Category Archives: people

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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Japanese Issue Arrest Warrant for Wife of Carlos Ghosn

Posted on 8 January 2020 by Ken Zino

Mr. Ghosn has scheduled a press conference today in Lebanon to give some comments on his arrest and pending trial. Carole Ghosn, not surprisingly, has been a vocal critic of the charges and Japanese justice system that is perverse by western standards. Continue reading →

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Nissan Blasts Ghosn as Unfit to Serve as An Executive

Posted on 7 January 2020 by Ken Zino

“The internal investigation found incontrovertible evidence of various acts of misconduct by Ghosn, including misstatement of his compensation and misappropriation of the company’s assets for his personal benefit,” Nissan said. Continue reading →

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Reuters Reports Carlos Ghosn Jumps Bail Before His Trial and Flees Japan for Lebanon Where He Can’t Be Extradited

Posted on 31 December 2019 by Ken Zino

“Ghosn’s abrupt departure marks the latest dramatic twist in a year-old saga that has shaken the global auto industry, jeopardized the alliance of Nissan Motor Co Ltd and its top shareholder Renault SA and cast a harsh light on the fairness of Japan’s judicial system,” Reuters reported.   Continue reading →

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Universal City Nissan Sues Saudi Billionaire, Khaled al-Juffali and Nissan Motor, Among Others, over Payoff by Carlos Ghosn

Posted on 30 December 2019 by Ken Zino

auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, Ghosn Matter, Kenneth Zino, West Covina Nissan, Glendale Nissan/Infiniti, Universal City Nissan, Morris Sage, Khaled al-Juffali, Byron Z. Moldo, Continue reading →

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Nissan Scandal – a Gift That Keeps on Giving – Executive Officer and Vice COO Jun Seki Unexpectedly Resigns

Posted on 25 December 2019 by Ken Zino

The Nissan Corporate governance crisis is ongoing and comes as Nissan has started its new management under Representative Executive Officer, president and CEO Makoto Uchida as of December 1, 2019. Seki was to be a key executive in administering the turn-around that seeks to halt slumping sales, confusing brand images and expensive incentive programs. Continue reading →

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Tetsuo Ogawa, to Succeed Jim Lentz as CEO Toyota Motor NA

Posted on 15 December 2019 by Ken Zino

In his 38-year career, Lentz has been a part of a number of key moments in Toyota’s history. Continue reading →

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Republican Rep. Christopher Collins Guilty of Insider Trading

Posted on 10 December 2019 by Ken Zino

Collins was the first U.S. Representative to endorse Donald Trump for President of the United States, perhaps recognizing a kindred spirit in his approach to self-serving actions, and he served on Trump’s presidential transition team. He resigned his seat in 2019 and afterwards pled guilty to insider trading and lying to the FBI. Continue reading →

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Thanksgiving 2019 – We Celebrate Our 399th Annual Feast

Posted on 28 November 2019 by Ken Zino

It was a war that was won – against all odds by militias, and irregulars eventually forcing a standing British Army to surrender in the field for the first time since the tyrant Napoleon – because the Crown and its privileged generals were fighting an idea first put forth in our Declaration of Independence, then codified in our Constitution that “We the People” would govern ourselves. Now, once again, the courtiers of privilege and wealth are presiding over our fate. Continue reading →

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