Rental companies buy up used cars as chip crisis deepens
The demand is sending used-car costs soaring. The Manheim Index, which measures prices at wholesale auctions, shows that they’re 52% higher than they were a year ago.
Automakers
Articles
Toyota hiring 1,400, investing $803M to expand production at Indiana plant
Production of two new electric vehicles—one branded Toyota and the other in the Lexus line—is expected to begin in mid- to late 2023 at the plant in Princeton.
Subaru recalls 875K vehicles to fix engine, suspension problems
The stalling recall covers Crosstrek SUVs from 2018 and 2019 and Impreza cars from 2017 through 2019. The suspension recall covers 2018 and 2019 Crosstreks and 2019 Foresters.
Chip shortage forces more production cuts by General Motors
The shutdowns likely will crimp dealer inventory of vehicles made at the plants, but GM says it has managed to keep factories humming that make hot-selling and very profitable full-size pickup trucks and SUVs.
Auto sales rise 11% in 1Q, helped by strong showing in March
Automakers sold more than 3.9 million vehicles during the first three months of the year, with several major companies reporting March sales that were nearly double from the same month a year earlier.
Volkswagen admits lying to media with fake statement on name change
The fake press release could land Volkswagen in trouble with U.S. securities regulators because its stock price rose nearly 5% on Tuesday, the day the bogus statement was officially issued.
VW plans brand-name change to ‘Voltswagen’ in United States
Volkswagen plans to change its brand name in the United States as its shifts its production increasingly toward electric vehicles and tries to distance itself from an emissions cheating scandal.
U.S. safety agency investigating engine fires in top-selling Toyota SUV
A Toyota spokesman would not answer questions about whether the SUVs should be parked outdoors until the matter is resolved, but said the company is cooperating in the probe.
Autoworkers will face uncertain future in era of electric cars
For workers at GM and other automakers, the future could be perilous. The more environmentally focused plants of the future will need significantly fewer workers, mainly because electric vehicles contain 30% to 40% fewer moving parts than petroleum-run vehicles.
General Motors to eliminate gasoline and diesel light-duty cars and SUVs by 2035
The electric-vehicle industry has grown exponentially in the past decade but still represents less than 2% of automobiles sold in the United States.
A year of poor planning led to carmakers’ massive chip shortage
Carmakers with more software and chip expertise are set to face a smoother ride, while those whose traditional strength is metal-bending are potentially more prone to supply hiccups.
Late sales rebound helps U.S. automakers avoid 2020 disaster
Sales of new vehicles in the U.S. fell 14.6% last year, but the 2020 performance was better than most forecasters had expected when the pandemic forced auto factories and many dealerships to shut down in April and May.
Automakers prepare for tougher mileage standards under Biden
Less-strict Trump fuel-economy regulations were supported by most auto makers, many of which were having trouble meeting escalating efficiency standards set when Barack Obama was president. Now, they recognize that change is coming.
Daimler AG to pay $1.5B to settle emissions cheating probes
The U.S. Department of Justice, Environmental Protection Agency and the California attorney general’s office say Daimler violated environmental laws by using so-called “defeat device software” to circumvent emissions testing.
GM, Ford complete U.S. contracts to build breathing machines
The Department of Health and Human Services contracted with GM to build the ventilators at a converted auto electronics plant in Kokomo at a cost of $489.4 million.
AAA: Partially automated driving systems work inconsistently
Researchers said little had changed from a test of four other vehicles in 2018, prompting the recommendation that automakers stop including the technology on more models.
GM alleges Fiat Chrysler spent millions to bribe UAW leaders
General Motors is asking a federal judge to reconsider his dismissal of a lawsuit based on new allegations that Fiat Chrysler bribed union officials and GM employees with millions stashed in secret foreign bank accounts.
Ex-UAW president pleads guilty to living high life on dues
Gary Jones acknowledged that he falsified expenses from 2012 to 2017 when he was a regional UAW director. He was promoted to president in 2018 but quit after 17 months as the federal investigation intensified.
Infected workers, parts shortages slow auto factory restarts
For some automakers, the return to full production has been delayed, or it’s been herky-herky, with production lines stopping and starting due to infected workers or parts shortages from Mexico and elsewhere.
UPDATE: Trump seeks to force General Motors to produce ventilators
General Motors said it is scheduled to start shipping ventilators as soon as next month from an automotive electronics factory in Kokomo.