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.

All-Electric Mustang Prototype Runs 8.27s Quarter-Mile

By Ford’s math it’s equivalent to the combined output of more than three 2021 Mustang GT V8 engines. Developed by Ford Performance in parallel to the recently unveiled Mustang Mach-E 1400 prototype, both cars were publicizing Ford’s growing EV technologies that are currently lagging leaders such as BMW and Tesla and Daimler. Continue reading

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Our Sinking US Economy Sinks $3.3 Trillion Further

It is now almost completely likely that the US  federal debt under the Trump Administration will exceed annual gross domestic product (GDP ) in 2021. The last time this happened  was at the close of World War II, when amassed debt exceeded in value the size of the economy. Continue reading

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St. Catharines Plant Cuts GHG Emissions, Energy Costs

It is the first complete renewable landfill gas industrial co-generation system in Ontario delivering renewable landfill gas from an offsite source. Continue reading

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This Grim Picture is Not Worth a 1000 Corona Deaths

The United States accounts for 22% of the Global Corona Virus Deaths with a mere 4% of the world’s population. Fear the Trump Administration if you care for your own o ranyone else’s health and safety. Continue reading

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Milestones – 40,000 Bentley Flying Spurs

All three generations of Flying Spur have been designed, engineered, developed and manufactured at Bentley’s home in Crewe, where the production milestone is being celebrated by the skilled workforce of designers, engineers and craftspeople. Continue reading

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Mercedes-Benz 2021 Model Year Sees SUV Expansion

The all-new GLA now joins the range “as the attractive and sporty gateway” (translation – small and less expensive) to the Mercedes-Benz SUV line. SUV segments have never been more competitive with M-B facing stiff competition from BMW, Porsche, Lexus, Infiniti, Alfa Romeo and Cadillac, among others.   Continue reading

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August Vehicle Sales to Drop as Prices Hit Record High

Reporting the same numbers without controlling for the number of selling days translates to a decrease of -16.8% from a year ago. While the decline vs. August 2019 is substantial and reflects the ongoing do nothing about COVID-19 attitude of the hapless Trump reign, August 2020 contains two fewer selling days than August 2019. It also has no help from promotions during the Labor Day weekend, which is after the August sales close. Continue reading

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Electric Vehicles Set Record 18% EU Market Share in July

The global pandemic’s negative effect on the economy has not influenced consumer’s interest in electrified vehicles. July 2020 was a record-breaking month for EV registrations with volume up 131% year on year to 230,700. Though still small in relative terms, this is the first time that EVs were bought by more than 200,00 consumers in a single month. Continue reading

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BorgWarner Cops SEC Plea for Materially Misstating Financial Statements Concerning Asbestos Litigation

According to the SEC’s order, BorgWarner did not conduct any substantive quantitative analysis to estimate these asbestos claims, despite possessing nearly 40 years of historical raw claims data. BorgWarner also admitted that its internal controls over financial reporting were ineffective. Continue reading

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CARB Fines Flagship, a Ford Specialty Vehicle Maker

Vehicles sold new in California must be certified to meet California emissions standards. Modifications to a vehicle’s emissions equipment prior to the sale alters the original certification. Continue reading

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Commercial Truck Market Upturn Is on The Road

“Pricing is solidifying, customers are buying more used trucks and new truck orders and deliveries are heading back in the right direction,” said Chris Visser, commercial truck senior analyst at Valuation Services. Continue reading

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Covid: Census Says Construction Better Off, More Optimistic Than Other Small Businesses

“These companies of one to 499 employees provided important new insights into the effects of the pandemic,” said Jane A. Callen of the Census Bureau. It doesn’t appear to have anything to do with the Trump Administration’s voter suppression efforts that us Federal Agencies such as Census to subvert our democracy. Continue reading

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Carvana Virtual Vehicle Tour in 3D View

A Porsche 911 GT2 RS, Ford Shelby GT350 convertible, 1970 Plymouth Hemi Cuda and Bugatti Veyron can be taken for a virtual spin, from your home or on the go via mobile device, at Carvana.com/spinner.  Continue reading

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COVID-19 Auto Related Closings, Openings, Closings

Updated from 16 March 2020 onward Continue reading

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First Look – 2021 Mazda CX-9 Crossover SUV

The badly named Skyactiv-G 2.5 Turbo engine equipped on all CX-9 models is rated at  320 lb.-ft. of torque and 250 horsepower on premium (93 octane) gasoline or 310 lb.-ft. of torque and 227 horsepower on 87 octane gasoline. Continue reading

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