Tag Archives: Ken Zino

8 Hours of Bahrain: Toyota, Alpine Podiums at WEC Finale

The finale to the WEC season saw Toyota’s Kazuki Nakajima finish his endurance career with victory in the #8 GR010 HYBRID shared with Sébastien Buemi and Brendon Hartley. Le Mans winners Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi and José María López, in the #7 GR010 HYBRID, retained the drivers’ title by finishing Saturday’s race, the sixth and final round of the season, in second place. Continue reading

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First Aston Martin Valkyrie Hypercar Completed

Before each Valkyrie is delivered, it is track-tested at the Aston Martin high performance facility at Silverstone where much of the development of the hypercar has taken place. The hybrid V12 powertrain provides a maximum power of 1,155PS, it’s claimed. the electric boost from the hybrid is 160 horsepower and 207 lb. ft. of torque. Continue reading

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US October Light Vehicle Sales Drop -23% YoY

Overall vehicle sales were, however, 5% higher than September with the 2 extra selling days in October. The annualized rate grew to 13.1 million units from 12.1 million in the previous month and back to the level registered in August. “However, OEMs sold just 39,000 vehicles per selling day, compared to 40,000 units last month, way down from a peak of 62,000 vehicles in March,” said LMC. Continue reading

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Illustrious Road Trip – Maserati, Pacific Coast Highway and Four Seasons Hotels?

Four Seasons Hotels and Maserati have produced a trip package that reflects the shifting winds in the luxury goods market. It starts at the Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel where the first 24-hour complimentary use of the Maserati Levante SUV begins. The Maserati Levante SUV, of course, is all-wheel drive and powered by a twin-turbo V6 or V8 engine. Continue reading

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FAA, Finally Five Years After Deadly Accident, Wants a Medical Certificate for Commercial Hot-Air Balloon Pilots

“Balloon pilots are responsible for the safety of their passengers,” said FAA Administrator Steve Dickson. “This proposed rule would ensure that balloon pilots meet the same medical requirements as pilots of other commercial aircraft.” The rule in AutoInformed’s view is more than five years too late because of regulatory capture by the industry, a common problem at the FAA as recently exhibited with the Boeing 737 Max fiasco. Continue reading

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Floorplan – Stellantis Buys First Investors Financial Services

This is either an opportunity or survival necessity, depending on your viewpoint. It will allow Stellantis to provide customers and dealers a range of financing options, including retail loans, leases, and floorplan financing in the near term. A so-called “captive U.S. finance company”  will provide revenue, marketing incentives and mobility services in the digital age for customers who purchase Jeep, Ram, Dodge, Chrysler, Fiat and Alfa Romeo vehicles. Continue reading

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Toyota Wins WEC 6 Hours of Bahrain

Sébastien Buemi, Kazuki Nakajima and Brendon Hartley in the #8 car home took second place. The Alpine Elf Matmut Endurance Team scored its fifth consecutive podium finish in the FIA World Endurance Championship in Bahrain. The attention now moves to the drivers’ title fight in next weekend’s final 8-hour race in Bahrain race. The Le Mans-winning #7 crew moved a step closer to retaining the World Championship they won in Bahrain 12 months ago. Their third win of the season extends their advantage over the #8 drivers to 15 points. Continue reading

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Toyota Georgetown Kentucky Plant Set for $461M Upgrade. Lexus Manufacturing Leaving US

According to the Japanese global automotive giant, an investment of $461 million will add advanced manufacturing equipment and technologies, coupled with facility layout improvements, which will increase the plant’s operational speed, flexibility and competitiveness. These improvements will expand TMMK’s ability to produce new products, including future electrification. Continue reading

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Stellantis Posts Q3 Net Revenues of €32.6 Billion -14%

Stellantis late yesterday reported Q3 net revenues of €32.6 billion, a decrease of -14% year-over-year. Even with improved vehicle mix and positive net pricing helping revenues, this was more than offset by lower volumes. Results were based on shipments of … Continue reading

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Three Military Airports Eligible for Funds for Civilian Operations

The Military Airport Program (MAP) provides funding as a set aside of the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) to help increase civilian aviation capacity at current or former military airports by funding projects such as surface parking lots, fuel farms, hangars, utility systems, access roads, cargo buildings, and other airfield-related infrastructure. Continue reading

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Ford, Newlab Announce Five Cleaner Transportation Startups

“Together, Ford and Newlab are building upon our nation’s goal of reducing carbon emissions and the effects of climate change by advancing commercial fleet electrification,” said Matt Stover, director of charging and energy services, Ford Motor Company. Continue reading

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Daimler Truck Receives Investment Grade Ratings

Both rating agencies have now issued investment grade ratings for Daimler Truck. S&P Global Ratings assigned a long-term issuer credit rating of BBB + (outlook stable) while Moody’s assigned a long-term issuer credit rating of A3 (outlook stable). Continue reading

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Ford Motor Earns $3.0 Billion in Q3

Third-quarter revenue of $35.7 billion was down from the same quarter a year ago. Semiconductor availability remains a challenge, but “markedly improved from the second quarter, propelling sequential increases in wholesale shipments and revenue of 32% and 33%, respectively.” Continue reading

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General Motors Q3 Earnings – $2.9 Billion

General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) today reported third-quarter earnings of $2.922 Billion. GM said it is on track to deliver full-year 2021 EBIT-adjusted earnings approaching the high end of its guidance range of $11.5B to $13 Billion. EBIT-adjusted was $2.9 … Continue reading

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GM to Expand EV Charging – 40,000 Stations, New Smart Chargers

Through the GM Dealer Community Charging Program, its dealers to set up Level 2 charging stations (EVSE) at key locations in the dealer’s respective communities, including workplaces, multi-unit dwellings, sports and entertainment venues, college, and universities. These charging stations will be available to all EV customers, not just those who purchase a GM EV. Today, nearly 90% of the U.S. population lives within 10 miles of a GM dealership. The first Ultium Chargers will ship early next year with customers able to roll the price into their GM Financial lease or financial contracts.
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