Category Archives: people

IMSA Delays Twelve Hours of Sebring to November 2020

Posted on 12 March 2020 by Ken Zino

Notably, IMSA said nothing about the growing public health crisis and its potential dire effects on fans. IMSA is owned by NASCAR, which has just banned fans from races. Continue reading →

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NASCAR Bans Fans at Races

Posted on 12 March 2020 by Ken Zino

Just a day after insisting that it would hold racing as usual with slight tweaks to protect the drivers from COVID-19, NASCAR has admitted partially that more steps are necessary to acknowledges the growing crisis and public health threat. Continue reading →

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Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the US

Posted on 11 March 2020 by Ken Zino

CDC is recording an outbreak of respiratory illness caused by a novel (new) coronavirus, aka COVID-19. The Data are at least one day old and note comprehensive. Continue reading →

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NASCAR Still Racing So Far, Buffers and Restrictions Added

Posted on 11 March 2020 by Ken Zino

NASCAR has added an infectious disease specialist to its consulting physician group to provide technical assistance and to inform policy. In following with these discussions and guidance from this counsel, NASCAR is implementing several adjustments to race event operations effective this weekend at Atlanta and remaining in effect indefinitely. Continue reading →

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COVID-19: Fiat Chrysler Starts Work from Home, Distances Workers, Prepares for Possible Temporary Factory Shut Downs

Posted on 11 March 2020 by Ken Zino

Beyond the measures already taken in support of government directives, FCA said it will act to minimize the risk of spreading the contagion between employees. These include intensive sanitation of all work and rest areas, changing rooms and washrooms. To enable greater spacing of employees at their workstations, daily production rates will be lowered to accommodate the adapted manufacturing processes. Continue reading →

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More Management Changes at Profit Challenged Daimler

Posted on 5 March 2020 by Ken Zino

The reorganization at Daimler continued today at Daimler in Investor Relations and Greater China. Olaf Schick is to take over Finance & Controlling at Daimler Greater China replacing Steffen Hoffman. Hoffmann will take over as Head of Investor Relations on 1 April 2020  with the current head, Björn Scheib, leaving the company by “mutual agreement,” after 11 years in the position. Continue reading →

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New York Auto Show Claims It Will Happen

Posted on 3 March 2020 by Ken Zino

The show’s fate of course will be determined by public health departments at the city, state and federal levels. At the moment there is no known vaccine for preventive or ameliorative use against COVID-19. Continue reading →

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Coronavirus Spreads – Geneva Motor Show Cancelled

Posted on 28 February 2020 by Ken Zino

The Swiss Federal Council today decreed that no events with more than 1,000 people are allowed to take place until 15 March 2020. The decision came just 3 days before the opening of the exhibition to the media. The situation changed with the appearance of the first confirmed coronavirus diseases in Switzerland. It has of course appeared in the U.S., which appears to be completely unprepared. Continue reading →

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Actor Steven Seagal Settles SEC Charges

Posted on 27 February 2020 by Ken Zino

The SEC’s order finds that Seagal violated the anti-touting provisions of the federal securities laws. Without admitting or denying the SEC’s findings, Seagal agreed to pay $157,000 in disgorgement, which represents his actual promotional payments, plus prejudgment interest, and a $157,000 penalty. In addition, Seagal agreed not to promote any securities, digital or otherwise, for three years. Continue reading →

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Prince of Wales at Aston Martin Lagonda St Athan

Posted on 22 February 2020 by Ken Zino

St Athan is the home of Aston Martin’s first SUV, the DBX. Upon the commencement of full production at St Athan in the second quarter of 2020, the company will have created up to 600 new highly-skilled jobs, rising to 750 – if the looming Brexit disaster is cleaned up. Continue reading →

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Wells Fargo to Pay $500 Million for Misleading Investors

Posted on 21 February 2020 by Ken Zino

Wells Fargo has agreed to pay $500 million to settle the charges, which will be returned to investors. The $500 million payment is part of a combined $3 billion settlement with the SEC and the Department of Justice. Continue reading →

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Ford Motor Changes Top Exec Roles Again

Posted on 7 February 2020 by Ken Zino

The changes come as Ford is restructuring operations, investing in the product portfolio and reducing bureaucracy. Ford lost $1.7 billion (42 cents a share) during Q4 2019 compared to a loss of $100 million, or 3 cents a share, year-over-year.  This  included a previously disclosed $2.2 billion charge for underfunded pensions. Adjusted for one-time items, Ford said it gained 12 cents a share during the year, compared with 30 cents a share a year ago. Revenue fell 5% to $39.7 billion from $41.8 billion a year ago. Global sales, share, earnings, and profits all decreased. Continue reading →

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Midwest Automotive Media Pick 2020 Kia Telluride and Lincoln Aviator as Family and Luxury Vehicles of the Year

Posted on 6 February 2020 by Ken Zino

Voting took place at both the Spring and Fall Rallies, which narrowed down the field of contenders. Mainstream finalists were the Ford Escape, Ford Explorer, Honda Passport, Hyundai Palisade, Jeep Gladiator, Kia Telluride, Mazda 3, and Subaru Outback. The finalists in the luxury category were the BMW X7, Cadillac XT6, Lincoln Aviator, Lincoln Nautilus, and Mercedes-Benz AMG CLS 53 Coupe. Continue reading →

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Carryover 2020 Nissan Frontier Has Next Gen Powertrain

Posted on 6 February 2020 by Ken Zino

Helping celebrate the transition to the next-generation Frontier was Brian Murphy and his 2007 Frontier, which just last week crossed the 1-million-mile score – proof of the durability and reliability of the Nissan Frontier, especially when the oil is changed, and regular maintenance performed.
Continue reading →

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Groupe Renault Changes Execs – outsider Luca de Meo as CEO, Clotilde Delbos Deputy CEO

Posted on 28 January 2020 by Ken Zino

De Meo becomes the second executive to lead Renault (RNLSY) since Ghosn was arrested in Japan in 2018 and subsequently charged with financial fraud. Ghosn’s successor at Renault, Thierry Bollore, left last fall, in part it seems because he was a Ghosn protégé and after the collapse of a proposed merger with Fiat Chrysler in June that Nissan nixed. Continue reading →

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