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.

GM Loses $800 Million in Covid Q2. NA Sales Drop -62%

However, GM post-bankruptcy is in a stronger position  – financially and with a wiser, faster acting management team – than it was when Wall Street speculation sent global markets plummeting in 2008-2009. The deep recession that ensued was turned around by the Obama Administration, but the non-protected classes in lower income and racially harassed populations never recovered. Continue reading

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Don’t Hold Your Breath Waiting for the New Hummer EV

Engineering targets include 1000 horsepower and 11,500 lb. ft. of torque. This should mean a zero-to-60 mph acceleration elapsed time of, oh, ~3 seconds. Continue reading

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Snapshot – The Trump Economic Depression

50.1% of American adults live in households which have experienced a loss in employment income. That’s making America gruesome again… Continue reading

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Vehicle Love is Blind in Latest APEAL Study

The so-called APEAL Study Power contends measures an owner’s “emotional attachment to their new vehicle and in what areas that vehicle may not be delivering on all the positive experiences that were hoped for.” (Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout Study) Continue reading

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Daimler Reports Ugly Q2 2020 Results as Sales Drop -34%

The Group’s total sales decreased by -34% to 541,800 passenger cars and commercial vehicles (Q2 2019: 821,700). Revenue slipped significantly by -29% to €30.2 billion (Q2 2019: €42.7 billion). EBIT was minus -€1,682 million (Q2 2019: minus -€1,558 million). Adjusted EBIT, reflecting the underlying business, was minus -€708 million (Q2 2019: plus €2,447 million). Continue reading

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Census Bureau: Millions of Americans Who Get Health Coverage from Employers Could Lose It During COVID-19

The occupations among those affected during the pandemic and therefore most at risk of losing health coverage: food preparation and serving; building and grounds cleaning and maintenance; personal care and service; and retail sales. Collectively, 39.6 million people worked in these jobs in 2018, representing 23.6% of all workers. Continue reading

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MIT Research: Widespread Autonomous Driving is at Least One Decade Away. Maybe More.

The longer rollout time for Level 4 autonomy provides time for sustained investments in workforce training that can help drivers and other mobility workers transition into new careers that support mobility systems and technologies. Continue reading

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Porsche Global Sales Drop -12% at 116,964 Through June

China remains the sports car manufacturer’s largest single market in terms of volume. In addition, Korea and Japan were strong markets in the region with sales of 4,242 and 3,675 units respectively, each showing double-digit growth rates over the prior year. 32,312 cars were supplied to European customers. In the US, Porsche supplied 24,186 cars between January and June – a -20% drop – under the fumbling Trump administration’s failure to address the COVID crisis. Continue reading

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Ford Motor – Three More Safety Recalls in N.A.

It’s the latest example of how electronics can be adversely affected by poor designs that wreak havoc on customer satisfaction. Continue reading

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Bye Bye FCA and PSA. Hello Stellantis

The Stellantis name will be used exclusively at the Group level, as a Corporate brand. The next step in the process will be the unveiling of a logo that with the name will become the corporate brand identity. The names and the logos of the Stellantis Group’s basic brands will remain unchanged. What actually happens to the brands is an entirely different matter. Continue reading

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Team Corvette C8.R Finishes First at Sebring

The race in GTLM had multiple tire strategies. Both Corvettes opted to begin the race on slick Michelin tires despite the wet surface. Gavin, after leading a Corvette 1-2 in qualifying earlier in the day, began first but Taylor was one of quickest drivers in the class early on and managed to go one lap longer on fuel than most of his GTLM competitors during his opening stint. Continue reading

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Census Bureau on Trump Economy

The Census Numbers are grim on the economy and its effects on voters. Continue reading

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Ford Bronco Sequel Appears with First-Ever Four-Door

Prospective Bronco owners can choose from an extensive lineup of more than 200 factory-backed accessories for personalization, enabling dealers to provide “outfitting-on-demand” for individual needs – just like MOPAR does for Jeep. Just bring money not bitcoins: MSRP for the base two-door Bronco is $29,995, including $1,495 destination and delivery. “More detailed information, including vehicle specs, accessories and full pricing and options, will be provided closer to launch.” Continue reading

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Audi R8 V10 Quattro – Kaput, Tschüss

The R8 V10 performance model will continue for the 2021 model year, but given the ongoing global economic crisis, Covid 19 plague, and that most governments increasingly are taking legislative action against global warming and CO2 output – it clearly is on the endangered species list. It could survive only as a model for e-racing simulations. Continue reading

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District of Columbia,15 States to Completely Wipe Out Toxic Diesel Fumes By 2050 in New MOU

While trucks and buses only account for 4% of vehicles on the road, they are responsible for ~25% of total transportation sector greenhouse gas emissions. Included in the sweeping reform are large pickup trucks and vans, delivery trucks, box trucks, school and transit buses, and long-haul delivery trucks (big-rigs). Continue reading

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