Miyerkules, Agosto 31, 2022

Ram set to kill ProMaster City van

Ram joins Ford, Chevrolet and Nissan in killing their small vans as they focus on adding larger battery-powered delivery vehicles instead.



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Ford, Rivian urge faster permitting process for critical EV minerals

In separate comments submitted to the U.S. Department of the Interior, Ford and Rivian are pushing for a faster permitting process for U.S. critical mineral mining projects that support domestic battery production for electric vehicles.



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J.D. Power: Sales reps influence car dealer lending satisfaction

Auto dealers ranked Ally higher than captives for leasing and No. 1 for indirect subprime loans in J.D. Power's 2022 U.S. Dealer Financing Satisfaction Study.



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BMW begins making fuel cell systems

BMW has started producing fuel-cell systems for its hydrogen-powered iX5 crossover, moving forward with a climate-friendly alternative fuel.



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Ford, GM, Rivian issue safety recalls affecting nearly 400,000 U.S. vehicles

The largest of the recalls covers more than 277,000 Ford Super Duty models and Lincoln Continental luxury sedans from the 2017-20 model years.



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VW Group to trim executive board, report says

Procurement boss Murat Aksel and sales chief Hildegard Wortmann are expected to lose their board seats under a reshuffle planned by VW Group's new CEO, Oliver Blume.



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Bosch to invest $200 million to make fuel cell stacks in South Carolina

The world's largest auto supplier will expand its existing Anderson facility to support fuel cell production, which is planned to start in 2026 creating at least 350 new jobs.



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University of Michigan lands $11 million grant to study next generation EV batteries

The federal grant that will fund research for ceramic batteries in EVs that have the potential to double range and eliminate fire risk.



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GM offers a tiny convertible electric car in China

For a chance to get behind the wheel of a Cabrio, consumers will have to enter a lottery, with winners to be announced later in September. The car is made by made by SAIC-GM-Wuling Automobile Co.



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Subaru preparing AI-based next-generation EyeSight driver assist systems from 2025

The technology will build upon Subaru’s stereo camera system and use artificial intelligence to improve computer recognition in hard-to-see situations, such as when road lane markers are covered in snow.



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Martes, Agosto 30, 2022

Stellantis, National Business League choose 15 companies for Black supplier program

Corporate partners including Ford, General Motors, Lear, Magna and Toyota have joined the effort and will lend expertise to the development program.



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Toyota output shrinks for fourth month on shortages, China

Toyota said domestic production fell in July, outweighing record overseas production that was driven by a strong recovery in Europe, China and the rest of Asia.



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ACV Auctions files U.S. antitrust lawsuit, alleging Manheim, ADESA, other auctions are shutting it out

ACV claims its rivals worked to prevent it from gaining necessary access to AutoIMS, a remarketing platform widely used by commercial consignors in the industry.



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Customer shot by employee at Ohio Hyundai dealership

Police said the customer was found with a gunshot wound to the upper leg in the parking lot of Hyundai of Bedford in Ohio.



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Tesla seeks to overturn Louisiana ban on direct car sales

The case is the latest battle to reverse direct sales bans in some states against Tesla, which bypassed traditional car dealerships.



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Toyota output shrinks for fourth month on shortages, China

Toyota said domestic production fell in July, outweighing record overseas production that was driven by a strong recovery in Europe, China and the rest of Asia.



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Lunes, Agosto 29, 2022

Musk says he wants to get Tesla's self-driving tech in wide release by year-end

Elon Musk hopes Tesla’s self-driving technology could be in wide release in the U.S. by the end of the year, and possibly also in Europe, depending on regulatory approval.



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Honda, LG Energy to invest $4.4B in U.S. battery plant for EVs

Honda and LG Energy Solution will build lithium ion batteries in the U.S. for Honda and Acura brand EVs at a new plant that is slated to begin production in 2025. The location wasn't disclosed.



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Linggo, Agosto 28, 2022

Ford future product: Build on EV momentum

Ford's strategy to electrify its iconic vehicles by modifying their internal-combustion platforms instead of waiting for a dedicated battery-electric architecture seems to have paid off.



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Next step for Lithia: the United Kingdom?

Lithia Motors has made it no secret that the United Kingdom is on its list of potential areas for expansion. But a recent report shows that the fast-growing retailer was close to entering the U.K. market sooner than previously indicated.



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Hino emissions misconduct rattles Toyota partnership

Truck maker Hino's new emissions scandal has some observers wondering about its future with Toyota.



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The latest numbers on the microchip shortage: More cuts amid re-sourcing push

The chip shortage continues to hammer away at global vehicle production as automakers await additional semiconductor manufacturing capacity to come online.



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Volvo down to business with autonomous trucking plans

ONTARIO, Calif. — Peter Voorhoeve remembers talking at a conference in Singapore five years ago about the potential self-driving trucks held for the freight industry and wondering if any of it would come true during his career or even lifetime.

Now head of Volvo Trucks North America, Voorhoeve, 57, is part of the global leadership team helping to guide the company through rapid technology advancements. Volvo has grabbed an early U.S. lead in heavy-duty electric trucks with 56 registrations for its Class 8 VNR Electric tractor. It has sales agreements that add up to 330 more VNR Electrics in addition to the vehicles in operation.

And it is pushing into autonomous trucking. With Aurora Innovation as the driving system supplier, Volvo has an initial deal to begin hauling freight with its Class 8 VNL autonomous truck prototype for DHL in Texas. For now, a safety driver will be in the cab. At some point, Volvo and Aurora plan to pull the human monitor and gain the cost-saving potential Voorhoeve discussed in Singapore.

Voorhoeve sat down here with News Editor Jerry Hirsch near where Volvo's electric trucks are operating, hauling goods from the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach to inland distribution centers, to discuss the progress of self-driving trucks and Volvo's electric vehicles. Here are edited excerpts.

Q: How have your views changed on the rollout of autonomous trucks?

A: Five years ago, I would say you were not going to see it happen in my lifetime. Now I say that absolutely this will happen. When? It is going to happen in the second part of this decade and earlier in the second part rather than later.

How will it work? Will we see self-driving trucks going through the city every day?

We see autonomous solutions in very specific segments. It will be hub to hub and on the highway. You will choose a specific hub at one end and another at the other. It will be highly repetitive. They won't be crisscrossing Texas in every direction. You can't tell the truck to go here today and there tomorrow. This will work in specific, repetitive applications. It will be on specific legs and also on the legs that make sense — the ones where you can get the productivity increases.

What about the human drivers?

Obviously, when you don't have a driver on the truck, that has an impact on the cost of operation. The leg in the middle is the least of the problem. You need to make sure the truck brakes and reacts and can get in and out of the hub. That is autonomous. It is just selective, specific segments where we see this happening. But you need a driver to load or unload and drive elsewhere.

How do you commercialize autonomous trucks?

When we go to market, Volvo will have the commercial relationship. Aurora is our development partner, but it is a Volvo service and a Volvo product that will be sold. It will be sold as autonomous transport as a service. While Volvo will hold the commercial relationship, how we do that and work with dealers will always comply with the law because there are all sorts of regulations with wholesalers, dealers, etc.

How fast do you see this transition for the trucks you are selling?

Our target is clear. By 2030, 50 percent of our Volvo truck offerings will be zero-emission and fossil-fuel free. That's not so far away. And then, by 2040, we will be completely zero emission for the truck group.

How did you take the lead with electric semi-tractors in the U.S.?

It was our decision to go to the market earlier and with a truck with a little bit more limited range. People asked, "What can you do with a truck that just has a 150-mile range?" One of my favorite statistics is that 30 to 40 percent of all Class 8 trucks in North America drive less than 200 miles a day. Electrification ultimately is about helping disadvantaged areas. You want to improve the air quality and the quality of life around the Port of Long Beach and the Port of Los Angeles, and parts of New York. By starting early, we will directly and immediately impact the quality of life of these highly urbanized areas. And then the rest will come. The VNR Electric already has a range of up to 275 miles now.



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Honda's Gardner: EV credit rules will slow adoption

American Honda's Dave Gardner says the new U.S. tax credit requirements will hurt EV adoption as automakers hustle to convert their sales.



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Lucid takes on Tesla, Mercedes, BMW with Sapphire performance subbrand

Lucid is highlighting its tech innovation with the Lucid Air Sapphire. But at $249,000, the brand is moving further out of the EV mainstream.



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Elon Musk seeks feedback — unless it's negative

Tesla's CEO scolded a customer who posted videos showing that a new version of the Full Self-Driving system struggles with right turns and other basic tasks.



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Biden drives his 1967 Corvette for upcoming episode of 'Jay Leno's Garage'

President Biden said he also had another opportunity to drive a Ford F-150 Lightning, the electric version of the company’s top-selling pickup truck.



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Honda's Gardner: EV credit rules will slow adoption

American Honda's Dave Gardner says the new U.S. tax credit requirements will hurt EV adoption as automakers hustle to convert their sales.



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Lucid to launch Sapphire performance subbrand

Lucid is highlighting its tech innovation with the Lucid Air Sapphire. But at $249,000, the brand is moving further out of the EV mainstream.



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Musk seeks feedback — unless it's negative

Tesla's CEO scolded a customer who posted videos showing that a new version of the Full Self-Driving system struggles with right turns and other basic tasks.



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Sabado, Agosto 27, 2022

Nissan will ax the Rogue Sport crossover

Sales of the Rogue Sport crossover will halt early next year as Nissan focuses on higher-volume models.



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Lucid hires former Apple exec amid software struggles with Air sedan

Lucid named Derrick Carty, a former Apple executive, as vice president of platform software. Lucid has yet to integrate Apple's CarPlay interface in its Air sedan, amid other software complaints.



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Biyernes, Agosto 26, 2022

Mercedes begins rolling out U.S.-made EVs

The EQS full-size SUV is the first of two EVs initially planned for the factory, and will roll into U.S. stores in the fall. Early next year, the plant also will begin producing the EQE, the electric version of Mercedes' top-selling GLE midsize crossover



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Biden signs order on $52 billion chips law implementation

It is still not clear when the U.S. Commerce Department will formally make available semiconductor chips funding for prospective applications or how long it will take to make awards.



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Porsche arranges IPO demand at up to $85B valuation, report says

Porsche has secured pre-orders for the floatation in the first week of September that exceed the shares on offer at a valuation between 60 billion and 85 billion euros ($85 billion), Bloomberg reported.



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Warren Buffett bullish on driverless trucks after purchasing stake in Kodiak Robotics

Pilot Co., which operates Pilot and Flying J travel centers and is owned by Berkshire Hathaway, agreed on Tuesday to take a stake in Kodiak Robotics Inc., a driverless truck startup.



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Stellantis, Buick-GMC, Volkswagen, Hyundai dealerships acquired in Q3, Q2 deals

Stellantis, Buick-GMC, Volkswagen and Hyundai dealerships traded hands in single-store transactions in the third quarter and second quarter. The dealerships are spread across four states.



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Latest technology is double-edged sword for automakers, J.D. Power says

While new tech features often cause consumer complaints, a J.D. Power study found that properly executed innovations provide a positive experience and increase value.



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Audi joining F1 racing with car running on synthetic fuel

Audi will build an F1 powertrain at a new facility in Germany and will decide on which team to partner with by the end of the year.



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Huwebes, Agosto 25, 2022

Mercedes EV production launches in Alabama

The German luxury automaker begins production of its first U.S.-made electric crossover — a battery-powered version of its top-of-the-line GLS SUV.



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Experian: 62% of borrowers opted for used cars in Q2

Experian said second-quarter used-car loans saw record amounts financed, record monthly payments and record loan terms, but used-vehicle interest rates hardly budged from a year earlier.



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California finalizes details on banning gasoline-powered vehicle sales

Democrat Gov. Gavin Newsom first announced the 2035 goal in an executive order two years ago, but the new rules would set a firm timetable for reaching it.



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Tesla shares in the limelight as 3-for-1 stock split kicks in

A stock split does not affect the fundamentals of a company, but makes it easier for individual investors looking to do small trades.



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California finalizes details on banning gasoline-powered vehicle sales

Democrat Gov. Gavin Newsom first announced the 2035 goal in an executive order two years ago, but the new rules would set a firm timetable for reaching it.



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Honda grapples with production headaches in Japan, China

Honda blamed delays in receiving parts and logistics due to COVID-19 and semiconductor shortages for the reduced output at two domestic plants.



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Miyerkules, Agosto 24, 2022

FTC rejects requests from NADA, others for more time to comment on car dealer rules

Public comment on the proposed FTC language targeting car dealership bait-and-switch advertising and certain finance and insurance business practices will end Sept. 12 as planned.



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Tesla, Nio suspend EV charging services as China power cuts bite

Tesla turned off or restricted services at more than a dozen super-charging stations in the two cities, leaving just two still in operation and only during the night as of Aug. 17, local media reported



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U.S. Bank ready to fund auto loans 'instantly' for more car dealers

More than 800 car dealerships already have access to U.S. Bank's real-time payments feature for auto loans, which the bank says should improve cash-flow control and contracts-in-transit metrics.



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Group 1 CEO Hesterberg to retire at year's end; U.S. chief Kenningham named to top post

Earl Hesterberg came to Group 1 in April 2005 after stints at Ford and Nissan; Daryl Kenningham started with Group 1 in 2011.



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Honda considering decoupling supply chain from China, report says

Honda would continue to keep its supply chain in China for the domestic market in the world's second-largest economy, while building a separate one for markets outside of China, the report said.



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Toyota has removed Hino from Japanese truck consortium after emissions scandal

Toyota orchestrated the creation of the Commercial Japan Partnership Technologies Corp. last year to help transition Japanese commercial vehicle makers for the shift to full-electric, hydrogen fuel cell and self-driving technologies.



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Martes, Agosto 23, 2022

Hyundai, Kia recall more than 280,000 Palisade, Telluride vehicles for fire risk

NHTSA issued a 'stop sale' for the Hyundai Palisades and Kia Tellurides covered by the recall of the tow hitch harness, which is at risk for a fire.



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Ford Bronco Raptor: A capable rock climber — and daily driver

Even in a class of one, the new Ford Bronco Raptor is beating out the notion of competition, early reviews say.

Ford Motor Co.'s newest model under the Bronco nameplate is meant to cater to one demographic: the most extreme off-road racing enthusiasts.

The Raptor is not hiding its intentions. It's 9.8 inches wider than the base Bronco model, and it comes with a tougher steel frame, shock towers and axles. Its 37-inch tires are the largest on any current production SUV, according to Ford.

Under the hood, a twin-turbo EcoBoost V-6 engine and 10-speed automatic transmission combine to produce up to 418 hp — enough power to climb mountain rocks and speed through desert sand.

A notable feature included to help with high-speed desert runs is Baja mode, which aims to optimize throttle control and torque delivery.

The Raptor is cheaper than its closest competitors — Ford's F-150 Raptor and the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 — starting at $70,095 with shipping. It might be hard to obtain one, however, as all 2022 models will be delivered to reservation holders.

Here's what reviewers had to say:

"Like the F-150 Raptor, the Bronco Raptor is a sloppy kind of fun on pavement; it's not perfect, but it's not meant to be. The twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6 producing 418 horsepower and 440 pounds-feet of torque makes the Bronco Raptor feel quick but not blindingly fast. The 10-speed automatic transmission shifts smartly.

"Visibility is an issue, with the Bronco's large front windshield pillars restricting the driver's view when cornering. The giant full-size, rear-mounted spare tire and taillight assembly is big enough to hide entire cars. It can make highway driving feel fraught when you're in the passing lane because you can't tell if someone is right behind you.

"The Sport drive mode includes aggressive downshifting and automated throttle blips as you decelerate, but the engine sound simply isn't as pleasing as the throaty rumble of a V-8. There's also a fair amount of road and wind noise in the cabin, though it's worth remembering that the Bronco's doors and roof are removable; it's a fair trade to me.

"You probably won't be surprised to learn that the Bronco Raptor feels incredibly capable off-road, equally adept at high-speed desert running and low-speed rock crawling.

"Speeding through the desert, the ride is remarkably controlled for the terrain, and the suspension travel makes bottoming out and hitting the jounce stops an actual challenge.

"The interior being mostly Bronco is both good and bad: It feels roomier than a Wrangler, and the control layout is wonderfully intuitive and easy to use, but it doesn't make the Bronco Raptor feel unique, and the quality is a little below the Jeep's. There are also convenient grab handles — especially useful during high-speed off-roading."

— Brian Normile, Cars.com

"Running fast across rough terrain, we keep reflexively wincing at impending impacts — here comes a ditch! — only to find that the Fox dampers shrug off hits that might crush the bump stops on other four-by-fours. Any Jeep Wrangler would certainly eject its occupants to the moon at this pace.

"A layer of armor protects the vitals, and even the muffler has welded loops to guard its shell. The approach, break-over, and departure angles all exceed those of a Wrangler equipped with the Extreme Recon package.

"Drive it hard into a corner—the calipers grab the upsized rotors, the nose dives, and the tail end wants to take the lead, yet it's a perfectly coordinated exercise.

"There's the expected wind noise from the removable top, as with all Broncos, but ride quality is excellent for a rig so focused on life in the dirt."

— David Beard, Car and Driver

"It doesn't take long for this Raptor's immense capability to go to your head. In the same way the best Porsches make drivers into heroes, the Bronco Raptor turns the person behind the wheel into a villain: reckless, all powerful, above the law. Driving a Bronco Raptor means fighting an incessant urge to straight-line every roundabout.

"The harder and faster you drive, the less the Bronco Raptor is fazed by the terrain. In its signature Baja mode, this SUV combines sports-car reflexes with the compliance of a bounce house. The 10-speed automatic cracks off up- and downshifts with perfect timing, and the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 tires find traction where there is none, all while bombing over terrain that would fold a Honda in half.

"Thanks to the impossibly wide stance, the body doesn't roll in corners so much as it squats over the outside wheels, creating a surprising sense of stability.

"The heavy hiking boots pound the pavement and send tremors into the body at city speeds, but just as it does off-road, the Raptor becomes supple—even graceful—the faster you go. On the highway, it floats over expansion joints and potholes, making it the perfect vehicle for traversing our pre-apocalyptic infrastructure in comfort and without fear of damaging a tire.

"In a motoring world overrun with Wranglers and 4Runners, the Bronco Raptor still stands out as one of a kind. With its appetite for high-speed hooning, its composure on paved roads, and its ability to tackle any type of terrain, it's as close as you'll come to finding a truck that will drive anywhere and over anything."

— Eric Tingwall, MotorTrend

"Even if it's not the task it's designed for, the Bronco Raptor acquits itself well enough on the open road, whether it's dragging through rush hour in the Coachella Valley down Highway 111 or looping over the mountains on the Pines to Palms Highway, banking northward toward Idyllwild. Its Normal-set suspension thumps over shallow bumps with a jiggle-jiggle, amping up to a tremor-tremor in Sport.

"The wide-beam Bronco can get a little slimmer by unbuckling its add-ons. The flares and fenders bolt on and off, though they require special tools instead of using fasteners like standard Broncos. Each Bronco Raptor comes with a specific tool kit to remove the fenders and flares for extreme off-roading; the same kit provides the tool to remove the six bolts holding the running boards, which hide standard rock rails.

"I never get used to using the Raptor's extensive cameras instead of my own eyes. Maybe it's the decent camera quality, the washed-out light and heat soaking into every pore, but the front-facing cameras that show what's just ahead of the Raptor's tires come in handy for me only when I crest a few blind hills. It's more of a distraction in a place that doesn't reward it—distraction can kill out here, given the right speed and wrong attitude."

— Martin Padgett, Motor Authority

"It's designed to go out; out past where paved roads end; out past the subdivisions and strip malls and gas stations, past the farms and the dirt roads, all the way out; into nature.

"First, the cooling. The Bronco Raptor makes the difficult seem easy. Idling all day under the sun, 100-odd degrees of ambient temperature, the air beneath it god knows how hot. It might be loud, the cooling fan blowing so hard it sounds like a med-evac chopper, but the temperature needle inside never climbs.

"This is an unobtrusively powerful truck. It's not that it ever glues you to the back of your seat, it just always has enough power for you to do what you need to do.

"The controls are sharp–the throttle pedal, the steering, the response of the engine–are all quick and direct. You just sit over a foot off the ground, with long-travel suspension and A/T tires. A decision you make has a repercussion 50 yards down the road. You have to set the Braptor up, set it up for corners long in advance to set it up for success."

— Raphael Orlove, Road & Track




"This wider stance not only provides more stability off road, it allows Ford to run massive 37-inch BF Goodrich KO2 tires as standard. These tires are excellent over rocks, through the sand and in the dirt, though I'll note that if mud is in your future, BFG's KM3 tires are better suited for sloppy stuff.

"The Bronco Raptor has a crawl ratio of 67.9:1. That's less than what you can get in a Jeep Wrangler, but because the Bronco's 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 makes 440 pound-feet of torque, I have plenty of grunt to get me up and over obstacles.

"The only thing I don't like while using Rock Crawl mode is the rough shift from first to second gear. When the revs are high in first gear and the engine is really working, and the shift is enough to jerk my head back and forth. It happens again, though not as bad, when the Bronco shifts from second to third.

"But where the Raptor truly shines is in high-speed desert running. This is what I live for and the Bronco 100% puts a smile on my face. In addition to 440 lb-ft of torque, the V6 makes 418 horsepower and the Fox live valve shocks can adjust damping rates up to 500 times a second.

"The Bronco Raptor doesn't do badly on the pavement, either. At 5,700 pounds this SUV is heavy, so don't expect to hustle up any canyon roads, but the Raptor holds its own fairly well while driving in Sport mode. While using two-wheel drive, the transmission shifts smoothly, doing its thing in the background without any weirdness.

"For now, the Bronco Raptor tops its own pedestal, and it's an SUV I would totally buy. It satisfies my need for desert speed while being more than capable at slower rock crawling. As far as stock off-roaders go, it doesn't get better than this."

— Emme Hall, CNET

"Despite the hot rod job, it's as smooth of an operator as its luxury vehicle origins would suggest and sends its power to the wheels through a 10-speed automatic transmission. DIY drivers will have to settle for one of the Broncos with the base four-cylinder turbo.

"Its straight-ahead view stays on at high speeds when the Baja G.O.A.T. mode is selected, which is meant for blasts through wide-open off-road areas, not the street. The Bronco Raptor is happiest when you're doing that. It's practically impossible to bottom it out and handles like its on rails even when it's on whoops.

"I've found the other Broncos to be a little soft and jittery at times, but the Raptor's suspension tidies things up and makes it a great highway cruiser. The big knobby tires aren't even that loud, but the square removable hardtop roof does rustle up the expected amount of wind noise, even with the optional sound deadening headliner.

"While it may not make the best daily driver at around $100 per tank, you could spend that much on an amusement park ticket and not have as much fun as driving the Bronco Raptor in its natural habitat."

— Gary Gastelu, Fox News

"As muscular as the Ford appears, those styling alterations hide genuine engineering improvements. The most headline-grabbing of these is probably its new, twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 that makes a prodigious 418 horsepower and 440 pound-feet. That V8-rivaling grunt routes through a 10-speed automatic gearbox to a part/full-time four-wheel-drive transfer case with a rock-friendly 3.06:1 low range.

"I wish the throttle were a bit more linear. Typical of turbocharged engines, you have to wait a moment after touching the gas pedal before you know exactly how much power you've dialed up, and that makes inching over huge rocks a challenge.

"Even at speeds approaching 60 miles per hour, the Bronco felt surefooted and stable, although its short wheelbase relative to the F-150 Raptor meant it could get controllably tail-happy going through corners. Ford nailed the tuning for the Baja G.O.A.T. mode, reducing stability control intervention to allow those big tires to thrash through the sand and keep momentum.

"What's more, the alterations Ford made to the steering (partly to compensate for the weight and width of the tires) have given it a more accurate, stable feel when driving down the highway, as well as decent response when going around turns.

"The usual Bronco traits apply. Plenty of wind noise makes its way through the hardtop at freeway speeds, and there's abundant tire howl in corners that warn you not to treat your SUV like a hot hatch.

"The design brief was to create an off-roader that could just as easily tackle the rocks as it could the open desert, and it's impossible to argue with the results. The Bronco Raptor is an excellent blend of the Blue Oval's best-performing products. Big Oly would be proud."

— Brett T. Evans, Motor1.com



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Second Hyundai supplier accused of child labor violations in Alabama

The U.S. Department of Labor on Monday accused a Korean-owned auto parts maker and supplier to Hyundai Motor Co of violating federal child labor laws at an Alabama factory, federal court filings reviewed by Reuters show.



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Lithia Motors was bidder behind terminated offer for Pendragon UK dealerships, report says

According to Sky News, Lithia Motors was the "large international corporate" that Pendragon cited in an August regulatory filing revealing buyout discussions between the parties had been terminated.



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Ford to discontinue Transit Connect in U.S. after 2023

The automaker has canceled plans to build a next-generation Transit Connect in Mexico alongside the Bronco Sport and Maverick. It will stop importing the current van from Spain by the end of next year.



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Former Apple car engineer pleads guilty to trade secret theft

U.S. prosecutors allege that Xiaolang Zhang downloaded confidential plans for Apple's self-driving vehicle to Chinese autonomous car startup Xpeng.



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VW and Mercedes arrange battery supplies in Canada

The automakers aim to shorten supply chains for their facilities in the U.S. and avoid difficulties linked to tariffs and tax regulations.



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Lunes, Agosto 22, 2022

Stellantis, Mitsubishi and Chevy dealerships acquired in Q2 and Q3 transactions

Four dealerships traded hands in second-quarter and third-quarter transactions, including Canadian auto retailer Knight Automotive Group buying its third U.S. store from former Denver Broncos Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway's dealership group.



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Ford cutting 3,000 jobs globally, top execs tell employees

The automaker is cutting 2,000 salaried positions and 1,000 agency jobs. Affected employees are in the U.S., Canada and India.



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Volkswagen lines up tariff-friendly battery supplies in deal with Canada, report says

Volkswagen has sealed an agreement with Canada to secure access to raw materials such as nickel, cobalt and lithium for vehicle and battery production, Bloomberg reported.



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Toyota unit Hino halts light truck shipments as data scandal widens

Hino President Satoshi Ogiso said a transport ministry investigation additional misconduct regarding emissions was found that affects more than 76,000 vehicles made by the Toyota unit.



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Battery startup Britishvolt CEO to step down

Orral Nadjari, the CEO and co-founder of Brishvolt, will be replaced by deputy CEO Graham Hoare on an interim basis. The executive change comes amid reports that work on a battery factory has been slowed to save cash.



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Musk says Tesla raising 'Full Self-Driving' price to $15,000

Tesla’s use of the name 'Full Self-Driving,' or FSD, has been criticized because the features require active supervision and don’t make its vehicles autonomous.



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Porsche sets high target for electric Macan sales

The Volkswagen sports car brand expects to build as many electric Macans as ICE versions.



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Linggo, Agosto 21, 2022

No English? No problem at supplier Gentex

Mirror maker Gentex has new business coming in, but like other manufacturers, was struggling to hire production workers. Then it embraced a demographic who can't speak enough English to apply for the jobs.



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GM board's new member: Focus on brand loyalty

The addition of Joanne Crevoiserat follows the recent departures of two other women: Meg Whitman and Jane Mendillo.



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Breaking silence on EVs: Dodge holds onto its roar

The brand, known for a brash attitude and roaring engines, wants to make clear it won't water down that audacity in the battery-power era.



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2022 PACE Awards: 6 more finalists featured

We spotlight product and process innovations from suppliers leading to our 28th annual Automotive News PACE Awards ceremony on Sept. 19, when winners will be announced. We are highlighting our second group of six finalists this week.



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The latest numbers on the microchip shortage: Cuts could be worse than reported

More than 3 million vehicles have been axed from automakers’ production schedules worldwide so far this year because of the microchip shortage — but that might be an undercount.



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Denso delivers on aircraft promise

Denso has created an electric motor that can be integrated into the Lilium Jet, an all-electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft.



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Ask your questions about EV tax credit

The new tax credit for EVs under the Inflation Reduction Act is more complicated and designed to incentivize domestic production and supply.



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Sabado, Agosto 20, 2022

$2 million Bentley is going to select few buyers

Bentley plans a limited 18-car production run of a handcrafted model from Mulliner, the Bentley Mulliner Batur.



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Ford hit with $1.7 billion verdict for fatal crash in Ga., reports say

Jurors delivered their verdict on punitive damages against Ford on Friday following a 14-day trial in state court in Lawrenceville, Ga.; Ford plans to appeal the decision.



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Biyernes, Agosto 19, 2022

Toyota satellite investment points to auto future

Toyota's Xona Space Systems investment highlights how the auto industry wants to leverage satellite-based communications for navigation and autonomous driving.



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Auction houses grapple with pricing used EVs

As the number of used battery electric vehicles rises, auto auction houses are grappling with how to factor battery health and expected degradation into the value of an EV.



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Michigan Ford dealership rethinks used-car commissions

Roy O'Brien Ford in St. Clair Shores, Mich., increased its used-vehicle volume and boosted sales reps' interest in selling any used car in stock by changing the way it accounts for gross profit when calculating commission payments.



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Kia EV6 GT boasts 576 hp of muscle

Kia unveils a performance variant of the EV6 electric compact crossover that has more powerful front and rear motors and other track-ready upgrades.



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U.S. electrified vehicle sales skyrocketed 41% in first half of 2022, Urban Science says

The share of electrified vehicle sales, including hybrids, increased to 6.2 percent of all new-vehicle sales in the U.S. from 3.6 percent in the first half of 2021.



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New EV tax credits raise fear of a ‘messy scenario' in dealers' showrooms

U.S. auto dealers say they are unsure of how the new EV tax credit will work in their showrooms and are concerned by how the complex eligibility requirements will affect their customer relationships.



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Stellantis, Hyundai, Ford and Buick-GMC dealerships sell in Q2 transactions

Four dealerships trade hands in second-quarter transactions across California, Hawaii, Kansas and Maryland.



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Torc Robotics names new CEO from Daimler's autonomous technology group

Peter Vaughan Schmidt, head of Daimler Truck's Autonomous Technology Group, will take over from Torc co-founder Michael Fleming effective Oct. 1.



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GM restores quarterly dividend after more than two years

General Motors suspended dividend payments and share buybacks in April 2020 after the global coronavirus pandemic hit sales and impacted production, forcing the company to conserve cash.



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GM, LG Energy Solution considering Indiana for fourth U.S. battery plant

The fourth plant is expected to be similar to the three others and have an investment of more than $2 billion, a source briefed on the matter told Reuters, but it is not clear when it might open.



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Geneva show canceled as organizers trade snow for sand

Organizers of the event are switching its traditionally chilly venue in alpine Europe to the balmy Middle East.



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Huwebes, Agosto 18, 2022

Volvo's Starbucks EV chargers could lower network costs

Volvo is pursuing a middle path with its Starbucks hookup — helping build a charging network over which it has some control, but without shouldering the exorbitant cost of Tesla's go-it-alone Supercharger model.



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Dodge's Charger Daytona SRT Concept will make plenty of noise despite being an EV

Shunning the near-silence of traditional EVs, the Charger Daytona SRT Concept is outfitted with an industry-first exhaust system for an EV.



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Sonic Automotive buys Audi store in Maryland from AutoNation

Sonic said Monday it bought Audi Owings Mills, northwest of Baltimore. Terms were not disclosed, but the dealership's name remains the same.



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Miyerkules, Agosto 17, 2022

Tesla legal chief who conducted internal probe leaves automaker, report says

David Searle left his position as Tesla’s head of legal less than a month ago, sources told Bloomberg. Dinna Eskin, a deputy general counsel at the company, has taken over the role, Bloomberg reported.



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EV adoption: Lack of chargers, broken stations may be obstacle

A J.D. Power study cited a lack of public charging infrastructure and inoperable charging stations as reasons for dissatisfaction with electric vehicle ownership and why buyers may delay a purchase.



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Dealer Kitty Van Bortel's lawsuit against Ford dismissed

U.S. District Judge David Larimer dismissed the lawsuit, saying a purported oral agreement did not constitute a valid, legal contract.



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2023 Kia Telluride gets off-road chops as crossover builds market momentum

Kia is giving the 2023 Telluride large crossover more off-road muscle along with a big dose of Madison Avenue marketing.



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Karma Automotive sues revived DeLorean Motors, claiming stolen intellectual property

The suit alleges that the high-ranked executives started Reimagined Automotive while "some or all" of the defendants were still employed at Karma.



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2023 Dodge Hornet brings power, speed to compact crossover segment

The Hornet will offer the brand's first plug-in hybrid and have standard all-wheel drive.



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BMW is getting Tesla-like cylindrical batteries from China's EVE, report says

EVE will supply BMW with battery cells for the automaker's Neue Klasse (New Class) vehicles, sources said, as the automaker follows Tesla in adopting the technology.



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U.S. says about 20 models will get EV credits through end of 2022 after Biden signs tax-climate bill

The law signed Tuesday immediately ends credits for about 70 percent of the 72 models that were previously eligible, said the Alliance for Automotive Innovation.



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Martes, Agosto 16, 2022

Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway triples stake in Ally Financial

In the second quarter, Berkshire's Ally stake grew to 30 million shares from about 9 million.



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Cadillac Escalade-V: Heightened price brings heightened power

The Escalade-V is the first Cadillac utility vehicle to wear the V-series badge — meaning more power and more performance.



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GM adds CEO of luxury fashion company to board

Joanne Crevoiserat oversees the strategy of Tapestry brands such as Kate Spade and Coach to drive sales and profit growth by making the company more consumer-centric, digital and data-driven.



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Toyota suspends operations at China plant due to power shortage

Toyota's joint venture plant in the city of Chengdu has ceased operations until Saturday.



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Polestar 6 emerges as a $200,000 rival to Porsche 911

The Polestar 6, a likely Porsche 911 rival, will be the Swedish EV maker's most powerful and most expensive model when it arrives in 2026.



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VW Mexico union to hold new contract vote after workers reject pay deal

Union workers at VW's Puebla plant in Mexico narrowly rejected a 9 percent increase in pay earlier this month.



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Donald Foss, billionaire founder of Credit Acceptance Corp., dies at 78

Foss founded Credit Acceptance Corp. in 1972 after starting a car dealership in Detroit five years earlier.



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Lunes, Agosto 15, 2022

Cadillac replaces Mercedes as U.S. Open tennis sponsor — here's what it is planning

Cadillac has inked a multiyear deal with the U.S. Tennis Association, with plans to use the New York City event to plug its EV ambitions, including its Lyriq EV model.



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U.S. court upholds FCC reallocation of auto safety spectrum

The spectrum block was reserved in 1999 for automakers to develop technology to allow vehicles to talk to each other to avoid crashes but has so far gone largely unused.



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Alan Jay Automotive Network sells 2 stores after failed LMP deal

Two Florida dealership groups have acquired the Toyota and Alfa Romeo-Maserati dealerships from Alan Jay Automotive Network in separate June transactions.



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CEO median compensation increases 78%

Median pay for CEOs who have been in their positions for at least two years rose 90 percent from 2020, according to a survey by Equilar for .



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Linggo, Agosto 14, 2022

Shifts in used-vehicle market cut into proceeds, trigger resets

Shifting market conditions are starting to pressure auto retailers' used-vehicle business plans and profits.



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Volvo and JLR prepare for a new era of EVs

Volvo and Land Rover are delivering a product-driven market renaissance, while Jaguar hopes to spark new enthusiasm with an all-electric portfolio by 2025.



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Auto suppliers are asking for contract relief

Parts shortages and heightened commodity prices are putting the squeeze on Tier 2 and Tier 3 suppliers, often forcing them to go to their Tier 1 customers to renegotiate pricing or ask for a cash infusion — or else risk going out of business entirely.



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The latest numbers on the microchip shortage: A much-needed reprieve

Just 6,800 units were added last week to AutoForecast Solutions’ tally of vehicles lost to the semiconductor shortage, one of the lowest weekly totals since the start of the microchip crisis.



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Tesla crushes luxury registrations so far in 2022

With its 61 percent gain in registrations in the first half of 2022, according to Experian, Tesla dominated the luxury segment. But on EVs, the legacy brands are starting to fight back.



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As ICE age ends, demand for EV engineers heats up

The industry has been hungry for more engineers for at least two decades. But now it's getting worse.



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Rivals take on Tesla with Plug & Charge system for EVs

The Plug & Charge system is designed to emulate the ease of use Tesla's Supercharger network provides EV owners.



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Toyota dealers line up for digital tools SmartPath, Lexus Monogram

About 100 dealers are waiting to have the Toyota SmartPath or Lexus Monogram suite of digital retailing software installed.



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Biyernes, Agosto 12, 2022

6 cool features on the Cadillac Lyriq EV

The first modern EV for GM's luxury brand is filled with Easter eggs and unique features aimed at winning over rivals' customers who are ready to go electric.



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Stellantis' Free2move grows as other short-term rentals close

Stellantis' unit is growing at a time when GM, BMW and Daimler have moved away from car sharing.



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Car dealership employees can see the doctor — at work

Switching from traditional health insurance with a big-name provider has saved Lakeland Automall hundreds of thousands of dollars and helped retain employees.



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Hyundai, Kia vehicles probed by NHTSA over exploding seat belt pretensioners linked to 3 injuries

U.S. auto safety regulators are investigating certain Hyundai and Kia vehicles from the 2020-22 model years after allegations of exploding seat belt pretensioners.



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NHTSA opens probe into 1.7 million Ford, Lincoln vehicles for alleged front brake defect

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation said it has received 50 complaints alleging those failures on Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles from the 2013-18 model years and is aware of one crash allegedly related to the issue.



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Audi, Nissan, Ford and Stellantis dealerships acquired in Q2 and Q3 transactions

Three dealership groups expanded, while a new group bought a pair of dealerships, in acquisitions that closed in the second and third quarters involving stores in Missouri, Arkansas, Texas and Vermont.



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Rivian plans 2nd shift after falling behind on production target

Rivian is betting on supply-chain improvements to increase production with a second shift at its Normal, Ill., plant.



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Mazda, stung by China's COVID lockdowns, seeks parts elsewhere

The automaker's plans underscore the vulnerability of sprawling supply chains that have been tested by the pandemic and geopolitical tensions, casting uncertainty over businesses.



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U.S. vehicle inventory falls to 1.02 million

U.S. inventory vehicle levels ticked down in July to 1.02 million, despite a slowing sales rate, as automakers continue to struggle with production and supply issues.



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Rivian plans 2nd shift after falling behind on production target

Rivian is betting on supply-chain improvements to increase production with a second shift at its Normal, Ill., plant.



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Huwebes, Agosto 11, 2022

Redesigned GMC Canyon flexes ‘off-road muscle'

GMC will offer four trims, plus a limited edition model, of the 2023 Canyon, which goes on sale early next year.



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Mercedes gives up on in-between Metris van

Production of the four-cylinder gasoline engine that powers Mercedes-Benz's commercial vans will end next year.



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Chrysler, Harvey Weinstein, end competing dueling lawsuits over Jeep crash

The U.S. business of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and Harvey Weinstein agreed to end competing lawsuits over a 2019 crash in which the now-imprisoned former Hollywood movie producer flipped a Jeep Wrangler while trying to avoid a deer.



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Tesla discloses lobbying effort for factory in Canada

Tesla is lobbying the Government of Ontario as part of an effort to set up an "advanced manufacturing facility" in Canada, a filing by the electric-vehicle maker to the province's Office of the Integrity Commissioner showed.



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Toyota keeps plan to build 9.7M vehicles despite factory stoppages

The automaker will suspend production on three lines at its Motomachi plant in September. That follows suspensions at its Tsutsumi plant.



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Rivian's Q2 earnings focus on 'cash burn,' factory output

Analysts are focused on Rivian's operating costs as part of second-quarter earnings due Thursday. Rivian improved its production ramp up, but still faces questions over its cash burn.



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Miyerkules, Agosto 10, 2022

VW's new CEO plans to downsize board, report says

VW's new CEO, Oliver Blume, could reduce the number of management board seats to eliminate dual functions, sources said.



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Ford to make large solar power purchase from DTE Energy

Ford has committed to buying at least $120 million of solar power annually from DTE Energy Co.



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Honda focuses on deliveries, rather than recession talk, as profits fall

Honda expects higher inflation and interest rates to eventually have an impact on the U.S. economy, but for now, its top priority is delivering more product to customers.



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Elon Musk sells Tesla shares worth $6.9 billion, cites chance of forced Twitter deal

Musk said he sold Tesla shares to avoid an emergency sale of stock if he is compelled to take over Twitter. 



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Ciocca Dealerships expands, acquires Steve Kalafer-founded Flemington Car & Truck Country

Ciocca Dealerships, which has been in acquisition mode in 2022, made what CEO Gregg Ciocca described as its largest acquisition when it bought six dealerships in New Jersey on Monday.



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Honda focuses on deliveries, rather than recession talk, as profits fall

Honda expects higher inflation and interest rates to eventually have an impact on the U.S. economy, but for now, its top priority is delivering more product to customers.



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Martes, Agosto 9, 2022

Tesla's breakthrough 4680 battery suffers slow ramp

Two years ago, Tesla CEO Elon Musk promised a larger 4680 cylindrical battery that would improve range, drive down costs and fuel the launch of the power-hungry Cybertruck pickup. Tesla has fallen behind on those promises.



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Mercedes, BMW, Audi race to EV future

German luxury heavyweights — Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi — are remaking their lineups for the new age with fleets of battery-powered models.



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Lunes, Agosto 8, 2022

Automaker and chip CEOs were to meet ahead of Biden signing microchip legislation

WASHINGTON - The heads of chipmakers GlobalFoundries and Applied Materials and carmakers Ford Motor and General Motors were to meet at a closed-door summit with U.S. government officials on Monday to discuss administration plans to invest in semiconductors.

On Tuesday, President Joe Biden will sign legislation to subsidize the U.S. semiconductor industry and boost efforts to make the United States more competitive with China. The bill provides $52 billion in subsidies for chip manufacturing and research. It also includes an investment tax credit for chip plants estimated to be worth $24 billion.

GlobalFoundries CEO Thomas Caulfield said in a statement the chips legislation "protects U.S. economic, supply chain and national security by accelerating semiconductor manufacturing on American soil."

The legislation aims to alleviate a persistent shortage that has affected supplies of goods from cars and weapons to washing machines and video games. Thousands of cars and trucks remain parked in southeast Michigan awaiting chips as the shortage continues to impact automakers.

The companies said the summit would bring them together with government officials to "discuss how these public investments can accelerate semiconductor and emerging technology manufacturing, support the electrification of automobiles with a ready supply of chips, including feature-rich chips, and strengthen the United States' economy, supply chains, and national security."

White House National Economic Council Director Brian Deese, Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition William LaPlante and National Security Council official Tarun Chhabra were among officials due to attend.

Ford CEO Jim Farley said in a statement "a reliable domestic supply of chips, including legacy semiconductors needed in the automotive and defense industries, will keep American manufacturing lines humming."



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LMP board recommends liquidation plan; company set to sell 6 dealerships

LMP Automotive Holdings Inc.'s board of directors has unanimously recommended that stockholders approve a proposed plan to liquidate the company, while the retailer also noted it will be selling six dealerships.



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LMP board recommends liquidation plan; company set to sell 6 dealerships

LMP Automotive Holdings Inc.'s board of directors has unanimously recommended that stockholders approve a proposed plan to liquidate the company, while the retailer also noted it will be selling six dealerships.



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Bob Brockman grew DMS giant Reynolds; faced tax evasion charge

Brockman, who started Universal Computer Systems in 1970 before it later merged with Reynolds and Reynolds, was facing trial in February on federal charges of tax evasion and other crimes.



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Unity game software to power new Mercedes-Benz infotainment domain

Mercedes-Benz has tapped game software developer Unity Technologies to help build its next infotainment system.



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House lawmakers trying to jump-start self-driving legislative push

Representatives Robert Latta, Republican, and Debbie Dingell, Democrat, want to revive legislative efforts to boost self-driving vehicles.



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Brand and dealership loyalty decreasing as consumers pay more, GfK research says

New research from Growth from Knowledge AutoMobility shows loyalty toward brands and dealerships continues to decline as sticker prices go up.



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Linggo, Agosto 7, 2022

Bill with revamped EV tax credit passes Senate, heads to House

The Inflation Reduction Act ends per-manufacturer limits for the $7,500 tax credit for electric vehicle purchases, a boost for electric vehicle makers. But the vehicles will have to be built in North America and carmakers will have to quickly end a reliance on China for the battery supply chain.



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BMW i4 EV to get entry-level version priced at $52,395

The single-motor 2023 BMW i4 eDrive35, debuting in U.S. stores early next year, will start at $52,395.



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Stellantis program helps grow Black involvement in auto supply industry

The initiative's goal is to provide businesses with virtual training and give them access to an online marketplace that builds "a bridge between the public and private sectors to create substantive business opportunities for Black suppliers" around the U.S. and internationally within the auto industry and beyond.



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VW dealers worry about ‘revolving door’ ahead of Scott Keogh’s exit

Volkswagen dealers who were excited about the stability that Scott Keogh would bring to the job of CEO of VW of America now find themselves back on the executive merry-go-round, and they're concerned that the German brand will continue to cycle executives in and out of North America.



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Sabado, Agosto 6, 2022

Ex-Reynolds and Reynolds CEO Bob Brockman dies at 81

Brockman was a software entrepreneur and built Reynolds and Reynolds into a dealership management system giant before he was indicted in a landmark tax-evasion case.



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Carvana shifts to cost-cutting mode after losses

Carvana CEO Ernie Garcia says the retailer has shifted priorities to favor cost efficiency and cash flow for the first time in company history.



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Wholesale used-vehicle prices nearly flat between June and July

Wholesale used-vehicle prices showed just a a tiny decline in July amid a stagnating summer sales season.



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Biyernes, Agosto 5, 2022

Wholesale used-vehicle prices nearly flat between June and July

Wholesale used-vehicle prices showed just a a tiny decline in July amid a stagnating summer sales season.



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Can EV tax credit survive Senate, industry objections?

What appeared to be a path forward on EV tax credits at first glance evolved into a last-minute scramble, as automakers and some Senate Democrats seek changes to the provision's strict battery content and assembly rules, which they said could delay vehicle eligibility.



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Toyota offers make-goods, buybacks to bZ4X EV customers after recall

The automaker issued an emergency stop-sale on the 2023 bZ4 compact BEV crossover and told consumers to stop driving it immediately for fear its wheels may fall off. It is now offering a series of make-goods to the approximately 260 owners and lessees affected, who still can't drive the car, including an offer to buy back their vehicle.



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American Axle profit slips, sales increase in second quarter

American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings Inc. took another supply chain-related hit to its bottom line in the second quarter but offered a better-than-expected financial outlook through the end of the year.



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Lyft sees uptick in Q2 revenue amid layoffs

Lyft saw an earnings record and increased revenue in the second quarter amid news that the ride-hailing company laid off approximately because of the discontinuation of its first party rental service.



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Stellantis and Ford dealerships sell across 4 states

Four dealerships — Stellantis and Ford stores — traded hands in first- and second-quarter transactions across four states.



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Faurecia's need for more software engineers fueled its acquisition of Hella

Forvia, the supplier formed by Faurecia's acquisition of Hella this year, came into being in large part because of Faurecia's need to add more software engineers to its ranks.



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Tesla aims for 2 million-unit EV run rate by end of 2022

As factories in Berlin and Texas ramp up, Tesla forecasts annual production of 2 million cars next year ahead of its long-term goal of building 20 million vehicles year.



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Huwebes, Agosto 4, 2022

Volkswagen EV ad stars U.S. Men's National Soccer Team captain Christian Pulisic

U.S. Men's National Soccer Team captain Christian Pulisic fronts film for VW's ID.4 as U.S. production of vehicle begins.



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Lucid slashes 2022 production forecast after rough second quarter

Lucid Motors cut its 2022 production forecast in half to between 6,000 and 7,000 units of the Air electric sedan after delivering just 679 vehicles in the second quarter. Revenue was $97.3 million, and cash on hand was $4.6 billion.



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Toyota profit plunges amid supply chain chaos, rising costs

Despite a 42 percent drop in quarterly profit, the automaker lifted its full-year guidance for net income and revenue.



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BMW will explore fuel cell power for Neue Klasse EV platform

BMW is hydrogen's biggest advocate among German automakers as it plots a path to zero emissions. It will start limited production of a hydrogen fuel-cell X5 at the end of the year.



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Subaru Outback only vehicle to receive ‘good' rating in latest round of IIHS side crash test

Only three out of seven vehicles earned "good" or "acceptable" ratings in the latest IIHS side-impact evaluation.



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Toyota profit plunges amid supply chain chaos, rising costs

Despite a 42 percent drop in quarterly profit, the automaker lifted its full-year guidance for net income and revenue.



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Miyerkules, Agosto 3, 2022

Denso helping its engineers learn new skills for the EV age

Denso will need engineers for EVs and automated driving technologies. So it transform the mechanical engineers it already has.



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KAR records net profit, saw reduced conversion rates in Q2

KARsaid that while it brought in more profit per each vehicle it sold in the second quarter, its performance was affected by reductions in conversion rates across its digital and hybrid marketplaces.



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Five Star Automotive Group acquires Honda, Mitsubishi and Toyota dealerships

Expanding Five Star Automotive Group, which entered the Midwest last year, added three dealerships in Ohio in June.



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KAR records $5.4M net loss, saw reduced conversion rates in Q2

KARsaid that while it brought in more profit per each vehicle it sold in the second quarter, its performance was affected by reductions in conversion rates across its digital and hybrid marketplaces.



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Lucid faces production pressure in Q2 earnings

Lucid Motors reports Q2 earnings after the market close Wednesday amid recent job cuts by EV startups Rivian and Tesla. For Lucid, there's pressure to improve on its first-quarter deliveries of just 360 vehicles and boost sales revenue.



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GM to double Super Cruise map, add two-way highways

GM plans to double its hands-free driving network to cover 400,000 miles in the U.S. and Canada starting later this year.



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Martes, Agosto 2, 2022

Battery makers say methods, supply chains in flux

The industry is scrambling to build millions of EVs, and battery producers are considering new processes and supply chains.



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Uber doubles Q2 revenue to $8.1 billion as ridership surges

The ride-hailing giant said Q2 results were boosted by resilient demand from customers who continued to hail rides and order takeout food despite rising inflation. The company still posted a net loss of $2.6 billion.



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VW agrees to buy $4 billion worth of lidar components from Israel's Innoviz

The components, including laser-based lidar sensors, will be used in advanced driver assistance systems and automated vehicles from multiple VW brands starting mid-decade, Innoviz said.



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Toyota senior program manager killed during charity bike ride in Mich.

Edward Erickson "had been a champion for cycling safety and regularly educated our team members on the rules of the road for vehicle interaction," Toyota said in a statement.



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Ferrari lifts full-year forecasts after strong Q2 results

Order intake reached a new record level in the second quarter, CEO Benedetto Vigna said.



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Higher loss provision cuts Credit Acceptance Q2 income

Credit Acceptance Corp.'s net income fell during the second quarter to $107.4 million, down 63 percent from a year earlier, dragged down by setting aside $178 million as a precaution against losses on its auto loans.



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Lamborghini generates record first-half results as it prepares for Europe's energy crunch

The supercar brand's profit rose 70 percent as demand from wealthy customers boomed.



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Toyota unit falsified emissions data from at least 2003, probe finds

The investigative committee tasked by truck and bus maker Hino Motors blamed the scandal on an environment where engineers did not feel able to challenge superiors, in a rare criticism of corporate culture in Japan.



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Lunes, Agosto 1, 2022

EV truck maker Nikola to buy battery supplier Romeo Power

Nikola has agreed to buy battery supplier Romeo Power for about $144 million in stock, in a move designed to help jumpstart its efforts to make battery packs.



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Israeli startup REE touts new electric delivery van as customer demonstrations begin

Israeli startup and diversified manufacturer began hosting customers for live demonstrations of its new Proxima proof-of-concept electric delivery van.



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Aston Martin sees its finances improving

Aston Martin expects to sell more cars in the second half following a ramp up in production of its more profitable models that include the DBX707, and the V-12 Vantage sports car.



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With EVs, ‘threat of shock is very real'

More EVs on the road mean more will be needing service and maintenance from dealerships. Manufacturers are ramping up safety training for technicians before they are allowed to work on the vehicles.



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At public retailers, inventory still hasn't turned a corner

Although all six major public franchised retailers in late July reported that new-vehicle days' supply level improved between the end of March and the end of June, company leaders said they believe the constrained inventory situation has yet to turn a corner toward lasting recovery.

 

 



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As chip shortage lingers, billions spent to boost capacity

In response to a catastrophic worldwide chip shortage that has knocked 13 million vehicles out of production since early 2021, chip producers and governments are pledging unprecedented sums of money into boosting semiconductor capacity. And that’s just the start. 



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Fanuc plots $86 million campus expansion in suburban Detroit

The pace of automation accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic as more manufacturers in Michigan and around the world looked to robots to fill the void left by the labor shortage.



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