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.

Hershey Swap Meet Cancelled!

With ongoing COVID-19 concerns and Pennsylvania’s legal constraints on more than 25 people gathering, the Hershey Region Chapter, has just said (30 May) on their Facebook page that the enduring event of 65 years taking place at the beginning of October is cancelled. Continue reading

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Chevrolet Launches Bolt EV Academy Video Series

The online series explains several of the Bolt EV’s unique features, driving tips and how-tos. For future Bolt EV drivers, the series will allegedly illustrate “just how fun, easy and convenient it is to live with an electric vehicle “ as  explained by the engineers and experts who brought the Bolt EV to life. Continue reading

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Unions Protest Nissan Closure of Catalan Factories

The unions claim that in Europe there is a firm commitment to a New Green Deal, with a direct injection of one hundred billion euros and a private contribution of 250,000 million more. An important part will go to sustainable mobility. They feel that Nissan is missing an opportunity to get support for a shift towards electric vehicles, smart driving, and shared mobility. Continue reading

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Honda Sets Records for Auto Production in China

The Trump Administration denied there was problem. In fact, President said that Covid would go away by April. And even now is falsely maintaining that its response could not have been better as unemployment is approaching Great Depression levels and more than 100,000 people have died… Continue reading

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5-Liters of Fun – Mustang Mach 1 a Go for 2021

The fastback that debuted during the muscle car era in 1960s – as a cut-rate version of the Boss or Shelby – returns for global buyers. It will have a naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 engine with performance to match but is no longer the cheap fast Mustang that made it a legend. Well, fast it will be, price is another matter to be announced. Continue reading

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Nissan Posts -¥671.2 Billion Loss for Fiscal Year 2019

During fiscal year 2019, consolidated net revenue declined to ¥9.8789 trillion yen, resulting in an operating loss of ¥40.5 billion yen and a net loss1 of -¥ 671.2 billion. This includes costs associated with restructuring and impairments of ¥603.0 billion as Nissan tried to improve operational and efficiency improvements. Free cash flow for the automotive business was, gulp, negative -¥641.0 billion. Continue reading

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Rolls-Royce, Daimler Truck to Develop Stationary Fuel-Cells

The Rolls-Royce Power Systems business unit plans to rely on these fuel-cell systems from the planned joint venture – as well as Daimler’s experience in the emergency power generators it develops and distributes for data centers under the MTU product and solution brand. Continue reading

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Draining the Swamp – California, 22 States Sue to Stop Trump Emissions Rollback Citing Economic, Health and Climate Goals

The California Air Resources Board helped develop the original 2012 rules and is represented in this case by the California Attorney General. Trump is among global warming deniers, a position – as usual – that has no basis in fact but is funded by lobbying groups for those who benefit from exploiting fossil fuels. Continue reading

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Renault, Nissan Motor, Mitsubishi Slice, Dice World by Brand

The member companies plan to build on existing Alliance “benefits” in areas such as joint purchasing by using their respective positions and geographic strengths to support their partners’ business development. The three companies of the Alliance will cover all vehicle segments and technologies globally, while increasing their respective competitiveness. By implementing the plan, Nissan aims to achieve a 5% operating profit margin and a sustainable global market share of 6% by the end of fiscal year 2023, including proportionate contributions from its 50% equity joint venture in China. Continue reading

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Risks Versus Odds Versus “WE the People”

It appears that large sub-segments of the U.S.population are anti-science, anti-vaccine or is that dumb and proud of it? They are putting other people at risk. Continue reading

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Canada Contracts GM to Make 10 Million Face Masks

Canada received its Medical Device Establishment License on April 22 and the company built and installed the mask making machinery, sourced materials and trained its workers in approximately one month. Continue reading

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Graveyard Whistling? UK Auto Calls to Re-Open Showrooms

The move at first glance appears to a bad one given the scope of the COVID-19 crisis in the UK and the ineptness of the response from 10 Downing street. Coronavirus Cases are currently listed at 254,195, with 36,393 Deaths. These numbers are most assuredly understated given the complications and perhaps political interference in the reporting system – a global problem Continue reading

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Xpeng Gets Production License for Zhaoqing Factory

“The Zhaoqing manufacturing plant is an essential component of our vision to build a smart mobility ecosystem, from in-house R&D to smart manufacturing to customer services. Obtaining the production approval for the plant will hasten our progress in producing and delivering best-in-class products and services for our customers,” said He Xiaopeng, Chairman and CEO of Xpeng Motors, which also built the plant. Continue reading

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Two Spanish Nissan Plants on Strike over Job Security

On 14 May, the Nikkei Shimbun published a speculative story on Nissan’s future production strategy. “Nissan in fiscal 2019 produced about 55,000 vehicles in Spain, accounting for about 10% of its European output. It will shift its Barcelona production to Renault plants in France and elsewhere,” said the Nikkei. “Nissan has not made any official statement on this subject. Nissan’s midterm planning is in progress and has not been concluded yet. As announced earlier, Nissan will announce a revised midterm plan along with fiscal year 2019 financial results on May 28,” said a Nissan statement. Continue reading

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US COVID-19 Crisis = Struggles with Healthcare, Housing, Food

The results might be skewed positive to current Republican Wishful thinking, rather than stark reality since the Trump Administration perverted the Bureau as part of a failed ploy on  Republican Repression of Voters by dictating unprecedented questions on the Census designed to discourage less affluent people from participating. Continue reading

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