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.

Bentley Motors Unveils the Belonging Bentayga

Bentley Motors today revealed the ‘Belonging Bentayga.’ This is  a hand painted Alpine Green Bentayga Hybrid with different skylines and well-known buildings from all across the world, such as New York, London, Paris, Rome, Milan, Venice, Tokyo and Hong Kong. Each side of the car depicts a different continent. The art piece that displays 29 different landmarks is drawn from memory by Stephen Wiltshire* MBE, a British architectural artist and autistic savant, who is known for his ability to draw a landscape after seeing it just once. Continue reading

Posted in design and styling, marketing, people, shows and events | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Fraud – SEC Charges Hydrogen Truck Company Hyzon Motors

“Transparency in the form of full, fair, and accurate disclosure is fundamental to the federal securities laws,” said Jason Burt, Regional Director of the SEC’s Denver Regional Office. “The defendants allegedly violated this principle by misleading investors about virtually every aspect of Hyzon’s business. The terms of today’s settlement, if approved by the court, will hold Hyzon and responsible individuals accountable for their misconduct.” Continue reading

Posted in alternative fuels, environment, litigation, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

President Biden on UAW Picket Line Backs Wage Bids

The crowd was extremely vocal in its support, even though the UAW estimates that one-third of its members voted for a wealthy east-coast elite candidate who became one-term President Trump after, among other things, he put in place anti-labor policies and destroyed the economy breaking his campaign promises. While the UAW hasn’t endorsed Biden thus far, the 2024 Presidential candidate the union emphatically said it won’t endorse is the 91-count indicted, twice-impeached ex-president. Continue reading

Posted in economy, financial results, labor issues, manufacturing, shows and events | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Brand Loyalty Down Again for New Vehicles

“As vehicle availability increased and more choices hit the market for consumers, loyalty among brands as a whole saw a decline this year,” said Tyson Jominy, vice president of data & analytics at J.D. Power. “Additionally, owners were tied down to their vehicles for longer than normal due to ongoing supply chain disruptions, and as a result were more likely to experience problems with their vehicles.” Continue reading

Posted in customer satisfaction, economy, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Milestones – 90th Birthday of Derby Bentleys

Bentley’s own Derby Bentley,* a 1934 3½ Litre with coachwork by Thrupp & Maberley, was on display for the guests in the newly opened Lineage area, where the eight pre-war cars of the Heritage Collection are on display. On Saturday evening, one of the jewels of Bentley’s fleet – the one-of-one 1939 MkV Corniche, recently re-registered and returned to the road for the first time in 84 years – was the guest of honor at a black tie dinner to formally mark 90 years of Derby Bentleys. Continue reading

Posted in milestones, shows and events | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Unifor Selects GM as Next Negotiation Target

“We’ve got an incredibly strong pattern agreement at Ford that will serve us well over the coming years. Our job now is to negotiate that pattern in the form of a renewal collective agreement with General Motors and Stellantis,” said Payne. “General Motors will be our next target company. Starting tomorrow Unifor will be at the table with GM.” Continue reading

Posted in economy, labor issues, manufacturing | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Power Loss Recall – Genesis G80, GV80, GV70 SUVs

“The low-pressure fuel pump assemblies in the recalled vehicles may contain impellers that do not meet current material characteristic specifications, potentially leading to deformation. Deformation of the impeller could cause the impeller to interfere with the fuel pump housing, resulting in a mechanical resistance that could lead to a shutdown of the fuel pump,” Hyundai said. Hyundam Industrial Co. in Korea is the maker of the defective fuel pump module. Continue reading

Posted in customer satisfaction, manufacturing, quality, recalls, safety | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Canadian Unifor Workers Ratify Ford Contract

 “This contract will change lives in a profound way. It fundamentally transforms pension plans, provides protections during the EV transition and includes the highest wage increases in the history of Canadian auto bargaining,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. Continue reading

Posted in labor issues, manufacturing, milestones, news analysis, people | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

CHIPS Act – National Security Rules Issued

“CHIPS for America is fundamentally a national security initiative and these guardrails will help ensure companies receiving US Government funds do not undermine our national security as we continue to coordinate with our allies and partners to strengthen global supply chains and enhance our collective security,” claimed Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo.

As with all such bills emanating in Washington, the devil is in the details of how the stated goal of enhancing global supply chain resilience in coordination with allies and partners will be governed, at least on paper. Nevertheless, this appears to be another successful implementation of awakened policies in the areas of national security, trade, jobs and the economy. It is also a diplomatic victory. Continue reading

Posted in news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

UAW Expands Strike at GM and Stellantis

UAW President Shawn Fain just said that the union starting at noon today is expanding its Stand Up Strike against General Motors and Stellantis at 38 locations in 20 states and all 9 UAW regions. Fain on Monday announced that the union would expand its strike against automakers not making “substantial progress” toward a fair agreement. “Neither company did,” Fain said. Continue reading

Posted in news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

First Look – 2024 Toyota RAV4 Compact SUV

The 2.5-liter 4-cylinder powered RAV4 is available in LE, XLE, XLE Premium, and Limited with either FWD or All Wheel Drive (AWD), as well as the Adventure and TRD Off Road grades with AWD standard. Continue reading

Posted in marketing, new vehicle | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

US Honda Performance Development Now Global

AutoInformed suspects that we will ultimately hear from General Motors and Honda, perhaps as suppliers to the New Andretti Formula One Team that is currently under FIA consideration. Continue reading

Posted in news analysis, performance, racing | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

California Launches International Methane Reduction Initiative

“The climate crisis knows no borders. We’re partnering with governments around the world to tackle methane emissions, a dangerous pollutant that has 80 times the warming power of carbon dioxide,” said Gov. Newsom. “By working together on strategies informed by science, like deploying methane detection satellites, we can help address this global threat.” Continue reading

Posted in environment, fuel economy or emissions, global warming, public health, shows and events | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Lexus Shows Hydrogen-Powered ROV Concept

“This was achieved through a compact body size and exceptional off-road capabilities, which allows for an exhilarating driving experience and a chance to connect with the grandeur of nature. By using a hydrogen engine, the ROV aims a balance between environmental consciousness and the thrill of feeling the heartbeat of an engine,” Lexus International President, Takashi Watanabe said at a model preview for 2023 products. Continue reading

Posted in alternative fuels, environment, global warming, mobility company | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

EU August Sales – BEVs Soar to 20% Market Share

“Despite August typically being a slower month for car sales, double-digit gains indicate that the EU market is rebounding from last year’s component shortages. There were double-digit percentage gains in most markets, including the three largest: Germany (+37.3%), France (+24.3%), and Italy (+11.9%), ACEA said. Continue reading

Posted in news analysis | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment