It was a good year for BMW, the automaker gaining traction in most global markets while setting an all-time record in the U.S. To keep the momentum going, the automaker is planning a product blitz that will see nearly 40 new models come to market over the next half-decade, including an assortment of battery-electric vehicles, EVs already generating about 13% of the Bavarian automakers U.S. sales.
Paul Eisenstein
Soaring Car Insurance Costs are Setting Fire to Inflation
Forget rising food costs and high interest rates. Soaring auto insurance costs have become a major contributor to resurgent inflation. March saw some of the biggest increases in premiums U.S. motorists have seen in a half century.
Breathe Easy, San Francisco: Study Finds EVs are Cleaning the City’s Air
When the EPA locked down new vehicle emissions standards last month regulators promised it would yield significant improvements in air quality by requiring a significant increase in sales of battery-electric vehicles. That’s been a matter of debate – but a new study shows that, at least in San Francisco, with some of the highest EV adoption rates in the U.S., air quality already is improving.
Q&A: Toyota Brand Boss David Christ Talks the Future of Hybrids, Plug-Ins and BEVs
A quarter-century after launching the first Prius, Toyota Tuesday introduced its 19th hybrid, the 2025 4Runner. The automaker’s “portfolio approach,” offering a mix of hybrids, PHEVs, EVs and fuel-cell vehicles has become controversial — but may be vindicated by slowing growth in the EV market. In this Q&A, Toyota’s U.S. brand boss David Christ talks about why giving customers a choice makes sense — while also laying out plans for even more electrified models in the near future.
First Look: 2024 Toyota 4Runner – More Power, More Features, More Options
The 2025 Toyota 4Runner made its official debut Tuesday night and those looking for a rugged, midsize SUV will find plenty of reasons to give it a close look. The body-on-frame utility vehicle gets a ground-up makeover that provides more choices than ever, including an optional new hybrid powertrain, the new Trailhunter and Platinum packages, an array of new tech features and over 200 dealer-installable accessories.
GM Cruise Planning to Relaunch Robocab Operations
After halting all operations on public roads following a near-fatal crash last autumn, General Motors’ autonomous driving unit Cruise appears ready to put at least some of its robocab fleet back into use.
First Look: 2025 Buick Enclave – Bigger, More Stylish and Now, Hands-Free
Buick’s flagship SUV is back with a new look for the upcoming model year and it’s picking up on some of the key design cues first seen on the Wildcat concept vehicle. The 2025 Buick Enclave also gets an assortment of new comfort features as well as new technology that includes the “premium” brand’s first use of the hands-free GM Super Cruise.
Musk Promises to Reveal Tesla Robotaxi in August
Tesla CEO Elon Musk said in a tweet that the automaker will reveal its new robotaxi on August 8, 2024. According to recent reports, Tesla has scrubbed plans to build an “affordable” EV to focus resources on developing the driverless ride-sharing vehicle – though Musk said such reports are false.
Tesla Kills Plan for Affordable EV
Tesla pulled the plug on a program aimed at developing a $25,000 EV, even as Chinese automakers led by BYD double down on bringing to market all-electric vehicles affordable often to reach mainstream buyers. According to Reuters, Tesla CEO Elon Musk now wants to focus on self-driving robocabs.
Waymo, Uber Eats Partner on Driverless Food Deliveries
Users of the Uber Eats service in the Phoenix area now can order a meal delivered by a driverless vehicle as part of a partnership with Waymo.
Could Tesla “Go Bust”?
With sales falling sharply, the first quarter of 2024 was an “unmitigated disaster,” according to one of Tesla’s big boosters. Now, one of the automaker’s big critics is warning the company could “go bust.”
Hybrids, EVs Helped Prop Up March Sales – Except for Tesla
It’s become something of conventional wisdom that the EV market is slowing down. And there’s no question that, on a percentage basis, the growth rate for battery-electric vehicles has slowed over the last 12 months. But the market does continue to grow, Kia’s EV sales jumping 151% in March. Ironically, it was the 800-pound gorilla of the battery-electric market, Tesla, where sales fell well short of expectations.