Vice President Kamala Harris made a trip to Detroit bearing some big gifts on Monday, $100 million to help the Motor City’s automotive parts manufacturers upgrade operations to support the shift to battery-electric vehicles.
Paul Eisenstein
Plagued by Thefts, High Costs, Free2move Car-Sharing Service All But Shuts Down
Stellantis has all but completely abandoned its Free2move ride-sharing service due to a variety of problems including thefts, damage and high operating costs. Free2move continues operating only in Washington, D.C. and could close its U.S. operations entirely.
Angered by Tesla Supercharger Cuts – Competitors Look to Rival Ionna Network
Tesla delivered a shock this week when word leaked out CEO Elon Musk was effectively closing down several departments, including the one overseeing its Supercharger network. Set up in 2012, when the automaker launched its original Model S sedan, the charging system was meant to assure buyers they’d have a place to plug in. But with the Supercharger network now open to most competing EV manufacturers, the news has triggered concerns across the auto industry — and is leading Tesla rivals to put emphasis on the competing new Ionna charging network.
Polestar 5 Prototype Using New Battery That Can Charge Up in 10 Minutes
Among the many obstacles to widespread EV adoption, consumers often cite long charging times. But a new battery breakthrough could make it as quick – and potentially even easier – to charge up an EV as it is to fill a gas tank. A Polestar 5 prototype is going from a 10 to 80% charge in just 10 minutes.
Cadillac Likely Won’t Be All-Electric by 2030
Cadillac has backed away from its plan to offer “an all-electric portfolio by 2030,” the luxury brand’s global boss acknowledged Wednesday. While that could yet happen, said General Motors Vice President John Roth, Caddy is likely to continue offering vehicles using internal combustion engines well into the next decade.
You Could Buy Fisker Inc. for Less Than Henrik Fisker Wants for His Hollywood House
If you’ve got some spare cash lying around and are looking for a new home up in the Hollywood Hills you might reach out to Henrik Fisker. He’s got a place for sale overlooking the legendary Sunset Strip for $35 million. Of course, you could also buy his car company, Fisker Inc. for less than $25 million – though you could wait if you might get it for even less as it struggles to avoid bankruptcy.
Major New Layoffs Take Steam out of Tesla Stock Rebound
It was looking to be a very good week for Tesla, news of a weekend deal with the Chinese government sending the EV maker’s stock soaring. But that’s so yesterday in the 24-hour news cycle. And word that CEO Elon Musk has dismissed two key executives – with their entire staff set to follow – took the steam out of Tesla’s nascent stock rebound.
Tesla Gets Go From China to Launch Full Self-Driving Tech, Sending Stock Soaring
Tesla CEO Elon Musk scored a much-needed win during a surprise trip to China over the weekend, a top Chinese official giving the automaker approval to launch its Full Self-Driving technology in the country’s massive car market. The news sent Tesla stock soaring – but also drew concerns coming days after a damaging assessment of Tesla’s original Autopilot system by U.S. regulators.
Toyota Highlander Set to Go All-Electric as Toyota Ramps Up EV Plans
Though it’s long emphasized hybrids, Toyota has plenty of battery-electric vehicles coming before the end of the decade and one of the most significant moves will see the automaker’s popular Highlander model go all-electric when the next-generation SUV comes out around 2027, Headlight.News reports.
Rhino Power: Ram 1500 RHO Takes on the Ford Raptor
The battle of the behemoths is heating up. Ram today pulled the wraps off its latest version of the 1500 pickup and while the new RHO model isn’t a replacement for the monstrous TRX, it’s got the power and features to tackle even the toughest off-road environments. Headlight.News takes a closer look at Ram’s new challenger to the familiar Ford F-150 Raptor.
Could the Next Ram TRX go All-Electric?
The Ram brand launched the latest version of the full-size 1500 pickup today, the Ram 1500 RHO delivering a mix of dragstrip performance and extreme off-road capabilities. But it’s not a replacement for the even more formidable Ram TRX, officials stressed. We’ll have to wait a few years for that ultimate version of the Ram 1500. But when it does arrive it could deliver an electrifying surprise, reports Headlight.News.
First Drive: 2024 Toyota Tacoma Hybrid Is More Then Just a Mileage Play
This is a big year for Toyota, and in a variety of ways. The automaker is rolling out an array of new and heavily updated products, including models such as the Crown Signia crossover, Camry sedan and 4Runner SUV. There’s also the fourth-generation Toyota Tacoma pickup which, among other things, becomes the Japanese automaker’s latest model to offer a hybrid powertrain option. Here’s what we discovered during our first drive.