Paul Eisenstein, Author at Headlight.news

Musk Appears to Reverse Course on Tesla Supercharger Cuts

by Paul Eisenstein | May 13, 2024 | *Daily News*, Business, Consumer Guides, Earnings and Financials, EVs and batteries, Executives, Government, Green Power, Sales, Technology, Tesla

Just days after firing the head of Tesla’s Supercharger operations – and dismissing her entire 500-person staff – CEO Elon Musk appeared to reverse course, announcing on his social media site X that the automaker still will invest “well over” $500 million on “new sites and expansions” of the public charging system. The apparent turnaround comes as Tesla comes under increasing pressure from Tesla investors, analysts, owners and other automakers who have done deals to gain access to the Supercharger network for their own EV customers.

Subaru Plans 8 EVs by 2028 – 4 From Partnership with Toyota

by Paul Eisenstein | May 13, 2024 | *Daily News*, Business, Earnings and Financials, EVs and batteries, Green Power, Hybrids, Regulatory, Sales, Subaru, Technology, Toyota

Subaru’s only EV, the Solterra, is a product of a joint venture with Toyota – and the Japanese automaker plans to take the same approach with its next three battery-electric vehicles, all due out by 2026. Then it plans to bring out four more, developed in-house, by 2028, its CEO said Monday.

Alpine Alpenglow Hy4: From Concept to Rolling Hydrogen-Powered Testbed

by Paul Eisenstein | May 10, 2024 | *Daily News*, Auto Shows, BMW, Business, Concept Vehicles, Environment, Green Power, Hybrids, Mazda, Motorsports, Renault, Technology, Toyota

Originally introduced in pure concept form at the 2022 Paris Motor Show, French automaker Alpine apparently has some serious plans for the Alpenglow hypercar. A running version, dubbed the Alpine Alpenglow Hy4 is set to take to the track for the 6-hour Spa-Francochamps endurance race this weekend. What stands out is not just the exotic design and impressive performance but the fact that the Hy4 uses a hydrogen-powered internal combustion engine.

Feds Raise “Significant Safety Concerns” Over Ford Fuel Leak Recall

by Paul Eisenstein | May 9, 2024 | *Daily News*, Business, Consumer Guides, Ford, Government, Lincoln, Recalls, Regulatory, Safety

A recall ordered by Ford to address gasoline leaks involving 43,000 Ford Bronco Sport And Escape SUVs has come under scrutiny. Federal regulators say they have “significant safety concerns” about whether the repairs will fix the problem and prevent possible vehicle fires.

Trump Vows to Reverse Biden EV, Auto Emissions Rules – for $1 Billion

by Paul Eisenstein | May 9, 2024 | *Daily News*, Business, Earnings and Financials, Environment, EVs and batteries, Executives, Government, Green Power, Regulatory

President Donald Trump outlined a series of changes he’ll make to the Biden administration’s policies on EVs and other environmental rules if he wins reelection next November. But the changes he promised during a meeting with oil industry CEOs carries a $1 billion quid pro quo in campaign funds.

Lucid Model Y Rival Set to Launch in 2026

by Paul Eisenstein | May 8, 2024 | *Daily News*, Business, Consumer Guides, EVs and batteries, Executives, Fisker, Green Power, Lucid, Sales, Technology, Tesla

In desperate need of a more affordable product that can deliver a big boost in sales, Lucid is working up a new compact SUV taking aim at the Tesla Model Y. Expect it to enter production by 2026, with a base price of less than $50,000, said CEO Peter Rawlinson, earlier than previously expected.

Fed Probe of Tesla Autopilot, FSD Raises Securities, Wire Fraud Concerns

by Paul Eisenstein | May 8, 2024 | *Daily News*, Autonomous Vehicles, Business, EVs and batteries, Executives, Green Power, Personalities, Technology, Tesla

Tesla now faces a criminal probe, federal prosecutors raising questions about the way the automaker has promoted its Autopilot and Full Self-Driving technology which – despite what Tesla and CEO Elon Musk have implied to investors and consumers – are not capable of being driven hands-free.

Still More Layoffs at Tesla

by Paul Eisenstein | May 7, 2024 | *Daily News*, Business, Earnings and Financials, EVs and batteries, Executives, Green Power, Personalities, Technology, Tesla

Tesla launched yet another round of layoffs this week as CEO Elon Musk struggles to compensate for slowing sales and a 55% drop in first-quarter earnings. The latest cuts mean Tesla will see total U.S. employment drop as much as 20%, according to one report, with some departments, including its Supercharger operations, eliminated entirely.

Stellantis Faces New Threat as Workers at Key Stamping Plant Vote to OK Strike

by Paul Eisenstein | May 7, 2024 | *Daily News*, Business, Chrysler, Dodge, Earnings and Financials, Ford, General Motors, Jeep, Ram, Stellantis, Union

Months after settling a crippling strike at its North American automotive operations, Stellantis faces the threat of another walkout, workers at a critical stamping plant in suburban Detroit giving union leaders the okay to shut down the facility if no agreement can be reached over health and safety issues. A walkout would also shutter key Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram assembly lines.

VP Harris Announces $100 Million in Aid for EV Manufacturing During Detroit Visit

by Paul Eisenstein | May 6, 2024 | *Daily News*, Business, Earnings and Financials, EVs and batteries, Government, Green Power, Personalities, Regulatory, Technology

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.

Plagued by Thefts, High Costs, Free2move Car-Sharing Service All But Shuts Down

by Paul Eisenstein | May 6, 2024 | *Daily News*, Earnings and Financials, Ride-sharing, Stellantis

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

by Paul Eisenstein | May 3, 2024 | *Daily News*, Business, Earnings and Financials, Environment, EVs and batteries, Executives, Green Power, Personalities, Regulatory, Technology

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.

Paul Eisenstein