Cadillac is launching the 20th anniversary of its V-Series in style with updates of the two CT5 performance packages, the CT5-V and CT5-V Blackwing. Headlight.News checks out how the two sedans strike the balance between performance and luxury.
BMW
Humanoid Robots Set to Report for Work at BMW’s Spartanburg Plant
In 1927, the German director Fritz Lang’s legendary film, Metropolis, introduced the idea of humanoid robots. Now, nearly a century later, robots have become a common site on automotive assembly lines but look little like the Maschinenmensch Lang envisioned. Or they have so far. But as part of a new partnership with the California-based startup Figure, BMW is about to put the first humanoid robots to work on its assembly line in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Read all about it at Headlight.News.
Is the EV World’s Holy Grail — the Solid-State Battery — Just Vaporware?
With EVs mandated to reach 50% of new U.S. vehicle sales in 2030 — and to replace internal combustion models by 2035 in the EU — the search is on for the battery technology that can win over consumers with longer range, lower costs and quicker charging speeds. But solid-state, the technology expected to replace today’s lithium-ion batteries, is so far failing to live up to its hype.
Sales of German Brands Climb But Market Share Dips
With their market share under pressure, German brands Audi, BMW and Porsche succeeded in posting record sales for 2023 as the industry had its best year since the pandemic crushed sales and the supply chains. Find out more at Headlight.News.
CES 2024 Ushers In Era of “Software-Defined Vehicles”
Today’s cars already function as computers on wheels, some equipped with over 100 onboard microprocessors. But tomorrow’s vehicles will go significantly further, offering the sort of software-based features and functions found on Apple and Android smartphones and making use of the latest AI technology. Tomorrow’s “software-defined vehicles” will transform what motorists can do while driving – while generating hundreds of billions of dollars in new revenue streams for automakers. We’ll get a look at what this means at the upcoming Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
EV Sales Could Slow as Tesla, Nissan, GM Lose U.S. Tax Credits on Some Models
The New Year brings bad news for potential EV buyers as only a handful of models now qualify for federal tax credits of up to $7,500. That’s because of new requirements covering the sourcing of batteries and raw materials like lithium and cobalt. Among the brands impacted are Tesla, Nissan, General Motors and Ford. And analysts worry this could further slow growth of EV sales.
Dozens More EVs Coming in 2025 and 2026
At least 40 new battery-electric vehicles are due to reach U.S. showrooms in 2024 — and that’s a conservative estimate as we’ve had a number of surprises dropped on us by both domestic and foreign-owned brands. If anything, the flood of EV offerings will likely accelerate going forward. Here’s a look at some of the models we’re expecting in 2025 and 2026. Headlight.News checks out 45 of them.
Our Top Test Drives of 2023
Wow; that was a quick year. It was 12 months of a changing vehicle mix, as more EVs are coming to market than ever. Nevertheless, it’s been a year of some fun test drives. Headlight.News offers up its list of the best for you to review yourself.
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.
Only Three Midsize Luxury SUVs Earn Good Score In Latest IIHS Crash Ratings
Poor performance of rear seat restraints cited as possibly causing injury in most of the tested models. Paying more for a midsize SUV doesn’t mean you’re safer in a crash – especially in the rear seat. That’s the message from the Insurance Institute for Highway...
Q&A: Shaun Bugbee, BMW’s U.S. Operations Chief “We Have the Right EVs”
While it was an early EV pioneer with the little M3, BMW fell behind rivals like Tesla and Mercedes-Benz in recent years. Now it’s making up for lost time rolling out an assortment of all-electric models, including versions of its iconic 5 Series and 7 Series lines. To get insight into the Bavarian automaker’s EV strategy Headlight.News caught up with Shaun Bugbee, executive vice president of Operations for BMW of North America during a visit to Spartanburg, South Carolina, home of the automaker’s U.S. manufacturing center.
First Drive: 2024 BMW i5 M60 – Is This The Ultimate Electric Driving Machine?
After a long delay, BMW is flooding the market with EVs, and the i5 is one generating plenty of buzz, especially the top-trim M60 edition. Like all M models, it promises a blend of power and luxury. But does it all come together? That’s what Headlight.News set out to discover during a day’s drive of the 2024 BMW i5 M60 near the automaker’s manufacturing complex in Spartanburg, South Carolina.