Like the kid getting revenge on the bully who used to kick sand on his face at the beach, the Ford F-150 came to the rescue of a humbled Tesla Cybertruck in a video now gone viral. Get the details at Headlight.News.
Paul Eisenstein
Mercedes Getting “Hyper-Personal’ at CES 2024
More than 500 automakers, auto suppliers and other “mobility” manufacturers will be on hand for this year’s Consumer Electronics Show, including Mercedes-Benz. The German luxury brand plans to introduce a “hyper-personalized” version of its MBUX infotainment system, using AI to deliver a more “natural, human-like interaction.” Headlight.News looks at what Mercedes, BMW, Honda and other automakers have in store for CES 2024.
GM the Latest Automaker Adding to Layoff Rolls
General Motors will lay off more than 1,300 hourly workers at two Michigan plants, the automaker said. The announcement follows a series of other job cuts as the industry comes to the end of a challenging year. Most of the GM workers are employed at a suburban Detroit plant undergoing major renovation for the launch for future EVs.
Cruise Cuts Quarter of Workforce – Including Nine Senior Execs Linked to Near-Fatal Pedestrian Crash
Cruise LLC, GM’s autonomous vehicle arm, continues to feel the impact of an October 2 crash that nearly killed a pedestrian in San Francisco. The robotaxi company will eliminate a quarter of its workforce in a bid to move onto “a more deliberate path with safety as the north star.” That includes nine senior executives cited in an ongoing safety investigation.”
Cadillac Teases its Fifth EV, the Three-Row Vistiq
Cadillac’s push into the EV market is picking up speed as it reveals its fifth all-electric model – and the third unveiled this year. Headlight.News checks out the new Caddy Vistiq, an EV alternative to the three-row Cadillac XT6. More from Headlight.News.
Honda, Acura Revise CPO Program to Attract Buyers Priced Out of New Car Market
Vehicle prices have surged at a record pace over the last decade, rising more than 50%, and pricing many potential buyers out of the market. To give them an alternative, Honda and its upscale sibling Acura are upgrading their certified pre-owned program, not only offering near-new models but adding more ways to finance them, including leasing – as well as the ability to shop for them online, the two brands announced Thursday.
Tesla Recalls 2 Million Vehicles Over Autopilot Safety Concerns
Tesla will recall 2 million EVs sold in the U.S. to make significant updates to its Autopilot system. As Headlight.News reported Tuesday, the semi-autonomous technology has come under fire because, among other things, it can be used on roads for which it was not designed. That has been linked to numerous fatal crashes. But Tesla put a positive spin on the issue, CEO Elon Musk claiming the recall is part of a “moral obligation” to ensure the safety of its vehicles.
First Drive: 2024 Blazer EV – Something for Everybody
Chevrolet is getting into EVs in a big way, the bowtie brand beginning to ramp up production of an all-electric Silverado, prepping the Equinox EV for a launch next year, and confirming the Bolt nameplate will return in all-new form. But the spotlight now is on a battery-powered version of one of its most popular model lines. And Headlight.News spent several days in sunny San Diego getting a chance to drive two versions of the 2024 Chevy Blazer EV.
Tesla Autopilot Takes New Heat – And California Says the Name is Part of the Problem
Tesla is coming under more intense fire as a result of a series of crashes involving its Autopilot system. The NTSB wants the automaker to block its use on roads where it’s not safe to operate. And California regulators say the name, Autopilot, is itself false and misleading and should be changed.
Demand Down, Ford Halves Production of F-150 Lightning EV
Ford Motor Co. will slash production of its F-150 Lightning early next year, the automaker confirmed, reflecting a drop in customer demand. Ford had only recently completed a major expansion at the Dearborn, Michigan plant building the all-electric pickup to respond to initial demand following Lightning’s launch in spring 2022.
Nearly 3,700 Jeep Workers Warned of Layoffs — Blames California
Facing declining demand for its Jeep Wrangler, Grand Cherokee and Gladiator models, Jeep says it will cut as many as 3,700 jobs at plants in Michigan and Ohio — and its putting at least some of the blame on California’s tough emissions rules.
Kia Partnering Up to Help Ocean Cleanup
It’s twice the size of Texas and still growing. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is the largest accumulation of plastic waste in the world, but by no means the only place where cast-off plastic is accumulating in the world’s waterways. Now, a non-profit called The Ocean Cleanup believes it can dramatically reduce this waste over the next two decades. And it’s getting a helping hand from Kia which intends to turn much of that junk into useful parts for its vehicles. More from Headlight.News.