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.

COVID-19- Daimler Stops Most Production in Europe

Given the ongoing spread of COVID-19, the economic effects on Daimler cannot be adequately determined or reliably quantified at this time. Continue reading

Posted in economy, environment, manufacturing, people | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

COVID-19 – Ford Suspends European Production

While it is hoped this action will only be required for a short period, the exact duration depends on a number of factors. Continue reading

Posted in economy, environment, manufacturing, people | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

COVID-19: UAW, GM, Ford, FCA to Improve Protection for Manufacturing and Warehouse Workers

In a joint statement, GM, Ford and FCA said, “This is a fluid and unprecedented situation, and the task force will move quickly to build on the wide-ranging preventive measures we have put in place. We are all coming together to help keep our workforces safe and healthy.” Continue reading

Posted in economy, environment, labor issues, people | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Ferrari Stops Production in Maranello and Modena

Ferrari says it is now experiencing the first serious supply chain issues, which no longer allow for continued production. Continue reading

Posted in economy, environment, manufacturing, people | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Hyundai Revives Job Loss Protection. Genesis Joins

Originally started in January 2009 as a result of the financial crisis, the Hyundai Assurance Job Loss Protection program was the first of its kind for an automaker in the U.S. Continue reading

Posted in economy, marketing | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

COVID-19 – Large Holes in US Social Safety Net on Paid Sick Leave as Social Distancing is Mandated by President Trump

The U.S. and South Korea are the only two countries in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development where paid sick leave is not guaranteed, according to a 2018 report from UCLA’s World Policy Analysis Center. Continue reading

Posted in customer satisfaction, economy, environment, news analysis, people | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Chinese Junk Watch: Exploding Yamaha Wireless Guitar Amp

“The lithium-ion battery can overheat, and the battery cover can separate with force,  posing fire and injury hazards.” (This appears to be an explosion – editor) Continue reading

Posted in customer satisfaction, recalls | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

SEC Sets Guidelines for Virtual Annual Shareholder Meetings

Affected parties can announce in filings made with the SEC the changes in the meeting date or location or the use of “virtual” meetings without incurring the cost of additional physical mailing of proxy materials.  Continue reading

Posted in economy, environment, financial results | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Trump Declares COVID-19 National Emergency

This means that he is correcting or allowing to come about what were his previous misstatements this week. Continue reading

Posted in customer satisfaction, economy, environment, people | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Porsche Proposes 41% Dividend Rise at May Annual Meeting

The increase in Porsche SE’s proposed dividend is disproportionately higher than the increase in result. This growth come from the dividend proposal of Volkswagen AG, which increased the payout rate to 24.5%, after 20.4% in the prior year. Continue reading

Posted in economy, financial results | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Daimler Postpones Annual Shareholders’ Meeting

Daimler said in a statement just issued that the worldwide spread of the coronavirus ( aka COVID-19 or SARS-CoV-2) as well as The Robert Koch Institute and the responsible health authorities in Germany are assuming that the number of infections will increase significantly in the coming weeks. Continue reading

Posted in environment, financial results, people | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

NASCAR Ends Denial of COVID-19 Pandemic

NASCAR has finally decided to postpone the race events at Atlanta Motor Speedway this weekend and Homestead-Miami Speedway next weekend. Continue reading

Posted in customer satisfaction, environment, news analysis, racing | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

COVID-19: Globally – Ford Motor Employees to Work Remotely

“In recent days, though, we concluded the issue has taken on a different dimension,” said Ford, “ and (we )are continuing to act in real time to keep our people safe and help limit the spread of the virus in communities where we live and work… Continue reading

Posted in customer satisfaction, economy, environment, insurance, news analysis, people | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Volkswagen Condemns USWNT Exploitation of Women

USSF President Carlos Cordeiro’s weak and mild expression of regret on Wednesday night came after The Coca-Cola Co. lambasted the federation for supporting lesser pay for its female stars. Coca-Cola called the federation’s assertion in documents filed earlier this week “unacceptable and offensive.” Continue reading

Posted in economy, labor issues, litigation, people | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

National Debt Projections – Off the Chart Before COVID-19

Debt held by the public is a measure that indicates the extent to which federal borrowing affects the availabil­ity of private funds for other borrowers. All else being equal, an increase in government borrowing reduces the amount of money available to other borrowers, putting upward pressure on interest rates and reducing private investment. It is the measure of debt most often used by CBO in its reports on the budget. The cost of growing debt increases the finance payments of new and used vehicles. Continue reading

Posted in economy, financial results, results | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment