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.

US Trade Deficit Continues at $45 Billion a Month

The drop in imports portends shortages, which could harm both consumer and business spending. The coronavirus epidemic has upset businesses and production in China, with an extension of  the Lunar Year holidays cutting output in an effort by the Chinese government to constrain its spread. This likely will be repeated in the US economy as the epidemic spreads here. It’s too soon to see the potential negative effects on the auto industry, but disruptions are likely given China, South Korea and Mexican trade in automotive goods. Continue reading

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More Management Changes at Profit Challenged Daimler

The reorganization at Daimler continued today at Daimler in Investor Relations and Greater China. Olaf Schick is to take over Finance & Controlling at Daimler Greater China replacing Steffen Hoffman. Hoffmann will take over as Head of Investor Relations on 1 April 2020  with the current head, Björn Scheib, leaving the company by “mutual agreement,” after 11 years in the position. Continue reading

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GM Shows New Batteries and a Flexible Global EV Platform

Chevrolet, Cadillac, GMC and Buick will be launching new EVs starting this year. The next new Chevrolet EV will be a new version of the Bolt EV, launching in late 2020, followed by the 2022 Bolt EUV, launching Summer 2021. The Bolt EUV will be the first vehicle outside of the Cadillac brand to feature Super Cruise, the industry’s first true hands-free driving technology for the highway, which GM will expand to 22 vehicles by 2023, including 10 by next year. Continue reading

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Ford to Offer All-Electric US Transit in 2022

Built in the U.S. with imported parts from lower wage areas, the all-electric Transit will be “connected,” providing fleet owners with in-vehicle high-speed data architecture and cloud-based services to offer unspecified new ways to optimize fleet performance. Continue reading

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New York Auto Show Claims It Will Happen

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. Continue reading

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First Look – Hyundai Prophecy EV Concept

In the styling babble “Prophecy follows suit with an iconic silhouette of perfect proportions that have been inspired by an aerodynamic design. Leveraging the extended wheelbase and shorter overhang, Hyundai’s designers have achieved the Ultimate Automotive Form, thanks to a new EV architecture defined by pristine surfaces and pure volume in combination with aesthetic harmony and functionality.” Continue reading

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Limited Edition of 500 Giulia GTA Sedans Appear in June

Perhaps more significant is the Giulia GTAm, a100% “street legal” version of the GTA, with two racing seats, roll bar and 6-point safety belts. On GTAm, the aerodynamic front piece has been optimized to an “extreme level, by adding a larger front splitter and a real carbon rear wing, which ensure a perfectly balanced load at high speeds.” Continue reading

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Volkswagen Group Posts 2019 Profit Despite Diesel Charges

The earnings announcement on Friday came with an agreement to pay 830 million euro ($912 million) in damages to hundreds of thousands of customers whose diesel cars were outfitted with software that illegally falsified emissions readings. Continue reading

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Coronavirus Spreads – Geneva Motor Show Cancelled

The Swiss Federal Council today decreed that no events with more than 1,000 people are allowed to take place until 15 March 2020. The decision came just 3 days before the opening of the exhibition to the media. The situation changed with the appearance of the first confirmed coronavirus diseases in Switzerland. It has of course appeared in the U.S., which appears to be completely unprepared. Continue reading

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Actor Steven Seagal Settles SEC Charges

The SEC’s order finds that Seagal violated the anti-touting provisions of the federal securities laws. Without admitting or denying the SEC’s findings, Seagal agreed to pay $157,000 in disgorgement, which represents his actual promotional payments, plus prejudgment interest, and a $157,000 penalty. In addition, Seagal agreed not to promote any securities, digital or otherwise, for three years. Continue reading

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FedEx and Chanje to Develop Charging Infrastructure

This makes it one of the largest deployments of integrated charging infrastructure by a single commercial fleet so far. FedEx has been using all-electric vehicles as part of its pickup-and-delivery fleet since 2009. Continue reading

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Electric Vehicles – a Virus That Can’t Be Controlled?

Riddell in essence poses this riddle: When buying an IC car today, a larger engine is a big cost option, and for a BEV, a bigger ‘gas tank’ is a major, high-cost feature. Will this continue? Can this continue? Based on past behaviors, cost is a major inhibitor to adaption of advance technologies. Continue reading

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Goodyear to Release High Efficiency and Extreme Traction Tire

Scheduled to be publicly released later this year on the Peugeot 2008, 3008, 5008, DS3 Crossback, and DS7 Crossback models, the avanced tire has traction to meet the severe snow 3PMSF requirement while also delivering rolling resistance performance as an A-class tire. This allows  both premium traction and premium fuel efficiency – a benefit from rolling resistance performance. Continue reading

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US February Retail Vehicle Sales to Surpass a Million

 “Last year it took until September for the industry to reach the current spend levels,” King noted. “While the coronavirus has had no meaningful effect on production yet, it does have the potential to reduce overall inventory levels and lower the need for continued elevated incentives. If unhealthy inventory levels persist throughout the year, however, manufacturers may be faced with spend levels that are pacing towards $5,000 by next year.” Continue reading

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Kia ABS Modules Can Short Circuit

Kia has known about the problem, but not the cause, since April 2017. KMC will now conduct a recall of Sedona and Sorento vehicles to prevent key OFF engine compartment fires by depowering the HECU when the vehicle is in the ignition key OFF setting. Continue reading

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