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.

FIA WEC – One-Two for Toyota at Rain Soaked Silverstone

Pit stops proved to be an influential factor, with Toyota  gaining prized seconds at tire changes. This is s more significant this season due to regulation changes which increase the refueling time for the TS050 to make sure that Ginetta and Rebellion are able to fill up within the same time, despite adding 50% and 61% more fuel to their tanks respectively. Continue reading

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Record Number Join Rolls-Royce Apprenticeship Program

The new recruits will train with the company for between two and four years, working alongside experienced craftspeople in Assembly, Woodshop, Surface Finish, Leathershop, Parts Quality and Total Vehicle Quality Management to learn the skills and techniques employed by the luxury manufacturer. They will also study for nationally-recognized vocational qualifications at Chichester College and other local further education establishments. Continue reading

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Chevrolet Wins Accident Marred Portland Grand Prix

It was a Black Weekend for professional motorsports with the death of Anthoine Hubert, who died on Saturday during a horrific accident involving several cars after he went off course at Circuit Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium. The 22-year-old Frenchman was racing for BWT-Arden in the FIA Formula 2 Championship. Continue reading

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Volkswagen Deal on Bogus Gasoline Fuel Economy Ratings

The settlement in Volkswagen’s view removes the uncertainty of protracted litigation and does not include any admission of liability or wrongdoing by Volkswagen. AutoInformed thinks that VW is buying off lawyers in a case that is similar to  – if not identical – the calculated fraud of Dieselgate where it was flagrantly guilty. The Environmental Protection Agency has not agreed to the deal. Continue reading

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Ford Motor Recalls 652,000 Vehicles in North America

Ford Motor Company is issuing four safety recalls affecting 652,000 vehicles in North America. In a classic” bury the bad news” on the beginning of the Labor Day holiday, Ford in a release said affected vehicles have the possible lack of seat restraint in the event of a crash, loss of power-steering assist and leaking brake calipers. Continue reading

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Esteban Ocon joins Renault F1 Team. Nico Hulkenberg?

The Frenchman is known to Renault, having been Renault reserve driver in 2016 and also a Lotus junior program member. Ricciardo is currently 11th in the standings. Nico Hulkenberg is 14th and since his contract is expiring, rumors are rampant about next season. Continue reading

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Toyota and Suzuki Enter into Capital Alliance Agreement

Ultimately this is about saving money and sharing the proceeds. The companies will acquire each other’s shares based on the Alliance. Continue reading

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Ferdinand Piëch – German Autocrat, Industrialist – Dead at 82

Porsche’s attempt to take over Volkswagen Group, ironically, ultimately resulted in exactly the opposite with Volkswagen Group swallowing the performance vehicle maker whole when the leveraged funds of the pursuer ran into the brick wall of the Great Recession and margin calls in 2009. Continue reading

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California Climate Investments  – $900 Million in Projects

After two of California’s worst fire seasons on record, California Climate Investments is helping to pay for nearly 70 forest-health and wildfire-prevention projects, including many forest-adjacent communities in the wildland-urban interface.  Continue reading

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IMSA – Two Porsche 911s, Trailed by Corvette on Podium at Virginia International in GTLM. GTD Won by Mercedes AMG

The victory appeared to clinch the 2019 WeatherTech Championship GTLM manufacturer’s title for Porsche, which only needs to earn the minimum points for starting the final two races of the season to win it. Continue reading

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Massive VW Keyless Recall on 36 Product lines, 679,027 Cars

Affected are 2015-2019 GTI, 2015-2016 and 2018-2019 Golf, 2012-2019 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2017-2019 Golf SportWagen and 2011-2018 Jetta vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, manual handbrake and keyless entry. Volkswagen has been aware of the problem since July of 2018, but was silent about the number of complaints, accidents, injuries or fatalities. Continue reading

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Ford Proves the Known – Electric Motors Have Torque

Ford has confirmed it will bring an all-electric F-150 to market. This will be in addition to the all-new F-150 Hybrid that goes on sale next year. Continue reading

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Mitsubishi Motors North America to Move U.S. Headquarters Closer to Nissan in Franklin, Tennessee

The company that was close to bankruptcy before the Nissan-Renault Alliance gave it a reprieve claims the “move proves strength of Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance, as efficiencies between Mitsubishi Motors and Nissan grow in the U.S.” Continue reading

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Ford GT v Porsche 911 v Acura NSX at Virginia International in IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Racing Championship

The GT teams are particularly entertaining because the cars they drive look like the cars wealthy people can buy. Watch Ford Chip Ganassi Racing and Pfaff Motorsports to see how they do. Both are on a run. Continue reading

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Chevrolet 2020 Bolt EV – 259 Miles of Range Claimed

Through Q2 2019 – the latest GM data available – Chevy has sold 8,281 Volts compared to 7,858 for the same period a year earlier. Critics/cynics say this is an expensive hobby, not a business. Continue reading

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