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.

Ford Expands Fusion and Lincoln MKZ Seat Belt Recalls

Well, the bad old auto company practice of trying to put a “fence” around a recall – the smaller and cheaper the better – is well entrenched. The latest Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ seat-belt recall appears to be a good example, although the ongoing tardiness of NHTSA in posting relevant documents is also in play here. Continue reading

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FCA Q2 Earnings – Net profit at €0.8B. Trouble Ahead?

With the first financial results since an attempt to merge with France’s Renault, FCA said its adjusted earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) would top last year’s 6.7 billion euros ($7.5 billion). It also said it continues the quest for partners. Previously it promised to deliver 2020 adjusted earnings before interest and tax (EBIT), excluding the Magneti Marelli unit it sold,  of €9.2-10.4 billion. Continue reading

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MINI celebrates 60 years at the 2019 Monterey Car Week

Today, the MINI product lineup has a model range of five vehicles – the MINI Hardtop 2 Door, MINI Hardtop 4 Door, MINI Convertible, MINI Clubman and MINI Countryman. Continue reading

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Ford Motor Q2 – Sales, Share, Net Income, EPS All down

The updated guidance is based on the current economic environment, including the status of commodities, foreign exchange and tariffs. – all questionable or challenge-able assumptions. Continue reading

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Shelby GT350R Now Shares GT500 Chassis Technology

Retail sales of special performance series Mustangs (GT350 and Bullitt) were up 39% in Q2 of this year, leading to an overall retail share gain for Mustang this year and increasing Mustang transaction pricing by $1,200 over a year-ago to $36,300 per car. However, Ford doesn’t break out the sales numbers by variant, but obviously the gain wasn’t nearly enough to offset the decline in the balance of the Mustang business or the failing car business (-23% ytd) Continue reading

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Michigan Drivers Dominate Drag Racing at Roadkill Nights

For the fifth consecutive year, Motor Trend Group’s Roadkill Nights Powered by Dodge returned to Woodward Avenue in Pontiac, Michigan. Continue reading

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Lidar for Robotic Apps – Velodyne Puck 32MR

Lidar is used in many industries, including automotive, trucking, UAV/drones, industrial, mapping, and others. Continue reading

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Mulliner Completely Re-Creates 1939 Bentley Corniche

The original Corniche was lost in France in 1939 at the outbreak of World War II. It was extensively damaged in a traffic accident whilst undergoing road tests in France in August 1939. Sent for repairs, the chassis made it home to the Bentley plant in Derby, but the bodywork was destroyed in a bombing raid on Dieppe later in 1939 and was never seen again. Continue reading

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Dream Cruise Delights – Power to The People

Woodward Avenue – America’s first highway – is about to be invaded or upgraded as 40,000 classic cars appear for the 25th annual Dream Cruise next weekend. Heavily biased toward ‘Merican metal, with a crowd-pleasing emphasis on muscle cars and … Continue reading

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Daimler Tries Deliveries Directly to Parked Cars in Berlin

The customers were satisfied with the in-car delivery service during the pilot in Stuttgart. They positively highlighted the personal convenience, the greater ease in daily life as well as the speed of the delivery. All in all, more than 1000 parcels were delivered in the greater Stuttgart area to date. Continue reading

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NHTSA on Tesla Again for Bogus Safety Claims

The latest stock market manipulation came as the SEC remains silent in the curious case of the watchdog that didn’t bark. Any major automaker executive doing such would be prosecuted and possibly jailed. Continue reading

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Ten-Month US Budget Deficit Now at $867 billion. $Trillion Deficits Now Certain Under Current Economic Policies

This, gulp,is $184 billion more than the deficit recorded during the same period last year. Revenues were $92 billion higher, and outlays were $276 billion higher than in the same period in fiscal year 2018. So much for Republican lip service that claimed deficits were bad. Continue reading

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30 Senators Asking Automakers to Join California Fuel-Economy Agreement in Defiance of Trump’s EPA

“In the absence of an agreement between the Federal government and states, the California agreement is a commonsense framework that provides flexibility to the industry to meet tailpipe standards while also taking important steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save money on fuel for consumers,” the senators wrote. Continue reading

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EVs, Coal Plant Closings Can Cut Carbon Emissions 42%

The study says that combined emissions from the transportation and electricity sector are reduced by 61%. It’s just another fact ignored by global warming deniers  and climate change reform opponents that notes that clean air is vital and global warming deadly. Continue reading

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Porsche SE Posts Strong 2019 Half-Year Results

Porsche sales revenue grew +9% to € 13.4 billion compared with the prior-year period. The operating result before special items increased by +3% to € 2.2 billion. Return on sales before special items was 16.5%. Deliveries increased 2% to 133,484 vehicles by June end. The workforce increased by 5% to 33,839 employees in the first half of 2019. Continue reading

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