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.

German Tax Payer Funded Driverless Vehicle Testing Shows Need for Complex, Expensive Redundant Systems.

With the auto industry in full collapse given the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting and still emerging Global Depression, it is unknown if automakers will continue to rush into developing and producing autonomous vehicles – always a dubious business proposition, which is now likely at some makers a survival issue. Invest in the unknown future, or use resources to keep the existing business alive? Continue reading

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NASCAR Finish Line Tweaked with E-Racing as COVID Thrives

In February when NASCAR was still in deep denial about the gravity of the Corona crisis, it and Penn Interactive announced a new multi-year partnership that led to the creation of a brand new, free-to-play, mobile game dubbed NASCAR Finish Line. Continue reading

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US Trade Deficit $39.9 Billion in February

March, given an economy in free-fall, will see a bigger decrease in the deficit, but that’s not good news. Roughly two-thirds of the US economy comes from consumer spending. Yesterday, the Labor Department reported that a record number of 6.6 million people applied for unemployment last week. During the last two weeks more than 10 million people in the US were out of work. That should take your breathe away – sadly like Corona virus. Continue reading

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NASCAR Delays NextGen Car Until 2022. So Far

NASCAR, slow to understand the corona virus threat, just like the governor of Florida where it is based has changed the course of its racing once again. Continue reading

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GM and Honda to Jointly Develop Honda Electric Vehicles

As part of the agreement, Honda will incorporate GM’s OnStar safety and security services into the two EVs, integrating them with HondaLink. Additionally, Honda plans to make GM’s hands-free advanced driver-assist technology available. Continue reading

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Recapturing Lease Customers Critical J.D. Power Finds

According to the J.D. Power 2020 U.S. End of Lease Satisfaction Study, released today, effective communication and marketing efforts that factor in key decision-making timeframes can play a significant role in improving lease retention rates. Continue reading

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Only 34% of Jobs in US Can Be Done Remotely

Jonathan Dingel and Brent Neiman conclude that identifying which jobs cannot be performed from home could help to target social insurance payments to those who need them the most. Continue reading

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Volkswagen of America’s Q1 Sales Drop -13%. March Off -42%

In fact, SUV share of sales -Atlas and Tiguan – in Q1 2020 were 50% of the 75,075 deliveries reported. Continue reading

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UAW Pressure: Ford Further Postpones NA Production Restart

In a duh statement Ford said: “Ford and autoworkers’ unions – especially the UAW – are working closely on initiatives to keep the workforce safe, including upgrading social distancing guidelines, requiring the workers to self-certify daily that they are not experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms – and more.” Continue reading

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FCA US Reports Q1 Sales Drop -10%

FCA US reported a 10% decline in its first-quarter sales as the positive momentum in January and February was more than offset by the country’s unpreparedness for the ongoing  coronavirus that is still running rampant. For the quarter, U.S. sales were 446,768 vehicles compared with 498,425 for the same period a year earlier. Retail sales were 306,898 vehicles for the quarter. Fleet accounted for 31% of total sales. Continue reading

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GM First-Quarter U.S. Sales Drop -7% to 618,335

President Trump admitted yesterday that the US is looking at a painful two weeks of deaths from the COVID-19 virus. Public health experts have been less optimistic. The GM announcement comes as all of the Detroit Three have postponed resumption of vehicle production due in part to the UAW demanding safe work spaces. Unbelievable that there are still states without shelter-in-place orders. Continue reading

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Data Point: 2020 Census Paid Temporary Workers Released

Data will help sorting out the mess created by the US’s unpreparedness for what is now a Global Pandemic with the US a leader in cases, illnesses and deaths. Continue reading

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COVID-19 Disrupts the Mobility Industry

“Many cities around the world are currently experiencing lockdowns and ‘shelter at home’ executive orders that have slowed the pace of urban life. Mobility is one of the industries that is being hit directly by the new pandemic in multiple aspects,” Bahrani Fard says. Continue reading

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Jeep Renegade and Compass 4xe Ready for Euro Orders

Marketing has been shifted during the COVID-19 pandemic as is made clear by FCA’s challenges of introducing new Jeep Renegade and Compass models in Europe. Continue reading

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RumbleOn Posts 2019 Loss. Cancels Guidance

Executive summary from AutoInformed: RumbleOn has ambitious plans with more than $840 million in revenue in 2019, but what is arguably a national brand is facing the ongoing contraction (collapse?) of the U.S. economy. Continue reading

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