Despite dealing with a variety of difficult issues during the past year, a new study shows customer satisfaction with the automotive industry inched upward. The American Customer Satisfaction Index Automobile Study showed small brands made the difference in a 1% year-over-year improvement. Find out more at Headlight.News.
Michael Strong
Ford Enjoys Massive Sales Spike in August
Ford Motor Co. reported an impressive 13.4% jump in sales last month. Like many automakers, the company’s sales efforts this summer were throttled by the cyberattack on dealer management software and other factors. However, the company made up for lost time in August. Get details at Headlight.News.
Volvo Pushes Back Deadline to Be Fully Electric to 2040
Swedish-based Volvo Cars became the latest automaker to take a hard look at its commitment to become an all-electric vehicle maker and decide it couldn’t do it. Find out why and what it is going to do to at Headlight.News.
Tesla Readying Debut of First Robotaxi
The day that Tesla CEO Elon Musk has talked about for years is about to arrive. Tesla’s reportedly set to debut its first purpose-built robotaxi in California next month. It arrives at a tenuous time for self-driving vehicles. Get more detail at Headlight.News.
Chrysler Descendant Wants to Keep Brands All in the Family
Since the formation of Stellantis a few years ago, speculation about what will happen with the low-selling, but still-iconic Chrysler brand has run rampant. Officials, led by CEO Carlos Tavares, assured there were plans for Chrysler. However, time has passed with just one product left, the Chrysler Pacifica minivan, and now someone wants to resurrect the brand: Walter P. Chrysler’s great-grandson. Find out more at Headlight.News.
Automotive Brand Loyalty Increases During First Half of 2024
For the first time in several years, the number of people buying a new vehicle remained loyal to the brand of car, truck or SUV they were getting out of. According to S&P Global Mobility, the first half registration data showed 52.5% of buyers remained loyal — a 1.9% increase on a year-over-year basis. Find out more at Headlight.News.
Hyundai Way Means Massive Sales Increase, More Hybrids, More Profit
South Korean automotive behemoth Hyundai Motor expects to sell 5.5 million vehicles globally by the end of the decade, including 2 million EVs and 1.8 million hybrids. The global number represents a 30% jump over last year’s numbers. Find out more at Headlight.News.
New Vehicle Sales Expected to Make Big Jump in August
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.
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.