Tag Archives: autoinformed.com

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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Oscar Winner Regina King in New Cadillac ‘Make Your Way’ Ad

Posted on 6 February 2020 by Ken Zino

“Cadillac has always represented success…there’s a swagger, a sexiness, to the vehicles. There’s also a realness and a sense of ambition that I identify with. Through sheer perseverance, I’ve found my way through doors some never thought possible. There’s a real connection for me with Cadillac, and that is why I wanted to get involved,” said paid pitch-woman King. Continue reading →

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Chicago Auto Show to Open Its 112th Edition  

Posted on 6 February 2020 by Ken Zino

Chicago Auto Show to Open Its 112th Edition   Continue reading →

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2020 Ford GT More Power, Special Edition Trim at $750k

Posted on 6 February 2020 by Ken Zino

Additional engine cooling and airflow updates includes new buttress air ducts designed to increase air flow by 50% while larger intercoolers keep charge air temperatures cooler, preserving peak power for high-temperature sessions at the track. Suspension damping is increased in track mode to increase handling and body control, particularly for those high-speed transient sections of closed-course circuits. Continue reading →

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General Motors Posts Huge Q4 Strike Losses and a Weak 2019

Posted on 5 February 2020 by Ken Zino

U.S. market share declined year-over-year because of the UAW strike and discontinuation of some passenger cars. China market share declined y-o-y due to segment shifts, lower demand for outgoing models and the slower rate of adoption of new fuel-efficient technology. Continue reading →

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First Look – 2021 Cadillac Escalade

Posted on 5 February 2020 by Ken Zino

Cadillac last night unveiled the all-new 2021 Escalade in Hollywood, an SUV that is longer than Scorsese’s Irishman, and likely far more profitable.  Continue reading →

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Ford Posts Weak Q4 Earnings Losing $1.7 Billion

Posted on 4 February 2020 by Ken Zino

”Financially, the company’s 2019 performance was short of our original expectations, mostly because our operational execution, which we usually do very well, wasn’t nearly good enough,” said Chief Executive Jim Hackett in an understatement. Revenue fell 5% to $39.7 billion from $41.8 billion a year ago. Global sales, share, earnings, and profits all decreased.  Warranty costs reached $5 billion in 2019, up $1.5 billion in recent years — and fixing vehicle launch problems that have also cost an estimated $1 billion. Continue reading →

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Global Light Vehicle Sales Slump. The Party’s Over?

Posted on 31 January 2020 by Ken Zino

LMC posits we must look at why the market has dropped 5 million units below the 2017 record. A recent blog entry entitled 2019 Review highlights some of the challenges faced by the auto industry. Chief among them are developments in China, with a protracted hangover from the temporary tax cuts of a few years ago, disruption coming from the launch of State VI-compliant vehicles (which varies region by region), along with a slowing economy. Continue reading →

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GMC Hummer EV – Its First All-Electric Truck

Posted on 30 January 2020 by Ken Zino

The spot contrasts the allegedly staggering anticipated performance of GMC’s first all-electric truck with the quietness inherent in the operation of an electric vehicle. Continue reading →

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Mazda Marks its 100th Anniversary

Posted on 30 January 2020 by Ken Zino

“Mazda originated as a company producing cork and then took the path to manufacturing automobiles. Now, our cars have found friends with many customers from over 130 countries and regions. We would like to express our sincere appreciation to the customers, dealers, suppliers, business partners and the local community, who have supported us over the years through good and bad times, to whom we owe our 100 years of existence,” said Akira Marumoto, Representative Director, President and CEO. Continue reading →

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Rivian to Develop Lincoln’s First All-Electric Vehicle

Posted on 30 January 2020 by Ken Zino

What should become Lincoln’s first fully electric vehicle will join the Aviator and Corsair Grand Touring plug-in hybrid vehicles as Lincoln plays catch up in a segment that is dictated by Chinese, EU and California regulations and dominated by the Germans and Tesla. Lincoln claims the so-called zero-emissions vehicle will have connected and “intuitive” technologies designed to (marketing babble alert) “create an effortless experience for Lincoln clients.” 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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MAMA Finalists for Family Vehicle of the Year Awards

Posted on 22 January 2020 by Ken Zino

The choices don’t get any tougher since they reflect the current automotive state of the art as Midwest Automotive Media Association members drove and debated and debunked family vehicle and luxury family vehicles. Continue reading →

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EU Passenger Car Registrations Barely Up in 2019

Posted on 17 January 2020 by Ken Zino

However, for the entire year of 2019 growth was a paltry +1.2% across the European Union, reaching more than 15.3 million units in total and marking the sixth consecutive year of growth. Continue reading →

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