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.

NHTSA Warns Hyundai, Genesis Owners to Park Outside Away from Buildings Because of Computer Module Fires

The anti-lock brake system modules could malfunction internally and cause an electrical short over time, potentially resulting in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving. “Until these recalled vehicles have been repaired, the safest place to park them is outside and away from homes and other structures,” NHTSA said. Continue reading

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Baseball is Back! Wear a Mask, Get a Shot, Play Patriot Ball

But we will only make the playoffs, if we follow the coaching and read the signs of our current Administration – who are starkly warning that Covid Ain’t Over ‘til it’s Over. So please, please follow the guidelines; ignore heeding dangerous hecklers now on the sidelines, and get a shot or two before the late innings. Bask in the sun of our dawn’s early light and enjoy the athleticism of our fellow immigrants as they take us out to the ball game – safely… Continue reading

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Voltswagen is New Name for Volkswagen After Dieselgate

Volkswagen, of course, has been haunted for years by its deliberate cheating on deadly diesel emissions levels by using defeat software on EPA compliance tests that made the diesels look compliant when they were far, far from it. Continue reading

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Wheels Falling Off New Nissan Rogues

The safety defect was caused by an equipment programming error. Rogue vehicles may have been manufactured with the incorrect wheel nuts. The correct wheel nuts used on the Rogue are the conical nut type. The incorrect wheel nuts that may be installed are the flat washer type. Continue reading

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Hummer EV Edition 1 Raises $2.5 Million at Auction for Charity

Established to honor the memory of Sept. 11 first-responder Stephen Siller, the foundation builds mortgage-free, accessible smart homes for the most catastrophically-injured veterans. Continue reading

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US Household Pulse – 32% Face Eviction or Foreclosure

Roughly 20% of adults expect someone in their household to experience a loss in employment income in the next 4 weeks, based on responses collected March 3 to March 15. Crueler, 31.5% report eviction or foreclosure in the next two months is “somewhat or very likely.” Continue reading

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US Should Cautiously Track Solar GeoEngineering Research to Mitigate Climate Change – National Academies of Sciences

“Scientific understanding of many aspects of Solar GeoEngineering technologies remains limited, including how they could affect weather extremes, agriculture, natural ecosystems, or human health,” the report said.   Continue reading

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Meg Whitman and Mark Tatum Join GM’s Board of Directors

With the election of Whitman, 64, and Tatum, 51, GM has 13 directors. Seven GM directors are now women. Continue reading

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Census Survey – Stimulus Payments Eased Financial Suffering

Data from the US Census Bureau clearly support the need and positive effects of stimulus payments, unlike the failed Republican tax cuts for the rich that did not result in increased investments in the US economy because the off-shore holdings were largely fictional tax dodges not real investments in overseas businesses. Continue reading

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Isuzu, Hino, Toyota to Quicken Carbon Neutrality with Commercial Vehicle JV

Through this collaboration, they will try to hasten societal implementation and distribution of CASE technologies and services, and to help address various difficulties facing the transportation industry as well as help achieve a carbon-neutral society. Continue reading

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Nissan Recalls 80,376 Sentra Cars for Failed Brake Lights

The stop lamp switch may become contaminated with off-gassing from silicon- based grease used in surrounding components (HVAC and brake booster clevis pin) in close proximity. Oxidation may occur at the switch contact surface due to electric arcing, resulting in silicon dioxide build-up. This build-up may lead open circuits and an inoperative stop lamp switch. Continue reading

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Hyundai, Shell to Expand Cooperation on Clean Energy

Hyundai Motor Company in Goyang, Korea has signed a five-year global business cooperation agreement with Royal Dutch Shell to increase clean energy projects. The deal, which runs through 2026, marks the fourth extension of the partnership that began in 2006, … Continue reading

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All-Electric BMW i4 Shown

At this week’s BMW Group Annual Conference the upcoming BMW i4 was teased. The fully electric 4 door Gran Coupé will go on sale later in 2021, including a BMW M Performance model. The i4 model line will be available … Continue reading

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Billion Dollar Oops – Ford F-150s, Edges Without Electronics

The global semiconductor supply collapse has its teeth into Ford Motor, which is now building F-150 trucks and Edge SUVs in North America without some parts. These include electronic modules that contain scarce semiconductors. Ford will build and hold them … Continue reading

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Covid Curse – EU Sales Drop 19% in February, -22% YTD

With 771,486 units registered across the EU region, according to ACEA, this marked the lowest February total on record since 2013. All four major EU markets recorded losses last month. Italy posted the smallest drop (-12.3%), while the other markets faced stronger deterioration: Germany (-19.0%), France (-20.9%) and Spain (-38.4%). Continue reading

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