The auto industry’s been expecting a big sales month at some point this summer in the wake of the CDK outage that cut into new vehicle sales in mid-June. Some thought it would come in July, but inventory levels we’re quite settled. But now it appears everything’s in place for a 7% year-over-year increase. Find out more at Headlight.News.
Michael Strong
Fisker Inc. Finalizes Liquidation Plans While Helping Owners
EV maker Fisker secured a deal with creditors to liquidate its assets while providing ongoing assistance to the owners of the vehicles it has already produced. Find out more at Headlight.News.
J.D. Power Study Reveals Drivers Can be Overwhelmed by Technology
It’s often said you can never have too much of a good thing; however, J.D. Power’s 2024 U.S. Tech Experience Index Study reveals that’s just not true. Drivers want certain types of advanced tech and little more. Find out what they want and why at Headlight.News.
GM Recalling 1,200 Cruise Robotaxis to End U.S. Safety Probe
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration agreed to end its probe of General Motors’ Cruise subsidiary’s robotaxis after it agreed to recall 1,200 of the vehicles. Go to Headlight.News for a closer look and details.
Ford Revises EV Plans, Dumps 3-Row SUV, Delays Next-Gen Pickup
Ford officials revealed the company’s plan to adjust the production timing of its future electric vehicles as well as other future product changes. The moves are designed to improve the company’s profitability while ensuring it hits its long-term environmental goals. Find out more at Headlight.News.
New Vehicle Prices Keep Falling as Rising Inventory Increases Pressure
The average transaction price for a new vehicle fell last month — the 10th straight month of declines as the push by automakers to rebuild inventories exerts pressure on prices. As more and more vehicles sit longer and longer on lots, automakers offer higher incentives to move new metal. Find out more at Headline.News.
Ford Issues Do-Not-Drive Order Due to Takata Airbags
The faulty Takata airbag inflator recall continues to cause problems for automakers with Ford issuing a Do-Not-Drive Advisory to owners of Ford vehicles that have been part of the three recalls involving the dangerous inflators who have not yet had their vehicles repaired. Find out more at Headlight.News
ChargePoint Develops New Charging Plug to Work With All EVs
Last year automaker after automaker agreed to use Tesla’s Charging System, more precisely the unique plug. They did this, of course, to gain access to the Supercharger network, and Tesla certainly welcomed the expected cash that should roll in with it. However, this left EV owners whose vehicles still had the non-Tesla ports twisting in the wind. However, change is coming, reports Headlight.News.
Mercedes Leading Industry Crack Down on Counterfeiters
Automakers face a slew of problems regularly: emissions compliance, workplace or office issues, quality shortcomings and more. However, the problem of counterfeit parts affects them all. Mercedes-Benz works with law enforcement globally to combat the problem, which can make vehicles less safe and certainly takes money out of the automaker’s coffers. Check out what Mercedes and the rest of the industry is dealing with at Headlight.News.
Hyundai, Kia Cuts “Most Stolen” Cars Theft Rate in Half with Software Upgrade
A few years ago, late model Hyundai and Kia vehicles were in the spotlight — the kind no automaker enjoys. Car thieves found a simple way to steal the cars because there were no immobilizers on them. The issue became such a problem a documentary film about the Kia Boyz was made, revealing the dangerous exploits of the car thieves. The automakers implemented a software update that appears to have put a dent in the problem. Go to Headlight.News for the story.
Rivian Beats Q2 Earnings Estimates, Predicts Q4 Profit
EV maker Rivian beat its second quarter earnings estimates, but more importantly predicted it would be in the black for the first time ever in the final quarter of 2024. A series of cost cutting measures and changes to the way the company sells vehicles combined to make the second quarter a good one. Find out more at Headlight.News.
Lucid Secures More Funding, Beats Analysts Q2 Earnings Estimates
EV maker Lucid Motors offered up good news during its second quarter earnings call as it secured as much as $1.5 billion in new cash just in time to begin production of its second vehicle, the Gravity SUV. The company also managed to beat analysts’ estimates for the quarter. Find out more at Headlight.News.