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.

Penske Automotive Group Increases Dividend

With this increase, the annualized dividend is $1.72 per share and represents a yield of 2.7%, the highest in our peer group.  Our business and cash flow remain strong despite the Covid-19 pandemic, as the actions we took to mitigate its impact continue to provide operational benefits,” said President Robert K. Kurnick. Continue reading

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Promoting Aluminum – Constellium, Novelis Form Alumobility

Automakers of course continue to use lightweight, high-strength, aluminum, as well as steel, plastics composites – carbon fiber and the like, to make vehicles. Alumobility has developed technical studies that address the next-generation aluminum door and an all-aluminum structural B-pillar. It claims aluminum can effectively compete with other materials for mass production vehicles at an attractive cost to manufacturers. Continue reading

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BMW Says It’s Solvent, Marginally Profitable During 2020

The positive operating result of the Automotive segment in the fourth quarter is partially due to “better than expected re-marketing results in the pre-owned car market.” This of course has a positive effect in the Financial Services segment, leading to a Return on Equity for the segment which is only slightly down on prior year as opposed to a moderate decline as indicated in the current outlook. However, the EBIT margin in the Automotive Segment for the full year 2020 is at the “upper end of the 0 – 3% corridor.” The Group EBT remains within the outlook and in line with market expectations. Continue reading

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GM to Sell Navistar Hydrotec Fuel Cell Power Cubes for EVs

The GM move is the latest in what is shaping up to be a headlong rush by commercial truck makers to drop dirty diesel and gasoline fueled vehicles in favor of fuel cell powered truck and heavy equipment. Proposed regulations – globally – are providing the incentive to change product lines to more sustainable ones. It’s the price of survival. The Japanese – thus far – appear to be leading the way. Continue reading

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Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, ENGIE EPS JV to Explore e-Mobility

The problem is that China, the world’s largest auto market, has locked in supplies of the materials needed to make advanced batteries, and through regulatory policy and other incentives is leading the way on the conversion to electric vehicles. The intellectual property battles will eventually commence AutoInformed predicts. Continue reading

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eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series Resumes

The first five mid-week events will air on FS1 (S for Sedition?- editor. Note Bene NASCAR has been proactive in banning the Confederate, aka Traitors’ flag. see NASCAR Disavows Racist Confederate Flag and The Confederate Flag, Conservative Politics and NASCAR ) on select Wednesday nights beginning March 24th. The races include Bristol Motor Speedway’s new dirt configuration, Talladega Superspeedway, Darlington Raceway, and Texas’ Circuit of the Americas’ facility. NBC Sports will pick up the second half of the 10-race season once the network’s broadcast window begins in June. Continue reading

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Wrangler 4xe Plug-in Hybrid Pre-Booking Begins in Europe

This latest marketing ploy started early last year, with pre-booking of the Renegade and Compass 4xe. Jeep claims it was a “resounding success, generating a lot of interest across Europe.” The arrival of the Jeep Wrangler 4xe is the latest step in the brand’s evolution and another step in the strategy towards the electrification of its entire range, announced in 2020. This will include the introduction of at least one electric or electrified version of each model in the coming years. Continue reading

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First Look – 2021 Buick Envision Mid-Size SUV

Envision is between the smaller Encore and Encore GX and the larger Enclave, with 52.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind first-row seats and 25.2 cubic feet behind the second-row seats. Whether the small 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder is a luxury engine is debatable even with 228 horsepower (170 kW) and 258 lb.-ft. of torque (350 Nm) and direct injection and Stop/Start technology. It’s coupled to a nine-speed automatic transmission with electronic shift control. On paper absent test drives, Auto informed thinks this is roughly a 25-mpg set-up. Continue reading

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Motor Vehicle, Parts, Supplies Wholesalers Added Sales in 2019

Notably, Petroleum and Petroleum Products Merchant Wholesalers (NAICS 4247) and Metal and Mineral (except Petroleum) Merchant Wholesalers (NAICS 4235) sales decreased in 2019. Continue reading

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Volkswagen Ends Production of Golf For US Market

First sold in December 1974 as  the “Rabbit” in the U.S. with a 1.5-liter engine with 70 horsepower, almost 2.5 million Golf family models have been sold in the U.S. market. The current Mk 7 Golf debuted for the 2015 model year – an eternity in terms of technical advances, quality and customer satisfaction practices in the auto industry. Continue reading

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We the People Welcome Joe Biden and Kamala Harris – The New Administration of Hope and Self-Evident Truths

The idea was bigger and more powerful than the British Army and Navy. It remains a bigger and better idea when used against other forces of oppression. The idea trumps white supremacists or treasonous self-proclaimed militias or QAnon believers or a  president who would be king. Continue reading

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Honda’s New Mobility Business – Cruise to Send First Self-Driving Vehicles to Japan for Testing

This, admittedly small but symbolic milestones, is a direct result of the development and commercial agreements signed in October 2018. Continue reading

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Stellantis – a Mega Merger of Auto Companies Names Execs

Today Stellantis officially announced its Executive Team along with the 9 dedicated committees* covering enterprise-wide performance and strategy for running the merged FCA and PSA companies. It is the latest merger in the capital-destroying automotive industry that seeks to pursue … Continue reading

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GM, Cruise, Microsoft to Commercialize Self-Driving Vehicles

Microsoft will join General Motors, Honda and institutional investors in a combined new equity investment of more than $2 billion in Cruise, bringing the post-money valuation of Cruise to $30 billion. Founded and headquartered in San Francisco, Cruise’s stated goal is to build the world’s most advanced self-driving, all-electric, shared vehicles. GM will launch 30 new electric vehicles globally by 2025. Continue reading

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GM to Make CAMI a Commercial Electric Vehicle Plant

This investment and Canadian workforce will make CAMI into Canada’s first large-scale auto plant converted to produce electric delivery vehicles. GM says work begins immediately to transform the CAMI over the next two years from Chevrolet Equinox production to the production of EV600s, to serve the growing North American market for electric delivery solutions. Continue reading

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