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.

Center for Automotive Research: “Puzzle-Piece” Approach Endangered by New-Mobility Ecosystem, Says Alix Partners

The puzzle-piece that automakers and suppliers are historically best at – vehicle architectures, systems and assembly – will be just a part of the overall mobility mosaic. This could mean that legacy players need to be discerning about the partnerships they choose with “the other pieces of the puzzle,” such as technology and MaaS (mobility-as-a-service) companies, or efficient with the investments they make to compete with them, or both, claims AlixPartners’ Mark Wakefield. Continue reading

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2020 VW Lineup – Simplified, Driver Assist Tools Standard

Nearly all Volkswagen models will have standard driver-assistance features, including Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Monitoring (Front Assist), Blind Spot Monitor, and Rear Traffic Alert. In addition, several models simplify their trim structures to bring pricing more in line with the market. Year-to-date U.S. sales at 215,796 are up +6.1%. Continue reading

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Nissan and EVgo Charging Adding 200 New Fast Chargers

The joint investment by Nissan and EVgo expands on a six-year link between two of the early providers in transportation electrification in the U.S. Nissan has installed more than 2,000 quick-charge connectors in the country since 2010. Continue reading

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California, Automakers Defying Trump Agree on Emissions

On April 13, 2018, however, the Trump Administration took the first step toward dismantling the national program when it issued a revised final determination that alleged the federal greenhouse gas standards for model year 2022-2025 vehicles were no longer appropriate.kxhw@aol.com Continue reading

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Mercedes-Benz Joins the Driver Assist Software Recall Parade

In the latest giant pothole on the road to autonomous vehicles, the defective Active Brake Assist may not automatically apply partial or full braking as expected. This – you don’t need a computer to calculate it – increases the risk of a crash particularly if the driver is texting, sexting or otherwise not paying attention. Continue reading

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Death of the Diesel: CARB Incentives for Clean Off-Road Freight and Cargo Handling Funded by Cap and Trade

The result is equipment that saves businesses on fuel costs and has zero tailpipe emissions—a winner for the pocketbook and the community. Continue reading

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Center for Auto Safety, Consumer Watchdog Again Push FTC, State Attorneys General to Probe Tesla After Autopilot Death

Since the consumer groups called on the FTC to investigate one year ago, another American has died (that makes three known fatals), others have been injured, and “many more have acted recklessly as a result of deceptive practices by Tesla making their owners believe that a Tesla with ‘Autopilot’ is an autonomous vehicle capable of self-driving.” Continue reading

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GM Opens $65 Million Parts Processing Center Near Flint

GM now employs only 9,500 people in Genesee County, including the Grand Blanc headquarters of the company’s Customer Care and Aftersales business and the Flint manufacturing complex. All of the positions in Burton support GM’s CCA* business that is responsible for supporting the service and repair needs of millions of GM vehicle owners. Continue reading

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First Chattanooga MotorCar Festival Debuts in October

One of the exotic cars entered for the Concours is the 1932 Helicron from  the Lane Motor Museum in Nashville, Tenn. Constructed in 1932, this propeller-driven car was discovered in a barn in France in 2000 having been placed there by the original owner in the late 1930s. Continue reading

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GM Q2 Confirms US Economic Slowdown

Trump’s escalation of the trade wars will likely make things worse not only for GM, but Ford Motor and Fiat Chrysler as well. After GM released earnings, Trump said he would dictate a 10% tariff (aka tax on U.S. consumers on consumer goods and manufacturers on intermediate goods) on $300 billion worth of Chinese imports not already covered with penalties. Continue reading

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Attack of the High-Voltage Zombies – Electrify America and Stable Announce Robotic Fast-Charging for Autonomous EVs

Electrify America has provided two 150kW DC fast chargers to Stable’s charging facility for initial development work behind demonstrating the commercial viability of autonomous charging services for self-driving EVs. Thereby begins another job-destroying Green Economy effort. Continue reading

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Arbitrage, China, Politics, Trump, and BMTS Technology

It seems likely that Euro VII will ultimately spell the end for combustion engines and the start of the move to full electrification, whether hybrid, plug-in hybrid, BEV, then fuel cell vehicles. Continue reading

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C8 Sneak Peak – Corvette Roadster Debuts this Fall

But what’s in the Roadster? How about a supercharged version of the LT2? Maybe a hybrid version? Stay tuned there will be more powertrain offerings going forward as global standards to fight CO2 tighten. Continue reading

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Penske Automotive Group Q2 Sales Down as Economy Slows

Penske – in AutoInformed’s view – is a leading indicator of where the auto market is going in the US and UK. The decline in new auto sales with an increase in used auto sales could indicate that the economy – here and globally – is on the verge of a recession. Continue reading

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Porsche and Volkswagen Recall Unsafe Airbags

Affected are 2016-2017 Porsche 911 and Boxster, 2016 Cayman and Panamera, as well as 2015-2016 VW Tiguan and CC vehicles. Continue reading

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