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.

Urban Automotive Custom Rolls-Royce Ghost at SEMA

Urban Automotive, a customizer of luxury automotive brands, showed its Rolls-Royce Ghost on Milltek Corporation stand at SEMA 2023. It has carbon fiber styling “upgrades, now distributed in the USA officially and exclusively by Milltek as Urban Automotive USA.” Continue reading

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BMW Recalls 2023-24 Driver Assist Systems

BMW of North America is recalling 2023-2024 740i, 740i xDrive, 760i xDrive, i7 eDrive50, i7 xDrive60, i7 M70, 2024 750e xDrive, 530i, 530i xDrive, i5 eDrive40, and i5 M60 vehicles. During assembly by the supplier Autoliv Romania the ground connection to the steering wheel may not have been attached according to specifications. This could affect the functionality of the hands-on detection system due to the possibility of misreading the electrical capacitance in that location, which means the emergency braking mode of the driver assist system won’t work. Continue reading

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Ford Performance Parts, Packages – Mustang, Bronco, Ranger

Ford Performance Parts (NYSE: F) is showing what it calls “concept packages” today at the SEMA Show that will be available to customers starting in 2024. They were created in response to customer feedback, Ford said. The packages will be available via the Ford Performance Parts website or through a dealer accessory counter. Pricing for each package will be revealed nearer each package’s on-sale date, while either a Ford dealer or ASE-certified shop can perform the installation. Continue reading

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Stellantis Posts Q3 Sales Up 37%. Pre-Tax Profit €3B

Stellantis* today posted a pre-tax operating profit of €3 billion. The company that is partly comprised of Jeep, Dodge Jeep and Ram said the strikes cost it around €750 million. However the strikes – characterized as “work stoppages”- resulted in … Continue reading

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UAW October Sweep – GM and UAW Tentative Agreement

“GM is pleased to have reached a tentative agreement with the UAW that reflects the contributions of the team while enabling us to continue to invest in our future and provide good jobs in the US,” said GM Chair and CEO Mary Barra, just minutes ago. Continue reading

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Unifor Stellantis Agreement Good for All Workers in Transition

“After a short strike throughout the night Unifor has reached now a tentative agreement with Stellantis. The deal came about around 7:00 AM this morning, after bargaining throughout the night. And yes, as you can tell all of those here are tired, but also very, very proud of the work that we’ve done for Canadian auto workers. ” said Unifor National President Lana Payne said late this afternoon at a hotel in Toronto. Continue reading

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Ford EV Charging Network Grows by 25%

Ford Motor said today that customers can now access three new charging providers – Francis Energy, Blink and Red E across the US. and Canada with embedded charger routing and simple payment options via FordPass. The three new companies bring more than 10,000 new chargers to the network, including more than 550 new DC fast chargers. Blink, Francis Energy and Red E join the existing BlueOval Charge Network providers: Shell Recharge Solutions, Electrify America, EVgo, ChargePoint, FLO, EV Connect, and Electric Circuit for a total of ~106,000 charging stations. Continue reading

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Unifor and Stellantis Have Tentative Contract in Canada

“I am proud of our members at every Stellantis facility for their quick and decisive action during this brief and effective strike action,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “This agreement will considerably improve the living standards of every Unifor member at Stellantis.” Continue reading

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UAW has Tentative Agreement With Stellantis

“Once again, we have achieved what just weeks ago we were told was impossible,” said UAW President Shawn Fain. “At Stellantis in particular, we have not only secured a record contract, we have begun to turn the tide in the war on the American working class. Going into these negotiations, the company wanted to cut 5000 jobs across Stellantis. Our Stand Up Strike changed that equation. Not only did we not lose those 5000 jobs, we turned it all the way around. By the end of this agreement, Stellantis will be adding 5000 jobs. We truly are saving the American dream.” Continue reading

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Infrastructure – More DOT Roadway Safety Planning Grants

Whether it’s a dangerous intersection or highway, or a need for better bus and bike lanes, no one can better pinpoint a community’s safety needs than the people who actually live and work there,” said US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “In the past five years, the communities we are awarding these grants to experienced nearly 14,000 roadway deaths. To help change that unacceptable reality, we are proud to deliver this needed funding to help them address their unique safety needs and save lives.” Continue reading

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CARB Expands Community Air Protection Program

“Blueprint 2.0 is an example of equity-driven innovation that puts a spotlight on the environmental challenges that overburdened communities face and engages residents so that solutions are informed by their priorities and needs,” said CARB Chair Liane Randolph. “With today’s vote, we expanded the tools that residents have to work toward cleaner air and healthier communities.” Continue reading

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Stellantis Invests in Chinese Leapmotor to Expand EV Sales

“As consolidation unfolds among the capable electric vehicles start-ups in China, it becomes increasingly apparent that a handful of efficient and agile new generation EV players, like Leapmotor, will come to dominate the mainstream segments in China,” said Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares. Continue reading

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Ford Motor 2023 Q3 Net income $1.2 Billion

“I’m very optimistic about the reality we’re creating with Ford+,” said President and CEO Jim Farley. “We’re building a more dynamic, highly talented and customer-focused company at the intersection of great vehicles, iconic brands, innovative software and high-value services.

“We’re also radically changing how we work with a series of actions that put the right people with the right capabilities in the right places across the organization, so that our promise isn’t masked by cost and quality issues,” Farley claimed. Continue reading

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Consumer Spending Spree – October US Auto Sales

Total US new-vehicle sales during October 2023 are forecast to reach 1,201,800, a 6.6% increase from October 2022, according to numbers just released by J.D. Power and GlobalData.* The seasonally adjusted annualized rate (SAAR) for total new-vehicle sales is expected to be 15.5 million units, up 0.9 million units from October 2022. Retail buyers are on pace to spend $43.7 billion on new vehicles, up $0.3 billion from October 2022. Continue reading

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Ford Reaches UAW Contract Agreement If Members Vote Yes

“We are pleased to have reached a tentative agreement on a new labor contract with the UAW covering our U.S. operations,” said Ford CEO and President Jim Farley at 8:43 pm tonight in a Dearborn issued statement.

The agreement, of course is subject is dependent on ratification by Ford’s UAW-represented employees. Continue reading

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