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 Reveals 2025 Bronco Sport – Sasquatch Off-Road Option

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) said today that the 2025 Ford Bronco Sport will have an off-road option with so-called  Sasquatch Capability, as well as new technology both as standard equipment and available as options. All 2025 Bronco Sport models come standard with what’s claimed as the largest center display in the class, a 13.2-inch touchscreen with the SYNC(R) 4 system, Bronco Raptor-inspired 12.3-inch digital instrument display and Co-Pilot 360 Assist+.

“Bronco Sport customers love the outdoors and go off-roading 3.5 times as often as the owners of competitive vehicles, and camping twice as often,” claimed Matt Simpson, Ford Enthusiast Vehicles general manager. “They want to know they can overcome obstacles that come their way, which drove our designers and engineers to push Bronco Sport to a new level of capability and performance to let our customers do more and have more fun off-road.” Continue reading

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Mercedes-Benz 2025 GLC PHEV – 54 Miles Electric Range

Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) said this morning in Atlanta that the new 2025 GLC 350e 4MATIC SUV is best in its class at 54 miles of all-electric range, according to EPA certification [see footnotes below – 1]. The Hybrid SUV is available now at U.S. dealerships starting from $59,900 [2].

This in German marketing theory makes “most daily commutes more flexible and economical in all-electric mode without the need to rely on the internal combustion engine.” Further optimizing efficiency, the “Hybrid” drive program prioritizes electric propulsion for the most appropriate driving situations, for example, during city driving. The standard 60-kW DC charging capacity enables a full battery charge to be achieved in as little as 30 minutes. Continue reading

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EV Moves – Porsche Grabs Majority Stake in V4Drive Battery

“Varta and Porsche are already working closely together on the topic of high-performance battery cells. With the planned majority takeover of V4Drive, we aim to drive the company forward and would make an important contribution to keeping key technologies in Germany,” said Lutz Meschke, Deputy Chairman of the Executive Board and Member of the Executive Board for Finance and IT at Porsche AG. Continue reading

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Canadian Government Halts Teamsters Canada Freight Strike

Major automakers such as Ford Motor, General Motors, Honda, Stellantis and Toyota assembling vehicles in Canada or shipping engines and various other components to the United States got a reprieve late today as a previously reluctant Canadian government intervened in a railroad freight strike.

“I’ve directed the Canada Industrial Relations Board to assist the parties in settling the outstanding terms of their collective agreements by imposing final binding arbitration,” said Canadian Labor Minister Steve MacKinnon at a press conference. Continue reading

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Bentley Joins Leather Naturally NGO for Sourcing

Bentley Motors said today in an awakened announcement that it has become the first automotive member of Leather Naturally,* said to the global voice of the sustainable leather industry. The international Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) says it is dedicated to promoting … Continue reading

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Tech-Aches – Vehicle Owners Overwhelmed by New Gizmos

Vehicle owners are overwhelmed with technology features that don’t solve a problem, don’t work, are difficult to use or are just too limited in functionality. The results of the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Tech Experience Index* (TXI) StudySM released today shows that. The study, which focuses on the user experience with advanced vehicle technologies as they come to market, finds that while owners offer praise for some advanced features, others are found to be lackluster. Continue reading

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Shareholder Warning – Ford Delays Next Gen Electric Truck

Electric vehicle consumers currently, so to speak, are more cost-conscious than early adopters, looking to electric vehicles as a practical way to save money on fuel and maintenance, as well as time by charging at home. This, along with numerous new electric vehicle choices coming to market during the next 12 months , as well as rising compliance requirements, has multiplied pricing pressures. In short (groan) all automakers to survive must have  globally competitive cost structure, emphasizing some customer and product segments to ensure profitable growth and capital efficiency. Continue reading

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Customer Deliveries Start – for GMC Sierra EV Denali Edition 1

GMC said today that prospective customers can now purchase the 2024 GMC Sierra EV Denali Edition 1 from dealers across the country. The all-electric pickup truck has 440 miles of GM-estimated range with a full charge [see footnote 1 below], GMC “exclusive” CrabWalk mode [3], MultiPro MidGateTM and 10,000 pounds max towing capacity [4] from a GM-estimated 754 horsepower and 785 lb.-ft. of torque in Max Power mode [2]. This by our count means that GMC is the only US brand now with three EV trucks, which won’t likely last long given the US vehicle popularity of trucks. Just bring money –  prices begin at $97,500, plus the $1995 destination charge. Continue reading

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Satisfaction With Auto Industry Up Slightly?

Driver satisfaction with the automobile industry inches forward 1% to a score of 80 (out of 100) as inventory levels return to normal, accruing to the latest study from ACSI®. Satisfaction with both the mass-market (79) and luxury (81) segments is unchanged from the year before, while the smaller brands that comprise the “all others” measure lift the industry’s overall ACSI score by climbing 7% to 81.

“Despite automotive sales showing strong growth in 2023, many consumers remain cautious about making major purchases like new vehicles,” says Forrest Morgeson, Associate Professor of Marketing at Michigan State University and Director of Research Emeritus at the ACSI. “Inflation poses challenges and there are real concerns over new vehicles becoming outdated quicker because of how fast technology evolves. Plus, factors like economic uncertainty and range anxiety around electric vehicles contribute to this hesitation.” Continue reading

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Strength in August Auto Retail Market but…

In the Cox Auto Market Report published this morning, Chief Economist Jonathan Smoke noted that  first half of August saw massive volatility in the stock market, but halfway through the month there is  strength in the retail sale vehicle market.”

“Keep your seatbelts buckled as the election, geopolitics and the Fed are all likely to create more volatility over the next several weeks,” Smoke cautioned. Continue reading

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GMC Shows 2025 Yukon with Partial Details

GMC has shown the 2025 Yukon with technology additions and a refreshed interior design. The 2025 Yukon also introduces the first-ever AT4 Ultimate trim, timed to celebrate the fifth anniversary of GMC’s AT4 sub-brand. The 2025 GMC Yukon will be produced at Arlington Assembly in Texas and is expected to be available by the end of 2024.

“Following the all-new GMC Acadia and next-gen GMC Terrain, the addition of the updated 2025 GMC Yukon completes GMC’s reimagined SUV lineup,” said Duncan Aldred, global vice president, Buick and GMC. “We’re raising the bar on what our customers expect from GMC’s flagship and the addition of the AT4 Ultimate trim fuses ruggedness and capability with craftsmanship and refinement.” Continue reading

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UAW Locals Preparing to Strike Stellantis – National Strike?

The UAW said today that several UAW locals representing tens of thousands of workers under the national UAW Stellantis agreement are prepared to file grievances over the Stellantis’ failure to keep its investment commitments and honor the union contract,. This, of course leads to a  national strike at Stellantis, if necessary.

“This company made a commitment to autoworkers at Stellantis in our union contract, and we intend to enforce that contract to the full extent,” said UAW President Shawn Fain. “On behalf of autoworkers everywhere, we’re standing up against a company that wants to go back on its commitments and drive a race to the bottom at the expense of the American worker.” Continue reading

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Relatively Cheap – The 2025 Nissan Rogue On Sale

Nissan said today that the 2025 Nissan Rogue* is on-sale now with a starting Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price [MSRP footnote 2 below] of $29,230, a minor price increase following a less than successful mild changes for the 2024 model year and the addition of Google built-in. Continue reading

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Six New Ford Motor Recalls on Various Safety Defects

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released today information about six more Ford Motor Company safety defect recalls covering a vast array of design, engineering, manufacturing and software defects.

Problems, some of them life threatening, include power windows, engine fires, windshield wipers, failing rear suspension knuckles, loss of steering, and body as well as powertrain control modules. NHTSA Campaign Numbers include: 24V590, 24V591, 24V593, 24V594, 24V597, 24V598. Continue reading

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GM Recalls Cadillac LYRIQ AWD EVs

According to documents made public this morning in the required safety recall information filing, “In rare circumstances, during certain braking events on dry surfaces at speeds below 25 mph, the vehicle may exhibit overly sensitive anti-lock braking system (ABS) control. In these conditions, if ABS falsely activates and a specific sequence of wheel movements occurs, the vehicle’s ABS system will continue to release the braking pressure in the vehicle’s service brake system. A release of braking pressure can cause the service brakes to have reduced stopping performance or become inoperative, increasing the risk of a crash.” GM said it is not aware of any injuries or fatalities associated with this condition. Continue reading

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