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.

US Vehicle Sales Satisfaction Up Slightly in 2023

The lingering effects of the pandemic are gone, prompting improved customer satisfaction with the vehicle purchase process, according to the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Sales Satisfaction Index (SSI) Study, SM released today.* Increasing new-vehicle inventory on dealers’ lots and accompanying … Continue reading

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GM Announces Niron Magnetics Partnership for EV Motors

Niron’s proprietary Clean Earth Magnet® technology is based on iron nitride, a plentiful and affordable material with “real potential for commercial use in future EVs,” GM said. The permanent magnets in EV motor rotors are typically made from rare earth minerals such as terbium, dysprosium, praseodymium and neodymium, which are expensive and currently processed almost entirely overseas. A late model car can use hundreds of magnets. This technology can cut their material cost in half it’s claimed. Continue reading

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Large Pickups Good in Side Impacts. Back Seat Safety Lacking

The Ram 1500 crew cab, Ford F-150 crew cab and Toyota Tundra crew cab, all 2023 models, earn good ratings in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s updated side crash test, while the 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 crew cab is rated acceptable, IIHS said today. However, in the updated moderate overlap front crash test, which now emphasizes back seat safety, only the Tundra manages a marginal rating. The F-150, Ram 1500 and Silverado are rated poor. Continue reading

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Unifor Sweep! Stellantis Workers Ratify New Contracts

“Unifor members at Stellantis will receive the same significant wage increases, pension improvements and electric vehicle (EV) transition income security measures as Unifor members at Ford and General Motors,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne late this afternoon. “This contract also confirms investment and product commitments for Windsor, Brampton and Etobicoke, including the retooling of Brampton Assembly to build future EVs.” Continue reading

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First Look – 2024 Honda Ridgeline Pickup

Ridgeline of course continues with its unibody construction that includes fully boxed frame members and an independent rear suspension. Here the age-old pickup truck debate about American versus Japanese designs continues. “The unique design and sophisticated chassis deliver a high level of driving refinement and responsive handling no traditional body-on-frame competitor can match, while supporting an impressive 1583-pound payload capacity. Ridgeline can also tow as much as 5000 pounds, which is more than enough for many boats, campers or ‘toy’ trailers that serve as the key to adventure for many customers,” Honda said. Continue reading

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NHTSA Consumer Alert on Steering Wheel Decorations

The product is a metal or plastic plate, usually covered with rhinestones or other shiny decorations, with an adhesive back that covers the vehicle’s logo in the center of the steering wheel. In a crash, the force of a deploying air bag can turn the product into a projectile, like shrapnel, resulting in serious injury or death.

“Unlike the permanently affixed logo on your vehicle’s steering wheel, these aftermarket decals can easily become dislodged when the air bag is deployed. Any alterations or changes to your air bag or its cover can also cause it to not function correctly,” NHTSA said. Continue reading

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Kia America Recalls all 2015-19 Soul Hybrids for Software Bug

All owners of 2015-2019 model year Soul hybrids will be notified by first class mail telling them to bring their vehicles to a Kia dealer. Dealers will update the Electronic Control Unit software for the Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) logic so that the EPB automatically activates when the gear shift lever is in the “P” (Park) position regardless of whether the vehicle is powered ON or OFF. Kia will reimburse owners for repair expenses already incurred as required by US law. Continue reading

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Unifor and Stellantis Contract Ratification in Process

Unifor said its bargaining team met all of its priorities in negotiations and obtained an historic wage package, stronger pensions, protections for autoworkers in the EV transition, and secured investments to lock in a pattern agreement for all Canadian autoworkers. Continue reading

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Toyo Tire Blowout Recalls – Open Country and Extensa Tires

Toyo Tire Holdings of Americas is recalling Open Country and Extensa tires made in Serbia because of blowouts. The tires may have been produced using the wrong mold, which can result in the tread or tire sidewall suddenly detaching. The tires were produced on various dates from December of 2022 through April 2023. Continue reading

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Voters Blame Oil and Gas Companies for High Energy Prices

New polling from Data for Progress, Climate Power, and Fossil Free Media finds that voters strongly blame high energy prices on large oil companies and their CEOs.* They think, and believe these companies have too much power in government. Yet, voters remain optimistic about a transition away from fossil fuels and toward clean energy. This shall we say “awakened attitude” should be a warning to the fossil fuel dependent Republican party since it is bipartisan. Continue reading

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Mixed Signals in October US Transportation Employment

The unemployment rate* in the U.S. transportation sector was 4.8% (not seasonally adjusted) in October 2023 according to Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). In October 2023, the transportation sector unemployment rate rose 1.1 percentage points from 3.7% in October 2022 and was above the pre-pandemic October 2019 level of 2.7% but still below the October 2020 and October 2021 rates. Unemployment in the transportation sector reached its highest level during the COVID-19 pandemic (15.7%) in May 2020 and July 2020. Continue reading

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China Vehicle Dependability Same in 2023 as 2022

“Although manufacturers regard quality above everything else, some do not pay enough attention to quality after the warranty period,” said Elvis Yang, general manager of auto product practice at J.D. Power China. “However, such problems directly affect owners’ concerns about the long-term dependability and durable quality of their vehicle. Manufacturers need to pay more attention to long-term quality and improve quality management standards.” Continue reading

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New Mustang For 2024 NASCAR Cup Series Shown

Based on the seventh-generation Mustang, this Dark Horse version means that starting in 2024, Mustang will be eligible to race on six continents. Continue reading

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Toyota Posts FY2024 Q2 Net Income of $18.4 Billion

“We are grateful for the support of many stakeholders, from production to logistics, sales, and services, including suppliers. As a result of selling each car meticulously at prices that match the product appeal refined through Toyota’s ‘making ever-better cars’ initiative, operating income increased from the same period of the previous fiscal year,” Toyota said. Continue reading

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Chinese Vehicle Market Sales Strong in September

“We expect sales to remain strong in the coming years. This month we have again increased our full-year 2023 forecast, this time by 300,000 units, bringing the full-year forecast to 28.9 million units, a year- on-year increase of 8%. However, it should be noted that near-term downside risks exist, mainly from the liquidity crisis in the real estate sector – said to directly and indirectly account for 25% of GDP-  declining exports, and high youth unemployment,” said the GlobalData Forecast Team. Continue reading

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