Tag Archives: Ken Zino

Buick Teases the 2024 Envision SUV

The Envision is the third of five new vehicles Buick is debuting through 2024. Buick claims it has  become the fastest-growing mainstream brand in the US with sales up ~76% through May 2023. In Canada, Envision sales are up ~78.5% through May 2023. The current Envision has achieved its highest ever retail sales over the first half of 2023 and is on track to have its best sales year ever in the US and Canada as North American demand for luxury SUVs continues unabated. Continue reading

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EPA – Federal Facility Excellence in Site Reuse Awards

“EPA is honored to highlight the work and tremendous partnerships needed to address contaminated federal facilities and implement a locally driven reuse strategy to safeguard and revitalize communities and the environment,” said Barry Breen, EPA’s Acting Assistant Administrator for the Office of Land and Emergency Management. Continue reading

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IIHS – NHTSA Misjudges Value of Truck Side-Underride Guards

“Requiring side underride guards could save more than 10 times as many lives as NHTSA projects,” said IIHS Senior Research Engineer Matthew Brumbelow. In 2021, there were 488 passenger vehicle occupant fatalities in crashes involving the side of a tractor-trailer. Continue reading

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Le Mans – Ferrari, Corvette, Victorious in Rain

As always, rain induced carnage worked its way with hapless drivers making the outcome somewhat random with roughly one-third of the race run under yellow flags with its innovative five separate safety cars deployed by class. There was a record 16-car hypercar field with competitors from Cadillac,* Ferrari, Peugeot and Porsche. These race cars are now clearly as complex, exciting and as expensive as Formula One cars. Continue reading

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Paris Air Show – Stellantis and Archer to Debut eVTOL Aircraft

Archer’s Midnight aircraft will be the featured eVTOL aircraft at the Paris Air Show, positioned in the center of the Air Mobility event, which is located in Hall 5 at Le Bourget Airport. Devoted to the latest innovations and emerging technologies in eVTOL, the Paris Air Show’s Air Mobility event will bring together key participants of the emerging sector with three days of discussions on the maturation of advanced air mobility and its impact on the future of aerospace. Continue reading

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Ford To Run Mustangs in GT3 and GTD Next Year

The Ford Mustang GT3 race car, based on the new 2024 Mustang Dark Horse, was unveiled today during the centenary celebration on the eve of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. With the reveal, Ford is trying to enter Mustang into the global FIA GT3 racing category, subject to FIA approval. Ford’s last victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans was in 2016 with the Ford GT. Ford showed a new global Ford Performance branding that will now be used on all its racing vehicles. Continue reading

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GM Adding Tesla Supercharger Network to Ultium Charge 360

General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) is following Ford Motor Company expanding EV charging access to the Tesla supercharger network. GM customers will be able to access 12,000 Tesla Superchargers and growing beginning in early 2024 as part of the ongoing Ultium Charge 360 plan to expand access for residential, work and public charging. This builds on the more than 134,000 chargers available to GM EV drivers today through the company’s Ultium Charge 360 program and associated mobile apps. Continue reading

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NHTSA Issues Consumer Alert for Ford and Lincoln Fires

In an urgent move The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has just issued a rare CONSUMER ALERT warning that Ford Motor Company has issued a new recall for 125,322 model year 2020-2023 Ford Escape, 2022-2023 Ford Maverick and 2021-2023 Lincoln Corsair vehicles for a risk of fire due to engine failure. Ford advises customers to safely park and shut off the engine as quickly as possible if they hear unexpected engine noises, lose power, or see or smell smoke. Continue reading

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Toyota to Build New Auto Battery Lab at Michigan R&D Site

“This new investment in our North American R&D operation, which has been a key pillar of the Michigan automotive industry for more than 50 years, shows Toyota’s directional shift towards electrification for all,” said Shinichi Yasui, executive vice president of Toyota Motor North America (TMNA), Research and Development. Continue reading

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Annals of Marketing – Camaro ZL1 Garage 56 Edition

“Even though Chevrolet has been racing since its inception in 1911, we’ve never done anything quite like Garage 56,” said General Motors President Mark Reuss, who in AutoInformed’s direct experience losing to him on a track, is quite an accomplished driver himself. If he can sit through interminable corporate meetings, we bet he could run Le Mans, but he isn’t driving. Continue reading

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Stellantis to Buy Back More Shares

Stellantis is one of the world’s leading automakers and a mobility provider. Its brands include Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Citroën, Dodge, DS Automobiles, Fiat, Jeep®, Lancia, Maserati, Opel, Peugeot, Ram, Vauxhall, Free2Move and Leasys. Stellantis N.V. posted record full year 2022 results with €16.8 billion Net profit and €23.3 billion Adjusted Operating Income (AOI). Stellantis was formed by a merger of FCA and PSA in January of 2021. Continue reading

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GM to Build Full-Size Pickups at Oshawa – Maybe

What role Unifor, which represents Canadian auto workers, plays in this remains to be seen. AutoInformed observes this is a bittersweet blessing for Canadian autoworkers since internal combustion engines are ultimately doomed. There are larger issues as well as the components and agreements for supplying electric vehicles are in place or at organizations that are hostile to unionized workers and even Democracies. Continue reading

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VW Bus Beach Party Recap – Type 2s Only Need Apply

Volkswagen also unveiled its latest accessories concept vehicle, giving an early look at the customization potential of the ID. Buzz EV. On display alongside this point-of-sale promo was a unique art car, and a handful of vintage Microbus models from Volkswagen of America’s historic collection and some VIP guests. Continue reading

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Ford Reshuffling with Retirements, and a Defection Announced

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) said in Dearborn this morning that corporate officers are retiring after three-decade careers, an executive is returning to the auto industry to lead global supply chain operations, and an under warranty new Ford Blue executive is departing to become CEO of a major transportation and logistics business. Continue reading

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Penske Automotive Group Buys Transolutions Truck Centers

“We are thrilled to expand our North American presence with the Freightliner, Western Star and Thomas Built Bus brands. For more than 30 years, Transolutions Truck Centers has built a strong legacy of providing quality service to customers across Manitoba,” said Premier Truck Group President Ron Long. Continue reading

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