Elon Musk unveils Tesla’s ‘Cybercab,’ plans to bring autonomous driving tech to other models
Tesla expects the Cybercabs to cost under $30,000, Musk said. He estimated that the vehicles would become available in 2026, then added “before 2027.”
Automakers
GM offering adapters to help electric vehicle owners access Tesla chargers
The Detroit automaker said Wednesday that it is opening up access to more than 17,800 Tesla Superchargers for its customers, with the use of a GM approved NACS DC adapter.
Stellantis pledges to tackle problems in North America as profit plunges
In the U.S. in June, it took an average of 97 days on dealer lots for Stellantis to sell vehicles, the highest in the industry, according to Edmunds.com.
Ford recalls 550K-plus pickup trucks because transmissions can suddenly downshift
The recalls come after U.S. auto safety regulators in March began investigating complaints that more than 540,000 Ford pickup trucks from 2014 can abruptly downshift to a lower gear and increase the risk of a crash.
Fisker becomes second electric vehicle maker to file for bankruptcy in past year
EV sales have slowed as manufacturers have attempted to push electric vehicles into the mainstream.
Average U.S. vehicle age hits record 12.6 years amid steep prices for new ones
With an average U.S. new-vehicle selling price of just over $45,000 last month, many can’t afford to buy new.
Subaru to stop production of Legacy model
The Legacy, which was designed for the American market, became the first Subaru manufactured in the United States when the Japanese company began production at its plant in Lafayette, Indiana, in 1989.
Big Detroit auto show abandons September date and will move back to its roots in January
The next North American International Auto Show is now scheduled for Jan. 10 through Jan. 20 next year, organizers said Thursday.
Suspended license? Indiana lawmakers commit to ‘fix’ BMV insurance verification notices
Hundreds of Hoosiers each year unknowingly have their licenses suspended after auto accidents—specifically for failing to respond to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles’ mailed requests for insurance verification.
UAW members at Allison Transmission gear up for strike if contract talks don’t progress
The 1,500 members of UAW Local 933 are making plans to walk out at Allison Transmission if the company doesn’t meet the union’s demands.
Electric vehicle models eligible for $7,500 tax credit cut to 13
Narrower criteria reduced the number of qualifying models to 13 from about two dozen, according to federal data. The new rules exclude from the tax credit vehicles that use battery components made by Chinese manufacturers.
2023 Newsmaker: Former Kokomo union worker leads strikes against automakers
Shawn Fain, a union firebrand from Kokomo, first shocked organized labor in March by being elected the United Auto Workers’ national president. Then he surprised the Big Three automakers by organizing a strategic strike.
More than 2.5 million Hondas, Acuras under recall due to fuel pump defect
If the fuel pump module doesn’t work, the car’s engine may not start or can stall while driving, regulators said, increasing crash and injury risks.
Ford and Stellantis workers approve contract settlement that ended UAW strikes
The United Auto Workers union overwhelmingly ratified new contracts with Ford and Stellantis, that along with a similar deal with General Motors will raise pay across the industry, force automakers to absorb higher costs and help reshape the auto business.
Stellantis to offer buyout, early retirement packages to 6,400 nonunion salaried workers
The automaker, formed in the 2021 merger of Fiat Chrysler and PSA Peugeot of France, said it is taking the action “to protect our operations and the company.”
UAW escalates strike against lone holdout GM
The escalated walkout began Saturday evening at a Spring Hill, Tennessee plant, GM’s largest in North America. Its nearly 4,000 workers join about 14,000 already striking at GM factories in Texas, Michigan and Missouri.
UAW and Stellantis reach tentative contract deal as union adds strike at Tennessee GM factory
The pact includes 25% in general wage increases over the next 4 1/2 years for top assembly plant workers, with 11% coming once the deal is ratified.
UAW strikes at GM SUV plant in Texas as union begins to target automakers’ cash cows
The UAW’s move further escalates a labor dispute that’s in its sixth week and now has about 46,000 union workers off the job.
New UAW president, a Kokomo native, pushing hard, raising expectations
In just a few months, Shawn Fain has gone from obscurity to one of the most visible leaders in America, demanding that his workers get more concessions from the Big Three automakers after two decades of givebacks.
Drivers buying new cars to replace older models, even with surging prices
New-car sales are up about 15% this year, with pent-up demand fueling sales. The strike has yet to put a crimp in supply or demand for new cars, but industry executives and dealers are growing wary.