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.

Kroger Camaro On Pole for Daytona 500

It was Stenhouse’s second day driving a Camaro. Next Sunday’s Daytona 500 will be Stenhouse’s first start with JTG-Daugherty Racing where he replaced Ryan Preece in the No. 47 Chevrolet during the off-season. Continue reading

Posted in racing | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Ford Motor Changes Top Exec Roles Again

The changes come as Ford is restructuring operations, investing in the product portfolio and reducing bureaucracy. Ford lost $1.7 billion (42 cents a share) during Q4 2019 compared to a loss of $100 million, or 3 cents a share, year-over-year.  This  included a previously disclosed $2.2 billion charge for underfunded pensions. Adjusted for one-time items, Ford said it gained 12 cents a share during the year, compared with 30 cents a share a year ago. Revenue fell 5% to $39.7 billion from $41.8 billion a year ago. Global sales, share, earnings, and profits all decreased. Continue reading

Posted in financial results, mobility company, people | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Midwest Automotive Media Pick 2020 Kia Telluride and Lincoln Aviator as Family and Luxury Vehicles of the Year

Voting took place at both the Spring and Fall Rallies, which narrowed down the field of contenders. Mainstream finalists were the Ford Escape, Ford Explorer, Honda Passport, Hyundai Palisade, Jeep Gladiator, Kia Telluride, Mazda 3, and Subaru Outback. The finalists in the luxury category were the BMW X7, Cadillac XT6, Lincoln Aviator, Lincoln Nautilus, and Mercedes-Benz AMG CLS 53 Coupe. Continue reading

Posted in auto news, awards, engineering, marketing, new vehicle, news analysis, people, results, shows and events | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Carryover 2020 Nissan Frontier Has Next Gen Powertrain

Helping celebrate the transition to the next-generation Frontier was Brian Murphy and his 2007 Frontier, which just last week crossed the 1-million-mile score – proof of the durability and reliability of the Nissan Frontier, especially when the oil is changed, and regular maintenance performed.
Continue reading

Posted in marketing, people | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Oscar Winner Regina King in New Cadillac ‘Make Your Way’ Ad

“Cadillac has always represented success…there’s a swagger, a sexiness, to the vehicles. There’s also a realness and a sense of ambition that I identify with. Through sheer perseverance, I’ve found my way through doors some never thought possible. There’s a real connection for me with Cadillac, and that is why I wanted to get involved,” said paid pitch-woman King. Continue reading

Posted in marketing, new vehicle | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Chicago Auto Show to Open Its 112th Edition  

Chicago Auto Show to Open Its 112th Edition   Continue reading

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

2020 Ford GT More Power, Special Edition Trim at $750k

Additional engine cooling and airflow updates includes new buttress air ducts designed to increase air flow by 50% while larger intercoolers keep charge air temperatures cooler, preserving peak power for high-temperature sessions at the track. Suspension damping is increased in track mode to increase handling and body control, particularly for those high-speed transient sections of closed-course circuits. Continue reading

Posted in performance, racing | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

General Motors Posts Huge Q4 Strike Losses and a Weak 2019

U.S. market share declined year-over-year because of the UAW strike and discontinuation of some passenger cars. China market share declined y-o-y due to segment shifts, lower demand for outgoing models and the slower rate of adoption of new fuel-efficient technology. Continue reading

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

First Look – 2021 Cadillac Escalade

Cadillac last night unveiled the all-new 2021 Escalade in Hollywood, an SUV that is longer than Scorsese’s Irishman, and likely far more profitable.  Continue reading

Posted in autonomous vehicles, new vehicle | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Ford Posts Weak Q4 Earnings Losing $1.7 Billion

”Financially, the company’s 2019 performance was short of our original expectations, mostly because our operational execution, which we usually do very well, wasn’t nearly good enough,” said Chief Executive Jim Hackett in an understatement. Revenue fell 5% to $39.7 billion from $41.8 billion a year ago. Global sales, share, earnings, and profits all decreased.  Warranty costs reached $5 billion in 2019, up $1.5 billion in recent years — and fixing vehicle launch problems that have also cost an estimated $1 billion. Continue reading

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

Global Light Vehicle Sales Slump. The Party’s Over?

LMC posits we must look at why the market has dropped 5 million units below the 2017 record. A recent blog entry entitled 2019 Review highlights some of the challenges faced by the auto industry. Chief among them are developments in China, with a protracted hangover from the temporary tax cuts of a few years ago, disruption coming from the launch of State VI-compliant vehicles (which varies region by region), along with a slowing economy. Continue reading

Posted in news analysis, sales | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

GMC Hummer EV – Its First All-Electric Truck

The spot contrasts the allegedly staggering anticipated performance of GMC’s first all-electric truck with the quietness inherent in the operation of an electric vehicle. Continue reading

Posted in electric vehicles, new vehicle | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Mazda Marks its 100th Anniversary

“Mazda originated as a company producing cork and then took the path to manufacturing automobiles. Now, our cars have found friends with many customers from over 130 countries and regions. We would like to express our sincere appreciation to the customers, dealers, suppliers, business partners and the local community, who have supported us over the years through good and bad times, to whom we owe our 100 years of existence,” said Akira Marumoto, Representative Director, President and CEO. Continue reading

Posted in milestones | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Rivian to Develop Lincoln’s First All-Electric Vehicle

What should become Lincoln’s first fully electric vehicle will join the Aviator and Corsair Grand Touring plug-in hybrid vehicles as Lincoln plays catch up in a segment that is dictated by Chinese, EU and California regulations and dominated by the Germans and Tesla. Lincoln claims the so-called zero-emissions vehicle will have connected and “intuitive” technologies designed to (marketing babble alert) “create an effortless experience for Lincoln clients.” Continue reading

Posted in electric vehicles, new vehicle | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Groupe Renault Changes Execs – outsider Luca de Meo as CEO, Clotilde Delbos Deputy CEO

De Meo becomes the second executive to lead Renault (RNLSY) since Ghosn was arrested in Japan in 2018 and subsequently charged with financial fraud. Ghosn’s successor at Renault, Thierry Bollore, left last fall, in part it seems because he was a Ghosn protégé and after the collapse of a proposed merger with Fiat Chrysler in June that Nissan nixed. Continue reading

Posted in news analysis, people | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments