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.

IMSA Delays Twelve Hours of Sebring to November 2020

Notably, IMSA said nothing about the growing public health crisis and its potential dire effects on fans. IMSA is owned by NASCAR, which has just banned fans from races. Continue reading

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NASCAR Bans Fans at Races

Just a day after insisting that it would hold racing as usual with slight tweaks to protect the drivers from COVID-19, NASCAR has admitted partially that more steps are necessary to acknowledges the growing crisis and public health threat. Continue reading

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Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the US

CDC is recording an outbreak of respiratory illness caused by a novel (new) coronavirus, aka COVID-19. The Data are at least one day old and note comprehensive. Continue reading

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NASCAR Still Racing So Far, Buffers and Restrictions Added

NASCAR has added an infectious disease specialist to its consulting physician group to provide technical assistance and to inform policy. In following with these discussions and guidance from this counsel, NASCAR is implementing several adjustments to race event operations effective this weekend at Atlanta and remaining in effect indefinitely. Continue reading

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COVID-19: Fiat Chrysler Starts Work from Home, Distances Workers, Prepares for Possible Temporary Factory Shut Downs

Beyond the measures already taken in support of government directives, FCA said it will act to minimize the risk of spreading the contagion between employees. These include intensive sanitation of all work and rest areas, changing rooms and washrooms. To enable greater spacing of employees at their workstations, daily production rates will be lowered to accommodate the adapted manufacturing processes. Continue reading

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Ford Recalls a Recall on 2019 Ranger Pickup for Fires

Ford Motor Company today is issuing a safety recall for 2019 Ford Ranger vehicles that were previously recalled as the company’s quality woes continue. Continue reading

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Czinger Unveils 21C in London

Named because it’s designed, built and manufactured for the 21st century, the new 21C hypercar uses Czinger’s technology to engineer each component’s design, performance and weight. Continue reading

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FAA Helping Airlines on COVID-19 Cancellations

The FAA is waiving the 80% use requirement through 31 May 2020 for U.S. and foreign airlines that have affected flights. In doing so, the FAA “expects that U.S. carriers will be accommodated with reciprocal relief by foreign authorities at airports in their countries and may determine not to grant a waiver to a foreign carrier whose home jurisdiction does not reciprocate.” Continue reading

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COVID-19 Chaos as LMC Automotive Cuts Global Light Vehicle Sales Forecast by 3.7 Million Units

Whether you believe there is a public overreaction or that COVID-19 is actually a public health crisis headed for pandemic status, there is no denying the expected negative impact it will have on the economy and auto industry. Continue reading

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COVID-19: 2020 New York International Auto Show Delayed

As AutoInformed said then, “The show’s fate of course will be determined by public health departments at the city, state and federal levels. At the moment there is no known vaccine for preventive or ameliorative use against COVID-19.” This still applies despite of the denials and obfuscation of the  central government.  Continue reading

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Online Car Buying Trends

“We’ve amassed a wealth of data from the 177,549 cars we sold online in 2019, providing valuable insights for our industry-first report of online car buying,” said Ernie Garcia, Carvana founder and CEO. Continue reading

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Sulfur Fumes Cause Mercedes ABS and ESP Safety Recall?

The electrical contact of a resistor might be impaired due to sulfur fumes originating from the axle oil. Due to a development “deviation” at the supplier Tollo Linear  of Sweden, a batch of electrical resistors don’t meet the requirements for chemical resistance. Continue reading

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Trump Deficit Growing: $625 Billion FYTD – $80B Higher YoY

Net interest on the public debt rose by $5 billion (or 17%), mostly because of a different rate of inflation. Continue reading

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Kathrin Kerls New Chair of Board of Management BMW Bank

The current Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW Bank GmbH, Hans-Jürgen Cohrs, will step down on 1 April, but will support his successor during the initial phase until he retires on 30 June 2020. Continue reading

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Tire Wear Emissions 1000 Times More Than Exhaust Emissions

Non-exhaust emissions (NEE) are particles released into the air from brake wear, tire wear, road surface wear and re-suspension of road dust during  vehicle operation. No legislation is in place to limit or reduce NEE, but they affect air quality. Continue reading

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