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.

The Corrupting Influence of Money on US Public Health

“Heavy Vehicle emissions standards recently proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) would boost the electrification of trucks and buses, but standards stronger than what EPA proposed are needed to de-carbonize transportation at a pace to prevent catastrophic climate change. While leading utilities are showing that they can help build out the infrastructure at the scale necessary to support the proposed standards, they and their customers will need to invest far more ambitiously to support more robust standards.,” claims Daivie Ghosh, Transportation Senior Research Analyst at the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. Continue reading

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Two Corporate Execs Convicted for Failure to Report Under CPSA

A Los Angeles jury has convicted two corporate executives of conspiracy and failure to report information related to defective residential dehumidifiers that had been linked to multiple fires, in the First-Ever Criminal Prosecution for Failure to Report Under Consumer Product Safety Act (CPSC)*. Simon Chu, 68, of Chino Hills, California, and Charley Loh, 65, of Arcadia, California, were convicted of conspiracy to defraud and failure to furnish information as required by the Consumer Product Safety Act (CPSA). Continue reading

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GM UAW Members Ratify New Contract

AutoInformed translation: GM UAW members will be working likely be working mandatory overtime or  extended shifts during the holiday season. Continue reading

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Ford CEO Jim Farley on UAW Contract Ratification

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) President and CEO Jim Farley said this morning, “We are pleased the agreement has been ratified and we are very happy for our more than 57,000 UAW-represented employees and their families.” (AutoInformed: Bill Ford Asks … Continue reading

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Is Formula One in Vegas Cursed? Clark County Cuts Fees

Stay tuned for more on the Las Vegas F1 curse. The temporary circuit was closed to fans this morning after a race car was severely damaged by a manhole cover. How many fans show up for the race remains to be seen. Continue reading

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State of Michigan UAW Employees Approve 2024 Contract

State of Michigan UAW employees have approved the 2024 wage re-opener for the fiscal year 2024 by a significant 95% yes vote, the UAW said today. Local 6000 negotiated a 5% wage increase, a $2250 bonus, which is the first bonus ever received, and language to adjust wages due to market conditions, retention, and recruitment for the Human Services and Administrative Support Units. Continue reading

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New Circus Ringmaster at Cruise Autonomous Vehicles

Well, it seems that the discovery that Cruise altered released accident footage to eliminate one of its accident vehicles dragging a pedestrian with it as it continued to run (drive away?) has moved the normally buttoned-down GM safety culture and it people to the verge of, well, annoyance. So send in the lawyers to monitor the California clowns starting with Cruise CEO Kyle Vogt. Continue reading

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Cadillac Teases 2025 OPTIQ EV – Crossover Compact

This will be Cadillac’s fourth EV, positioned below the slow-selling (because of supply chain issues and shortages of batteries or lack of appeal?) Lyriq mid-size crossover, with a base price of ~$59,000. It joins the expensive ~$300,000+ Celestiq sedan and what will soon be an all-electric version of the Escalade SUV (~ $130,000.) Continue reading

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Subaru 2025 Forester SUV Shown at Los Angeles Auto Show

“The all-new 2025 Forester was designed to combine the capability and versatility of a large SUV with the comfort and efficiency of a car. The 8.7-inch ground clearance for all Forester models is taller than many SUVs, yet it maintains a comfortably low step-in height for both front- and rear-passenger entry,” Subaru said. Continue reading

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Rerun at LA Auto Show – Honda Prelude Concept

The hybrid-electric Honda Prelude Concept made its North American debut today at the Los Angeles Auto Show with the usual assertion that it represents a prelude, so to speak, to future electrified Honda models. This is weeks after its global debut at the Japan Mobility Show. Honda says it will make battery-electric and fuel cell electric vehicles represent 100% of its new vehicle sales by 2040. Continue reading

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Porsche Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen Plant to be Reconstructed

“60 years of the Porsche 911 and 75 years of Porsche sports cars, the double anniversary marks a special year for Porsche. The reconstruction measures and extensions to sports car production at our main plant are an important milestone for the Zuffenhausen site,” said Albrecht Reimold, Member of the Executive Board for Production and Logistics at Porsche AG. “The conversion measures will enable increased efficiency, the highest quality standards, and mixed production of combustion-engine and electric sports cars. This will see us start a new chapter in sports car production in terms of the smart factory.” Continue reading

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October Global Light Vehicle Sales at 94 Million Annually

The Global Light Vehicle (LV) selling rate for October was largely in line with an upwardly adjusted September figure, at 94 million units annually. Year-over Year (YoY) the market was up nearly ~11% last month, and up more than 10% YTD, according to data just released by the GlobalData Light Vehicle Sales Forecasting Team. Continue reading

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Distracted Driving Laws – Hands Free Results Vary

“In the first few months, reporters write about it, the government runs campaigns for it, and police officers actively educate drivers about it. Over time though, resources and attention shift to other areas,” said Cambridge Analytics. Continue reading

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Nissan 2024 Armada SUV $57,350 – $72,418

The 2024 Nissan Armada is on sale now with prices for the full-size SUV ranging from $57,350 – $72,418 plus options, taxes and registration fees.* Armada has a5.6-liter Endurance® V8 rated for 400 horsepower and 413 lb.-ft. of torque, supporting … Continue reading

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Mercedes-Benz Opens First North American EV Charging Hub

Mercedes-Benz USA said today that its first Charging Hub* opened at its headquarters in Sandy Springs, Georgia. Additional charging hubs will open across Texas and the Southeast by the end of 2023. Continue reading

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