Category Archives: people

Kia Motors America Shuffles Executives

Posted on 11 February 2014 by Ken Zino

No reason was given for the sudden change at the Korean company, which along with sister brand Hyundai, has a growing reputation as being difficult to work for. Continue reading →

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GM Shuffles Sales Execs as Don Johnson Retires

Posted on 5 February 2014 by Ken Zino

General Motors today announced that Brian Sweeney, currently U.S. vice president, Buick-GMC Sales and Service, has been named U.S. vice president, Chevrolet Continue reading →

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More Japanese Price Fixing. Diamond Electric Execs Guilty

Posted on 1 February 2014 by Ken Zino

Including the latest charges, 28 individuals and 24 companies have caught in the government’s ongoing investigation into price fixing and bid rigging in the auto parts industry. Continue reading →

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Jim DeLuca to Head GM Global Manufacturing

Posted on 27 January 2014 by Ken Zino

DeLuca is currently Vice President of Manufacturing for GM International Operations. During 2013, GM launched more than 40 vehicles and more than 20 powertrains around the world, but the automaker is still struggling with commonality and the loss of scale that the overly complex GM lineup causes. Continue reading →

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New 2015 Ford Mustang Brings $300,000 at Auction

Posted on 21 January 2014 by Ken Zino

The first retail 2015 Ford Mustang GT Fastback when it goes into production this fall was sold for $300,000 at the Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale, AZ. A car collector and North Texas Ford dealer, Sam Pack, helped Ford Motor Company increase its charity vehicle sales to more than $3.5 million for JDRF, a leading diabetes research organization. Continue reading →

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Las Vegas Biofuels Fraud Revealed in latest EISA Scam

Posted on 20 January 2014 by Ken Zino

Two men were indicted by a federal grand jury in Las Vegas for offenses involving the badly audited federal renewable fuels program that passed out taxpayer money for the production of biodiesel among other things. Continue reading →

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Chuck Stevens Named GM CFO

Posted on 14 January 2014 by Ken Zino

General Motors today named Chuck Stevens as executive vice president and chief financial officer Continue reading →

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Biden and Democratic Pols Out in Full Force at NAIAS

Posted on 12 January 2014 by Ken Zino

Most of these political appointees will no doubt stick to talking points about the successful auto bailouts that saved the U.S. auto industry, as well as increased safety, emissions and fuel economy regulations. Continue reading →

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Top Auto Stories of 2013

Posted on 31 December 2013 by Ken Zino

As is our annual predilection, here comes AutoInformed on the Top Auto Stories of 2013. As always, these are presented with our wry awareness that opining columnists conduct their education in public as we most certainly did last year – with both good and bad results – and will continue to do so during 2014. Continue reading →

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Hyundai Cops Plea on Mileage Fraud Class Action

Posted on 23 December 2013 by Ken Zino

The fraud produced mileage claims that could be as much as 6 mpg higher than EPA tests showed. About 900,000 vehicles are affected in the largest mileage fraud in history, including the best-selling Kia Optima and Hyundai Elantra sedans. Both makers heavily advertise and promote fuel economy as cornerstones of their brands, of course. Continue reading →

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Prison Time for Perp in Odometer Fraud Case

Posted on 21 December 2013 by Ken Zino

A North Carolina man, Francis Marimo, will spend 18 months in prison for his role in an odometer fraud scam. Continue reading →

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BP Engineer Guilty of Obstruction of Justice in Deepwater Horizon Spill

Posted on 19 December 2013 by Ken Zino

Kurt Mix, a former engineer for BP, was convicted yesterday of intentionally destroying evidence requested by federal criminal authorities investigating the 20 April 2010, Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Mix, 52, of Katy, Texas, was convicted by a federal jury in … Continue reading →

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Mercedes-Benz USA Names Dietmar Exler VP Sales

Posted on 17 December 2013 by Ken Zino

Exler succeeds Michael Slagter, senior vice president, sales, who will retire at the end of February after 11 years of service with MBUSA and nearly four decades in the automotive industry. Continue reading →

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Odometer Fraud Continues – $760 Million lost annually

Posted on 16 December 2013 by Ken Zino

Odometer fraud remains a major problem for car owners and shoppers with more than 190,000 vehicles having their odometers rolled back every year. Continue reading →

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Navy Wins, so do Wounded Veterans at Achilles Freedom Team

Posted on 14 December 2013 by Ken Zino

During Saturday’s 114th Army-Navy Game, GM CEO Dan Akerson presented a 2014 Chevrolet Silverado High Country 1500 crew cab pickup truck to the Achilles Freedom Team of Wounded Veterans. Continue reading →

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