrying a mountain bike, golf clubs, or four race tires and tools for track days. Using aluminum for the roof, front fenders and hood, the 2022 Subaru BRZ has an estimated curb weight of just under 2,900 lbs. Continue reading

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Ford Motor Recalls 2020-21 Lincoln Aviators for Bad Software

The image processing module may be intermittently unable to provide a video feed to the display screen. This could result in a loss of the rearview camera image when the vehicle is in reverse. Continue reading

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CARB Fines Walmart for Selling Harmful Hair Spray

VOCs react in the atmosphere to form ground-level ozone, an extremely harmful component of smog. Walmart pulled all cans immediately from California store shelves and was cooperative with the investigation. The affected cans were from the “Equate” brand line and included the Firm, Mega Firm, and Extra Firm Hold Hair Spray.   Continue reading

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IMSA – 2022 Roar Before the 24 At Daytona to Use Dirt Circuit

The circuit will be used for a special, 20-minute-plus-one-lap race featuring all five WeatherTech Championship classes which will take the green flag at 12 a.m. ET on Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022 and will air live on NBC. Each car’s finishing position in the race will be used to establish its starting position for the Motul Pole Award 100, which is used to establish each car’s starting position for the Rolex 24 At Daytona. Continue reading

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Ford Sets New Interim Carbon-Neutral Targets. Greenwash?

The problem with all such reports is that saying something doesn’t mean that other areas of the company are actually supporting the stated goals. “Combining sustainability and financial performance in a single report,” Ford said, “is significant.” Well, given this, as I recall Ford has actively opposed attempts by stockholders at the last few annual meetings to reveal its PAC contributions. “Is this still the case? If so, what assurances can employees, stockholders and people have that you are not pursuing different anti-environmental policies out of public view under the Capital Dome by the politicians you are supporting?” is how I put it yesterday as a stockholder to T.R. Reid Director, Corporate and Public Policy Communications. Continue reading

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2020-21 GMC Savana, Chevrolet Express Recalled for Fire Risk

NHTSA immediately issued a critical Recall Safety Alert given the grave nature of this safety defect. NHTSA said, “Until these recalled vehicles have been repaired, the safest place to park them is outside and away from homes and other structures.” Continue reading

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Free2Move eSolutions – New JV Linking Stellantis, Engie EPS

Free2Move eSolutions has the lofty ambition to support and ease the transition to electric mobility by offering “innovative and tailor-made electric solutions” for both private and business participants of the so-called – wince – value chain. Free2Move eSolutions activities will range from charging infrastructures (installation, servicing and operations), public and home charging subscriptions with monthly fee, to battery lifecycle management and advanced energy services such as Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) integration and energy management solutions to reduce the total cost of vehicle ownership. Continue reading

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Biden-Harris Administration Push Offshore Wind Power

This is significant for the future of electric vehicles as well since how the electricity is generated to recharge them determines how clean they really are. It was said that “meeting this target will trigger more than $12 billion per year in capital investment in projects on both U.S. coasts, create tens of thousands of good-paying, union jobs, with more than 44,000 workers employed in offshore wind by 2030 and nearly 33,000 additional jobs in communities supported by offshore wind activity. It will also generate enough power to meet the demand of more than 10 million American homes for a year and avoid 78 million metric tons of CO2 emissions. Continue reading

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