GM extends recall to cover all Chevy Bolts due to fire risk
The recall and others raise questions about lithium ion batteries, which now are used in nearly all electric vehicles. Ford, BMW and Hyundai all have recalled batteries recently.
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Senate push for expansive electric-vehicle incentives in $3.5T budget could hit bumps
The Senate dust-up Tuesday reflects long-standing disagreements on Capitol Hill over the benefits of financial incentives to spur the transition to electric vehicles, which make up about 2% of U.S. sales.
U.S. automakers pledge huge increase in electric vehicles
Declaring the United States must “move fast” to win the world’s automaking future, President Joe Biden on Thursday announced a commitment from the auto industry to produce electric vehicles for as much as half of nationwide sales by the end of the decade.
Semiconductor shortage hammering automakers, costing billions in lost production and sales
The shutdowns have affected plants in Michigan, Kentucky, Kansas, Mexico, Canada and Germany.
Mercedes sketches out all-electric scenario by decade’s end
The company plans to invest $47 billion in battery-driven vehicles between 2022 and 2080. It says it also intends to work with partners on setting up eight factories producing battery cells.
Slow charging times remain obstacle for electric vehicle makers
Automakers have developed EVs that go farther per charge and fill up faster. Problem is, most public charging stations fill cars much too slowly, requiring hours—not minutes—to provide enough electricity for an extended trip.
Volkswagen to use AI to analyze traffic in Carmel using city cameras
The auto company said Wednesday that Carmel will be the first city in the world where the software—which was developed in-house at Volkswagen—will be used to gather traffic and intersection data.
Ford betting big that fans of F-150 pickup will embrace electric
Ford is taking a significant risk by sinking so much capital into an electric version of a pickup that commands a huge and loyal following. In a typical year, Ford sells about 900,000 F-series trucks. It has been America’s top-selling vehicle for nearly four decades.
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.
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.