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.

First Look – Freshened Mercedes-Benz E-Class

The tenth generation of the E-Class debuted in 2016 with what were then impressive innovations in the driving assistance systems. It carried on the sales tradition: to date, more than 1.2 million customers around the world have bought a current-generation E-Class Saloon or E-Class Estate. One out of every two E-Class Saloons sold worldwide in 2019 was delivered as a long-wheelbase version in China. Continue reading

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Ford Motor Maxes Out Lines of Credit

The cash from these borrowings will be used to offset the temporary working capital impacts of the coronavirus-related production shut downs and to preserve Ford’s financial flexibility. Continue reading

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Corona Marketing – Ford ‘Built to Lend a Hand’

Ford and its U.S. dealers are offering customers who are dealing with their own challenges from the coronavirus six months of payment relief for new-car buyers under the new “Built to Lend a Hand” program. Continue reading

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Nissan Stops US production as COVID-19 Expands

Currently, there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 coronavirus at any Nissan facility. Continue reading

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Toyota: New Paint Atomizer with 95% Coating Efficiency

The newly developed airless painter, said to be the first of its kind in the world, achieves more than 95% coating efficiency. Continue reading

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Drivers Boot Your Computers for IMSA Racing

The real Mobil 1 Twelve Hours has been rescheduled to the weekend of Nov. 11-14, but IMSA will simulate action from Sebring International Raceway via an iRacing 90-minute online affair with drivers playing video racing. Continue reading

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General Motors to Stop North American Production

General Motors executives have finally done the sales and public health math and listened to the UAW and Unifor labor groups and confirmed it will begin a systematic suspension of manufacturing operations in North America due to market conditions and to deep clean facilities and continue to protect people. The suspension will last until at least March 30. Production status will be reevaluated week-to-week after that. Continue reading

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Ford Stops North American Production

The UAW had urged immediate closings this past weekend, but Ford executives refused to do so during the formation of a Coronavirus Task Force along General Motors and Fiat Chrysler management. Continue reading

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Rolls-Royce Motor Cars to Suspend Production

In order to further secure the health and welfare of the employees of the company this suspension will be followed by an already-planned two-week Easter maintenance shutdown. Continue reading

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eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series to Bootup

The multi-week series will kick off Sunday, March 22 at 1:30 p.m. ET on the virtual Homestead-Miami Speedway. The remaining race and broadcast details will be announced at a later date.
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GM Announces Significant Male Executive Changes

Tsien began his professional career at Delco Electronics in 1976 as an electrical engineer, where he designed and released embedded software for automotive applications and led advanced work in navigation and telematics. Continue reading

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Porsche Stops Production Due to The Coronavirus

In addition to suspending production, Porsche has decided on a number of “intensified” measures: there is a ban on business travel, for example, ‘mobile working’ has been greatly extended, and meetings will now take place only by video or conference calls. Continue reading

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Volkswagen Group Closes 2019 Books

The spread of coronavirus is currently impacting the global economy. It is uncertain how severely or for how long this will also affect the Volkswagen Group. Currently, it is almost impossible to make a reliable forecast. Continue reading

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COVID-19 – Agnelli Companies Respond to the Crisis

In a statement issued today in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Agnelli Family and its Companies have put in place a series of measures, in coordination with the Italian Civil Protection Department. Continue reading

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China – Future Export Base for Global Markets?

Although export volumes were stable in the last two years, the sector has experienced significant structural shifts. In 2019, non-Chinese brands accounted for 38% of the export market, compared with 30% in 2018. Data for 2010 and 2016 show that overseas OEMs accounted for just 11% and 19% of China’s exports, respectively. These figures, says LMC,  indicate the growing proportion of vehicles built in China by foreign automakers being shipped overseas. Continue reading

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